The Sloth of Heaven, page 45
part #2 of The Fallen Angels Series
Such a threat was impossible. The Atlanteans were any Queen’s most loyal subjects and not just because of their Blood Oaths. The Atlanteans were eternally grateful to the Queens, who had protected them against the wrath of Heaven and prevented their race from being hunted to extinction. For the Atlanteans serving the Fae Queens was the greatest honour.
A wise queen treated them with the respect they deserved. Thankfully Fae Queens were not prone to foolishness. The weight of their own death always weighed down on them as did the knowledge of generations. If Atlanteans refused to do a task, then a Queen either gave it to another race or sought to understand their refusal. Most Queens changed their plans based off of the Atlanteans’ decisions. They were valuable advisors and any Queen’s military strength. They were the sword and shield of the Fae. They did not refuse lightly and only did so for the direst of concerns.
She settled onto the throne. It was a strange throne, not at all like the Fae’s. Her throne was simple and tall, carved from the bones of Avalon herself and quenched in the blood of every species under the Fae’s rule. Her own blood had quenched it upon her coronation. The Queen’s throne in the Assembly, however, was low backed and wide, designed after the curves of waves. It was a dominating presence at the top of its dais, made from cold iron, a symbol of the immunity the Atlanteans had gifted the Fairies with. While simple and curving it was pleasing to the eye and had been decorated with slivers of green jade to remind the Queens of Avalon.
The dais sat in the middle of a huge almost semi-circular amphitheatre, its roof reached high above where a massive crystal chandelier floated. Before her sat row upon row of benches where powerful Atlanteans sat. The most powerful Atlanteans, the Guardians, sat to her left and right upon their own thrones. Simple but beautiful, crafted from crystal and their blue metal hydralgia. They were the leaders of the Atlanteans and they reflected Atlantean society.
There was Zelaris the Supreme Commander of the Military, Xandelexis the Elder Mage of all magical learning and her own Atlantean Advisor, Selarine the First Healer in charge of Atlantean health, Zenar the Arch Landscaper in charge of Atlantean city development and architecture, Tenexus the Neoscientist in charge of Atlantean technological development and then there was Xendex the Grand Archivist in charge of all history and learning. The six of them were the rulers of the Atlantean people and she was the seventh on the Assembly, the Queen and the tiebreaker when it came to votes. But she was not here today to help break a tie she was being petitioned by the Assembly.
“You have asked for my presence and it has been granted, how many I serve the Assembly?”
It was Xandelexis who spoke, for he was the oldest and longest-serving of the Guardians. He had survived the destruction of Atlantis and he had spearheaded the escape to the Seelie Court. “With the finishing of the first Imperial Academy, our sights and duties have now been turned to the rest of the Empire. Our construction projects are to begin in Adelaide and Shadowhound and many of our numbers will journey abroad. We ask of you, our Queen, your permission to build new colonies.”
A part of her had suspected this might be what they were asking but then there had been several other things they may have asked for as well. While they were bound by Blood Oath to her, they were not limited to the Isles of Avalon as the Fae were. They were not natives and they were not dependent upon Avalon’s magic for their continued survival. Very few Fae ever chose to leave Avalon.
“Beyond Avalon?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. We have identified several locations we would like to colonise.”
“You are aware that even beyond Avalon you are bound by the Blood Oath. No matter how far or wide you spread you are bound to serve.”
It was Zelaris who answered, he was the second longest-serving Guardian. He had been a young man when Atlantis was destroyed and had quickly risen through the ranks in those early days. He was a shrewd and thoughtful man, not prone to sugared words. “We are aware of our duty, our entire race is honoured to serve the Fae Queens. We will not shirk our duties or bring dishonour to our name.”
“We do not seek to escape from the Fae but are only looking to the future. We seek to test our technologies against greater challenges. We seek to increase our numbers far and wide so that we can never be under threat of extinction ever again. Do not fear, Your Highness, no matter how far or wide we spread, we will always serve and protect our greatest allies, our brothers and sisters.” Zenar continued on from Zelaris. She had files ready and waiting to be shown to the whole assembly if permission was given. As the Arch Landscaper, she would have already drawn up plans for the intended colonies. Sorcha had to admit she was curious as to where they would expand to.
“We intend no disrespect or insult to yourself or the Fae. You have been most gracious hosts for millennia and our partnership can never be broken. Many bonds of blood, friendship and magic have been forged between our races. Bonds that can never be broken, bonds that neither would ever want to be broken. We simply seek permission to pursue our own development and projects but we will always be loyal members of the Seelie Court.”
Sorcha sat there looking at the Guardians in turn. Xandelexis one of her closest friends and longest serving advisors had never steered her wrong. Then again he had never been pursuing the Atlantean agenda so much. But he was not a treacherous or cunning man. He preferred to keep things simple and was most interested in the development and discovery of magic. His place as her advisor ensured that he would remain in Avalon for most of the time. On her other side sat Zelaris, who would be busy with imperial expansion. But if she did not grant this petition how much of the Atlantean military would be provided? He was a clear-cut man but he was a brilliant strategist no matter what the battlefield was. They would not refuse her but they would limit the numbers they granted to the war effort. Selarine and Zelaris would pair up and meticulously calculate just how little warriors they could supply under the guise of protecting their numbers. To the Atlanteans their survival was everything.
To her, it seemed ironic that she had the power to wipe out every single one of them. They did not know that nor would they. The Queens of the Fae kept their secrets and powers close.
Tenexus was the youngest of the Guardians and that was evident in the way he held himself, like a tightly wound coil. Oh, he managed to make himself look patient and contemplating but she could read people better than most Gods. He was full of restless energy, perhaps from his Human blood or was it because he saw so much opportunity in Atlantean expansion. He was a prodigy when it came to technology, advancing its slow progression in leaps and bounds.
Zenar also contained a great deal of pent up excitement. She thoroughly enjoyed her work and setting up a new colony would keep her delighted for years. Selarine was watching her with her cool searching eyes, she knew how to read the body better than most, she had even learned how to gauge some of her moods. An impressive feat. Xendex appeared far less interested. His whole focus was on knowledge and yet most of the discoveries came from Selarine, Xandelexis or Tenexus’ people. He seemed lost in the past. Upon his death, a more forward thinking Grand Archivist would hopefully be installed.
She considered her options, to let them expand would allow their numbers and technology to increase. To deny them would limit the number of warriors they would grant her and resentment would boil under the surface. They wouldn’t be able to rebel but there were many ways to make things difficult. Other than keeping a close eye on them she had no valid reason to limit their expansion. They were all bound to her, their entire species for as long as either the royal bloodline or the Atlanteans existed.
“I grant the Atlanteans the freedom to expand beyond the shores of Avalon, I wish you well in your endeavours and hope that our bonds of friendship remain as strong as they are.”
“The Queen is both wise and kind. The Atlantean people thank you” ritualistic words to end the formal Assembly. Now she was but a spectator unless asked to vote or if she chose to interject. She was most curious to see where Zenar had chosen as suitable spots.
Across the crystalline walls of the chamber maps and images started to drift as Zenar stood up and walked around. “The Landscapers have identified several initial colonies that have taken into consideration the data from the mages and technicians. So far we have the proposal for several new colonies. The first is proposed to be an underwater city in Avalon’s Divide. It would be within easy access of colonies on both Ireland and Britain, it is one the technicians are most keen to build.” Blueprints flashed across the crystals along with the underwater scans and landscape reconstructions.
“The next two are proposed to be built in both the Arctic and Antarctic, their exact placements are still to be narrowed down. These both have the backing of the mages and technicians.” Images and maps of the Arctic and Antarctica drifted across the crystals. A multitude of dots showed the proposed positions. It appeared they had a great deal of narrowing down to do.
“There have been others proposed as well, in other oceans and in territories belonging to the Empire. However the Guardians have decided that first the prototype colonies must prove to be successful before any others are considered.”
Sorcha was surprised she had thought they would have been scattering to the four winds but as ever the Atlanteans were careful. To leave Avalon was to expose themselves to other Divine, without the Fae’s protection they were on their own and they knew it. The Fae would not live in these new cities, except perhaps the first one. Being between the islands of Ireland and Britain it was well in Avalon’s scope, and the marine Fae and Daemons would certainly be interested.
Now they were free to expand at any rate and anywhere they so choose. The Queens of the Fae would gain even more subjects and the Atlanteans were surely their most useful. They would serve Aisling well.
“Are we ready Commander?”
Zelaris turned to face the Goddess standing beside him, surprisingly for a God she was slightly shorter than him. She seemed to pay no heed to the numerous particularities of the many Gods he had known. She didn’t feel the need to emphasise her superiority to those around her. He had never understood why so many of the Gods had felt the need to. They were immortal Divine beings of incredible power, emphasising that point to the smallest detail seemed beyond petty.
No, she was a Mother Earth Goddess, a much more pragmatic breed, but also a Goddess of Flames. She had fight, spirit and strength, she also had a canny intelligence that the Atlanteans found refreshing in a God. But most of all she saw their merit. He was no fool and neither were the Atlanteans. Brigid was using them to her own ends but she was allowing them to exist openly without fear of retribution. If another God had claimed Britain, then they would very likely still be hiding in their cities. But Brigid did not care about the Atlantean Decree, she had said herself that she didn’t understand why the Gods had turned against the Atlanteans. But then a Goddess who had resurrected a Divine race and granted many mortals Divinity wouldn’t. She was a different kind of Goddess, less selfish.
As the Fae were want to say, she was like Avalon. He had never met Avalon, very few Atlanteans had ever met the Fae’s Mistress. She was an elusive and enigmatic Primordial Goddess, who had strayed very little from her beloved islands. She had been one of those very rare Divine beings much more interested in propagating life than controlling it. She had created the Fae to be guardians of her lands and many of the wildlife that had been hidden away from Humanity. She had left a legacy to be filled by a suitable heir, chosen by the Fae themselves. It was ever more apparent that Brigid was by far the most suitable candidate who cared deeply for these islands and all who lived on them.
But for all her kindness and nurturing nature she was spreading war to the world. Driven by the need to protect herself and her people she was conquering vast tracts of the world in order to empower herself against the Angels’ assaults. Today the expansion of the Empire truly begun, Britain’s imperialistic intentions would be abundantly clear to everyone.
“Aye Goddess we are ready” they had been ready half the morning waiting for the combined signals. The invasions would be simultaneous and executed with precision. The world would know of Britain’s full military might and they would begin to comprehend the difference magic made in their world.
The air shimmered briefly before a glowing rent split open to reveal the streets of Singapore filled with bustling cars and the now surprised faces of Singaporeans. British soldiers began pouring through the portal to secure the area. Other portals all across Britain were opening up from army barracks into Singapore. Many were aimed straight for Singaporean barracks to nullify any resistance. This one was going for the jugular, capturing the president and government. Tanks groaned as they rolled through the portal followed by the orderly lines of the Red Guard, they were all glowing from the use of their magic, shielding the soldiers or preparing for offensive spells.
Following on a floating Atlantean platform were Victoria, Cathair, Zelaris, two of the Human generals and Brigid. A tight magical shield flashing warningly encompassed the entire platform. Brigid was taking no chances on her young Empress, Victoria’s safety was of the utmost importance but she was required for this conquest. Today the world would really see what Britain and its Fae allies were capable of. No forced covenants, no political power deals, no magical ultimatums. With the Blood Oath, expansion had been streamlined, all conquered nations would be compelled by their Blood Oaths to remain loyal. Many of their citizens would, in turn, complete their national service adding to the vast ranks of the Empire.
The Fae had neatly solved the dilemma that had been bothering generals, leaders and the Goddess.
Victoria stood to the fore of the platform, holding onto the metal railing for strength. She needed the support of the cold metal under her, shunning the physical comfort of those around her. She needed its solidness and its biting cold to keep her mind focused on what lay in front of her and not imagining the worst possibilities. She had strayed so far from her starry-eyed dreams as a princess, it was beginning to feel like a betrayal of everything she was.
She had been the apple of Britain’s eye. She had done everything right in the eyes of the media and the public. She had achieved excellent grades through school and her gained her own admittance into Oxford University, though she had only completed one year of study before this year and last had taken their surreal turn of events.
She had attended charity functions all her life, following her mother’s footsteps and earning the love of the people. She had personally overseen many redevelopment projects that had helped give many of the poor a hand up. She had also assisted and funded programmes to turn derelict agricultural labs into environmental labs to help propagate rapidly declining species numbers. She had wielded great financial powers from the shadows, directing Britain’s economic goals and strength.
She had dreamed of a better Britain, one that was no longer falling apart. She had dreamed of ending its environmental ruin. She had planned to encourage greater participation in the Eurozone, she had believed that strength in numbers was how they were going to survive the world’s collapse. She had been driven to be the monarch that the nation needed after two generations of ineffective kings. Her presence in government had been welcomed and the populace had begun to adore her.
Now things were so different. Her father had been murdered by the Arch Angel Ariel and she had taken her anger out on the Angels’ worshippers. The Purge was still to come and she felt a great deal of apprehension about it. Because of her, two religions unique to the UK had been disbanded, religions she should have sworn to protect. Then there was the European Union. It had formally renounced Great Britain, enacting stringent embargos meant to weaken it but it was well supplied from its rich Royal Provinces. Because of her actions, Britain had been thrown out of the European Union and ostracised by the continent as a whole, even the city-state remains of nations had condemned her actions. But then Britain had invaded Ireland, who had also been an EU member.
Yet she could not regret her decision. In the short time Brigid had been around, the British Isles had started to come back to life. Since her coronation the Isles had exploded with new life. Species lost decades ago were now commonplace, even species lost centuries ago had been spotted again. There were also the Fae species that had been revealed. Britain was in beautiful bloom. No longer was her nation choking beneath toxic smog that was still blanketing most countries of the world. No longer were people starving in the streets, no longer did farmlands sit dead but were now yielding such abundant harvests that it had plenty to share with the Provinces and to sell to the rest of the world.
Britain was now the healthiest nation in the world, its cities, rivers and fields had been washed clean. Its seas were now filling with life that had gone extinct in the world’s oceans as it had continued to absorb Humanity’s ever increasing toxic output. Woodlands and forests were spreading the length of the Isles, in such amounts unseen since the Middle Ages.
It was also quickly turning into one of the richest. Her monopoly on British corporations had stopped their planned revolt to her imperial expansions. Now they were revelling in the technologies the Atlanteans were beginning to share. The Fae and Nymphs were out in the fields encouraging bumper harvests. Her slashing of welfare had angered many but saved the government billions, most of which had been diverted to the military but had been freed up for other uses. The re-emergence of various minerals in abandoned mines had increased productivity across the board and provided the raw materials needed for Britain’s rapid expansion and advancement. Because of her actions, Britain was becoming incredibly wealthy.
Then there were the cultural and magical revolutions sweeping the Isles. Despite some initial hesitation and confrontation, the Human population seemed to be adjusting to the presence of the Fae and Daemons, who had always lived among them. Helped a lot by the prime minister and his family standing together, most families had managed to stay together. The relative commonness of Daemons meant that most people already knew at least one if not more. The Fae and Atlanteans, however, were far more enigmatic and while the Fae’s coldness worked against them people’s curiosity drove them to try and understand them. The farmers’ high praise of them had done wonders. The Atlanteans too were making overtures in Edinburgh and London, where their technology and sharp minds were being eagerly accepted by the industrial and scientific communities.
