Trojian Horse

Arien and Turo made their way back to the bank at a leisurely pace, and Arien found that he was surprisingly enjoying Turo’s company a little more than he ever had, or maybe it was that she had decided to be a bit more agreeable since his demise and eventual resurrection, he wasn’t sure. Eventually they found their way to the vastly diminished crowd on the lake shore. All around were heaps upon heaps of bodies, all dracien bodies, which were being prepared for cremation as the Vulpeculae traditionally did for their fallen enemies. Many of the Vulpeculae remained behind for the sole purpose of disposing of the bodies their foes while the bodies of their fallen comrades were loaded into their ships and flown back to the Capital. The Dracien ships were destroyed and lay in a burning heap on the shore, incinerated using a high-energy plasma beam. Apart from the activity on the banks of the Oases, life on Trojian returned to how it had always been; a jungle.

Nobody was willing to take the chance that letting the Dracien roam free on the planet would not lead to some regrettable circumstances. Their rate of replication and penchant for destruction would not allow it. Further down the shoreline toward the north Arien saw several Dracien that had been captured being led into one of their ships and being allowed to take off never to return, hopefully. Thoughts of retaliation never crossed anyone’s lips because it was evident that the Dracien had no sense of purpose without Reeger to lead them. They had also been released on the condition that if they ever returned they would be blown out of the sky without mercy. Hethios had taken it upon himself to ensure they would never be caught by surprise again.

At last there was a relaxed atmosphere around those who sat by the river bank as they exchanged stories about their fallen comrades with some even going as far as cracking jokes. It was refreshing for Arien who worried how this latest turn of events would impact the Vulpeculae. Arien had never seen the Vulpeculae burial ceremony and though he was sad he was a little happy that he would be there to experience it. He wondered how Turo’s people dealt with death but he was not going to ask, not just yet. Every single Vulpeculae they met bowed to Arien as a homage to his service.

They made their way to Hethios and Roue who were preparing Reinon’s body for transport to the Capital. She would be buried with the Vulpeculae.

“I still don’t believe what I’m seeing,” Roue exclaimed when he saw Arien approaching.

“Indeed,” Hethios reiterated.

“It really is me,” Arien said. “With a few improvements.”

“Just a few you think?” Turo added, deciding to join the conversation. She smiled at him. Arien enjoyed seeing this side of Turo.

“What you did there was unbelievable!” Roue said loudly. “I’ve never seen anyone move like that. And to outdo that monster for speed and strength was just astounding.” His eyes wandered to where Reeger’s body still lay. The custom of the Vulpeculae was proving a little difficult in Reeger’s case. Nobody had even attempted to move his body and it seemed nobody was about to volunteer for the job.

“I’ll get to it,” Hethios said when he noticed where Roue was looking. “After her.” He looked down at Reinon’s body and her severed head which was stuck with a pained expression, a reflection of her mindset when she died. It was horrifying how she had died but they appreciated her willingness to put her life at risk to protect others, a people she barely knew.

“She did what she could,” Arien said. “I’m sure she regained some of the honour she felt she lost.”

“Yes, she did,” Turo said stepping closer to Reinon’s body.

“If only you had come sooner,” Roue said.

Hethios was horrified Roue would say something like that and the pressed lips together with his four clenched fists made it clear to Roue what he thought of the remark. He rushed to answer Roue before Arien had the chance to speak.

“How can you say that to him Roue!?” Hethios asked, his voice raised loudly enough for everyone close-by to hear. “It is not Arien who killed her, you can’t make this his responsibility. He did what he could and until you can come back from death to save us you watch what you say!”

“Arien, I…I wasn’t really thinking. I didn’t really mean it like that,” Roue said apologetically.

“There’s no need,” Arien said waving his hand at him. “Besides I know a way you can pay me back.”

“And how is that?” Roue asked, still very embarrassed and cowering slightly under Hethios’ glaring eyes.

“Taking us to Ser-oos.”

It was Arien’s turn to feel the glaring stare of Hethios.

“And why would you want to go there?” Hethios asked. “Why do you insist of pursuing danger? Haven’t you had enough adventure for a lifetime? Just come home and we stay put.”

“I can’t. We can’t. These powers I’ve been given aren’t meant to be kept away from the universe. I made a promise that I would defend the innocent and drive evil from the universe wherever it may hide.”

“Who did you promise that?” Hethios asked still glaring at Arien.

“The Thalios. I know that sounds crazy. I’m telling you though that I must go. I already asked Turo to come with me. Mato, Elia will you come with me? You have a better understanding of the worlds out there.”

Mato-Rayo and Elia-bi said they would come with him without hesitation. Hethios was convinced everyone around him was suicidal.

“Roue, we need you,” Arien said.

“You mean you need a ride?” Roue asked jokingly.

“Yes, that’s what I said,” Arien replied laughing.

“How are you all fine with this? Look at her, look at her! Do you want to end up like this?” Hethios shouted.

“Of course, not. But if I don’t go think of how many mothers and fathers will be forced to bury their daughters and sons? You should trust me, father, this is not meant to hurt you. I really do have to go. I need to start by finding out about myself to know who I am actually facing in this war,” Arien explained.

“What are you talking about? The war is over. Reeger is dead. The dracien are divided. It’s over.” Hethios was very distressed and was not willing to listen to anything Arien had to say. The other parties in the group remained silent while Arien and Hethios spoke.

“I wish that were true. The war is only just beginning. I will come back when it really is over. Maybe sooner.”

“I don’t know, I just don’t know…,” Hethios said sitting down and placing his face in his hands.

Arien walked over to him and placed his hand on Hethios shoulder.

“I will come back. And I really do have to go. I made a promise.”

Hethios stood up walked over to Reeger’s body and began preparing Reeger’s body for cremation. There were many surprised faces on the river bank and while some may felt it inappropriate they would not dare voice their opinions.

“So, we are now a group of galactic freedom fighters huh?” Roue quipped.

“I guess we are,” Arien responded. “I’m glad you’re going.”

“Yes, I guess I am,” Roue answered shrugging his shoulders

“Guess that’s all of us.”

“Won’t you ask Hethios to come with us?” Roue asked.

“He wouldn’t come no matter how much he would want to. You know he wouldn’t,” Arien answered.

“I guess you’re right. Don’t worry about him. I’ll talk to him back at the Capital.” Roue motioned in Hethios direction.

What did you see Arien?” Turo asked taking an unexpected turn in the conversation.

“A lot of things which I will tell you all about later,” Arien replied. “Perhaps now is a good time to help get this all sorted out so we can all go back to the Capital and prepare to leave.”

There was no reply but they all separated and heaped the remaining Dracien bodies on a makeshift platform on the bank which was subsequently set alight with Reeger at the very top of the heap. They watched the bodies burn in silence watching their tormentor disappear in the ashes blown by the wind. When the bodies were nothing but a heap of ash they loaded the last few Vulpeculae bodies and Reinon into the Rogue and soared off into the horizon toward the Capital.