《Earth, Love & Time-A Queen on the run》


 Before the Fall

    I still remember those days, like it was yesterday.


    It was a time of Great Empires. From the silk Empire of the East, to the vast oceans in the West. And in the North, our Father''s great Roman Empire, to the vastness of the Land of the Sun God Ra, ruled by the Great Pharaoh, our mother, Cleopatra VII Philopator.


    Me and my 3 brothers, were born in luxury. Though many had coveted the Egyptian land, our mother, through her wits and ingenuity, had managed, to not only secure her throne, but ours as well. Or at least, that''s what we were taught back then.


    In those days of uncertainty, Mother had insisted upon, us having the highest education possible. And that meant, for us to have, the High Priest of the Temple of Thoth, as our personal tutor. He had been our mother''s tutor as well.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    On our fifth birthday, my twin brother, Alexander Helios, and I, Cleopatra Selene, were introduced for the first time, to High Priest Setna, who was to be our tutor. Just as he was to our big brother, Caesarion; Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Ceasar;vand as he was going to be someday, for our baby brother Ptolemy Philadelphus.


    The man before us, was well build, with well developed muscles, as if he had spent his days in training, rather than in prayer. His face was rather young, for someone his age. Even though, hew was said to be a genius, that became the youngest High Priest in history. That was over 20 years ago. Nevertheless, Setna was the one, that instructed mother, on everything she knew about politics, economy, language & fighting, yet he still looked very handsome.


    I remember at that moment, declaring: "He will be my husband!". At my declaration, mother and big brother burst out in laughter, while Helios got angry at Setna, and kicked him at the ankle. Since then, my twin brother always glared at our teacher. Our younger days, were truly wonderful.


    Then, a year after our youngest brother, Ptolemy, began his own studies, tragedy befell our Great Empire of the Sun.

 The Fall

    Setna: ¡°ALEXANDER! STOP TEASING YOUR SISTER!¡±


    Alexander: ¡°Sorry teacher!¡±-said, as he turned to his twin sister, and stuck out his tongue at her, while she did the same as well.


    The twin children of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile, were now beginning their second year of studies, with High Priest Setna, as their teacher. He had also been, their big brother, Ceasarion''s teacher, before that. And though, Ceasarion had already become a young man, he still regared Setna''s teachings, with the highest respect.


    Just then, a maid barged in their study hall.


    Maid: ¡°Run! Run! The Romans are coming! The Romans are coming! The Queen is dead!¡±


    The maid took a deep breath, as Setna placed his arms on her shoulders, calming her down a little. She looked straight at him, as tears began to swell up in her eyes. She began anew:


    Maid: ¡°The Queen is dead! She killed herself with poison, before the Romans could grab a hold of her. They barged in beyond the city gate. Her majesty''s last words were: ¡°Setna! Protect my children, as I have protected your secret!¡±.Then she drank the poison, as the gates to her tomb, closed right infront of me!¡±


    Setna: ¡°I see! Now! First things first! Where are Ptolemy and Caesarion?¡±


    Maid: ¡°His higness Caesarion, already took young highness Ptolemy. They are waiting for their highnesses Alexander and Selene, at the stables!¡±


    Setna took a single glance at his young students, then turned to the maid, speaking in a language, not spoken by people of Egypt:


    Setna: ¡°Is my nephew near?¡±


    Maid: ¡°Yes. Eve is next to him, as always.¡±


    Setna: ¡°Lily, what''s to become of my students? Are they...?¡±


    Maid/Lily: ¡°Balaur says, they are to escape, but in order for them to live, Setna has to seize to be! Otherwise, the Romans won''t stop chasing them!¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Setna: ¡°I see, So shall it be!¡±


    Selene watched, as her teacher and his maid, talked, in what she asumed, was the temple of Thoth. She watched, as her tutor''s expression, slowly changed. He glanced at her and her brother, with worry, before he relaxed. Then, without saying anything else, Setna took out from his bag, three almost identical rings. One had the image of a Sun, with a snake coming out of one end, encircling the finger, and ending at the other end of the Sun. The second ring, was almost the same, but with the image of the moon instead. The third, had an Ankh, with a snake intertwined. All 3 rings, were clearly made for a grown up. Setna kneeled infront of Selene, as he took her hand, and placed the ring with the crescent moon, on her ring finger, and said:


    Setna: ¡°These rings, your majesties, were made with Thoth''s magic, especially, for each of Her Majesty Cleopatra''s children. They were meant to beyour graduation gift.¡±


    The rings in Setna''s hands, were clearly made for adults, but as soon as her ring encyrcled her finger, it suddenly was a perfect fit. While she was still marvelling at her gift, Setna quickly placed Alexander''s ring on his ring finger, and gave him the one meant for Ptolemy.


    Setna: ¡°Little princess, Survive! Forget what was, and focus on what is! You have your brothers with you. Keep each other safe!¡±


    Selene, staring at Setna''s eyes, gave him a big, tight hug, around his neck, before taking a deep breath, stopping her tears.


    Selene: ¡°Yes teacher! You too. Stay safe. Let''s meet again in the future!¡±


    Setna: ¡°Um! Time will tell. Now, go!¡±


    Maid/Lily: ¡°The decoys are already in place! Now hurry young ones. There isn''t much time. Are you ready master!¡±


    Setna: ¡°Yes! Let the play begin!¡±


    While the maid was dragging the two children out of the study chamber, a ¡°SWOOSH¡± sound came from behind Setna. When Selene turned around, she saw the red blood of her favorite teacher, flying everywhere, and him, lying on the floor. Behind him, the tall figure of ¡°Blue Beard¡±, stood with a blade in his hand, his face expressionless. Behind him, a young woman, clad in black leather, was handing him a cloth for his sword. Selene, wanted to scream, but doing so, would only make their position known to the two assassins, which would break her promise. Instead, she kept quiet, as tears rolled down her young eyes.


    The maid''s hand, felt oddly reassuring at that moment.


    Not long after, the twins reunited with their brothers. Heading to the boats, on the Nile river, Caesarion noticed they were being chased by the black cladded assassin caught up with them.


    The last thing Selene saw, before her big brother covered her eyes, was the gentle figure of the maid, alling from the pier, into the waters of the Nile.


    Finally giving in to the stress, Selene bellowed, while being held, in Caesarion''s arms.


    That was the first day, of their new life.

 Happy Women Day! -- ch.3 A new biginning!

    Her eyes snapped open.


    Alex: ¡°Sister?¡±


    Selena: ¡°I''m alright! Go back to sleep.¡±


    Alex: ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    Selena: ¡°Yeah! Just a nightmare. Don''t worry!¡±


    Alex: ¡°Again? You haven''t had them, since we were children. Is it the same one?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yeah!¡±


    Alex: ¡°Hmph! Were you a princess again?¡±


    Selena: ¡°Yeah! And you were a prince of a great Empire!¡±


    Alex: ¡°If only! Then I wouldn''t have to shuffle manour every day!¡±


    Phil: ¡°Big brother? Big sister? What are you two talking about?¡±


    Alex: ¡°About your sister''s dream, of being a princess. Can you imagine it?


    Phil: ¡°Sister? A princess? No way!¡±


    Selena: ¡°Hey!¡±


    Alex: ¡°What?¡±


    Selena: ¡°I could be!¡±


    Phil: ¡°You? The girl who just yesterday, beat up two drunkards, twice her size!¡±


    Alex: ¡°You? The one known throughout the region, as the ¡°Man-slayer¡±!¡±


    Cesar: ¡°You? The same girl, who chased away all the suitable marriage partners from Petra?¡±


    Selena: ¡°Big brother? When did you wake up?¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Cesar: ¡°Just now. Yawn! Well? Since we''re all up, might as well, begin our day.¡±


    Alex: ¡°Nooo! Too early!¡±


    Cesar: ¡°Then GO back to sleep!¡±-he grumbled, as he turned around, and tried to fall asleep again. He couldn''t. Instead, his mind drifted, back to that faithfull day, his family lost everything. Luckily, they were soon adopted, by a very independent, song willed, couple of sister.


    Since then, the four, adapted to the life of tavern keeping, in the busy city of Petra. The merchant''s crossroads city, on the silk route. Renaming themselves, the siblings took in, to their new life. As they were too young, his three younger siblings, only view their past life, a nothing more, than a dream. However, Caesarion, being the oldest, didn''t want to, or rather, couldn''t forget his past. For he knew, that Augustus wasn''t going to seize his hunt, for Julius Caesar''s, only legitimate heir.


    Often a times, Caesarion had thought about leaving his 3 younger siblings, as the only real danger to their lives, came from his proximity to them. However, whenever he would try to leave, one of his adoptive mothers, would beat him to a pulp, for abandoning them.


    Augustus wasn''t a fool. He was well aware, that the children, currently raised by Mark Anthony''s wife, were decoy''s. And so was the boy, that died, years before, by the hand of Blue Beard, in the stead of Caesarion.


    Seeing as how, leaving was not an option, Caesarion had resigned himself, to the life of an inn-keeper. But that didn''t mean, he was going to leave his family defensless. For in the face of his new mothers, he found the thoughest, most skilled, merciless, combat teachers, he had ever come across. Not even the elite soldiers of the Royal Palace, could match the two. As such, his siblings grew up under their tutalage, to be as batle ready, as any old soldier. Though skilled, the four also had to keep their training a secret, from the city, for fear, of being recognized.


    Yet, when it came time for Selene''s coming of age, suitors came rushing in, in hordes, competing for her hand in marriage. Although she was the adopted daughter of a mere inn-keepers, in the years that she had lived in Petra, theirs, had slowly become the richest inn in the city. Pretty much all of the men that came for her, were only interested in her money, and not her. Although she had grown up, to also be the pretiest, unmarried woman in Petra, her attitude towards the opposite sex, slowly changed with time. Because at first, she naively believed, that love, was what stood behind their words of flattery, in just a few months, she quickly understood the ugly truth of greed. As such, her anger took over, and Selene quickly disposed herself of the wanna be lovers.


    At the time, she was almost 16 years of age, but as time went on, she bacame, the so called ¡°old maid¡±. Afraid of her martial prowes, all men from Petra, single and married alike, feare her. And those visiting the city, unaware of her strenght, would often try to seduce her, only to end up in the gutter, beaten to a pulp.


    On just such a day, as she was throwing out another one of them, from the shadows in the back alley, a faint grunt, came from an old man with all white hair, long white beard, and face as smooth, as a baby''s bottom, wearing nothing but rags.

 4. The Druncard.

    Seeing his miserable state, in a moment of weakness, Selene took pity on him. With her small stature, though highly skilled in martial arts, she didn''t have the physical strength, to bring him back to the inn.


    Selene: ¡°Alex! Come here for a second.¡±


    Alex: ¡°What for?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Why?..O! Who is that?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I have no idea. Just, help me get him inside.¡±


    As the two helped the old man into the main hall, the sound of broken pottery, came from the kitchen:


    Selene: ¡°Mother Dali? What''s wrong?¡±


    This was the first time, that Selene had seen one of her mothers, frozen in surprise.


    Dali: ¡°General!¡±


    General: ¡°HIC!... Who are you?... Wait...I know you... HIC!... You''ve gotten fat, Diana...¡±


    Selene: ¡°Diana? Mother?! Do you know this drunkard? Why did he called you Diana?¡±


    Diana: ¡°This DRUNKARD, is my superior. Show some respect!¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yes mother. Sorry! But... why...?¡±


    Diana: ¡°Ah, my child. You are not the only one, who is in hiding.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Hiding? I''m not hiding...¡±


    Diana: ¡°Yes, yes. Anyway... Sir! Ehat happened?¡±


    General: ¡°HIC!... Diana-a-a! Yin threw me out! HIC!¡±


    Diana: ¡°When, sir?¡±


    General: ¡°HIC!... When?... I don''t know. That boy in the East, was dreaming about merging the seven kingdoms into an Empire...¡±


    Diana: ¡°Sir, that was almost 250 years ago!¡±


    General: ¡°Oh?... Well... I don''t remember much of it anyway!... HIC!... Time moves so slo-o-ow. What have you been up to these days, Diana? How''s Artemis? How are the girls? How''s my grandson? That poor boy?¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Diana: ¡°They are all fine sir. Time for you to get some rest. All will be fine in the morning.¡±


    General: ¡°HIC!... OK!...¡±


    Diana: ¡°Haa. Selena, find your brothers, and gather them home, immediately! Alex, help me get the general upstairs.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Mother, what is happening? Who IS he?¡±


    Diana: ¡°Selena, don''t ask questions. GO!¡±


    About half an hour later, on the dark streets, of the lower part of Petra, where the drunkards, and mistresses of the night gathered, Selena, or Luna, as the locals knew her as, was looking for her big brother. Near the gambling corner, where Cesar made most of their money, was busy swindlling his new victims, when, as she was about to call out to him, a sweet aroma came to her nose, as someone placed a wet cloth on her face. The sight of her brother became blurry, as she felt her body, quickly becoming heavy, while loosing consciousness.


    At first, the forced sleep made her uneasy, as her mind was strugling against the chemical on her mouth. But slowly, it''s sthrenght weakend, and she could now hear, her kidnappers convesation:


    Man1: ¡°She''s so petty! I want a taste. He!He!He!¡±


    Man2: ¡°Do so, and you''ll loose your manhood, before loosing your life!¡±


    Man3: ¡°But bo-o-oss. You know how she beats us, just for the fun of it.¡±


    Man4: ¡°Yeah boss. When else are we going to have such an opportunity with her.¡±


    Man5: ¡°Boss, you know how she is when awake. But now, she''s not waking up, anytime soon. Not with the drug she gave us.¡±


    Man1;Man3&Man4: ¡°Yeah boss. Come on!¡±


    Man2: ¡°Our client said she must be untouched!¡±


    Man5: ¡°We can just say, that she had a secret lover, and that''s why she hasn''t married yet!¡±


    Man2: ¡°Hmm! Sounds plausable. O, all right then. Let''s have some fun with her tonight.¡±


    Man1,3,4&5: ¡°YEAH!¡±


    Man2: ¡°But ONLY for tonught. Got it?¡±


    Man1,3,4&5: ¡°Yes boss!¡±


    Man1: ¡°But where?¡±


    Man2: ¡°That cave looks empty.¡±


    Selene could now feel the unsteady movements of the wagon, rolling on the rocky road. It stopped. Several sets of hands, picked her up. As they were carrying her, she could hear their snickeering, increasing with the anticipation of what was to come. At that moment, her only thaught, was of earlier of that same evening, when the drunkards in the inn, kept making fun of her, for being over 20 years of age, and still unmmarried. Yet now, she was about to loose her chastity, to those ruffians, no less. Why was she still unmarried? Why did she reject those offers? Who was she looking for, in her heart?


    She barely managed to lift up her eye lids. All, her eyes could see, was the ceiling of the cave, lit by the torches''es fire. The men''s voices, echoing throughout. She tried to regain control of her body, before, very clumsily rolling to the side, and shouting threats. Unfortunately, all that she actually managed to do, was wiggle around in their hands, her voice, barely coming out.


    Man1: ¡°O-ho! Looks like someone''s finally awake!¡±


    Man2: ¡°This is bad! If she manages to completely awaken, we''re dead! Quick! Bring the sleeping drug over! If we can''t have her the easy way, we''ll do it, the hard way!¡±


    A minute later, Selene was already placed on an altar, inside one of the cave''s, carved rooms, with a fire, already burning, warming up the whole place, when one of the man came rushing in. Hearing his footsteps, the others, were already drulling with anticipation, while she felt fear, the likes of which, she has never felt before.

 ch.5- The Stranger!

    Fear of the unknown. Fear of pain. Fear, of loosing someone precious to you.


    All of those, combined with every other type of fear, was keeping Selene''s body, completely paralyzed. As the man''s footsteps were getting louder, she prayed. And not just to one deity, but to every god, goddess, and creature inbetween, she could think of. She prayed for a rescue! Alas, it wasn''t to come.


    As the man''s footsteps, came ever so nearer, the rest of them, grabbed her clothes, and tore them to pieces. Still paralyzed from fear, she could see a hand approaching her body, while the rest just stood there, watching. Mere seconds before the hand touched her skin, it fell down, as it''s owner''s head, rolled down the side, as a voice, chilling as death itself, came from behind the body:


    Voice: ¡°Get your filthy hands away from her!¡±


    Her eyes grew wide, as the hooded stranger, wielding a moon-white, glowing sword, beheaded the rest of the men, one by one. Leaving his hood on, he took off his cloak, and covered her naked body with it. Scooping her up in his arms, he gently whispered in her ear:


    Stranger: ¡°It''s all right! You are safe now. No one is going to harm you. This, I swear to you, Little princess!¡±


    The familiarity of the voice and words of the stranger, finally helped Selene relax, as tears formed in her eyes, before finally fainting.


    Again, she dreamed. She dreamed, of golden palaces, and sandy landsapes, stretching beyond the horizon. She dreamed of shiny jewles. And a crescent-moon, shaped ring, the same ring she was still wearing to this day. She had never taken it off, since the day the blurred image of a man, had given it to her. Except, this time, the image wasn''t blurred. The man''s features, were crystal clear. Beneath the black eye make-up, was a set of silver eyes. She knew his name. It was Setna. He was her tutor, back in Egypt. He always called her ¡°Little Princess¡±. But, he was dead. He had given his little for hers.


    So then, who saved her? Why did he called her that, and why was her saviour''s voice, the same as her dead teacher? Before she could ponder over it any further, the crackling sound of a fire, woke her up.


    A tall figure, of a man wearing a hood, was sitting cross the fire, fiddling with the hilt of a long sword, the likes of which, she had never seen. In his hand, and beside his feet, were strange instruments, unknown to her.


    Selene: ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Hood: ¡°Feeling better?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Answer the question!¡±


    Hood: ¡°I''m me. Who do you want me to be?¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Selene: ¡°Remove your hood.¡±


    Hood: ¡°As you wish, my queen!¡±


    Upon doing so, long golden locks, fell down to one side of his face. He turned his eyes towards her, and smiled.


    Selene: ¡°Setna!¡±


    Hood: ¡°Who? My name isn''t Setna.¡±


    Selene: ¡°No! You are him! Same eyes, same voice, same body shape. You are Setna!¡±


    Hood: ¡°Haa. You were always very observant about details, Little Princess. But as I said before, my name isn''t Setna. Although I did use that name for a time in Egypt.¡±


    Hearing his words, her tears fell down, as she rushed to his side, almost jumping over the fire. Her momentum was such, that, as she hurled herself towards him, He almost fell down, when she hugged him, like the way she did, the last time she saw him.


    Selene: ¡°Teacher!¡±


    Hood: ¡°Umph! Careful! These are delicate!¡±


    Selene: ¡°How? How are you alive?¡±


    Hood: ¡°Long story! The important thing is, how are you? Any injuries?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Injuries? No, I...¡±-then the events of the recent past, came to her. As she remembered, unconsciously, her hands moved to cover her body. Instead of skin, her fingers landed on a, softer than silk, fabric. When she looked, Selene was wearing a long shirt, almost like a short dress, paired, with a royal purple pants and boots.


    Selene: ¡°Who put me in these?¡±


    Hood: ¡°I did! Had to guess your size. Luckily, you are almost the same size, as my sister-in-law.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What did happen last night? Was I...¡±


    Hood: ¡°No. They didn''t touch you. Your husband would be pleased.¡±


    Selene: ¡°I''m not married.¡±


    He stopped fiddling, and looked at her in surprise. The edges of his mouth, curved up.


    Hood: ¡°Why not? You are already past the age!¡±


    Selene: ¡°No one was ever good enough. Anyway, where are we? How far from Petra?¡±


    Hood: ¡°We''re only a day''s ride from Petra. But the floods are here, so we''ll have to wait for atleast a day, before heading back. And by the way, you were only asleep for a few hours. The sun will rise in more than six. Get some rest, Selene.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Hm. Haven''t heard that name in a while. Teacher, what is your real name? How did you survive? Where have you been all this time? And why do you look so young?¡±


    Hood: ¡°Slow down, little princess. For certain reasons, I can''t tell you everything. But, what I can tell you, is that my real name is Attar.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Attar. What about my other questions?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Sorry little princess. But for your own safety, I shouldn''t have even told you as much. Now, it''s still too early. Off to bed.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Hey! I''m not a child. I''m a frown woman! I''ll do as I please.¡±


    As she said that, Selene stood up, placed her hands on his shoulders, facing him. Looked him straight in the eyes, bent over, and kissed him. Surprised at first, he didn''t resist. Instead, his mouth open, as he placed his hand, at the back of her head, and his tongue entered her mouth, as hers, gently played around his. Suddenly remembering something, he pushed her away, but still keeping her face close enough, so that they could feel each others breath.


    Attar: ¡°STOP! What are you doing?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I told you. I am going to do, whatever I want, from now on! I''m not going to wait around any longer, because I''ve remembered something tonight.¡±


    Attar: ¡°What?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I know why none were ever good enough.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Why?¡±


    Selene: ¡°They weren''t you!¡±

 ch.6--The Virgins

    Under the starry night sky, in a camp in the dessert, two people were staring each other in the eyes, without letting go. Their faces so close to each other, their breaths overlaping. As if to say something, their lips moved in sync, yet no words came out. Attar, captivated by Selene''s green eyes, stood up, towering over her, and said:


    Attar: ¡°Stop, while there is still time. I may be a virgin, but even I know the ways beetween a man and a woman. I''m barely holding up, as it is!¡±


    Selene: ¡°You are a virgin?... Pfft!¡±


    Just as she was laughing, he tackled her down, and was now laying on top of her, his hands, pinning hers above her head.


    Attar: ¡°Seriously, stop laughing!¡±


    She just looked him straight in the eyes, smiling.


    Attar: ¡°Aren''t you afraid of me?¡±


    Selene: ¡°No. I know you won''t hurt me. I trust my instincts more, than I trust words.¡±


    As she was saying those words, his grip on her loosened, and she tackled him in such a way, that now, it was she, sitting on top of him. Selene pinned his hands to the ground, just as he had done a moment prior. Mesmerized by the silver in his eyes, she kissed him once again, their fingers intertwining. Sitting on top of him, she could feel Attar''s snake getting harder and bigger, hitting her from behind. Not sure what to do next, she stopped.


    Attar: ¡°What is it? Changed your mind?¡±


    Selene: ¡°No, it''s just...¡±


    Attar: ¡°Just?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I don''t know what to do next.¡±-mumbled.


    Attar: ¡°Then we better stop.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Stop? Can you? As hard as you are now?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes. The first time you willingly give yourself to someone, should be to the one you love, and not the person you met barely few hours ago.¡±


    She smiled, than stood off of him, sitting down.


    Selene: ¡°I knew you were going to say that.¡±


    Attar: ¡°You did? How?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Because, you wouldn''t be the man I thought you to be, if you haven''t.¡±


    Attar: ¡°How so?¡±Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Selene: ¡°The reason I''m not yet married, is because, all the men that have approached me, wanted either me, or my family''s business.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Oh, I''m sorry.¡±


    She lay next to him, her back, next to his chest.


    Selene: ¡°Don''t be. Any way, it''s late. I''m tired & cold. Let me cuddle next to you. For body heat.¡±


    Attar chuckled.


    Selene: ¡°What? Did I say something funny?¡±


    Attar: ¡°It''s nothing. Just that the way you said ¡°for body heat¡±...¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡±


    Attar: ¡°It''s the same line my brother once used, when he was trying to get close to his now wife.¡±


    Selene: ¡°I didn''t know you had a brother. Where is he? His wife? Your family? Tell me more.¡±


    As they were talking, Attar had hugged Selene, and covered them both with a blanket.


    Attar: ¡°It''s a very long story. But suffice it to say, had you become the next queen of Egypt, it would have been your responsibility to guard their tomb.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Their tomb? I''m sorry. But, where is it?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Look up!¡±


    Selene: ¡°The night sky is beautiful.¡±


    Attar: ¡°So is the moon. That''s where they sleep now, and will continue to do so, until the day of their awakening.


    Selene: ¡°The dead don''t come back to life in this world. I should know so.¡±


    Attar: ¡°My brother and his wife, aren''t dead.¡±


    Selene: ¡°They aren''t? How? And the moon?¡±


    Attar: ¡°No, they just have been sleeping, for a very, very long time.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How long?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Remember the myth of Osiris and his wife Isis? And how she put him back together, and they had a son?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yes, but that''s just myth now.¡±


    Attar: ¡°It''s based off of, their story.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How? That would mean thousands of years ago! Exactly how, can she put him back together in one piece, and give him life?¡±


    Attar: ¡°It wasn''t literal. It wasn''t his body, that got torn down to pieces, it was his emotions. Before they met, he was a broken man. Then she arrived. Later, they fell in love, and had as son together. But, my nephew was barely a few hours old, when the two of them, fell to their endless sleep.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Why? What happened?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Chronos happened.¡±


    Selene: ¡°The Greek Titan? He was real?¡±


    Attar: ¡°In a way, yes. Chronos wanted to separate them, by sending my sister-in-law to her home, but in doing so, my brother would have perished, so she fought to stay here. In the end, exhausted from the battle, she fell asleep. My brother followed her, almost immediately. That, was long before the great flood, in the time, when your gods, and every other known deity throughout history, were no different from you and your brothers.¡±


    Selene: ¡°It''s hard to imagine. Wait? You!... What about you? How do you fit into this story?¡±


    Attar: ¡°At a time, I was known as Thoth, god of knowledge. I was also known as Morningstar.¡±


    Selene turned away to face him, and rose up.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Than you are a god?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Pfft! No, I''m not. I''m just a man, born in a time, when knowledge, allowed us to live way longer, and travel amongst the stars.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Travel amongst the stars? How? With magic? What kind? Show me!¡±


    Attar: ¡°Not magic, science!¡±


    Selene: ¡°Science? No, it must be magic!¡±


    Attar: ¡°How did sister put it? ¡°Any sufficiently advanced technology, is indistinguishable from magi!¡±. Even this sword is made by me.¡±


    At that time, Selene had once again, fallen asleep in Attar''s arms. He simply smiled, and said:


    Attar: ¡°Sweet dreams Little princess. Tomorrow, the story continues.¡±

 ch.7 Stories & Wonders

    The next morning, the sun''s first rays, shone on Selene''s eyes, waking her up. Remembering the past night, she turned around, expecting Attar to be next to her. Alas, she was alone. Stood up, looked around, and smiled, when her eyes finally fixed their gaze, upon his masculine figure. Even through the wide clothes he was wearing, Selene could tell that his physique, was that of a warrior. However, it was his golden hair, that grabbed her attention. Tied in a pony-tail, it reached to the middle of his back. She was a little envious. Her''s only reached a little past her shoulders. As he was completely immersed in fiddling with the hilt of his sword, she taught of sneaking up on him. Just as she was about to surprise him, he turned around.


    Attar: ¡°Good morning! How was your rest?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Ah! Good morning! What are you doing?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Increasing the power voltage, while decreasing the consumption. Breakfast?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yes, thank you. I''ve been meaning to ask, how DID you find me, last night?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Your ring.¡±


    Selene: ¡°You mean this one? I actually remember you giving it to me. You also gave my brothers, one as well. But aren''t they just regular rings? How can they tell you, where I am?¡±


    Attar: ¡°They can, because I made them. They also tell your pulse. And since the day, you all four, placed them on your fingers, the furthest, any of you had stayed from each other, was still within the city limits. Once you moved out of Petra, and combined with irregular heartbeat, I knew something was very wrong.¡±


    Selene: ¡°But how did you get to me so fast?¡±


    Attar: ¡°An underground network of caves. Luckily, the place those ruffians chose to take you, was practically at my doorstep.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Then, why did we spend the night outside, if your house is so close?¡±


    Attar: ¡°My lodgings, are still inside the cave. After what happened, I figured, you wouldn''t want to be anywhere near a cave.¡±


    Selene: ¡°The night sky, is better.¡±


    As their conversation was going on, she had seated herself next to him, and was happily enjoying the breakfast, he had prepared for them.


    Selene: ¡°How long do we wait, before heading back to Petra?¡±


    Attar: ¡°If we go now, and move on ground level, even with horses, it would take 3 days, across the muddy terrain. Not to mention, thieves.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Too dangerous. What''s our other option?¡±


    Attar: ¡°The underground road to Petra is cut off from the floods, but in 4 days, it won''t be. And since it is a secret road, known only to a few, it''s safer, not to mention quicker. It will only take us a day, using it. If you are willing to wait.¡±


    Selene, curious about Attar, his life and wonders, had no doubt in her mind, what she wanted.


    Selene: ¡°Let''s wait in your home!¡±


    A little surprised at her enthusiasm, and how she was leaning on him, he secretly smiled.


    Attar: ¡°OK, let''s do that, then. After breakfast, I''ll take you to my current home. However, I must warn you. You will see many strange things, there. Don''t touch anything without my permission. Some of them, are dangerous.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Selene: ¡°You got it. So. When do we leave?¡±


    Half an hour later, Selene was standing before a wall, with no visible signs of entry. Coming next to her, Attar smiled, then simply pushed the wall. As he removed his hand, a glowing handprint was left. A barely audible sound of ¡°PSH¡± was heard, as the whole wall, slightly moved back and to the left, as it was rolling sideways.


    Suddenly blinded by the light, Selene covered her eyes, when she heard Attar calling out to her, as his hand, gently placed on her back, pushed her forward. As her eyes adjusted, a grand hall stood before her. Several levels high, to the left and right, were various rooms, with half open walls. A series of reflective surfaces, placed zigzag at the highest parts of the walls, near the ceiling, were sending a single ray of sunlight, all across the hall, illuminating everything. Yet, in some of the rooms, bright lights, were helping them stay lit.


    As she moved forward, the echo of her footsteps, reverberated throughout.


    Selene: ¡°Attar, are we alone here?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Shouldn''t be. Hold on.¡±


    He took a deep breath, and: ¡°Artemi-i-is.¡±


    His voice boomed everywhere. No one responded.


    Attar: ¡°Guess we are. So where do you want to go? Your bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I want to know more about your glowing sword. What other wonders do you have here? How are those room lit?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Ah, those. Come.¡±


    He took her hand, and guided her to a staircase at the left. On the second floor, was a very weird room. Next to the wall, was a series of counters. On top, were many weird boxes, one of which was glowing, while making a weird sound. It suddenly stopped, as the light it was emanating a moment ago, was gone! Attar lifted the top, and smell of fresh, boiled rice, spread around the room. He then, opened the side door of another box, and she saw, as he pulled out, a cooked to a golden crisp, chicken. While he was busy serving them a rice-chicken meal, her eyes stopped at the wall, where a familiar light, coming from a glass orb, reminded her, of the ones, she had seen in Egypt, at the Karnak Temple.


    Attar: ¡°Lunch is ready!¡±


    Selene: ¡°Umm. This tastes like the one, mom makes.¡±


    Attar: ¡°I did learn this recipe from Diana.¡±


    Selene: ¡°You called her Diana, the same as the drunkard.¡±


    Attar: ¡°What drunkard?¡±


    Selene: ¡°The one we found the other night. But the women that raised me and my brothers, how do you know them? Did you arrange, for them, to do so?¡±


    A melancholic look on his face, Attar nodded.


    Selene: ¡°Why?¡±


    Attar: ¡°I promised your mother, to protect her children.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Sigh! Very well then. Now, tell me about these wonders. Like, the lights on the wall. Same as Karnak.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes. I made all of them. As you have already gathered, I am very, very old. And also very knowledgeable. I''ve seen seasons change,empires rise and fall, even lands transforming from ice lands, to jungles, to deserts. To you humans, we became gods. Yet for us, your whole lives, are but speck of sand...¡±


    Selene: ¡°...in the flow of time. Your existence must be lonely.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Not really! I mean, I have my whole family.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yeah, but still...¡±


    Attar: ¡°Hey, don''t frown. There is still plenty of my people left on this planet, even after the war.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What war?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Just the last major war of my people. I believe it''s told about, in all of the major religions.¡±


    Selene: ¡°So, what did actually happen?¡±


    Attar: ¡°O, nothing much. My nephew just had a score to settle, with the kidnapper of his mother. In the end, we won, and the major bad guy, ran away.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What about his people?¡±


    Attar: ¡°We made piece. They saw through his madness, and abandoned him. Now he is somewhere out there, probably causing trouble. But, one day, my nephew will end him.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How can you be sure?¡±


    Attar: ¡°He sees a person''s future. He knows things, yet hardly ever shares anything.¡±


    Selene: ¡°O, I see.¡±


    Attar: ¡°By the way, please don''t tell him about it.¡±


    Selene: ¡°About what?¡±


    Attar: ¡°The sword. It was made, using methods, way too advanced for the current era. He would kill me, if he knew. Again.¡±


    Selene dropped her spoon.


    Selene: ¡°Again? Do you mean... that Blue Beard, was...¡±


    Attar: ¡°Sigh! Yes, my nephew was the one you saw that day. He used to use indigo, to color his hair.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Why did he do that, to his own uncle?¡±


    Attar: ¡°I told you, he sees the future. That was the only way, our ruse was going to succeed, and the four of you, could stay safe, alive, and away from anyone;s political agenda. Haven''t you heard about Cleopatra Selene, daughter of Egypt''s last pharaoh, being raised by Mark Anthony''s former wife, and is also about to be married to a Numidian royal?¡±


    Selene: ¡°That''s not me!¡±


    Attar: ¡°Correct, that''s your decoy. Although, I fear the ruse has been detected, and you are once again, in great danger.¡±

 ch.8 More stories, and...

    Selene: ¡°What should I do? Run? Hide?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Both are an option. But can you do it?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Which one?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Either one. Can you spend your whole life, locked up in a cave like this one? Or be forever on the run, always looking behind your back, never settling down anywhere, long enough, to make connections with anyone, let alone build a family of your own?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Are we still talking about me? Or you?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I can''t do it! I can''t spend the rest of my life, locked inside a cave even if it is as wondrous, as this one. I don''t want to read countless books about the world. I want to see it for myself. I want to visit the grasslands of the East. The forests to the North, as well as the white miracle, that turns to water in your hands, when you touch it!¡±


    Attar: ¡°It''s called ¡°snow¡±.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What is?¡±


    Attar: ¡°That white stuff, to the furthest North, is called ¡°snow¡±. And it''s actually what happens to water, once it gets very cold.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Oh, I didn''t know that. Have you seen ¡°snow¡±? Wait! What am I asking. Of course you have. You said it yourself, you are very old. You have probably traveled the world, twice over by now. Haven''t you?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Five times over, actually. Around every hundred years, many cultures change, to an unrecognizable state. Then again, many, never do.¡±


    Selene: ¡°When did you last see the snow?¡±


    Attar: ¡°When I went home, 500 years ago.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Home? Who would choose to build their home there?¡±


    Attar: ¡°It wasn''t always like that. Back then, the whole planet was covered in lush vegetation. Even the Sphinx, was swimming in a pool of water. Although, back then, it was just a giant rock.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Wait! One by one. First, tell me more about your home!¡±


    Attar: ¡°There is nothing to tell. It got destroyed, a long time ago.¡±


    Selene: ¡°But you said, you went there 500 years ago?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Don''t you, miss your birth home too?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I guess so. OK, second question! The Sphinx?¡±


    Attar: ¡°It''s where my lab used to be, back then. Soon, after my sister-in-law came, we expanded the underground levels, added more chambers, and even added a nursery. It''s where my nephew grew up, gazing at his parents bodies, never being able to touch them.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Why?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Why what?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Why wasn''t he able to touch them?¡±


    Attar: ¡°In short, let''s just say, that weird things would happen to this world, when he does.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Selene: ¡°Has he ever done so?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Once! And it caused a global climate change to occur.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Oh, that must have been hard for him.¡±


    Attar: ¡°It still is. I guess the reason he stays away from people, is partly due to that, and partly, because of his oracle powers.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Oracle? Powers?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes. When he touches someone, he can see their whole life. Past, present and future.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Has he seen mine, and my brothers?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes. On the day you were born.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How did he know, when I was going to be born? Has he seen my mother''s life as well?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes. On the day, she was born.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Then, why didn''t he stop her?¡±


    Attar: ¡°As he puts it: ¡°Time is never changing. What will happen, will happen. Even when one tries to change things, and many often do, in the end, that, which is meant to happen, will happen.¡± or so he says. Honestly, I don''t believe much of it, but whenever I say so, he tells me the story of the beginning of a war, which will drastically change the way people live.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How many books are there?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Not that many.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Not that many? This must be the richest library of the world.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Umm. Nope. Not the richest. Thee are just the hard copies, of every nation, that existed, in the last 5000 years.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes, it''s not even ours. My people''s knowledge, is far greater, than this.¡±


    Selene: ¡°What is this?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Our library. Each story, is condensed in such a way, that all of my people''s history, is now stored in here. But don''t worry. This is just a copy, and without the proper equipment, it can''t be read.¡±


    Selene: ¡°I don''t understand. Why are you giving it to me?¡±


    Attar: ¡°There is one last story, I have yet to tell you. Please understand.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Selene, what are you doing?¡±


    Selene: ¡°I''ve taught about it. And you are right. Circumstances being what they are, it would be better for me, to be with someone else.¡±


    Attar: ¡°I am glad you understand.¡±


    Selene: ¡°But, I also know, that not being with you tonight, would be the biggest regret of my life.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Selene...¡±


    Selene: ¡°You once said, that I should give my first time, to the one I love.¡±


    Attar: ¡°...¡±


    Selene: ¡°That person is you!¡±


    I love you too¡± slipped out of his lips. Next thing he knew, they were already locked, into a passionate embrace.

 ch.9 Goodbyes

    They both knew, that this was going to be their only night together, so neither one of them, wanted to waste any second of it.


    Just as they were kissing, she wrapped her hands around his neck, as he wrapped his, around her waist. Holding on to her, he lay on the bed, pulling her with him. (18+*)


    Attar: ¡°Tell me to stop!¡±


    Selene: ¡°No.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Last chance. If we don''t stop now, I will make you mine!¡±


    Selene: ¡°Do it. Make me yours.¡±


    Her hot breath, mixed in with his. (18+*)


    Attar: ¡°...fect fit...¡± -he mumbled.


    Selene: ¡°What?¡±(18+*)


    Come midday, they awoke. Laying in bed, holding on to each other, neither wanting to let go. They didn''t even remember when, they had fallen asleep. Dreading their inevitable separation, both were pretending to still be asleep.


    Attar was the first to arise.


    The next few hours, were spent in silence. Neither, wanted to speak, because they both knew, that if they did, they would never separate. But she had to go. Balaur had warned Attar, that after their reunion, Selene had to go her own way, or events would unfold in such a way, that would lead to her death. But Attar couldn''t very well tell her that. As, it too, was a warning. The most he could share with her, was Zeus''s curse, and nothing more.


    After a quick bath and breakfast, they set out for Petra, using the underground tunnels. After a full day of traveling, they arrived before a cast iron metal door. This time, there was no magical touch, which would open it. There was only a key & lock. Dreading the separation, Selene stay silent, even when the iron door, actually led, to her inn''s basement. Due to their late departure, they had arrived at midnight. As such, when they entered the dinning hall, only the drunkard from the other day, was there. Trying to sneak past him, their footsteps remained as quiet as a mouse. Just as they were about to set foot on the first steps of the staircase, a voice came from behind them, as a sharp blade appeared at Attar''s throat: ¡°Surrender! Or die!¡±


    Attar: ¡°Never!¡±


    Selene watched, as the drunkard and her lover, exchanged blow for blow, kick for kick. No matter which fighting style, one of them chose, the other matched it perfectly.


    Selene: ¡°Both of you, stop! This is my home, don''t make a ruckus! The others are still sleeping!¡±


    Her words, landed on deaf ears.


    Drunkard: ¡°Ha! You''ve gotten sloppy, young one!¡±


    Attar: ¡°Not as sloppy as you, old man!¡±


    A little surprised of their words, Selene hurried to the fire place, lit a small oil lamp, and focused the light on their faces. They could clearly see each other, yet neither stopped. After a few more minutes of them fighting, she noticed, that they were actually having fun. A little disappointed at their childish behavior, she stood up, went to the water well, and filled a bucket of water. When she went back inside, they were still at it.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Selene: ¡°SIGH!¡±


    The two, suddenly found themselves, drenched. Even still, they continued.


    Selene: ¡°Attar! Enough already!¡±


    Calling out his name, didn''t surprise him, but it surprised the drunkard. Attar then landed a final punch. Laying on the floor, the drunkard spoke, with a calm clear voice:


    Drunkard: ¡°You told her your name?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes.¡±


    Drunkard: ¡°What else?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Almost everything.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How do, the two of you, know each other?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Little princess, allow me to introduce, the Supreme General of Mars, and also my father, General Yang.¡±


    A little flushed, Selene took a deep bow.


    Selene: ¡°Sir! It''s a pleasure to meet you.¡±


    Attar also blushed, waiting for his father''s response. Looking at them, Yang understood immediately, what had happen between the two. He knew his son wouldn''t have done what he did, if he didn''t have feelings for the young woman. Ah, love! Yang too knows that feeling. Even though he hasn''t seen his wife for two centuries, the bond Yin and Yang shared, was unbreakable, even after their thousands of years together. After all, it was their love, that had brought peace, to the solar system.


    It wasn''t fair for Attar. Yang too, knew what was about to happen. Even his eldest son, Orion, has had a few years, to spend with his beloved. Attar only had a few days.


    All the ruckus downstairs, had awoken everyone upstairs. Multiple, hurried footsteps, came rushing down the stairs. Her mothers, brothers, and a few new faces, showed up behind the corner. A set of 3 young girls, around 10-12 years old, with similar facial features, but different hair colors, were holding, each of Selene''s brother''s hand. Beside them, a young man in his 20a, with blue-red hair, only glanced, then nodded at Attar.


    Attar: ¡°What are you all doing here? Pandora, shouldn''t you be with mother?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°Uncle, don''t worry! I''m heading there in the morning. Grandmother will be all right. I brought my aunties here. They will have a lot of work to do, in the coming months.¡±


    Yang: ¡°And I''ll be going with him. Besides son, don''t underestimate your mother. Don''t forget, I taught her everything I know about martial arts, long before your brother was even born. She can take care of herself.¡±


    Attar: ¡°So what exactly, are my aunties, supposed to help me with?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°All in due time¡±-he turned towards Selene''s brothers, and said: ¡°It''s time for you to go.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Go? Go where?¡±


    Cesar: ¡°Away from the city. When you were kidnapped, your brothers and I almost set out of Petra immediately, only to have to turn back, and hide from the Roman legion, stationed in the city.¡±


    Selene: ¡°How come there are no Romans in the inn?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°Actually there are. But seeing, as how, this is the richest inn, in Petra, only the commanding officer, and his close aids, can take lodgings here.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Then how will we escape the city?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°Don''t worry. My legion, only consists of my father''s men. We''re here, so that other legions, aren''t.¡±


    Selene: ¡°So why leave now?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°You know of my power, by now?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Yes. O! I understand.¡±


    She turned around to face Attar. He only looked at her, with sad, but understanding eyes.


    Attar: ¡°Go.¡±


    As he spoke, his fists clenched. He just watched, as his beloved, turned around, and in the middle of the night, left the city with her brothers.


    Attar: ¡°Balaur! Tell me again, what is to become of her?¡±


    Balaur: ¡°For now, everything is, as it should be.¡±


    Attar: ¡°That doesn''t answer my question!¡±


    Balaur: ¡°There is always a variable. Nothing is set in stone, as things could change. I''ve told you this before. Haven''t I, uncle?¡±


    Attar: ¡°So, I should still worry, then!¡±


    Balaur: ¡°She has her ring, doesn''t she?¡±


    Attar: ¡°They all do.¡±


    Balaur: ¡°All I can say is, keep an eye on them, through the rings! That should keep your mind at ease. And now, I bid you all, good night!¡±


    The rest: ¡°Good night!¡±

 ch.10 Interlude to Tragedy

    Bal: ¡°Hi grandma!¡±


    Yin: ¡°Bal, my boy! How are you? Is everything...?¡±


    Bal: ¡°All is well. Don''t worry. Things are progressing as they should.¡±


    Yin: ¡°I see. That''s good then. Now! You!¡±


    Yang: ¡°Gulp! Yes?¡±


    Yin: ¡°Where have you been all this time?¡±


    Yang: ¡°Honey!¡±


    Yin: ¡°Don''t you ¡°honey¡± me! Get inside. Now!¡±


    Yang: ¡°Grandson! Help!¡±


    Bal: ¡°Sorry grandpa! You brought this on yourself. I''ll be back in a week. Have fun you two!¡±


    Yin: ¡°Fun? As if! You are in trouble, husband.¡±


    goodbye¡±. She wanted to stay with him, even if it meant, living the rest of her life in a cave, never having children of her own. Before she could say out loud her decision to stay, with him, Attar, simply said: ¡°Go!¡±. Her heart breaking to pieces, she turned around & ran, before her tears came out.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Selene: ¡°Brothers, what''s going on?¡±


    Cesar: ¡°Don''t you remember what Balaur said?¡±


    Selene: ¡°But why bow?¡±


    Cesar: ¡°No idea. Just go with it?¡±


    Phil: ¡°Where to now?¡±


    Alex: ¡°East. From what Pandora told me about China, we should be safe there.¡±


    Cesar: ¡°On foot, on horses, and avoiding other legions, about six months, at best.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Then what?¡±


    Alex: ¡°We''ll see. Let''s just get there.¡±


    Selene: ¡°So guys. The girls? I saw you holding their hands, what was that about?¡±


    Phil: ¡°They were so cute. Just 13, and as soon as they saw, each chose one of us, and very cutely proclaimed: ¡°You''ll be my husband!¡± So cute! So young, and already making plans.¡±


    Phil, Alex, Cesar: ¡°Ha! Ha! Ha!¡±


    Selene: ¡°They''re not 13. The 3, are older than Attar himself. And he was our teacher, Setna.¡±


    Cesar: ¡°Wait! Setna! Our teacher Setna?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Brother! You don''t know?¡±


    Cesar: ¡°Know what?¡±


    Selene: ¡°Let me tell you a very long story...¡±


    Alex: ¡°Um! Sister!¡±


    Selene: ¡°A! What is it Alex?¡±


    Phil: ¡°We''re surrounded!¡±


    Thug leader: ¡°Hand over the magic items you carry, and we''ll let you pass.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Will you really let us go? Speak truthfully! Speak clearly!¡±


    Thug leader: ¡°No, we won''t. After taking your possessions, we will rape you, then sell all of you into slavery. If the men try to resist, we will kill them, and leave their bodies to rot at the side of the road.¡±


    Selene: ¡°Phil, you ok little brother?¡±


    Phil: ¡°Sister?¡± -tears formed from his eyes, as he realized, that Selene had tried to stop the arrow, by blocking it with her body. It had gone straight through her, and into him.


    Leader: ¡°Too bad. O well. Take their stuff, and let''s bury our companions.¡±


    a Thug: ¡°Boss. Aside from their rings and weapons, they don''t seem to carry anything of value. Such a shame.¡±


    Leader: ¡°Hm! Leave them rotting.¡±


    a Thug: ¡°Even the one with the arrows in his limbs? He''s still alive.¡±


    Leader: ¡°Let him suffer from his wounds. Payback for our people''s lives. Besides, no one ever comes on this back road.¡±

 ch.11.1 Denial

    Pandora: ¡°Attar? What''s wrong? Are you sick?¡±


    Attar: ¡°They''re gone...¡±


    Pandora: ¡°Are you sure? Maybe they just removed their rings.¡±


    Attar: ¡°See the history logs yourself.¡±


    Artemis: ¡°What''s going on?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°See for yourself...¡±


    Artemis: ¡°Is it confirmed? Any eyewitnesses?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Eyewitnesses? No, but...¡±This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Artemis: ¡°But nothing.¡±


    Attar: ¡°According to the logs, all 4 had irregular heartbeats, indicative of a serious injury, before the signals went dark.¡±


    Artemis: ¡°I refuse to believe, that my little girl, would just die like that. That they all would. I taught them better than that. Now, get off your butts, and go see for yourself.¡±


    Attar: ¡°You are right. Anything could have happened. I don''t know why, I jumped to conclusions!¡±


    Pandora: ¡°Because you are in love.¡±


    Attar: ¡°I''m what?¡±


    Artemis: ¡°You are in love, boy.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Love? Huh! Anyway. Pandora! What''s the status of your mission?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°The spies have been taken care of. As of now, there are only 2 more groups of enemies left, as their location is yet unknown. Our best estimate, is that at least one, is headed East.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Then there is no time to waste. Come morning, I''m headed to the 4s last known location. In the mean time, Artemis, you and Diana are to locate the second group, and eliminate.¡±


    Artemis: ¡°That''s the spirit, boy. And don''t worry. I''ve already send word to Castor & Pollux. They will help locate the four.¡±


    Attar: ¡°What have those two gorillas been up to these days, anyway?¡±


    Artemis: ¡°Oh, nothing much. They just hold the biggest chain of the fabric trade.¡±


    Lilith: ¡°We are coming with you, Attar.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Why?...Wait!...The brothers?¡±


    Eve: ¡°Yes. They are our men.¡±


    Pandora: ¡°We knew it immediately.¡±


    Attar: ¡°You 3 have always been more sensitive.¡±


    Artemis: ¡°How long do you need to get there?¡±


    Lilith: ¡°With the fastest horses, about 2 weeks.¡±


    Pandora: ¡°I just wish, the underground roads were still functional.¡±


    Lilith: ¡°Yeah, with them, it would take 1 week.¡±


    Attar: ¡°OK ladies. Prepare for departure. It is time, we found out, our beloveds whereabouts.¡±

 ch.11.2 Bargaining

    Voice: ¡°Attar... My weapon...¡±


    Attar: ¡°Wait!¡±


    Merchant: ¡°What is it friend?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Wait!... Do... Do you have any unique weapons for sale?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Why do you ask? Friend.¡±


    Attar: ¡°My wife! She is a collector. So, do you?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°As a matter of fact, I do. But, I am not sure whether I should sell them.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Money is not a problem.¡±


    Merchant: ¡°It''s not about the money. It''s about the curse placed on them!¡±


    Attar: ¡°What curse?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°OK, friend! I''ll tell ya. Now, these here swords, were given to me, by the local Thugs. It''s strange. They didn''t sell them to me, or force me to buy them. The Thugs just gave them to me.¡±


    Attar: ¡°They are not here. Thankfully.¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Ah, friend. I haven''t shown them to you yet! You have a keen eye! Now, prepare for the sight, of the most unique swords, you have ever seen. Made out, of the mystical Atlantian ore, known as Orichalcum.¡± -he opened a chest, containing 4 beautiful, uniquely designed swords, each, of a different length.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Merchant: ¡°Friend! Are you sick? Is it contagious?¡±


    Lily: No. He has been puking daily, for the past week. Yet, we 3 have been traveling with him, yet none of us, had an upset stomach.¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Then what is wrong with him?¡±


    Eve: ¡°Nerves. We are worried about friends of ours. And those 4 swords, are exactly the same, as the ones they had with them, the last time we saw them. So, how much do you want for them?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°10 gold pieces, for each sword!¡±


    Pandora: ¡°1 gold piece, each. You said it yourself. The Thugs, gave them to you!¡±


    Merchant: ¡°9¡±


    Pandora: ¡°2¡±


    Merchant: ¡°7¡±


    Pandora: ¡°3¡±


    Merchant: ¡°5, and I''ll add the location of the graveside.¡±


    graveside¡±.


    Pandora: ¡°What graveside?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Do we have a deal?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Yes! Now speak!¡±


    Merchant: ¡°As the Thugs tell it, their 100 men group, ran into a 40 people, small army. They fought hard, and lost half of their men, before defeating the 40. Then, out of the whole group, only these 4 swords were worth something.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Earlier, you said something about a curse!¡±


    Merchant: ¡°After burrying their own, the Thugs left the others, to rot on the battlefield. But 2 days later, the remaining Thugs, began appearing dead, all over the city. Fearing the ghosts were hunting them, the remaining Thugs, returned to the battlefield, burned the bodies, and erected 4 stone graves, symbolizing 10 enemy soldiers. At least, that''s the story the Thugs tell.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Did it work?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°I don''t know. The evening before I left, the Thugs were telling the story, and they wanted to get rid of the swords.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Where are the graves?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Follow this road, by the end of the night, just before sunset, look to your left. The Thugs erected 4 tall pillars in order to appease the souls of the dead.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Thank you, Friend! Goodbye!¡±


    Merchant: ¡°You are Attar, aren''t you?¡±


    Attar: ¡°How do you know that name?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°I remember you from the arena, several thousand years ago.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Who do you follow?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°No one. I am, and always have been a merchant.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Do you want something from me?¡±


    Merchant: ¡°Relax friend. It''s just good to see someone of my own kind. That''s all. Goodbye!¡±


    Attar: ¡°OK, then. Goodbye.¡±

 ch.12.1 Anger

    Lily: ¡°I still don''t get it?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°Why would Balaur say, that this outcome, is the lesser of two evils?¡±


    Eve: ¡°Maybe, because their time together was short, and they knew it, so they spent it, as best as they could. So that there would be no regrets left, between them.¡±


    Pandora: ¡°But then, why did this tragedy happen? Couldn''t he have foreseen it?¡±


    Lily: ¡°He said it himself. Sometimes there are unknown factors, even beyond his control.¡±


    Eve: ¡°So what do we do now? Avenge them?¡±


    Pandora,Lily: ¡°Yes!¡±


    I need you 3, to go with him, help him, and make sure, he doesn''t hurt innocent people.¡± He took a few steps in the direction of the city, turned around, and said to the three:


    Attar: ¡°Are you coming?¡±


    Let''s GO!¡±. Attar faced forward, drew out his electrical sword, and without saying anything, set out towards the city.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Attar: ¡°Halt! Ladies, what can you tell me about it?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°The bodies are still warm. Dead, for no more, than an hour.¡±


    Eve: ¡°Bruises on the wrists and ankles, they were bound, for a few hours, before death.¡±


    Lilith: ¡°Shallow cuts on all limbs, broken fingers and pulled out nails. Signs of torture.¡±


    Attar: ¡°All and all, cause of death is severe blood loss, caused by those wounds.¡±


    Pandora: ¡°Judging by the condition of the bodies, and how they were tossed here, this was revenge, and a message to someone.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Haah! Put the weapons away, ladies. We need more information first.¡±


    Lilith: ¡°Finally, your breathing is back to normal, and your eyes are white again.¡±


    Attar: ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Eve: ¡°Your sclera were red this morning.¡±


    Pandora: ¡°Are you not angry anymore?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°OK! OK! Stupid question. Anyway, we better find a place to stay. Looks like, we will be here for a while. Do we have people in this remote city?¡±


    Attar: ¡°Actually, last I heard, Castor & Pollux''s chain of fabric manufacturing business, has a branch here as well.¡±


    Lily: ¡°That''s perfect. And tonight, me and Eve, will head to the local tavern, for more information, on the local Thug gangs.¡±


    Attar: ¡°What was that, that you showed him?¡±


    Pandora: ¡°As merchants, Castor & Pollux, have many friends. It is simply more convenient for everyone, to stay here, than anywhere else in this city. I merely asked for 2 rooms.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Excuse me, sir! Where is the local tavern?¡±


    Eve: ¡°Ahem! Attar. You were speaking Egyptian, just now. Remember? Locals can''t understand you, unless you speak their tongue.¡±


    Attar: ¡°Haa! I miss the old days.¡±


    Lily: ¡°So do we. Now, unless it''s our own people, we have to learn every dialect, of every language, in every century. It''s annoying. And tedious.¡±


    Eve: ¡°I agree!¡±


    Attar: ¡°So do I!¡±