Epic of Helinthia by MJ Pankey

Author:MJ Pankey [Pankey, MJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: original greek epic, ancient greece, classical greece, ancient greek women, ancient rebellions, set in ancient greece, ancient greek characters, ancient greek culture, ancient greek warfare
Publisher: Muse and Quill Press
Published: 2023-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

GONIVEIN

GREEN HILLS SPRAWLED ALL the way to the horizon. A light breeze ruffled Gonivein’s hair, cooling her clammy skin. She smiled, feeling a bubble of joy in her chest, and reached down to thread her fingers through the thick blades of grass. Lilies spun on the hills, the dead tree stumps had new shoots springing forth, and birds—so many birds—were chirping and flying overhead.

She breathed deep through her nostrils. Sweet springtime, the way she remembered it.

An uncontrollable urge to twirl and roll in the grass overtook her, and she kicked off her boots and wiggled her toes, giggling at the prickly feel of the healthy ground. Arms outstretched, she spun around and around until she became so dizzy that she fell and rolled down the hill.

She splayed on her back at the foot of it, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Big fluffy clouds floated above, and for a moment, she played shapes like she used to do with Dargos when they were younger.

That one looks like a goose. That one kind of looks like Leontes with that long beard.

A loud screech disturbed her tranquility—a frightful, jolting sound. She sat up and scanned for the source.

There, down in the valley, a wounded falcon fluttered on the grass. A red dragon, a lion, and a white stallion were circling it. All were of similar stature, roaring. Their focus was the bird, but they lashed out at one another when they came close. Around this circle of danger were hundreds of wolves, watching, waiting, timid and leaderless.

Gonivein sensed that they wanted to help the falcon, but the three fierce beasts gave them pause. Her heart ached for the bird.

How could an Helinthia so full of life harbor such cruelty? What had gone wrong?

Another screech interrupted her thoughts. The dragon, lion, and stallion dove for the falcon with murderous intent, attacking each other and inflicting deep wounds as they fought over it, staining the lush green crimson.

No!

Gonivein opened her eyes, sucking in air. The room was freezing, but she felt beads of sweat rolling down her neck and forehead. She pulled the blanket tighter around her. The blue sky and clouds were gone, and in their place was the tiled ceiling of the manor house. The sorrow lingered, almost painful in her chest, and she wondered if she could have helped the falcon somehow. She shook her head. Just another bad dream.

An orange glow on the wooden beams broke her concentration, and the crackling sounds of a blaze brought a smile back to her face. She breathed deeply through her nose, savoring the smell of smoke as her heart fluttered. The fire spirit! She sat up, scanned the room, and frowned. He wasn’t in here—the light was shining in from outside.

Gonivein got up and walked to the window. Her breath caught. The buildings were on fire! The flames spread from the houses to the barn and silo, crawling up the sides of the tower like a nest of disturbed bugs. She heard screams over the sound of the roar and then shouting—frantic—in the hallway.

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