Colony - Blood Kin (Colony Series Book 3)

by Gene Stiles

  Along the shoreline, above the rolling, green hills and high, white-faced cliffs, thick stands of dark forest stood like sentinels protecting the lands beyond. Long stretches of sandy, golden beaches kissed the river with each ripple of soft waves upon its lips. The air virtually vibrated with vast multitudes of sounds that touched Kaikinos with a warmth of soul that brought a wide smile to his full lips, visible event through the tightly curled blackness of his long beard. He flared his wide nostrils and drank in a myriad of scents more aromatic than anything he had ever savored. There was a soft serenity here the likes of which he had not felt in such a long, long time.

  “Captain,” Inopos said quietly, breaking Kaikinos from his reverie, “Captain Simeois has found a wide inlet off to starboard and requests we hold while he does a reconnaissance of the area.”

  The Captain looked down upon his First Mate and gave him a wide, toothy smile. Inopos stood ramrod straight, long, well-muscled legs slightly spread to balance him on the gently swaying ship. A black leather headband that matched the ebony outfit he wore over his Enviro-Suit banded his curly, red hair, cut just below his solid neck and trimmed short around his face. A thick, fur-lined vest held tightly over his wide, powerful chest by leather laces and onyx pants that clung to his form like the embrace of a lover overlaid the suit’s silver sheen. Just by the way he held himself, it was very easy to see that he was once a highly decorated officer in the Aam.

  “Why do you smile so happily, my Captain?” he asked, his emerald eyes dark with memories that haunted him. “We lost so many of our brothers and sisters in that monstrosity’s attack as well as our fastest ship.”

  “This is true,” Kaikinos replied with a nod of his head. “We lost many, but we saved even more. Most of the crew from the Wind Star survived and are in the Healing Room or are doing labors onboard the ship. Their aid in repairing our hull was vital in getting us seaworthy again. We should rejoice in what we have and not dwell on what we lost.”

  “You are correct, Captain,” Inopos said in a terse, low voice. “Yet I have a difficult time with the idea. Many of my closest friends are gone to the Creator now. They will be sorely missed.”

  Placing a wide, calloused hand on his friend’s shoulder, Kaikinos met those green, glistening eyes with his own deep brown ones. “I understand and I, too, grieve for them. When we are settled, I know I will find a private place to shed my tears. For now though, I must revel in what we have won. Otherwise, what we gave up in Atlantis would be meaningless. It would be all for nothing.” His sun-browned face took on a serious moment and his smile was lost in his heavily bearded face. Kaikinos gazed out at the swiftly moving river where they had dropped anchor, its bright blue waters sparkling in the brightness of the afternoon sunlight.

  “It is the will of the Creator that we are here,” the Captain continued. “Have faith that our friends are now in His loving embrace and find happiness in what we have gained.”

  The First Mate gave the Captain a curt nod. “I will do my best, Sir,” suddenly reaching for the com as a message came through. He handed the com unit to his Commander and, stepping back slightly, listened to the exchange.

  “It is perfect,” Captain Simeois shouted cheerfully over the coms. “I cannot wait until you see it! Describing this place would not give it justice. Bring the ships in. There is plenty of room.”

  Captain Kaikinos grinned widely again at the other Captain’s joy. “Thank you, Captain. We shall join you in just a short while. I am looking forward to stepping on solid ground for a while.” He returned the com to Inopos, saying in an elated voice, “Please give the command to raise anchor and to get underway. Also, please ask Captain Lianas to join me on the bridge.”

  “At your command, Captain,” the First mate responded with a click of his high-booted heels. Inopos relayed the orders to the crew and sent a politely worded request to the Wind Star’s Captain. His sharp, analytical mind did its best to take his Captain’s words to heart and to find solace for his soul. He could feel a bright, warm light growing within him and he knew with certainty he, too, would find serenity very soon.

  Captain Lianas stood on the dark planks of the bridge next to Captain Kaikinos and pleasingly surveyed the landscape around them. His ebony skin soaked up the sunlight and glimmered with the beads of sweat coating his square, husky body. His black eyes were filled with both despair and gladness. The pit of his soul squirmed with grief at the loss of his beloved ship and the death of nearly half of his crew. No one thought their escape would come without cost, yet none of the Captains or crews believed it would be so high. But, there was a shimmering light that surrounded his sorrow and gave him strength and determination. He stared at the green foliage surrounding the lake, the white, sandy beaches and felt the ghost of a smile touching his thick, wide lips.

  On the northern side of the great, deep-water lake, a shelf arose about two hundred feet from the shoreline where the clear, shimmering waters were only about waist deep. Beyond was a golden beach of sun-warmed sand edged by a stand of tall, dark green, wide-leafed trees and thick bushes covered with red and purple berries. The Northern Star managed to maneuver very close to the shelf so, when the rampart was lowered into the crystal blue waters, they could easily wade the rest of way.

  About a hundred yards ahead of the giant ship, the Ocean Star had already dropped anchor. The Izon refugees and the ship’s crew had disembarked and were taking a much-needed respite on the sparkling sand. Thankful for leaving the cramped quarters onboard, the adults gathered wood for many small bonfires lit along the shore or squatted near the bright red flames. Children ran in the sand, frolicked in the cool, clear waters or chased each other around the trees at the edge of the forest. Their tinkling laughter filled the air with such gaiety and happiness that it touched the hearts of everyone around them and lifted spirits weary and darkened by the devastating battle they had survived. The joyful sound fed the soul and brought a sense of peace and hope to every spirit.

  As the sun slipped beneath the horizon and twilight came upon the encampment, Captains Lianas, Simeois, Thalassa and Kaikinos sat around a blazing fire along with their First Mates and the Izon leaders, smiles not seen for a long time lighting their faces. Close by, the Aam they had brought with them gathered around a large bonfire, yellow and red flames dancing in the starlight, chatting happily about small things. A blanket of serene elation wrapped them all in pure contentment, pushing aside their pain, loss and fears if even for a short while.

  Morpheus walked along the star-lit shoreline, his glistening ebony hair cascading down his wide shoulders to his narrow waistline, swaying freely over his dark cloak in the soft evening breeze. At his side, Haleah, his love and his breath, walked with her long-fingered hand wrapping his within its soft warmness. Even in the growing nighttime, her long blond hair sparkled with a radiance all its own. It hung loosely down to the small of her back and teased at her shapely hips. A knee-length dress of thin red leather, padded with white fur, clung to her statuesque body, highlighting the full curve of her breasts, wide shoulders and slender waist. Oh, how he loved this woman!

  He stopped some distance from camp, turning to pull her close in the light of a full moon. She melted against his broad chest, gazing up at him with shimmering blue eyes that reflected the bright moonlight. Her smile lit the night with such radiance the moon and all the stars paled to insignificance in his black eyes. He brushed her golden hair from her strikingly beautiful face and caressed her with his fingertips.

  Haleah returned his caress with her long, slender fingers, tracing the lines along his square jaw and smooth cheeks, her soft touch warming Morpheus as no fire ever could. She cupped her hands beneath his jet-black hair at the base of his neck and, raising up on the balls of her feet, pulled him down to her waiting lips. The kiss they shared was born of soft passion, complete tranquility and a more powerful love than either had ever know. After an eternity, their lips reluctantly parted and Haleah rested her head on his corded, muscled ch
est, her arms still wrapped firmly around him. No words were spoken for long moments as they looked out at the dark waters of the lake, contemplating the night and all that had brought them to this wondrous place. Finally, Haleah whispered quietly to Morpheus, loath to break the silence of the night.

  “We are home,” Haleah said softly. “At long last, we are home.”