by Pelaam
“Mr Brewer, I rather think it’s a little early to think of such things. We haven’t even escaped that giant octopus if you remember. Now, do please sit down.” Aurora growled the last words and took perverse pleasure in the way the man scuttled back to sit next to Dru once more.
“Do excuse me.” Lalia went to stand beside her men and Aurora couldn’t help but feel a little more relaxed now that she’d gone.
“Try not to worry too much about Midnight.” Voltaire reached out to pat her arm. “These people seem quite advanced, and they clearly know and understand the creature’s venom.”
“Thank you.” Aurora flashed Voltaire a tight smile and was surprised to see an expression of genuine concern instead of the perpetual smile. She smoothed some strands of hair away from Midnight’s brow, wincing at the heat emanating from her brother as the fever raged.
“He’s a lot stronger than he appears, and very stubborn. Don’t forget, Midnight, QC will expect to see you again, bringing her treats.” Tears burned Aurora’s eyes, and she was suddenly glad of her soaked state as one trickled down her cheek.
In an attempt to divert herself, Aurora focused on the prow of the barge and the way the mechanical seahorses bobbed up and down as they powered the craft through the water. It was all so surreal, that Aurora pinched the back of her hand just to make sure it wasn’t some truly mad nightmare.
“You know, it’s really quite curious.” Voltaire had moved to sit beside her, and his voice was another distraction at which Aurora grasped.
“What is?” she asked.
“I believed them to be descended from some lost tribe when I first saw them. Although they speak excellent English, it’s not their natural language. That is some strange amalgam of Latin and ancient Egyptian, much like their dress. As you can see, the tunics they wear are very Roman toga in design, but the weapons, they’re Egyptian. The curved sword, that’s a khopesh.”
Aurora glanced at the trio again, really seeing their weapons for the first time. The sword Voltaire was describing possessed a curved, thick blade and looked at least two feet long.
“The crescent shape is designed for slashing.” Voltaire continued. “Looking at Lalia’s, hers even has a hook and point. That means she can hook away your shield then thrust the point of her khopesh into your face. Make no mistake, she’s a seasoned warrior if she’s carrying that.”
“And the weapons the men are carrying, are they also Egyptian?’ Aurora asked. She’d never seen anything like them.
“Yes.” Voltaire nodded. “The battle axe. They seem to prefer crescent-shaped blades as you can see. They just hacked and slashed their way through their opponents. Those fan-like axes were uniquely Egyptian weapons.”
“It’s a…a fan-shaped blade stuck on a pole.” Aurora shook her head.
“Yes, I agree. It was thought they were only for ceremonial use but think about it. When facing something like the polymus that attacked us, that weapon gives you distance as well as a sharp, slashing blade.”
“Yes, that would be effective.” Aurora thought back to fending it off with her boat hook and shuddered. “I take it then that you speak Latin and Egyptian giving your conversation with Lalia.”
“Well, um, yes, I do. Greek, too. Latin and Greek were compulsory, but I also chose to study Egyptology.” Voltaire’s smile changed, softening, becoming warmer.
“He’s being modest as usual.” Tresilian glanced up from his vigil over Midnight. He speaks several languages, Captain Pendragon.”
“Please, call me Aurora. I hardly qualify for the title of captain since my vessel is back there.”
“By all the gods.” Voltaire rose to his feet. “Will you look at that?” He sat down with a thud, staring overhead and Aurora followed his gaze and gasped.
The rock surrounding them vanished, and they were now in a tunnel with transparent walls like glass, as the barge travelled along a narrow strait.
“Are we encased in glass?” Aurora asked, staring at the ocean all around them, and the multitude of colourful sea life that swam past as if this was an everyday occurrence.
“I don’t know.” Voltaire stared around with an expression of amazement, quickly replaced by curiosity. “If it is glass, it must be extraordinarily strong to withstand the pressures and yet we can see through clearly. Interesting.”
The barge’s speed slowed as it progressed smoothly along the strait, and then Voltaire got to his feet and pointed. Following the direction of his finger, Aurora also stared, then rose slowly to stand at Voltaire’s shoulder.
Their destination seemed to be what she could only describe as a brightly illuminated city under a great dome, complete with tall towers, ornate spires, and elegant arches in a multitude of colours.
“It’s beautiful,” Aurora whispered. Now she was on her feet, she saw the ocean floor was littered with broken statures, remnants of buildings, towers, and broken archways. “How much larger must it have been at one time? Where do you think we are?”
“Well, at a guess.” Voltaire hesitated and rubbed at his jaw. “I’d say—”
“Behold Atlantis. Our home.” Lalia had turned to face them and extended a hand toward the city. “This is but a part of the glory it once was, and yet shall be again.”
“What happened to it?” Aurora asked, but Lalia only shook her head.
“Such tales are not for discussion here. When you come before our Nisut-bity and Princeps, they will answer all your questions. Once we dock, I shall ensure your brother is taken with all haste to our healing rooms at the palace. The rest of you will be shown to your own quarters where you can bathe and refresh yourselves. I will arrange for you to have food and clothing. You will come before our rulers when they summon you.”
“Everyone wondered what had happened to the place. Now we know.” Voltaire shrugged. “Let’s hope we get an opportunity to let the world know of our great discovery.”
There were more guards at the dock, but it wasn’t them that really caught Aurora’s attention. It was the vehicles standing on tracks. There were two facing in opposite directions. The passenger components were simply open carriages of padded seats and were attached to scaled down golden ships set on wheels in which stood a man at the wheel.
“We find it convenient to travel via our clockwork passenger vessels.” Lalia stepped forward.
Aurora now saw that unlike the men under her command, Lalia’s skin was almost luminously white. If it hadn’t been for her heavily kohled pale blue eyes, Aurora would have considered her to be albino.
She looked more carefully at the men with Lalia. Their skin had some colour, but it was an almost silvery-grey, and they also had strange marks on their throats. It must be due to the lack of natural light. Just how long have they lived down here?
“If you will please take the young man in that vessel, we will take this one.” Lalia indicated which she expected people to board, and Aurora went to go with Midnight, but Lalia gripped her arm. “You must come with me. We shall permit the other man to go as he’s carrying your brother. You will be expected to come before our Nisut-bity and the Princeps before you will be permitted to walk freely around the palace.”
“I thought you were taking him to a hospital.” Aurora shook her head. “Um…healing rooms, you said.”
“Yes. They are in the palace.” Lalia gave a single, slow nod of her head. “He will be in good hands. Our Swnwt is very experienced and is justly named Merit-Ptah.”
“Don’t worry, Aurora.” Tresilian nodded toward the vessel. “I promise to stay with him at all times. As soon as I feel he can be left, I’ll find you.”
“Please. Now.” Lalia pointed to the vessel and Aurora stood, bereft, as Tresilian strode away, the unconscious Midnight cradled close to his chest.
“Tresilian Hawke is not only my best and dearest friend, but a man of courage and honour, Aurora. If he’s placed your brother under his protection, I assure you that he couldn’t be in better hands.” Voltaire laid his hand very lightl
y on Aurora’s shoulder as if uncertain of its welcome.
“Yes, thank you. I’m sure he is, Voltaire.” Aurora patted his hand. “Well, we should board the other one, I suppose.” Aurora boarded the vessel and when Voltaire went to pass her, she reached out to him. “Do please sit here. I-I’d like some company.”
“Your concern does you justice. Older sister, I take it?” Voltaire sat carefully beside her.
“Yes. I love my brother very much. He can be exasperating and forgetful, but…but he’s my baby brother.” When Voltaire’s arm came around her shoulders, Aurora didn’t push him away. Instead she leaned into him, soaking up the support he offered.
Chapter 9
The vessel clicked its way through city streets, but Aurora quickly realised that while the city looked beautiful and immaculate, it was also deserted. Not once did she catch so much as a glimpse of man, woman or child.
“It’s a singular city that’s devoid of denizens, don’t you think?” Voltaire’s breath was warm on Aurora’s cheek as he whispered in her ear.
“Yes. And since Lalia went with Midnight and Tresilian, we can’t ask if it’s normal. I mean, perhaps at this time they’re in church, or the town square being told of our rescue.” Aurora looked overhead.
The city had many lights ensuring it was as bright as day, but high above them, Aurora gazed at the dome. Although it was so dark, that it was impossible to differentiate it from night on the surface, she still felt a thrill of apprehension at the thought of what truly lay beyond.
“I don’t know that I could ever really be settled here knowing that all that stood between me and the ocean was that dome.”
“I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective.” Voltaire shrugged. “If you’re born and raised here, why would you even question the dome keeping you safe?”
“Yes, I see.” Aurora sighed. “I do wish they’d increase their speed. I want to get to the palace and see how Midnight is. I hate being away from him when he needs me.”
Finally, the vessel clicked around a corner and the building before them made the rest pale into insignificance. It was golden hued, with towers, turrets, and spires. Instead of gates, there was a long line of tall, viciously pointed tridents, and as the vessel approached a portion slid aside to allow it to pass.
The ground leading up the palace was decorated with larger than life mosaics of sea life, and Aurora wondered just how many years it would have taken to put the tiny pieces into place to create such magnificent works of art.
Wide steps led up to a pillar lined portico, and even from the vessel it was possible to see the immense golden doors, flanked by ancient gods. There were also two flesh and blood guards with their fan-shaped axes which were crossed in front of the doors to bar entrance.
The vessel came to a stop and the men who’d accompanied them disembarked and headed up the steps without a single word.
“Well, I guess we follow them.” Aurora shrugged.
“Yes, indeed.” Voltaire rose from his seat and climbed out first, holding up his hands to offer Aurora some assistance. Although she felt perfectly capable of clambering down herself, the gesture was touching, and she accepted his help to jump down. She was also strangely gratified when Voltaire kept hold of her hand.
“Now what?” Dryden asked.
“I suggest we follow our guards and get ourselves entry into the palace.” Voltaire glanced over his shoulder, then smiled at Aurora. “Do you agree?”
“I do.” Aurora nodded firmly.
“You think there would be a welcoming committee. Lalia said we were honoured guests.” At Dryden’s whining voice, Aurora also glanced over her shoulder.
“Let’s be thankful they didn’t consider us invaders. We might have disliked that kind of welcome a great deal more.”
“Can you please stop complaining, Dryden?” Dru’s exasperated voice came from behind Aurora, and she couldn’t help but smile at the other woman’s words.
“Let’s go.” At Voltaire’s slight tug to Aurora’s hand, she picked up her step and marched with him up the stairs, trusting that the others would follow. At the top, the guardians of the doors opened them and stepped aside to allow the group to pass through.
If the outside of the palace had been impressive, it was nothing compared to its interior. The floor was covered in complex mosaics, the walls with murals of sea life, and what Aurora assumed were gods, goddesses, and other mythical beings. There were also statues, some which looked very Greek or Roman, and others that she recognised as representations of Egyptian deities.
“This is ridiculous.” Dryden’s voice rang out in the silence. “You must do something, Captain Pendragon. It’s your fault we’re here. I demand you get them to get us home without delay.”
“And just exactly what do you propose that she do, Brewer?” Voltaire cocked his head, looking at the man as if he was a particularly unpleasant type of insect. “And as a matter of fact, it was I that insisted we come here, if you remember. Aurora was against it. And you were more than happy to be paid for the inconvenience as I recall. You voiced no objection when I wanted to come out over the Mediterranean.”
“I…I—” As Dryden spluttered, Dru stomped passed him, snapping at him as she did:
“Oh, do shut up, Dryden.” Dru went to stand beside Aurora. “None of this is your fault, Captain.”
“Call me Aurora.”
“And I’m Dru.” Dru followed up with a soft laugh as she hugged Aurora.
“And who might you be?” At Voltaire’s question, Aurora turned to see a young woman, with the same silvery-grey skin as the guards approaching them.
“I’m Tsillah. I will take you to your suites. You are most welcome here and our rulers eagerly anticipate meeting you later, after you have had time to bathe, change, and refresh yourselves.”
They were led through the palace in silence and Aurora looked around as they followed the servant. It’s like the city; magnificent, opulent, and deserted. Where are the palace courtiers, and the servants?
There seemed little point in trying to engage Tsillah in conversation, but Aurora determined to get time alone with the woman, then question her.
“As I’m responsible for my passengers, I’d prefer that you settle them first and I shall wait until last.” Aurora leaned forward to address Tsillah who nodded.
“As you wish, Madam Aurora.”
In keeping with Aurora’s wishes, Tsillah stopped at a crossway and indicated two different passageways.
“Your rooms are along these corridors. Each room has a separate bathing room. Until you have been formally welcomed and accepted by our rulers, you must remain in your rooms for your own safety.”
“Yes, I did notice the guards who seemed to be patrolling.” Voltaire’s tone was casual, even conversational as if armed guards in close proximity were a normal everyday occurrence to him.
“Once you are granted the freedom of the palace, they will go. This way for the men.” Tsillah led the way, indicating rooms for Voltaire, Dryden, and George.
“I should be able to have my servant attend me.” Dryden stood in his doorway, but Tsillah shook her head.
“You will have all you need brought to you in due course. Please, you must remain in your room.”
“I shall complain about this.” Dryden stomped inside, slamming his door loudly.
From the end of the hallway, Dru sighed heavily.
“You know, I’m seeing a quite different side of Dryden. And I must confess, I don’t think much of it.”
“Perhaps it’s for the best that you do see it now.” Aurora shrugged. “While you can simply give back a ring.”
Tsillah retuned to show Dru and Aurora to their rooms and as soon as Dru was inside, Aurora made her move. Looking quickly around to make sure no guards were visible; she laid a hand on Tsillah’s arm.
“Thank you. We appreciate it.” Aurora smiled, but the woman’s expression didn’t change. She looks so melancholy. I wonder if these rulers are hard on
their servants. “Um, my brother was brought here, I’d like to see him.”
“It shall be done. Once the healer is certain the fever has passed.” The sombre tone concerned Aurora. Since there was still no one else around, she stepped closer to the other woman.
“Are you all right? Is there anything wrong?” she asked.
The other woman tilted her head, a small frown appearing.
“Why would you care?” Tsillah looked directly into Aurora’s eyes. “You’re more like them.”
Aurora had no way to know what Tsillah meant, and no time to care.
“Look,” Aurora glanced quickly around. “I’m no queen, or even a lady of the manor, but we have a cook-housekeeper. She’s employed by my parents and works for us. But she’s also like one of the family. I realise you may be somewhat hidden from the view of the king and queen here, and not under their direct governance, but I don’t believe in anyone being abused by their employers.”
“Madam, please—”
“My name, when there’s no one else around, is Aurora.”
“Madam Aurora.” Tsillah bowed, then resumed staring directly into Aurora’s eyes. “You truly mean this, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course I do.” Aurora nodded firmly.
“Then, I beg of you, for your safety and that of those who are with you, say nothing. That would only endanger you and your people.”
“What? Why?” Aurora jammed her hands on her hips.
“I cannot explain now. But promise me, no matter what you see or hear, say nothing. Warn your people, too.”
“I really don’t understand any of this. But, for now, I promise.”
“Enjoy our…rulers’ hospitality, and ensure you do or say nothing to earn their displeasure. You’ll quickly realise why. In return, I promise to seek you out when I can.”
With a final glance around, Tsillah hurried away, leaving Aurora puzzled and frustrated in equal measure.
Since there was nothing else she could do, Aurora went into the suite. It opened into a large room with comfortable seats each with a small table at their side. She wandered through a doorway to the right of the room and found it was a spacious bedroom. Although there was a dressing table, there was no mirror.
