Shadows of Atlantis Part One: Awakening

Chapter 7

7

Though she feared his wordless face,

She would choose to see.

She would tread her way along

the path which could not be.

He would be her destiny, she would be his bane.

She would love him endlessly, and he would go insane.

~*~

Sunlight blazed into the garden courtyard of King Kyliron. The centerpiece was a deep blue pool of sacred waters pumped straight from the center of the mountain. It was embellished with aquatic terraces connected by warm waterfalls. His collection of kallistas lounged in the waters. Sparsely dressed, each lady was stunning and eclectic, all of varied shapes and coloring. Kyliron sat in his favorite seat, which overlooked it all. His murky eyes brooded as he twirled the jeweled trident of his office.

Jamarish Ka approached him cautiously.

“What do you want?” grumbled the king dully. His eyes remained fixed ahead.

“I would like to encourage you to go out into the city and meet your Queen Impending.” Jamarish Ka had a hypnotizing effect when he spoke. The priest reached his arm up to brush the sweat from his bald head. His blue eyes sought Kyliron’s gaze.

The king sighed deeply. “Let her find her own way. If she does, I will join with her. It is in the hands of the Watchers now.”

Jamarish Ka gently touched Kyliron’s arm. “Why do you resist her arrival, Your Majesty?” His voice was soft and calming.

“Haven’t you noticed?” Kyliron spoke in a pleading voice. “I have gotten worse since she has arrived in the city. I think she is my doom. I have dreamt of her since I was a child. She accompanies my greatest nightmares. I fear her more than anything in this world, Jamarish Ka. She is my undoing.” The color of his eyes shifted, as if they had suddenly turned to liquid.

“But you really must go to her now. It is your duty.”

Kyliron shook his head fiercely.

“You will go to her now,” Jamarish Ka repeated, this time with more force.

“I have made you aware of my decision. Your words will have no further effect here.” His voice began to waver.

The priest waved his hand across the king’s eyes and began chanting in a guttural tone.

Kyliron’s expression went blank.

“You will go meet your Queen Impending.”

The king nodded vacantly and stood up.

The priest snapped toward the kallistas, and raised his voice for them to hear. “Help your king dress in his finest street wear. He will go out in public now to meet his new queen.”

~*~

It seemed as though night had engulfed the city, though just moments earlier it had been a sunny afternoon before the fog covered the market in a matter of moments.

“You two! What are you doing to my shop?” A man’s angry voice broke the mood.

D’Vinid pulled out of the spell which had entranced him. Just as angry as the shopkeeper, he pushed Loressai from his lap. She landed awkwardly, her limbs entangled in bags. The trader began pulling the bags away. She remained still, watching D’Vinid struggle from his own entanglement.

Once free, he rolled to his feet and eyed her carefully, half-tempted to run away into the crowd. But guilt robbed him of his escape. There was something terribly off about her, and it made him nervous. Against his will, he reached out a hand to help her up. Finally on her feet, she watched him with hungry eyes. D’Vinid tried to help the trader organize the mess they had made, but his help only complicated matters.