Atlantis Chronicles: Prince of The Olympics

June 13

Michael got up refreshed. Above the morning fog, the sky was just getting rosy. Another wonderful start to another interesting day. He dressed, putting on the slippers Guy had given him, then started down the living stairwell. He walked into the great room through the mist, but stopped short. Guy, ’er, Mann’n was there. As were Rann’n and Cad’l. So were four others, two men and two women, each dressed in identical moss robes. Rann’n glided over.

“Good morning Michael. I hope that you slept well. Yai-Yama’l is here. We are not yet ready to receive you. Would you return to your room and resume your training? Once you start your meditation, turn your eye inward. Look to your elbow. Talk with it. Discover its secrets, its pains. I will be up when our business is done here.”

“How did you know my elbow hurt, and who is Yai-Yama’l?” Michael whispered.

“Yai-Yama’l is our king- our Yai,” he whispered back while shaking his head. “As for the elbow, it has been trying to tell you something. That is what pain is about. We may be most of the morning. Remember, Furin Seron.”

Michael returned to his room and immediately tried touching the other living things in his room with his thoughts, but then remembered Rann’n said to focus inward. He was surprised at how easy his body

was to communicate with. His elbow was a bit out of sorts with a burning sensation. He really started to explore it. After about half an hour, he concluded that a tendon was inflamed. He’d have to slow down on his all day tennis matches with his friend Gordon. He further discovered that his sinuses were feeling a bit fatigued with all of the tree pollens over the last few days, but they’d be all right. Most surprising was his heel. It was very tender. Michael decided he was developing a blister. Then, he started searching for living things around him, just for some practice.

“Michael, Yai-Yama’l asks that you come down.” Michael opened his eyes to see Cad’l and the two Atlantean men that he didn’t know. Michael got to his feet, surprised he hadn’t sensed them during his

meditation. He followed Cad’l out of the room. He noticed that there was no effort to disguise themselves as human. Cad’l was thinner than he had remembered. Her ears pointing out of her raven hair, and her chin and jaw were more pronounced than he remembered. But most noticeable was the length of each finger. From wrist to fingertips, each looked to be a full ten inches. As they walked into the great room, Rann’n stood with a blonde girl. In front of them, Mann’n was bowing to a much older woman. He was escorted directly to the old woman. She wore a yellow outer robe instead of the usual green.

“Michael’n Claude, I am introducing you to our queen, Yama’l haz, yai joa sil-aien.” Michael bowed low.

“Coe laandy don doe Yama’l haz, yai joa sil-aien.”

When Michael stood, she nodded.

“Coe laandy don doe Michael’n Claude. I must say that I am surprised to see you here. I have yet to return to my own home after attending the sending ceremony of Rach’l, and already Atlanteans invite more humans into their homes. . . I would like to think we are a more careful race.” She looked at Cad’l, who put her chin to her chest.

Michael immediately thought of Miriam Granger’s body wearing Atlantean clothes. Obviously something had happened. Michael spoke up.

“Yai Yama’l, I’m sorry about what happened with Rach’l. And with Miriam Granger. Please know that she was a criminal in our society. She was hiding out to . . .” At the mention of Miriam’s name, the

Yai’s eyes flared.

“You know her?” Yama’l shouted. “Linn’n! Myk’l! Ju-sa evue da esostu yali!”

Michael was grabbed from behind and thrown to the floor. Over the next several seconds, he could see nothing. His face was being smashed against the cedar floor. One hand yanking the hair at the back of his head, another clamping his left arm. His legs and one arm were free, so he could try to wiggle free, but he was hearing Cad’l pleading with Yai-Yama’l, so he chose to cease his struggles. His thoughts recalled Don, at the high school gym, routinely throwing him around the wrestling mat.

After a minute more, Yai-Yama’l said some more words and Michael was released. He stood slowly, aware of the scowls on the unfamiliar faces. Rann’n stepped forward.

“Yai-Yama’l will visit your mind. Cad’l has told her that there is a mistake, and that you are an honorable man. If you remember to do your meditation, this will go easier on you.”

“I understand,” he said. “This has all been going way too easy anyway.”

Michael glanced toward Guy. He watched as Guy released the arms of two of the Atlanteans. Cad’l stepped to a side as Michael stepped toward Yai-Yama’l. He nodded to her, took to a knee, and bowed his head, trying to free his thoughts, as he had done in meditation just ten minutes before. She placed a hand high on his forehead, and another over his right temple.

Yai-Yama’l entered his mind with a total disregard for Michael. Every memory, every thought that he had was soon dripping with her poison. He was not ready for the pain. In an instant, brain freeze,

nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath nearly knocked him over. Somehow he held out. The pain in his head grew until it was a blow torch inside his skull. Then, eventually, it started to become endurable. Michael guessed that maybe he was getting used to the pain. Yai-Yama’l was still in there. He could feel her. She was watching, but she wasn’t being so invasive. Moments seemed to roll into hours.

“Cad’l is correct, you are innocent. I have made a terrible error. I apologize. I will attempt to clean my mess.” Two minutes later, she was out. Michael collapsed to the floor. He was in a pool of sweat with the feeling that he had just been sick, but he could see and smell no mess. His eyes hurt with the light, but mostly, he felt as if a hole had been left in his brain. In an instant he was on his feet. Guy, Rann’n and one other, a blonde Atlantean lady, were dragging him toward the stairs and his room. His thoughts were coming in a fog at first. He was exhausted- mentally exhausted. This might be what a migraine is like.

As they got to his room, Michael noticed the girl and nodded.

“Coe laandy don doe. I’m Michael,” he managed.

“Coe laandy don doe Michael’n Claude. I am Myk’l too.”

“That should be easy to remember,” he muttered as they laid him out on the bedding.

She and Rann’n left the room. Guy stayed and watched Michael fall immediately asleep. He then sat at the foot of the bed to begin meditation.

X

When Michael awoke, the angle of the sun told him it was late afternoon. The world had stopped spinning, so he sat up.

“How are you feeling?” It was Guy’s voice. Michael took stock. Each time he opened his eyes, the echo in his head would summon a great throb. He was hungry, he hadn’t eaten since last night.

“I think that I’ll live. Wow! She sure knows how to run over a fella!” He opened one eye and shielded it from the light to catch a glimpse of the relief on Guy’s face.

“That’s twice in three days I’ve had someone racing around my mind. I hope they cleaned their shoes.”

After a minute, Mann’n stood and held out a dinner bowl. “Cad’l visited while you were out.” After Michael took the bowl, Guy continued with regret all over his face, “I am wanted below. I will send Rann’n. He can show you how an Atlantean might recover. . . that is, if you are willing.”

Michael opened both eyes and grimaced as he chewed. Mann’n had an unfamiliar slouch to his proud shoulders that Michael had not seen before.

“Mmm, this is good! You know, you Atlanteans could make a mint selling trail mix. I bet Wal-Mart would buy it. Guy, go and do what you have to. I’ll be fine. I don’t know why she did that, but

otherwise, I’m having the time of my life.”

“Rach’l, the mother of Myk’l, was killed recently by a human. Trusting humans may be difficult for a while .”

“Myk’l?”

“The blonde woman.”

“Oh yeah! I remember!” Mann’n smiled. Michael’s head was beginning to clear.

“Say, guy, If you’re the Enrai, how can Yai-Yama’l use her gifts in Cad’l’s house, but you can’t. You should be king over her, right?”

“Actually,” Rann’n said from the door as he walked in, “Mann’n here, not ‘Guy’ by the way, Mann’n needs Yai-Yama’l to recognize him as Enrai before he has say over anyone! She strongly suggests you

answer her summons, Mann’n.”

Mann’n nodded, turned to Michael, “Thank you, my friend.” Then walked out.

“Now,” Rann’n began, “if you are quite done laying about, let us see what you can tell me about what happened today.”

Michael climbed out of bed, finally feeling able to contribute.

June 14

Rann’n led Michael down into the great room. The morning mist was thick. Everyone present had on their robes of moss. The dewdrops ran down the robes and onto the floor, where the bark absorbed it

quickly. He was led right to Mann’n who was standing with two others. He recognized the blonde.

As Rann’n bowed, Michael stepped forward. “Good morning, Mann’n. Good morning Myk’l.”

“Good morning, Michael,” echoed both Mann’n and Myk’l with smiles.

Rann’n walked over to stand by another of the Atlantean men who was off by himself grinning.

“Michael, I would like you to meet Robb’n Link. He is a disciple of Yai-Yama’l, and a great friend of mine. I have known him my whole life.”

“Coe laandy don doe, Robb’n Link,” Michael returned with the customary bow.

“Coe laandy don doe, Michael’n Claude.” Robb’n stepped forward and extended his hand. Michael shook it, with surprise.

Robb’n smiled. “Some years ago, Yai-Yama’l asked me to work with the forest service crew here in the park. I picked up more than the language.” he explained.

“Hmm.” Michael started, “It sounds as if Atlanteans are constantly dealing with us humans, yet, even with all that, I had never heard of your race’s existence before I met Mann’n.”

“There is a reason for that.” Yai-Yama’l glided into the room. Cad’l was at her side. As they entered the room, Michael noticed the somber expression of the two women. They stopped in front of Michael

and Mann’n. Another Atlantean man, obviously an elder, joined them.

“Seven millennia ago, the great Enrai Benn’n made many decisions that have affected Atlantean culture. These wise rules were designed to preserve our race until such a time that we could coexist with humans. One of those laws was to tell no outsiders of Atlantis or our history. Mann’n has chosen to violate that rule.” All eyes shifted to Mann’n who stood with his head bowed.

“Another of his laws ended the Atlantean practice of Sae-Cosianney, which is a mark that Atlanteans received upon passing into adulthood. To our knowledge no Atlantean has been given Sae-Cosianney since the Bora tea-allabrok, the great conflagration, the event that ended Atlantis.” After a moment, she placed her palm onto her forehead, then slowly moved it revealing a tattoo that resembled a backward

capital ‘R.’ Michael watched as Cad’l and the Atlantean elder did the same. Each had similar tattoos.

“Sae-Cosianney was a rite of passage for an Atlantean, yet it clearly identified us for Atlantis’ enemies. Our new generation of Atlanteans have not received it.” With that, Michael noticed that Rann’n, Myk’l and Robb’n all stepped forward alongside Mann’n and himself.

“Since Bora tea-allabrok, Atlanteans have had many dealings with humans, but never had we revealed our heritage, as you have done Mann’n.” After a moment, Yai-Yama’l continued. “We have talked before of your involvement with humans, Mann’n. I thought it reckless and unnecessary. . . until now. You have chosen friends wisely. I now see that Michael is a true friend of Atlanteans, and I see that you are collecting the instruments you will need to reassemble us as a people- despite my objection. Your wisdom begins to surpass my own.” She bowed to him. “I would like to be in council with your plans. Today you will reveal those plans with your elders, that we can help prepare our people.” Mann’n nodded.

Yai-Yama’l moved to stand in front of Michael.

“There has been only one human in Atlantean history, the great Nehfu, prince of Egypt, with as large a role in our race’s survival as you will have Michael’n Claude. Atlanteans will have need of an ambassador in the years to come. If I may. . .” She stepped to his side, put a hand at the top of his spine, then wrote something on his forehead with her other hand. Red light cast strange shadows as she

did it, but Michael felt nothing. She stood back in a moment and bowed to him. Michael nodded, then turned to Mann’n.

“The Sae-Cosianney,” he whispered. Michael felt his forehead, but everything was just fine there.

“Now, Atlanteans can recognize you as a friend.” Yai-Yama’l turned.

“You are now ‘Sero une-la Lantasia,’ a friend of Atlantis.” She bowed, then turned. “Mann’n, you will meet with us in two hours.” Then she turned back to Michael. “Robb’n and Rann’n will work with you this week. The Sae-Cosianney does not have to interfere with your human life.” She and the other elder glided back up the stairs. Michael and Mann’n proudly received congratulations from their friends, as Cad’l joined them with the morning breakfast.

X

Dennis Huwaldt had no clue how any of this would work out. His chore of finding the Olympic Mountains healer had become decidedly harder after talking with Sartonni. This ‘Manning’ character did not travel on designated park trails. That opened up practically every square yard of the park to be searched. He would need thousands of dollars to do that. No, he needed a break. He needed this ‘Manning’ to make a mistake. Dennis realized that he might be in the wrong part of the park. He was heading east out on the trail along the Bogachiel River. The morning mist was wearing off, but his shirt was damp from the fog. A large drop from an overhead fir landed on his crew cut head. Even if Dennis did find ‘Manning,’ how could he convince him to return to Port Angeles to see Tony? “Find him by the start of winter,” He had said, “and I’ll double your $10,000 pay. Get him to me by the end of summer, and I’ll multiply that pay by ten.” It was obvious that ‘Manning’ had no interest in money.

Fortunately, Dennis did.

The hiking trail Dennis was on had just passed the fork in the Bogachiel River. The main branch headed off to the southeast, but the trail followed the north fork. Sugarloaf Mountain stood between the

two halves of the Bogachiel. So why was the hiker up ahead crossing the river’s north fork? Dennis hid, pulled out his field glasses, and watched as the hiker began to switch-back his way up the leafy terrain to gain the Sugarloaf ridge. The nimble hiker was dressed all in Khaki, even his backpack, but he had dark hair, not the silvery white that ‘Manny’ was supposed to have. The weirdest thing about the hiker’s gear was his shoes. Dennis’ hiking shoes were fairly rigid. This fellow’s seemed very flexible. He climbed effortlessly though. Dennis watched the hiker gain the ridge, then climb it straight up the mountain. Hadn’t Sartonni said that ‘Manning’ had strange clothes too? Instantly, Dennis realized that climbing the ridges was the fasted mode of travel if you don’t stick to the trails. Dennis crossed the north fork too, realizing that his break had arrived in the form of this hiker. All he had to do was follow.

X

He, Rann’n, Myk’l and Robb’n had hiked down to a hollow at noon, and started a game of tag. Michael had been an easy target ever since. He’d been trying to corner one of the Atlanteans. Rann’n or Robb’n were eventually catchable, but Michael had not yet been able to catch Myk’l. She was easily the most athletic player on the field. So of course, she was the one he was after.

The hollow had the usual clumps of fern, and an occasional blackberry briar, but it was about a quarter of an acre with no trees. It was also mostly flat, but in the southwest corner, the clearing ran a

short way up the hill. As usual, she escaped up slope, so he followed, trying to cut off her escape to the right.

“Michael,” Rann’n advised again, “as you pursue, focus inward this time. Use the Hray-daeand. It can tell you as much about your prey as your eyesight.” He and Robb’n had been spouting their wisdoms since they had started playing. He was getting closer. Last time, she barely jumped away. Now he was determined. He had been ‘it’ for most of the afternoon and was sick of it.

He focused outward, but kept his eyes in the game- an earlier mistake. She faked left, but that only forced Michael to slow his advance. Last time, Michael almost touched her when she leaped over him to her freedom, a distance that had to be thirty feet, downhill. To avoid the same result, he’d have to close on Myk’l much more quickly.

He could see her in his mind. He could see the field as if from above. He could see himself closing to about fifteen feet. He could see her leaning left- downhill, but focusing to the right- level ground, getting ready to leap again. Michael felt his arms and legs prepare to leap as well, even as he closed to ten feet. He saw Myk’l again fake left. He responded by stepping to that side, but kept his

weight balanced beneath him. When he was five feet from her, Michael jumped just as she did. He grazed her leg with his left hand, then landed in a heap. Rann’n and Robb’n were there to lift him up with congratulatory words.

“Hray- daeand changes this game. Now that we are all playing the same game, you will find the game more enjoyable.”

“But, come my friend, let us return to Cad’ls cedar house and freshen up for the evening meal,” Robb’n added, “you have worked hard.” For the first time, Michael noticed his t-shirt was soaked through with sweat and he was still gulping for breath.

Myk’l tapped him on the elbow.

“I am looking forward to a rematch tomorrow. I will begin by tagging you again.”

“I am sorry, but we will not be playing again. Michael’s Hray-daeand training is limited to only one week. We must get to healing.”

“But Rann’n! That is unheard of! My training had months of tag training. Will he not go to the treetops?”

Robb’n replied, “We have healing to teach, not to mention leotee recalla, or yudraiya. Which of these do you recommend we skip this week?” Myk’l bowed her head. The four friends walked off to the tree house.

“What is leotee recalla?” Michael asked.

Robb’n answered, “Translated, it means feather footprint. What it means is using Furin seron to keep from stepping heavily. And yudraiya is the force that binds us all.”

“Now,” said Rann’n, “Michael, tell us all what you have learned from our game of tag this afternoon.” It took a full twenty minutes for Michael to thoroughly explain his learnings. He was just finishing as they approached the cedar house, when Rann’n motioned for him to stop talking. Myk’l backtracked up the way they had come, while Robb’n pulled Michael behind a nearby sapling.

In a few moments, Michael saw what looked like an lean man walk down the hill and stop about thirty feet away, at the thicket that contained the stairs to Cad’l’s cedar house. Once there, he started

talking to a tree stump. After a minute, Michael saw that the tree stump was actually Rann’n, who escorted the man into Cad’l’s house.

“How’d he disguise himself as a tree stump?” Michael whispered to Robb’n. “Let me guess, Furin Seron.”

“Yes. He simply wanted to be perceived as a tree stump.”

“Where’d Myk’l go?”

“Myk’l knows her duty. Come, let us make you presentable. The sun is down. We have little time left in the day.”

Michael gave himself a sponge bath, dressed, and returned to the great room in the waning light to find Yai-Yama’l and two others. One was the guy that had arrived that afternoon. The other was the other elder. As he entered, they stood.

“Michael’n Claude, sero une-la Lantasia, this is Gav’n Bri.” Yai-Yama’l whispered.

Michael did the familiar bow, then whispered back, “Coe laandy don doe Gav’n Bri.”

“Coe laandy don doe Michael’n Claude, sero une-la Lantasia.” Gav’n had full dark hair to go with his lean build and tanned features.

Michael then turned to the elder.

“I am sorry, but I’ve not met you.” After exchanging a surprised look with Yai-Yama’l, Gav’n continued the whispered introductions.

“Michael’n Claude, sero une-la Lantasia, this is Linn’n Gar, Elerath.

“Coe laandy don doe Michael’n Claude, sero une-la Lantasia. I trust that you are unharmed from my throw yesterday.” Michael bowed.

“Coe laandy don doe Linn’n Gar. No, I am quite well. Thank you for going so easy on me.” Snickers erupted from Yai-Yama’l and Linn’n; a blank stare from Gav’n. As Linn’n filled him in, Yai-Yama’l took Michael aside.

“Mariam Granger had killed Rach’l, an Atlantean, then stole the tray tee-annara, ‘the vessel of life.’ It is one of our most sacred relics. And we have so few Atlanteans left. Rach’l will be missed.”

Yai-Yama’l passed one of the familiar dinner bowls to Michael, then continued to whisper. “Gav’n came to conduct his regular business with us, but was followed. Mann’n and the others are trailing the

hunter now. We will know more in the morning. Until then, please stay completely quiet.”