Epic Unearthed Read online

  Chapter XVII

  The Wounded Warrior

  Inside the Atlantean outpost, Ryeland is assisting his men adjust to their accommodations. When a messenger informs him Melercertis is coming toward the military compound, the Atlantean General prepares his men for inspection. Aten gave specific orders to treat Melercertis as they would their Atlantean Emperor. The inspection may not be according to Ladonean military protocol, but Ryeland performs the routine anyway.

  After Melercertis and his escort ride into the newly-constructed Atlantean complex, he dismounts and strides to Ryeland. The Atlantean General introduces Miro, his highest-ranking captain, to the Ladonean Emperor. Miro salutes Melercertis in the Atlantean fashion. All of the Atlanteans stand at attention in columns before the Ladonean Emperor.

  As Melercertis looks at Miro, he jokingly says to Ryeland, “He is a very devoted Atlantean isn’t he? I can say one thing about him: he has discipline.”

  Ryeland walks with the Ladonean Emperor and replies, “Miro is my best captain. He risked his own life to save mine. In battle, my battalion was in serious trouble, yet Miro fought against all odds and stabilized the battlefield. I owe him everything.”

  Melercertis says, “Well, your captains are here. I will be at the gathering tonight and would like to meet some of Atlantis’ best officers. I want to know how to integrate the Ladoneans and Atlanteans to fight as a team. I have some suggestions.”

  That night, Melercertis is at the Military Grand Hall to help merge the two armies. Beforehand, the Ladonean Emperor let his generals and advisors share their opinions, and many ideas where shared. The whole room brainstorms ways to defeat the Sabathean Empire. Dozens of interpreters are present to alleviate the language barrier. Palexus is very helpful to Ryeland. She is good at filtering through what is and is not important.

  Melercertis finally stands atop a side table and says, “I have heard different ideas, and I am leaning toward those presented by Ryeland and Acteon. We have eighty military divisions for the Sabathean Campaign, some of which are at the borders of my empire. Sixty divisions are within three-hundred miles of Madera. I will use other cities to feed my warriors since it will be too taxing to hold two-million men inside the capital. I suggest the Atlantean division split eighty ways. This will allow three-hundred of the finest Atlantean warriors to train each and every division. I also suggest that some Atlantean officers and high-ranking warriors remain here to train my generals. We have less than nine months to fully prepare our alliance. We will attack Sabathea on the longest day of the year.”

  Most of the high-ranking Atlanteans remain in Madera for two days. Acteon makes necessary preparations with the Ladonean generals and sends Atlantean warriors to train. Some of them are assigned to the far reaches of the Ladonean Empire, so they will take weeks to reach their destination. A small percentage of Atlanteans yearn for their homes and wish they were not in Ladonea. Nevertheless, most dream of the day when they will be able to tell their grandchildren stories of the journey to the Eastern Empire, and the difference they made to the known world.

  Two months pass, with the Atlantean warriors are being treated well. Most of the military reports are showing good progress in training. Some Ladonean factions still view the Atlanteans as their enemy, although others treat the men as heroes

  In the city, the Ladonean women giggle like teenagers when the visiting warriors cross their paths. The Atlanteans are taller and in excellent physical shape due to their rigorous training. Their attire also helps stand out among the Ladonean masses. The Atlantean silver-plated breastplates and red cloaks are more vibrant than the Ladonean people are accustomed to seeing. Because the Atlanteans cannot speak the Ladonean language well, they are clouded with mystery. Ryeland’s division can see and understand their surroundings, but the language barrier is keeping them from comprehending the entire picture of the Ladonean world.

  During the third month in Madera, Ryeland is sparring with some Ladonean warriors, with Palexus at his side to observe. The Atlantean General decides to push the envelope, and puts himself in the middle of Ladonean warriors who then encircle him. Ryeland is trying to display his skills. The Ladoneans attack him with their swords. Although they are sparring, the weapons are real. The Atlantean General blocks every sword on the first wave of attacks. On the second wave, Ryeland blocks a sword and counters toward one of his opponents. In doing so, he thrusts forward and another Ladonean sword catches him in the armpit, which is unprotected by armor. The Ladonean warrior pulls back quickly, but the sword slices Ryeland, and he starts to bleed badly. The Atlantean General stands erect and stumbles toward his giant elk. Palexus runs to help. Melercetis’ daughter is helping him into the saddle; her hand touches the wound, and it is soon covered in blood. Palexus almost panics, but continues assisting the wounded warrior. She then mounts her horse and guides Ryeland to the nearest Ladonean treatment center.

  En route, Ryeland tries to sit up straight, but goes into shock. He becomes very dehydrated, and is barely able to stay awake; he just wants to rest. Palexus tells him to stop. She dismounts her horse and climbs into the saddle behind Ryeland to hasten their journey to a physician. Upon their arrival, Palexus has difficulty removing the wounded general from his elk; he almost falls to the ground, and cannot stand unaided. Because the wound is so fresh, Ryeland is not yet in extreme pain. He tries to walk into the treatment center, but stumbles and cannot proceed no further. Palexus finds a physician, and the doctor puts him on the first available table. He lies there uncomfortably; the pain is starting to hit. Palexus asks a servant to alert Melercertis. Ryeland meets Palexus’ eyes and shakes his head no. He then grabs her blood-covered hand and says, “Don’t bother the Emperor because of this. I’ll be fine in a few days.”

  Palexus replies, “Melercertis highly respects your work and you are the most important man in our empire right now. My father needs to know so that he can explain the accident to our people.”

  The servant runs to the palace. Within the hour, the physician is sewing the last stitch in the wound. The Ladonean Emperor rushes to Ryeland to see what he can do. Standing there looking at the wounded warrior, he asks, “How are you? How badly are you injured?”

  Ryeland replies, “The sword blow cut some bone and a couple of veins. I am going to be fine, but I will be sore for a week. At the gathering tonight, I will be able to hide my injury from advisors of both sides.”

  Melercertis says, “I do not think it is a good idea for you to attend tonight. My generals see you as unbeatable. If they hear about this, that invincibility is gone. Your Ladonean sparring partners have been instructed to say nothing about the accident, and have been sent on far away missions where they will not jeopardize our campaign here. You must rest for several days. I will cover for you at the gatherings.”

  Ryeland notices that Melercertis is genuinely concerned about his health and wonders if his own father would be so caring. The Atlantean General feels more love from Melercertis than from his own father.

  The next several days inside the treatment center, Palexus and Ryeland discuss life and personal matters. They have no choice but to remain indoors, for the Atlantean General cannot be seen publicly. Palexus will not leave Ryeland’s side. He feels really good about her, and wishes she were pure Atlantean. He knows he cannot marry her without betraying his own empire, but thinks she would make a good wife. Ryeland will not betray his beliefs. He stubbornly rebuffs the idea of courting Palexus, yet has strong emotions about her. It is very apparent that she feels likewise for him.

  In the following weeks, it becomes obvious to Melercertis that Palexus is in love with Ryeland. This is a huge concern for him since like most fathers; he is protective of his daughter. The Ladonean Emperor knows that Ryeland is an honorable man. Melercertis is concerned Palexus will get hurt emotionally, but puts his feelings aside because of the upcoming Sabathean Campaign.

  Six months into training in Madera, Ryeland is speaking the Ladonean language better and
starts understanding the culture. He can understand what is being said at the gatherings. Ryeland starts teaching Palexus the written language of the Atlanteans. Although it’s unnecessary, they make excuses to see each other.

  The military gatherings are successfully strengthening Melercertis’ army. The Eastern Army is learning tactics they did not know before. The Ladoneans have built an overwhelming force. With heavy cavalry as their greatest strength, Ryeland focuses on their other attributes. The Ladonean military has more elephants and mammoths than the Atlanteans. The Sabatheans will be unable to stop Atlantis and Ladonea on two fronts.

  Six months in the Eastern Empire, Ryeland and Acteon go to the marketplace for a change of scenery. They walk and talk. Acteon stops Ryeland in the middle of a street and says, “I am feeling awkward about Carissa. I’m starting have feelings for her. She’s a beautiful woman, but she’s not Atlantean. I start to see the Ladonean people as our equals. Before I came here, I was very prejudiced toward the East, but they are not like our childhood instructors taught us. Their technology is not like ours, but their lives are similar. I will miss this place after we return to our fatherland.”

  Ryeland replies, “As you may already have guessed, I am feeling the same way about Palexus, and am perplexed. I have never had feelings like this toward anyone. Melercertis acts like a father to me. I think differently than I did six months ago. When first stepping off the Ladonean ship, I wanted to go back to Atlantis; now I am very content here. Their ways with nature and how they view things have opened my eyes to a different world. It’s not just Atlantis or Ladonea, but humanity in general. I see humanity in a different prospective. It is not empire-to-empire or culture-to-culture. It is man-to-man.”

  At the gatherings, the Ladonean generals speak to Ryeland as their leader. The Atlantean General is beginning to take pride in what he is creating with the Ladonean military, and cannot wait to fight alongside Melercertis’ warriors against the Sabathean Empire.