* A Heart's Final Farewell *
It was just past dusk in Atlantis when the funeral ceremony for the King had begun. Standing on a lone plateau of land that jetted up from the red- hot lava flow that surrounded the city. Kida, with Milo and Rosha by her side, surveyed the sights of everything around her. The King's sarcophagus hung over the side of the plateau supported by heavy ropes that came down from an ornately carved stone frame that arched over the edge. Toka and Impesh were standing to one side of the arch and the royal priest was standing in front of the sarcophagus chanting a farewell prayer. Atlantean vehicles of all types hovered in the air above and just as Kida had said, all of the Atlantean people were there occupying every available speck of dry land, buildings, boats and bridges that could be found on the outer edges of the city. All of the people seemed to act like they were at some sort of musical concert rather than a funeral.
Kida had been able to keep her spirits up. Now, however, the finality of her father's death was beginning to set in.
The royal priest ended his prayer with a bow of his head and every Atlantean did the same as all observed a moment of silence to honor their King. Then the priest stepped aside and motioned to Kida and Rosha to approach. The two of them took a step forward. Kida stopped and looked back at Milo, it was the first time that he had seen a sad look on her face all evening. Kida reached out taking Milo by the hand, urging him to move to her side. The three of them approached the sarcophagus together.
No words were spoken as Rosha placed her gift, a small toy figure of an Atlantean warrior that she had given to her brother once before when they where children, on top of the sarcophagus. Then Kida placed her gift, her favorite leather hair band, next to the tiny figure. When she was a very little girl, she asked her father to fix her hair. Thinking it would be cute; he placed the left front part of her hair in a ponytail with a leather band to keep it in place. Kida had kept her hair in this manner ever since.
Kida motioned Milo to place his notebook down next to their gifts and then she removed her crystal. Kida raised the crystal to her lips and lightly blew on it. As it began to glow she touched it to the top of the sarcophagus. The glowing light blue light from the crystal began to course through the sarcophagus as Kida stepped back to Milo's side.
The light traveled across the carvings on the sarcophagus spreading to the arched framework. Then with the creeks and groans of ropes and pulleys, the sarcophagus slowly began its descend towards the lava hundreds of feet below.
Kida struggled with her emotions as she watched. This was supposed to be a time of celebration, a time to remember all that was good and noble of her Father and to be happy that he was now in a better place. This was true for most Atlanteans but Kida could no longer hold back the tears. She now allowed herself to feel the pain of the loss of her father. Even though Kida had disagreed with her father on many things, she had loved him with all her heart. But that heart had been cut deeply by his death. It was only the love she felt for Milo that kept her from dwelling on her Father's passing.
Kida didn't utter a sound as she fought to maintain her composure but if it hadn't been for Milo holding her, she would have collapsed on the spot. But even if she had, no one would have thought less of her. It was commonplace for an Atlantean who was just a spectator at a funeral to think of it as a celebration. But a funeral was still a funeral, and family members of the deceased where never truly expected to be happy at a time like this.
The King's sarcophagus reached the lava and began to glow red, burning the ropes free. As the sarcophagus slowly sank beneath the lava, all of the Atlanteans shouted out in unison, "Remember us as we will remember you!" They then threw their gifts down to the lava below. The ceremony was over. The Atlantean people began to make their way back to their homes, most would celebrate the King's life well into the night. But for Rosha, Milo and especially Kida, it would be a long quiet, lonely night.
***
Redic stood at the edge of a cave opening on the eastern side of the main cavern that housed Atlantis. He could barley see the ceremony that had taken place. Redic removed the arm guard from his right forearm and threw it down to the lava below.
"Remember me as I will remember you my King." Redic softly uttered.
"You still honor the King even though you are now a hunted man...? How touching."
Startled, Redic quickly turned and prepared to defend himself.
"Do not worry, I have not come to turn you in." Likoosh said.
"How did you find me old man?"
"It was not difficult to follow you. It is a simple thing to follow someone when they look at you but do not see you."
"Do not speak to me in riddles old man. Now explain how you found me." Redic demanded.
"How I found you is not important, that I can help you is."
Redic quickly walked over to Likoosh, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, and looked him straight in the eye. "I told you before. I do not need your help old man. I already know what I must do."
Redic drew back his free arm, ready to pummel Likoosh. The old man was so frail, he was sure one hit would kill him. "No... You are not worth the trouble." Redic relaxed his arm then pushed Likoosh aside as he sat down on a nearby rock.
Likoosh gathered himself. No worse for wear then asked, "So, tell me. What is it you must do?"
"I will kill the outsider. Kill Milo." Redic bluntly stated with anger in his voice.
"And after you kill Milo the Queen will kill you."
"Perhaps, but at least that outsider will no longer corrupt Kida. Then perhaps she may take her responsibilities as Queen more seriously and protect Atlantis."
"What if I where to tell you that there is a way you could kill Milo and not only survive, but have the people of Atlantis support you in doing so?"
"Explain yourself old man... And no riddles." Redic said as he stood back up.
Likoosh drew closer to Redic. "By Atlantean law you may challenge Milo to a duel, a fight to the death."
"You are an old fool. The Queen is the law of Atlantis. I cannot openly challenge Milo. Kida would have me arrested on the spot." Redic turned and moved a couple of steps away. "Or perhaps try to kill me herself." (She did swear to kill me.) Redic thought to himself.
"Yes the Queen is the law, but she is not above the law."
"I told you not to speak in riddles old man." Redic snapped back pointing his finger at Likoosh to emphasize his reminder.
"Here me out. I know of a book that contains all of the Atlantean laws as they were before the time of the great flood. If you can obtain this book of the laws and make them known to our people they will back your claim. The Queen will have no choice but to allow your challenge."
Redic waived Likoosh off as he sat back down. "Even if I could obtain this book it would be of no help. There is no one left in Atlantis that can read it. Except for that outsider."
"I still possess the ability to read our language." Likoosh smugly stated.
Redic interest was peaked. At last, a way to make the people understand. A way to make Kida understand. And best of all, he could kill the outsider that started all of this and live.
"Tell me more old man." Redic said motioning Likoosh to sit down.
"First there is the small matter of my compensation to discuss."
"What do you want? Old man."
Likoosh's eyes lit up as he replied, "Revenge."
Redic smiled, amused by his answer. "If I like what you have to say, and it is in my power to do so. I will give you your revenge."
"Very well." Likoosh sat down. "Is they're anyone in the palace that you can trust?"
Redic thought for a moment. "No... But there is someone I can use."
It was just past dusk in Atlantis when the funeral ceremony for the King had begun. Standing on a lone plateau of land that jetted up from the red- hot lava flow that surrounded the city. Kida, with Milo and Rosha by her side, surveyed the sights of everything around her. The King's sarcophagus hung over the side of the plateau supported by heavy ropes that came down from an ornately carved stone frame that arched over the edge. Toka and Impesh were standing to one side of the arch and the royal priest was standing in front of the sarcophagus chanting a farewell prayer. Atlantean vehicles of all types hovered in the air above and just as Kida had said, all of the Atlantean people were there occupying every available speck of dry land, buildings, boats and bridges that could be found on the outer edges of the city. All of the people seemed to act like they were at some sort of musical concert rather than a funeral.
Kida had been able to keep her spirits up. Now, however, the finality of her father's death was beginning to set in.
The royal priest ended his prayer with a bow of his head and every Atlantean did the same as all observed a moment of silence to honor their King. Then the priest stepped aside and motioned to Kida and Rosha to approach. The two of them took a step forward. Kida stopped and looked back at Milo, it was the first time that he had seen a sad look on her face all evening. Kida reached out taking Milo by the hand, urging him to move to her side. The three of them approached the sarcophagus together.
No words were spoken as Rosha placed her gift, a small toy figure of an Atlantean warrior that she had given to her brother once before when they where children, on top of the sarcophagus. Then Kida placed her gift, her favorite leather hair band, next to the tiny figure. When she was a very little girl, she asked her father to fix her hair. Thinking it would be cute; he placed the left front part of her hair in a ponytail with a leather band to keep it in place. Kida had kept her hair in this manner ever since.
Kida motioned Milo to place his notebook down next to their gifts and then she removed her crystal. Kida raised the crystal to her lips and lightly blew on it. As it began to glow she touched it to the top of the sarcophagus. The glowing light blue light from the crystal began to course through the sarcophagus as Kida stepped back to Milo's side.
The light traveled across the carvings on the sarcophagus spreading to the arched framework. Then with the creeks and groans of ropes and pulleys, the sarcophagus slowly began its descend towards the lava hundreds of feet below.
Kida struggled with her emotions as she watched. This was supposed to be a time of celebration, a time to remember all that was good and noble of her Father and to be happy that he was now in a better place. This was true for most Atlanteans but Kida could no longer hold back the tears. She now allowed herself to feel the pain of the loss of her father. Even though Kida had disagreed with her father on many things, she had loved him with all her heart. But that heart had been cut deeply by his death. It was only the love she felt for Milo that kept her from dwelling on her Father's passing.
Kida didn't utter a sound as she fought to maintain her composure but if it hadn't been for Milo holding her, she would have collapsed on the spot. But even if she had, no one would have thought less of her. It was commonplace for an Atlantean who was just a spectator at a funeral to think of it as a celebration. But a funeral was still a funeral, and family members of the deceased where never truly expected to be happy at a time like this.
The King's sarcophagus reached the lava and began to glow red, burning the ropes free. As the sarcophagus slowly sank beneath the lava, all of the Atlanteans shouted out in unison, "Remember us as we will remember you!" They then threw their gifts down to the lava below. The ceremony was over. The Atlantean people began to make their way back to their homes, most would celebrate the King's life well into the night. But for Rosha, Milo and especially Kida, it would be a long quiet, lonely night.
***
Redic stood at the edge of a cave opening on the eastern side of the main cavern that housed Atlantis. He could barley see the ceremony that had taken place. Redic removed the arm guard from his right forearm and threw it down to the lava below.
"Remember me as I will remember you my King." Redic softly uttered.
"You still honor the King even though you are now a hunted man...? How touching."
Startled, Redic quickly turned and prepared to defend himself.
"Do not worry, I have not come to turn you in." Likoosh said.
"How did you find me old man?"
"It was not difficult to follow you. It is a simple thing to follow someone when they look at you but do not see you."
"Do not speak to me in riddles old man. Now explain how you found me." Redic demanded.
"How I found you is not important, that I can help you is."
Redic quickly walked over to Likoosh, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, and looked him straight in the eye. "I told you before. I do not need your help old man. I already know what I must do."
Redic drew back his free arm, ready to pummel Likoosh. The old man was so frail, he was sure one hit would kill him. "No... You are not worth the trouble." Redic relaxed his arm then pushed Likoosh aside as he sat down on a nearby rock.
Likoosh gathered himself. No worse for wear then asked, "So, tell me. What is it you must do?"
"I will kill the outsider. Kill Milo." Redic bluntly stated with anger in his voice.
"And after you kill Milo the Queen will kill you."
"Perhaps, but at least that outsider will no longer corrupt Kida. Then perhaps she may take her responsibilities as Queen more seriously and protect Atlantis."
"What if I where to tell you that there is a way you could kill Milo and not only survive, but have the people of Atlantis support you in doing so?"
"Explain yourself old man... And no riddles." Redic said as he stood back up.
Likoosh drew closer to Redic. "By Atlantean law you may challenge Milo to a duel, a fight to the death."
"You are an old fool. The Queen is the law of Atlantis. I cannot openly challenge Milo. Kida would have me arrested on the spot." Redic turned and moved a couple of steps away. "Or perhaps try to kill me herself." (She did swear to kill me.) Redic thought to himself.
"Yes the Queen is the law, but she is not above the law."
"I told you not to speak in riddles old man." Redic snapped back pointing his finger at Likoosh to emphasize his reminder.
"Here me out. I know of a book that contains all of the Atlantean laws as they were before the time of the great flood. If you can obtain this book of the laws and make them known to our people they will back your claim. The Queen will have no choice but to allow your challenge."
Redic waived Likoosh off as he sat back down. "Even if I could obtain this book it would be of no help. There is no one left in Atlantis that can read it. Except for that outsider."
"I still possess the ability to read our language." Likoosh smugly stated.
Redic interest was peaked. At last, a way to make the people understand. A way to make Kida understand. And best of all, he could kill the outsider that started all of this and live.
"Tell me more old man." Redic said motioning Likoosh to sit down.
"First there is the small matter of my compensation to discuss."
"What do you want? Old man."
Likoosh's eyes lit up as he replied, "Revenge."
Redic smiled, amused by his answer. "If I like what you have to say, and it is in my power to do so. I will give you your revenge."
"Very well." Likoosh sat down. "Is they're anyone in the palace that you can trust?"
Redic thought for a moment. "No... But there is someone I can use."