Chapter One, Ætolus

The red-gold light of the setting
sun poured over the castle making the great building seem to glow with
an Inner Light. Ætolus wandered the empty palace hallways in silence,
His bodyguard following a few steps behind him. The day had been a lax
one, and he searched for something to occupy his attention. Normally he
would just harass Epeius or Eurycyda, but his brother was studying Arcane
lore, and all of his sisters were on an outing for the day.

In a small daze, he stopped at the
ancient meeting courtyard. This place, although boycotted by almost everyone
else, was one of his favorite spots. He had taken the time and shared the
responsibility to trim the centuries old brush, with his brother, and to
clean the abandoned yard to it? current respectable state.

Today, he planned to just rest for
a while and daydream. His bodyguard, Mikageishi, took place near the entranceway,
and Ætolus leaned against a tree, while sitting down, and began to
ponder the ancient circular alcove he had located in the stone wall weeks
ago while clearing away the ivy. The alcove was completely circular and
sat about 1 meter off the ground. It was about 3 or 4 meters wide, and
was marked with a special metallic frame. All in all it looked like a gigantic
orchiculm ring forced into the wall, and then hollowed out.

The ancient tombs referred to it as
the “Great Gate” and many sketches and notes where made, but in a language
that was no longer spoken.

Many small silver and golden statuettes and engravings
of small forest creatures and Elves where everywhere in the courtyard.
This, he believed, was the reason most people avoided the area. It was
supposed to be haunted by the Fairies and the Elves. It was the only place
in the entire Country of Atlantis, that had these carvings and statues.
The rest of the country was blessed by the carvings and statues of the
Nixies and Mermaids. Descendants from the Sea God, Triton, himself.

With all this mysterious, and yet
soothing scenery around him, it wasn’t too long before Ætolus had
fallen asleep against the old apple tree in the center. His dreams where
full of the little Elves with floppy hats and big shoes, and their winged
Cousins, the Fairies. They danced and played in the courtyard, causing
mischief, as was their nature. He didn’t know how long he had slept when
something solid smacked into him. Snapping awake, he barely dodged the
apple that flew by his head. scurrying for cover behind the tree, he grabbed
on of the fallen apples and launched it in the direction of his twin.

Epeius dodged the poorly thrown apple
and laughed “You Missed, You Missed! Nya Nya!” and promptly threw one of
his own that connected with deadly accuracy.

The twins continued the apple fight
for a few moments then, unsheathing their blunt practice swords, began
an intense fencing match. The two became so entranced that neither noticed
the peering eyes of the bodyguards.

Ætolus, being the more
physical of the two, quickly gained the upper hand on his book-worm brother.
Epeius, was wearing down quickly, but with the last of his energy, he kicked
the feet out from under his brother, and knocked the sword away from the
prone twin, as he dropped it in shock. Placing the blunt tip of his sword
on his brother’s heart, Epeius wheezed “I win” and promptly collapsed.

Ætolus and Mikageishi
rushed to the unconscious boy. “Fetch a healer!” Ætolus ordered the
bodyguard, who sped away. Ætolus began to start loosening his brother’s
shirt, trying to give him breathing space.

It wasn’t long before Mikageishi
returned with a man wearing the traditional violet robes of a Healer. The
healer began to immediately work on the unconscious prince.

The healer’s hands moved like
clockwork, with herbs, and incense over the prone body. Every minute passed
like an hour. Ætolus feared the worse, as his brother was prone to
illness and injury easily. He shouldn’t have confronted him like that.

After what seemed like an eternity,
The healer decided to move Epeius to the Temple, where all patients where
better cared for. Ætolus agreed to this, and helped to move his brother
into Mikageishi’s arms.

***
Ætolus paced the floor uneasily;
he had never been so nervous in his entire life. “What if I don’t like
her?” he asked for the umpteenth time. “I mean today I meet THE one, the
one I’ve been engaged to since childhood, and even if I don’t like her,
I’ve still gotta spend the rest of my life with her?” Ætolus wished
his brother could be here for this. But Epeius was still in the Temple,
as had he been for a week now. Being the Oldest, by just seconds, he was
technically the Heir, and for that reason was engaged since birth.

“You’ll like her,” his father smirked.
“She’s a fine girl.”

“But…” Ætolus was cut off
by his mother.

“Trust us Ætolus.” The queen
paused. “Epeius, thought she was a sweet girl.”

“She’s Visited us?” Ætolus was
confused.

“Yes, she used to visit every summer
while you and your brother would go to the country-side.”

“But How did Epeius meet her
then?” Ætolus sat down, baffled.

“Remember last year when He
was sick and you had to go alone to your uncle’s?”

The memory was there, He had worried
about his brother the entire summer. “What’s her name?” Ætolus asked.
And for the first time in 10 years, he got an answer.

“She’s called Maia,” his mother answered,
“and I know you’ll like her…”

“Maia…” Ætolus let the name
roll around on his tongue for a bit. It was a beautiful name. He sat down,
soothed by the name, and began to ponder what type of girl had such a name,
and why hadn’t Epeius told him. What would she look like? Where was she
from? Maia wasn’t an Atlantean name. Mind you his father’s and his weren’t
either, and Ætolus didn’t know where they came from. “Egypt?” No,
she would be too fragile for that harsh climate. “Greece?” No, too barbaric.
“Africa?” No, not a powerful enough continent. “Mu?” Maybe. That had to
be it, she was a Mu girl, she had to be.

The blaring horns woke Ætolus
from his daydream.

“Maia, daughter of Atlas!” The courtier
squeaked loudly.

“Atlas?” Ætolus muttered to
himself. “A Titaness?” For him the next few seconds seemed to last forever
as she entered the room. When he finally got a look at her, Ætolus’
jaw dropped.

With the name Maia he had expected
a beautiful girl, but the creature before him was beyond gorgeous.

The twinkle in her silver framed,
magenta eyes displayed her nervousness, but that was the only sign. Her
short, hourglass body held a posture of respect and confidence. Her black
hair was styled in twin ponytails on the sides.

“Dear Goddess,” Ætolus whispered.

“Yes?” his mother responded wryly.

His father just smiled. “I told you,”
he whispered to Ætolus.

“Your Majesties. Your Highness.” Maia
curtsied to the trio.

“I trust your ride was enjoyable?”
Endymion asked aloud.

“Why, yes, your Majesty, it was breathtaking.
Your planet is a very beautiful one.”

“We’re glad you enjoyed it, but I’m
sure you’re tired from your trip. Ezero will show you your room. Rest up.
Dinner will begin at 6:00. After that you are free to roam the palace.”
The King waved at a courtier who led Maia out of the room.

When she was completely gone Endymion
turned to his son. “Well son? First impressions?”

“Wow.”

***
Ætolus walked out of the temple,
Mikageishi following close behind. Entering the Temple of Poseidon, Ætolus
marched up to his brother’s room. Nodding at the two guards on the door,
he opened the door and marched over to his brother’s bed, and looked at
the sickly face.

“Are you feeling any better?”
Ætolus asked, and sat down. The look on his brother’s face was not
positive. “That bad?” Ætolus asked.

“poison.” Epeius wheezed. He
began to ramble, but Ætolus calmed him down.

“SSSSHHHH, It’s going to be
alright.” Ætolus calmed. He had wanted to ask about Maia, but His
brother’s condition was more important. He sat with his brother for hours,
waiting for the Priest to arrive so that he could ask questions. Finally
one came in.

“Your Highness, Welcome.” The
Violet robed man stated, and walked close to the sleeping prince. “He is
very ill, did he say anything?”

“He mentioned poison, before
sleeping.” Ætolus stated. “What can you tell me on his condition?”

“He has indeed been poisoned.”
The priest stated. “By something we cannot identify. But we have isolated
it to an injested poison.” The priest looked at the standing prince. “It
stands to reason that if he ate the poisoned food, then….”

“I did too.” Ætolus muttered.
“Is there anyway to determine the reality of this?”

“Not now, It is too late to
determine that.” The priest sighed. “But be careful, your highness.”

Ætolus paced in the small room, “If I have
it too, then Why am I not in the bed beside him?” He asked himself. “Any
sign of a cure?”

“None yet.” The priest breathed
“He’s fighting it well, but it’s only a matter of time before it claims
him.”

***
Maia had been resting in the room given
to her for a couple hours when there came a knock on the door. She looked
up, who was that? It was only 5:00. Slowly she opened the door, and there
stood Epeius. In his hand was a small rose. He was handsome, but wore a
weary look on his face. “Your Highness?”  She gasped. “Is there something
I can help you with?”

“Maia.” His voice dropped. Then
he searched for words. “Could… we go for a walk?”

“I would be delighted.” She
bowed her head, and nodded at her servant. Then she stepped out. “Is there
something troubling you?”

“Nobody has told you?” The Prince
was shocked. Then he regained his composure. “One week ago, My brother,
Epeius…” he paused. “I believe you have met him.” Then he continued.
“Epeius collapsed in one of our sparring matches. He has been in the Temple
Healing Quarter since.”

“Gods!” Maia breathed. “How
is he?”

“The priests have diagnosed
Poison, as the cause.” The prince paused. “he might not have very long.”
The two walked through the empty corridors, the conversation on Epeius
as their feet lead them on an aimless path down the almost deserted passageways.

“May I see him?” Maia finally
asked. “He, uh, helped me with some… things last year.”

“If you wish. After Dinner,
I will take you to visit him.” The prince stated softly, then paused. “He
never even told me that he knew you.”

Maia felt a small tinge of guilt,
as she knew Epeius had promised not to tell his brother of their meeting.
“He had nothing but praise for you.” She stated. “He told me of how he
used to idolize you.”

Ætolus chuckled “It is
I who should have praise for him. He has knowledge of things that I know
nothing of.” He paused. It is Almost Dinner time. I will Return you to
your quarters to get ready.” He stated, obviously feeling a bit better.