The Gift From Poseidon: When Gods Walked Among Us (Volume 2) (25 page)

There was a day when I fancied him, but the witch would not cooperate.  A weak excuse here, a pathetic reason there – the truth was obvious: Marseea did not have the courage to try.  With all my heart, I do love my Theodoric; alas, this does not convince my insides not to quiver nor prevent a sparkle from twinkling in my eye as I gaze upon what might have been.  In regards to the relationship between Alexander and me, most know less than half the story.  Still, this is more than enough for spry minds to come to the obvious conclusion: ‘It’s complicated’.

– Diedrika, Mermaid Queen

– Mid-Summer, Year 4,253 KT
[25]

The palace inside the Sapien prefecture owned nine floors.  A sprawling structure – aside for during the summer conferences – most of it went unused.  This made it the perfect location inside the shared city to hold meetings between regents.  Mermaids,
of course,
lorded over the largest room in the palace: the ‘Celebration Hall’.  This cavernous space on the sixth level horribly misnamed – there had been little to celebrate for centuries and nothing to speak of the last two decades.  Such was the nature of forthcoming extinction.

And it was in this great room where Queen Diedrika now sat in a makeshift throne, ready to receive Alexander.  She would soon do so, just not yet.

The shocking death of her brother, Eumelus, having thrown Penelope deep into the abyss of mourning, she would not attend.  In Penelope’s place, one of her scribes now shadowed Diedrika.  Opposite from this scribe and on the other side of the throne, Theodoric and Evagoria looked on.  Her daughter soon to be fourteen, it was time for the Gift from Poseidon to learn the ways of a willful queen.

“Regarding the fall harvest,” a messenger began, “the Centaurs have once again asked us to provide them with more food than last year.  The Chiron has said they will pay whatever ––”

“And was some of their freedom part of this payment of
‘whatever’
?” Diedrika interrupted curtly.  She stayed seated, but now leaned forward.

The messenger shook his head weakly.  “No, my queen,” he said even more weakly.  “I do not think so.”

She motioned for him to come close.  He was now less than half a pike length away.

“At least some of their lands then, yes?”

The messenger shook his head.  “No.”

“I thought not.”

Diedrika leaned back again in her throne.  Deep in thought, she held her palms close and a faint glow came about between them, but she bronze-made nothing.

“Year after year, what Centaurs give in return for so much food taken from our seas is near worthless,” she announced in a forceful tone.  “The time has come for them to put more skin in the game.  With Gryphons, we together rule the skies.  Orcas tamed years ago, we rule the seas.  Why should we not rule the land as well?  And everything that crawls and walks it!”

The room turned silent.  Even the echoes had found their way out.  In truth, Diedrika never liked this part of the palace.  Grand artifacts and sculptures strewn throughout nearly every hall and room she had ever set her eyes on, this room barely had any ––

And what was that musty smell?

The messenger retreated a bit.  As to why he was here and Alexander was not, it was tradition for messengers to ‘prepare’ the other regent for what might be discussed.  But Diedrika never played this game.

To give Alexander, Achaemenes – even Marseea – fair warning of what willful words were on their way … what fun was that?

“Would Mermaid driven chariots and Gryphon cavalry be enough to take positions on land?” Theodoric asked slowly.  “I would think a
standing
army would be needed.”

Diedrika smiled at this pun.  She then lifted the flukes on the end of her tail from the floor and looked at them in wonder.  Alas, a Mermaid owned not legs, but a tail.

“Very good, my clever husband, very good.  I have not exactly figured out that part yet.”

The five Mermaids chuckled at this –
even Evagoria did so.  And even better
….

“But a siege,” Evagoria blurted, “requires no standing army.”  Although wisps of worry now sewed themselves into her face, her tone was confident.  “Three layers of granite walls to the west of Lacanesia defended by archer and ballista towers and the other half of the city protected by the Guardian Mountains in the east – a direct assault is near impossible.  And wholly unnecessary.  A combined force of Mermaids and Gryphons could easily hold Centaurs behind their walls or Arachna inside the Agathis for a long time.  With no way for them to challenge our air power – with shielded strikers especially – forever if need be.  But this all just talk, just
hypothetical
, yes, Mother?”

“Of course, darling,” Diedrika answered in her most pleasant voice.  “
Of course
.”  A small smile returned to Evagoria’s face and her worried look faded away.

Evagoria possessed a kind heart for friends, but a ruthless mind for enemies.  And if these friends became enemies, then so be it.  To be a Mermaid meant an unwavering allegiance to the West.  Not even the Gift from Poseidon had a choice in the matter.  As far as Diedrika knew, Evagoria had never harmed even the slimiest of bugs, yet here she had just laid out plans to dominate them all –
brilliant
!  The princess spent more time with Perseos than she did any other and he often bragged that she was already a better tactician than some of his officers.  Yet to do so to this point, it was time for Diedrika to start believing it.

As for a siege, this was an interesting idea, but much too subtle.  And subtle was not this Mermaid queen’s style.

But learned tactics aside, there was
much more
to this than met the eye.  More to the point, the soul.  Even more specifically, the battle for it:

“The conflict that dwells deep inside Evagoria will soon begin,” Cassiopeia told Diedrika a little more than a year ago.  “A mind for war, a heart that craves to offer unlimited mercy – no stalemate, no truce to this conflict possible – one
will
triumph over the other.  A battle for one to determine the outcome of a battle for all on its way … there is nothing we can do to stop it.”

And thank the gods we cannot, Grandmother, for NOTHING will be more glorious!

Diedrika slid off her throne and moved close to the messenger.  “Bring Alexander to me,” she commanded firmly.  The messenger pulled out his walking sticks, turned, and departed to do so.

The Centaur Chiron soon marched through the open Kauri wood doors.  His flowing dark green caparison matched his black tunic and dark grey cloak, but did appear a bit drab.  Alexander’s beard could have used a trim and his long hair was a bit messy, but these just added to his rugged good looks.  Despite Alexander’s wealth and station, no one else could play the part of the humble Centaur better.  Even when in full hobo mode, few Centaurs were as handsome.  A far better dressed Nubian followed just behind his Chiron.

Diedrika wore her crown, a deep purple stola, and silver palla; the front lip of the palla was pinned to the back edge of her crown.  A gold belt tied tight showed off her curvy waist that led to hips that became the top of her tail.  She rarely wore this regal ensemble for others, but always had and always would when in Alexander’s presence.  After he knelt and kissed her hand, she hugged him.  As Theodoric was watching, she did this quickly.

“Good evening, my friend,” Diedrika said kindly.

“A very good evening to you, Great Queen,” he returned.

With a smile, Diedrika looked eagerly at the fine wooden chest the Nubian held.  “You bring a gift I see!”

“It is for Penelope,” Alexander returned quietly.  “I am so sorry for her loss.  Please tell her this when you give it to her.”  The Chiron taking a moment to pause, this brief silence stole away Diedrika’s smile.  “How is she?”

Diedrika stayed motionless for a few moments and simply looked at him.

“Oh yes –
that
,” she said finally.  She then glided about the room with her back to Alexander.  Diedrika turned only at the waist when ready to speak again.  “Just who was it that killed Eumelus?”

“His name is Tonactec,” the Chiron answered with a sigh.  “His actions were wholly accidental, but he still feels horrible about what happened.”

“Tonactec … Tonactec …” Diedrika whispered as she turned around fully to face Alexander.  “This name, this
Tonactec
,” she said in a raised voice, “has indeed reached my ears.  You both share a rare something in common, Alexander, yet are wholly different.  He has done little with his life, you have done much with yours, but both of you have brought forth a grand another.  His son is not a polymath, but a champion archer – the great hunter.”

“Yes.  Orion is his son.  As for what he has done with his life, Tonactec is a friend and has become one of our best mariners.  He … he.…”

Diedrika’s annoyed look at this babbling silenced him.

“Much more because of the son he fathered than his muddled innocence, I will not charge this Olmec with any crime.”

The Chiron let out a grateful sigh.

“But be forewarned, Alexander,” Diedrika continued in a tone turning dark and rightly so.  “If a Mermaid or Gryphon ever finds him on the wrong side of Elkabydos – no matter if on land
or
sea – I cannot guarantee his safety.  In fact, I can only guarantee outright danger.”

“I understand,” he said quietly with a nod.

Diedrika found it curious that the Chiron did not continue to defend someone he referred to as a ‘friend’, but this thought was fleeting.  She had already wasted enough words on this irrelevant Olmec she could not care less for.

“As for Penelope, she will be fine.  Loss happens to us all.  It is simply a matter of timing, luck – sometimes even stupidity.  My family is her family now and always will be.”  She paused and let out a slight smile.  “Perhaps a long, friendly visit from Viracocha will help dry her tears.”

“
Actually
, the gift is from Viracocha.”

Without another word, Diedrika pointed to a finely carved table with a marble top for the Nubian Centaur to set the chest on.  He quickly did so.

“But I do have something for you, Great Queen.”  Alexander turned and motioned for the Mermaid guards to open the doors.  The Nubian passed through them one way and another Centaur approached.  “
These
are for you.”

The Huaxia stopped in between the two leaders and held out a large silver tray covered in, well, Diedrika did not really know.  She cocked her head slightly and pointed warily at the ‘food’ atop the tray.

“Alexander … what is
that
drizzled atop the strawberries and apples?  Dark brown and somewhat syrupy – I certainly hope it is not what ––”

“No, no, no!  Not at all, not at all!” the Chiron told her as he let out a deep laugh.  “Come, Evagoria.  Try some and put your mother’s mind at ease.”

“
Wow
!” Evagoria gasped after taking her first bite.  As did the sea when the rays of the setting sun bounced off its surface, her eyes sparkled.  Evagoria hurriedly grabbed another, an apple this time.  “Mother, you have to try this!  It’s so sweet!”

Only after Diedrika took a piece did Theodoric and the substitute scribe take one as well.

“This
is
exquisite!” Diedrika declared once she had chewed and swallowed a couple of bites.  “It is warm too, but feels different than any food I have ever felt go down my throat.  Tell me, Alexander, what do you call it?”

Alexander’s face began to twist and turn in every direction; his lip curled and his eyes turned glassy.  “Well, um … that’s a good question.”  He turned toward the other Centaur.  “What
do
we call this?”

“We have yet to name it, my Chiron,” the Huaxia answered.  “That it comes from the cacao tree and that this syrup was first created a week ago is all I know.”

“For something that has no name,” Theodoric said, “it certainly is delicious.”

“That it is.”  Diedrika’s smile soon morphed into a firm look and her soft eyes turned more serious.  “Gifts to temper the loss of a loved one and that tantalize our tongues aside, there are serious words that need to be shared.”

“Indeed,” Alexander agreed.  He ordered the Huaxia to set the silver tray next to Penelope’s chest, dismissed him, and then turned to Theodoric: “So, how are the new fishing ships working out?”

Theodoric’s face lit up.  “They are working very well.  Even,” Diedrika shot him a sharp glance, “they are, um, I would say adequate so far,” he finished quietly.

“Good to hear,” the Chiron said through a tight smile.  From this throwaway question asked of Theodoric, Diedrika knew exactly where Alexander’s pleas – disguised as conversation – would head next.

“Our world is changing, Diedrika, and many of these changes are not for the better.  Every harvest from our side of the sea yields less than the year before.  We try to fish for ourselves as best as we can, but as you know, the sea east of Elkabydos is little more than a calm bay.  I wish we did not need to rely on the harvests from the colder, rushing waters north of Atagartis, but we do.  Although we ask for more seafood every year and pay or trade whatever is necessary, you refuse to provide us with the amount we seek.  Atagartis appears to have plenty.  Why do you not send us the amount of seafood we desire?”

Unknown to the Centaurs, there was more than enough seafood for
every
nation.  They simply needed to yield their lands – and in due course their freedom – to obtain it.  Diedrika now moved close to Alexander.

“Terra Australis had been remarkably stable since the beginning of the Knowing Time, my friend.  True, the springs and falls are windier and rain and flooding often turns fickle.  I will also agree that winters are a bit colder than in the past.  All but the most stupid see these subtle changes, but we are far from the crisis you have more than once suggested we are about to stumble upon.  Come now, the summers have not changed
that
much.  You have fields with no end and four mighty legs.  How can it be Mermaids have neither, yet manage not to go hungry?  Plant and harvest your crops, Chiron!”