"You will never guess what just happened!"
Siddharth set his mask just inside the door before sauntering over to kiss his wife, Jacira, on the forehead. Their young son, Batraz, sat at the table eating a bowl of soup. He joined the boy and reclined with a smug smile. Siddharth ran his hands through his long white hair before pulling it back into a tall bun at the back of his head.
Jacira removed her apron and wiped her hands on the cloth she kept tucked in her sarong. She was used to her husband's swaggering entrances. As one of the princess' personal guards, he often came home with tales of the day's adventures. He almost always painted himself as the hero in these stories. Admittedly, her husband was acknowledged as a masterful soldier by more than just himself. Only the strongest and bravest of Atlanteans were considered for prestigious assignments like Siddharth's.
Without a word to her husband, Jacira offered Batraz a slice of bread that she had made earlier in the day.
"Come on, guess!" Siddharth prodded, snatching a piece from the platter before Jacira returned to the kitchen. "I guarantee that you cannot figure it out!"
"If we cannot figure it out, why bother?" Jacira's brother shot back as he joined Siddharth and Batraz at the table. Jaidev was long past amusing Siddharth with fake interest in his stories. More often than not, they were nothing more than routine scouting missions. Nothing truly exciting ever happened in Atlantis.
"Jacira, tell your brother that he may actually want to start his shift early for this one," Siddharth said over his shoulder. He turned back toward Jaidev. "I bet you'll want to meet them."
Jaidev also worked for the royal family. He was one of 6 soldiers that took turns standing guard outside the palace throughout the day. The role was essential, but boring. It was not uncommon for Jaidev to work his entire shift without speaking to anyone. Unlike Siddharth, Jaidev was shy and peaceful. He had been trained for battle as all Atlantean men must, but never developed the taste for blood and power that had gotten Siddharth so far in his career. Jaidev had only gotten his posting after Jacira pleaded with Siddharth to talk to the princess. Siddharth had reluctantly agreed to do so, but only because he loved his wife so much. Siddharth and Jaidev had never warmed up to each other despite working closely and living under the same roof. Siddharth resented Jaidev's reserved nature and Jaidev despised his brother-in-law's arrogance.
Jacira and Jaidev exchanged glances behind Siddharth. Jaidev hated to take Siddharth's bait if it turned out to be nothing, but he couldn't help his curiosity. Fortunately, Jacira spoke first.
"Them?"
Siddharth grinned and leaned in close. He knew he had hooked them. From outside, someone called his name.
"I cannot tell you much now because the princess needs me back. There are foreign people among us! They claim to be explorers, but you did not see their weapons. It is a good thing that your Tatop is so brave, eh Batraz?" Siddharth mussed his son's hair and rose from the table quickly. He addressed Jaidev as he retrieved his mask from the entry. "If you want to see, go to your post now."
Jacira excused Batraz from the table and the adults waited for him to bound outside before speaking.
"Foreigners? Surely he is kidding again," Jaidev asked his older sister.
"I do not know," Jacira sighed, still watching the door. "But if it is true, maybe I should not have let Batraz go out alone."
"I suppose the only way we will know is if I go now to the palace. I am certain that anyone who is enters our city will be brought to the king," Jaidev reassured. He was thinking of the king's mandate. It had never been used in Jaidev's lifetime, and yet the words were etched in his mind: no outsiders may see the city and live. Although he was curious about the world beyond Atlantis' borders, he had always hoped that outsiders would stay away. As a soldier for the king, he would have to be complicit in any executions.
He wasn't due at the palace for another few hours, but he knew that Bori would enjoy going home early if the outsiders hadn't arrived yet. He must see these explorers - or whatever they were - with his own eyes.