Epic Unearthed

by Thomas Turner

  Chapter XXXIII

  Hatred toward an Empire

  The Atlantean scout ship sent by the Vice Admiral lands at the nearest Atlantean dock west of Masaba. The messenger reaches his destination and informs the Masabaian generals about the enemy supply and transport ships that will land near the Great West Wall. In response, Laptos leads a military force to meet the antagonists. When the Atlanteans arrive, they see the enemy soldiers organizing and unloading supplies. Ten-thousand enemy troops have landed, with two-hundred light and heavy cavalry. If not for the Atlantean Navy, the number of enemy warriors would have been a major threat.

  While the enemy is setting up camp onshore, Laptos rides his mammoth over the hill, followed by the Masabaian cavalry. The Atlanteans dominate the beachhead, and Laptos wins this excursion easily. Defenders of the peninsula lose few military resources, showing that Laptos is becoming a true leader to the army of Masaba.

  At battle’s end, the Atlanteans take prisoners. The captives tell the Atlanteans nothing new except for who is leading the Ladoneans into battle. The Mantineian warriors say Ryeland is the Supreme Commander of the Continental Alliance. Laptos orders this to be kept secret. If the Atlantean population learns that a prince of a city-state is involved, the implications could put the Masabaian King in danger. Laptos immediately leaves the battle site, riding directly to the Atlantean capital to speak with Daygun.

  Meanwhile, the Atlanteans are staving off their enemy at the Great West Wall. The Continental Alliance has lost a great deal of resources and men. As more time passes, the Atlanteans have a better chance of ending this peacefully. The Atlantean enemy no longer has a formidable navy, and supplies are merely trickling into the peninsula.

  Three well-fortified Atlantean cities still must be conquered, and none of them will lose without a fight. Except for overtaking the Great East Wall, the enemy has little to show for what they have lost. On the other hand, Ryeland’s involvement with the enemy can hinder attempts at a peaceful negotiation.

  A messenger informs Daygun that Laptos will be in Atlantis shortly. The new Atlantean Emperor assembles his Military Council once more, wondering what can be so imperative for his brother to leave Masaba. Daygun recognizes the enemy still needs to regroup and receive supplies by land. The Continental Alliance cannot attack for at least two weeks. Destroying the Ladonean fleet bought valuable time for the Atlantean civilization.

  Looking back, Daygun wishes he had not sent Kaydence to Halotropolis. His wife is in no immediate danger right now, since the enemy is a two-day march to the city. Kaydence is protected by the best warriors of the Atlantean military. Four elite divisions are stationed at Halotropolis, and Daygun is sending more men to reinforce the City of God.

  In Atlantis, all Atlantean ships, including warships, are ordered to help evacuate the population. If a peaceful negotiation is reached, the civilians can return. Despite the Atlanteans’ winning battles, the final outcome still does not look good for the empire. Close to ten-million enemy warriors are pouring into the peninsula, preparing to attack.

  Laptos finally arrives at the Atlantean Military Hall and bows to his brother. The generals and military advisors salute Laptos and cheer for his victories. Two years prior, Daygun would not have envisioned his brother as he is now.

  Laptos says, “I am yours. I have been informed of what has transpired. I hope you have received my messages as well.”

  Daygun says, “Yes, I have. Ideas are needed for ending this war.”

  Laptos says, “This war has taken a toll on our enemy. Now would be a good time to start negotiating for peace. I think I should be the one who begins the process of amity.”

  The idea takes Daygun by surprise and he responds, “You are the only option right now. I think they will respect your victories and listen to what you have to say. I hate putting my own brother in harm’s way, but you are the best choice. Something must be done immediately.”

  Laptos says, “Agreed then. I will send a messenger to our enemy requesting an assembly. There is other news. The prisoners we captured near the beaches close to Great West Wall, say Ryeland is in charge of the assault against our fatherland. I don’t know what to make of that.”

  Daygun addresses the council and Laptos, “I grew up with Ryeland. Being a traitor is not in his nature. He must have died on the way to Valtear, and this is a diversion to make us think twice on what to do next.”

  Laptos replies, “What our prisoners say doesn’t make sense. How would they know to say that? If what they say is true, Ryeland will know all of Atlantis’ weaknesses. We can use this to our advantage, but first we have to find his whereabouts.”

  Later in the Atlantean Military Hall, Daygun concludes the meeting and says to his generals, “I want all Atlantean warriors stationed on our island territories and provinces returned to the peninsula. This will give us two more divisions here to protect our capital. We must have two more elite divisions inside the gates of Halotropolis. We will fight there. We will put fear into our enemy. From our capital, I want all light and heavy cavalry to camp in the mountains near Halotropolis. If negotiations with our enemy do not work toward our advantage, we must destroy as many enemy warriors as possible. In doing so, the enemy will be forced to sue for peace. I also want every ship we have docked in Atlantis to evacuate women and children from the peninsula. We can fight to the death, but our civilization must survive.”

  Laptos rushes to the enemy to negotiate for peace under a white flag. The Mantineian Emperor agrees to summit and the Atlanteans ride forward, viewing the true magnitude of the Continental Alliance. Guided by Nextear’s personal guard, the Atlanteans witness millions of men ready to destroy Laptos’ homeland. Nearing a large tent, Laptos is ordered to dismount his horse, and his men to stay outside.

  Laptos walks under the canvas, stands ten feet from Nextear, and says, “Numerous men on both sides have been lost; I hope we can come to an agreement for ending this war.”

  Nextear responds, “Our people have hated the Atlanteans for hundreds of years. We have brought every warrior from throughout the continent to destroy your god. The Great War twenty-seven years ago will never be forgotten. In ten days, we will destroy Halotropolis. There will not be any negotiation here. There is no turning back. You have done well in the battles against me and my men. I respect you. Leave while you can.”

  Laptos asks, “Why have you allowed me to come here under a truce?”

  Nextear answers, “I want to see the leader of my enemy before I destroy him. Go.”

  Laptos says, “I understand. What we do in this tent will make history for you and ourselves. There has been too much bereavement already. We will breathe death in the days to come, and this war will contaminate our cultures. The carnage will reek so badly our grandchildren will smell mortality throughout future generations.”

  Nextear replies, “I comprehend your concerns for the death of your people. Your empire has gone too far in trying to take my civilization. Your father signed in blood to never attack another empire, but Atlantis did not honor their word. Now, the people of the continent will forever remove the imperialistic nature of your god.”

  Laptos knows he is not getting anywhere and says, “I see; but consider what has been said. One last question, if I may? Do you know anything about two Atlantean generals named Ryeland or Acteon?”

  Nextear looks the other way and says quickly, “No. Who? Now leave.”

  Laptos says, “Thank you for honoring the armistice.”

  Laptos turns away and walks toward his garrison outside the tent. Nextear fears that his enemy now knows about Ryeland. The Mantineian Emperor cannot let the Atlantean Prince return to Atlantis. Suddenly, Nextear orders his guards to kill the Atlantean garrison and Laptos.

  When Laptos starts to mount his horse, Nextear’s guards quickly walk outside with swords drawn. Laptos orders his garrison to dismount their horses.

  Laptos sees two Atlanteans still mounted and yells urgently, “You two ride
hard and tell Atlantis what you are witnessing here!”

  Laptos has no time to share his assumption about Ryeland with the two warriors before they hastily ride away. The twelve Atlantean warriors walk away from their horses, waiting with their hands on their swords. When Mantineian guards become very aggressive, Laptos’ men draw their swords. The fighting starts and every Atlantean warrior circles their Prince to protect him at all cost. Nextear’s guards attack Laptos, and the Atlantean Prince puts up a good fight. Swords fly and Mantineian warriors die. Nevertheless, within two minutes Laptos is stabbed in the chest and falls to the ground. The other Atlantean guards fight for their lives, but fall to the same fate.

  Riding as fast as they can, the two Atlantean horsemen reach Halotropolis and inform Kaydence what has happened. The bells sound and Daygun learns that his brother is dead. Within one month, Daygun has lost two family members, and begins to speculate that Ryeland has betrayed his empire.

  Persephone is ordered to Masaba to replace Laptos. She is the only one strong enough for such a task. Many changes take place in the Atlantean military to compensate for the losses that have occurred. Daygun organizes a counteroffensive. He will lead the Atlantean light and heavy cavalry close to the City of God: out of sight, inside a valley, near a mountain range. Every creature that can be ridden from the Atlantean capital moves closer to Halotropolis. The new Atlantean Emperor also asks half of the Halotropolian cavalry to meet his army, and Haylos agrees.

  In Atlantis’ harbor, the Atlanteans are evacuating more people from the peninsula. All civilians who cannot fight leave first, yet many women stay behind to fight for their homeland. Because Atlantis is a small empire, everyone has learned the art of war. More ships come from Atlantean provinces, taking away supplies and people. Total evacuation from Atlantis will still take months, but Daygun knows that for every second he holds off his enemy, another Atlantean citizen is saved.