Atlantis - Return of the Nation

Atlantis - Return of the Nation Page 18

by Steven Cook

  ‘I do apologise,’ the man stood back and let Coran rise.

  Dingo saw the mark on the sleeve and realised that the man would move to the officer’s table next. He quickly levered himself upright.

  ‘It is not a problem,’ the server said.

  Dingo let Coran past him and blocked the server’s path on purpose, making a show of checking he had everything.

  The man waited patiently for a few seconds, and then made to pass. Dingo realised that time had run out. He apologised and started walking slowly towards the door.

  ‘What is that? We expect better service in here.’

  Dingo risked a glance over his shoulder. One of the officers was holding the servers arm and had pulled the dirty sleeve into view.

  ‘I am not sure; it was not there a moment ago.’

  The officer wrinkled his brow. He let go of the arm. Dingo breathed a little easier.

  ‘I did brush against the gentleman who just left,’ offered the servant.

  The officer’s brow furrowed and he launched himself to his feet to look at the door. Dingo had caught up to Coran, who had his hand on the latch.

  ‘You,’ called the officer, pointing at them.

  ‘Don’t look, keep going.’ hissed Dingo.

  The officer called again. The men sitting around the room looked up in interest at the disturbance.

  ‘Stop those men.’ called the officer.

  Coran and Dingo suddenly leapt into action. They dashed through the door into the street. Slamming the door shut behind them Coran drew his knife and slammed it into the door above the latch.

  ‘That will hold them for a moment.’

  Somebody slammed into the other side of the door, and the latch rattled. The knife prevented it from opening.

  ‘Come on let us get out of here.’ Coran grabbed Dingo and dragged him into an alley.

  There was further heavy banging on the door, followed by the crash of breaking glass as a chair was used to break through a window.

  Coran looked backwards to see armed men climbing through the empty frame. The first looked directly at him and shouted, pointing in his direction.

  The two spies ran deeper into the alley, pursued by a group of six warriors. The warriors were shouting as they went, attempting to attract the attention of further guardsmen who could cut off Coran and Dingo.

  The cries of the warriors worked. As they approached the end of the alley where it connected with a well-lit narrow lane, a pair of guardsmen appeared. They looked into the gloomy alley, spears held across their chests.

  Coran paused, but Dingo put on an additional burst of speed. At a distance of six feet he leapt out of the alley, directly at one of the guards. In panic the guard had no time to rotate his spear, and instead raised it to protect his face, exactly what Dingo wanted.

  His right foot landed on the spear shaft and pushed him upwards. The left foot followed through, catching the guard in the face and throwing him back into the wall. The powerful thrust of his leg propelled Dingo up to a height where he could grip the edge of the roofline of the building across from the alley.

  The guard in the lane turned to look upwards in time to see Dingo’s feet disappear. He entirely missed Coran as he silently came up behind him.

  Coran aimed carefully and rapped the guard on the side of his head to send him slumping to the ground beside his companion. Swiftly grabbing one of the spears he held it up to Dingo, who appeared at the edge of the roof.

  Dingo grabbed the spear behind the head, and as Coran started to climb he began dragging it upwards. They were soon reunited and lay silently and flat on the roof as the Warriors appeared below.

  The warriors milled around for a few moments before their leader separated them. As his men ran off the warrior looked around the junction. He examined the walls, seeing that there was no way they could have made their way up fifteen feet and taken out a pair of guards.

  He turned and went back down the alley to report to the officers that they had lost their quarry.

  ‘We have to get back to the Fifth Quadrant. Our description will be spreading,’ whispered Coran.

  ‘Let’s try and stay on the roofs. At least we shouldn’t be spotted up here.’

  The two men rose into a crouch and started to slowly ease their way across the rooftops. The two men quickly got into the easiest method of traversing the roofs and became a pair of wraiths moving from one shadowy area to another.

  As they skirted the perimeter of a large square they could see a large number of warriors mustering.

  ‘Hold on,’ hissed Dingo.

  Coran copied Dingo in dropping to his stomach.

  ‘Isn’t that?’ Dingo pointed.

  Coran focused on a tight group of men in the centre of the square.

  ‘That is Hildar all right. He is early.’

  ‘Damn, I wish I had a rifle, I could take him out from here.’

  ‘I think his friends might be a bit upset by that,’ said Coran, taking Dingo’s meaning.

  He indicated the ever-growing number of Warriors congregating around him.

  ‘They’re not all the Sixth are they?’

  Coran swore softly.

  ‘I can see the First Captains of the Seventh and Tenth. The seventh have the Sea Serpent on their shields, the Tenth the head of a Gorgon. This is bigger than we thought. The Minoan was right after all.’

  They moved back from the edge of the roof.

  ‘Whatever is about to happen is going to happen soon. We have to move fast.’

  They slowly slipped backwards from the edge then rose to a crouch to move silently out of sight of the square. Once clear they started to move quicker. In the streets below they could hear the sounds of marching warriors.

  *

  Residence of General Ilissus 23rd and 24th May

  Andy Warnett and Shane Fitzpatrick were waiting on the mezzanine when Danny finally left his rooms. They greeted each other and tried not to laugh at the new clothes they were wearing.

  ‘When in Atlantis,’ said Danny, twirling on the spot.

  Each was now attired as Atlantian gentry, with finely cut tunics cinched at the waist by wide tooled leather belts supporting short eating knives in scabbards. Beading and knotting decorated the tunics to raise them above the tunics worn by the serving staff.

  Below them in the main entrance hall a crowd had gathered and was slowly drifting through into the adjoining room. It was easy to spot the martial types, as they wore dress versions of their combat tunics. The women amongst the crowd wore long flowing gowns with high bust lines, often caught up with ribbon from the hips to the bust to create an attractive cleavage.

  The three sailors looked at each other.

  ‘Shall we?’ Fitz swept his arm across his body, inviting the others to precede him.

  In single file the swept down the staircase to join the party. Several pairs of eyes followed them down the stairs. Andy caused most of the interest with his dark skin and height.

  Most people didn’t turn as the main door was opened and a group of three people entered.

  Danny almost stumbled as he caught sight of the group. One of the group was attired in Atlantian attire. The first two however were dressed differently to everybody else at the gathering.

  The man was dressed in an antique suit, complete with high starched collar and tails. The women holding to his arm was dressed in a heavy dress with a bustle.

  Danny’s gaze flitted past them to concentrate on the third member of the group. A young woman of exceptional beauty shadowed the odd couple. She was wearing a pale sea blue gown gathered with ribbons. Her blond hair was gathered on the back of her head and allowed to cascade down in soft curls.

  They finally reached the bottom of the stairs. A hand gripped his arm and Danny turned to look at Eraz.

  ‘Steady there.�
�€™ The warrior had a bigger than usual grin on his face.

  ‘Who is she?’ Danny gasped.

  ‘Why don’t I introduce you?’ said Saraph, coming up alongside Eraz.

  Without waiting for an answer he strode across the hall, nodding to the people who moved aside for him. Danny and the others stumbled less gracefully after him.

  General Ilissus and Eridanus had joined the women and her two strange companions. They paused in their conversation as Saraph and the others stopped beside them.

  ‘May I introduce my companions?’ he said.

  At his mother’s nod of acceptance he continued.

  ‘Able Seaman Danny Morehouse of H.M.S. Daring, Seaman Shane Fitzpatrick of U.S.S. Boise and Lieutenant Commander Andy Warnett also of U.S.S. Boise.’ He indicated each in turn.

  Danny was mesmerised by the lady when she looked at him whilst he was introduced. Her fine cheekbones framed her blue eyes that had intensity and a questioning about them.

  ‘Gentlemen,’ started Eridanus, ‘here we have Benjamin Briggs, his wife Sarah Briggs and their daughter, Sophia.’

  The sailors smiled and nodded at each in turn.

  ‘Benjamin and his family have been guests with us since their ship was lost after Arcanadia rose the last time.’

  ‘The Mary Celeste,’ blurted Danny.

  They all looked at him. Sophia’s eyes crinkled in amusement.

  ‘You know of my boat?’ Captain Briggs sounded hopeful.

  ‘Yes sir,’ replied Danny, ‘one of my ancestors was Captain of the Dei Gratia, the ship which discovered the Mary Celeste, your boat, drifting without the crew. It was assumed that you had abandoned ship and died.’

  ‘I dined with David Morehouse before we sailed from New York. You say he is an ancestor?’

  ‘Yes, he’s part of our family legend. He died over a hundred years ago.’ Danny was relaxing as he concentrated on Captain Briggs instead of his daughter.

  ‘That can’t be. We’ve been here only twenty-three years.’ Sarah Briggs joined the conversation.

  ‘Ma’am, nearly one hundred and forty years have passed since your boat was found abandoned.’

  ‘My word.’ stated Captain Briggs simply.

  ‘Then what year is it now Mr Morehouse?’ Sophia’s gentle voice caused Danny to loose his train of thought.

  ‘It’s twenty-ten miss,’ said Fitz, cutting in as Danny gaped at her.

  ‘Time does not run normally on Arcanadia when it is not in the world,’ said Ilissus.

  ‘To what degree?’ asked Warnett.

  ‘A week in the real world relates to one day on Arcanadia,’ said Eridanus, ‘and even then time doesn’t have the same affect. I had the dubious honour of reaching my two hundredth birthday later this year.’

  The sailors looked at him in astonishment.

  ‘My son is over seventy, and Ilissus is…’ he stopped when Ilissus raised her hand.

  ‘I don’t think you need to disclose that.’

  ‘No matter how old a lady is, she will never like her age becoming public knowledge.’ The group laughed along with Eridanus.

  ‘I’ve always liked older women,’ said Danny, looking directly at Sophia.

  She blushed and smiled back at him.

  ‘I think we have monopolised our guests for long enough,’ said Eridanus.

  He nodded to each of them then offered his arm to his wife. Ilissus rested her hand on his forearm and followed him into the main room. They notice that Eridanus walked with a heavy limp, favouring his right leg.

  Captain Briggs extended his arm to his wife.

  ‘Gentlemen,’ he nodded to each in turn.

  The Captain and his wife walked off, leaving Sophia with the grinning sailors. She looked at Danny and smiled.

  Fitz opened his mouth to ask Sophia something, but was interrupted by a poke in the ribs.

  ‘What?’ he turned indignantly to Warnett.

  ‘Eraz wants to talk to us.’ He pointed across the room to where Eraz was standing with his back to them, talking to a pair of ladies in flowing gowns.

  ‘No he doesn’t,’ replied Fitz, looking over.

  ‘Yes he does Seaman Fitzpatrick,’ smiled Warnett without humour.

  Fitz finally caught the meaning. He looked at Sophia and Danny quickly before following Warnett and Saraph away from the couple into the next room.

  ‘Lucky bastard,’ he said quietly to himself, taking a goblet of wine from one of the serving staff.

  Danny hardly registered that the others had left. He and Sophia stood looking at each other. He noticed that the sides of her mouth started to rise in amusement.

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare,’ he apologised.

  ‘That’s alright. I must admit I wasn’t being overly polite,’ she chewed on the inside of her lip for a moment.

  ‘Is Danny short for Daniel?’ she asked.

  ‘It is, although only my mum calls me Daniel.’

  ‘I prefer Danny, it’s less formal.’

  ‘Thank you,’ he paused, ‘what’s it been like growing up in a strange world?’

  She laughed gently.

  ‘I was just two when we landed on Arcanadia. I barely remember anything from before that. What is it like in the real world, how has it changed since we were in it?’

  Danny collected a pair of goblets from a passing servant. After passing one to Sophia he wet his lips. Savouring the taste he thought for a moment.

  ‘Where do I start?’ They wandered over towards one of the windows as Danny started to dredge major events out of his memory.

  They sat down side by side in a window seat close to the front door. Sophia turned to face him and studied his profile as he began to gather his thoughts.

  He took another sip of the full-bodied red wine and turned his face to hers.

  ‘Well, there have been a few years between when you disappeared and now. I’ll try to remember some of the major events.’

  Sophia was soon listening raptly as Danny relayed details of Moon Landings, computers, the Internet, Aeroplanes, microwaves and other technological advances. He also talked about wars, capitalism and communism, natural disasters and the mini skirt.

  They were oblivious to everything but each other, and as Danny talked they drifted imperceptibly towards each other. Their legs pressed together and their heads drifted closer as their intimate conversation continued.

  A short distance away Fitz and Jarak were alternating between watching Eraz and Warnett charming a pair of ladies, and the couple in the alcove. Fitz sighed deeply.

  ‘I might as well get ratted.’ He had picked up the phrase from Danny and Craig on their night out.

  ‘I do not understand the words, but I get the sentiment.’ The young warrior collected a fresh pair of goblets and after handing one to Fitz he offered a toast.

  ‘To those unlucky in love!’ They clashed goblets in salute and took deep mouthfuls.

  *

  Chapter Ten - Sophia’s Story

  Atlantis 23rd May

  Danny drained the last drops from his goblet and looked for somewhere to rest it. An alert serving girl passing through the hall diverted quickly and took it from him, exchanging it with a fresh serving. Danny nodded his thanks and had a quick look into the main room.

  The party was still in full swing, with more guests enjoying Saraph and Coran’s parents’ hospitality. Danny and Sophia had been so engrossed in their private discussion that they had not noticed the arrival of a group of musicians who were now playing gentle background music.

  There was movement from the gathered groups as a string of six scantily clad girls ran lightly to a spot in front of the musicians. They paused for
a moment, allowing their diaphanous attire float down about their thighs. The lead musician struck a beat and the girls began to dance, their lithe bodies swaying and turning.

  Danny was captivated as they wound about each other, their floating clothing blurred the lines between them as the beat got faster and it became harder to make out each individual dancer.

  A hard nudge to his ribs forced him to realise that he had been holding his breath. Sophia looked at him and raised an eyebrow in amusement.

  Danny blushed and looked away.

  ‘It is alright. Watch them. They are very skilled,’ she laughed.

  He looked back and together they watched the rest of the performance and applauded with the rest of the crowd when the girls held their final pose. With big smiles on their faces the dancers scampered out of the room.

  The musicians started up again with background music, and the crowd resumed their conversations.

  Danny took a sip from the fresh goblet of red wine and rolled it around his mouth, savouring the full-bodied taste. Swallowing he looked at Sophia again.

  ‘I think that’s as much as I can remember. Or speak of!’ he squeaked as his voice changed in pitch.

  Sophia giggled at the sudden change.

  ‘Anyway, I think you’d better tell me about yourself.’ he said in a false deep voice.

  ‘I can not remember much of the beginning of our time on Arcanadia as I was only a small child when the Mary Celeste was lost…..’

  *

  The Island 28th November 1872

  Sophia woke abruptly to the sound of an argument. She sat up, rubbed her eyes clear of sleep and stared wide eyed as the crew watched Mr Gilling stand shouting at Boy Lorenson.

  ‘If you were tired why in God’s name didn’t you wake me?’ Gilling had Boy by the front of his jacket and was shaking him roughly.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ the young German replied.

  ‘That’s not good enough,’ Gilling pushed him backwards in disgust. Boy tripped and landed on his back in the gravel.

  ‘It’s not my brother’s fault. We were all exhausted after the storm. How were we to know the ship would break free from the anchor?’ cut in Volkert.

 

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