by Gene Stiles
“Highly doubtful,” Osiris replied from across the huge, teak table. His mahogany eyes were narrowed as he pointed to the towering mountain ranges that bordered the eastern jungles. “From what we know, this area is uninhabited and inaccessible. We fly on the wrong side of it to be seen.”
“Also,” he added with a shake of his head. He looked up at the Trinity and the other advisors gathered in the room. “The villages are mostly isolated from each other in the thick morass of the Mortuus Atritas. There are thousands of miles of impenetrable forests from coast to coast. They have no communications other than runners and drums.”
“Then the western tribes must have seen these craft themselves,” Ra said, pondering the implications. He leaned forward on his burly arms and studied the terrain between the jungles and Nil.
Rich, forested landscapes boarded the dark interior, fading out about seven hundred miles northward. Beyond that, nothing existed except vast plains of rocky ground, huge mountainous regions and high grasslands. Water was scarce in those barren, inhospitable lands. No matter how hard he looked, Ra could find no reason for skyships to be flying over that desolate area.
“Just to be safe,” Isis said, intruding on Ra’s concentration, “I think we should maintain surveillance along our southern borders.”
Commander Anhur of the Air Guard shook his rounded head, his short-cut, straight black hair falling into his onyx eyes. He walked to the large bay of windows that overlooked the airfield and pointed to the rows of ships that sat like sentinels on the flattened field. “You know our flight capabilities are limited. The uridium that powers the engines is becoming rarer every year. Should a war come to our lands, we will need them to stand against Atlantis. Even the Raven drones cannot stay in the air forever.”
“Understood, Commander,” Ra agreed, standing up and brushing back the wavy, golden blond hair that had fallen over his broad shoulders. “It will be some time before they can be retrofitted with the rocket-powered engines we have developed. Yet we must come up with a plan to protect our borders.”
He turned to Astraeus, noting the dark-skinned Captain was studying the area west of the mountains where the Cydonian ship had crashed. “You look as if you have something in mind. What is it?”
“Modified wards,” Astraeus said simply, his hand unconsciously rubbing his curly black beard. The pillar of a man ran a thick fingertip along a strip of land from the northern coast in a downward arc to the headwaters of the Nil River. “If we install the same scanner electronics as we have in the Ravens in them, we can build a fence line that does not need to be manned. They can be powered by the pyramid broadcast so they will no need to be maintained. We will know immediately if anyone comes from the southwest.”
“A bold plan,” Osiris commented, “but you are talking about thousands of miles of near waterless lands. Do you believe we have time and resources to blanket such an incredible distance?”
“No, you do not,” a new voice said from the doorway. Every eye in the war room turned to the tall, red-haired man being escorted into the chamber by two, crimson-clad Nillian Aam.
“Cronus is about to attack your southern cities,” Zeus said grimly as he strode briskly toward them, “and he is going to use me as an excuse. I thought it best to tell you in person.”
“Lord Zeus, welcome,” Ra said, stepping around to greet the grim-looking Olympian. The two rulers clasped forearms, both of them scowling and tense. “What news have you?”
After brief introductions to those who had yet to meet him and greetings to those who did, Zeus told them of the battle between Poseidon and the Atlantean convoy. “My brother took his battered ships and prisoners back to the Heliseous base. We did not know it at the time, but he was followed from the sky. However, the Atlantean warbird briefly came close enough to the port for our scanners to pick it up. We could not intercept it, but rest assured it sent our location back to Cronus.”
“I know the man well,” Zeus told his audience, his golden eyes sweeping over them. “Despite the fact that his vessels were heavily armed and heading for Nillian lands, he will cite our base as proof you are behind the sea blockade we have in place. There is only one thing I can do to foil his plans and protect you from the forces of Atlantis.”
Zeus met the crackling jade eyes of Ra directly with a hard, steady gaze. “It is time to reveal the name of Cronus’ true enemy. Olympus. I ask only one thing of you, if I may.”
“Why are we allowing the Olympians to fight our battles?” Hathor demanded, the powerfully built woman shaking with wrath. Her stunning beauty was only slightly muted by the hook of her narrow, hawk-like nose and the corded muscle that rippled over her stocky body. Hazel eyes blazing with glowing embers sat above her high, anger-blushed cheeks as she spoke. “We are more formidable than any of Cronus’ minions. We have sat back for far too long and let others do our fighting for us!”
“You know why,” Ra said harshly. His lips cut a hard, straight line across his angled jawline, his reddish skin darkened by his failing attempt to keep his temper under control. This woman could take him to the brink faster than any of his other commanders. “Firstly, the Message is vital to all humanity. It must be protected. Secondly, yes, our weaponry is equal to Atlantis – maybe greater – but such a conflict could destroy the world.”
“You know as well as I that Cronus is insane when enraged,” Ra said, leaning across the table to bring his face closer to Hathor. He hoped his steely, emerald gaze would cool the woman somewhat. Ra might as well have spit into a hurricane. “He will never back down. Can you imagine the effect of unleashing such energies on the populous? The devastation would burn the planet.”
“I will not be responsible for such carnage!” Ra shouted into her face. “Now sit down!” Stunned by his outburst, but far from placated, Hathor took her seat, her hands nearly crushing the armrests. “You will take your legions to the southern cities to protect them against invasion,” Ra said sternly, “but you will not join the Olympian fleet in their attack on Atlantis. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
“Yes, Lord Ra,” Hathor said glumly, barely abashed by the harsh rebuke. She prayed Cronus would be foolish enough to land troops on Nillian soil. At least then she could wet her blades on the blood of those who would dare threaten the Lord Ra.
The rest of the commanders and captains gathered around the long, oval table sat in stony silence during the heated exchange. Many of them agreed with the warrior woman and it showed on their scowling faces. However, their first responsibility was to Ra and the Trinity, then to all of the citizens of Nil. Their own desires trailed far down the line.
“There may well come a time when we must enter the fray,” Ra said, letting his gaze settle on each of the men and women for a moment. “Until then, we will protect our people. If the Creator is willing, Zeus will weaken Atlantis to the point where our intervention is not necessary. Now,” he said with finality, “let us discuss plans to ensure the safety of Nil and nothing more.”
The winds blowing down from the north were increasingly cold and damp as winter made its slow march across the landscape. The inland sea above the Afrikanikis continent was frothy-white with turbulent, twisting currents this time of year and sometimes almost iced over completely. For three months during this season, it was incredibly dangerous for any ship to enter the Nillian delta. Long-established trade routes overland to the southeast led to the much warmer waters of the land-bound Caspian Sea that Ra had once used to find this ancient city and to the vastness of the Noachis Ocean below. During these months, the trails and roads cut through the mountains bustled with caravans going to and from the coastal cities.
Because of the season and overland travel time, Set and his two-hundred man contingent arrived in Nil three weeks behind his brother, Osiris. Unlike his kin, Set did not return because he missed home or had made some important discovery. It was only because he was ordered to come back by Lord Ra. Were it up to him, Set would have stayed far from the city he loat
hed and never returned at all.
The only similarity between Set and his older brother was they were both explorers, though for far different reasons. The tall, handsome, auburn-haired Osiris loved learning about new places, people and the incredibly diverse lands on which he lived. His kindness and curiosity drew people around him that were unafraid to oppose his views and give him different perspectives. Osiris was as excited by a newly discovered plant as he was by new ideas. Set, on the other hand, was a warrior born for conflict. His midnight eyes and raven hair was much like the darkness in his soul. He sought new lands for the sake of conquest, not for the glory of Nil, but for his own need for power and control. Nothing made him happier than to find unknown settlements and villages he could subjugate to his will and desires. What tribute he demanded was given under penalty of death or to appease his wickedly violent temper.
It was of no surprise that his arrival in the city was not met by the adoring throngs who gathered when Osiris walked the streets. The cloudy skies and steady, chilly rains that greeted his company seemed far more fitting than a brightly sunlit day. Though Ra sat out a feast in the Great Hall as he had done for Osiris, most of Set’s men and women declined and sought their own celebrations in the taverns and pleasure houses of Nil. Only about a quarter of them joined Set for the banquet.
“Why am I here, Lord Ra?” Set asked sharply before the plates were even empty of food. “I have much work to do in Irindia. My survey of the land is not nearly complete and these whining colonists you sent are not helping. They demand my protection from the wildlings and the beasts of the woods. They are pathetic.”
Set stabbed a bloody chunk of beef and swirled it in the dark brown gravy on his plate. He stared at it as if it was trying to escape his fork then looked up at Ra. “How can I finish the task you gave me when I am constantly called to settle their problems for them? You could have at least sent people who can take care of themselves instead of a bunch of helpless babes.”
“You would do well to watch your tone when speaking to your ruler,” Astraeus said gruffly, his deep voice growling in warning. His rock-like fists were clenched tightly on either side of his unfinished plate, the fine blanket of curly, black hair on his rippling arms standing up as if struck by lightning.
“Why?” Set snapped back, unintimidated by the black-skinned, snarling monster. “What is he going to do? Banish me to some far-away, rugged land to search for riches for a city I barely call home?”
“How about because I will beat you to a bloody pulp if you do not?” Astraeus replied beginning to rise from his chair. Ra put a restraining hand on the big man’s forearm and he sank back into his chair.
“Good luck with that,” Set said flippantly, wishing Astraeus would make the attempt. Under the folds of his thick, linen robe he fingered the bone hilt of the long-knife strapped to his hip.
“I did not ‘banish’ you anywhere,” Ra said, his blue eyes as dark and icy as a stormy sea. “Our scans show an incredible country of beauty and life. As much as you seem to hate Nil, I thought you would enjoy carving out a place of your own.”
“It does not hurt that Irindia is rich with copper and other ores either, does it?” Set returned just as coldly. He did not mention how much gold and silver he had found nor the mountains of jewels and crystals scattered across the landscape that he was hording for his own.
“Enough!” Ra shouted, slamming a fist down on the table. Platters and utensils bounced and the closest goblets of wine spilled their contents on the polished wood. “You will end your insubordination right now or you will find yourself spending your time here in the dungeons. You will respect the Trinity and my authority to send you wherever I deem necessary for the good our all our peoples. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Lord Ra,” he said, flatly. “Perfectly.” Set lowered his blazing eyes to the table and bit his tongue to keep from snapping back an ill-advised retort. One thing he did know about Ra was that he was a man of his word. Set had no desire to be chained in darkness.
“As to why you are here,” Ra said, his voice harsh and his tone as hard as granite. “There is a war coming with Atlantis. I will let your sister give you the details of recent events. With our forces sent to the coastal cities, we are spread thin. You have some of our best warriors in your ranks. We need them to ensure the security of the city.”
Set just nodded, still keeping his head down. Now, however, it was to hide the savage smile that touched his thin, cruel lips. His blood warmed at the thought of battle. The Izon-like creatures of the villages he found in Irindia were of little consequence to his hardened troops and their superior firepower. To take on the Atlantean legions would be much more gratifying.
Another idea germinated in his soulless mind and send a barbaric ripple up his spine. If Cronus weakened Ra enough, Set’s men would be in the perfect position to take over Nil and all of its vast wealth. Then he would see who would reside in the underground cells for the rest of their days. All he needed to do was take the Cydonian armor as his own then nothing could stop him.
“Why do you insist on baiting Ra?” Isis said tersely. She sat in the corner of the woodland green couch in Set’s quarters with her long legs curled up beneath her, her body tense and angry. “How long do you think he will continue to tolerate your insubordination? You have only survived this long because you are my brother.”
“Your brother,” Set replied, his tone sarcastic and mocking. His tanned lips were downturned and bitter as he accepted a cup of black tea from his sister, Nephthys. He did not even glance in the meek, moody woman’s direction as she slipped silently back into the tiny kitchen. “It is because I am your brother that I was driven from Atlantis in the first place. Had you not sided with Ra I would still be a commander of the Black Guard. I would not have had to run from the wrath of Cronus when you became a traitor.”
“I will not debate my reasons with you for the millionth time,” Isis snapped back viciously. “Ra treated you with nothing but respect and graciousness. He educated you and provided you with the best Nil has to offer. He gave you trust and command of an entire company of troops. He allowed you to hand pick your own men and women. You are the one who used them to spread dissent among our forces. You are the one who tried to build opposition to his rule. You are lucky to be alive.”
“I only spoke for the people who believe we should have stomped on Atlantis when they repeatedly attacked us,” Set said, his voice as hard as stone. His copper-tanned face flushed darkly and his onyx eyes flashed with fury. “Ra is a coward that only wants to protect his own skin and his precious ‘Message’. He cares not about the here and now, expecting some more powerful civilization to come and defeat his enemies for him.”
“I caution you, brother,” Isis said, a low growl coming from her throat. Her legs uncurled and her muscles stiffened. “Do not speak of Ra with such contempt. I will not allow it. My protection and sufferance extends only so far.”
“And what will you and Ra do?” Set sneered at her. “Have me publicly flogged? Will you imprison me for speaking out against your lover? Then what makes your precious Ra any better than Cronus?”
Isis stood on legs trembling with rage. Her glistening auburn hair swirled about her head like a fiery corona. She looked at her quiet, meek sister sitting at the small dining table and shook her head. “How can you stand to put up with such a vile pig, Nephthys?”
The younger woman said nothing, keeping her eyes downcast and her hands clenched before her. Ever since she had suffered the still-birth of her one and only child many years ago, Nephthys had sunk into deep despair and seldom spoke at all. She seemed to bathe in her brother’s constant abuse and belittlement as if it justified her feelings of worthlessness.
Isis stomped toward the door, stopping at the threshold to glare at Set. “I warn you. Should you do anything against Ra or the welfare of Nil, you will feel the full weight of the Trinity upon your shoulders. This is a promise.”
“It was a mistake
to bring Set back here,” Isis told Ra later in the evening. “You should have left him on Irindia.”
“Maybe,” Ra conceded after listening to Isis. He leaned back in his red brocade chair and stretched his long legs out on the ottoman. He sipped on his hot green tea, holding the steaming cup in both hands. “What do you think, Osiris? Should I send him away?”
“I think it is wise to keep your enemies close,” Osiris replied. He sat on the other end of the plushly padded couch across from Astraeus who lounged in a high-backed, black leather armchair. “That is why I suggested you order him home. In the coming battle, I would not put it past him to side with Atlantis. At least here, you can keep an eye on him here and direct his anger at Cronus.”
Osiris stared into his cup for a moment, pondering the swirls of cream in his tea. “Irindia is on a continent far to the east of Olympus. We all know Set has built his own kingdom there. If he were to be armed by Cronus, he could pose a serious threat to Zeus and perhaps to all of us. It was smart of you to limit his weaponry.”
“I think you should imprison him and put someone else in command of his troops,” Astraeus said harshly. “Not only would you take him out of the equation, but you would be sending a message to his people to toe the line.”
“I considered that,” Ra said with a nod. “However, his soldiers are fiercely loyal to him. We would have an even bigger problem on our hands if we were to do that. I think it better to put Set on the front lines should war erupt. Let him vent his frustrations in battle. It is one thing he is very good at.”
Before they could discuss it further, a hard knock came at the oaken doors.
“Lord Ra,” a breathless runner said as he entered the chamber. “Turn on your monitors. Zeus just made an announcement.”
