An Unwanted Guest

I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN.

~The King and His Queen~

"As we all can tell. Things haven't been what they used to be in the past few weeks. And you all know what that means."

Vulcan's pace on the words was slow but thoughtful. He seemed to be conscious of making sure that his voice travelled to the multitude of citizens who had been increasing by time.

He walked away from the door of the palace, holding Athena's hand. He halted after guiding few of his steps as well as his Queen's to just a stone throw from the public.

"Of course, we do have a good news too, amidst all the odds."

He took a peek at Athena and nodded. Then back to the public,

"In a month time, the project which had been going on since over two months would know its completion. And when I say, project, I mean the forts, ramparts, Colosseum, bridge over the large lake and other royal constructions."

He fancied the necessary royal pause again continued,

"All the constructions should had been done by now. But some of the magical creatures which invaded our land left some of the constructions in unprecedented ruins. Like the market square newly renovated for the world trade center."

He plucked the strands of his firm beards in vain and added,

"We might say that it's all over, but we can't be sure what would happen in the nearest future. But all I want you to know is that, myself and your queen will do all in our grasp to keep you all safe away from danger and protect the interest and safety of I CHÓRA TOU VULCAN even with our lives."

"But before the dismissal today, we shall hear what the queen has to say about all these. And the way to stop the attack. As we all know, she's well grounded in such matters as this."

He squeezed Athena's hand gently in a nudge and she leaned towards him. And in the eyes all present, she taught his lips some art of quick pleasure. He felt awkward.

She let go as the populace was wrapped in the murmurs of the recent art. She didn't seem to care as she kissed him once again and spared a toothed smile.

"I know that many of you already have more than enough questions. And now added to it is... why is she kissing a person in such time like this?"

She scoffed, not building on the contemptuous aspect of it.

"I'll answer all of your questions leaving out the recent one. For I know what a horny man would do to his wife tending to buyers in the market."

She grinned,

"Of course he would drag her into the nearest clusters of shrubs or undergrowth and spend his pleasure on her. But what would you think of a horny queen?"

She chuckled as the murmurs swelled again. Vulcan closed the pace between them and whispered into her left ear.

As soon as he raised his head, she stole his lips again. And muttered, so that only him could hear,

"They need this."

His stiffened jaws melted into a tacky counterpart. He sure didn't get the gist of it.

Back to the public she said,

"The first creature which visited this land was a Kin-Lin of the Chinese origin. A justice seeker who hunts down the evil even without being paid. Too good my Lord was able to tame it and now it's one of our royal treasures."

"I promise that at the end of one month, at the dedication of all the project to my father, it shall be presented to you all. That is, if we do not have any reason to use it before then."

The tempo of her voice heightened,

"Several weeks ago, Poseidon was generous enough to reveal himself to us before he got bored of our company. But I, with my Lord, were able to trace his scent to a cave in the depth of the woods. And since he wouldn't have a sane bargain, we decided to end it terribly, which opened a rift in the forest. A rift which divides our land from his cave. Which means he wouldn't be able to cross over to annihilate us all."

A wave seemed to permeate the pitch of her voice now,

"If you want a child, you need semen. If you want a house, you must build it. If you want a woman, you must speak to her, work so amorously till you have her convinced. Why do you think twill be any different in the spiritual world? Since we stopped Poseidon from annihilating our land by creating a rift, the rift is now a portal for magical creatures held under the earth for thousands of years. They would visit of their own will to plunder and keep us in constant terror. But we won't sit back and watch. We will fight and use them against themselves till Poseidon has a change of mind. And if he doesn't? Only Zeus can answer. But shame, I can't visit him, because I came to earth against his will."

"How doomed we are!"

One of the men in the crowd called. The bottled murmur held a new show and wouldn't be curbed anytime soon. Vulcan caught up with Athena again and put his arm around her shoulder, pushing down a loitering lump in his throttle.

"Do you really mean there's nothing we can do?"

He had whispered, leaning stylishly on her as the murmurs scaled altitude.

"Poseidon could change his mind... but I don't think I can visit my father. You know what that means... loosing you. I'd rather lose all my dignities and powers rather than lose you. I love you so much that it aches."

"Athena."

He called suddenly as he looked away from her to the sky in distance.

"I mean it."

She didn't seem to get the idea.

"Athena, Look!"

He pointed finally as the multitude swayed in the direction at once at the heavy flapping of wings in the sky.

Flying in the air towards them all was a large dragonic reptile, with just two legs close to the neck, hard and scrawny large piercing wings, long tail glazed with thorns which ran from the end of its tail to its large fox-like head. Wolf-like ears, red eyes and terrifying flexes.

"What in the world is that?"

Vulcan shuddered, holding dearly unto his wife as the people scrambled about as the creature kept spurting fire.

"A Kludde"

She mumbled.