Epic Unearthed

by Thomas Turner

  Chapter XIX

  A Point of No Return

  Ryeland rushes to Palexus’ chambers. Melercertis has not yet said anything to her, so she is unaware of what is to take place. The Atlantean General knocks on her door and a servant answers. Palexus hurries to the door after hearing Ryeland’s voice.

  Ryeland says, “I may have to leave here in a couple of days and return to my empire. Your father came to me with grave news. The Atlanteans are about to take Mantineia, but Kyrenia and Sabathea may ally with Mantineia to fight against my homeland. I don’t know what to do. I respect this empire, and I’m in love with you.”

  Palexus’ heart skips like a rock across a pond. Tears fill her eyes. She stands in silence, saying nothing to this man who has her heart. Palexus tries to say something, but keeps her head down for she cannot look into his face. This is the first time Ryeland witnesses Palexus being meek. He is surprised and can no longer restrain his feelings. He takes her in his arms and holds her as if he is never going to let her go. In the back of his mind, he still feels like a traitor to his own people.

  Ryeland looks at Palexus and asks, “What if you marry me and come to Atlantis?”

  Palexus responds, “That can never happen. I belong here with my people, and you belong with yours. The only way Atlantis can defend herself is if you are there to lead. Your laws say that you cannot marry outside the Atlantean borders. I couldn’t even become a citizen according to your laws.”

  Ryeland says, “I have enough pull to make it happen. You will be the first.”

  Palexus responds, “My father will not let me go. Atlantis is doomed. If Ladonea enters the war, I will die and so will you, if we go to Atlantis. I will not live in Atlantis as a potential enemy to your empire.”

  Ryeland says in desperation, “I will ask your father to reconsider an alliance with Atlantis. Together, our militaries can take on the three empires.”

  Palexus says, “What you are asking is impossible. Ladonea is on the verge of collapse. Even though we have a strong military, our politicians are corrupt. If we don’t fight alongside the other empires, they will try to conquer us next. Our religion will destroy us if we fight the rest of the world with the Atlanteans. The Ladonean Empire has no choice but to combine with other empires from the continent to defeat Atlantis. There is already a loose alliance between the Kyrenian and the Mantineian Empires. Sabathea has always stood on its own. If the Sabatheans consider alliances with two other empires, Atlantis and Ladonea could not stop them.”

  Ryeland says, “Suppose I stay here?”

  Palexus angrily responds, “I can’t live the rest of my life thinking you didn’t protect your fatherland just to stay here with me.”

  Ryeland says, “I will stay and ask Melercertis if I may be the one to take Atlantis. Then I will become its governor after it’s been taken.”

  Palexus replies, “I trust you, but does my father know your true intentions?”

  Ryeland says, “Love is truth, and I love you. It doesn’t matter what is going on in the rest of the world. I believe in us.”

  One hour past midnight, Ryeland leaves Palexus’ chambers, shutting the door behind him, and mounts his giant elk. The Atlantean General rides to Melercertis.

  Ryeland is escorted to the Ladonean Emperor’s main chamber and asks, “May I speak, Sir?”

  Melercertis replies, “Wait before you say anything. After you and I talked in your chambers, three of my spies reported from the three empires, telling me the same information: there will be war against Atlantis. I have no choice but to join them. You and your men are set free. Your division is going to take a different route to reach the Atlantean border more quickly. No harm will come to them. Your warriors will die like they should, in battle to protect Atlantis. I may have to fight them later. Your generals here will be sent home by ship.”

  Ryeland replies, “I want to accept your offer, but only on one condition. Following the war, I want to govern my people after they have been conquered.”

  Melercertis says with sadness, “You will be killing your own people to accomplish your goal.”

  Ryeland says somberly, “If one wants to be a great leader, he must see the whole picture. If the other three empires are the main aggressors, they will kill everyone on the peninsula. If I go in and take my empire under the Ladonean flag, I will let the women and children live. They may become slaves, but they will still be alive. I have a small chance to save the lives of my civilization. I can return to my fatherland and fight against the known world, but that is a lost cause. The hatred from the main continent is still strong, and I can do nothing about that. I could go warn my empire, but that isn’t enough to deter our future enemy. I understand your politics. If I fight for you, I will know the strengths and weaknesses of my land, and will be saving millions of lives. If you help me, Melercertis, I will take your place when you go to the next life.”

  Melercertis replies, “I have one question for you. Do you really love my daughter?”

  Ryeland says, “I love her more than my homeland. That is the reason I’m here.”

  Melercertis replies, “To make my empire strong, I need you to become the prince and marry my daughter. Within a week, everyone will know on which side you will fight. The war against Atlantis will happen a month prior to the summer solstice. All empires on the continent are uniting to become the Continental Alliance.”

  Ryeland fervently replies, “I will protect this empire and your daughter.”

  Melercertis asks, “What about Acteon? Is he leaving or staying? I know he is very loyal to you.”

  Ryeland replies, “I will find out, my Lord.”

  Melercertis says, “Come to me when you know. Tell your generals to depart immediately from Madera.”

  Two hours past midnight, Ryeland marches to Acteon’s chambers and knocks on the door. Because Acteon is loyal in his discipline, he wakes and stands up almost at attention. Ryeland asks Acteon to sit down. Acteon is wondering why the Atlantean General is coming to his chambers so late.

  Ryeland sits down beside Acteon and says, “Listen to me very carefully, old friend. There is going to be a full-scale assault on our fatherland. Close to twelve-million men will rise up in arms against our empire. Even with our reserves, their military numbers are almost a twelve-to-one ratio. Our empire is well defended by our natural borders, but we cannot withstand what is about to happen. Although the walls of Atlantis give our people a huge advantage, we don’t have enough warriors to repel such a magnitude of combatants. The other empires will destroy Atlantis. I have spoken with Melercertis. The only way you and I can save our homeland is to side with the Eastern Empire. If we fight for Ladonea, you and I will lead the occupation of our country, and our race will survive. We can lead the attack and conquer Atlantis. If we don’t take our lands in this attack, everyone in Atlantis will die. Sabathea and Kyrenia will exterminate our race should they be the first to take Atlantis. I have decided to stay in Ladonea, but our officers will return to Atlantis tomorrow.”

  Acteon is shocked and replies, “I can’t do what you ask of me. I cannot go against my own civilization. I would rather die. I will return with the generals tomorrow. Out of respect for our friendship, I will not say anything about this conversation.”

  Ryeland starts to leave and says, “I understand. The Ladonean ships will be sunk on the spot if our navy catches wind of this. It will take you two weeks to return to Atlantis. I have to inform Melercertis of your choice. Respect my decision, and I will respect yours.”

  Before Ryeland exits, Acteon yells, “Wait! I cannot leave you, Sir. I believe in you. I will stay. I think God sent us here to save what is left of our empire.”

  Ryeland replies, “Then I will see you in the morning. I will tell Melercertis that you remain here. The Ladonean generals have great respect for us. You will be my second-in-command of the Ladonean Empire. Plus, I need a best man. I am marrying Palexus in three days.”

  Acteon queries, “Why in three days?�
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  Ryeland responds, “I don’t know. Palexus doesn’t even know yet. I just decided.”

  The next couple of days are very chaotic. Ryeland and Acteon prepare for war. The other Atlantean generals are journeying back to Atlantis. Ryeland’s division was told their generals were being sent to Valtear in preparation for war against the Mantineians. No Atlantean warrior knows of the plan being formed against their homeland. Ryeland works with the Ladonean generals to reveal the weaknesses and strengths of the Atlantean Great East Wall defenses. Acteon and Ryeland stay in the palace to keep Atlantean spies unapprised about what will soon take place.

  Meanwhile, Ryeland asks Palexus to marry him, and she accepts. Acteon and Carissa also agree to marry. It is good politics. If the two Atlantean generals are to be trusted, they must have reasons to stay. They are marrying for love and to gain trust to the Ladonean Empire. If the Ladoneans win, Ryeland and Acteon will become heroes. If the Ladoneans lose, both Atlanteans will be known as traitors to their fatherland. Either way, each warrior will make history.

  Ryeland is at the palace to be married. The citizens of Ladonea have been told that Palexus is Melercertis’ daughter and accept the idea of an Atlantean marrying a Ladonean woman. Tens of thousands of people gather to see the wedding.

  As part of the ceremony, Melercertis escorts to Ryeland. One-hundred Ladonean officers and generals line the path of their emperor and his daughter as they walk toward the new prince of Ladonea. Ryeland eagerly awaits his future wife. The military officials salute their emperor as the two pass by, honoring both the marriage and their leader. Palexus’ bridesmaids follow her, hugging every general to portray compassion to those who protect the empire. The Emperor, Acteon, and Ryeland stand side by side, facing the priest. Ryeland and Palexus hold hands in front of the cleric. After the walk of life, as the Ladoneans call it, the priest begins the marriage ceremony.

  The priest announces loudly to the crowd, “This is a good day for the people of Ladonea. The best general in the world is here to marry the Princess of the Ladonean Empire. Ryeland sees the beauty of our land and culture; he believes in the gods and has taken them into his heart. The gods have said that a leader from a far-away land will one day rule Ladonea. The gods sent Ryeland to us as a blessing. Thank the gods!”

  The whole crowd cheers. The entire speech was arranged on Ryeland’s behalf. Melercertis knows how to politically stage an occasion.

  Although Ryeland is disappointed in himself for betraying Atlantis and God, he feels that he is doing the right thing. Palexus and Ryeland say their vows and walk the pathway of the generals. The Emperor remains with the priest, and every Ladonean general salutes the newly married couple as they leave the palace.

  The next day, Acteon marries Carissa. The thought of the two Atlantean generals possibly having to kill their own soldiers to save lives makes them sick. They wonder if they will have to destroy their own divisions.

  Several days after the weddings, Acteon and Ryeland ride horses after sparring, since this is the only way they can talk without being overheard by Ladonean people. This question always surfaces in their conversations: will Ryeland and Acteon be considered heroes or traitors in the coming centuries?

  Acteon and Ryeland seek the Ladonean Military Council in making preparations to attack their homeland. A large force of Ladonean warriors are camped at the gates of the capital. At this point, Melercertis does not trust Mantineia, Kyrenia, or Sabathea. The Ladonean borders are saturated with Ladonean divisions.

  A week after the wedding ceremonies, a messenger from Sabathea is hastened to Melercertis. After conversing, the horns blow to assemble the Military Council. Once all are gathered, Melercertis stands, saying to Ryeland and Acteon, “Kyrenia, Mantineia, and Sabathea are combining forces. It is official and cannot be further postponed. This is becoming a Holy War against Atlantis. We cannot remain neutral. Most of the Ladonean people want your god destroyed because your theology interferes with the beliefs of most people on the continent. They see technology as the backbone of your god, and are afraid of the unknown. Ten years from now, the circumstances might have been different. My empire could be strong enough to battle the rest of this continent with Atlantis, but I cannot control their fears. Atlantis will be conquered.”

  Ryeland asks, “Is there anything else we can do?”

  Melercertis replies, “No, Atlantis is on its own. I can’t go against my religion because that will destroy me politically. Religion is the core of any civilization. In negotiating my empire to enter the war, Atlantis will be under my rule. The other three empires want Atlantis’ military completely destroyed so that it no longer threatens to the continent. Because the three empires think the peninsula is evil, they do not want territorial rights to your land. Ladonea will be in charge of the aftermath.”

  Ryeland says, “I never knew the people of the continent hated Atlantis so badly. If I take my empire, I will put it under my rule and save my culture. I am completely with you if I can save my people. Atlantis will be reformed to the rest of humanity, but I know that is the only way to save my culture from complete destruction. Thank you, Melercertis.”

  Ryeland starts to think of every scenario that can save his fatherland from total annihilation. He can’t return to Atlantis and fight for her because he has made a commitment to Palexus and to the Ladonean Empire. Since Ryeland and Acteon have married outside the boundaries of their homeland, they are no longer citizens in accordance with Atlantean laws.

  Outwardly, Ryeland and Acteon look strong, but know they are falling apart inside. They had believed that Atlantis had a great future, but now every empire on the continent wants to destroy their homeland. Either general could have been an asset for Atlantis in the upcoming war, but that is no longer an option.

  For Ryeland and Acteon, there is no turning back. The thought of killing their own people is very difficult for them to overcome, but they have made their choices. They will lead the attack against their own empire, hoping to save any part of that culture that may survive after the war. It is a simple answer to a complex situation.