Last Prince of Atlantis. Chapter 3: Blood, Sand, and Water
The desert sun was steaming, and the sand-filled winds made it difficult for the Assassin to move quickly through the barren land of Kemet. On the 3rd day of his journey, the Assassin ran out of water and provisions and worried if the baby would survive much longer. The little prince was just three-months-old, and could hardly stomach the salted meat the Assassin pre-chewed for him. The Assassin struggled to keep the child clean, and was unprepared for the vomiting and defecation that was normal for an infant that size.
As the day drew on, the Assassin began to doubt his decision of taking the baby, and started to believe that he was sentencing the child to death by dehydration and starvation. On the dawn of the 4th day, the sea of sand seemed to have no end, and the little prince’s cries turned into to soft whimpers barely able to be heard. Soon, the Assassin’s grief and guilt began to take control of his mind, so he started to pray to Allah for forgiveness. Once he finished his prayers, the Assassin saw in the distance what seemed to be an oasis.
At first the Assassin believed the sight of a small paradise to be a mirage, but as he looked down at the infant’s sand-chapped face and dry lips, his courage returned and he willed his dehydrated body towards the mirage. To the Assassin’s surprise the oasis was closer than he thought and was not a figment of his imagination. The oasis was Roman-operated, and served as a resupply station for the legions and Roman citizens traveling between providences in Kemet. The Assassin hesitated to show his seal which
proved his rank and status, but it was necessary for him to take refuge in the oasis. He feared that by doing so, he would be putting the little prince in imminent danger. Yet, it was a risk he had to take, as the child could not survive much longer without fresh milk, and a salve to cure the rash on the baby’s bottom. In the oasis the Assassin was able to find a local farmer who owned ten head of zebu. The farmer offered the Assassin fresh milk and lodging for as long as he needed, no questions asked.
That night, as Ra dropped behind the veil of night, and Isis took her proper place in the sky, the Assassin walked around the oasis and attempted to enjoy the peace and quiet. As he approached the well that gave life to the little slice of paradise, the Assassin noticed movement in the shadows behind him. He allowed the stalker to get just within reach of him before drawing his dagger and holding it to the assailant’s throat.
Then his stalker spoke saying, “It is me Irfan, I mean you no harm.” Then Irfan called the Assassin by his secret name and the Assassin lower his dagger. The Assassin responded saying, “Irfan, is it really you?” The two men looked at each other with deep reverence, which was the greeting accustomed for fellow assassins.
After the moment passed, the Assassin said, “Why have you come to me as a friend, are you not ordered to kill me for my betrayal of the Priesthood ?” Irfan responded, “No brother, it is true that I received orders from a Priest of the Sun in this region through my scrying mirror. Yet, those orders did not come from the Imam, so I will not dishonor the Order by aiding you. You are the one who initiated me when I was still a boy and protected me like a father throughout my training. My honor and my dagger belong to you as long as you remain at the oasis.”
The Assassin was moved by Irfan’s resolve and the two elite killers embraced, touching forehead to forehead. As they let go of one another Irfan said, “I do come with a warning, if my orders came so soon I am sure the Decanus who is stationed here will receive an eagle carrying the same orders within a day or so.” Irfan sighed and asked, “Brother, why is this child so important?” The Assassin replied, “Come and lay your eyes on the child, and you will know for yourself why I sacrifice everything to protect him from the Priesthood.”
The two assassins walked back to the farmer’s house, where the farmer’s wife was caring for the little prince. As they walked the Assassin looked up to the desert sky and admired Isis and her majestic beauty. While entranced by her magic of the night, he noticed the star Sirius high above her and took the symbol of Typhon to mean impeding bloodshed.
Upon arriving at the farmer’s house, the Assassin apologized to the farmer and his wife for potentially putting their lives and home in danger. The farmer told the Assassin that there was no need to apologize. He informed the Assassin that he and his wife were grateful just to be in the presence of such a special child.
With a voice filled with appreciation, the farmer said, “It is a great honor for us to tend to our young prince. He is more precious to us than silver and gold, for we too are Atlantean and have been living in hiding in this oasis for more than twelve years. Word came to use through means we cannot explain to outsiders, that our last village was destroyed five days ago and we were dismayed. Yesterday, we felt the energy emanating from the child’s aura growing near from across the desert, and our hope was renewed. We Atlanteans have a deep spiritual connection to all members of the royal blood line. The moment you arrived at our door; we knew you carried the last prince of Atlantis.” Irfan gasped; he was surprised to hear that Atlanteans were living under his nose for so long. It surprised him even more that the Assassin betrayed the Order for a prince belonging to people they have been commanded to seek out and kill.
The farmer continued, “My wife has performed healing rites on the prince, and he is once again in full health and good spirits. We will happily lay down our lives for the prince, to live and die for the royal bloodline is the highest honor in the sight of our God.” The Assassin bowed before farmer and his wife and said, “Surely Allah has placed you in my path.”
The time now was now slightly-past midnight, and Irfan insisted that he take watch and allow the Assassin to get rest. Irfan said to the Assassin, “Rest, when Ra begins his boat ride across the sky at dawn, take my glider, as you will move faster across the desert and it will be harder to track you. Once you leave the oasis, I am going to report you to the Imam in order to keep my head. So tonight, allow me to be your guardian, for soon we will be enemies.”
The Assassin slept well, and was able to get four hours of dreamless sleep. Then at the break of dawn, he was awakened suddenly by Irfan. There were ten legionaries posted outside of the small house carrying torches. The Decanus demanded that the Assassin come out with the child, and to turn himself over to the Priesthood of the Sun, or they would burn down the home with everyone inside. The Assassin looked at Irfan, and Irfan nodded solemnly. Then the Assassin turned to the farmer and his wife and said, “No matter what happens do not open this door.” After his command, the Assassin and Irfan walked outside to face the legionaries who wore the symbol of the Priesthood on their flags and armor.
The Decanus asked, “Where is the child?” The Assassin said nothing and starred at the man with soulless eyes, that sent chills running down the Decanus’ spine. The Decanus hesitated for a second, and then yelled to his soldiers,” Kill them, and take the child.”
The first five legionaries charged fearlessly, but were cut down within two minutes. The Assassin and Irfan’s fighting seemed like a dance of death. Knowing all the soft spots in their armor, they moved through the legionaries, slicing throats and muscles effortlessly.
The Decanus began to tremble as he sent the last legionaries into battle. This time the angels of death made it a point to spill as much blood as possible. The Assassin decapitated the last legionnaire standing. He performed the deed quickly, and walked the severed head over to Decanus, who by this time had tripped over his own two feet, and was scrambling to escape with his life. The Assassin held the head over the terrified man and allowed the blood to drip on the Decanus’ face. With a voice that would make the mightiest of men’s skin crawl, the Assassin gave the Decanus a message, “Report this to your masters.” When he finished speaking, the Assassin threw the head onto the Decanus’ lap and said, “Fly coward.” The Decanus fled to his camel, mounted it, and was never seen in the oasis again.
Irfan and the Assassin returned to the farmer and his wife, and cleaned the blood off of themselves and their daggers. Before departing, the farmer gave the Assassin enough rations to last him and the little prince for a week. The farmer and his wife kissed the child’s feet, and said prayers of protection over the Assassin and prince. As the Assassin loaded up the child and provision onto Irfan’s glider, the two men embraced once more. Irfan, though a hard man, shed a tear. Irfan’s heart was in turmoil, for he knew that the next time he saw the man he loved as a father, it would be with orders from the Imam to deliver the child to the Priesthood and the Assassin’s head to the Order.
