by Isaac Crowe
“Welcome, Rhea, my name is Alexandra.”
Rhea returned the curtsey. “Thank you.”
Max scratched his head. “Do you know who she is, Alex?”
“Remember the drawings in the cave?”
Max nodded “Yeah.”
“Did you notice I skipped one at the very beginning?”
“Uh…”
Melody nodded. “I did. It looked like a hand above the people. Why did you skip it?”
“Because, I was unsure of its meaning. We had nothing that referenced it. We only speculated that it was the hand of the true Creators placing us here.”
Rhea smiled. “Your interpretation is correct. After we created your ancestors, we placed them here between the mountains. We had intended to leave no knowledge of our existence.”
Lysander tried to stand, but his legs quickly gave out. “How do we know you are who you say you are?”
Rhea started walking towards Eve. Max reached for his swords only to realize he had no idea of what happened to them. Eve’s ears twitched nervously but she remained still.
“It’s okay, Max.”
Rhea bent over and gently touched Spook who Eve still cradled in her hands. “Such a brave little creature.”
Rhea placed her hands over Spook. A second later Eve jumped with surprise, startling Max.
“Eve!”
Eve giggled. “Maxy, look.”
Rhea removed her hands, revealing Spook standing on her hind legs. She sniffed at the air then climbed to her usual perch on Eve’s shoulder.
Melody stared in wonder at Spook. “Sa…satisfied, Lysander.”
“Yeah, that will do it.”
Alexandra wobbled back to the others and eased herself to the ground.
“Why did you not want us to know about you? Why have you come now?”
Rhea lowered her head. “I would like to tell you everything, but my time is limited. I can only tell you of what, I am afraid, will reflect poorly on my brothers and sisters.”
Rhea laid her hand on Eve. Max watched the wounds close shut and the bruises fade away.
“We wanted to create our own paradise, a place to relax and enjoy. We picked this planet as our starting point. From its soil we created a variety of vegetation, much like Alexandra has done.”
Rhea moved next to Max and laid a hand on his shoulder. A warm sensation flowed through him erasing the pain and soreness, filling him with fresh energy.
“We then created various creatures; some to amuse us, others to keep a balance with the vegetation. We had few rules in regards to our creations, but one exception restricted the creation of a form like ourselves.”
Rhea moved on to Lysander and then the few Protectors who had joined them in creating the forest, healing each in turn.
“Then, a small group of my colleagues decided they could evade the rule by making a creature that, while having the ability to communicate with us, was mostly animal in nature. Thus they made the lacarna.”
Rhea reached Lalita, who lay motionless in the middle of the plateau. She bent over her for several seconds before shaking her head and returning to where Max and the others sat.
“When the others learned what had been done, they were jealous. They saw the lacarna as monsters and set about to create a form true to themselves, the humans. Arguments rose as to which was the better creation.”
Rhea sighed heavily. “The debate lasted for years until a fateful decision was made on how to settle the issue. Both creations were gathered and placed here in this ring of mountains to see which could survive the best. When both seemed to be flourishing, opponents on either side tried to sabotage the other. They interfered with the lives of the lacarna and the humans, trying to get one to destroy the other.”
Alexandra’s eyes lit up. “The disease on the humans.”
“That was one attempt, giving the lacarna the power of the Lifestone was another. Then, an illness struck us. Its cause unknown, but its effects devastating. We began to die off. In concern for ourselves, we all but forgot our creations.”
“Recently, a select few of us came to the conclusion that we cannot save ourselves from this disease. Our creations; however, might live on. In secret, we started to watch your proceedings. We soon realized that, despite the animosity between the two creations, there were those trying to bring them together. They showed more effort at a peaceful solution than we ever had.”
Max shook his head. “I think we still have a long way to go.”
“Perhaps, but you are out of time.”
Alexandra cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Few of my brothers and sisters are left. If we do not release you from this prison you will not find us before we are gone. Our knowledge of this world and where we came from will disappear. ”
“How much time do we have?”
“A year, perhaps.”
“Max shrugged. “That should be plenty of time.”
“Unfortunately, there are complications. Those of us left make our home far from here, and we are too weak to travel. I am only here through great effort. Then there are those few who would see that our mistakes are buried and forgotten. Your trip to find us will not be easy.”
Max felt a chill run down his spine. “There are those as strong as you who wish to see us destroyed?”
“Yes.”
Max swallowed hard. “But, you don’t?”
Rhea smiled. “No, though it was wrong for us to create such beings, you have every right to exist. That, and I want the world we created to be enjoyed. You deserve it after what my brothers and sisters have done to you.”
Melody looked questioningly at Rhea. “What else is there beyond the mountains?”
“More than I can describe. Where you live is but a speck on Velrune. The life here, a fraction of the things that exist beyond your home.”
Rhea’s body began to fade from view. “No, not yet!”
Rhea scrunched her face as if she was thinking very hard, her body solidified.
“I have little time now. Listen to me well. In two weeks, I will open a pathway in this mountain, allowing you access to the rest of Velrune. Survival outside of these mountains will not be easy, but you must do it in order to find us.”
Alex stood. “How will we find you?”
“I will try to guide you where we can, but I warn you to beware of others. They have set plans into motion to destroy everything. They will try to lead you astray. Avoid their lies and reach us before it is too late.”
Rhea’s body began to fade again. “My time is nearly over.”
Rhea held out her hand, the shards of the Lifestone rattled on the ground before flying to her and reforming.
“This will buy us some time. If you reach us, you may reclaim it.”
Rhea stepped next to Alexandra. “I can do one last thing before I go.”
Rhea gently touched Alexandra’s forehead. “You carry the history of our creations, invaluable information to us and them. I know it has been a curse to you, so rest for a while my little one.”
Rhea removed her hand from Alexandra’s forehead who sat frozen with a distant, lost expression on her face.
“Lysander, I have borrowed much of her memory to return to my people. It will lift a heavy burden from her, but it will also leave her confused. Please, take good care of her until you meet me again. Now, I must go. Good luck and do not delay.”
Rhea faded from view, leaving them all stunned. Alexandra shook her head.
“Where’d the beautiful lady go?”
Lysander picked Alexandra up, sitting her on his shoulders. “Home I believe, which is where we need to head.”
Alexandra sat silently for a few seconds then started to sniffle. “Wh…where’s that?”
“Back in the city. You have lots of friends there.”
Melody ran over to where she had dropped Alexandra’s pack when retrieving the salve. She returned, pulling out Alexandra’s doll.
“Her
e you go, sweetie.”
“Emma!”
Effie, Callie, Cassia, Anemone and Hannah gathered around them.
“Do you want a ride back?”
Lysander frowned. “No! I mean, I’m fine with walking, thank you.”
Alexandra bent over Lysander’s head. “Aww, come on, it’s fun.”
The sergeant joined them. “First, I have not introduced myself. I am Sgt. Pax. Second, while I do not envy riding a lacarnian, I believe it wise that we return as quickly as possible to the city. We need to show a presence and prepare ourselves for re-establishing our order.”
With reluctance, Lysander nodded. “Agreed.”
Eve winked at Alexandra. “You can ride on me.”
“Ooo, goodie.”
Lysander chuckled. “I told you there was still a kid in there, Max.”
Max smiled briefly, but then nodded at Lalita’s body. “How are we going to bring Lalita back?”
The Protectors that had helped them earlier stepped forward and spoke to Effie. “If you will permit us, we will carry her back.”
Effie nodded. “Thank you.”
Sgt. Pax turned to a nearby Protector. “Lt. Tabbar, see to gathering those below and make all haste towards Moenia, but stay on the ridge. We are going ahead.”
Alexandra bounced up and down on Lysander’s shoulders. “Let’s go already.”
Everyone else was just as impatient as Alexandra, but not for the joy of the ride. All were anxious to know what had transpired in Moenia in their absence. Lysander and Sgt. Pax mounted Callie and Cassie, Eve carried Alexandra, Effie carried Melody and Max once again rode Anemone. Hannah, unable to transform, remained with Lalita and those carrying her body.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
They arrived at Moenia’s gate two hours later. Outside stood two lacarnians from Alexandra’s camp. Seeing Alexandra, they ran towards her with great excitement.
“You did it! The stones are gone and the forest has re-grown. We’re free!”
Alexandra slipped off Eve and ran behind Lysander. “Who are they?”
The two women looked at each other in confusion. Lysander rubbed the top of Alexandra’s head.
“She’s lost a lot of her memory. We’ll explain later. Right now, we need to know what is going on inside the city.”
Max and Sgt. Pax joined Lysander to hear the lacarna’s response.
“Most of the lacarnians have left for the forest. A few with human partners have remained.”
Sgt. Pax shifted uneasily. “Have there been any incidents?”
“Six or seven lacarnians bound their masters wanting retribution for their mistreatment. We convinced them to hand their masters over to Neysa and Mr. Penna at the Protectors headquarters until a proper jury could be established. Other than that, both races have been staying out of each other’s way.”
Sgt. Pax relaxed a little. “Thank you for your report. Things are going better than I expected, but we need to re-establish order as quickly as possible. For starters, the Protectors need new leadership. Lysander, we are both next in rank and well known in Moenia. We will have an official vote later, for now I propose we jointly take lead.”
“I…I don’t know if I’m much of a leader.”
“You are as qualified as anyone else. I also want Maxwell holding an advisory position. His father’s name carries great weight with both races, and he is the most familiar with the lacarna. If we are to move forward successfully, we will need their support. Without the stones, we are no match for them. Maxwell?”
“Of course, Sgt. Pax.”
“Good. Now as for the lacarna, does anyone lead them?
The two lacarnians looked at each other again. “That would have been Alexandra.”
Max shook his head. “Yeah, that’s not going to work. What about Lycoris? Didn’t Alex tell her to take over if something went wrong?”
The two nodded in unison. “Yes, and others will listen to her.”
Lysander turned to Sgt. Pax. “I think we should have her meet us at headquarters. It sounds as if we have some things to take care of there anyway.”
Max nodded. “Yes, but I don’t think we should stay there. It is too secluded from the lacarna. Is there a place in the market we can use?”
Sgt. Pax thought a moment. “There is small warehouse near the center that will work. The rest of the Protectors, when they arrive, should still use the headquarters. I don’t want us to show any type of force.”
Melody partially raised her hand. “Don’t you think the biggest thing we need to do is spread word as to what has happened. Confusion only scares people.”
Lysander nodded. “Not to mention there is the whole thing with Rhea.”
Lysander turned to the two lacarnian women. “Notify everyone of our plans to set up in the market, and tomorrow we will hold a meeting to try and explain everything.”
The two took off running for the city. Lysander then turned to Melody. “Can you watch Alexandra for the next few days? I have a feeling I’m not going to have any free time.”
Melody smiled. “Sure, but I’ll bring her by often. I think you and Eve are the only two she really remembers much.”
Max nearly fainted when he saw Lysander smile. “Thanks, Melody.”
Eve bounced up and down. “What am I supposed to do?”
Max laughed. “Follow me around to keep me from doing anything stupid like usual.”
Eve giggled. “That’s not easy, but I’ll try.”
They set about their plans, first meeting with Mr. Penna, Neysa, and Lycoris. Afterwards, they established a new headquarters in the market warehouse and began laying out plans for moving forward.
The following day, Max, Melody and Lysander told their stories, including meeting Rhea, to a large crowd in the market. They also told of their plan to reform the Protectors as it was originally intended, with both human and lacarna members.
Many were uncertain what to make of their tale, although the newly grown forest was a little hard to ignore. While a lot of the humans feared the lacarna being completely free, few mourned Lord Avram’s death. After the meeting, both races once again separated with the lacarna heading into the forest.
Two days later, the rest of the Protectors returned to the city. Lysander directed them to their old headquarters and together, with Sgt. Pax, set to work reorganizing and establishing new rules for the fair treatment of all. Max, Eve, Neysa and Mr. Penna worked night and day speaking with both races about moving forward as equals.
Several days later, the first of the lacarnians to volunteer to join the Protectors came forward. While a few human Protectors left in protest, most welcomed their new sisters-in-arms.
Melody, besides keeping an eye on Alexandra, worked with Lady Metis in rebuilding the Children’s relationship with the Protectors. They were also the first humans to be allowed by the lacarna into the new forest, soon followed by select members of the Protectors.
Near the end of the second week, Max felt as if he had traveled farther during that time than he had since leaving Swiftwater. Every day he made a trip from headquarters into the city or out into the forest. At least Eve and Spook spent most of their time with him. The two provided endless entertainment.
He occasionally ran into Melody and Alexandra too. He had to laugh as he remembered how Alexandra had acted when they first met. She had changed completely. Free of centuries of painful memories, she once again behaved like a nine year old child. She also drew close to Lysander and even began insisting on staying with him whenever he was not out and about. For his part, Lysander treated her as his own daughter. He seemed happiest when she was with him. In fact, Max had left the two of them together a few hours ago, both laughing as Lysander took a break from his duties to play with her. Now, late in the evening, he wandered down the dimly lit hallways of headquarters alone.
I miss the days in Swiftwater; sleeping in late, running around the plains with Eve. Hmm, we need to get back to her swim training. I think I miss
those nights the most. She’s was so much calmer then, and that scent…
Max stopped walking, his thoughts interrupted by a strange feeling. He stood still for a brief second then twisted his body hard to the right. A dark mass flew by him, grazing his shirt. A joyful laughter ensued from behind him.
“You’re finally getting better, Maxy.”
Max relaxed and turned around. “I had to get better, I got tired of…”
Eve barreled in to him, once more knocking him flat on the floor with her face inches from his own.
“…hitting the floor.”
Eve purred softly.
Okay, that’s a little different.
Groaning, he propped himself to his elbows. “You’re never going to stop doing that are you?”
Eve smiled. Suddenly, the hallway started shaking violently. Eve slipped forward, and, for a brief second, their lips touched. As the quake ended, Eve jumped to her feet, her face flushed.
“Are you okay?”
Max stood, his own face bright red. “I wonder what that was about.”
Eve bounced and grabbed her tail in excitement. “Do you think Rhea opened the mountain path?”
“I hope so, or we have a completely different problem on our hands. We need to find Lysander. I assume you’re ready for another adventure?”
“Yep, I’ve been getting bored lately. It’s no fun when you’re not in trouble.”
Max rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” He held out his hand. “Let’s just go already.”
Eve smiled and took his hand. Together, they walked down the hallway.
“By the way, Eve, do you wear perfume? I’ve never seen a bottle, but you always have this nice spring-like smell about you.”
“That’s just me.” Eve’s devilish grin appeared. “I guess next to you, anything smells nice. I mean, I did track you for miles in the dead lands.”
Max shook his head, sorry that he had asked, but as she leaned her head onto his shoulder he noticed her purring had grown much louder.
