The New Ones of Atlantis

And hail him they did. The Atlanteans threw their hands in the air and screamed as loudly as they could. The Harbor echoed with the blast of thousands of loud adoring voices. The Warriors and Harbor Staff stood straight and tall. Our hearts pounded with anticipation. What we saw was worth the wait. For as long as I live, I will never forget the sight that I saw next. I can close my eyes and still see the magnificence of it and hear those cheers.

My mates and I gasped in wide-eyed amazement when Lord Beast stepped onto the brink of his away plank. He was a splendid sight to behold. There stood before us, upon a grand ship, the most magnificent man ever created. The sun glowed brighter upon him than anywhere in the Harbor. It seemed as though the sun’s golden beam shone only to honor this great King.

I can see him clearly in my mind’s eye, towering six and half feet tall. His long, golden hair, as shiny as spun silk, draped over his shoulders and onto his chest armor. One hand was on the hilt of his sword. The other held a silver shield that sparkled like a chest of diamonds in the sun. The hammered design of his shield was the face of his mother, The African Lioness, roaring, her eyes slanted and teeth bared, ready to kill.

Lord Beast stood so royal, so regal before his adoring people. God, how beautiful he was! His long sleeveless coat-like vest, armguards, neckband, weapons belt and boots were black leather studded in heavy shining silver. The studs twinkled like stars in a black night’s sky. His armguards had bigger, sharper spikes than his Warriors had. He wore no gloves so that his black fingernails would show. He wore no helmet, sleeves or long pants so that his golden mane of hair and golden hair-covered arms and legs would be strikingly obvious.

On his right pointer finger, he wore his New Ones’ ring. On both thumbs and his other seven fingers, he wore hooked, spiked rings that looked like silver lion’s claws. He wore one silver hoop earring in one earlobe just as we pirates do. He was magnificently God-like.

A cave full of monsters, a hoard of demons or a shipload of enemies could have attacked Lord Beast and he could have slaughtered all of them alone. He armed himself with enough weapons to battle anything or anyone. He was a one-man Army and a damn frightening one.

He had two long swords, two shorter swords, a double-headed ax, a spiked-ball, a wound whip, daggers of every shape and size all strategically placed along his weapons belt. There were three daggers in each of his armguards, three in holders on the outside of his boots and two short swords that criss-crossed between his shoulder blades at the back of his vest. Because he is danger personified, he probably had several weapons hidden inside his vest-coat and in bands behind his shield. Lord Beast was fearsome and handsome beyond all description! We trembled with excitement and fear, not certain which emotion was most warranted.

The Atlanteans’ cheers were deafening as he slowly and grandly marched down the plank. He paraded with regal finesse so his every movement could be witnessed and adored. When Lord Beast’s first boot heel hit the pier, the Harbor Staff slammed their fists over their hearts. When he stepped even with them, they shot their fists toward him. When he stepped one man past them, their fist fell open-handed to the side of their thigh, snapping them back to attention. Like the Warriors, their actions appeared machine-like.

When Lord Beast stepped grandly in front of his Troop 2 Warriors, they saluted him differently. They slammed their fist over their heart, shot their fist straight out, jerked the side of their hand to their forehead and held it there until Lord Beast returned their salute. After his acknowledgment, the Warriors reversed their salute, stood at attention and waited for orders.

The Atlanteans were still screaming and cheering. Lord Beast turned from his Warriors and raised his royal-ringed hand to his people. They silenced instantly. It was so quiet we could hear the horses breathe and the water slap lazily against the dock. After the loud screaming, the silence seemed just as deafening. Lord Beast and his people stood silently for several moments doing nothing but admiring each other. The Atlanteans’ adoring stares were remarkably moving. We witnessed a monumental demonstration of mutual love and admiration.

When Lord Beast’s expression changed from an adoring gaze to an angry stare, the energy of the people change around us. Because of the people’s expressions, we sensed they expected something to happen. We sat still and silent and wondered what.

Lord Beast closed his eyes, laid his head back and took a deep breath. When he stepped forward and opened his eyes, he bellowed out a vicious-sounding roar that thundered and resounded throughout The Atlantean Harbor. Until you hear it Poah, his roar is beyond your understanding. It was as loud and frightening as a hundred, hungry, attacking lions.

Naturally, we were horrified again. My mates and I clung to each other like barnacles to a ship’s hull. You would expect such a shocking exhibition to frighten most normal people, but it did not scare those Atlanteans one damn bit. It was like throwing more wood on a fire. The flame of their excitement shot higher. They screamed as if they had lost control and gone mad. They bounced, cheered and waved both of their hands at Lord Beast. They utilized every bit of energy within them.

To reassure them of his danger and fierce frightening demeanor, Lord Beast held the hilt of his sword and glared angrily at them. He was their King and Protector, and by God, they were proud. He was damn scary Poah, and he knew it. When Lord Beast held up his hand, they went from screaming madness to grinning silent-sanity in one instant. I assure you, his people are well-trained and totally under his strict control.

Lord Beast turned back toward his Warriors. He marched through their ranks and took his position to lead them away. Lord Beast’s loud deep voice echoed across the Harbor as he commanded, ‘Warriors! About face! Forward! March!’ With certainty, I knew I had witnessed the greatest Warrior King and the greatest Warriors upon this Earth.

As Lord Beast led his Troop 2 away, his people bounced lively upon the dock, waved goodbye and cheered. It was fantastic. Lord Beast looked like a mythical, legendary, War God as he paraded his magnificent Warriors for his people. Nursie told us that Lord Beast loved parading his Warriors for them. We could see why. His Atlanteans loved it.