A chill raced through Euroaquilo’s shoulders and down his back as he watched a blazing sun rise above the frozen desert plain. In a few hours, the heat of the day would boil away little ice droplets formed during the night, a cloudless sky cooking all naked flesh exposed to its anger. This planet’s harshness limited its variety of life, small lichens, bugs, snakes, lizards, insects, and a few thick-skinned, hairy animals all that managed to survive here.
A little tarantula-like spider scurried over Euroaquilo’s foot, disappearing under a small stone. The man watched until it buried itself deep, shooting small jets of sand into the air as it searched to find some of the previous day’s remaining warmth. The man smiled wistfully, revealing his private concerns. “Go hide, little fella. If I could, I would do the same.” At that moment, Euroaquilo heard the fall of familiar footsteps behind him. He raised his field glasses one more time to scan the horizon then turned to see who approached. “Hello, Captain Asarel.”
“Euroaquilo! I was told that you were wandering hereabouts.” The captain extended a hand, smiling, lifting his other hand, shading his eyes as he studied the eastern lands toward the rising sand dunes. “What a dismal world we choose to make peace in. Far better for war, don’t you think?”
Euroaquilo reached out and firmly grasped Asarel’s hand, answering with another question. “My brother, war or peace, does it really matter? Hasn’t it always been either a warring peace, or a peaceful war which we’ve contended with our mischievous brother? Now, please, tell my why you’ve tramped across these evil wastelands to find me. I hope your searching has been to deliver good news. It would be a shame to spoil my pleasant mood so early in the day.”
Asarel released his grip, jovially responding, “If it was bad news, I would have sent my first officer. No need me facing your anger this early in the day.” Throwing his weight to one side, placing his right hand on his hip, he looked into the sky. “Mother says the weather should be pleasantly mild today.” He looked at Euroaquilo. “You know, when she predicts the weather, she’s usually right.” Turning, watching a bright orange ball slowing ascending in the turquoise-colored sky, Captain Asarel’s long officer’s cloak fell away from his side, revealing plated armor and a long, sheathed derker sword.
Euroaquilo smiled grimly. “You look quite the prince of armies - a handsome prince, no less - but I supposed you to be a sailor of ships. Why the armor?”
Asarel grinned. “Well, Admiral, you look quite the soldier, yourself, what with your helm and side weapons. More of a general here I see, not some commander of ships.”
Turning to face the sun, Euroaquilo sucked in the warming air before replying. “You miss it, don’t you? I mean the whole army thing. I do…the banners, troops of mounted cavalry, endless rank and file of soldiers marching off in battle formation, the horns, fifes and drums, the grand pageantry.”
He faced Asarel, studying him. The captain was tall and muscular, broad-shouldered. His black, curling locks and glistening, dark, swarthy skin made him look the part of a battlefield gladiator, not some gentleman captain walking the bridge of a front-line battle cruiser.
Asarel bowed his head, slowly nodding. “Yes, I do miss it, at least the pageantry part…not the fighting and killing. Still, when you and I drew our swords together on the battle plain, it felt different. Even amongst all the carnage and turmoil, there remained some sense of freedom. The open sky, wandering fields and distant hills gave you height and space the likes of which I’ve never found inside the confines of a tin can that might cast you to the eternal cold of space at the least expected moment.” He shrugged. “But someone’s got to fly them. Might as well be us.”
He looked up into Euroaquilo’s face. “That’s not the reason for my marshaling appearance this morning, my friend. I’ve smelled something that makes me feel uneasy this day, went to Mother regarding it. She said to keep my wits about me and a keen eye. That’s why I came to talk with you. I don’t feel safe here. A foul smell fills my nostrils and it worries me.”
Euroaquilo looked up, studying the eastern sky. After a quiet moment, he replied, “I hoped it was just me. Something’s queer here, and I can’t put a finger on it. It’s like a shadow has followed us from Palace City to this place - a shadow filled with malice - whether for good or ill, I cannot tell. It is wise you have listened to Mother and prepared yourself. I wish our new sister-king had done as much.”
Asarel stepped up beside Euroaquilo, his fisted hands resting on his hips. “Brother, long have I stopped fearing death. Indeed, at times I am overwhelmed with guilt for having outlived so many of my companions. What I fear is our failure to win this contest. Today… today will we really win, or will it end as it has so many other times before? Oh yes, we’ll bring our lost kindred home, but at what cost...another star system, priceless trade goods, our respectability, our honor… if we have any remaining?”
Folding his arms across his chest as he continued to stare off toward the distant horizon, Euroaquilo quietly answered, “We will not fail. Not this day. Mother has not journeyed here with us to watch us fail. We may all be destroyed, falling by the axe, spear or arrow, but we will not fail.”
He turned to meet Asarel’s watchful gaze. “This is a new day in our history. The demons of Asotos’ own witchery now ride with us. They have a debt to collect on. No! Today Asotos has a bill to pay! It may cost us all whatever we still have left to lose, but it will be collected. I guarantee you. The children from the Lost Abyss will make sure of it. That Trisha person has changed the game plan. She and the others with her - like Garlock and Copeland - they don’t play by our rules, walking in the shadows of the moon, choosing their moment, striking at their pleasure. Yes, sir, they are the true shadow walkers, being oh, so dangerous when the waning moon fails to give its light. They have come from the grave not to deliver our world, but to destroy it. This I believe they will do. So it is.” He smiled grimly. “I think Mother has accompanied us here, not to protect us as much as to check the hands of those children from the Lost Abyss, to slow down their destructive desires, I mean - you know, to keep things moving on her time schedule.”
Asarel slowly shook his head, puzzling. “I accept what you say as truthful and accurate, but for myself have little knowledge of these strange creatures. I rode to war beside the Lady when Aphrodite and her Dragon children raised swords against Legion and his holy knights, but that was many ages ago and in a world very different from this. Few are those holy Dragons that have been delivered here. Most are just common folk who were of low station and little importance in their old realms. I know not what power or determination of will they possess in this world. The few who have arrived here I have met only from a distance, except for Commodore CythereaNoah’ha, but she acts more like our kindred than her own. This new field marshal, TrishaQaShaibJal, and your Garlocks, and the like…they are a complete mystery to me. Mother chose to bring them here, but as of yet, I’ve not seen the reason.”
Euroaquilo glanced around wearily, replying quietly, “I can tell you this that I do know: The reason, I think, will come soon enough, possibly as early as this prisoner exchange. I was at the last council meeting, indeed, sitting at one of the very council tables. That woman, Trisha, silently stared into each of our minds, searching us the way Mother will sometimes do when the mood is on her. I felt the woman’s power boring deep into my soul, stripping my heart naked before her. That woman unleashed a storm upon us that few have fully recovered from yet, and I suppose may not recover from. Today… today she will reveal her powers again, or at least I believe she will. Those powers may well rival Gabrielle’s, but I doubt the woman has learned them to the full. What Mother will allow her little darling to do is still to be seen. But I think Asotos will be surprised, to say the least.”
Asarel’s eyes danced in wonder as he thanked Euroaquilo for this hidden information, then apologized. “Great would be the privilege to spend an hour, a day, l
istening to your revelations and insights, but I would be remiss in my duties should I allow that. Mother sent me in search of you, wishing your company at breakfast. I arrived early so that we could speak concerning matters close to my heart. Now, though, the time is past for continued discussion. I sensed a need on Mother’s part, much like a child when it has a secret so much to be shared. I hope you’re not upset with my dallying in telling you.”
Euroaquilo grinned. “I wish all my officers’ reports were so troublesome. No, I also needed this time to clear my mind. It may well be a long and difficult day. This has prepared us both for what may arrive upon us. Are you coming, too, for breakfast, I mean?”
“I will walk back part of the way with you.” Asarel answered. “That is, if you would like my company. I’ve already breakfasted, and I must stop by the ship to check out some of the special equipment requested of me by Zadar, our new field marshal’s adjunct. If there’s time, I may come along to see what the fuss is all about.”
Euroaquilo merrily nodded and then, with Asarel at his side, headed back for camp, the two men chatting about their army days and all the good times they shared back then.