Epic Unearthed Read online

  Chapter XII

  A Different World – A Different Time

  Two days into his journey, Ryeland stands at the rear of the Ladonean battlecruiser facing toward Atlantis, and wonders if the Atlantean Navy will one day fight this ship. As a warrior, Ryeland looks for any weaknesses the vessel may have. The warship’s main strength is its dense hull. Atlantean destroyers will have a very hard time penetrating the warships by ramming, because it will take a great deal of speed to break through its thick shell. However, the Atlantean destroyers are very fast, and speed is their main strength. Because of the dexterity of the Atlantean ships, their weakness is a thin hull. If an Atlantean destroyer were rammed by a Ladonean battlecruiser, it could almost cut the Atlantean destroyer in half.

  On the third day aboard the Ladonean ship, Melercertis is not speaking a great deal about implications of the alliance between the Atlantean and Ladonean alliance. The Ladonean Emperor is trying to win the affections of Ryeland and his council. The past three days have been nothing but feasting, drinking, and learning about each other’s culture. Melercertis and his sailors mainly speak the Ladonean language aboard ship. Only the Ladonean council and generals know the Atlantean language. Ryeland feels helpless as he starts this new adventure.

  That night, Ryeland asks Melercertis to help him learn the Ladonean language. If Ryeland is to assist the Ladoneans, he must be able to speak their tongue. After dining, the two talk. With an almost-full moon behind them on deck, they discuss the Ladonean language and culture.

  Melercertis opens one of the conversations by saying, “Our way of life is very simple. Our empire is still in its infancy. We are one with the earth. As trees and plants die, each one is replanted, and we don’t kill more animals than we can eat. Everyone goes to an assembly each night to discuss the next day and what can be done to please our gods. If I may ask, why do the Atlanteans believe in one god? To me, there are too many elements in life for one god to control.”

  “You have a god for love?” Ryeland asks.

  Melercertis says, “Yes, Ka-Taina; she is the mother of our people. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be here. I can’t understand your god. How can one god assume the responsibility for the emotion of love, maintain the oceans, and keep the sun in the sky? I do not mean to disrespect your god or your culture, but the emotion of love is almost too much for even one of our gods to handle. We are different cultures. To be allies, we must understand one another. Do you agree?”

  Ryeland scratches his head in puzzlement. He sips wine and tries to piece together Melercertis’ arguments. He then replies, “I do agree and realize that you may have questions. I will answer each to the best of my ability. The basic seems simple. Atlanteans think that there can only be one emperor on the peninsula, and he controls every aspect in the life of our empire. Only one god can exist because many deities would destroy each other until there was only one. If there wasn’t such a thing as our emperor, there would be too much confusion and greed. Therefore, only one god and only one emperor can exist.”

  Melercertis says, “So, Atlanteans think there can only be one emperor on earth?”

  Ryeland responds quickly, “No… I only speak for Atlantis. Aten said there have to be different cultures and religions to improve mankind. He doesn’t want to destroy any civilization. In our belief, different cultures are here on earth for a reason. Man is different, and God is beyond our comprehension. We seek technology to please Him and to fulfill His vision for mankind. He made man with a mind. I’m sure that He expects us to use it. We want to make God’s world prosper for future generations. Forty years ago, we developed a device to view that which is too small to be seen by the human eye. A person can look through a lens into an infinitesimal new world full of tiny organisms. Our scientists believe those small organisms can enter a wound, take over the body, and destroy it. We have learned to eliminate those organisms. Technology is linked to our theology. God wants us to improve ourselves, and God helps us every day in our lives. My empire wants to help the rest of the world become a better place.”

  Melercertis glares at Ryeland and replies, “Atlanteans have found a way to play God.”

  Ryeland says with pride, “Our God shares our way of thinking. He wants us to use our minds to improve life and to better humanity.”

  Melercertis says, “I understand, but many people fear the Atlantean technologies. People who are not from Atlantis don’t understand your mysticism. Man should not be able to control nature, but life should control itself.”

  Ryeland says quickly, “Right now, we are riding over the water on a ship, created by man.”

  Melercertis argues, “But there must be a limit to what man can do.”

  Ryeland says, “Tell that to the people who have never seen a ship before. Technology has its advantages.”

  Melercertis fears he has lost the dispute. He replies curtly, “Many people on the continent are apprehensive that the Atlanteans will use technologies to destroy and usurp other civilizations.”

  Ryeland asks, “Why is that? Because we use technology to produce more than we require and we give to different civilizations in need?”

  Melercertis says, “The Atlanteans are farther ahead in technology than other kingdoms and empires. Eastern countries seek out the Ladonean Empire for protection. The fear of Atlantis is making Ladonea stronger. If you were a leader of a primitive culture, would you not do the same?”

  Ryeland replies in a relaxed voice, “If we take a civilization that is in chaos, the people of the conquered land have the right to be independent again. We occupy only up to two years. A civilization can then become a state of Atlantis or return to its traditional standing, and we still give assistance to that kingdom or empire. We allot royalties to the nobles, and they govern themselves. Atlantis honors their heritage and way of life. We don’t destroy people’s tradition or ethnicity. On the other hand, your empire conquers and everyone has to emulate the Ladonean way of life. You are doing this with your Northern states and those people are rebelling.”

  Melercertis says with frustration, “It is not true.” He places his hand on Ryeland’s shoulder. “The countries we take are usually in turmoil. Tribes fight one another and never advance. The Ladonean Empire goes in and removes that tumult. If we didn’t do this, the civilization would destroy itself and squander their resources. In your history books, what kingdom or empire has been taken by Ladoneans that was not going through political chaos? Plus, Atlantis still takes a political system away for two years, and corrupts the civilization’s nobles into the Atlanteans’ way of thinking. Atlantis pays off the nobles of a conquered land, and the masses follow.”

  Ryeland replies pointedly, “Our books say the Ladoneans take countries and destroy cultures. It doesn’t say much about the other civilization’s politics.”

  Melercertis asks, “Who writes those books?”

  Ryeland replies quickly, “Our historians.”

  Melercertis pauses and then says, “We have the same historians. Each civilization has differences, yes, but people are people. Mankind shares the same emotions. Propaganda from both sides of the border has made our civilizations wary of each other. We believe in different religions that are taught by our fathers and mothers. Religious leaders use fear to sway people toward their way in politics. Religion is a tool for people in power and influence. Often people don’t want to kill or destroy others, but misguided religion can kill millions. If outsiders look at our two religions, they will see that basically they are similar. If religious leaders say, `Kill in the name of God or gods, ´ it’s done. Radicals don’t blink an eye if they kill for their religion.”

  Ryeland feels uncomfortable and replies, “Sir, you must please excuse me. I am tired. I have had too much wine. This conversation has almost become a debate. We both need to regroup our thoughts for the future of our military conquest. Wine, politics, and religion do not mix.”

  Melercertis replies, “Thank you for talking with me. I too mus
t retire. We will talk soon. We have little over a week before we dock. I hope you’re enjoying the voyage to a new world.”

  Ryeland’s viewpoint of the world is a bit different after the discussion. The Atlantean General is true to the ways of the Atlanteans’ beliefs. He would never betray his empire because he is highly patriotic for his fatherland. He moved up in the ranks to become a grandmaster and is the son of the Masabaian King. Ryeland has earned respect from the Atlantean Empire; they heed his advice and guidance.

  Ryeland retires to his quarters aboard ship and tries to sleep. He thinks about previous battles, and what Melercertis said. The Atlantean General only wants simplicity in life. Even the way Ryeland fights is very basic: every move of an opponent’s sword has a countermove. He understands that people cannot learn the sword by studying a book. He wants an undistorted life, but knows all too well that it is an impossible task because Atlantis is not a simplistic empire.

  Two days before the ship docks in the Ladonean capital, seagulls are flying as the sun clears the horizon. In the distance are dark clouds, indicating possible rain. Ryeland sits up and stretches his arms skyward. The Atlantean General prays to God then goes on deck. Melercertis is standing at the front of the ship, anticipating his arrival at home. The Ladonean Emperor has missed his family and empire.

  As Ryeland meets Melercertis at the ship’s bow, the breeze is very strong. The Atlantean General looks at the Ladonean Emperor, sensing that he has something pressing on his mind. Ryeland is curious about the land he is about to see. No one from the peninsula has seen the Ladonean Empire because of the treaty. Although Atlantean spies have seen almost everything in Melercertis’ empire, Ryeland is about to see it first-hand, openly. In the past, the Atlantean General had learned in schools to hate Melercertis, but now, Ryeland sees the Ladonean Emperor in a new light. Although they are from two different worlds, the cultural barrier seems to be adjusting.

  Looking at Melercertis, Ryeland asks, “What is going through your mind?”

  Melercertis does not know what to say since he does not want to show any weakness. After a moment, Melercertis turns to Ryeland and says, “An emperor has a great deal on his mind all the time.” Melercertis turns and strides away from the Atlantean General.

  “I can’t imagine,” Ryeland replies, and follows.

  Melercertis says, “It never stops. I fear what is going on back home. In life, everyone wants power. I have to resist my political counterparts. I know I will have to put them back into their places when I return. Because all the young politicians think they can handle an empire, I don’t have the luxury of wasting any time. I know exactly what Aten goes through every day. I have great respect for him. Because Atlantis has more stability than my empire, I can honestly say Aten seems to have it a little bit easier.”

  “Aten has taken me in as a son and treats me as a father should. I am a very close friend with Daygun. Aten has picked up the slack as a father, since my father is too stern and close-minded. I listen to Aten’s guidance, and he is a good father to Daygun,” Ryeland replies.

  Melercertis asks, “If I may ask, what is your relationship with your father?”

  Ryeland distractedly looks at the seagulls and replies, “My father has too much on his mind to think of me. I am one son of one-million who live under his rule. Masaba is the third largest city of our empire. There is pressure in being a king. A son mustn’t look bad in the public’s eye. I have made mistakes, and I have learned from them. My father seems to be embarrassed by my errors. I think I am an outlet for his frustrations. I can never please my father. I can’t do enough. Just a week ago, my father said I should make my own mistakes and learn from them, and that I was already a man. When I make a wrong choice in life, I want my father’s guidance to help me understand why I took the wrong path. Daygun seems to get that guidance from his father.”

  Melercertis also eyes the seagulls and says, “I understand. I wish my father was still alive to help me. I know I have made some mistakes here and there, but I know I wouldn’t have listened to him anyway. I do see your point, but I see your father’s as well. I would like to meet and talk with you and your council. I need to know what you require from my empire to make this transition easier. You and your generals will be in Ladonea for a while. Let’s gather after the midday feast. We only have one more day before we reach my capital.”

  They smile at each other. Ryeland feels like he can relate to Melercertis and senses that he can trust him a little more. The emotional defenses between Melercertis and the Atlantean General have receded somewhat. Ryeland is ready to begin the campaign. The past days of sailing have felt like a vacation to him. Even though Ryeland has spoken to his council a little, his work has not yet begun. He needs direction from Melercertis. Ryeland has no idea what to think of the Ladonean Army; he does not yet know the strengths and weaknesses of those he is going to train. Due to insufficient reports from Atlantean intelligence, the Atlantean General does not know what lies ahead.