Epic Unearthed Read online

  Chapter XI

  Love and Family

  Kaydence and Daygun stand at the altar before the high priest. The two will recite their own vows. If the vows do not speak to the validity of the marriage, the crowd can vote against the couple’s proceeding with the wedding. This is the tradition of the Atlantean Empire.

  Although twenty-thousand people are in and around the Halotropolian Grand Hall, there is silence. Atlantean citizens pay the utmost respect. This is a special day that allows the people of Atlantis to see the future emperor and his wife.

  Among Atlantean traditions is the custom of bringing a prior relationship to the wedding and letting them take part in the ceremony. It is a way to signify to the community that the bridal couple have let go of their past. A person without former courtships cannot marry. The Atlanteans believe a person has to learn from past dating experiences to have a good future. Family and honor are what make Atlantis a well-structured civilization, and traditions have a pivotal role in signifying that a person is ready to move forward.

  As is tradition, Kaydence stands within a circle among family and friends. Tasteral is one of Kaydence’s past relationships. He was invited to participate in the ceremony. They were together for two and a half years, and he wants to be the one to give Kaydence away. Both stand in the circle together with Daygun and the high priest.

  Kaydence says with pride, “This is the most important day of my life. I have learned a great deal from my past. Tasteral, I would like to start with you.” She holds his hand, looks into his eyes, and says, “You were my first love; however, I was very young. You gave me independence to grow. It was I who pulled away from our courtship, but to hurt you was not my intention. You will be in my heart forever, but Daygun has my heart and soul. I am going forward in life with my new husband, and will spend the rest of my life with him. According to custom, I must set you free among these witnesses to honor my marriage to Daygun.”

  Kaydence is still good friends with Tasteral, but she knows their friendship is changing. Traditionally, the previously beloved must leave the building and walk away. Tasteral does so after giving his blessing for Kaydence to marry Daygun. Tasteral is observed by thousands of spectators as he leaves the Halotropolian Grand Hall. Kaydence and Daygun remain in the circle with the high priest.

  It is Daygun’s turn. He walks easily to the front of the crowd, takes Shana’s hand, and brings her into the circle. Daygun and Shana courted for two years.

  Daygun says, “You were my first love and gave me more than I could ever have imagined. The timing of our two lives was never right and I take full blame. I was too ambitious to think of anyone but myself. I was very selfish, but have gained wisdom over the years and am now able to marry. I had to grow to find myself first. On the battlefield at Valtear, before a shot was fired, the only person I could think about was Kaydence. If I had died on the battlefield that day, I knew that I had lived well because of her friendship and this why I am marrying her. I need her understanding and love. She is honestly my best friend. In our custom and out of respect for my new wife, I must let you leave from my heart, since I am stepping forward with the person I will spend the rest of my life with.”

  Shana bows her head toward the couple, before leaving the building. Kaydence and Daygun walk outside the circle as they blend with the community of Atlantis. The circle is empty except for the priest; he stands alone, looking around at the crowd. Kaydence and Daygun re-enter the circle as part of the ritual, and each takes a hand of the priest. The Prince gazes toward his bride, smiles, and takes her hand. A circle is formed with the three, representing the infinite love to God, empire, and devotion to each other.

  Daygun clears his throat and says, “My love and friendship to you will never change, even into the afterlife. I will honor and stand beside you. I am asking, in the presence of our friends and countrymen for this union to be allowed.”

  Kaydence is in a daze, but says assertively, “I also ask the people outside this immediate circle to allow this joining to take place. I will love this man until the end of time. I will raise our children to the moral values of God, honor, and family.”

  Daygun and Kaydence bow while closing their eyes, submitting to the audience and God, as the priest asks the crowd, “Can anyone think of any reason for this marriage to not take place?” The entire hall is silent and the priest says, “In the eyes of God, I see your love toward one another. Go on your way together. Start your lives as one. Bring up your children with the same love you have for your empire and each other.”

  Daygun and Kaydence kiss each other to conclude the ceremony. The crowd cheers for the new married couple. The spectators are witnessing this couple a new beginning.

  After the ceremony, the newlyweds are at the Banquet of Joining, where friends and family come to rejoice regarding the union. While Kaydence speaks to friends, Daygun looks at her from a distance and feels fortunate. The Prince is proud to have her as his wife. During the ceremony, the event was a blur to both of them. Because the day is so overwhelming, Daygun becomes a bit dazed during the feast. To the newlyweds, being married is almost like being reborn. Their lives together will start from this very day. Across the room, Kaydence glances toward her husband and trembles with joy.

  Aten stops Kaydence while mingling, and says, “I can see the love you have for my son. I remember my wedding day, and it makes me love my wife even more. I thank you for being an important part of our family. Over the years, a person sometimes forgets what is important in life. A man has to be reminded what he has. I love you as a daughter. Please go to your groom.”

  Kaydence rushes to her new husband. The married couple converse with guests. Aten is glad that they complement each other, and his empire will be safe after he passes to the next life. Aten takes the waist of Atalanta, his wife, and kisses her like it was their first kiss.

  The party continues. Aten approaches Daygun as if wanting to ask a question. The Atlantean Emperor says nothing, but the Prince knows that his father has something heavy on his mind. After several minutes, Aten looks at his son again without a smile. The Atlantean Prince walks to his father and asks, “What is on your mind, Father?” Because Aten is still silent, Daygun realizes something is bothering the Atlantean Emperor.

  Aten, with a concerned voice, says, “I will not ask anything from you on your wedding day.”

  Daygun tries to comfort his father and replies, “I would rather know now than to wonder what thoughts might be passing though your head. I understand you, Father, so please don’t do this to me.”

  Aten points toward a staircase and says, “Very well; when the time is right for you, go up to the second floor, then to the third doorway on the left.”

  Daygun takes his father’s hand and replies, “If something is bothering you this badly today, I must know. We are family, and Kaydence is a part of us. She will understand.”

  Being discrete, Daygun walks to the room to which his father had directed him. Because Aten hesitated to ask something of him on such an important day, Daygun is very concerned. The Prince knows his father, and speculates that Aten’s concerns are somehow connected to the Ladonean Empire.

  “What is it, Father?” Daygun asks as he enters the room.

  Aten sits and says, “I have made a decision. Melercertis cannot be trusted. I am sending Ryeland to the Ladonean Empire to train their men and to keep an eye on their intentions. After the war with the Sabathean Empire, I want to know the Ladoneans’ strengths and weaknesses. They can be a future enemy. I want to train the Ladoneans’ military in our way of combat. They will accept it as a token of peace. I will send our best warriors to train their military in our ways of war so that the conflict with the Sabatheans will be swift. Hopefully, the Ladoneans and Atlanteans will begin a clean slate. I also learned today that the Valtear Kingdom has poor iron ore deposits and has been trading with the Mantineian Empire for natural resources. We have been trading with the Valtear Kingdom, thinking it was coming from them.
The Mantineian Empire has the quality iron ore we need. The Valteareans haven’t been as forthcoming as we had thought, although they do have other minerals to help produce our steel.”

  Daygun replies, “The Mantineian Empire is not as weak as Valtear. Nextear, their newly proclaimed emperor, does not have full support of their nobles, but does have a strong military. He is taking the Mantineian Empire under his rule with politics and force. In two years, he will have complete control. Since we took Tulless’ kingdom under occupation, some of the Mantineian Empire bordering Valtear is asking for support. I do not condone war, but we will regain the territories lost before the Great War. We must send in our military to accomplish our goal of acquiring the natural resource we need, and to keep Nextear from having complete control in that part of the continent.”

  Aten says, "I agree. Right now, we have four divisions inside Valtear. I am sending Laptos with three more to attack Mantineia. Our empire will never again have an opportunity like this. Your brother is the second most qualified leader to accomplish this. Persephone has moved up the ranks quickly, and I have confidence in her. I feel she has the qualifications and determination to help your brother. We need the iron ore to deter future enemies. Our new navy depends on steel, as does our infantry. The time has come for Laptos to have his victory; he has matured over the last three years. Daygun, you have trained him well. Do you think that he can shoulder the task?”

  Daygun responds, “Laptos is still a little unsure of himself, but it’s time to give him an opportunity to lead a quest. My brother has good generals to help with his decisions, although we are still taking a chance. Sending in Persephone is a good idea because of her excellent leadership. Quentoris and Persephone balance each other on the battlefield.”

  Aten glances at Daygun and says, “You were once inexperienced like your twin brother. I put political stress on you, and you succeeded. One day, I hope I can leave the Atlantean Empire to both of you. Our empire was expanding during my father’s rule. Our mathematics, astronomy, buildings, and military weapons have advanced during the last twenty-six years. In the new way of fighting, your brother uses our technology to his advantage. Three days from now, I will assemble the Senate and military advisors in the Military Grand Hall of our capital. I will make an executive decision to wage war on the Mantineian people and will tell Melercertis of our intentions. I have asked him to stay another week. He will accept my proposal because of his own imperialistic nature.”

  After the Banquet of Joining, Aten speaks to Melercertis about his plan, and he agrees. The Alber Mountains will be the line drawn between the Ladonean and Atlantean empires. Melercertis will not go to war with the Mantineian or Kyrenian empires. Melercertis’ Empire will attack the bulk of the Sabatheans’ defenses. In negotiations, the Ladonean Emperor cannot help fight Mantineia because their Northern territories are still fragile.

  Three days later, Aten, Daygun, Ryeland, Persephone, and the Atlantean Military Council gather in the capital’s Military Grand Hall. Emperor Aten declares, “There will be a new beginning for our people. Melercertis has come to us in peace, wanting us to make a never-ending alliance with the Ladonean people. Even though we are small in numbers, we have the technology to protect our borders. The Valteareans have deceived us. Their iron ore isn’t the quality our empire needs. We will honor our forefathers’ wishes to never destroy another civilization or enslave our foes. We need resources from Mantineia. Nextear is the most powerful man in their corrupt empire, killing innocent people who disagree with him. We must protect those people from his military. The Atlanteans and Ladoneans will conquer the Sabathean Empire together on the longest day of this coming year. Our empire will reorganize Mantineia to our advantage through war. In taking Sabathea and Mantineia, we will reclaim our lands lost twenty-six years ago.”

  General Persephone has captivated the audience with her beauty and athletic build. She stands at the table with her blond hair and blue eyes, staring at a map. Recently, she moved up the ranks to general over others that had equal qualities or more experience. It is her leadership and personality that have gotten her this far. Three years prior, she reached the top eight in the sparring games, fighting a grandmaster, and almost won. She says, “To contend against two empires, we must train new soldiers. We need more weapons and manpower.”

  Aten responds, “You are right. We are ready for the next harvest of the molless tree, which will be next month. It will take six months to build bows for our new army. One month before the longest day of the year, we will attack Mantineia. After taking that empire, we will focus our military might on the Sabathean border on two fronts with Ladonea. On the longest day of the year, we will attack. Our future new territory, now known as Mantineia, will be our spearhead into Sabathea. Following one month’s reorganization inside Mantineia, Ladonea and our armies will march into Sabathea.”

  Ryeland says, “Nextear is a strong leader, and growing stronger daily. His men will be harder to take than the Valteareans.”

  Aten tells his generals and Military Council, “I will send Persephone with three divisions to help Laptos. That will give us seven divisions inside the Valtearean occupied state. Ryeland, I need you to take a division to teach the Ladonean generals how to fight, using our arts of war. We must show the Ladoneans that Atlantis wants peace. If we teach them our ways of war, we will show that we do not want them to lose warriors in the Sabathean Campaign. Ladonea is not strong enough to help in our conquest with Mantineia. In eight months, we can train four more divisions to reinforce our Great East and West walls. Ryeland, you will lead the fight into Sabathea on the Ladonean side. I will take ten Atlantean divisions to attack the Sabathean Empire. This conquest must be swift. Daygun, our empire needs your guidance here to protect our capital and empower our military machine. Now is the time for you to lead on the other side of warfare. Use our manpower to produce more weapons and train our men for battle. Keep twenty divisions in reserve as reinforcements. You will be in charge while I am gone. It is time for you to take leadership. Our armies believe in you and so do I. My father eradicated Atlantis’ pride, and I must restore it.”

  Daygun is shocked, and says, “I can’t take your place. I think it is wise for me to lead the attack against the Sabathean Empire.”

  Aten replies, “I will not let Kaydence hate me for the rest of her life. Your mother already wishes I was dead.”

  The whole council laughs. Eventually, all men in the Military Grand Hall agree. The council debates what is going to happen in their near future. Ryeland is overwhelmed by what Aten is asking of him, but knows this campaign will put his name into legends that will be told generation after generation.

  Aten tells Melercertis about his plan. The Ladonean Emperor says he will not interfere with the Mantineian conquest. Melercertis will get the bread basket of Sabathea, and Aten will take the iron ore of Mantineia. Each empire will get what they need to evolve into their next stage of development.

  Days later, Ryeland starts walking on the dock going toward the Ladonean battlecruiser. He gazes at the Atlantean harbor, knowing he will not see his homeland for over a year. The General looks at the Central Trade Building, thinking how proud he is to be an Atlantean.

  For a brief moment, Ryeland pauses as if in a daze. He hears someone running on the dock and is aware of his surroundings. Daygun runs up to him panting and says, “I came to say good luck and to congratulate you on becoming a grandmaster.”

  Ryeland smiles and responds, “I think winning at the game put me in this position. I don’t want to leave Atlantis. Now, I’m wishing I had never won.”

  Daygun says, “No matter the circumstance, I will miss you. It will be a long time before I see you again. I love you as a brother.”

  Ryeland responds, “Your father has been there for me. You are family. One day we will look at this and smile.” They hug as brothers, walk away from each other, and do not look back.

  Later, Ryeland boards the Ladonean battlecruiser with his gene
rals and advisors. Melercertis is aboard and welcomes him. As the ship sets sail, Ryeland gazes at the shores of Atlantis, realizing his life is about to change. The Ladonean officers will march with Ryeland’s division to the Ladonean capital.

  Persephone is promoted to major general, and sets out with three divisions to implement Aten’s wishes to occupy Mantineia and to reinforce the Valtearean Kingdom. Aten has seen Persephone’s leadership skills and that she has done well in other campaigns. Aten trusts the new major general to help guide the four divisions currently in Valtear to attack the Mantineian Empire.

  Mankind’s future is on the line. Daygun prays in a temple for his people. The Prince does not know what is coming, but he knows about honor and family. He obeys his father and stands down as the Atlantean Supreme Commander. Daygun wants to fight the Sabatheans, but knows that his time for combat will come. Ryeland and Persephone lead separate missions to accomplish one goal. Because of these two campaigns, there will be Atlantean husbands and wives who will never again see their families. Daygun knows there will be a new beginning for mankind, but many Atlanteans will not live to see the changes. The only thing the dead Atlanteans will see on the road to the afterlife is a vision of their emperor.