Legends of Amacia Srandi: Last Bastion of the Caverias
Chapter 2: Winning the Exiles

Assad smiled warmly at Selina as she led him to Hannibal. “You’re such a gentle soul to have experienced such atrocious horrors, my dear,” he said softly to her. “It’s a testament to your strength, will, goodness, and purity.”

“Thank you,” Selina purred flashing a disarming smile at Assad, sensing his telepathic probe. “It’s very kind of you to say that, though I’m not nearly as pure as you think. I’ve been seriously contaminated by the same heinous pestilential Darkness that constantly torments and harasses Hannibal. Only our love for one another and for the Almighty who put us together keeps us sane and in the Light of our God. Otherwise, we’d have been lost long ago to the Darkness.”

“Why do you say that?” Assad asked with a raised eyebrow. “You are truly a noble soul, my dear, full of Light and Life with a love of all things of the Light, especially your husband and your God. I can clearly see this. Your body language screams it, even if you don’t.”

“Please, don’t patronize me, Master Zhi,” Selina growled with a frown, obviously irritated at his unwelcomed praise of her purity and morality as they stopped at the base of the stairs below Hannibal. Looking up into the face of the ancient Lionel, she declared bluntly, “Come now; it does neither of us any good to be anything but brutally honest with each other. After all, I can clearly sense you’re a very powerful telepath capable of seeing what’s happened to both me and Hannibal, so please, don’t continue this charade. I know I’m damaged goods and contaminated by the hideous evil that has tormented us since we first came to this cursed underworld. I’m not as spotless as you say, and you know it. A great inexplicable hate, horror, and loathing has infested my heart and soul since my liberation from the Black Fortress because of what the Emperor did to us...a hate that truly disturbs me when I try to analyze it for it defies all logical analysis. It’s just...there. That’s why I try to keep it out of my conscious mind as much as possible.” Her head sagged in fear and humiliation at the confession.

“But it constantly creeps back in when I least suspect it. It just won’t go away no matter what I do to get rid of it,” she admitted, looking back up into his eyes. “It’s downright discouraging and shameful that I’m unable to purge this inexplicable hate that’s infested me. I was not brought up to let hate fester like this, but it does. I can’t explain it.” She paused for a moment as a startling thought entered her mind. She gave voice to it, asking, “Why am I even telling you this in front of everyone? What’s happening here? Why does your very presence compel me to share this shameful secret like this? It baffles me. Who are you really?”

Hannibal was about to intrude when Assad took his giant finger and gently placed it to Selina’s lips with a knowing, forgiving smile while leaning down to look her in the eye. “My dear little princess of the stars, say no more for I have indeed seen and sensed your seriously wounded heart and soul, and the vile monstrous hatred that has infested you by no fault of your own,” Assad murmured sincerely, seeing the desolation in her eyes as her head bowed down again. “Fact is I see far more than you realize. You mistakenly think because of the hate and heinous abuse you took and survived at the hands of the demon Emperor, you’re not a pure soul, unworthy to be labeled as such, but I know better. I see with the eyes of the Almighty Ancient of Days, not my own. He allows me to see and sense so much more...far more than you realize.” He gently lifted Selina’s sagging head by the chin with his index and middle fingers together so she could gaze into his blazing yet incredibly sympathetic hazel eyes, saying softly with great compassion, “For now, trust me when I say you are far more pure than you realize. If you want proof of my words, just think back at what happened to you at the Sacred Crystal Circle of the Ancients on Olympus. The Ancient of Days allowed you into His inner sanctum there to stand with your human husband as he won the trust of the Yetis and started coming to terms with his destiny in the will of the Almighty Ancient of Days. No one contaminated by the Darkness can enter that sacred space and not be struck down in the Almighty’s wrath. Just think about it for a moment. Your husband saw your purity, as I do now, even if you don’t. It allowed you successful access to the Holy of Holies in the sacred Crystal Circle of the Ancients. I think you know it down deep in your heart of hearts.”

Selina’s eyes grew wide as a violent icy chill raced down her spine. “How did you know about that?” she whispered in fearful surprise. “Who are you?”

“I’d like to know that myself,” Hannibal asked with great astonishment. “How could you have known about what happened at Olympus? I’m still processing everything that happened there.”

Assad smiled wryly and sympathetically at Selina, leaning closer to look her in the eye as he cupped her cheek with his enormous clawed hand. He looked like a grandfather consoling and instructing his distraught young granddaughter as he spoke. “You know who I am, beloved daughter of Nathaniel Milineus of Kaitia,” he purred with a gentle smile, “All will be revealed at the proper time, along with the ultimate lifting of this terrible burden weighing on you, but that time is not yet. You still need time to heal from the horrors you and your husband have endured in this cursed savage land before we can successfully purge you of this hateful burden infesting you. When the time is right, I will be here to help you and your husband lift these burdens, so please, you must trust me. Everything will be made right in the end. Thus says the Almighty Ancient of Days. He will set you free at the proper time. You must be patient and have faith in Him.”

Selina felt her fear and anxiety inexplicably melt away with Assad’s gentle grandfatherly words and demeanor. An uncanny peace filled her soul as tears of relief dripped from her eyes. “Strange as it sounds, I do trust you,” she replied softly, in awe of how he tamed her fear without her realizing it, “In a bizarre way, you remind me of my grandfather before he died. He was always so kind and patient with me, just like you. Thank you for giving me a moment of real peace.”

“You’re most welcome, Miss Selina Milineus Caverias,” Assad replied with a warm smile. “It was my pleasure. We shall speak later of your troubles in private if you wish. Okay?”

“I’d like that,” Selina purred, kissing Assad on the cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my dear,” Assad replied graciously in a grandfatherly tone. Turning back to Hannibal, he straightened up, saying, “Forgive me, milord, but your soul mate needed a gentle reminder of her true worth. I hope I wasn’t out of line.”

“Not at all,” Hannibal replied with a sober smile, “But how did you become aware of what we did at Olympus?” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“You should know, milord,” Assad replied a wry sober smile. “After all, you correctly discerned that I am a prophet of the Almighty to my people. How could you not see it knowing who I am?”

Hannibal slapped his forehead with his palm as he realized what he missed, crying out, “Of course, the Lord told you, didn’t He? Why didn’t I see it? Man, am I dense or what!”

“Don’t let it trouble you,” Assad stated with an understanding tone, “You’re still deeply fatigued from your palaver with the Kings and the intense battle with the vile Tyrant Shiargoriath. It most likely caused your distraction, so it’s not your fault. However, you’re right. The Almighty Ancient of Days did inform me, and then He had Lord Cerrelius confirm it. I’m sure Lord Draco can confirm this. Am I right, milord?”

“Indeed,” Draco agreed, “Cerrelius sent word to you telepathically four hours before he teleported me to Poseidon’s Square. I witnessed it myself. You should consider yourself honored that he chose to contact you personally. He very seldom does such things. You’re only the second instance I’ve seen where he made deliberate telepathic contact outside of Drakonia since the 1st Age. It’s the greatest of honors.”

“I am honored, and humbled Lord Cerrelius made such a move,” Assad admitted softly, “I know he only does this when there’s no other option, so don’t worry. I will not betray this trust he has put in me. After all, I am the Almighty’s shepherd of the exiles of Poseidia so I know how important it is to keep a low profile to keep the wolves and monsters away.”

Draco smiled, saying, “I know. You’re one of the very last prophets in this cursed underworld and he knew it. That’s why he trusted you with the contact and message. He knew you’d make sure your people were in position at Poseidon’s Square at the proper time for the palaver with the Kings, and you fulfilled your word admirably, just as Beowulf did what he needed to do.” Draco looked to Hannibal, seeing his deep fatigue, adding, “And I agree with your diagnosis of Beowulf’s present condition. His deep fatigue is obviously interfering with his mental state and ability to recall things right now. Even with that, I’m astounded at how well he’s holding up after everything I witnessed. You’re heavily fatigued, Beowulf, and should remedy it immediately.”

Hannibal’s blood burned at the truth of both Assad’s and Draco’s statement. “You’re both right,” he admitted, “I’m wiped out from what happened at Poseidon’s Square. Only the Lord’s strength and mercy kept me alive and sane during that fiasco, especially when the Kings took Selina and me telepathically to the Sacred Circle of Eternity. That was completely and utterly nuts because of how real it felt. I’d soon not do that again. Things happened there I hesitate to dwell on right now. I have no proper words for describing it...the power and utter insanity of it all.”

Assad’s left eyebrow rose abruptly at the news, prompting him to move away from Selina and stand in front of Hannibal on the steps. Tau stepped up with Assad as Draco and Serge moved down from the portal platform, making a perimeter around Hannibal. “Is that so?” Assad asked with great interest. “Are you sure, milord?”

“Absolutely,” Hannibal answered softly, but bluntly. “I’m as serious as a heart attack and the Emperor’s vile temper about this. Cerrelius himself called it the Sacred Circle of Eternity. I heard him say it clear as day while we were there, wherever that place may be.”

“Cerrelius was present with you?” Draco asked with great curiosity.

“Yes, but not in a physical form,” Hannibal stated as Selina moved up the stairs and clung to Hannibal’s left elbow while everyone else remained quiet. “In fact, no one was there physically, but in what I think were their telepathic avatars that reflected their true forms and power levels. That included Selina and me. We were utterly insignificant in size and power next to them and knew it. When we first saw Cerrelius’ avatar, he exuded such cosmic levels of power and magnificence we had to beg him to tone it down, which thankfully he did. I had some idea of Cerrelius’ form and power when he purged me and Selina from Tsasthoagguah’s toxin inside the Archive of History, but when he showed his face at the Sacred Circle of Eternity, both of us were blown away by what I’m forced to admit is his nearly godlike power and majesty. It really was like looking into the face of a god, but not the one true God...the Almighty. I have to make that distinction because no created being is able to top Him in power, skill, or magnificence. The Almighty is truly the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the I am that I am, and the great and terrible Lord of Hosts who rules all creation in every dimension and universe. He truly is God, though I definitely see Cerrelius as one of his more powerful servants much like and on par with the archangels Michael and Gabriel.”

“Very interesting,” Assad purred thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. “Did he show you his full form?”

“No,” Hannibal admitted, “All we ever saw was his head that spanned over thirty cubits in width, and his brilliance was impossible to look at without being blinded. That’s why we begged him to tone down his appearance, which he did. I’m still in awe of not just him, but everyone who showed up in that supremely alien space. It’s like the size of their avatars reflected their true power level and positions in this reality and universe. God, I’m still trying to process it all. It gives me chills every time I remember it. It was absolutely the most alien place I’ve ever been, and yet...I felt an uncanny familiarity with it as if I’d been there before. I can’t remember it, yet I do. It’s unnerving and disturbs me to my core. I’m still not sure how to even approach what happen, or if I should even try. I know something very bad happened there I can’t quite remember, something of truly cosmic significance and it didn’t have to do with me meeting with the avatars of the Kings. This I’m sure of. It went well beyond it, but for the life of me, I just can’t clearly recall it. It’s both irritating and maddening. I just don’t know what to do about this or how to even approach it.” Deep puzzlement crossed his face as he added, “Why am I even telling you this, Master Zhi? It’s not really germane to our present situation. At least I don’t think it is.”

“I beg to differ, my puzzled friend,” Assad replied soberly, “It has everything to do with ours and your present circumstances.”

“How so,” Hannibal asked with raised eyebrow.

“What affects you affects us as well since you’re the nexus of all this,” Assad explained. “Therefore, we must know what happened in the Sacred Circle. It’ll give us clues as to what is going on behind the scenes that we cannot directly see. I wasn’t privy to what happened to you, but the Almighty is telling me this very moment what happened to you in the Sacred Circle is a watershed event that will change the course of everything. I’m sensing a most dreadful truth in your words that the Almighty is confirming in my spirit. He’s saying you should be very careful in what you share because the time isn’t right for it to come out. Ponder your words carefully before you speak of these things and only speak of those things the Almighty has cleared for you to share. I’m sure He will reveal to you what should and shouldn’t be shared. After all, you are His Emissary to this cursed land. Trust Him and let Him lead you in what to share.”

Hannibal nodded with a grunt, saying, “You’re so right, Master Zhi. Thank you for reminding me to follow the Lord’s prompting on what to say. It simplifies things greatly. Fact is there’s much of what happened in there that I’m not at all sure I should share yet. The Lord definitely wants me to keep certain aspects of the event quiet until I’ve had time to properly digest and internalize what went on in that supremely alien space. However, I will say this, and I know I have the Lord’s permission to say this. Cerrelius and the Kings Selina and I saw there are, without any doubt, the true rulers of Amacia with Cerrelius and the King of the Sands being colleagues who see each other as equals. That much I do know. The only difference between them is in their jobs. Cerrelius is not just the King of the Drakens and Drakenites of Drakonia, but also the great Chronicler and Guardian of History itself, fated to record everything in every dimension and universe at the order of the Almighty Himself with the incredible godlike machinery I witnessed in the Archive of History. I heard this from Cerrelius himself when he saved me from Tsasthoagguah’s void poison in the Archive of History as I mentioned earlier.

“Cerrelius is truly a godlike being with cosmic level powers and abilities, though he very seldom interferes in our world because of his task as the Chronicler and Guardian of History. Only when he receives direct instructions from the Almighty does he interfere in our world, which is exceedingly rare from what I gather. However, his colleagues, including the King of the Sands and his fellow Kings have much more active roles in our realm, but do not have the sheer incomprehensible reach Cerrelius does. He’s truly one of the Almighty’s wonders as far as I’m concerned. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“I do indeed,” Assad replied with a sober smile, briefly patting Hannibal on the shoulder. “And so does Lord Draco, who I’m sure has far more detailed info on Cerrelius’ operation as the Chronicler and Guardian of History than we do. Am I correct in my supposition, Lord Draco?”

“You are,” Draco replied, “I’m impressed that Beowulf managed to comprehend Cerrelius’ existence and task so accurately. He said nothing that isn’t true, but that’s beside the point here. Something truly cosmic happened when the Kings drew Beowulf and his mate telepathically into the Sacred Circle. As I said earlier, we must know who was there and what really happened. It’s supremely important that we have all the details because I sense something went terribly wrong in there just by what I felt when they came out of their paralysis after being thrown by an unknown force away from the King of the Air. What happened, Beowulf? I must know. We must know.”

“You didn’t sense anything I did in there?” Hannibal asked with a raised eyebrow at Draco’s admitted ignorance of what he and Selina experienced in the Sacred Circle. “I know you to be a very powerful telepath in your own right, and you say you didn’t see or sense anything?”

“No,” Draco stated as he took up position to Hannibal’s right, standing on the same step level Assad and Tau stood. “I could sense everything going on with you until you froze up after touching the King of the Air. When you froze, the Kings literally slammed the telepathic door in my face so hard I staggered. When I regained my stability, I told Lord Tau and his daughter what happened. I didn’t begin to sense you again until you and Selina physically flew back from the King of the Air as if he’d smacked you with one of his wings. It was very strange having my telepathy blocked so abruptly and completely, but I know it was for the best. I figured what they were doing was for your eyes only. Besides, once I regained my wits, we noticed the Old Ones stirring in the ruins beyond the entourages of the Kings. They kept milling about and watching with great interest, but none of them dared to approach us, no doubt because of their fear of the Kings and their entourages.”

“Really,” Hannibal replied with genuine surprise. “I didn’t know that, but it makes sense they’d do that since I met their leader in that very strange space that felt vaguely familiar in a way I cannot quite grasp. In fact, Lord Cerrelius told us it was a type of holographic representation of a very real location that I’d been to before, even though I have absolutely no memory of it. Yet somehow, I know he was telling me the truth. It truly baffles me that I could have ever visited such a bizarre place. Then again, I have those uncanny dreams of the Battle of Drakonia that perfectly match the records I’ve seen about that critical engagement with someone that looks like a younger stranger me leading the Elder Gods, Beowulf, and the Drakens and Drakenites in defense of Drakonia. I didn’t want to believe it, but I could not deny the facts in the record. Somehow, it seems I was there and then disappeared at the end of the battle with the detonation of the Emperor’s floating fortress city when his attack failed. Furthermore, I vividly recall a different set of intense dreams where I saved Leila from a Dark Rider and his mount on top of the Caveria Tower during the siege of that particular city at a completely different time from the dreams of Drakonia. I was wearing strange platinum-colored armor and had this gigantic alien sword in my hand as I fell from the sky landing on top of the Tower seeing Leila in mortal danger. How I got there I don’t know, but I landed without being injured by the fall and killed the Dark Rider attacking her easily just before Thoth, Beowulf, Ezra, and several others showed up to rescue her.”

A troubled sigh escaped his lips as Selina cuddled close to give him reassurance with her presence. “I thought it was just a dream, a nightmare that’s haunted me along with what I believed was Leila’s ghost until I saw the record of that incident,” Hannibal stated in a stern, sober tone. “Can you even comprehend what it’s like for me to see Leila’s fall in Caveria as it actually happened in the archive records just as it happened in my dreams, just like what I saw in the record of the Battle of Drakonia? In each case, I was apparently the catalyst that brought victory to the defenders. It’s a mystery that refuses to be unraveled and it’s driving me nuts. The more I ponder them in light of everything I know now, these dreams are feeling more and more like memories and not true dreams. Because of this, I am starting to entertain the possibility that I’ve somehow become entangled in time itself in this lifetime...moving back and forth through time and not remembering what happened during those jumps. Right now, it’s the only rational explanation I have making any sense.

“Now if that isn’t bad enough, consider this. I saw the Crystal Circle of the Ancients on Olympus in a nightmare where the Dark Powers, including FATE itself attacked Selina and me while I was still a mutated woman. It became a place of refuge from the evil trying to take me. Then I was driven by the Almighty to Olympus to fulfill my promise to the Yeti Sukar, who died in my arms inside the Circle of Hammunaptra. Imagine my astonishment when I laid eyes on the Circle and was taken inside it by the Yeti Elder as part of their test to prove my worthiness to them. Do you understand what it felt like to see and experience the very refuge of my nightmare for real; to know it was real by physically interacting with it, seeing the position of the altar and the placement of every inscription, including the depiction of Lord Grimm imprisoned in the Void in the carved account of the War in Heaven. It still astounds and humbles me to no end, but it doesn’t stop there. It somehow even extends to what happened in the Sacred Circle when the Kings spirited our avatars away to that primal alien place.

“After everything that’s befallen me concerning these strange dreams of forgotten places and events that seem more like fragmented memories than dreams, the familiarity of the Sacred Circle the Kings took Selina and me to tells me Cerrelius is right. It’s a real place that I’ve been before, even though I cannot consciously remember it. It must be one of those memories lost in that black hole of my missing time. It has to be. Regardless of all that, things happened there I just can’t share because I haven’t had time to remember or comprehend it fully yet. I still need time to internalize it.”

This news elicited audible gasps of astonishment from nearly everyone present. Only Nemesis, Enoch, Tau, Draco, Serge, and Assad kept their composure, although their expressions reflected their astonishment. “I knew something big was going on when I was blocked,” Draco declared. “You need to tell us what happened in there. It’s very important now, especially in light of what the Old One messenger said just before we were teleported to safety, and in light of what you shared about your uncanny dreams just now. First off, who was present at the Sacred Circle?”

Hannibal glanced at Serge with a knowing, but hesitant look. Serge nodded solemnly without saying a word. Everyone saw this interaction and waited patiently. Hannibal sighed deeply, saying as he scanned those around him, “As I said, there are things I’m not allowed to share just yet...things I’m still processing from what happened in there, but I can say this. Something happened in there that even blindsided the Kings...something so horrendously wrong and evil I’m still having trouble dealing with it. It left…an indelible scar on my psyche that is going to take time to heal. It makes my blood run like ice when I recall it, challenging my very perceptions of reality and my true place in all of this. It’s quickly falling into that category with my dreams of Leila, Drakonia, and the Crystal Circle of the Ancients on Olympus. Somehow, I know they happened, but I just can’t, for the life of me remember it even when I see the physical records of it or, as in the case of Olympus, actually being there in person. It’s right down maddening not to remember such critical things.”

Assad reached out with a knowing look, touching Hannibal on the shoulder with his giant hand. “It’s okay, milord,” he purred sympathetically, “I can clearly see this event has had a far greater impact on you than I realized. You needn’t speak about this right now. This is neither the time nor place for you to share such sensitive critical information. We should wait and discuss it later privately with your inner circle when you’re ready. Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Draco?”

Draco nodded gravely, realizing the sought-after information should be kept confidential. “Yes,” he agreed solemnly, “I believe you’re right, Master Zhi. Lord Cerrelius just let me know we should discuss this event in private, and in not such a public setting. Forgive me for asking who was at the Sacred Circle, Beowulf. I let my curiosity overrule my good sense. We can discuss this later in private. What you do need to do right now is show Master Zhi and Lord Tau what you showed me at Olympus, milord. Now is the time to do it since they are the rulers of the exiles. They need to know you the way I do.”

“You have a telepathic connection to Lord Cerrelius, don’t you, Lord Draco,” Tau asked with a raised eyebrow.

“As King and Leader of the Drakenites, I do have an intimate telepathic channel with Lord Cerrelius since he is the ruler and King of all drakens and drakenites as Beowulf mentioned earlier,” Draco answered, “It can be very useful at times, such as this. He insists that Beowulf reveal his essence to you and Master Zhi in front of everyone here. That way you can be sure of who and what Beowulf is. That’s how I became convinced of his place in all this. He shared the info with me on Olympus.”

“I cannot argue with that,” Tau stated, “Are you ready to show your soul to us, milord Beowulf?”

“I am,” Hannibal replied solemnly as Selina let go of his left elbow, “Let’s do this. After we’re done here, I’m going to the Healer to recover from what happened. It’s been a very long, trying day for me and I’m dead tired. I’m hardly able to remain standing I’m so tired.”

“Then you may proceed,” Assad replied kneeling down on one knee on the step just below Hannibal so his head was in easy reach, “Tau, kneel down beside me so Lord Beowulf can touch you on your temple.”

Tau nodded with a grunt, dropping to one knee within Hannibal’s reach. “You may proceed with the sharing, milord,” he purred, “Show us what you showed the Kings that we may know you as they do so we will know your place in all this.”

Hannibal nodded wearily, reaching out with both hands and touching Tau on his temple with his left hand while touching Assad on his temple with his right hand. “Okay guys, here we go,” Hannibal said softly, “See me for what I am and know I am your friend and ally. However, be warned that my memories are rife with the unspeakable horrors and heinous evils I’ve both committed and endured over my lifetime. It’s not a pretty thing to witness.”

“We understand, milord,” Assad said knowingly. “You may proceed. Show us what you showed the Kings.”

With that, Hannibal nodded and opened his mind to Assad and Tau simultaneously, showing them everything he showed the Kings, including his full history and completed soul along with what he and Selina endured at the hands of the Emperor and his Cadre. This included his mutation into a woman and the subsequent reversal of that mutation at Josephine’s hand. He even included what he suffered because of Tsasthoagguah’s maddening toxin, and the cure Cerrelius gave him. His memories became a willingly open book to them. Both Assad and Tau growled menacingly with tremendous anger when they saw what the Emperor did to Hannibal and Selina. Great surprise crossed their faces when Hannibal unveiled what happened at Olympus from his vantage point. After a couple of minutes, Hannibal broke contact both physically and telepathically once he’d finished showing them everything he felt cleared to show them. A deep groan escaped his lips as he broke contact and his legs gave way again. Selina caught him with both Tau and Assad quickly assisting her, now knowing exactly whom they were dealing with. “That’s all I can give right now,” Hannibal moaned with great fatigue. “I’m done. I can’t fight the fatigue from what happened any longer. I just can’t do it.”

“You have given us far more than we ever hoped, milord,” Assad said in awe as he, Tau, and Selina helped Hannibal sit down on the steps. “We have no doubt now about who and what you are, Lord Beowulf. Don’t we, Tau?”

“I had no idea how much punishment you’ve taken at the hands of those fiends,” Tau stated softly, “You have certainly earned both our friendship and loyalty. We will stand as one with you against the dark Emperor unto the very end of this. You have our swords and our lives if needed. Now you should go use your Healer right away and recover your strength. It will help you far more thoroughly than our Healing elements can.”

“They’re right, my prince,” Selina purred in his ear from behind as she helped steady him. “You’ve seriously drained yourself again and not realized it. You definitely need a stint in the Healer to fix the damage we took in Poseidia from that madness. I know I do.”

“I hear you, princess,” Hannibal replied through his heavy fatigue. “I didn’t realize how bad off I was until just now. It seems the sharing with Master Zhi and Lord Tau wore on me heavier than I realized. God have mercy...I’m so tired and weak it’s not funny.”

Assad once again touched Hannibal on the shoulder in a concerned fatherly manner, saying, “That’s why I told you not to share what you saw in the Sacred Circle. You’re so weak right now you’d have trouble sharing it accurately, which is very important to our understanding. Furthermore, you’re still coming to terms with what really happened there. To share such things right now would be folly, so I strongly suggest you do as your mate suggest. Go to this Healer to be rejuvenated before your fatigue brings on a worse condition you don’t need right now.”

“I fully agree,” Tau purred, “You should take care of your physical condition immediately, milord. Anything else you wish to share with us can wait for now. Recovering your strength and health should be your primary concern right now. You’re our friend now and we don’t want to see you taken down by this fatigue. Please, go and tend to your needs. We’ll be here when you’re ready to share what you experienced.”

Hannibal reached out and touched both Assad and Tau on their arms, saying wearily, “I am so honored to have you and your people as friend and ally, my friends. Just having you with us has made everything I’ve endured worth it.”

“The honor is all ours, milord,” Assad replied. “Now go to your Healer before your physical condition degrades further. We can discuss the other things after you’ve recovered.” He turned his attention to Enoch, saying, “Master Enoch, please come take your little brother and sister to your Healer. Both of them are in sore need of that medical attention after everything they did in Poseidia.”

Enoch came forward and immediately scooped up Hannibal, standing as Selina hovered close beside him. Turning to Assad, Tau, and the exiles, he said, “Please excuse us, my friends. I need to get Hannibal and Selina to the Healer right away. However, before I do, let me offer you a proper welcome to my home. You and your people are welcome here. Andrew, Emma, Nemesis; please make sure our guest are given a proper welcome and a place to stay while I tend to Hannibal and Selina.”

Andrew and Emma moved boldly into the inner circle at Enoch’s order, standing next to Nemesis. “Sure thing, dad,” Andrew answered, “We’ll make sure they have a warm welcome.” Then to Assad and Tau, he bowed elegantly with a sweeping gesture of his arms, saying warmly, “Welcome to the Red Tower my friends. You are all welcome here. We’ll be sure to find you adequate accommodations and see that you’re welcomed amongst all the other peoples Uncle Hannibal has gathered from the far corners of Amacia.”

“Come Selina, let’s get Hannibal to the Healer,” Enoch ordered gently, noticing Hannibal starting to lose his fight with the fatigue as his eyes slowly closed. “If you good people will excuse us, we must get to the Healer.”

“Go, my friend,” Assad replied with a sober but concerned look for Hannibal’s welfare. “Tend to him and let me know how he makes out with the treatment.”

“I will,” Enoch stated, “Come on, Selina; I can see you need the recharge from the Healer as much as Hannibal does.” With that, Enoch carried Hannibal from the portal chamber with Selina at his elbow. The people immediately made a path for them. Kida, Electra, Nathanael, Emily and Rachel quickly followed them out.

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