The Esoteric Design: Civilization Lost Read online

  “Have him hold still,” Dovian ordered.

  Lita rubbed Petey’s snout, making kissy noises while talking to him as if he were a baby. Dovian held his hand up to the lizard’s eye.

  “Okay…this is where it gets tricky.” He gave Lita a look of warning. Lita, not sure what to do, braced herself for any sudden movements. I’Lanthe slowly stepped away.

  Dovian tightly grabbed the muzzle, looping his hand and wrist around its strap. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his palm directly against the lizard’s eye; the light burst. Petey gave a loud howl and reared, pulling Dovian with him. The man concentrated, trying not to lose focus as the beast tried to fling him to and fro. He healed the severed optical nerves and fixed the tear in his eye. Once finished, he removed his healing hand and flipped around Petey’s neck into the saddle. Dovian freed his other hand and snatched the reigns. The lizard wouldn’t let up, bucking and howling.

  “Petey!” Lita shouted. “Petey, stop!”

  Dovian placed his hand atop the reptile’s head. It was strange, but as he healed the beast, he noticed some of the nerves had previously been damaged but had healed themselves. Not only that, but Dovian received strange visions. He saw some of Petey’s memories–what Lita fed him for breakfast, him rolling through his aunt’s flower bed, pawing at an overturned trash can, and finally hunting for the chirping cricket and getting a mouthful of dirt. Dovian suddenly craved apples, the last thing Petey had eaten.

  “Lanthe!” Dovian shouted, struggling to maintain his balance. “Apple!”

  The woman didn’t need to be told twice. She rushed to the basket and grabbed two of the fruit.

  “Petey!” she hollered as she handed one to Lita.

  “Petey! Apple!” Lita called out.

  The animal came to an abrupt halt, giving Dovian whiplash. The man groaned, leaning forward on the steed, dizzy from all the circles Petey took.

  “This…is not how…I planned my afternoon,” he moaned.

  Petey hopped forward, honking noisily as the girls each fed him a treat. He calmed down afterward, making sloppy sounds. Dovian sighed and gently patted the creature on the head. Once everything was complete, and Petey finished searching for crumbs on the ground, he perked up with a short snort. The lizard looked to the left, snorted, looked to the right, snorted again, looked to the sky, honked.

  “Can you see?” Lita asked.

  The frilled monitor looked down at his owner. His pupils dilated and constricted appropriately, both were their typical golden color.

  Lita clapped. “He can see!”

  Petey, recognizing her thrill, got excited as well. He spun in circles again, prancing and hopping from side to side.

  “Whoa! Whoa! Halt! Halt, you miserable beast!” Dovian ordered. When Petey wouldn’t listen, Dovian pressed his palm against the pet’s head. “I said, halt!”

  Petey’s eyes faded to milky white, and he abruptly halted.

  “Hey! Hey! What’d you do?!” Lita panicked. She waved her hand in front of the lizard’s face. “You made him blind again!”

  Dovian, easing his equilibrium, slid off the back of the reptile. As soon as his hand left Petey’s body, his eyes returned to normal. Dovian peered over the creature’s face, catching the end of the fading whiteness. Petey perked up and brought his attention to Dovian. For a moment they stared at one another, neither one making a sound or movement.

  Eventually, Dovian grew bored. “What?” he roughly asked.

  Petey barked and started up his prancing.

  “Lita, he’s far too much. He’s like a dog. He wants to run and play and…destroy things.” Dovian wrinkled his nose. “And he smells atrocious!”

  “Why do you think I brought him down here?” Lita had calmed her pet and led him by foot toward the lake.

  “You’re going to give him a bath? In my lake?” Dovian asked.

  “No! Don’t say…” Lita started.

  It was too late. Dovian said the forbidden word, bath. Petey dug his feet into the ground, refusing to budge.

  Lita glared at her cousin. “Why’d you have to say it?”

  “Payback I suppose,” he groaned as he dropped onto the picnic blanket.

  The girl placed her fists on her hips. “That’s okay, I have a new solution to this problem, and it’s called…bubbles!”

  Once again, the oversized reptile got overly-excited. Lita reached into her bag and removed a children’s playset. She lifted a wand from a pink bottle and blew a few of bubbles. Petey snapped at the colorful orbs as the girl ran toward the water, a stream of soapy spheres floating behind her. The lizard took off in a full sprint after her. Before Lita reached the lake, she turned to the side. Within the split-second Petey ungracefully crashed into the lake, Dovian could see the inner turmoil as the lizard realized his mistake. Should he continue forward and rush into the waters that he was so afraid of, or should he pursue the chase of the tasty bubbles? It seemed that once again, Petey’s hunger was his downfall.

  Lita pointed out toward the center of the water. “Go! There’s food out there!”

  “’Ey! What’s the big idea, Lita?!” a shout of protest called out from one of the docks. Lita looked to the side and noticed a grouping of men gathered to fish.

  Dovian chuckled. “Orin and the boys are fishing.”

  “Shall we join them?” I’Lanthe asked.

  “May as well.”

  Together with Lita, the couple traversed to the other side of the lake where Orin, Euclid, Karter, and Quentin had gathered. All but Quentin wore swimming trunks.

  “Ahoy, mates!” Lita called out.

  “Lita! That beast of yours is scaring off all the fish!” Orin complained.

  “More like eating all the fish,” Karter protested.

  Lita looked at the center of the lake. Petey dove underwater and came back up with a mouthful of trout. His expression was far too pleasurable. “He needed a bath. He’s outgrown all his tubs, this is my last option.” She grimaced. “Sorry. Didn’t see you guys over here. I would’ve waited.”

  “Bring him out here too often, and we’ll lose all the game!” Quentin protested.

  Orin suddenly pointed to the water and then stood to reel in his latest catch. “Speak for yourselves!”

  Euclid stood with him, his face curling into a look of joy. “HA! Brilliant.” He pulled in a large fish. “Your beast has scared all the game away from the center of the lake. They’re scattering for safety!”

  “Bet ya didn’t see that one coming!” Orin joked.

  Euclid’s face fell. “If I hear you say that joke one more time, I’m sticking this hook in your eye and using it for bait!”

  “That’s a bit excessive, don’t you think?” Quentin asked.

  “No!” Euclid growled. He unhooked his catch, dropped it into a bucket of water beside him, and then cast his line once again after baiting it. “You know what’s excessive? Orin using that old joke for everything he finds shocking!”

  “Oh, come now. I don’t use it that often.” Orin rolled his sandstone eyes. The entire group groaned in response. Orin gave a cockeyed grin. “Really?”

  “I’ve been counting. When we were on our fifty-year mission, you used it over fifteen hundred times. I’ve since lost count. I don’t want to know the number. It’d only anger me more!” Euclid reeled in another fish. His attention moved to Lita. “Remind me to bring your beast with me next time.”

  “Perhaps I’ll rent him out.” Lita sat on the dock.

  Dovian and I’Lanthe perched on the railing along the shore, watching the giant lizard that terrorized the waters. It wasn’t long before Petey had grown tired of his feasting and swam ashore to nap on a hot boulder. With the creature gone, the fish returned to the center, leaving the fishermen without much sport. They weren’t too disappointed, having caught three times as much in half the time they usually did. The rest of the afternoon passed with them all chatting and laughing.

  Orin and Karter decided to take to the waters, diving in
. They made sure to splash Lita as they swam, making her fuss. Petey’s head perked up, and he eyed the boys from his rock. Orin and Karter slowly circled to the other side of the dock out of the lizard’s vision.

  “How’s it feel?” I’Lanthe asked.

  “It’s great! Very warm!” Orin called out. “Get in!”

  I’Lanthe and Dovian looked to one another. They had worn their own swim garments in case they decided to swim later in the evening.

  Quentin quickly stood. “Well, I’ve got my barrel full. Valeria will be happy.”

  Euclid lifted his bucket. “Take mine as well. I’ve got an entire stock at home.”

  “You’re sure?” Quentin asked. He didn’t get the opportunity to fish as much as the other men, so the idea of having a stock for later was pleasing, especially with the amount of food his children ate.

  Euclid nodded and waved at him dismissively. “Now you’ll have plenty for your fish jerky.”

  “My thanks!” The older man smiled and bowed.

  Euclid didn’t pay much mind to the man but watched Orin and Karter dive for rocks.

  I’Lanthe removed her robes, revealing her colorful bathing suit underneath. Sorcēarian women had a thing about wearing two piece suits. Finding one wearing a single piece was rare. It was the same with women’s undergarments; they were always ornate and tantalizing.

  Quentin cleared his throat. “Looks like I’ve got dinner for this evening. If you don’t mind, I’ll be taking my leave.”

  Everyone said their farewells, and Quentin left before he got pressured into swimming with them.

  I’Lanthe dipped her toe in the water, testing the temperature while Dovian sprinted and hopped in, landing close enough to douse the other boys.

  “Lita? Are you getting in?” I’Lanthe asked.

  Lita frowned. “Forgot my swimsuit.”

  “Tuner?” Euclid suggested without much thought.

  “Left it at home as well…” she whimpered. “Do you have yours?”

  Euclid turned to her, holding out his arms. “And where do you think I’d be holding it, hm?”

  Lita glared. “Possibly next to the stick you always have up your ass.”

  Euclid’s eyes set aflame. Without warning, he grabbed Lita’s arms. She shrieked in terror. He easily held her hands down, gripping them tightly together with one hand. A sly smile crossed his face as he slowly edged her toward the front of the dock.

  “Euclid! Don’t you dare!” she squealed.

  I’Lanthe quickly hopped into the water away from the tiff. She resurfaced, giggling.

  “Walk the plank!” Orin instigated.

  Karter looked perplexed. He wondered if he should cheer or help the girl.

  “Ai!” Euclid shouted over the young woman’s cries. “If the wench won’t walk the plank, she’ll be tossed overboard.” He lifted Lita into his arms, and she helplessly kicked and screamed as he tossed her over the side into the water.

  “Argh!” Orin shouted, curling his finger in imitation of a pirate hook.

  “She can swim…right?” Karter quietly asked.

  Everyone suddenly looked to Dovian and I’Lanthe.

  “Of course, she can swim,” Dovian laughed.

  Lita surfaced, gasping for air. Her hair covered most of her face, her emerald eyes glowing with anger. “Euclid!”

  The Azure Sorcēarian laughed at her as she palmed a forceful burst of energy, creating a large wave that washed over the entire dock. Euclid easily leaped out of the way, diving into the water.

  Coughing and making a display, Lita sloshed to shore, her robes weighing her down. “You, sir, are a fiend! A terrible fiend! A jerk and a half! And you!” She turned toward the others. “Shame! Shame on all of you!”

  Orin laughed harder.

  Karter frowned. “Lita…do you need any help?”

  “No! You just…you stay over there!” She pointed at him. “Wet robes…wet hair. Stupid…Euclid.”

  “Shiver me timbers!” Euclid antagonized.

  “Shut up!” Lita screamed. She twirled and gaped at Petey. The beast was fast asleep. “Petey!”

  Euclid’s face paled as the large lizard awoke with a start. With a hop, he was on his stubby legs, eyeing the men. His golden orbs narrowed, sending a piercing glare at Euclid specifically. A deep, guttural growl resonated within the massive creature, and Euclid eased toward the others.

  “All it takes is one command and Petey will be having Euclid fillet for dinner,” Lita threatened.

  Euclid gave her an agitated look. “I’d like to see the fat lard try.”

  “Don’t tempt me,” she hissed.

  “Well? Are you getting in?” Orin asked.

  Lita cocked her head to the side, holding out her arms. Her sleeves had come unpinned and draped toward the ground, water gushing from the ends. A sly smile crossed her face.

  “Nothing good ever comes from that look,” I’Lanthe whispered.

  Lita grinned and removed her coat. Eyeing Euclid, she proudly slid from her robes.

  “Lita!” Dovian called out. “Put your clothes back on!”

  Orin quickly covered the protesting man’s mouth. “Shh! Shut it!”

  “What’s the difference?” the girl smugly stated, stepping out of her garment. She held a hand toward I’Lanthe and then stood proudly in her black panties and bra.

  “She’s got a point.” I’Lanthe shrugged.

  Orin nodded vigorously. “Yeah, yeah. What Lanthe said.”

  Dovian rubbed his brow. I’Lanthe found the spectacle rather humorous. Her sight drifted to Euclid who didn’t seem all that impressed, but even he couldn’t keep his eyes from searching Lita’s form. I’Lanthe’s gaze moved to Karter, and she covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

  “Oh, Karter!” she exclaimed.

  The poor man had his back to Lita. His face was beet red; his fingers covered his eyes. “I…I can’t…it’s not right.”

  Lita snorted. “Good God, Karter. Have you not seen a woman in her underwear before?”

  “No, I…I’ve seen…plenty…I…” he stammered. “You’re in your undergarments, Lita! Have you no shame?”

  Lita rolled her eyes. “What’s the difference?!”

  Taking two large strides, she hopped over the edge of the dock, landing directly in front of Karter. She popped out of the water, took a deep breath, and pulled him under with her.

  “Where? Where have I gone wrong? She was so sweet and innocent as a child. Now she’s—” Dovian sighed. I’Lanthe patted him on the shoulder.

  “Unruly?” Euclid asked.

  “A babe?” Orin chimed in. Dovian fed him a heated glare.

  “A blossoming young woman?” I’Lanthe offered.

  Loud gasps sounded as Lita and Karter rose out of the water.

  “I can’t handle this!” Karter shouted. It was the most emotion he had ever displayed.

  Lita swam through the waves, not paying any mind to the fact that Karter was having a complete meltdown. The young man pulled himself up onto the dock where he sat down, trying to catch his breath.

  “What did she do?” Euclid asked. His curiosity peaked, interested in what would ever provoke such a response from Karter.

  “Argh! Did she show you her booty?” Orin asked in his pirate voice.

  As he took a deep breath, Karter’s copper eyes dimmed. “Something like that.”

  A quiet giggle sounded from the lavender-haired girl. She was already at the center of the lake, floating on her back. I’Lanthe casually swam to her side. Orin cheered and moved to the dock, asking the young man a myriad of questions.

  The evening carried on peacefully enough with a few water games followed by lounging. Later, the girls watched as the boys showed off–doing trick dives after flying high into the air. By sunset, they all had retired to the dock. Karter had settled down some and allowed Lita to sit beside him as long as she wore her coat. Dovian and I’Lanthe sat across from them, each resting against a post. Euclid and Orin had a
couple of lines cast out, but no fish were biting. They carried on with a casual conversation about politics and training.

  It had been a long time since Euclid’s confession to Dovian. In fact, the incident seemed to be completely random. Since he continued his training with Dovian, Euclid’s skills had improved to the point where he was one of the best in all the military. It was hard on Dovian, but Euclid’s persistence kept him in shape. And the depressed man seemed to have taken a more positive outlook on life. Euclid never again mentioned not being able to hear the Heaven Song. He sometimes skipped the sermons but was often in one of the private cathedrals.

  Euclid laughed at some terrible joke Orin told. His smiles lingered more than they used to. His laughs were a bit heartier. He still had his irritable moments, but Euclid seemed to have changed for the better. Dovian concluded that his friend’s unfortunate incident must’ve renewed his faith and encouraged him for betterment. Euclid never brought it up, so Dovian didn’t press the issue. The Azure man’s new temperament was an improvement, and no one complained about it.

  “So, did you give yourself any others?” Lita asked.

  Karter pursed his lips, blushing. Lita’s question gathered the interest of those surrounding them.

  “That is supposed to be a secret,” Karter mumbled.

  “Karter has a secret?!” Orin shouted.

  Euclid peered over his shoulder. “It’s always the quiet ones. They hold the most secrets.”

  “I, I don’t have secrets!” Karter stammered. “I…well…just the one!” he paused. Karter could never tell a lie. “Okay, two!”

  Lita scoffed, folding her arms. “Two? What’s the second one?”

  Karter glared at the girl. “Top, top secret! Obviously, you can’t be trusted.”

  “Karter! I’m…insulted!” she pouted.

  His expression dulled. “I know your tricks. Don’t even try.”

  “Well, you can tell me later!” Lita grinned.

  “For now, you should probably tell us what the first secret is,” Dovian spoke up.

  Karter cringed at the nods that came from everyone else. “Eh! I, I don’t think so.”

  “What’s the big deal?” Lita asked. “Show them!”

  Orin’s eyes swirled. “Oh!!! I see!”