The Gift From Poseidon: When Gods Walked Among Us (Volume 2)

by Ginegaw, J. A.

  The road to the Agathis was a little more than twenty leagues in length. If they continued north instead of curving west when close to the sea, they would run into the sprawling Centaur port. Stationed here were ships for both fishing and war. Eleven warships stood ready as always; a twelfth was nearly finished and would soon join them.

  At this pleasant gallop, Adamarcus, Taharqa, Viracocha, and their guards would arrive at the center of the Agathis Australis a bit past noon. And just as planned, they hungrily did so.

  “It’s just like you two,” Persepolis bellowed upon first seeing his friends. “Always arriving just in time for lunch!” Adamarcus and Taharqa laughed at this and the trio shared welcoming hugs.

  On foot, even the stealthiest could not simply sneak into the Agathis. If guards stationed high in the Kauri trees did not catch sight of you, hidden silk webs scattered about the forest floor did. Even if deemed worthy to stay inside the wooded borders – eternal ally or not – Arachna guards shadowed all who entered.

  “Come this way,” Persepolis directed after asking the four Arachna who had escorted the group to lead Viracocha and the Centaur guards to a waiting feasting table. “I have a spread over here just for us.”

  Adamarcus and Taharqa eagerly followed as commanded. Once they saw what Persepolis had ordered prepared for them – different kinds of meats, breads, and even a few fruits – their tongues nearly fell out of slobbering mouths.

  “This looks great!” Taharqa gushed through a grin drenched in drool.

  How in the world did Persepolis convince Arachna chefs to allow a wild boar – their favorite food by far – to reach this table without keeping it for themselves?

  Before Adamarcus had time answer his own question, his rumbling stomach convinced his brain not to care anymore, and the thankful Centaurs knelt before their bounty.

  “We have been allies for how many centuries, yet not one plate exists inside these borders?” Adamarcus teased.

  Persepolis tipped his head down as if disappointed. With a clank, Adamarcus pulled matching bronze plates from his pack and smiled as he gave one to Taharqa. Persepolis instantly cheered up again. Although expressions on Arachna faces were nearly impossible to read, Adamarcus could always tell how Persepolis felt. Gleaming plates loaded up, stuffed mouths went to work as Persepolis talked and talked and talked.

  An Arachna during feeding time was not a pretty sight. Long ago, they decided not to do so when in the presence of others not of their kind. And more than anything else, this drove Adamarcus and Taharqa crazy. They wanted to see this – DESPERATELY SO! Despite begging Persepolis to allow them to, he had yet to yield. But Centaurs could be sneaky. Adamarcus did not know how, he did not know when, but someday he would figure out a way for him and Taharqa to watch Persepolis catch and eat his prey.

  The lazy afternoon weaved into an even lazier evening. This evening then molded the canvas for the stars above to do what they did best: paint the night sky and twinkle away. The heavens above the Agathis were unlike anywhere else in Terra Australis. Perhaps it had something to do with the glaciers far across the sea, perhaps because Arachna rarely used fire aside for keeping warm, Adamarcus did not know. The night sky here was just different. Stars danced, the moon shined bigger and brighter, and the colors of the heavens streaked across the sky in bolder tones. He only saw these things when in the Agathis. The three friends in the highest lookout atop the tallest Kauri tree in the forest marveling at these wonders above….

  They swiftly fell asleep.

  *****

  Two full days in the Agathis Australis left three to travel the sixty or so leagues left on their journey. Evagoria had insisted in her invitations that the trio arrive two nights before her birthday. These past two days filled with feasting, fun, games, and his craved lesson with Zarathustra, dawn beckoned them west. They just had to choose the path to get there.

  “There is no way we’re going there!” Persepolis argued. Adamarcus, Taharqa, and Viracocha walked with him. An Arachna phalanx of seventeen led them while the dozen Centaur guards made up the rear.

  “Come on,” Taharqa teased, “it’ll be fun! It’s only a haunted city. What’s the big deal?”

  “I agree with Taharqa – let’s go!” Adamarcus chimed. “And after visiting Elkabydos, we can then enjoy a refreshing drink from the Pool of Torment and Discovery.” He looked at Viracocha and winked. “Just think of it as a history lesson among friends.”

  Viracocha looked warily back at Adamarcus. This look told him that they might have fooled Persepolis with their bold words, but not the historian. Indeed, Adamarcus and Taharqa were just as fearful to pass by the old city as the friend they teased.

  “And you know how the city became haunted, don’t you?” Persepolis asked in a mocking tone. “The waters from that tainted pool! Torment comes before Discovery for a reason! There’s no way you are getting me close to those places.” He pointed to the warriors marching ahead. “And just in case you try, that is why I brought them!”

  That they would take the safest roads from the Agathis to Atagartis meant their journey west would probably be dull and uneventful. For the most part it was. About all Adamarcus had to look forward to until Atagartis were the towering willow trees and reed-choked marshes that wandered from the Agathis to the eastern walls of the first city. And his friends, of course, who always kept things interesting.

  *****

  “I have heard,” Taharqa bragged in the early evening of the second day of travel, “the Yeturi is so quick to kill his prey that the chickens Mermaids feed it still run around its cage long after it rips their heads off!”

  “HA!” Adamarcus crowed. “Well, I have heard that if let out of its cage, the monster would seek out the largest Gryphon it could find, snap its wings in two, and use the pulled out talons to pick spoiled meat from its nasty teeth!”

  “Adamarcus!” called a stern, but soft voice behind them. As there were no females in their company, this mocking voice could only belong to Persepolis. Adamarcus and Taharqa turned and slowed down so Persepolis and Viracocha could catch up to them. “To suggest that the grand allies of our world’s superior species can be beaten by a stinking troll – take back your heinous insult this instant!”

  “That’s the best I have ever heard you mimic Evagoria!” Taharqa said as if a proud father. “You must have practiced every day since studies ended.”

  Persepolis just nodded his head and the three Centaurs broke out in laughter. A talented mimic, he could imitate Adamarcus’ father pretty well too, but was especially good at impersonating Fu Xi. Accent and all, he could somehow copy their Huaxia friend’s voice near perfectly.

  The task of lighting their world passing from the sun to the moon, the company stopped and set up camp for the night.

  Despite that Adamarcus had already visited every capital and every nation’s district inside Antediluvium, the further they traveled, the more homesick he became. Not even his excitement to see Evagoria and the monster seemed able to take the edge off this longing for home. The third day of travel now underway, as they marched west, Adamarcus’ mind drifted east.

  *****

  Mermaids could have their ‘pretty’ city and countless sculptures and fountains that could not return your awed gaze. Gryphons as well could have their sky-high walls, rooftops layered in gold, and avenues peppered with countless jewels set in stone. As for Sapiens, they could most certainly keep the haunted city all to themselves. The Agathis Australis was charming and tranquil, but just not enough for Adamarcus.

  Bustling, messy avenues that spoke four different languages, but connected as one; buildings in all shapes, colors, and sizes; the tastes and smells of the many open markets he had wandered since a youngling at his father’s side; the mighty oak in the grand garden behind his home that had heard as much history as any historian – that was home. That was Lacanesia.

  “When one looks upon Lacanesia, it does not simply return your stare,” his father once told Adamarcus, �
��it invites you in to explore its charm.” And he was right. Of all the capital cities still in use, the Centaur capital was the youngest of any. Despite this, it appeared much older than Atagartis or Hakleddamm. As for the Agathis, Zarathustra had taught Adamarcus that the built-up center was much the same as when Kheiron strolled about the wooded realm.

  The center of Lacanesia was both the administrative center and home to the wealthiest families regardless of tribe. Those like Adamarcus’ family. Standing at the innermost western gate and facing the city, the northwestern corner was the Nubian district. The northeastern corner was the Aeropid one. The southwestern and southeastern areas were for the Huaxia and Olmec respectively. Of the four districts, the Aeropid district was easily the best example of function over form.

  But so what? This part of Lacanesia – his part – was indeed best!

  Square buildings made of wood or granite with dark green tile roofs; from high above, they looked as if an ancient forest of trees clad in brown and grey bark.

  The Huaxia used just as much Kauri wood as stone. Round, square, and octagon shaped buildings aplenty; multi-tiered roofs in reds, oranges, and yellows painted a beautiful sight. Olmecs, on the other hand, used nothing but stone. Green granite was their favorite. Wide avenues and stunning mosaics of every color tile imaginable dominated their prefecture. More than the other three tribes combined, they planted flowers and trees throughout their part of the city.

  Nubians adored pink and tan granite. Although each tribe was close to the same size in numbers (a little less than 3,000 each), the Nubians built as if their numbers were twice as large. Buildings and monuments stood everywhere! Their avenues little more than pathways, as if they could not stop, they built and built and built. And of what Nubians built, they painted in bold colors. Having run out of room many centuries ago, they simply tore down what was oldest and started again.

  *****

  The sweet smell of the sea sharpened the focus of Adamarcus’ dreamy haze and a great excitement swept over the company. Atagartis was close.

  “Come on, come on!” Persepolis called. Taharqa galloped behind him. Adamarcus was excited as well, but just did not have the energy to break into a full sprint. At least not yet. Within moments, Taharqa and Persepolis rushed past the Arachna phalanx leading them. With strict orders to stay to the front of their future king, these warriors sped up as well. Adamarcus, Viracocha, and Centaur guards quickened their pace a bit, but did not hurry to catch up to the others. In regards to the screeches and shouts suddenly heard from afar, they probably should have. Better late than never, they now did so.

  “For what purpose does an Arachna phalanx and a young Centaur stand within sight of our walls?” a strapping male Mermaid atop a Gryphon demanded.

  Holding loaded bows, many Mermaids atop Gryphons stood as a wall in front of them. The Arachna warriors hurriedly formed a defensive position and Taharqa and Persepolis hid behind them. Centaur guards with their shields up and pikes drawn just made matters worse; they split into two and now bookended the Arachna guards. With no clue as what to do, Adamarcus scampered toward his friends behind this protective shield and crouched down with them.

  “WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!” Viracocha shouted with his arms raised and cherished pipe dangling from his mouth. “This is all just a misunderstanding. We are here for ––”

  “Silence, Centaur scum!” a deep bellow called from above that could only belong to one Gryphon.

  Great, what luck – Adamarcus had heard the stories in regards to this one!

  Through the pikes and shields made orange by the setting sun, Adamarcus watched Xavier and his stooge, Ahriman, land just in front of Viracocha. The savage glint that never took a moment’s rest gleamed in the eyes of the Gryphon general. Ahriman tried his best to flash Viracocha his own beastly glare, but only looked like a dimwitted fool for trying.

  Xavier slowly circled around Viracocha. ‘Stalked’ was probably a better way to put it. The Gryphon chuckled in a way that made you wonder if he was simply messing with your mind or sought to tear you into pieces. Sweat poured from Viracocha and for good reason: No Gryphon was as unpredictable as this one.

  “Welcome, my friends! Welcome!” came another voice from the sky. This one was much friendlier. Perseos atop Ahuram landed in front of Viracocha. Whether Evagoria’s grandfather did or did not know of the tense moments he landed in the middle of – at this point, Adamarcus could not have cared less.

  They were saved!

  “Evagoria asked that I look out for you three!” Perseos said cheerfully.

  With a roll of his eyes, Xavier wandered off as if a hunter bored with his catch. The phalanx separated a bit and stunned eyes set in three still shaking bodies gawked at him. Finally, the friends stepped forward and, along with Viracocha, greeted Perseos.

  “So what are your plans, Viracocha? I know these three will be staying with us for the next few days, but what about you?” After a pause, Perseos added slyly, “I am sure Penelope would be happy to see you.”

  Able to laugh after all this, Viracocha openly did so. Most Centaurs genuinely liked Perseos. Like the former Gryphon king, Simonacles, he was more cheerful and relaxed than their kinds usually allowed. Adamarcus knew of and respected Ahuram as well. During studies, unlike most Gryphons, this one had always been kind to him – he even did not seem to mind Arachna. The handsome Gryphon was much different from his twin brother, Ahriman. Ahuram was not soft, but confident. He did not use his savage nature as his outward one, but kept it hidden until needed. In short, Ahuram was as Adamarcus thought a Gryphon should be.

  “And I would be happy to see her as well,” Viracocha replied. “Not today, but perhaps before we depart I will make my way into your great city. For now, I would like to help those in my company set up camp.”

  “Very well.” Perseos shook Viracocha’s hand a second time. “I will take good care of these three. Aside for when she sleeps, wherever Evagoria goes, they will be with her.”

  With these kind words, Perseos led Adamarcus, Taharqa, and Persepolis to the grand gates and then finally behind them. Just as he remembered, the Mermaid capital was as if a sprawling treasure. A great square with fountains galore and sculptures of both marble and bronze sat everywhere. And they had not even reached the main part of the city yet!

  As Adamarcus looked upon the protective walls now fading from view behind him, his awe melted into a longing for home. Atagartis was much prettier, Hakleddamm gleamed many times more, and the Agathis was more tranquil, but there was no city like his. Evagoria may have owned his heart, but Lacanesia owned his soul.

  Now, if he could only get rid of this sinking feeling he would never see home again….

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  A COVETOUS MIND

  Sons of a king, a general, and a Chiron – we might not be the brightest trio to walk our world, but on this day, we are certainly the most spoiled. When alongside the princess inside Atagartis, everyone notices. ESPECIALLY the monster. Its eyes as sharp as blades when it looks elsewhere, they turn soft once pointed in her direction. To keep her in its midst, to stare at her in eternal wonder – the troll wants Evagoria. And as I steal a look into what the Yeturi holds in its filthy hand, I wish a covetous mind is all I am convinced of.

  – Adamarcus, Aeropid Centaur

  – Mid-Fall, Year 4,253 KT[27]

  Today was the day! Not Evagoria’s birthday – that was tomorrow – but what, aside from the princess, the three friends wished to see above all else: the recently captured Yeturi. About to enter the market with Evagoria, Adamarcus turned behind him to check if the five guards who had escorted them to this point would continue to do so, but they were nowhere in sight.

  “WHOA!” Taharqa groaned. “I didn’t know we were going swimming!”

  As a flurry of small splashes leapt out of the way, the four friends passed through the ramped entrance. Atop the decorated floor and rising to just below Adamarcus’ knees, a shallow pool of salt water – freezing
salt water – swirled in a relaxed rhythm.

  “Worry not, my friends, the water is clean.” Evagoria looked about and then flashed the trio a sly smile. “Well, as there are a good many younglings here today, it is for the most part.”

  Adamarcus and Taharqa made funny faces as they imagined what ‘for the most part’ really meant. Evagoria then explained to them how and when Mermaid caretakers drained the pool to clean it.

  “Are we there yet?” Persepolis begged the moment she finished. So excited they would soon see the Yeturi, he barely seemed to notice the water they now trudged through.

  “Worry not, Persepolis,” Evagoria said with a smirk. “All in good time.”

  Adamarcus’ eyes met her ocean blue diamonds, and she gave him a wink. Although he wanted to see the captured monster just as much as the other two, he would give in to Evagoria’s obvious desire to make them wait for their prize.

  The sweeping marketplace greatly impressed Adamarcus. Whether the many hundreds of Mermaids now gliding along the market square’s tiled walkways sought jewelry, clothes, food, drinks, or splendid works of art, they came to the right place. To wander about this bountiful, bustling market reminded Adamarcus of those in Lacanesia, but he couldn’t decide if this helped or just made him long for home even more. As many had already come to see the Yeturi, the two Centaurs and Arachna did not get the puzzled stares Adamarcus thought they would.

  Although chilly and a biting wind blew through the marketplace, by what little they wore, every Mermaid – younglings included – appeared not to notice. And in truth, they barely did. For a Centaur, one of the most amazing things about Mermaids was their tolerance to cold. As if they were not Half-Saps, but furry creatures like Arachna or Gryphons, aside for when the weather was frigid enough for snow to fall, they covered themselves in the same clothes as they would for summer.