Azaes started to sweat. This was a lot harder than he had thought it would be. He had been assured that with Metis’ maternity, she’d lost power, but the woman he was fighting with had no weaknesses.
At the end of the arc that he made to deflect Metis’ strike, Azaes continued the circular movement, taking advantage of her sword being lowered and out of balance, and raised his own sword, sticking it into the space under her right arm. The sword connected with the queen’s body, perforating her breastplate and hitting flesh. With the same cry of pain, she rallied and raised her sword, slashing Azaes’ leg, who screamed in pain as he tugged to pull out the sword that was still stuck in Metis. When he was able to do it, the woman took advantage of it once again and followed her previous movement with an arc that buried her sword several inches into his left shoulder. Azaes again yelled, and his left arm hung, useless. Realizing he had run out of chances, humiliated and knowing himself beaten, Azaes raised his sword in fury, leaving his forehead unprotected in a suicidal move. Metis took advantage of the opportunity and delivered a violent blow to his neck, separating his head cleanly from his body, while with the rage and forward impulse Azaes had, he stuck his sword under the queen’s chin, penetrating her skull. Metis couldn’t even scream, and collapsed dead. There was a piercing scream from the crowd. Tzedek bellowed desperately, trying to get into the circle, but they wouldn’t let him pass. Gea also tried to get past the guards, but they wouldn’t let her, either.
Never in the history of Atlantis had both combatants died in a challenge. The whole crowd broke into cries of consternation, but above all, there was an endless cry of horror. Tzedek tried to enter the circle, but even as much as he fought, the guards stopped him.
Both referees lifted a hand to signal the end of combat. They both ran to check the bodies and then met in the center. They discussed it a moment, waving their hands. The woman grabbed her head. Finally, she approached the royal consoles that were near the throne, with her palm activated communications and addressed the people, clearing her throat first.
“Attention, people of Atlantis. King Azaes of the Third Kingdom of Atlantis has died at the hands of Queen Metis, whereupon his place should be taken by his heir in the line of succession, Prince Ponteus, unless he rejects his charge. And Queen Metis was killed by King Azaes. By law, Azaes should take her place, but since Azaes was killed by Metis, we must declare the challenge void. The next in the line of succession must provisionally take her place until the Council of Kings chooses a new queen by vote or by combat. The royal consort Tzedek will be the new king of Atlantis for a minimal period, unless he rejects his charge.”
“Prince Ponteus, present yourself. Consort Tzedek, present yourself.”
Ponteus came forward out of the crowd, asking the guards, who were keeping the wall in place, to let him pass. They let him come forward and pass into the circle. A few seconds later, they let Tzedek, who hadn’t stopped trying to get through, also pass. He threw himself at Metis, ignoring the referees, and threw himself on the ground, holding her and crying.
The referees stopped the guards who were going to pick him up. They gestured to leave him alone.
“Give him a moment. Meanwhile, we’ll start with Prince Ponteus.”
The referee started to recite the diplomatic formula for transferring power after the death of a combatant.
“Prince Ponteus Gounaris, do you acknowledge that Azaes was defeated in combat?”
“I acknowledge it.”
“In that case, tomorrow morning in this square and before these people, the transfer of power will be carried out. Your father’s body will be treated with respect and will receive the honors he deserves. Please, present yourself to the diplomatic corps to be brought up to date and complete the necessary paperwork before the coronation ceremony.”
Ponteus bowed respectfully before the referees, looked towards Azaes’ body, and bowed his head. Then he remained standing out of the way.
Tzedek had composed himself, achieving a little control over himself, but he looked haggard. His eyes were visibly swollen.
“Consort Tzedek, do you acknowledge that Metis was fairly defeated in combat?” asked the referee.
Tzedek sighed and looked again at the combatants’ bodies. He looked at them for a full minute.
“Tzedek?”
Tzedek turned towards the referees. He closed his eyes with a mask of pain on his face. Finally he opened them and barely nodded his head.
“I acknowledge it. And I want to clarify that I have no complaint or grudge against the heir of Azaes, the new king of the Third Kingdom, and I hope we can work together for the common good.”
“I have no dispute and hold no grudge against the new king of Atlantis,” announced Ponteus, bowing towards Tzedek.
“In that case, the morning after next, in this square and before these people, the transfer of command will be carried out. The body of your wife will be treated with respect and will receive the honors she deserves. Please, present yourself to the diplomatic corps to be brought up to date and complete the necessary paperwork before the coronation ceremony. You may leave.”
Tzedek and Ponteus left the circle, each going their own way. As soon as he left the circle, Gea threw herself into Tzedek’s arms, crying.
A group of guardians took the belongings of the combatants and finally, carefully carried the bodies to their final destination. When the ruler died, the coronation ceremony included the respectful showing of the body and its public incineration.
Ponteus hurried behind Tzedek and when he reached him, touched his shoulder. He turned, tense, and Gea moved to his side.
Ponteus bowed before the new king.
“I meant it when I said I had no disputes with you. I don’t know what got into my father, but I’m sorry that he fought Metis. She was a good queen and I tried to dissuade him, but he didn’t want to listen to me.”
Tzedek relaxed his shoulders and put a hand on Ponteus’ shoulder.
“I was also serious, I don’t have any problems with you unless you come looking for any. You aren’t responsible for your father’s actions.”
Ponteus visibly relaxed and bowed with one knee on the ground.
“I swear my loyalty to you and will obey your orders to the best of my ability.”
“I accept your loyalty and I appreciate it. I hope to have your oath again in public the day after tomorrow.”
“Count on that, Your Majesty.”
Without further ado, each one went to see their diplomatic corps in order to dispose of and say farewell to the respective combatants.
TRAINING
Atlantis, Year 1 of the interim reign of Tzedek
“Papa, I don’t want to do this.”
“Gea, daughter, someday you’ll be Queen of Atlantis. It’s inevitable. The shortest legal time between rulers is a hundred years, so that will be the duration of my reign. And I want to give the throne to you.”
“Dad, how will I manage the twelve kingdoms? And with all the problems we have with the humans, too.”
“The same way I do it, your mother did it and all the rules before you. With help.”
Gea snorted.
“If I’m going to have so much help, why do I have to train so much? We’ve been at this for months.”
“Even with as much help as you have, there are many things a queen has to do herself. One of those is defend yourself and attack in combat. A common Atlantean may never have a challenge in their existence in which they have to defend their life, but you are a princess and rulers are practically guaranteed to have combats. At some point, someone’s going to try to kill you. And unless you think life isn’t worth anything, you must be more than prepared for that moment. Combat must be part of you. You must move without thinking, react without knowing it, and analyze without being distracted. Your survival depends on it. Besides, what good does it do to not grow old if the first brute that approaches you can dominate you physically, rape you and make you a slave? Can you
imagine living thousands of years reduced to being a sex toy?”
Gea imagined it and at first looked worried, then disgusted, and finally, horrified.
“Who would commit that kind of atrocity?”
“You know there are more and more humans. We keep them in line making them think we’re gods, but every now and then one especially heroic appears who thinks he can defeat us. And if a lot of them get together and surprise you, they could do it. Especially if you can’t get rid of them quickly.”
“I get your point. And when am I going to fight for real?”
“When you’ve passed the physical training matches like you should. Meanwhile, you’ll keep fighting with training swords, for your safety and that of your trainer. Now, to work.”
The coach, Alexis Pavilis, handed the training sword to Gea, as he’d been doing for weeks, and presented his. He bowed and stood in combat position.
“How are our reflexes today, Princess?”
Gea took the sword and swinging it with her arm, delivered a blow to Alexis’ side, who intercepted it with a graceful movement of his sword. Without waiting, and taking advantage of the strength of the rebound, Alexis turned the sword and hit Gea’s shoulder, who jumped back angrily.
“Point to Alexis,” Tzedek noted.
Gea snorted and attacked again, this time trying to get past Alexis’ defenses from the sides. The coach easily rebuffed every attack, until he moved forward a pace and hit Gea in the chin with the point of his sword.
“Point to Alexis,” Tzedek said again, but this time he really was angry.
And Gea was, too. She knew that the move she’d just failed was the same one that had cost her mother her life. Suddenly she felt a surge of rage and it felt like time stood still. Her mind finally synchronized with her nano-organisms and she felt the discharge of adrenaline that sharpened her senses and her strength. She advanced with a yell and started to let loose strike after strike against Alexis, who for the first time, felt overtaken. Gea feinted to the left and when he tried to intercept it, she charged, attacking down the center and connecting with his chest. He hadn’t finished absorbing the blow when he received another under the right arm. He shouted from the effort and disgust. He tried to direct his blow toward Gea’s head, but she was faster and deflected it upward. With the same impulse, she lowered her sword to hit Alexis on the head with the flat, who gave a cry of pain and jumped back.
“Three points to Gea,” answered Tzedek, impassive.
Gea jumped forward and struck him again, in his shoulder, then kept attacking him savagely. Alexis, more and more overcome, shouted:
“I give up!”
But Gea didn’t stop and after several thrusts, pushed Alexis to the ground and placed the sword at his neck.
Tzedek interceded.
“Gea, that’s enough.”
Gea, panting, tried to control herself. She realized she was kneeling on one knee, pressing her sword against Alexis’ neck. She also noticed that her trainer was looking at her with surprise, and dilated eyes. She drew it back slowly and with a yell, buried it in the ground next to Alexis. The sword sank halfway down. She inhaled and exhaled calmly through her mouth, trying to lower her pulse and release the adrenaline overload she had. She slowly achieved it.
Alexis slowly sat up. In the areas he didn’t have armor, bruises could be clearly seen from Gea’s strikes. Rubbing the sore places, he slowly approached Tzedek and bowing his head announced:
“Your Majesty, with all due respect, I quit.”
“That bad?”
“Your Majesty, Gea now needs a professional fighter as a coach. But don’t let her fight with real swords. Never, unless it’s a real combat to the death.”
“Thank you very much, Coach Alexis.”
Bowing, Alexis withdrew from the field, embarrassed.
Tzedek looked at Gea.
“What?”
“You were able to dominate your organism, right? What was the trigger—fear? Rage? Hate?”
Gea thought for a moment.
“Rage.”
“The strike under your chin, right?”
“How did you know?”
“Because it enraged me, too. Alexis was provoking you so you’d react and he achieved it very well. It’s a shame he got scared as a result.”
Gea was thoughtful.
“Maybe I can convince him to come back.”
“You suddenly think you learned something?”
“Thinking more coolly, I think so. I’m sorry to have hurt him.”
“You know that what you hurt most was his pride.”
“It’s not my fault if his ego was so big that he fell hard when he fell. Although I must admit he is an excellent trainer.”
“Well, go tell him that. You may not convince him, but at least there won’t be any grudges.”
“Yes, Father, with your permission,” Gea replied, and went running out.
“Alexis!” Gea caught up to the coach after running a couple hundred yards.
“Princess?” he inquired without stopping. They both kept walking.
“Oh, come on, don’t quit.”
“With all due respect, Princess, I like my neck.”
“You don’t have to call me Princess, I’ve told you that several times. Call me Gea.”
“At your orders, Princess Gea.”
“Just Gea,” she said, exasperated.
“I’m not your consort to take such a liberty.”
“I don’t have a consort right now.”
“Is that an invitation?” he replied, smiling.
“Don’t be pedantic,” she spit out. Alexis, like all Atlanteans, looked twenty-five, but because he was so active, he was extraordinarily muscular, in good shape. He also had a nice position, being the best and most famous coach in Atlantis. “Please, I need to keep training. I promise to control myself going forward. You can help me with that.”
“Control is precisely what you need to win a fight, but appealing to anger is necessary to unleash your potential. It’s a difficult situation because anger and control are deadly enemies.”
“Do you think you’re not good enough to train me?”
Alexis bit his lips. He knew that Gea was trying to manipulate him, but he couldn’t help but feel his hurt pride. Again.
“I don’t think anybody is.”
“So you’ll leave me free to my own devices, so that anyone can kill me in the first fight I have to face?”
Alexis stopped and rolled his eyes.
“That’s a really low blow, Princess.”
“Gea.”
“Damn it, Princess Gea, okay. But we have to talk carefully about how to control that rage of yours.”
Gea gave a little jump for joy and hugged Alexis.
“Thank you, thank you very much! So I’ll see you in three days, like always.”
Alexis let her hug him, not knowing how to respond, and he could smell Gea’s hair and her sweat. They were both dirty and sweaty from the training fight. For a moment he closed his eyes and imagined how it would be to be more than her coach. Hmm...
Gea let him go and waved her hand as she ran off to return to her father. Alexis stood there watching her. He had to force himself to turn around and keep walking towards his house. Gea was sure to be the next queen of Atlantis. Yikes, he had to keep a cool head or he’d end up being executed for treason or some other invented charge. Tzedek was to be feared.
Gea turned around when Alexis had walked away and stood admiring his backside for a minute. Besides being a skillful and intelligent man, he looked good from the back. She realized that until that moment, she hadn’t seen him as anything but a coach because in some way she was afraid of him. But after today...wow. It would be a long three days.
ONE OF TZEDEK’S MEMORIES
Rho, November 27, 2027. 11:20 a.m.
Althaea entered the Control Center and addressed Tzedek.
“Juan Carlos and Sofía have arrived at the city.”
Tz
edek smiled and sighed. He’d been worried and thinking about organizing a search party to look for them.
“Just in time. Althaea, go receive them and make sure they are welcomed. Make sure that Damaris receives Sofía.”
“What exactly are you referring to?”
“Seduce him. I want that man under my control. And for Damaris to do the same with Sofía. I want that man and his daughter committed to our cause immediately. After the fiasco with Marsan, we can’t afford to have them turn against us.”
Althaea didn’t move.
“What are you waiting for?”
“You want me to be a prostitute?”
“No, because you won’t charge anything for it.”
“You know exactly what I mean.”
“Do you know who Juan Carlos and his daughter are?”
“I assume you mean besides being some of the selected humans?”
“Do you remember when we rescued Raquel Säuger?”
“Of course. Our best nanotechnology. The best in the world, naturally.”
“Well, you must have met her husband and her daughter.”
Althaea turned white. Did she know them? She thought a moment.
“From the day we rescued Raquel?”
“One and the same.”
Althaea remembered that day. She was concentrating on Raquel and in the procedure she needed to apply later, so she hadn’t paid much attention to what was happening in the room. However, she remembered that she had indeed seen Navarro, although he was busy talking on the phone or something. It was a bad moment. He was serious, worried, and angry, all of which was logical, since his wife was dying and there was nothing he could do about it. She remembered that she had felt sorry for him and also that she’d found him pleasant. He was handsome and intelligent, from what she could tell when she entered into the room, though she was concentrating on what she needed to do with Raquel, since she barely had time to do it, and really wasn’t paying attention to what was going on around her.
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