Atlantis 3: Opening the Door

Chapter 8

Maximus and Jerl stood at the cliffs edge of the Banderman farm looking out to the Atlantian forest that lay below. The view of the treetops from above looked like a carpet of plush green leaves that went on for what looked like forever. There were a couple of poles that had been plunged deep in to the ground with a rope attached to each one. The rope hung over the side of the cliff and went down further than one could see. The trees alone stood on average of  one hundred and fifty feet to one hundred and seventy five feet tall with trunk bases of about three and a half to four feet around. The cliff stood roughly twenty five feet higher than the tree tops just below it. At about five feet down hung a basket like enclosure that had been built by Maximus and Janta while Anna was pregnant with her second set of twins so that she could be safely lowered down to the forest floor. They would go hunting for special herbs and various spices on the floor of the forest. The sun was just beginning to rise. It's golden light beginning to illuminate the landscape bringing to life all the vibrant colors and the sounds of forest animals all preparing for yet another busy day.
"So, Today's your big day." Jerl said matter of factly. "Yep." Maximus replied. "Are you ready for all that it entails? After today you'll be a prince of Atlantis and husband to her future queen. That's a lot to take on all at once. Especially for one who was raised by such a gentle hand as your momma." Jerl asked. "I'll manage. Plus being a king always helps." Maximus snickered slightly. "If she makes you a king. That is." Jerl responded. "What do you mean if? If she becomes queen then as her husband I will be king will I not?" Maximus asked confused. "You are not of royal bloodline therefore you are only king when and if you are appointed to that position by either A: Conquering the throne by killing the king and taking his crown. Which I definitely do not advise. B: the throne is given over to you by a dying king as his successor. Or C: Marry a queen and hope she loves you enough to make you her King." Jerl explained.

              (Page 33)

"Well I guess I have to make sure she stays in love with me then because if that's all it takes I got this easy." Max said with a grin. "Well I hope it will be that easy. From what I hear she has a fierce temper." Jerl responded with a chuckle. All I gotta do is look at her and flash my dashing grin. She melts like butter." Maximus said with his boyish charm shining through his smile. Jerl rolled his eyes and ruffled Maximus's hair. "Well I recon we best get you ready to get married." Jerl said as he was turning to head back to the house. "Wait. What's that?" He said as he herd some thing moving down below.
  There was the sound of a horse whining in pain. Jerl looked at Maximus who was already grabbing one of the ropes and heading over the side of the cliff. Jerl fallowed quickly grabbing up the other rope. They desended quickly to the bottom of the forrest floor where they found three unicorns standing over another who was laying on the ground in pain. Maximus quickly went over to them. As he approached he was stopped by the three who were standing. They blocked his path. He held his hands up showing he was intending no harm. "I just want to help." Maximus said calmly. The unicorns looked to one another then the male stepped forward. He looked Maximus in his eyes as if he were reading something there. Then he shook his head as if saying yes and stepped out of the way. The other two stepped away as well.
Maximus gently approached the mare laying on the ground. "Easy girl." He said as he approached. He noticed immediately that she was very pregnant. Her breathing was labored and heavy. She was leaking fluid out of her vagina. "Grandfather, She's in labor." Maximus said in a worried voice. "I need mother down here quickly. If you go to the side of the cliff face the hillside slopes up manageably to climb easily." Maximus said. "Got it." Jerl said as he ran for the hill side.
            
           (Page 34)

"Anna! Anna!" Jerl shouted as he topped the hill and went running to the house. Anna was in the kitchen when she heard him. She ran out the back door to see what he was yelling about. "I'm over here." She yelled. He came running to her. "Maximus needs you at the bottom of the cliff.  There is a mare in trouble." Jerl said. He was out of breath and his words came out to quick to fully understand. "Father, Slow down. Maximus is where?" She asked. He took a couple breaths to calm himself. "Maximus is at the bottom of the cliff with a unicorn mare. She's in labor and in trouble. Maximus needs you down there now." He said. "Oh my goodness." She said. "Janta! Mind the babes." She called in to the house. She then took off running towards the cliff. While she was running she reached in to her apron pocket and pulled out a pair of thick gloves. With only a barely noticable slow down she grabbed the rope and flung herself over the side and slid down the rope she was almost to the bottom before her feet came back to the cliff wall. Another quick drop and she was on the bottom. The three unicorns rushed to interrupt her path to the laboring mare. They stopped her with their horns pointed to impale her should she try to force her way past. She stopped with her hands up showing that she was of no danger to them. "Um Maximus, I don't think they are going to let me over there." Anna said. "Oh hey, easy boy. It's ok. She's here to help." Maximus said as he came over to Anna. The unicorns watched cautiously as he took Anna's hand and lead her over to where the mare was. "Hey there momma." Anna said gently as she gently felt the mares stomach to determine where the foal was at and in what position. She looked at Maximus with fear in her eyes. "Max the baby isn't in the right position." Anna said. "Can you help her?" Maximus asked. "If