Lucian woke to the sounds of shouting and metal clashing against metal. “To arms” someone shouted “we are under attack! Protect The Empress!” Lucian leapt out of bed and ran out of the door into the night. “You’re gonna need this. Lover” shouted Sonja throwing something at Lucian. Lucian caught the sheathed sword and looked at it in amazement. “What am I supposed to do with this?” “It’s like riding a bike lover, it’ll come back to you real quick.” She yelled as she engaged two men with wicked looking scimitars. “Watch your back Lucian!” Two men came out of nowhere and their intent was pretty clear. Lucian pulled the sword from the scabbard and parried a slash to his head. He countered with a thrust to his attacker’s abdomen quickly pulling his sword out he swung at the other attacker and sliced through his arm at the elbow. A pack of wolves came around the corner toward him. Lucian raised his sword to defend himself. “No!” Exclaimed Sonja “That’s Magda’s personal guard. We need to get into her chambers now.” They ran into the building on the heels of the wolf guard. There were bodies sprawled by the entrance to the contessa’s chambers. They entered the chamber to the sight of six scantily clad men and women facing the Contessa’s bed. Leaning over the bed was a richly dressed woman with long black hair. She held a dagger in one hand. Contessa Magdalena Rosario held the woman’s wrist with one hand while gripping her throat with the other. “So Lucrezia,” the countess hissed, “you have come to finish what you started. I thought I detected your machinations in this.” “How?” gasped Lucrezia “You should have been dead long before now.” The wolf guard stepped forward and disarmed Lucrezia. One of the men raised a hand, now transformed in to a set of wolf claws and prepared to strike. “Hold!” commanded Magdalena “We need to question her. Take her to the cells.” “As you command majesty.” Said Lupus. As the guard left the room, the chancellor entered the room. With a nod to Lucian and Sonja he made his way to Magdalena’s side. “Countess, it is good to have you back.” Said the chancellor “Not for lack of trying on Lucrezia’s part, Emrys.” Said Magdalena “Lucian have you been brought up to speed my love?” “Not sure what speed you are referring to Countess.” Said Lucian “I don’t even know who the players are anymore. Everyone keeps getting new names and bodies. It’s like a Homerian epic around here anymore. How is it that you are moving around again, you were doing a good impression of a mannequin when last I saw you?” “Fortunately,” she said “our enemies mistake the recuperative abilities of those of members of the clan of the wolf. Apart from being a spirit walker, I am a lycanthrope, Therefore I heal at a vastly accelerated rate.” “Are you telling me you can’t be killed?” Lucian asked in awe. “None of us can be killed.” She replied “At least not in the permanent sense that you think of as death. We can be removed from this plane and be reborn elsewhere in the Multiverse. But eventually we return here to the Nexus. We have survived at least a hundred of these transitions in our lifetimes.” “The Nexus,” Emrys said “was created as a result of the greatest cataclysm of the Hyborean Age. The so called destruction of Atlantis. Atlantis was not destroyed, but slipped into this corner of the Multiverse. Much like the Homerian epic you referred to” “This is all too incredible to believe.” Said Lucian. “How do you explain your prowess with the sword? Have you had fencing lessons?” “No, I have never held a sword in my life. Don’t you people have guns for defense here?” “Firearms do not work in the Nexus. Most of the advances of science do not function here. Having used both science and magic, I can say I prefer it this way.” “Majesties!” Lupus exclaimed as he reentered the chamber “The Borgia witch is safely locked away in the cells.” Thank you Lupus,” said Magdalena “is the compound secure?” “It is Highness, the guards are clearing the bodies as we speak. “I fear the Dark Empress has begun her offensive against us.” Said Magdalena. “Sonja, call a meeting of the council for tomorrow morning, we must provide the Emperor with the information he needs to rule effectively.” He woke to a blood red sky. Is it today? Is the day of prophecy upon us? Nay, it is but another minor eruption of the volcano. Emrys looked out of his window and observed the normal flow of traffic in the streets. He thought that the normal foot traffic supported his thoughts that it was a more or less normal day. He sighed in relief and turned back into his chamber and poured water from the pitcher on the table into the waiting basin and began his morning ablutions. Perhaps he would put off his studies with Apollo until later in the day. Maybe he would stop and visit Lucian and Magda before he went to resume his studies. “Emrys!” called a strident female voice. “Good morrow to you Sonja” replied Emrys as Magda appeared at his doorway. “To what do I owe this early morning visit?” “I am experiencing premonitions of doom this morning. Do you sense something amiss?” “Well, I must admit I felt some misgivings when I awakened but…..” His words were cut short as the floor began to vibrate beneath their feet. ________________________________________ Emrys entered the council chamber and stood to the left of his Emperor and Empress. The council of twelve stood around the table. To the right of Magda stood Lupus, head of the Imperial guard. To his right stood the warrior maiden Sonja. “You may be seated.” Said Magda. Everyone took their designated seats. “Kherion, how do you propose restoring The Emperor’s memory in as little time as possible.” Asked Magda. Kherion, the Imperial Sage cleared his throat before replying “Since we are in dire need of restoring the Emperors memory, I can only suggest that Emrys cast a spell of remembrance on him.” “It can be done,” nodded Emrys “but it will require one possibly two days to restore all of his memories.” “Perhaps you only need to restore key memories.” Stated Sonja “After all, he recovered his prowess with a sword when it was needed.” “Hmmmm,” said Emrys “That may indeed be the key to a swift return of his memory, but it will not guarantee is total recall.” “Let it be done.” Commanded Magda. “Hold on there.” Said Lucian, “Don’t I get a say in this procedure? I don’t really know any of you people.” “I am hurt by your mistrust, lover” said Sonja with a wicked grin, “I thought I showed you all you needed to trust me the other night. I know I left nothing to your imagination.” Lucian glanced at Magda and blushed. “More the reason for restoring your memories,” Magda smiled “Sonja and I are not the only wives you have had in the last ten millennia my love.” “Ten what?” gasped Lucian “I guess I have a lot of catching up to do.” He turned to Emrys “I know I have heard your name before, how well should I know you?” “We have known each other since before The Sundering Sire.” Replied Emrys. “Are we in agreement then?” asked Magda. All around the table the council nodded their agreement. “Sire,” said Emrys “I will meet you in your chambers when I have prepared my potions.” As one the council rose from their seats and bowed to Lucian as he left the room with The Empress and the Warrior Maiden. A few minutes later Emrys entered the bedchamber where Lucian sat of his bed. He handed a vial to Lucian and instructed him to drink it all. As Lucian downed the fluid in the vial, Emrys began to chant arcane phrases. Suddenly, Lucian felt as though he was floating off the bed as the spell took effect. (To be continued Georgetown GA Dec 26, 2013)Updated Oct 17, 2020, 6:50 PMDec 26, 2013, 10:28 PM
Nexus: The return chapter 2 part 2