Chapter 17

One by one they were to cross the veil with Draken in the lead followed by Tristan and General Braxton to be the last. Tristan leaned against the stone wall of the cave and watched, as each man came through. As they did, they would stop for a second and sputter a cough and try to regulate their breathing and let the air fill their lungs again. Then they would walk to the side and stand out of the way so the next man could come through. So far five men had crossed over, and with him being the second, he had time to regulate his breathing to a normal pattern and was regaining his strength to walk without effort. He didn’t expect it to affect him the way it had, although Draken had told him it was going to be like that. Being told and to experience it were two different things.

Charles stepped through the blue spirals and took a step to the side before he bent over and attempted to catch his breath. He looked over at Tristan and rose to stand. He took two steps in his direction and turned to see Price walk through. He moved to stand next to Tristan. The two men said nothing to each other. They were best friends and had been so since they were toddlers, and now they had something else in common. They both had the woman they loved taken away from them and they were going together to get the ladies back.

Tristan noticed that the other men took longer to regain their composure than he did. He still felt the surge of power flowing through his body that Artemis had given him, and he was beginning to understand Apollo’s warning. Such power gave the sense of superiority and if not used with reason, could lead a man to strive to dominate and control others. It was a dangerous thought, and he knew better than to try such a thing. This gift was bestowed upon him to help him retrieve Pagan and his sister and for nothing else. That thought was foremost on his mind.

He was to be ruler someday and he didn’t need to overthrow anyone to be ruler, but the idea of having the same power that an immortal deity possessed could control a weaker man’s resolve. He could become a tyrant and destroy anyone who opposed him. Artemis trusted him with Her gift, and after this mission was over, he wanted Her to take it back. No mortal man should ever possess the same power as a deity.

Soon all ten men were standing on the Earth side of the veil and were waiting for Draken to give the order to move out of the cave. Draken motioned for all to stand close, and he began going over each individual’s specific task. When he had finished, he put his hand on Tristan’s shoulder and spoke to his mind.

Tristan, we will get Pagan back, no matter what happens, she and Betha are our top priority, even if that means we have to grab her and go, we will. And if it happens that way, then we will come back and kill the warlord with the women safe at home.

There will be no need to come back. He will not live another day once we reach his camp. I’ll see to that.

Tristan, I’m ordering you not to take any unnecessary risks with Pagan close by. She is carrying the heirs to the ruling chair and caution must be taken.

I’m very well aware of my wife’s condition and I will not put her life or Betha’s in any more danger than they are already in.

You have always been a confident man, Tristan, but now, there is something different about you, and it is starting to worry me.

There is nothing to worry about, Draken, I am here to get my family back and that is what we are going to do.

Tristan knew what Draken saw in him and he wondered if the others saw it, too. He was emanating the power he now possessed, and it was manifesting in a physical way. No one else had questioned him and Draken more than likely felt it more than the others because he was the one in charge and that authority was now challenged by Tristan’s presence.

Draken walked to stand in front of the bush that hid the entrance to the cave. He parted the green foliage and one by one they stepped out beyond the bush and ran to the overgrown jungle. The air was thick and filled with a scent of tropical flowers mixed with a hint of musk and mildew from a recent rain.

The wind was stronger than anticipated and Tristan wondered if a storm was approaching. They walked as close together as they could and took caution not to disturb the natural habitat. A few snakes slithered close by, and Charles waved his hand, and the creatures went flying through the air. He looked at Tristan and shrugged his shoulders.

“Remember, the energy here is raw and is easy for us to manipulate. Try not to overextend your abilities. We don’t want to alert the locals to our presence,” Draken said.

“And how is ten naked men walking through the jungle not going to alert the natives to our presence?” asked Braxton.

“We won’t be naked for long,” Draken replied as he walked through the jungle with determination as to their destination.

They reached the edge of a small village and hid out of sight among the bushes. Draken pointed in the direction of small hut to their left. He walked out in the open and headed toward the hut. He had lived with these people for almost six years and his return would have caused a stir among the people, but not one that he worried about. They had accepted him as a member of their village and his being there again would have been welcomed. It was the idea of him bringing nine other men with him that might spark concern and rumors that most likely would make it back to the warlord. The rest of the group had to sneak in one by one and stay out of sight if at all possible.

Tristan led the remaining men and they each in turn made their way to what he knew was to be Esmeralda’s home, ducking behind wagons and barrels until they all entered her small hut. There weren’t too many people out and he thought maybe it was because of the impending rain. Gray clouds hung low, and he felt the power of the storm that was brewing, as if he were a part of it. It coursed through him, stimulating his senses. He stepped inside the humble hut and noticed the space furnishings. It was a rather small dwelling, and all ten men crowded the open area by the door that Braxton closed behind him.

Esmeralda was standing at her stove, stirring her soup pot with her back to them.

“It’s about time you got here. Come and eat your dinner. I made plenty.” She turned and her eyes widened in surprise. “One, two, three…you brought ten men to fight an army of two hundred? Draken, are you mad? I knew you were arrogant, but to think you can defeat Gomez with only ten men is a bit on the side of stupidity.”

“I see your tongue is as sharp as always, Ezzie,” Draken said.

Draken walked over to her and hugged her tenderly. She placed her arms around him and let out a sigh, as if she was relieved to see him. Draken stepped back but didn’t release his hold.

“I’ve missed you, Ezzie.”

“You’re only saying that because you are standing in our hut after fifteen years and you are trying to make amends.”

“You still think of this as our hut, aww, Ezzie, I do believe you missed me, too.”

She slapped his arm. “Stop putting words in my mouth, you always do that! Did I say I missed you? Why on Earth would I miss a man as arrogant as you!”

He pulled her tighter in his embrace.

“Well, that right there tells me you did miss me.”

“Think what you like, it doesn’t matter to me.”

She moved away from him and turned to stir her pot of soup again. Draken noticed she was wearing her traditional Maya dress. She very rarely wore anything else. She had said fancy dresses were for ladies and tourists and she felt she was neither of those. She always did put herself down and it seemed fifteen years later she was still doing it. The only thing different about her clothes was the veil she was wearing that covered her face except for her eyes. That wasn’t her usual fashion. She had always been a proud woman and never covered her face.

“Ezzie, What’s with the veil?” Draken asked.

“Nothing. I wear it because I feel like.” She lowered her gaze.

“Esmeralda, look at me,” Draken said.

“Why should I? Do you want your men to eat over cooked soup? Let me finish preparing this meal.”

“Ezzie, I said look at me,” he said in a stern voice.

Esmeralda slammed the stirring spoon on the table next to the stove. “Why do you always have to boss me around!” She turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. “There, I’m looking at your naked ass. Happy now?”

“No, not until you tell me why you are wearing that veil. What are you hiding?”

“Are we going to stand here and argue, or are you going to tell me who these naked men are that are standing in my hut?”

“Oh, it’s your hut now, what happened to it being our hut?”

“Draken, can we please stop with the pleasantries and get us something to wear? The sooner we get on with this mission, the sooner I’ll have Pagan back,” Tristan said rather hurriedly.

Esmeralda walked over to Tristan and placed her hands on her hips. “You must be related to Draken. You resemble him and so do you.” She pointed to Brailey.

“They are my cousins,” Draken said.

“These are the boys you went back to raise?” She asked.

“Yes, their father was my cousin, and their grandfather was my uncle and the ruler.”

“I’m sorry you lost your father at such a young age,” she said to Tristan.

“These are my best men. This is Braxton, Brailey, Charles, Anton, Price, Gavin, Scalin, and Marcus. This man here is Tristan, he is Pagan’s husband.” Draken introduced the men.

“Pagan is married? She comes to you for help, and you marry her off? Marco told me he sent her across the veil for her safety, and you take it upon yourself to marry her into your family?” She shot Draken a wary eye and turned to face him.

“Marco is alive?” Tristan asked.

“Yes, he barely made it out alive, although he now walks with a limp because of Gomez,” she replied. “Why did you marry her off?”

“It was the best solution,” Draken replied.

“For whom?” She asked.

“For her and Aradia. Esmeralda, we need your help.”

She pointed to the small room to her right. “In there you will find clothing and weapons. I kept your clothes, and they are still in your chest. I also have been gathering extra ever since I heard Gomez had taken Pagan. It wasn’t easy finding a bunch of jeans for men your height, although I gathered more than was needed, it seems. Ten men, you are daft, Draken.”

She shook her head and threw her hands in the air.

“But of course, I should never expect you to do anything within reason, after all, white men act before they think, we established that fact twenty years ago!”

She returned to her stove and began filling bowls with hot soup.

“Lady Esmeralda, I must know, do you know how Pagan is? Is she hurt?” asked Tristan.

She glanced Tristan up and down. “As far as my sources know, she is alive.” She walked over to Tristan and circled around him, examining him more closely.

“Pagan’s husband? Well, at least you are good looking and well equipped to do a man’s duty. And judging by the size of your manhood, it is apparent you are related to Draken. Are all the men in your family built like that?” She peeped over to Brailey. “Yes, they are. Well, Tristan, you better treat her with respect, or I’ll gut you like a snake, you hear?”

“So, you’re the one she got that saying from.” Tristan ran his fingers through his hair. “Lady Esmeralda, Pagan is my life, and she is pregnant with my babes. I will die for her if need be to ensure her safety and I’ll do whatever it takes to save her. I do love her, and she loves me. I will always treasure her; you have my word as a man and as the husband to the girl you raised.”

“Pagan is pregnant?” She asked in surprise.

“Yes, she is,” Tristan replied.

“How long have you been married?” She asked.

“Two weeks. Why does that matter?”

“Two weeks!” She slapped him hard on his arm.

“Hey, now, that’s uncalled for!” Tristan protested.

She snorted. “It was less than what you deserved! How dare you get my baby girl pregnant so soon after you married her! She is not a baby making machine!” She slapped him again and Draken pulled her away from him.

“He loves her, Ezzie, and more importantly, Pagan loves him. You should be happy for her. You are going to be a grandma because of it. Be grateful for that,” Draken said.

“Grandma, my ass,” she spat back at him. “Abuela,” she said in a muffled voice.

Draken released her and she straightened her dress.

“Go put clothes on and we can discuss our plan to get her back,” she said.

Tristan walked into the back room and rummaged through the stack of clothes on the table. Charles followed him and he picked up a pair of jeans and held it up to inspect them. He gave Tristan a strange look and held the jeans against his body.

“This is what the men wear here?” Charles asked.

“Apparently so.” Tristan put on the white cotton briefs. “And these I assume are under garments.” He slipped on the jeans and zipped them up. He pulled a tee shirt over his head and put his arms through the armholes. “Actually, Charles, this is quite comfortable.”

Charles put on the clothes. “You’re right.” He pointed to the hammock hung by the window. “A hammock in the house?” He asked.

“Yeah, they sleep in them.” Tristan said.

“Why?” Charles asked.

“Too many snakes in the jungle. Pagan once told me they slept in hanging beds so the snakes won’t climb in their beds during the night. It seems anything low to the ground tends to be hiding places for the creatures, so they sleep in hammocks.”

“You’re telling me that Draken and that little woman slept in a hammock together?” Charles asked in amazement.

“Yeah, he did. Quite an image it brings to mind, doesn’t it?”

Tristan looked around at the simple furnishings of the little home Draken had built for Esmeralda. He had told him that he rebuilt this hut many times with repairs after the heavy storms that had blown through. There were only a few chairs and a small table in the center of the other room for eating. A few shelves lined the walls with a few pictures placed on them. He walked over to the wall and picked up a picture. There was a younger version of Draken holding a small child in his lap and Esmeralda standing next to him. The child was Pagan and all three were smiling. It was quite humbling to think of his cousin living this way, he was a wealthy man in Aradia, but yet, he was happy living here with Pagan and Esmeralda. He had said they were his family, and the picture was proof of that. Tristan put the photo back on the shelf and he watched, as Charles pushed the hammock to make it swing back and forth.

“How do you have sex in one of these things?” Charles asked.

“Very carefully I would assume.”

The rest of the group entered the room and looked at Tristan and Charles before going over to the stack of clothes to find something to wear. Tristan leaned against the doorframe, and he overheard the conversation still going on between Draken and Esmeralda. She was a tiny woman, but she stood up to Draken like no other woman would dare, except his Pagan.

“There is no our plan. Oh, no, Ezzie. You stay out of this. My men and I will get our women back. You stay here,” said Draken as he towered over her.

“I don’t take orders from you. I never have and I never will. I’m not your wife. And Pagan is my daughter as well, you brought her to me to help you raise her and I am going to help get her back!” She raised her head in defiance and stood in a firm stance with her hands on her hips.

Tristan chuckled inwardly at the scene he was watching. It reminded him of the way he and Pagan would argue when she first came to Aradia. Now he understood where her independent personality came from, Esmeralda.

“Only because you refused to marry me,” Draken argued.

“A man like you needs children, I am barren.”

“And I told you then that didn’t matter to me. We had Pagan, she and you were all I needed. We were a family and I wanted you to be my wife.”

“You needed a wife who could give you children. I’m sure you married once you got home and have a houseful of offspring.”

“I am ruler and because of that I needed to marry, and my first wife was barren. I only recently remarried because my Maker ordered me to, and yes, Cassandra is pregnant, but I never stopped loving you, Ezzie. Everything I have done was out of sense of duty, not by my on desire,” he said.

She turned away from him. She didn’t know what to say to that. She did still love him, even after all those years, and seeing him again sparked a desire to be with him again. But she knew in her heart that could never happen. Once he rescued Pagan, he would return to his world and go back to his wife, and she would have to stay here in their hut all alone.

She should be used to the loneliness, and she usually preferred to be all by herself. Even if she could be with Draken, it didn’t change the fact she was barren and wasn’t able to give him a son. No, it was better to let him go home to his wife and leave her heart empty. It was the right thing for all concerned, especially for the child that was now in his new wife’s belly. She had to let Draken go.

He placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her around. Her dress sleeve fell off her shoulder and he saw the scars on her skin. He ripped her dress and she tried to cover her chest from his eyes. Draken saw the marks that the whip left across her breasts. He reached up and grabbed her veil and yanked it off her face. He touched her scared cheek.

“Who did this to you?” He asked in an angry tone.

“Gomez, he wanted me to be a reminder to my people of what he is capable of doing to those who defy him.” She reached for a shawl to cover her body.

“Let me heal you.”

“NO! Draken, if I am seen healed then word will get back to Gomez and he’ll come after me, wanting to know who healed me, and torture me again. Let me wear my scars to keep your people safe. Go get dressed with your men. I’ll get the map to show you where Gomez is camped,” she said.

Draken released her and walked into the room with his men. He went to a chest in the corner and opened it. He pulled out another dress and went back in the other room.

“Here, Ezzie, put this on.”

He stood in between her and the door to give her privacy to change her dress. When she was finished, he came back to the other room and began putting on his jeans and tee shirt and sat on the stool to pull on his socks and boots. He threw a pair of socks over to Tristan and pointed to the boots along the wall. Tristan caught the socks and sat on the floor to put them on. Draken called his general over.

“Braxton,” he called to his general.

“Yes, Draken?”

“When we have retrieved our women, I want you to come back here and get Esmeralda. Bring her kicking and screaming if you have to but bring her across the veil. I don’t want to take any chances of any other warlord finding out she helped us and capture her to be tortured again. I want her safe in Aradia. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Draken. I’ll do as you ask.” He shook his head. “She is beautiful and brave, and to think she stood up to that madman. What I wouldn’t give to have a woman like that.”

“You have an eye for her? Well, she is a good woman, I’ll grant you that. I’ve never met another like her, and I never will. She will need someone to look after her once she gets to Aradia. I am married now and taking her as my mistress is out of the question. Esmeralda would never agree to it, and I will not dishonor Cassandra that way. She has no male family members in Aradia to stand for her, so I’ll take that responsibility. If you want a contract on her, you have my blessing, but I warn you, she will fight it.”

“Oh, she’ll have me. I’ll charm her with my wits and good looks, and I give you my word, Draken, I’ll take good care of your lady, I can see you still love her, and I will respect your feelings for her.”

“I trust you to take care of her, Braxton. And hear me on this, I still do love that little woman and if there was a way to make her my wife in Aradia, I would do it, but there’s not. You are a good friend, Braxton, and the only man I trust to be her husband.”

Tristan looked through the doorway at Esmeralda. He watched her, as she gathered bowls and spoons for them to have a meal. She was a proud woman, and it was obvious she loved Pagan by the way she insisted on helping to get her back. This was a different world from his, a world where men tortured women to get what they wanted. That small framed woman had been tortured for information about Pagan and she defied the warlord to keep his wife safe. She paid for her actions and her scars were proof of her bravery. She knew Pagan had crossed the veil, but she refused to speak the truth. If Gomez could do that to Esmeralda, there was no telling what he would do to Pagan.

Anger filled his senses, and he picked up a dagger and threw it with a violent flick of his wrist against the doorframe.

“Temper your anger, Tristan,” Draken said as he pulled the knife out of the wooden structure. “I need you to think clearly. The success of this mission depends on everyone doing their part without hesitation.”

“I see what he did to your lady, and it makes me sick to think of what he may be doing to Pagan and Betha. I never should have let her go with Betha.”

“Tristan, you have my word I will take out every member of his merry band of men with my part. I plan on blowing them all to pieces with every bit of explosives and ammunition they have. The only ones leaving that place alive will be Aradians.” Braxton gave him a reassuring pat on his back then walked back into the main area of the hut and called after Esmeralda.

“My lady, get down off that stool before you fall and break an arm.”

Esmeralda looked over her shoulder toward the general. “Lady? I’m no lady. Why do you people insist on calling me that? My name is Esmeralda, understood?”

“Yes, my lady, I understand all too well. Now let me help you down,” Braxton said as he grabbed her by her waist and plopped her on her feet.

“That was not necessary. I am more than capable of fending for myself, thank you very much,” she retorted back.

“I’m sure you are,” laughed Braxton.

“Don’t laugh at me, you big brut.” She slapped his arm.

“Ah, a nickname, you must like me.”

“Are all men in Aradia arrogant?” She asked annoyed.

“Esmeralda!” came a shout from the door of the hut.

All turned to look at the young girl that ran into the room. She looked to be about eight and was short in stature, but her demeanor gave her the appearance of a tall brave young lady instead of the young one she really was.

“The man on the radio said the storm has been upgraded to a category one hurricane and has changed direction! It is headed straight for us and will make land fall within twelve hours!”

“Hurricane? It’s too early in May for hurricanes. The season doesn’t start till June,” said Draken.

“The weather has changed for the worse since you left. It is God punishing us for destroying the Earth. We must hurry, Gomez may be moving his camp toward the border to be out of the storm’s wrath,” said Esmeralda.

“Actually, the storm may be the cover we need to hide our assault,” Tristan said.

“We must leave now, let’s go,” ordered Draken.

“I’ll show you the way,” said Esmeralda as she buckled a belt around her waist loaded with knifes, handguns and bullets. “You don’t have time to argue, and you would lose even if you tried.” She darted out the door.

“Damn you, woman!” Draken yelled after her.

Tristan followed Draken and Esmeralda to the edge of the jungles. The wind had picked up and another surge of energy swept through his body. There was a storm close by and he actually could feel the direction it was coming from. There wasn’t much time to do what they needed to do, and he picked up his pace, hoping he was able to get to Pagan before Gomez moved her farther away.

***

The young girl went to the stove and turned it off. She then poured a ladle of soup in a small bowl and set it down on the table. She sat in the chair as gracefully as she could and started to eat. A cloud of white sparkling light appeared next to her, and Zeus manifested in full form. He put his hand on her shoulder.

“God, I did what you told me to. Did I do good?” She asked.

“Yes, you did very well, Carmen. Very well,” Zeus said. “Now, finish your supper then go home to your parents. They will take you to the city to a shelter to stay till the storm is over.”

“Yes, God.”

Zeus caressed the crown of the little girl. She was pure in spirit and one of the reasons he wanted to save mankind. Her soul would soon be born in Aradia and she, too, was going to do her part to save the other world he had created. He waved his hand in the air and turned into a white cloud. He wanted to be close by to keep an eye on Tristan and the men, who were going to rescue Pagan. He had forbidden the other deities from interfering in this. Tristan was given a powerful gift from Artemis, and he did approve of her doing so, but that was all the help he was going to get.

Zeus walked the length of the sacred hall of the gods. Apollo, Artemis, and Ares were already standing in the portico, watching the events unfold on Earth below.

How is she? Zeus asked.

She is holding her own for now, but I’m not sure how much more she can take. Apollo said.

Her will is strong. She will survive. Tristan is on his way to her.

She cannot use her abilities, Father.

I know that, Artemis. But my decree stands. Aradians must save Aradians.

***

Draken grabbed her arm and stopped Esmeralda just short of the cave entrance that hid the veil. “Stop,” he said to her.

She turned to look back at him. Draken raised his arms above his head and a sphere of white light appeared before the group. It swirled as the vortex formed, and a portal was opened for them to walk through. He was able to create portals in this world because the energy was raw and easy for him to manipulate. He could go anywhere he wanted to in this world. All he had to do was concentrate on a focal point and walk through the vortex he created.

He extended his right hand to her.

“Ezzie, show me in your mind where the camp is.”

She took his hand and, in an instant, he received the image she created in her mind. He placed his left arm into the sphere, and it grew and began to pulsate. One by one they entered the portal that led to the outskirts of Gomez’s camp.