Leon sunk with feeling that he had more to worry about than ever before. “Thanks. We'll be on our way then. If I don't see you again, it's been miserable.”
Marus barely contained his laughter. “I can only imagine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Nedim was trying to meditate outside the barracks on the fourth tier. It was difficult, with the sounds of yelling and crying all around him. Opening his eyes revealed the glow of dozens of fires throughout the city.
The barracks had been turned into a makeshift infirmary.
Inside, Janah cried out as Kadir tightened a bandage around her arm. “Oww!”
Kadir grabbed an herbal leaf and placed it over another cut. “It's not that bad, you crybaby.”
“Shut up.” Janah frowned. “This hurts. I don't see you with a bunch of cuts and bruises.”
“That's because I don't fight like I've got something to prove. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were enjoying all of this.”
Janah shrank with some awkwardness. “You’ve known me ever since I was little, Kadir. Yeah, I fight `cause I like it. But before this, all we ever did was train. All day. Every day. Train.”
Kadir finished up the last bandage and sat back. “You thought there wouldn’t be anyone to fight, did you?”
“After the first invasion, no,” Janah said. “Unless you’re a Vesuvian, I don’t think anyone is alive from then. And I always wondered what it must have been like, or how I would have done.”
“Then you're trying to prove something, to yourself,” Kadir said.
Janah tried to laugh, but she was too tired and was beginning to choke up. “Funny, how excited I was to finally see how good I am. Couldn't wait to mix it up. But today, after the barricade went down and we were struggling...I thought I was going to die.”
Kadir put his arm around Janah. “It's okay. You'd be crazy if you thought you were invincible. If it makes you feel better, the thought of dying crept into the back of my mind as well. So don't be ashamed. A lot of people will tell you that it's what keeps you alive. Or at least keeps you from doing something stupid.”
Talik came from downstairs, followed by Amarna, Sayar and Sadi.
Janah quickly turned away to wipe any tears before Sayar could see her.
“Where's Nedim?” Amarna asked.
“Outside,” Kadir answered. “I think he's been meditating for the last hour or so.”
As Sadi stepped out with Amarna, Sayar and Talik sat with Janah and Kadir.
“Things are a mess,” Sayar said. He noticed Janah avoiding eye contact, and for a very brief moment wanted to badger her. “First reports say we lost close to a quarter of our soldiers. Hundreds are missing, and the city is dangerously exposed to another attack.”
Talik gave Kadir a canteen. “The Pelasgians breached Siriso on all sides, but it looks like the southwestern wall was hit hardest. It’s a miracle we got out of there alive.”
“Why did they retreat?” Janah asked.
“Good question,” Sayar said, scratching his mane. “Maybe they suffered too many losses. The count so far suggests that we killed two for every man lost. I doubt at that rate we’d have won.”
Nedim came in with Sadi and Amarna. “When did you plan on leaving?” he asked.
“As soon as possible,” Sayar answered. “The Vesuvians are practically begging for reinforcements. I don't like the idea of taking our forces away from the city, but it looks like the fight has moved and we need to be there.”
“What if it's a trick?” Janah asked. “You know, what if when we pull our army away from the city the Pelasgians come back?”
Sayar clearly hadn't thought of that, and didn't know how to answer.
“Nothing is easy, is it?” said Nedim. “Clearly we can't leave the city defenseless.”
“Abandon Siriso,” Sadi suggested.
Almost gasping, Amarna balked at the idea. “Never. If the Pelasgians were to return they could make the city their own and use it as a stronghold. I will not allow them to take Siriso without a fight.”
Nedim became lost in thought as he slowly walked around the room.
Talik raised his hand. “I got it! We abandon the city and burn it to the ground.”
Aside from Nedim, everyone stared blankly at Talik.
Sayar wrapped both hands around his head with embarrassment. “Did you have to say that in front of the Anubians? This is why I never put you in charge. There’s no way we’re going to raze the city. It’ll take years just to repair the outer walls.”
“What about the catacombs?” Nedim asked.
“I believe they are safe,” Amarna replied. “What do you have in mind?”
Nedim kneeled and started drawing a plan out in the dirt and sand. “We can take anyone who is unable to fight and move them through there. It should be safe for the time being. As for Siriso, we can leave a small force to resist the Pelasgians should if they return.”
“He’s right,” Janah said. “The passageways in the catacombs lead to small docks along the river outside the city. Some lead to hidden entryways in the desert. I swear we passed one on our way back.”
Amarna had a somber expression on her face, looking at the others, hoping that someone would come up with another idea. “We have no choice then. Sadi, I'm sorry you're not going to have much to work with. Do you think you can pull it off?”
Sadi wasn’t the least bit surprised. “I can scramble a bunch of small mobile groups. But it really all depends on what the Pelasgians come at us with, if they come back.”
Nedim swiftly stood by Sadi. “I suppose I should stay as well.”
“Sorry.” Sayar was quick to intervene. “You're coming with, Nedim. The Pelasgians may not even return, and you know I'm going to need you at Vesuvia.”
Sadi could tell Nedim didn't want to leave her.
“Don't worry,” Janah said. “I'll make sure nothing happens to him.”
As Sadi and Nedim looked at one another as though it may be the last time, Amarna and the Persians hastily exited the room.
“I guess you have to go,” Sadi said.
Nedim held her hands as he kissed her. “You have my word. I will return. Even if it's the last thing I do.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sara dropped from the forest canopy to the ground, landing on her feet. After waiting a few seconds she looked up behind her.
It was night. The moon was full, and the clouds were sparse. An owl's hooting and crickets' chirping filled the darkness.
Moments later Leon arrived in a similar fashion. His eyes were completely black. “What's wrong?” he asked.
“You're lagging,” Sara answered.
Leon turned back, sniffing the air and listening. “Something ain’t right.”
Sara looked around. “What do you mean? We've got a clear sky, and I don't smell anything.”
“I can’t really tell,” Leon said. “Maybe Pelasgians, but I'm pretty sure they're not around.”
Sara used what little Vesuvian blood she had to enhance her senses. The amount of new input was almost overwhelming, and she couldn’t make heads or tails of so much at once. “How do you sort through it?”
Leon relaxed his senses. “It takes some getting used to. I thought I was hearing things.”
“Like what?” Sara asked.
“Like we were being followed. It could be a couple of animals, but at certain times I swear it sounded like it was keeping up with us. There aren’t many things that can do that. Then again, maybe it’s just me. I’m not getting anything now. How are you?”
Sara's eyes returned to normal as the Vesuvian blood in her ran dry. “I've been thinking. Considering the hundreds of ways the world could probably end, I guess I can't be too mad at you. Still, you should have told me.”
Leon grabbed a glaive and squeezed it in his hand to give more blood.
“No thanks,” Sara said. “New Haven must be close. I heard a bunch of commotion in that direction I think. It co
uld be fighting, but...”
Leon picked up the sounds of sawing and hammers banging. “Construction,” he said. “Lots of it.”
Sara began walking hurriedly. “We better get a move on then.”
It wasn't long before they were within earshot for Sara to start hearing all the noise.
“Hey, hold up,” Leon said.
Sara crouched down thinking they were in danger. “What is it?”
Leon was visibly anxious. “I made a mistake not telling anyone.”
“Geez, Leon!” Sara said with relief. “I thought we were in trouble. I'm scared out of my mind enough as it is. Listen, I understand why you didn't want to tell everyone about Nibiru.”
“Then you're not mad?” Leon asked.
“Mad? No,” Sara answered. “I've been thinking about it, and to be honest, I feel unbelievably fortunate to be alive. You could have joined Nibiru all those years ago, couldn't you?”
Leon gave a nod.
Sara smiled with a mixture of joy and sadness. “I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I suppose I should thank you for that, at least.”
“Don't thank me,” Leon said. “I was made to protect this world, and I give you my word that I will die before ever joining Nibiru.”
Sara could see in Leon's eyes that there was no questioning his sincerity. “Let's hope Nibiru doesn't figure that out.”
They continued on until they reached the clearing in front of New Haven. Sara was stunned at the sight of the city. Hundreds of soldiers and workers were repairing the city's wall.
Sara could only stare in disbelief for a few moments before cautiously approaching one of the construction sites next to a tower.
Several soldiers spotted Sara and Leon and ran to them. “Guardians?” one asked.
“Yes,” Sara answered. “He's Vesuvian. What happened?”
“Pelasgians. They had these huge monsters that tore through the wall like nothing. Fighting was nasty, but they eventually retreated. We're not sure where they are now.”
“Vesuvia,” said Leon. “They're going to wipe out my home if we don't do something soon.”
“C'mon, hurry,” Sara said, pulling at Leon as she tried getting into the city. With the amount of workers, she had to squeeze her way between people.
“Sara, up here,” Richard called from the top of the tower.
Once they were able to get past the construction site, Leon followed Sara into the passageways that led up through the wall and into the tower.
Sara was all smiles stepping onto the summit. “Richard, you're a sight for sore eyes,” she said, hugging him.
Richard's troubled demeanor was visible across his face. He looked nervously at Sara as tried to find the words.
“What?” Sara asked. She hadn't noticed the equinox Richard was holding until he held it out, and saw that it was Arthur's.
“Sorry,” Richard said.
Sara knew what this meant. Taking Arthur's equinox, she felt her body go numb, and an immense feeling of loss. Tears flowed as she tried sitting on a small crate, only to miss it and fall to the floor.
Leon and Richard quickly went over to help Sara. Both knew there was nothing they could do or say to console her.
It was hard for Leon to see Sara in such a devastated state. “I have to go.”
Richard shook hands with the Vesuvian. “Thanks for taking care of her.”
Leon hopped up to the edge of the summit. With one last look at Sara, he leapt down to the clearing and then dashed into the forest.
Richard grabbed another crate and sat next to Sara, wrapping his arms around her as she sobbed. “We’ll make them pay.”
At the speed he was going, Leon was well into the woods when he began hearing odd noises again. It was the sound of breaking twigs and rustling of leaves. Coming to a stop, he was sure now that he was being followed not by one, but several people.
Leon drew his sword and waited as the noise came closer. Soon, directly ahead of and from both sides, a large group of Vesuvians from different Houses emerged.
A Doran male with spiky, red hair spoke. “We hear you have a ticket out of the apocalypse.”
“Leuk, you need to get back to the city now,” Leon said.
Some of the Vesuvians laughed. The fact that they were all able to follow Leon told him that they were sharing blood between them.
Leuk pulled a knife out. “I don't think so. Without you, the Pelasgians have no reason to be here.”
“You're making a mistake,” Leon growled.
With an evil grin, Leuk shook his head. “No, you're the mistake.”
The cost of blood in a drawn out fight against numerous Vesuvians from all the Houses would be extremely high, especially if those Vesuvians were sharing blood.
Knowing this, Leon did the only thing he could think of. Run. It was easy to blow past the Vesuvians, but in less than a second he began to feel warm and uncomfortable.
The Doran used their powers to boil Leon's blood as they chased him.
If it weren't for the fact that he was made from the blood of the Council, Leon probably would have bled out. Instead, the immediate effect was minimal, but caused him to expend more blood as he still had to resist the power trying to make him burst.
Leon made a hard turn. He was very familiar with the woods, and knew that just ahead was his only chance of survival. Grabbing two glaives, he squeezed hard, filling his hands with blood.
In the middle of the woods, the trees suddenly opened up to a very massive gorge in the earth.
Leon jumped into the blackness with the Vesuvians diving in after him like rabid dogs.
The only way now was down.
As Leon fell, the blood from his hands lit up. At first it was a soft glow, rapidly growing brighter and brighter.
With nowhere to hide, the Vesuvians exploded into cinder as they were engulfed by light that became so luminous, some of the people as far away as New Haven could see it.
Everyone in the city gaped in wonder.
Richard was certainly amazed. “Something tells me that wasn't a falling star.”
And as much as Sara wanted to believe it was, a single thought came to mind. “Leon.”
###
~From the author~
Words can’t express how thankful I am of everyone’s support thus far. I hope you have found the story to be exciting and are looking forward to Vesuvian Starlight, due Q4 2012 - Q1 2013.
Jose Rodriguez Jr.
Shadow Seed Page 11
