| Fantasy Fiction posted February 11, 2025 | Chapters: |
...12 13 -14- 15... 
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A sparrow with startling news interrupts Atrius and Diantha.
A chapter in the book Body of a Horse, Heart of a Man
The Sparrow's Message
by davisr (Rhonda)
| Background A fanciful tale of adventure. Phoebus, son of Poseidon, is a god turned Centaur by Zeus. Diantha, is a young lady in peril. Together, they must face an evil foe, and make some difficult choices. |
Diantha watched Brandon retreat into the house. Before entering the door, he turned and gave her a wistful smile. She wondered if he had any inkling of the turmoil brewing inside her? Maybe he was experiencing some of the same.
Pausing a moment to get control of her jumbled emotions, she turned to face the pebbled walkway. Emerging from the brush beside the garden, was the one guaranteed to increase her soulful turbulence --- the unattainable Atrius, the very man who had broken the heart of a young goddess on Mount Olympus --- an event he no longer remembered, but was plagued by the hubris that had caused his condition.
Seemingly unaware of the stir he was causing, Atrius spoke, "Hey, I see you're quite the marksman."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
Atrius shrugged. "I happened to stumble on you and Brandon while traveling from the Western Divide. I was there examining the field for the men's festival games. From the brief time I was there, I saw you do quite well.
"Not at first," Dianatha admitted. "I missed the target entirely for quite awhile. I even got my face scratched up. But, before we quit, I was able to hit the target consistently."
"I saw you nail the bull's eye three times in a row. Quite impressive for a novice."
Diantha laughed modestly. "Brandon's a good teacher."
"Yes he is. He's a good man, too. Something you should keep in mind."
"He doesn't need you to sell him," Diantha popped back, a bit too quickly.
Atrius' face betrayed a hint of frustration, but he was unable to respond as an agitated sparrow landed on his arm and began to chirp and chatter.
Diantha started to giggle at the tiny creature's antics when she remembered Atrius telling her that sparrows were the valley's messengers. This one seemed intent on delivering something of grave importance.
Atrius' face clouded over as he uttered some nonsensical sounds back. The bird tilted its head to one side, chirped a few more times, then flew away, seemingly bent on a mission.
"Is everything okay?" Diantha asked.
Atrius shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. When I left the Western Divide, my son, Georgios, stayed as he wasn't finished with security preparations. Apparently he was jumped from behind by a group of Caracki."
"Oh my! How badly was he hurt?"
"That's a bit hard to judge based on a bird's point of view, but apparently he stumbled to a guard encampment close by the field. He's resting there."
About that time, the door to the house flew open. Mary and the two men poured out. They had gotten a similar message from a different sparrow and were eager to know what Atrius planned to do.
"Meet me at the western encampment, "Atrius instructed, and then turned to Diantha. He placed his hands on both her shoulders, his penetrating green eyes fixing hers.
"I'll be back, god flower. I had come here with the intention of having a serious conversation."
"About my archery?"
Atrius hesitated. "About why I wanted you to learn it."
"Brandon hinted you had other motives." Diantha said.
For a moment, Atrius seemed torn between what he felt, and what he had time to say. "I wouldn't call them motives, more like responsibilities. I brought you into this valley. I feel it's my job to keep you safe."
"You didn't bring me here, my horse did," Diantha said.
"I don't have time to argue semantics," Atrius said firmly. "You get my point."
"Yes, yes. Indeed I do," Diantha said. Her eyebrows slowly raised as an idea struck her. "Take me with you."
Atrius shook his head, no, and then after the manner of his people, leaned forward and tapped his forehead against hers. It was a gesture of affection that could have many meanings, all unspoken.
"My dear," he said, "courage is an attribute our people greatly honor. Know that I'm proud of the growth I've seen in you, especially with this offer, but also understand I don't know what I'm about to face with Georgios. I'm not just his father and leader, but I'm also his physician. Please stay here with Mary. I'll return before the night is out."
Diantha watched as Atrius turned from tender friend to hardened warrior. With a brief nod, he left along the same path she and Brandon had just traveled. Not far behind, Brandon and Burke left on horseback with the same air of urgency.
"Come, child," Mary said. She took Diantha by the arm and led her inside the cool house.
"Is it always this way for those involved with soldiers?" Diantha asked.
"More often than I care to think," Mary replied. She guided her charge to a chair in the kitchen. "How about a cup of warm chocolate milk?"
Diantha smiled. "I'd love one, though where I come from, they call it cocoa. It's a great beverage to hash things out over."
"Our people as well. Have you ever played dominoes?"
"One of my favorite games," Diantha said.
"Good, then let's keep each other awake and entertained."
Diantha smiled and sat down. Her grandmother would have approved. She felt all great decisions should be made at a kitchen table.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometime in the dead of night, Brandon and Burke returned. They found the kids tucked in bed and Mary and Diantha still playing dominoes.
Their haunted faces spoke more than the words they would soon share.
Atrius leaned in the doorway and motioned for Diantha to join him outside. His face was as serious as the other two's. Mary patted her arm as she rose to join their leader.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Is Georgios okay?" Diantha asked before Atrius had a chance to speak.
"He'll mend," Atrius said. "He's not just immortal, but a pretty strong guy as well. It would take more than a band of Caracki to take him out. However, the message he gave me was so extreme I fear for everyone's safety in this valley, and especially yours. Tomorrow morning I'll get Champion ready and instruct her to take you back to Tennessee." His voice sounded more monarch than friend.
Unabashed, Diantha met his gaze. "I'm truly glad Georgios isn't hurt badly, but what does his attack have to do with my presence in this valley? What happened to our people honor courage?"
"They do, but not foolhardiness. To keep you safe, something I promised earlier, I need you to go home."
Diantha put her hands on her hips, holding his gaze. "I am home."
Atrius' voice remained calm and in control. "It may mean dying here."
"I was dying in Tennessee. Deep within, my soul was shriveling up. You and your people have taught me I'm worth something and that this place deserves fighting for. I'm staying."
A few heavy seconds ticked by, then Atrius nodded. "So be it. On the first day of the festival, the Caracki plan to attack us from the Western Divide."
"Where the men will be armed and competing in games? That doesn't make sense. Why would they attack where you're strongest?"
"According to Georgios, they want it to be a final all-out war where domination of the two valley's is determined. They know the women will be separated from the men during that time. Although the Caracki soldier Georgios captured said nothing specific about the women, he feels there will be a second wave that will hit if the men are defeated."
"When are you going to make the announcement to the people?" Diantha asked.
Atrius grew quiet, again seeming to look for the right words to say.
"You aren't telling them, are you?" Diantha asked. "Why not?"
"Telling everyone at this point will cause panic, and panic never won a war. The men will know on the day of the battle. The women will not. We hope for the men to hold the line. If we fail, and the Caracki get through, there isn't much the women can do, anyway. They will already be armed for the contests, and will instinctively fight back with skills they've learned down through the years."
"So, just to clarify," Diantha said, "the women will go on with their games like nothing's happening while the men fight for our lives?"
"That's the plan. Do you still want to stay?"
"More than ever."
Atrius leaned in. "In that case, you'll need to learn to walk in trees."
This time, Diantha was the one surprised. "Walk in trees?"
Atrius bobbed his head. "It's a thing they do here in Concorde. If you plan to stay, you'll need to learn this survival skill. I'll send Brandon by in the evening to teach you. Good night. Get some sleep. You have busy days ahead."
"As do you."
Atrius narrowed his eyes at the young lady who had arrived a short time ago, a weak and frightened child, and had become strong enough to stand up to a king.
Pausing a moment to get control of her jumbled emotions, she turned to face the pebbled walkway. Emerging from the brush beside the garden, was the one guaranteed to increase her soulful turbulence --- the unattainable Atrius, the very man who had broken the heart of a young goddess on Mount Olympus --- an event he no longer remembered, but was plagued by the hubris that had caused his condition.
Seemingly unaware of the stir he was causing, Atrius spoke, "Hey, I see you're quite the marksman."
"How do you know that?" she asked.
Atrius shrugged. "I happened to stumble on you and Brandon while traveling from the Western Divide. I was there examining the field for the men's festival games. From the brief time I was there, I saw you do quite well.
"Not at first," Dianatha admitted. "I missed the target entirely for quite awhile. I even got my face scratched up. But, before we quit, I was able to hit the target consistently."
"I saw you nail the bull's eye three times in a row. Quite impressive for a novice."
Diantha laughed modestly. "Brandon's a good teacher."
"Yes he is. He's a good man, too. Something you should keep in mind."
"He doesn't need you to sell him," Diantha popped back, a bit too quickly.
Atrius' face betrayed a hint of frustration, but he was unable to respond as an agitated sparrow landed on his arm and began to chirp and chatter.
Diantha started to giggle at the tiny creature's antics when she remembered Atrius telling her that sparrows were the valley's messengers. This one seemed intent on delivering something of grave importance.
Atrius' face clouded over as he uttered some nonsensical sounds back. The bird tilted its head to one side, chirped a few more times, then flew away, seemingly bent on a mission.
"Is everything okay?" Diantha asked.
Atrius shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. When I left the Western Divide, my son, Georgios, stayed as he wasn't finished with security preparations. Apparently he was jumped from behind by a group of Caracki."
"Oh my! How badly was he hurt?"
"That's a bit hard to judge based on a bird's point of view, but apparently he stumbled to a guard encampment close by the field. He's resting there."
About that time, the door to the house flew open. Mary and the two men poured out. They had gotten a similar message from a different sparrow and were eager to know what Atrius planned to do.
"Meet me at the western encampment, "Atrius instructed, and then turned to Diantha. He placed his hands on both her shoulders, his penetrating green eyes fixing hers.
"I'll be back, god flower. I had come here with the intention of having a serious conversation."
"About my archery?"
Atrius hesitated. "About why I wanted you to learn it."
"Brandon hinted you had other motives." Diantha said.
For a moment, Atrius seemed torn between what he felt, and what he had time to say. "I wouldn't call them motives, more like responsibilities. I brought you into this valley. I feel it's my job to keep you safe."
"You didn't bring me here, my horse did," Diantha said.
"I don't have time to argue semantics," Atrius said firmly. "You get my point."
"Yes, yes. Indeed I do," Diantha said. Her eyebrows slowly raised as an idea struck her. "Take me with you."
Atrius shook his head, no, and then after the manner of his people, leaned forward and tapped his forehead against hers. It was a gesture of affection that could have many meanings, all unspoken.
"My dear," he said, "courage is an attribute our people greatly honor. Know that I'm proud of the growth I've seen in you, especially with this offer, but also understand I don't know what I'm about to face with Georgios. I'm not just his father and leader, but I'm also his physician. Please stay here with Mary. I'll return before the night is out."
Diantha watched as Atrius turned from tender friend to hardened warrior. With a brief nod, he left along the same path she and Brandon had just traveled. Not far behind, Brandon and Burke left on horseback with the same air of urgency.
"Come, child," Mary said. She took Diantha by the arm and led her inside the cool house.
"Is it always this way for those involved with soldiers?" Diantha asked.
"More often than I care to think," Mary replied. She guided her charge to a chair in the kitchen. "How about a cup of warm chocolate milk?"
Diantha smiled. "I'd love one, though where I come from, they call it cocoa. It's a great beverage to hash things out over."
"Our people as well. Have you ever played dominoes?"
"One of my favorite games," Diantha said.
"Good, then let's keep each other awake and entertained."
Diantha smiled and sat down. Her grandmother would have approved. She felt all great decisions should be made at a kitchen table.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometime in the dead of night, Brandon and Burke returned. They found the kids tucked in bed and Mary and Diantha still playing dominoes.
Their haunted faces spoke more than the words they would soon share.
Atrius leaned in the doorway and motioned for Diantha to join him outside. His face was as serious as the other two's. Mary patted her arm as she rose to join their leader.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Is Georgios okay?" Diantha asked before Atrius had a chance to speak.
"He'll mend," Atrius said. "He's not just immortal, but a pretty strong guy as well. It would take more than a band of Caracki to take him out. However, the message he gave me was so extreme I fear for everyone's safety in this valley, and especially yours. Tomorrow morning I'll get Champion ready and instruct her to take you back to Tennessee." His voice sounded more monarch than friend.
Unabashed, Diantha met his gaze. "I'm truly glad Georgios isn't hurt badly, but what does his attack have to do with my presence in this valley? What happened to our people honor courage?"
"They do, but not foolhardiness. To keep you safe, something I promised earlier, I need you to go home."
Diantha put her hands on her hips, holding his gaze. "I am home."
Atrius' voice remained calm and in control. "It may mean dying here."
"I was dying in Tennessee. Deep within, my soul was shriveling up. You and your people have taught me I'm worth something and that this place deserves fighting for. I'm staying."
A few heavy seconds ticked by, then Atrius nodded. "So be it. On the first day of the festival, the Caracki plan to attack us from the Western Divide."
"Where the men will be armed and competing in games? That doesn't make sense. Why would they attack where you're strongest?"
"According to Georgios, they want it to be a final all-out war where domination of the two valley's is determined. They know the women will be separated from the men during that time. Although the Caracki soldier Georgios captured said nothing specific about the women, he feels there will be a second wave that will hit if the men are defeated."
"When are you going to make the announcement to the people?" Diantha asked.
Atrius grew quiet, again seeming to look for the right words to say.
"You aren't telling them, are you?" Diantha asked. "Why not?"
"Telling everyone at this point will cause panic, and panic never won a war. The men will know on the day of the battle. The women will not. We hope for the men to hold the line. If we fail, and the Caracki get through, there isn't much the women can do, anyway. They will already be armed for the contests, and will instinctively fight back with skills they've learned down through the years."
"So, just to clarify," Diantha said, "the women will go on with their games like nothing's happening while the men fight for our lives?"
"That's the plan. Do you still want to stay?"
"More than ever."
Atrius leaned in. "In that case, you'll need to learn to walk in trees."
This time, Diantha was the one surprised. "Walk in trees?"
Atrius bobbed his head. "It's a thing they do here in Concorde. If you plan to stay, you'll need to learn this survival skill. I'll send Brandon by in the evening to teach you. Good night. Get some sleep. You have busy days ahead."
"As do you."
Atrius narrowed his eyes at the young lady who had arrived a short time ago, a weak and frightened child, and had become strong enough to stand up to a king.
 Recognized |
The AI image is from IZEA.
Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics.
White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family. Her Horse Name is Champion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. He is cursed by Zeus and sent to Concorde Valley as a Centaur.
Atrius: Pseudonym of Phoebus. He has amnesia from his youth and was renamed by a caretaker. Now lives in Concorde Valley.
Mary Burton: The wife of Atrius' captain, Burke. She is Diantha's caretaker and new friend. She has 6 children, and is a midwife.
Burke: One of Atrius' captains, husband of Mary
Brandon: Mary's handsome little brother who works with his father, Burke in the guard.
He's a romantic interest of Diantha's, but one she feels pushed into a relationship with.
Tabitha: Mary's oldest child, 14-year-old and helps her mother as a midwife
Brenda: Mary's 12-year-old daughter. Also helps deliver babies, but is still in school
Brice: Mary's 8-year-old son
Tommy: Mary's 5-year-old son
Carter: Mary's 2-year-old son
Hank: Mary's 6 month old baby.
Caracki: Long time enemies of the Concordians
Eudora: Youngest daughter of Zeus and Hera - She's spoiled and petulant and purely made up on my part. She's also the indirect reason Phoebus is turned into a Centaur.
Eternal: Phoebus' favorite black stallion. A gift from Poseidon to get his youngest son started in horse breeding. He's an immortal and hopefully the father of Phoebus' planned bloodline.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Diantha: Female protagonist. Born and raised in Tennessee. Her father is the Governor of Tennessee. She is going to college to study pediatrics.
White Lightning: Diantha's new filly... a gift from Wilson's family. Her Horse Name is Champion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Phoebus: Young son of Poseidon. He works for Apollo as a horse tender and has started a line of horses of his own. He is cursed by Zeus and sent to Concorde Valley as a Centaur.
Atrius: Pseudonym of Phoebus. He has amnesia from his youth and was renamed by a caretaker. Now lives in Concorde Valley.
Mary Burton: The wife of Atrius' captain, Burke. She is Diantha's caretaker and new friend. She has 6 children, and is a midwife.
Burke: One of Atrius' captains, husband of Mary
Brandon: Mary's handsome little brother who works with his father, Burke in the guard.
He's a romantic interest of Diantha's, but one she feels pushed into a relationship with.
Tabitha: Mary's oldest child, 14-year-old and helps her mother as a midwife
Brenda: Mary's 12-year-old daughter. Also helps deliver babies, but is still in school
Brice: Mary's 8-year-old son
Tommy: Mary's 5-year-old son
Carter: Mary's 2-year-old son
Hank: Mary's 6 month old baby.
Caracki: Long time enemies of the Concordians
Eudora: Youngest daughter of Zeus and Hera - She's spoiled and petulant and purely made up on my part. She's also the indirect reason Phoebus is turned into a Centaur.
Eternal: Phoebus' favorite black stallion. A gift from Poseidon to get his youngest son started in horse breeding. He's an immortal and hopefully the father of Phoebus' planned bloodline.
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