He paused in his telling. The ground had shifted again, the stone becoming packed dirt that had clearly been walked on frequently. The dirt path jutted out toward another land mass. This was one of the bridges he was talking about. It wasn’t a bridge in the sense I was used to, but an arched land mass that connected the two island rings together.
“How does this happen?” I asked.
“We built the bridge from two solid, interlocking pieces of orichalcum. We then covered it with soil and let nature resume her growth. Sumner is mostly a forested land. Interspersed throughout the forest are pockets of fields that some have used to create their housing, as you saw with mine. It was also originally divided for three princes, but it too diminished in its ruling after the war. Currently, Poseidon’s second child’s son, who is the third in line for the throne, rules Sumner. He tends to the forest and makes sure the herds that are to be provisionary to our survival, remain thriving. All types of creatures live on this island, as we are the easiest island to maintain. It is a mostly flat land that is easy to cultivate and farm. I think it is even better than that of the mainland, as it only has a few mountains.” His voice held a note of pride that caused me to smile.
“The last ring is not really a ring of land, but four small islands set at the compass points. The northern one is called Rotsem and it is a tropical forested land with little fields that contain a variety of life. The eastern island faces the dry mountainous area of Melic and is called Horindu. It is a very dry, volcanic land that does not thrive with water. The southern island houses fields of flowers; it hosts the last remainder of our fertile plain and is called Diampri. The final island is in the west and is called Azazeil. It is a forested land with a natural occurring fountain of spring water in the center. Only on the main island of Atlantis does this fountain occur again.”
How Raif thought I’d be able to focus on anything besides him was beyond me. We walked over the bridge just as he was speaking about it. What he didn’t say was that it was the width of two semis stretched end to end, and nearly three times that in length. We didn’t cross paths with anyone, but did make room on occasion for a pack of elephants to pass. Not once did I see signs of transportation other than by foot, nor did I really see a need; however, I’d been anticipating flying cars zipping by using banana peels for fuel. I’d always heard stories of how technologically advanced Atlanteans were. I was also very humbled to be able to walk in a land that had been under miles of ocean for thousands of years.
Before too long, we had made our way across the island of Melic, and were finally on the mainland of Atlantis. The mountain in the center was huge. It started almost as soon as we crossed the bridge and went up. The peak was hidden beyond the clouds that circled. The climb was surprisingly casual as we walked toward the temple and palace beyond. They were both nestled closer to the base of the mountain, but high enough that they overlooked the land below. The buildings were made of marble, silver, gold, and that same reddish material of the path.
“Raif, what is that red stone, and why is it only in a few spots? It’s beautiful.” I pointed to the path that we were on, as well as the two buildings that we could see in the distance.
“It is called orichalcum. It is a rare metal only found in abundance here. It is meant to designate the royal houses. The only roads it can be used on lead to the princes’ homes, or in this case, to the king’s castle and Poseidon’s temple. It is only to be used in the building of any further temples to Poseidon, or the king’s living quarters. Even the princes are forbidden to use it in their homes. It is nice looking, however I am partial to the opal. I love its softness, and the colors that can be found if it is cut properly.”
“Wait a second. That orichalcum was in the path that led to your house.” I stopped in my tracks.
“Yes. I am the third in line. The king’s future son will hopefully replace him. If he does not produce an heir, my uncle will take the throne. There are two ahead of me before I even risk that torture. I tend to my lands, and make sure my people are cared for. I have no desire to be king.” He spoke casually as he continued on. I hurried to catch up and hold his hand.
“You’re a prince…a freaking royal. I’d never have guessed that you’d be royalty. You’re so kind and generous I just thought you were a normal person. Well, not normal, wonderful, amazing and freaking perfect are better descriptors than normal, but you understand what I mean, right?” Thankfully we had just arrived at the palace, and I took advantage of our surroundings to distract him from my babbling admiration. “How can we see the sunset this far underwater?” I asked as I caught sight of the brilliant colors.
“It is one of the mysteries of Poseidon. There are still seasons. The sun, the moon, and weather patterns occur as naturally here as they do on the surface. Time is sometimes skewed from your world to
