Guardians of Rhea (14 page)

Marduk backed away. “Yes, of course.”

“In time, my friend. All in due time,” Nibiru
said, his laughter echoing through the building.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Beyond the Promethean capital was a small
shack in the middle of a sparse forest.

“Vesuvian outpost?” Sara asked.

“Yes,” Leon answered. “But no Vesuvians.”

They cautiously approached the outpost.

“Doors open,” Sara noticed.

Leon entered the shack with Sara close
behind. “No sign of a struggle,” he said.

“You think they could be hiding?”

“No, I would've found them by now. They may
have ran off for blood, but that's unlikely,” Leon said, looking
around. “We'll rest up here for a few hours.”

“Thank goodness,” Sara said, taking her gear
off and stretching out on a bed. “Leon, I didn't see any humans in
the Netherworld, and I don't suppose I would, but...do you know
what happens to us?”

“Sorry,” Leon answered, sitting on a bed
across the room. “I have no idea. Lilith might know, but she'll
never tell. I don't think she can. To be honest, I did ask her once
and all she did was smile.”

Both sat silent for several seconds. Sara
could see that Leon had something to say.

“If you don't...know, what do you believe?”
he finally asked.

Sara answered. “I believe in a higher power
that watches over me, protects me, and when it's my time it's my
time.”

“So you believe in destiny, then?”

“Well, if you put it that way, sure.”

“I find it interesting,” Leon said. “People
like Nedim know what's going to happen, but he still prays.”

Sara sat up. “That is interesting, but
there's nothing wrong with believing in something else.”

Again, silence. And it was during that moment
Sara was hit with a realization. “Leon, where do you go when you
die?”

Slowly shaking his head, Leon answered. “I
don't know.”

“Caycee and Darek, they told me about how you
were...created.” Sara said. “Why don't you ask Lilith?”

“I did. All she did was laugh.”

Several peaceful hours passed. From outside
was a steady howl of wind, the sound of an owl-like creature, and
the light of the moon.

Sara slept soundly, waking only for a drink
of water from her canteen. After rubbing her eyes she looked at
Leon's empty bed. “Leon?” she whispered, with no reply. Seeing the
door was unlocked, she grabbed her equinox and stepped outside.

With her back to the wall, Sara slowly
circled the shack. She'd almost gone all the way around before
spotting a small pile of ash a few feet in front of her being
carried away by the wind.

Kneeling to grab a little bit of ash, Sara
suddenly felt all the hairs on her body stick out. She ran back
inside the shack and quickly gathered her stuff. The moment she
turned to the door, a large Pelasgian Minotaur burst through.

The Minotaur snarled and raised his axe.
Taking a step toward Sara, he suddenly buckled, squealing in pain
with a sword piercing his chest from the back.

Sara had to jump out of the way when the
Minotaur fell forward, and was relieved to see that it was Leon who
slew the Pelasgian. “I thought you were dead!”

“Sorry for the scare,” Leon said. “I heard
some noises and had to make this thing think I left.”

“You used me as bait?” Sara asked.

“I was hoping you'd sleep through it.
Besides, I didn't know how many there were.”

“Oh, that makes it perfectly fine then.” Sara
said sarcastically. “What's this thing doing here anyway?”

“That's a good question, but I can tell you
that if this guy's here – it makes things a lot more
complicated.”

“Can they attack the Netherworld and us at
the same time?”

“I wouldn't doubt it.” Leon shrugged. “Since
you’re up, we should get going. There could be more.”

Outside, Sara made some last minute
adjustments to her equipment. “Okay, ready.”

Leon looked mischievously at Sara. “You know,
New Haven is a day and a half away, but we could get there in just
a few minutes.”

Sara covered her mouth, gagging. “Sorry, I
just vomited in my mouth. Surely you’re not suggesting I drink more
of your blood?”

Leon laughed. “I promise you'll forget the
taste once you feel the energy flowing through your veins.”

Thinking about it, Sara had to agree.
“I...guess I don't remember drinking it last time.”

As Leon had promised, the time it took to
reach New Haven, racing, was a matter of minutes.

Reaching the tree line first, Sara was
jubilant. Leon was only a split second behind.

“You let me win, didn't you?!” Sara asked,
punching his arm.

“Beginner's luck,” Leon answered.

Together they jogged into the grassy clearing
toward New Haven.

With the sun beginning to rise, a soldier
patrolling the wall saw Sara. “Open the gate!” he ordered.

No one had to be asked to get out of the way
as Sara and Leon strolled through the streets to the Citadel. After
a time, the Great Hall was filled with the Guardian's top
brass.

“That's...quite a story.” Henry said, hearing
Sara's explanation of what happened.

“Also,” Sara added. “We ran into one at an
outpost on our way back, here in Rhea. There's a chance we could be
attacked.”

Arthur stood. “It sounds like the important
thing to consider is numbers. We're going to have to send for
massive reinforcements.”

“They should arrive any minute now,” Philip
said. “I sent a courier the night Leon arrived. Gaia is several
days’ travel by boat, and I couldn't risk any treachery.”

“A wise move,” said Leon.

Philip leaned forward. “And like any good
game of chess, our next move must be thought out carefully, but
until then, consider us allies.”

“May I suggest we extend this alliance to
include the rest of Rhea? We’re going to need it.”

“We’ll send emissaries at once.”

Just outside the Citadel, as Arthur escorted
Sara and Leon, they could see dozens of large ships in the distance
unloading hundreds of soldiers and horses. In the sea, and almost
as far as the horizon were perhaps a thousand more ships waiting to
dock.

“Sara!” Richard called, running to catch-up.
“Where are you going?”

“My next assignment,” Sara answered. “It
looks like things are going to get crazy. I'm going to work with
the Vesuvians to see what we can do.”

Richard shook his head smiling. “Never a dull
moment, huh?” he said, offering a handshake.

Sara pushed his had aside and hugged him.

“Take care of yourself, Sara.” Richard
whispered.

Arthur held out an equinox. “Ahem!”

“Oh, sorry!” Sara said, immediately grabbing
the equinox Arthur had given her before and trading it for the one
he was holding. “I completely forgot!”

Arthur nodded toward Sara’s new equinox.

Before even looking, Sara felt the equinox
she held was different, lighter. Looking closer, she realized it
was no ordinary equinox. Only slightly smaller, it was not
elaborately decorated, but it had stylized designs etched on the
hilt representing the different races of Rhea. There was the head
of a wolf for the Fenrir, a cat for the Hegiran, a dragon for the
Khothu, a human-like skull for the Promethean, and a bat for the
Vesuvian.

“It may not be pretty, but you should be able
to kill Pelasgians twice as fast,” Arthur said.

Sara choked up, looking at her former
teacher.

Arthur smiled. “I’m proud of you.”

“Hey!” Juli and Marian shouted, almost
running into Sara. “You're leaving already?” Juli asked.

Breathing heavily, Marian was about to speak
until she saw Leon and screamed.

Sara stuck her hand out. “He's a friend!”

Smiling, Marian scooted behind Juli.

“I'm sorry, I have to go,” Sara said.

“When are you coming back?” Juli asked.

“Soon I hope, but I have to leave now,” Sara
answered, hugging her friends before turning and leaving. “Both of
you take care, okay?”

When Sara and Leon were some distance away,
Marian whispered to Juli. “Did you see that guy?”

“The Vesuvian?” Juli asked.

“He was gorgeous!” Marian cooed.

Sara and Leon were midway to the woods beyond
New Haven.

“Depending on how things go, I might be on
this assignment for a while,” Sara said.

Leon waved his hand as if to present Rhea.
“Yeah, but at least you’ll get to see more of this.”

“Tell me again why we didn’t bring
horses.”

“They don’t seem to like Rheans very much,
especially Vesuvians,” Leon said, cutting his hand. “Besides, we’ve
got a much better way.”

Sara slightly recoiled. “I’m not going to
argue with that, but I still don’t think I’ll ever get use to
this.” She said, holding her hand out for Leon to squeeze a few
drops of blood on.

“That should do it.”

“So what do you think will happen next?” Sara
asked, as they entered the forest.

Leon shook his head. “I honestly don't
know.”

###

~From the author~

I hope you have enjoyed this story, the first
of a three-part series! Please look for the next installment
Shadow Seed
in Q4 2011 – Q1 2012.

Jose Rodriguez Jr.

Discover more at
Rhean
Chronicles