Wednesday, May 4, 2011

124

"We're under attack." The woman was breathing hard. The baby in her arms had fallen asleep and stirred when she spoke. After turning for a moment the infant's face found the woman's robes and he began nuzzling them before falling asleep.

"Attack? Who's attacking us?"

"I don't know. Ships in the harbour is the rumour. We saw fireballs in the sky before coming in from the terrace."

She sits the orphans. Orphic remembered living with Abelia under Phaidra. The days he spent on the terrace enjoying the summer air before returning to the open air classroom for the days lessons.The terrace was on the roof of one of the temples buildings. It was a beautiful space with a garden full of mature trees. In the centre a repaired female statue threw water into a large pond full of fish and lily pads.

"Where are the rest of the children?" Oprhic asked barely above a whisper.

"Scattered," Pained emotion hung on the woman’s words. "When the bells started to ring we gathered at the railing to see what was happening. Then we saw the fireballs." The woman paused, he eyes far away as she remembered the scene. "The children were scared and they ran. There were only a few sitters teaching that day and we did the best we could. Dividing up into groups of children and tried to herd them as best we could back into the temple. Then the temple was hit and it was as though the spirits from the underworld had been unleashed. Bodies were everywhere, torn apart." The woman paused again and looked at Orphic. Seeing his eyes on her she composed herself and continued. "We got out, Cyril, Eli and I. We were leaving when the way out was blocked before us, that's when we found you."

"Where are we going?"

"To the sewers."

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