The Esoteric Design: Civilization Lost Page 20

  “Come on, already. Let’s go home.” Euclid sounded grumpier than usual. He already had a portal open, motioning for the boys to follow his actions.

  “You guys go ahead; I’ll catch up with you later.” Dovian took a full bite of his breakfast sandwich. Once he finished chewing, he noticed the men staring at him. “What?”

  Euclid stomped forward, grabbing Dovian by the sleeve. “I’m not leaving you here by yourself. I know you’ve not been home to see your family since you’ve left. I’ve received thousands of messages, mostly from your annoying little cousin.”

  “We’ve all received them, actually,” Orin added, scrolling through his long list. Karter agreed with a rapid bobbing of his head.

  “I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but I’m not putting up with it any longer.” Euclid tugged the silver-haired man toward the portal. Dovian growled in protest, shoving the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth. Orin and Karter followed closely behind. With a gust, the spiraling portal took the four of them directly to Ives.

  Dovian winced in response to the sudden harsh sunlight. A cold breeze swept by, whipping his cape around him. Ives was just as he had remembered. The tinkling of wind chimes sounded in the distance along with the tweeting of flutes and shrill laughter. Taking a deep breath, the familiar scent of trees, apples, the lake, and home cooking invaded his senses. Euclid had brought them outside Dovian’s home, most likely to ensure he visit his family. At the front of the bridge was a delightful sight, and Dovian finally smiled. Beautiful robes of Emerald, a black dress beneath, and long lavender hair, he saw Lita eagerly awaited him. However, she was not alone.

  I’Lanthe stood at Lita’s side. She sat atop the bridge railing, her lilac dress waving with gossamer edges flickering in the wind. Atop her gown was a charcoal-gray coat secured by a black leather corset. Her chocolate hair was pulled up and pinned with an ornate metal hair clip. A few curls spiraled around her face. Even from where he stood, Dovian saw her pink-lipped smile. She was laughing, but her face quickly fell into a look of curiosity as Lita suddenly screamed and took off in a full sprint toward Dovian and the boys. Violet eyes met him, and I’Lanthe’s smile widened once again. She gently pushed off the railing and made her way toward them as well, but kept her pace at a reasonable speed.

  “Dovian!” Lita shrieked.

  “Careful, you’re about to be scolded,” Orin mumbled.

  “As I deserve,” Dovian replied.

  He could barely get his arms out before his cousin crashed into him, her arms wrapping around his neck in a death grip. Dovian laughed, swinging her in a full circle.

  “You are a jerk! The meanest cousin in the world!” she shouted as she squeezed him.

  “That I am,” he whispered.

  “The worst!” she grumbled.

  She tried her best not to cry, her voice quaking and body shaking. Dovian slowly released his hold, lowering her, but kept her close. He placed a finger beneath her chin. Lita lifted her head, her vivid eyes shimmering. Pouting, she quickly wiped at her eyes, blowing a few loose strands of her purple-gray hair out of her face before looking off to the side, avoiding eye contact.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come home. I had my reasons, and all of them I’m sure you’d disagree with,” Dovian explained.

  Lita folded her arms.

  He sighed. “And we will have a long ‘Q’ and ‘A’ session once I get settled in.” He shifted his bag higher on his shoulder. His gaze set over Lita’s head.

  “Welcome home.” I’Lanthe finally caught up. Her eyes were brighter than he remembered, and the scent of her perfume was even sweeter.

  “Lanthe,” Dovian gave a quick bow. The woman smiled as she enjoyed the fact that he hadn’t used her formal name.

  “Lita’s been a mess without you around. I’ve had to work twice as hard to keep her out of trouble.” Her voice was also softer than he had remembered.

  “My apologies. I can’t imagine how terrible she’s been without me here to discipline her.” Dovian smirked.

  “Hardy-har-har.” Lita rolled her eyes. She looked to I’Lanthe and poked the woman’s side.

  Something caught Dovian’s eye as the wind blew away the stray bangs that had previously covered part of Lita’s face. He held her head in place, brushing the hair away. A green tattoo decorated the side of her cheek and outlined her eyelids. She had graduated in her Emerald status.

  “Lita! You have your tattoos!” he stammered.

  “Yeah, and you missed the ceremony.” She glared.

  His shoulders slumped. “Lita…I’m…I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I missed it. I would never purposefully miss something of such importance. I must have somehow overlooked the messages.”

  Lita bit her lip. “There were no messages sent to you about it.”

  Dovian’s brow wrinkled. “Why?”

  She looked to the sky, poking her fingertips together. “Ohhh, maybe because I was mad at you and demanded that nobody notify you.”

  This time Dovian folded his arms. “Why on earth would you do something like that?” he scolded her.

  Lita’s hands balled. “Why on earth would you leave for fifty years and never show your face once even on holidays?!”

  Dovian rubbed the back of his neck, sighing.

  “I said you were in trouble,” Orin whispered.

  Lita’s sight moved to the Emerald man. “Hello, Orin!”

  Orin gave a short bow, snatched up Lita’s hand, and softly pressed his lips against her knuckles. “Greetings, Lita,” he said with a seductive tone.

  Her gaze fled to Euclid. The Azure man gave a short nod. “Lita.”

  “Euclid,” she replied evenly.

  He snorted at her mocking tone.

  Next, her attention drifted to Karter. Her eyes widened with interest as her mouth slightly hung open. For once, Lita had no words. Dovian caught her strange expression and looked over his shoulder.

  “Karter,” he said, “this is Lita.”

  Karter quickly placed his fist against his chest and bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Lita.”

  “Uh, yeah…pleasure. Karter.” Lita quickly fumbled over the formal gesture, bowing quickly.

  Dovian held his hand out toward I’Lanthe. “This is Lanthe.”

  “Greetings,” Karter quickly spouted, repeating his actions to which I’Lanthe followed with her own.

  The beautiful woman quickly said her hellos to the other men of the group whom she had met at one time or another.

  “Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, I do have some people I’d like to see,” Euclid said.

  Dovian quickly nodded. “Thank you, Euclid. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  The other men all made similar comments, and they quickly dismissed themselves, leaving Dovian with the two women.

  “I wasn’t expecting a welcoming committee,” Dovian spoke, suddenly feeling a bit awkward without the men by his side.

  As he looked at the two young women, he realized how much he had undoubtedly missed. They no longer resembled eighteen-year-old humans but appeared as adults. As if I’Lanthe could be any more alluring, she once again proved him wrong. And as he looked over Lita, he realized how hard it was going to be to keep boys away from her. She had hips now, had filled out in all the right places, and was busty like her mother. He was sure Gaius II was both proud and scared to death of her striking beauty.

  “Euclid messaged me this morning. He said he was dragging your miserable ass home today,” she paused, “dead or alive.”

  “That sounds like something he’d say.” The man rolled his eyes.

  Lita cleared her throat and reached for Dovian’s bag. “Let me take this; I know where everything goes! When you’re ready, meet up with me inside. Hector’s excited to see you.”

  “Hector? He’s…he’s still around?” he eagerly asked.

  Lita gave a small smile. “He’s gotten very thin, is having trouble getting around, but he’s still alive. He sl
eeps beside your bed every night.”

  Dovian’s smile faded. He wasn’t sure how he’d handle seeing his plump Hector frail and on the edge of death. He at least would get to see him again.

  “I’ve tried moving him to my quarters, but he doesn’t much care for Petey,” she explained, heaving Dovian’s bag over her shoulder.

  “Petey?” Dovian asked. “Is that the name you decided on?”

  Lita suddenly gave a nervous laugh, looking toward I’Lanthe. “Uh, yeah! Wait till ya see him!”

  “I’m sure he’s spoiled and overweight.”

  “Yup! Something like that!” Lita gave an awkward laugh. “Anyway! See ya later!” She slapped her palm against her chest and abruptly disappeared.

  “Ah, they even gave her a Frequency Tuner,” Dovian whispered.

  “She was as excited as a child on Christmas,” I’Lanthe spoke up.

  Dovian straightened his posture, realizing they were alone. He had wanted to speak with her but did not expect to so soon.

  “I apologize for my long absence.”

  She clasped her hands together. “No need to apologize. You were a very busy man. I’ve heard stories about you. Some made you sound menacing and fierce. Others revealed compassion and humility as you saved many.”

  “Ah, tales that are true in some right but I’m sure are exaggerated.” He ran his hand through his hair. It had grown out some, but I’Lanthe recognized that he kept it somewhat close to how she had originally styled it for him. Dovian slid his hand down his chin. Stubble covered his jawline. Realizing how messy he must’ve looked, he downcast his eyes.

  “You appear tired, perhaps I should allow you to get settled in,” she suggested.

  “I heard there is to be a feast tonight,” he quietly spoke, bringing his eyes back to hers.

  “Yes. I heard it’s going to be over-the-top.”

  “As always.” Dovian straightened his robes and fidgeted. “Uh, will you be in attendance?”

  “That I will.”

  “I will keep an eye out for you. I will attempt to make myself a bit more presentable.”

  She gave a quiet laugh. “You look fine as you are.”

  Dovian rubbed his cheek, making a face that proved he thought otherwise.

  “Rugged, but in a good way. I don’t mind it.”

  He smirked. “You are perhaps the first to say they don’t mind me messy and unshaven.”

  “I’m not hard to please, sir.” Her smile widened. Dovian was sure his face turned red from embarrassment. How his nerves always betrayed him.

  “Good to know,” he replied.

  I’Lanthe laughed loudly, her fingers trailing over her collar. “I will take my leave so you can get ready. The feast is meant to be in a couple of hours. I will also like to prepare.”

  Dovian eyed her up and down. “You don’t find what you’re wearing suitable?”

  “Heavens, no! Not for an occasion as special as this. Lita and I have bought ourselves new dresses.”

  Dovian’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t realized it was so important.”

  “It’s been fifty years since you boys went off to war. In all that time, Lita has not seen you. This is a special day for her as well, and I’m proud to be a part of it.” She looked toward his home. “She has been fretting over your living area since she heard the news of your homecoming. I think she’s trying to clean.”

  Dovian eyed the massive home on the opposite side of the ivory bridge. “Clean? Lita was never good at cleaning.”

  I’Lanthe’s eyes glimmered. “As I said, she’s trying to clean.”

  They both shared a laugh. Seeing Dovian smile eased I’Lanthe’s tension. When she first approached him, he seemed like a different man–distant, tired, empty. Now that he was home, she hoped he’d become merrier.

  She unconsciously smoothed her dress. “Well, it’s a pleasure running into you again, sir. I’ll see you tonight.”

  Dovian bowed and placed his hand against his chest, pinching the dial of his tuner. “It’s been a pleasure wandering back into your life,” he said with a wink.

  I’Lanthe’s expression brightened even further, and Dovian smirked. With a quick twist of the dial, he left her presence. The woman turned to face the Gaius home, shielding her eyes from the sun.

  “You had better stay in it from now on,” she whispered.

  ***

  Soft music played in the corner of the room–purring violins, humming cellos, tweeting flutes. Emerald musicians took turns throughout the night to provide an atmosphere for the feast. Every few songs, a soloist or a small choir would whisper harmonious vocals. Golden orbs of light hovered above the crowd, casting over everyone in a pleasantly muted hue. Sir Gaius hosted the event in his own dining hall, one often used for holiday events and council meetings. It was one of the largest in all of Ives, yet the room was crowded. Everyone wore their best–ceremonial robes, gowns, capes, and decorative flair. Banners draped from the domed ceiling above, small shimmering lights causing the inlaid gems to glow.

  The dinner was extravagant; Dovian had to look far back in his mind to ever remember seeing as much food. He ate far more than he had intended, but only touched half the food he desired. As he eyed the jovial people—their hands occupied with wines and cider—he felt a sudden pang in his gut. The children in the villages that he had been tirelessly fighting to save would cry at the sheer thought of this amount of food in one room. Though Sorcēarians never wasted food, he still couldn’t help the feeling of guilt he had. After living amongst the humans for so long, he was beginning to understand the animosity they felt toward his race. Then again, Ives provided many food sources for the planet. They taught the small nations to farm their land, brought water to the areas that had none, and helped cure many diseases. Sorcēarians weren’t meant to solve all of humanity’s problems, but they couldn’t help but lend a hand when asked.

  Dovian sipped from his wine glass. War often spoiled it all. Small villages became self-sustaining only to be burnt down or annihilated by military actions. And if it wasn’t war that ruined it, it was greed and selfishness. Government officials profited off the land, taking the villager’s food and marking up the prices so high, the workers couldn’t even afford to buy back their crop. Some begged for Sorcēarian help, and often Scarlet warriors were stationed in areas to look over the land. Some governments loathed the angelic race. They thought them to be the cause of the world problems by coddling those who couldn’t fend for themselves. Humanity needed to learn to survive on their own, not given handouts. It was a vicious cycle of give and take.

  “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” Dovian unconsciously murmured.

  “Talking to yourself again?” Euclid whispered in the man’s ear.

  Dovian shivered. “Didn’t feel you approach.”

  Euclid chuckled, sipping from his glass. “I’ve worked on masking it.”

  The men stood in the corner of the room, searching the crowd.

  “Doesn’t feel right, does it?” Euclid asked.

  “No, it doesn’t,” Dovian replied.

  The Azure man swirled his drink, letting out a sigh. “We can’t save them all. We can’t cure all their problems.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “Yet you still think you should.”

  “I can’t help but feel responsible.”

  “For their actions and downfalls? Dovian, please. You know very well that they are capable of helping their own kind. Yes, I feel bad for the dying and starving children. I feel disgusted by the greed. But they know full well the rules set upon them, yet they deny them daily.” Euclid’s eyes darkened a shade.

  “The innocent grow smaller with each passing day. They can’t defend themselves.”

  Euclid peered at Dovian. “My words may sound cruel, but is it not their fault in a way? Pacifism allows their downfall. They think themselves moral and kind by not fighting, not killing to save their families, yet here are the corrupt, doing it as easily as breathing th
e morning air.”

  This time Dovian sighed. “Kindness and love truly know no darkness.”

  “Yet the longer light shines without self-sustainability, darkness eventually takes over. Like a candle running out of wick. Either they will be taken over by corrupt officials, or they will eventually corrupt themselves to get ahead.” Euclid spoke the words easily enough. He had spent his side of the war with the enemy whereas Dovian spent his side with the sick and dying.

  “I wonder, what is our place in this world?” Dovian asked.

  Euclid remained silent a moment. “I’m not entirely sure. I think our purpose has changed over the years. What we originally set out to do on this planet has obviously been proven defective. War is raging out of control, just as bad if not worse than the time before we fell.”

  Dovian eyed his friend. Euclid’s outlook was so brash and honest. He never had a problem speaking his mind. “What do you propose the Sorcēarians do in the future?”

  He could see the inner conflict Euclid had, his eyebrows knitting together. Giving a sudden laugh, he brushed his fingers through his long raven hair. “I’m sure we’ll figure it all out in due time.” After downing the rest of his red wine, Euclid patted Dovian on the back. “Enough of this dreary talk. The past mission has made the both of us depressed and lonely. You know what I propose?”

  Dovian tilted his head, waiting for Euclid’s answer.

  “We get a refill and cure the loneliness that dulls our hearts with the intermingling of these beautiful young women that have joined us this lovely evening.” He held a hand over his eyes, squinting. “Where is that tantalizing little cousin of yours?”

  “Don’t even think about it.” Dovian gave a low warning, finishing his glass.

  Euclid gave a hearty laugh and ribbed the man before fleeing to the winery table.

  Dovian scanned the room. Where was Lita? He hadn’t seen her since dinner where she sat near the head table with her family. She wore a beautiful black gown that hugged her top and twisted toward the floor; green beading glinted throughout the garment. Even her hair had been pulled up in a series of braids and knots, held back by a clip like the one I’Lanthe always wore. Dovian was proud of the young woman Lita had become, but seeing her so elegant made him nervous. He’d have to keep a protective eye on her if any man got too close.