Spradlin - To Hawaii, with Love

To

Kelly Ann Spradlin,

for always doing the heavy lifting.

MS

KUZBEKISTAN, A.D. 360

Flavius, Emperor of the Roman Empire, knelt at the altar of the underground temple, his head bowed in prayer. Prayers that had, so far, gone unanswered. The battle was nearly over. From far away he could hear the clang of steel and the shouts of fighting, dying legionnaires. Soon his lines would be overrun. The forces of Queen Naromi had nearly decimated his army. He was a beaten man.

Flavius stood. On his head was a shiny silver helmet with two long pointed horns that extended from each side. He wore a flowing black robe and around his neck hung a solid gold medallion. Carved into the medallion was a silhouette of a bulls head. He looked every inch the High Priest of Mithras that he was. He wondered why his god had deserted him.

He heard a noise in the temple behind him and turned to see Gaius, his aide-de-camp, striding toward him across the temple floor. Gaius reached the altar, knelt, and saluted, his thumb touching the center of his chest, fingers spread, his arm then moving outward. The Mithrian salute.

Praise be to Mithras, my lord, said Gaius.

Praise be to Mithras, said Flavius. He grasped his beloved aide by the shoulders and pulled him to his feet.

Did you summon the Centurions? he asked.

Yes, Emperor. As you commanded. They shall arrive momentarily, Gaius said.

And what of my ships? Flavius asked.

They are provisioned and ready to leave when the order is given, he said.

Flavius sighed in relief.

Well done, Gaius. You have served me ably these many years. When the Centurions depart, you are to leave with them. Return to Rome if possible. Try to salvage whatever life for yourself that you can.

My lord, my duty is to remain here with you!

I release you from that duty, Gaius. You have served Mithras with honor. You must go.

Emperor, it is not over. Surely Mithras will provide

Flavius shook his head.

Mithras has found me unworthy of his power. He will one day rise again, when a new successor is chosen. Our duty to him now is to complete our last sacred mission.

Gaius started to protest but was interrupted by the sound of the Centurions entering the temple. Seven men, their armor blood-spattered and covered in dust and grime, strode to the altar, where they all saluted and knelt before Flavius.

Praise be to Mithras, they murmured in unison.

Flavius returned the salute and stood before the Centurions. They were the best and bravest of his army. All of them were strong and capable men, fearless in battle, and wholly willing to die for the cause.

You have been chosen, said Flavius as they knelt before him. The battle is lost, and our dark lord Mithras will soon return to the underworld to await his next ascension. Your exceptional bravery and devotion are called upon to carry out one last mission in his name.

Flavius took a golden statue off the altar and handed it to the first man in line. The image was a bull seated on its hindquarters, its horns encrusted with diamonds and rubies.

Quintus, you have been my most faithful and dedicated commander. You have served the Empire and Mithras with honor and distinction. Do you accept this last task I ask of you?

As you command it, my lord, so it shall be, said Quintus.

Flavius gave Quintus a small parchment scroll from the pocket of his robe.

Do not accept this mission lightly. Quintus, you especially will travel the greatest distance, to a faraway land. You will encounter many dangers, but you must succeed. Will you still undertake this mission in the name of Mithras? said Flavius.

I swear it shall be done, said Quintus, bowing his head before the Emperor.

Flavius smiled. He turned back to the altar and picked up a silver chalice bedecked with rubies and sapphires. He handed it to the Centurion next to Quintus and then gave him an identical small parchment scroll.

Each of you will be given one of the Seven Treasures of Mithras. Once you are aboard your ships you may open your scrolls, but not before. It will provide you with details and guidance as to where each treasure is to be hidden. It will not be easy. Mithras has commanded that many of you will travel great distances, some of you to lands yet undiscovered, but with his aid you shall arrive at your destination. There you will build a temple in his name and keep the treasure hidden from the forces of Etherea. One day, Mithras will choose a new vessel for this fight. That man shall gather the treasures together again and use their power to summon our lord forth to rule over the Earth!

Flavius finished his speech and, one by one, the Centurions took the objects that Flavius handed themthe golden medallion from around his neck, a parchment scroll wrapped around a solid silver rod, a spear, a chaliceuntil each man held one of the sacred objects in his hands.

In the background the sounds of battle drew closer. Screaming horses, thundering chariots, and the clash of steel on steel could be heard clearly, even in the underground temple.

Each of you understands what you must do? said Flavius.

Each of the Centurions nodded.

Then go, and may Mithras guide you safely on your journey.

The Centurions stood and saluted. Quickly they filed to the back of the temple and up the stairs to the surface. In a moment they were gone, leaving Flavius and Gaius alone in the temple.

Flavius turned to the altar again; a great book lay upon it. He took up his stylus and wrote several lines on the last page, then gently closed it. Reaching into the pocket of his robe, he removed a large ruby the size of a small chicken egg and held it above his head. Light from the torches that lit the temple caused the ruby to glitter and dance in his hand.

I seal the Book of Seraphim with the Bloodstone of Mithras, he said. He took the ruby and placed it in a clasp on the very center of the front cover of the Book of Seraphim. It was the largest jewel on the cover, and was surrounded by seven bright smaller rubies at various points on the face of the book. The effect was dazzling.

Flaviuss shoulders seemed to sag. He turned and looked at Gaius.

It is time for you to leave, said Flavius.

But, my lord, surely we can escape. We can take the book and

Flavius shook his head.

No, Gaius. It is done. Mithras has commanded me. I was foolish to think myself worthy of his power, and to die here shall be my fate. Fear not, my friend. One day long after our bones have turned to dust, he will choose a new champion, and when the time is right, that champion will bring him forth and the blood of Etherea will darken the sky and the power of Mithras will raise an army of followers that will lay waste to all who oppose him! But we shall not live to see it, so you must go. Keep the word of Mithras alive and one day our descendants will know his glory! But you must hurry!

Outside the temple the sounds of battle grew louder. The cries of dying Roman soldiers seemed to echo off the temple walls. Gaius looked at his Emperor one last time and then sadly turned and strode across the floor to the steps. As he climbed out of the darkness, he could swear that he heard the cry of a furious bull fill the temple, echoing off the walls until it seemed the sound was all around him. Frightened, Gaius risked only a quick glance back. For a moment he thought he saw a swirling mist rise up out of the temple floor near the altar. He was sure his mind was playing tricks, for he seemed to see something not quite a man, not quite a beast, but a hideous half-man, half-beast materialize in the mist.