Chapter 12: Priestesses And The Letter
Serenity felt someone shaking her shoulder, she tried to open her eyes, but it was too painful, she was too tired and just wanted to rest for a bit longer.
"Serenity, we have to move," Lita voice infiltrated her foggy mind.
"Can I not sleep for a couple more minutes," Serenity moaned, not ready to get up yet.
"If you want to make it to Elis by noon, I suggest you get up now," Lita said, her shakes becoming more violent.
"I am awake, stop shaking me," Serenity huffed, smacking Lita's hand away.
Opening her eyes and stretching, Serenity sat up in her make shift bed only to see three girls and a cat watching her, they all had their rolls packed and were ready to go.
"How long did I rest?" Serenity asked, rolling up her blanket and hastily packed it in her bag. She quickly took out an apple to eat. It took Serenity five minutes before she was ready.
"Four hours," Ami stated.
The girls had made a small camp last night when Ami fell ill, she was unable to go very far, so they set up their blankets and huddled together to keep warm for the night, they were supposed to head off at first light, but Serenity was unable to wake when the sun rose in the east. It took Lita over ten minutes before the sleeping priestess even stirred and another five minutes before she even got out of her makeshift bed. Now it was midmorning when they started off again.
The village of Elis could be spotted in the distance and Serenity could not wait to enter the city and be with civilized people once more. Dark clouds cluttered the sky, foretelling of rain to come. The girls quickened their pace hoping to make the city before the rain started.
"Look at that, I have never seen a star in the day time," Mina gushed, pointing up in the sky.
"Mina, stars do not come out in the day, and besides it is too cloudy to see any stars," Ami stated logically, but when she looked up in the sky, she too saw what look like a star, but now the star was falling. "That is not a star."
Ami watched at the star fell to the ground and she felt a tug at her heart. The star was calling to her and she had to obey. Picking up her pace she ran towards where the star had landed. Serenity and the girls ran after Ami not sure of what was going on. They ran for a mile and a half, before Ami abruptly stop. Serenity slumped down to the ground right behind Ami breathing heavily. Lita stopped right beside Ami to see what had Ami attention, while Mina stayed to the right, hands bent on knee's catching her breath. Ella poked her head out of Mina's pocket to see what the commotion was.
On the ground before Ami laid a dead finger with black nail polish on it. It was blue-green in color and the bone was sticking out of the bottom, dried blood painted the bottom of the finger, but there was something inside of the finger that called to Ami, ordering her to pick up the finger, she could not disobey; she swooped down and grabbed the finger. Once her hand touched the finger, the finger started to glow a soothing blue light. The finger lifted up into the air and before the girls eyes it transformed into a blue dagger with a navy blue hilt. There was the sigh of Hermes embedded on the hilt.
The dagger landed back into Ami's waiting hands. Ami gasped in shock when she felt the presence of her God and somehow she knew that Hermes was in the dagger.
"Oh my, Hermes," Ami cried, tears falling from her eyes.
"What is it Ami?" Lita asked.
"Hermes is within this dagger," Ami whispered.
"How is that possible? He is a God and a God cannot be trapped," Serenity said, bewildered.
"I am not sure how, but I feel him in here," Ami explained. "He is weak, I think he is resting."
Ami placed the dagger inside of her cloak and hooked it around her rings. Both rings and dagger melded together as one. Ami closed her cloak once more and prayed that she would be able to free her God from his prison.
"We have to move on," Ami stated.
The girls nodded and again they headed towards Elis. By afternoon they reached the outskirts of the city and decided to eat something before they ventured inside of the city. Ella again crawled out of Mina's pocket and stretched her legs, while Serenity and Mina set out their meal. Ami seemed lost in thought and Lita was hopping from one foot to the other eager to move on.
"Relax Lita, eat something," Serenity chided softly, handing Lita nuts and berries.
Lita took the offered food and sat right beside Mina slowly eating her food.
The girls ate in silence all lost in their own thought that they did not notice footsteps in the distance. The footsteps crept silently on the grass barley making a foot print on the soft ground as they rushed towards the girls, arrows raised, ready to fire.
A raven hair beauty motioned to two of her companions to corner the trespassers from right whiles her and their leader; corner them from the left. They surrounded the girls within minutes, arrows trained on their hearts.
"Who are you?" The raven hair beauty screamed at the trespassers.
The girls jumped and dropped their meal, when they noticed they were surrounded by four people two were dressed in grey while the other two were dressed in red. Ella jumped into Serenity's pocket while the girls held their hands up in the air.
"I am Serenity Priestess of Selene and these are my companions, Mina Priestess of Selene, Lita, Priestess of Zeus and Ami Priestess of Hermes, we come to seek help in Elis," Serenity explained. her face showed no emtion.
"Why do you seek help in Elis?" The man in red asked. He also had raven hair but his eyes were green in color, he had a strong build and muscular legs.
"We have traveled from Pherai; we are on our way to Thessaloniki to deliver a letter to King Damon," Serenity stated.
"How do we know that you are not spies of Queen Metalia," the raven hair beauty spat.
"Because we almost got killed in Volos, we even killed six of her men when escaping through the south gate," Lita stated proudly.
"Lower your bow, Rei, I believe these girls," The man instructed, lowering his own weapon.
"But Mars, they could be lying," Rei whined, but she lowered her bow, as did the men in grey.
"I can see the Goddess and God touch on each of these girls, they are no spies," Mars smiled and held out his hands to Serenity.
Serenity took his hand and power shot up her arm, surprised marred her face but she allowed this man to help her onto her feet.
"Thank you," Serenity whispered. "Who are you?"
"My apologies. I am Mars Priest of Ares and this is Rei Priestess of Ares. These two men are guards of King Endymion, Jedite and Neflite," Priest Mars bowed. "And you are in luck little Priestess, King Damon's is here in Elis. King Endymion sent for him three days ago, so you may deliver your letter to him right away."
Serenity smiled, glad that she did not have to go all the way to Thessaloniki to deliver her message. The girls gathered their things and followed behind Mars, Rei and the guards. Lita could not help but noticed Neflite with his long brown hair and piercing green eyes, his shoulders broad and his back straight, he walked with confidence and grace; Lita blushed for leering at one of King Endymion guards and averted her eyes.
Rei scowled at Jedite from time to time wishing it was only her and Mars to track the girls. Mars had gotten wind of power coming towards Elis and they thought that it might be Queen Metalia. Priest Mars had informed King Endymion and King Damon of the power surge outside of the city and offered to investigate. King Endymion insisted in sending Jedite and Neflite just incase it was too much for them. Rei scowled again, she couldn't believe that King Endymion had little faith in them.
They arrived within the city in the next hour and the people stared but kept their distance as the small procession made their way. Serenity was glad to be rid of her black cloak and allowed her tore grey dress to billow in the wind. Ella had hopped out of her cloak when Serenity took it off and now settled within her arms.
Well maintained houses of many colors lined the clean streets. Men and women stood outside stores selling and buying their wares, dressed in nice clean clothes and the children, played among the houses, their laughter high and innocent, unaware of the evils in the world.
Serenity was astonished by how different Elis was to Volos, and she had to smile when a little girl with cheery hair darted onto the road and ran around Serenity and the other Priestesses, her chubby hand trying to pat the cat in Serenity's arms. Serenity stopped and crouched down to the little girl and held Ella out, much to Ella's annoyance but allow the girl to scratch her behind the ear.
"Thank you, Priestess," the little girl squealed, before taking off again; disappearing in to a green house.
Serenity gave a puzzled look, wondering how the little girl knew she was a Priestess, shrugging her shoulders she straightened up and processed on her way, following beside Mars who smiled down at her, mirth in his eyes which brought a smile to Serenity's face.
Serenity gasped as she stared up at the marble castle, it stood high in the sky with four towers on both the right and the left side, it was massive with guards at the entrance and Serenity could spot guards on a walkway going back and forth, keeping a look out.
"This way Priestesses," Priest Mars informed them as he headed for the entrance.
The guards clicked their heels together and their spears parted for Priest Mars. The Priestesses followed meekly behind.
Jedite and Neflite quickly parted from the Priest and Priestesses and turned left down a long corridor. Priest Mars took no notice as he led them straight down a long hall, many pictures hung on the wall and the golden carpet softens their footfall. Never before had Serenity seen such beauty. At the end of the long hall they came to a massive door, with a guard standing to the side.
"State your business," The guard demanded, his arm stretch out blocking their path.
"We are here to see King Endymion," Priest Mars stated.
"The King is in a conference with King Damon and wishes not to be disturbed," the guard said.
"I think the King will allow our intrusion, I have important news for him," Priest Mars shot back, glaring at the guard.
The guard shrunk back in fear and his arm dropped. Priest Mars turned to the door and swung it opened. The girls followed behind.
_00_
King Endymion sat on his thrown, unshed tears stinging his eyes. He watched King Damon's pace back and forth, his long white hair swaying with each step he took and his purple eyes glaring at King Endymion.
"We have to attack Queen Metalia soon, if we do not, our lands will be gone and she will murder us in our sleep," Damon spat, "I hear she has great magical powers."
"I know," King Endymion said, "But how can we face her, we only have half our army set up with weapons. While the other half have nothing. We used up all our money to defend ourselves and there is no one else we can go to."
"I know, poor King Daniel, he held out as long as he could," King Damon stated. "I got word by bird before I left my kingdom, that he had died and his lands taken by Queen Metalia. The note said that after the king died, his people put down their weapons and pledge allegiance to Queen Metalia."
"When will your scouts be back from Pherai?" King Endymion asked.
"Within three weeks," Damon said.
Their talk was interrupted when the doors burst opened and Priest Mars entered the room. Endymion eyes widened when his eyes fellow on the women behind Priest Mars, but what struck him in awe was the girl with the long blonde hair and sky blue eyes, the tan-skin and slim waist. His mouth gaped open as he stared at the stunning creature before him and if it were not for the blonde hair and golden skin she would look every much like his Goddess Selene.
"Mars, what brings you to interrupt our meeting," King Damon shouted.
Mars ignored his King's glare and stepped to the side revealing the girls behind him.
"These women are our trespassers, my King," Priest Mars said, motioning for the women to come forth.
Serenity put Ella down and quickly dug in her bag, bringing out the letter that was given to her; she slowly walked up to King Damon and knelt before him.
"Are you King Damon?" Serenity asked, not lifting her head.
"Yes child," King Damon said. Eyes drawn.
"My name is Serenity a Priestess of the Goddess Selene, High Priestess Alexis has sent us to deliver this message to you," Serenity held the sealed message high above her head.
King Damon took the message and turned away from Serenity. Serenity got to her feet and was about to turn when she spotted a man she assumed was King Endymion sitting on the thrown.
His eyes were sad and he carried much grief and Serenity wonder why such a wise and noble king would feel this way. Shaking her head she turned to joined the other girls.
"Serenity, it says here that you journeyed with two other girls, can you point them out to me," King Damon said, after reading the letter.
"Yes, King Damon. This is Mina also a Priestess of Selene," Serenity said, pointing to Mina, "And this is Ella Priestess of Selene."
Serenity pointed to the red cat.
"How can that be? She is a cat," King Damon asked.
"An evil spell brought on by Queen Metalia," Ella spoke up.
King Damon jumped back when he heard the cat speak; he could not believe his ears that a cat was talking to him. "So you were once a girl, like Serenity and Mina?"
"Yes, king Damon, it is a long story that I wish to retell at another time," Ella voice was laced with sadness.
"Who are these other priestesses with you?" King Endymion asked from his thrown, intrigued.
"This is Ami, Priestess of Hermes, I saved her in Volos, she was chained to her temple," Serenity pointed to the blue hair girl. "This is Lita, Priestess of Zeus; she helped us in our time of need. She is the one who suggested coming to Elis first for help."
"I see, I must say I am impressed that you journeyed all the way from Pherai to deliver this message with out getting caught or worse killed. Do you know what is written in this letter?" Damon asked, waving the letter in his right hand.
"No, High Priestess Alexis did not find it necessary to tell us what was in the letter," Mina's soft voice spoke up.
"High Priestess Alexis asks for aid, she wants me to send a small amount of my men to protect her Priestesses in case of Queen Metalia's wrath. In exchange she offers me one of her Priestess in training as a bride," King Damon explained, looking at Serenity's shocked face. "I have bad news for you; I can not send my army to Pherai to protect the Priestesses."
"Why?" Serenity stuttered.
"Because Queen Metalia has taken over Pherai, King Daniel is dead," King Damon stated.
Serenity almost fell to her knees if it was not for Lita who was standing next to her who caught her.
"What about the Priestesses of the Goddess Selene?" Serenity asked.
"I do not know. They could be under Queen Metalia control or they may be dead," King Damon said, tossing the letter to the floor.
Serenity couldn't breath; all this time wandering in the forest; risking her life in Volos, trying her best to get to Thessaloniki in one piece and it was all for nothing. Mina, Ella and Serenity could not go back to Pherai.
"What do we do now? We have nowhere to go, Mina, Ella and I can not go back to Pherai while it is under Queen Metalia's rule," Serenity sobbed, tears sliding down her face.
"You may stay here for as long as you like, dear child, I am a follower of Selene myself, she has always held my heart," King Endymion spoke up. "I will give the hospitality of my castle to you and your friends."
"You are so kind, King Endymion," Serenity bowed.
King Endymion felt his heart swell for the first time since his Goddess disappearance; it was nice to have her followers under his roof, in a way it was like having her with him once again.
"You all must be tired, allow my servants to give you food and drink and then off to bed for some rest, we will fit you Priestesses in clean garments when you awaken," King Endymion offered.
He stepped off his thrown and rang a bell by the window. The noise rang through out the room and within minutes scurried in two maids, with bright smiles on their faces.
"Molly and Holly; show these Priestesses to the guest rooms so they may rest, also bring them some food and water as well," King Endymion ordered.
The two maids bowed before their king and escorted the ladies from the halls closing the door behind them. All that remained in the room was Priest Mars, Priestess Rei, King Endymion and King Damon.
"What do we do now?" Priest Mars asked.
"Now, we get our armies together and prepare for war," King Endymion said softly, looking out the window, watching his people go about their day without a care in the world.
"If we do not stop Queen Metalia in her tracks, I fear the world will be destroyed," King Endymion whispered to himself.