Epic Unearthed

by Thomas Turner

  Chapter VIII

  Brothers-in-Conquest

  Two days into the summit, Melercertis feels like he is in a different world. In the morning, the two emperors walk toward the Atlantean Senate Hall. The superstructure is made of fourteen-thousand square feet of limestone, with one-hundred-forty-four supporting columns and fifty-foot ceilings. In the middle of the massive structure is a dome that provides natural sunlight during the day. To the Ladonean Emperor, the thought of actually being in Atlantis has not yet set in. Melercertis feels like he is in a dream.

  Inside the Senate Hall, Aten gives Melercertis a sword, but does so privately. The sword is gold and wrapped in a blanket to keep the content concealed. Aten says, “I want to give this sword to you as a peaceful gesture. It belonged to my father who attacked your civilization. Most generals give a sword as a way to say they surrender. I am giving this sword to show there will be no more hostilities between our two empires. This sword is important to me, but our friendship means more.”

  Melercertis replies, “I will earn your trust in order to attain peace and to trade with your empire. Thank you for this meaningful gesture. In return, I will give this sword to your first male grandson when he reaches manhood in the decades to come.”

  At that, Emperor Aten knows the man is genuine. With a little small talk, both agree they want to do more trading on a large scale. The talks are going better than either expected.

  Because Aten wants Melercertis to see Atlantis’ military might, he leads the Eastern Emperor to the main citadel where the best Atlantean archers are practicing. When they walk into the archery workshop, two-hundred craftsmen are constructing the Atlantean bows from the molless tree. Each bow takes three months to assemble. Every bow has intricate designs and is a work of art. The craftsmen use pulleys to give the bow more recoil. Steel is used to reinforce and streamline the bows. Upon completion, each weapon is tested and retested to ensure perfection.

  After the tour of the workshop, Aten and Melercertis head toward the archery firing range. There, the Ladonean Emperor sees the rigorous training of the Atlantean archers. At the training site, Melercertis sees three-hundred archers firing one-hundred yards toward a circle that has a diameter of five yards. When arrows are fired, only forty Atlantean archers miss their mark. Repetitious practice is demanded in the Atlantean Empire until the skill is perfected. If any Atlantean archer does not attain perfection, he or she is dishonored. Each individual strives to be perfect in every aspect of their lives. Determination and perfection are drilled into the children in Atlantean schools. Honor is instilled through schools, temples, and the home. Melercertis’ domain has similar fundamentals, but is culturally quite foreign.

  That afternoon, the real talks begin. Military officials and councilmen gather from both empires at the Central Trade Building. At first, they talk about helping each other economically. The Ladoneans want Atlantis to use their technologies to help produce more goods and resources for the Ladonean Empire. In return for advising, the Ladoneans will trade a great deal of natural resources. The partnership will make Atlantis very prosperous. About midday, the talk between the two empires turns toward conquest. Amidst the economic talks, Melercertis looks at Aten and asks for attention from the Atlantean Senate.

  Melercertis says, “So far, we have spoken about utilizing technology and resources to better our two empires. The only thing we haven’t talked about is the Sabathean Empire. In the past two years, Sabatheans have destroyed outposts on our border. With a great number of my men in the Northern territories, rebellions in the new states are putting a military strain on my empire. Sabathea is probing our weakness, which is one of the reasons I came here. Twenty-six years ago, the west side of Sabathea was an Atlantean territory. It was stripped away after the Great War with your people… What if you regain your land?”

  Aten replies angrily, “Twenty-six years ago, about half the population of what is now Sabathea believed in God. That has changed. The civilization is closer to your belief in multiple gods. Their military rules the empire now. The Sabathean Empire is lost to us.”

  Melercertis says, “I understand. My military advisors have asked me to consider war with your empire. I am sure your advisors have done the same. We can stop this now. I don’t want a war with Atlantis. I respect your civilization, and there is much to gain from a military alliance. With our two militaries working together, we can win a swift victory against the Sabatheans. The military campaign should not cost many lives on either side. If they are confronted on two fronts, they would be unable to concentrate their military. I know our cultures are different, but the friendship between our two empires will prevail for our children and our children’s children. With our alliance, Sabathea will fall quickly. Your empire has problems with the Sabatheans as do we. The natural resources you had twenty-six years ago can be yours again.”

  Aten shakes his head and replies, “The world we knew twenty-six years ago has changed. Very few people in the Sabathean Empire want to become a part of my empire.”

  Melercertis walks toward him with open arms and says, “We can make the earth a better place. I have over four-million men if needed to defend or attack an empire. Your empire has one-million capable warriors. Some of my advisors say we would lose if we had to fight the Atlanteans. If we take Sabathea together, Kyrenia and Mantineia will stay out of the takeover. Even if they do decide to enter the war, our empires will destroy them and take the world together.”

  Aten muses before replying, “You are a good tradesman. Atlantis will consider this. I also want to be one who brings our two civilizations together. I must talk with my advisors and generals; but now, I don’t want to talk of conquest or politics anymore. Let us celebrate the first meeting of our two empires in over twenty-six years.”

  With a concerned voice Melercertis says, “Because of our negotiations, I thought your son would have joined our conference.”

  Aten replies, “I am concerned about my son. He should have been here two days ago, yet I remain confident of his intentions where ever he may be.”

  The two emperors return to their chambers. They bathe and indulge in the luxuries that go with being an emperor.

  That night, the Atlantean politicians hear about the possibility of Ladonea and Atlantis joining on a quest. Some of the senators remember when parts of Sabathea were Atlantean territory. When the Great War was over, the Atlanteans lost provinces on the continent. Now, there is a chance to regain that land through Melercertis.

  The next morning, Aten orders his personal council to the palace for summit discussion. Following that, a majority of Aten’s council believes Melercetis’ plan is the right thing to do, but they remain apprehensive. One of Aten’s servants brings a message to him from the Senate. After reading it, Aten angrily crumples the note in his hand, and is very troubled. He orders his giant elk to the front of his palace. Aten rushes to the Senate Hall, riding directly to his Senate. Glasor, who is head of the council, meets Aten at the entrance. The council is in the background, discussing loudly about the alliance with Ladonea.

  Glasor says, “Your son will be here in three hours, and asked that you be here when he arrives.”

  “Did he say what it is about?” Aten asks.

  Glasor replies, “No, the messenger had little contact with the Prince.”

  The Atlantean Emperor says with confidence, “There must be problems in Valtear.”

  Glasor replies, “Sire, everyone wants to know about this alliance with Melercertis. Is it going to happen?”

  Aten looks at Glasor and says, “I can see there is already a great deal of emotion involved with taking Sabathea. We all need to carefully think this through.”

  Glasor replies, “The Senate is asking me questions, and I do not know what to tell them.”

  Aten puts his hand on Glasor’s shoulder and replies, “You are a leader of this council, and I expect you to act accordingly. You’re in charge until I return. I will do nothing in haste. We nee
d to take one step at a time. Let us first hear what my son has to say. If we are having problems with Valtear, we may not be able to go on any quest.”

  Glasor looks up at him and says with a smile, “I understand.”

  This is something Aten does not want to deal with. The talk with the Ladonean Emperor is stressing the Atlantean Emperor. He sees his council as being greedy. Melercertis has put ideas into the political circles. Aten likes the idea of having the lost territory again in the Atlantean Empire, but he wonders at what cost.

  The Atlantean Emperor goes for a walk. In the back of Aten’s mind, he knows something has to be wrong for his son to request a meeting like this. The talks between the Ladoneans and Atlantis have already taken place. There is much uncertainty in the political arena of Aten’s council. All Aten knows is that his council is in disarray. Knowledge is the key to power, and he has little influence until his son returns to the Atlantean council.