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The Keneena City Ch. 01

By: EgyptsGoddess



This story is about a city that sank beneath the fresh clear seas a thousand years before Atlantis was ever marked down in the myths of history. The Keneena City was and still is the second cousins in relation to the Atlantians, the Atlantians held the power/lifesouce of a blue gem/crystal that prolonged their lives and was as a living entity to the survival the Atlantian culture. The Keneeneans held a power source similar, in the form of an rare orange crystal. In this story you will be following the adventures of a princess of Keneena and discover what Keneenean life might have been like; Princess Ceshcaclameshcama (Ceesh-ca-cla-mish-ca-mae) is a young woman in the royal palace about the age of 17 in our ageline, but by Keneenean culture she would be 150 years of age with the body and mind of a teenager. 

This is a legend of fiction...

~1~

Ceshcaclameshcama also called Ceshca for convenience, walked into the royal library. Her hair was long dark brown with natural orange highlights in it, deep green eyes and soft facial features made one think of a young forest nymph, but this wasn't a forest tale nor was the princess a nymph. The young woman wore a decorated bra top to support her ample C cups, the color of orange with light blue leaf patterns made of beads and small pebbles to give the bra a tougher exterior and padding that protected and supported rather than flaunted her breasts. A toned stomach ran the length of her with a navel ring, her hips were curvy and her thighs thick, a softer more breathable fabric made up her skirt which matched the color and design of her top. This was typical for Keneenean women attire, although personal preference varied among them.
Ceshca wore little jewelry, a gold 1 inch band was on her left upper arm and a few gold ankle bracelets adorned her right ankle, and simple gold hoops hung from her earlobes. Though the most valued piece wasn't merely a necklace, nor was it as simple as a gem drop pendant. Resting in the curve of her cleavage was a 1 inch orange crystal, it was supported by an intricate metal vine that clasped the crystal in it's entirety, curving and curling around the rock which was shaped like a rough teardrop. A 14 inch stainless steel chain attatched to the top end of the metal vine which then wrapped around Ceshca's neck. All Keneeneans wore this same crystal, though the cut of each rock was vasty different for each individual. 

Keneeneans were sea going people, the capital was were the royal palace was placed at the heart of the city, they had been on the surface for many generations until a meteor struck nearby sinking the culture into the depths of the ocean, only to have them survive because of an underwater cavern that served as a large pocket of rock and air. Keneena's surface location is speculated to be somewhere in the facinity of Cuba or near it anyway, but truthfully none know the true location of the former Keneenean city. All surface dwellers believed the city to be drowned, lost to the sea, but there were those few who go against popular beliefs and accepted speculations. A team of scientist and specialist were organized by some of the richest indepedent men in the world to research the history of Keneena and it's culture.

Ceshca had been only a child when the meteor had struck, sinking her home and laying waste to those sections of it that failed to sink with the capital and it's surrounding areas, the ruins lay elsewhere at the bottom of the ocean unknown and untouched by surface dwellers. Keneena had to rebuild and relearn a new way of life once the city came to rest in a strange pocket of air, a massive underwater cavern miles beneath the crushing waters but held up by the mighty rock like dome that saved them while the meteors destructive powers settled and churned the world around them.

Ceshca was the princess of Keneena while her father, King Montimma (Mon-tin-may) was the ruler of the city- her mother, Queen Acsicease (Ac-se-cea-see) had perished while giving birth to Ceshca's younger sister Veshna (Vi-sh-nah). Veshna would follow Ceshca everywhere, naturally the older woman didn't mind in the least bit. Veshna was only nine years old by Keneena standards but to our ageline she was already eleven or twelve. The Keneenean culture was fluent in every language known to the surface world, they had to be because while they were still on the surface they would barter and trade with every culture that happened to have trade routes at sea, this knowledge had not been lost to them when they sank beneath the waves, lost to even time itself.

Ceshca picked out her favorite book and sat down to begin reading it in the high arching window seat. Veshna merely sat in front of her older sister, staring intently.
"Well child go pick out a book and read if you so wish." said Ceshca once she glanced up to find herself being watched. While Veshna was looking for a book the two palace leopards came bounding into the library, one black the other orange. The orange one was Veshna's, Meadasha (Me-dash-ah) and the black one was Ceshca's, Kela (Key-lah).
Kela merely joined her owner, laying down next to Ceshca while she read; purring a deep love song to her. Suddenly a royal messanger burst into the room.
"Princess, your father wishes to speak with you!" he said quickly. Ceshca rose and placed her book back on the self, saying "I will be right there."
The messanger took off ahead of her to relay the response to King Montinmma. 
"Veshna take Meadasha and go play in the hanging gardens for a while alright." directed the elder princess as they entered the thrown room without permission from the standing gaurds. Veshna did as she was told, while Kela followed Ceshca closely. 
"Greetings father, what might I do for you?" Ceshca asked as she approached her father as he sat in his massive seashell thrown. His long grey beard stretched below his chest, his eyes grave with worry as he looked up at his daughter's entrance, his long face with his sharp green eyes watched her carefully with awe, respect, and fatherly love.
"Ceshca, there has been disturbances in the northern moutain range, my scouts have not been back more then an hour with worrisome reports..." his voice rasped with age and stress, though it still held his deep tone of authority in it..." surface dwellers have been sighted weaving their way threw the moutains, and there are many of them." Father shook his head in disbelief at his own words.
"People from the surface!" Ceshca couldn't believe her ears, she had never thought they would make it this far.
"Mmmm." hummed Father, his forehead wrinkled with concentration, the lines etched into his face spoke of his true age, but unless he were harmed the King would continue to reign another fifty years or more if he so chose to, yet Ceshca was more then ready to take his place and rule the people of Keneena. At her young age she would mark the passing of the Keneenean thrown for the first time in 340 years, as heir to the thrown it was her birth right as the eldest of the King. Keneenean law did not seperate men and women, they were equals in everyway, even when it came to their rulers.
Ceshca's heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts were racing a mile a minute, yet above all else one thought screamed, 'this means we can resurface, there will be a way to bring Keneena back from the depths!'
In the dim light of the thrown room, her tattoos glowed a fierce orange. Orange tattoos were a common thing among the Keneeneans but among the royals it marked them as such, every king or queen was marked with the royal sign, to be placed anywhere on their body so long as it remained visible at all times to the people. Ceshca had placed her's on her right cheek, just under her eye, the ruler's mark was a spiral with the beginning and end points dotted. She had had her mother's name tattooed on her inner left wrist in the Keneenean glyphs script when she had passed into the other void. The orange tattoo ink was made of a special substance that came from the sea, that is why it glows in the dim light or in the dark.

"What do you wish of me? my father." Ceshca knelt on one knee and tilted her face down in a display of respect and willingness. Her curiosity was fierce but so was her fear of the unknown and the fear for her people.
"I need you to go with this new scouting party I am sending out now, to investigate these strangers, see what they want, see what they are searching for... but never make your presence known to them unless they are in danger." instructed the King. Ceshca stood, the warrior within her sprang forth as her eyes met her father's, she smiled at him, honoured that he would entrust this mission to her.
"Yes, I will go and bring them to you." she replied, she flattened her right palm across her heart then stretched it outward towards the King, palm facing upwards in the Keneenean salute of willing obedience. The princess then turned on her bare heel and left to prepare for the journey.

The Keneena City Ch. 02



~2~

Ceshca and her scouts followed the visitors for three days once they found their location- she learned all of the strangers ranks, positions, and occupations. They called themselves explorers of the deep. The commanding officer, Mark Stone was a strict and rough man with the men that were under him. His first officer was a young girl about Ceshca's age, Kelly Jones was what she was called; pretty but annoyingly snappy with the men, being that she was the only female in this group of nearly twenty people. Ceshca could understand what Jones was going through, being that she herself was the Captain of her father's personal guard, showing no fear or female emotion was the only way to keep orderly respect amongst a group of highly trained men. There were two men that captured the princess's interest greatly so, as she and the scouts trailed the group day by day. A father and son, duo, the older gentleman was in his midfifties and his son appeared to be in his midtwenties. The father was called Cookie, for some strange reason, while his son's name was Neo. Ceshca and her scouts thought that these strangers had such short meaningless names, yet they had to be called something. Both men kept to themselves, apart from the large group, to study and make charts and notes; Ceshca assumed they were the guides of the expedition.

One night Ceshca's curiosity got the better of her as three of her guards and herself snuck down into the visitors campsite. She was searching threw Neo's belongs that were outside of his tent when suddenly the young man appeared; he had been awoken by the soft glow of their orange crystal pendents and came out to investigate.

"Hey! What the hell!" a very startled Neo said almost too loudly at the sight of the nomadic newcomers. Faster then Neo could blink the nomads had vanished into the night, Kela had stayed behind to make sure he didn't attempt to follow, the big cat was warning Neo with a very low, nearly inaudible hiss from deep within her throat. The leopard was always by Ceshca's side no matter where she went, even into battle.

Neo stood there in the middle of the campsite, momentarily stunned by his sleepy groggy mind, then suddenly his mind reminded him of what he had just seen and the young man dashed off to try and find the nomads. Kela growled but merely followed him, Neo ran and ran tripping over rocks and snagging his toes of moss and slippery surfaces.

Gasping for breathe as he ran, hands braced out in front of himself to bat away the branches and leaves that smacked into him in his own haste, he slid to a sudden stop as he found himself in a small clearing; face to face with four of the most curious and beautiful beings that he had ever laid eyes upon. Kela lept in front of him, hissing viciously, guarding her master and friends.

"Kela, leave him be." commanded Cesha in Keneenean. The leopard circled, coming to sit next to the female that had spoken. Neo assumed she was the leader of this small party, he dug his fingernails into his palms to keep his eyes from bugging out of his skull as he took her all in. She was small in stature, maybe only 5 feet, she wore a very short bright orange skirt and a bra, she had piercing intelligent green eyes that seemed to look right threw him and see everything. Her right hand was wrapped about a menacing looking spear, her hair was long brunette curls that was bunched high atop her head; and a strange crystal necklace that glowed the same bright orange what her outfit was, perhaps it was even brighter still. As Neo stared, suddenly his intelligent, highly versed mind snapped to attention, instantly recognizing the dead ancient language that had come from the woman's mouth. Had she just spoken Keneenean? His mind raced to try and find the right syllibles and pronuciation.

"Who are you?" Neo attempted to ask, struggling to form the words that he did know, as a linguist he could sometimes understand ancient languages better then he himself could speak it, especially if it is a dead language; or so he had previously thought.

"We are the people that dwell in this land stranger." replied one of her companions.

"Do you speak English?" he inquired, studying their dress and tattoos intensely.

"We do." answered Ceshca, her transition was flawless, her enunciation was perfect as if she had been born in America.

Dumbfounded for a split second Neo forgot that it was his turn to say something, his instant attraction to this short woman didn't help the matter either. But eventually his brain did engage.

"Oh, oh excuse my manners. My name is Neo Livingston, I uh, am a explorer and a liguist for this group of men, I work at a museum in New York." gushed the man as he attempted to take a step forward to shake her hand. Only to have a spear shoved in his face, halting his advance.

Ceshca stepped closer to him, pushing the spear of her companion away.

"I am Ceshcaclamechcama, daughter of Montinmma and princess of Keneena." she announced herself with gusto and pride, her smiled made Neo's knees weak.

Suddenly she withdrew, her eyes sharp and wary.

"Why are you here in Keneena?" Ceshca asked sharply, her earlier excitement and curiosity gone, replaced by mistrust and protectiveness.

"You mean you are Keneeneans? How is that possible? I mean. I am here to study and recover the remains of Keneena. I think." Neo's utter amazement wared with his knowledge of his numerous studies and research.

Suddenly from the direction of the campsite there came a horrible rumbling noise, Ceshca and her party rushed away at the sound of the noise. 

"Hey wait a minute! Come back here!" cried Neo, he scrambled to follow the nomads as they melted into the landscape, he knew that his fellow comerads had been awoken by his sudden disappearence and had started the vehicles and were on their way to find him. The numerous cars, trucks, and machinery that the group had brought with them was what had made the terrible rumbling sound, it was a sound that the natives had no clue about. Neo clammered over boulders and sharp edges, scraping and buising himself as he tried to follow his newly discovered friends. Heaving himself threw a long crooked gap in a pair of seemless boulders, as his face came to the fresh open air on the other side of the gap he paused in pure shock, his eyes wide in again; utter amazement and disbelief. He was frozen as his eyes told him that he was looking at the impossible... a giant waterfall cascaded downwards, it was seperated into two halves half way down by a large arching rock, the arch had the appearence of being hand carved because it was hallow in the middle like an entrance.

Neo's eyes adjusted slightly as the filtering sunlight came from high above, he looked past the raging waterfall, no, he looked into the falls and saw a city! Neo then remembered his limbs were attached to his body as he wiggled threw the gap, it was just big enough for his lean phisyque. 

"Umph!" he grunted as he tumbled down the remains of the boulder onto a jutting cliff edge. The edge was covered in moss and was somewhat slippery, but it jutted outwards as if it were pointing to the falls, then his eyes spotted a long handmade bridge that was most likely 6 miles across. His eyes strained to see to the other side, it looked as if the bridge connected on the other side to a wall of sheer rock, smoothed out by time and water. Neo regained his feet, finding that his shoes felt like slippery rubber beneath him.

"A! Livingston! What did you find?" bellowed Stone from the other side of the gap. Neo hadn't heard the group approach he had been so caught up in the rush of the falls.

"I- uh I'm not sure." stammered the man at first.

"Come on Neo speak up!" grumbled Stone impatiently.

"Keneena..." Neo said in a hushed reverant tone, "I think I found Keneena." he spoke again with better conviction. 

"What the!" another voice said, as he pushed threw the group,"Let me see!" he growled fiercely as he began to climb threw the gap. Neo whipped about in time to help his father get himself threw.

"Great Scotts!" Cookie cried out as he steadied himself on his son's shoulders long enough to see what his offspring had discovered. Neo glanced at his dad.

"You found it son. It looks just like in the ancient texts." his thick voice hummed approvingly, awe dripped from his every word.

"Ah hell that's impossible!" came Stone as he began to work his muscled body threw. Sooner then Neo would have liked, the entire crew was standing beside him gazing in stupified expressions at the sight before them.

"What is this?" said Jones, her voice wavered with uncertainty for the first time, an unsteady hint of fear and wonderment.

Suddenly the group was surrounded by nomads, people wearing orange lingerie and wielding spears and daggers. 

"Fuck who are these bastards?" Stone muttered drawing his sidearm.

"No don't!" Neo advised, his voice and body reacted out of pure emotion as he grabbed the soldier's gun from him.

"You little prick." seethed Stone as he attempted to retake his weapon.

"The question to you is.... who are you?" Ceshca spoke clear pure english, her voice was like listening to a gentle brook on a warm summer day, but it held power and authority as her gaze bore into Stone's stunned face, she relaxed from her fighting pose displaying grace and restraint.

Stone licked his dry lips as his eyes ran up and down this sexy little vixen, she was fit and strong but a fucking turn on all at the same time, her three companions were just as appealing but not like her.

"They have to be natives, Keneeneans!" exclaimed Neo as he shoved the gun into Stone's chest and marched threw the group to get to the front.

"Yea, really." Jones snorted with disgust, her nose flared as she witnessed the fierce female warriors, she hated them instantly, their beauty, their looks.

"Who are you? and Why have you come here?" Ceshca said determined.

"We ar-" Neo began.

"We are explorers from the surface world! We come in peace." Stone thrust himself forward, shoveling Neo's slim form out of the way. Kela snarled at his invasion of space. The man halted at the big cat's command.

"Who are you?" Stone's voice barely carried those surround them but his eyes never left the girl's tight trim form. Neo merely watched in respect and awe. 

"I am Ceshcaclameshcama, Princess of Keneena City!" she proclaimed, placing a hand on her hip and leaning into it. Stone just about had a orgasm that very second, his dick was so rigid for this little wench he could barely contain himself, the way she moved and spoke. Her big tits and curvy small body. But the leopard scared the shit out of him.

"Now if you will all follow me. I will take you to my father, the King." Ceshca directed as she took the lead towards the long bridge, Kela at her side.



The Keneena City Ch. 03-06



~3~

"Greetings your Majesty, I have brought you the visitors." announced Ceshca in Keneenean as the gaurds allowed she and the newcomers entrance into the thrown room. 

"Good, well done." replied the King, motioning for her to take a seat next to him. Neo and Cookie showed much respect towards the King and his daughter, while the others could have cared less.

"You all must leave Keneena at once!" came Father sternly. It had been many many years since he had had the misfortune of seeing a surface dweller find Keneena. The last visitor had tried to steal the Orange crystal from the city. 

"But sir, might we stay just one week? To uh rest, resupply, be ready to travel again. It has taken us many months to find this place. We are low on many things." Stone requested softly. Father rubbed his beard thoughtfully, his eyes looking into this stranger's trying to find something, puzzled by this man's sudden persistance. 

"One week... that is all." decreed Father with a wave of his hand.

"Why thank you so much your Majesty, thank you so very much." smirked Stone as he and his crew backed out of the thrown room. Ceshca followed them silently. She assigned each of the guests to a room. She even allowed Neo, after much pleading and coaxing on his part, to accompany her while she went about her palace tasks. He was so fascinated by this woman that he couldn't resist a chance to simply talk with her, learn from her.

"So do you have a nickname?" he asked.

"Yes. It is Ceshca." the girl answered simply.

"And, where are we going?" inquired the man as he trailed behind the princess.

"We are going to the historical rooms." Ceshca replied pushing open one of the big double doors in the hall that they were walking in. The sun was just setting so Ceshca began to light the many torches that lined the walls as they walked threw the numerous corridors and pillared hallways, some were on the stone walls while others were standing on tables.

"What are you talking about this entire palace is covered in history!" Neo said suddenly as he realized that there were certain walls that were covered in Keneenean script, the light revealing them as they went. While they walked Neo noticed that one of the brightest lights was that of the crystal that rested deliciously at the crest of her breasts, he felt himself grow hard. Pushing his body's instincts asside he asked, "What is that?" pointing the the necklace.

"It is the orange crystal of life and love." she gave him a smile that made him think that she was laughing at him, as if he should have known this piece of information already. She stopped lighting the torches and let the light of the crystal be their guide. It glowed a bright almost neon color without the assistance of other light.

"Ah, here we are." said Ceshca cheerfully as she led him threw a massie door, the inner room was made of uninterrupted limestone, in the center of the floor there was a rectangular pool cut into it. The orange light bounced off of the white walls as they approached the pool. Ceshca casually removed her skirt, revealing tone thick thighs, lovely legs and small feet, she merely wore a g-string thong nearly bringing Neo to his knees right then and there; wading into the pool she turned to him.

"You do swim, right?" she asked softly. Neo managed to nod his response as he removed his shirt and pants, his cheeks flushed a bright red as he hoped that she had not noticed his erection, quickly he got into the water with her. The cool water helped to bring his body tempature down a bit, making him less nervous. Ceshca smiled at him, eyeing his lean but toned body.

"Take a deep breathe then." she instructed.

Inhaling they both dove beneath the surface of the still water, they swam for a short distance, she led him to a small pocket of air so that they could catch their breathe. Then diving she led him to a small square pool similar to the first one that they had entered, again the room that surround the pool of massive and made entirely of limestone. Ceshca's crystal lit the black hall.

"Where are we?" he asked as they climbed out of the pool.

"We are in the Temple of Light. One of the oldest temples ever built by my people." answered Ceshca as they gazed up at the high walls. Neo realized that the Keneenean script had been etced with pure gold!

"How many rooms are there?" he asked.

"There are two, this room that we are in is the first..."Ceshca explained, "this room speaks about my great great great great grandfather and how he founded Keneena." she continued as they walked into the next room. "And, these walls speak of his queen and how she started our religious beliefs." finished Ceshca.

"What else does it say?" asked Neo. The girl studied the stone for a moment, she was walking slowly along when she discovered a small hole in the wall.

"What's that?" exclaimed Neo as he spotted it.

"I don't know Neo." Ceshca moved towards it and upon an sudden pang of instinct fitted her crystal into the slot, it slipped perfectly. Instantly the walls script burst into the same orange color.

"Oh wow!" came Neo as the color extended from her crystal outwards across the entire south wall. The princess gave a yip in surprise and jumped backwards, Neo caught her before she had a chance of falling.

"It speaks of a crystal that is the source of Keneena's life, it protects us in times of danger and great need." she read part of the wall.

"What is this great crystal called?"

"It says, the Soul of Keneena."

~4~

All was well for the first few days while the strangers visited Keneena, until Father began questioning Stone further about his intentions and plans, reminding the commander that he could stay so long as he and his crew remained peaceful and willing to abide by the laws. Cookie and Neo took great care at respecting the King's wishes so that they could study the ancient city to their hearts content. Ceshca was in the temple of Ishka (God) saying her morning prayers when she sensed that someone was stalking her.

"What do you want?" she asked sharply into the empty air.

"Tell me where the Soul is?" Stone's deep menacing voice whispered threw the early morning air. A chill ran threw the princess as she felt his slow approach from behind her. She turned her big green eyes up towards his face.

"You know I will never give you what you want, the Soul is our's, my people depend upon it to live." she bit out, "If I ever did I would then be forced to kill you." 

"Tell me! You little bitch!" he burst, grabbing her by the forearm.

"You dare to touch me!" growled the princess. Stone yanked her up and against his chest, his eyes gleamed with an unatural glee.

"Why don't you cry out for help?" his voice was soft, gentle in a taunting sexual manner.

"Because I am not afraid of you. If you choose to defile me at least take me out of the Holy Temple of Ishka, do not shame me in this place." she stared back at him with an icely glare of defiance.

"Fine let's take you outside slut." Stone nearly groaned with sexual impatience as he towed her towards the massive double door entrance.

"But Stone, you have forgotten something." Ceshca said cooly.

"Oh have I?" he snapped.

"I have not finished my morning prayers." she returned easily.

Stone thrust her away from his trembling heated body, cursing her silently as she tumbled to the floor, she caught herself with her palms braced against the marble floor. Stone towered above her, his eyes blazing with eager lust and fascination, leaning down to her he pressed his lips to her ear while cupping her breast in his big palm; kneading it roughly.

"Then I will be seeing you later, now won't I." he hissed into her ear, plucking her bejeweled nipples, his breath hitched once he realized that they were pierced. Ceshca whimpered in disgrace and pain at his pinching invasion. She pried herself away from his grasp in time to hear a blood curtling screaming hiss blast them from behind, Stone whipped about his eyes coming face to face with Kela, the big cat was crouched and ready to slauter him, it's eyes aglow with hate her teeth bared. 

The man's face went white with fear as he sidestepped the beast and ran from the temple in his escape. Kela relaxed once he and gone, giving a sorrowful meow she went to Ceshca, rubbing and pawing lovingly at her, curling her face and tail about the princess in a comforting embrace. Ceshca began to cry as she threw her arms about her feline's powerful neck, hugging tightly, holding on for dear life.

"Oh, Kela I love you! Thank you girl." she managed between sniffs and sobs. The leopard began to purr trying to comfort and console her master as she trembled against the creature, bathing her neck and face with her big soft tongue.

Later that night Ceshca awoke suddenly to a figure standing over her bed, gripping the dagger that she ahd stashed beneath her pillow.

"Who's there?" she asked deadly.

"Relax Ceshca. It's me, Neo."

"Neo, is it really?" she lit a small oil lamp that hung beside her bed. When Neo's face came to view in the soft light she wanted to weep with joy and relief.

"Yes, it is me. I heard rumors today of Stone hurting you, Jones was stupid enough to almost brag about it in front of the other men." said Neo gently, his voice went steely at mention of Stone. He came around to sit on the side of the bed with the princess. Ceshca immediately nearly climbed right into his lap in her desperate need for comfort and trust, to feel another human being against her, holding her, sheltering her, protecting her.

"What's this for?" Neo whispered as he instinctively wrapped his arms about her nearly nude form, the lace slip that she was wearing as pajamas barely covered her lovely body. She was nuzzling her face into the hair of his chest, making tiny noises of sighs and mews as if she longed to be comforted and touched in a gentle way.

"How did you find out?" Ceshca asked softly.

"Well Jones was being the bitch that she is, wanting to prove how tough she was by mouthing off about herself and Stone, then she started bad mouthing you, calling you all sorts of names and hurtful things. I left at once to find out the truth, I was on my way here when I ran into Veshna, she was with Meadasha in the Temple of Ishka. I asked if she knew anything and she spilled the entire story; just as you had admitted to her." answered Neo honestly, his arms tightened as he thought of anyone wanting to harm the princess... his princess.

"Neo, Stone said that he would come for me tonight." Ceshca said, her entire body trembled with fear and he could feel it as if it were a living thing, her eyes were wide, her breathing was quick and short.

"I won't let him hurt you Ceshcaclameshcama, I swear it. I will protect you. Does your father know? How can I help?" Neo stroked her long locks lovingly, his heart and chest swelled with desire but also the need to take care of her, to keep her safe.

"Come, let's go to the temple of light." she said, taking his hand in her's. Snatching the dagger from beneath her pillow, they were ready to sneak out when Veshna came running into her room.

"Veshna what is it dear child?" exclaimed Ceshca as she picked up on her little sister's distress immediately.

"Ishka gave me a dream!" she panted, Meadasha came bounding after the young girl.

"Speak child." coaxed the princess.

"He told me that Stone was going to kill father!" Veshna nearly shouted,"that he was going to take Keneena and then do the same to Atlantis!"

"Shhhhhhh little one." Ceshca quieted the girl.

"What the hell? How can Atlantis and Keneena have anything in common? They aren't even in the same ocean." blurted Neo, his boggled mind was having trouble putting things together, facts verses history books and ancient scrolls. 

"Atlantians are our ancient cousins, we are at least 600 years older then Atlantis." Ceshca replied distractedly.

"How far is Atlantis from Keneena? Families rarely live too far from one another." Neo couldn't believe his ears! Atlantis and Keneena!

"Mmmm roughly 100 miles from the other side of the northern mountains."

"Veshna, what else was in your vision?"

"Stone wants to steal the crystals, the Soul and the Heart, to use for his own greed and profit." answered the young princess.

"The cities won't last more then a few years if the crystals are taken from us!" realised Ceshca, her fear being reawakened anew.

"What do we do?" asked Neo.

"We must warn Atlantis and father. Before Stone discovers where the crystal is hidden." answered Ceshca hurriedly, she left them in a rush, the two followed to keep up. Ceshca ran to the royal stables, her orange pendent lit the darkened stalls with it's soft glow.

"Why are we here? Shouldn't we be going to your father?" asked Neo uncertainty in his voice.

"I'll take my filly, Riamacike (Ria-make-ich) to Atlantis." replied Ceshca.

"Ria hello beautiful." spoke Ceshca softly, not wanting to scare the animal awake. A black Arabian horse poked it's lovely small head out of it's stall window. Ceshca opened the door and led the young filly out into the isle.

The orange light revealed a jet black Arabian/Apoloosa mix, her small form was her Arab blood, but a white cap covering her rump, sparatic splotches of gray/white patterned the inside of the white cap. 

"That's a strange color of Arabian." commented Neo.

"Her father was an Apoloosa and her mother was an Arabian." expained Ceshca quickly. She slipped a silver bridle over her horse's face.

~5~

"I have sent messangers to Atlantis to fetch princess Leilaamenata (Lay-lah-me-not-ah). Leila is my best friend." Ceshca said as she helped Veshna mount Ria, "Kela, Ria, and Veshna will take the long way to the Temple of Light, but you and I will swim."

Veshna took up the reins and coaxed Ria into a trot with Kela on her heels. Ceshca took Neo by the hand and ran all the way to the first pool, with only the crystal to light their way. The pair jumped in and swam to the temple of light with all haste.

"Quick, help me find that notch in the wall." instructed the princess as the dark room was filled with the crystal light. Neo began feeling along the wall nearest to him. It took a few moments but suddenly he cried out, "Here, here it is!" his voice echoed off of the walls. Ceshca slipped her crystal into the hole, watching the script light up, she then withdrew the crystal to place it around her neck once more. As she did so, there suddenly was a loud noise that sounded beneath their feet, as a staircase opened up near the smaller pool. Veshna walked into the room a few minutes later, Kela at her side. 

Ceshca and Veshna went to the stairs and began to descend, Neo at their backs. 

"How soon will Leila be here?" asked Ceshca.

"Anytime now." answered the younger girl.

"How is that possible?" asked Neo.

"Atlantians have the power of flying machines Neo, small aircraft that uses that power of the crystal." Ceshca answered his puzzled face.

The three friends came to the bottom of the spiral stairs, awestruck at their discovery. A pool of unknown depth sat in the middle of the encloser, and above it nearly one thousand feet hung the largest orange crystal Ceshca had ever seen! It was encircled by several slabs of limestone, etched into the outer surface of each was the face of men and women. Ceshca and Veshna approached a few steps before entering the water, dropping to their knees the girls bowed and began murmuring praises and prayers of respect and honor. Neo merely gazed upwards in utter shock and amazement, he couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. The Soul of Keneena hung right over his head, with twenty limestone etchings of the former kings and queens of Keneena's past; just like the ancient tablets had foretold.

"Ceshca! Ceshca where are you?" a young female vice called from the upper room.

"We are down here." answered Neo.

A young woman about Ceshca's age came down the stairs. Neo hitched in a breathe, she was every bit as attractive as Ceshca. Leila was taller by seveal inches, her form was slimmer and more muscled, deep blue eyes met his as she approached. Her blonde hair was straight and wispy as she stopped near Neo.

"And you are?" her eyebrow raised in curious suspicion.

"I am Neo Livingston, I am a historian and explorer, I'm a friend of Ceshca's."

"Ah. Damn explorers." cursed the Atlantian. She stepped forward and gave the Keneenean salute of willing obediance in respectful homage to the Soul of Keneena, whispering in a complex dialect which Neo assumed was Atlantian. Leila wore a long tapered sky blue skirt and a matching crop tank top bra. Orange and red detailed the outfit.

"Leila!" exclaimed Ceshca and Veshna once they had finished their prayers, rushing to their friend the three woman embraced, kissing each other on the cheek.

"What is wrong? The messangers told me it was urgant." asked Leila.

"His leader is wanting to destroy our two cities and take them to do his geedy biding." Veshna pointed a finger at Neo.

"I knew it." muttered Leila in Atlantian, Neo picked up on the phrase, Atlantian had a very different flavor, it was textured, rougher then Keneenean.

"My great great great grand mother prophecied about this happening again. She spoke of two princesses saving thier homes from a evil wonderer." supplied Leila quickly. 

"Come we must warn my father!" Ceshca said.

"No wait. I think you should wait to see what this Stone is really up to." suggested Leila.

"Why, we know he is going to do harm." Neo jumped in the conversation eagerly.

"But do you have any proof? You know Keneenean law. A ruler can not acurately accuse and exile a criminal unless there is substantial evidence of trechery. As much suspician as his Majesty Montinmma has for your group of explorers, he has granded them safety here until they leave. If we can show that Stone is a slimey bastard then Montinmma will be forced to banish or even execute him." the Atlantian said.

"It's true Neo, there must be proof." sighed Ceshca sadly.

"Would you be willing to go through it again Ceshca?" asked Neo, he came closer and wrapped his arms protectively around her. Leila's eyes widened with surprise.

"What has happened to Ceshca?"

"Stone wants to uh.... defile her." Neo tried to think of a word other then rape, because he couldn't bear to say it outloud himself.

"No! Never! Such a crime has never happened in either city!" exclaimed Leila.

"But if we are to show clear undeniable evidence." whispered Ceshca.

"No Ceshca!" shouted Leila in Atlantian, her fear and pain for her friend leaping to the forefront.

"Come let's get Ceshca back to the palace. There we will be safe with the guards, and we can rest and think on what should be done." suggested Neo.

Veshna nodded and helped her sister and friends back up the staircase.

~6~

The next morning Ceshca woke to the fragrances of cinnimon, sage, mint, pine, and bark. Wiggling slightly she turned over.

"Wait! Hold very still princess, just one more minute." a familiar voice directed. Ceshca smiled, it was her friend and royal artist, Zilatamatikma (Zil-ah-tao-may).

"What are you doing here this early?" murmured Ceshca sleepily.

"Painting you sleeping highness." replied the painter. 

"Oh let me see!" cried the girl enthusiastically as she sprang out of her bed and scurried over to where the painter had his esile on the balcony. Her orange lace nightie left nothing to the imagination as she gazed at the painting admiring his work. Zila merely looked at his friend, this was typical morning behavior for her, bursting with energy and rested. He ran his eyes wistfully up and down her lushes curves but remained silent, she was out of his reach, plus he was already married to another going on 15 years now; but he admired her with an artist fanciful imagination even still.




The Keneena City Ch. 03-06



Ceshca nodded in approval then went to her dressing closet, plucking a short dress out, it had a deep V neck that dipped all the way past her navel, the bottom barely covered her ass cheeks, Zila nearly moaned as he saw what she came out wearing. The princess did have exotic tastes, especially in her outfits, she got it from her mother.

"Come Zila, let's go get Veshna and join father for breakfast, shall we." Ceshca smiled, seeming not to notice Zila's bulging pants.

Ceshca spoke rapidly in Keneenean to her younger sibling as they walked threw the many great halls. As they entered the royal dining area Ceshca snatched her sister's hand and froze; there sitting at the table near father was Stone! Jones, Cookie, and Neo sat at the table too.

"Zila, place Veshna next to my father please." whispered Ceshca softly. Zila escorted the younger princess to the spot Ceshca had indicated, glancing back at he princess a tad puzzled but then moved to take his own seat next to Cookie. Pita, one of father's personal body guards stepped towards Ceshca when she refused to move to the table. He was a close companion to the princess and she had trusted him with what had happened between herself and Stone.

"Do you know had badly I want to run him threw with your spear Pita?" growled Ceshca, when she felt his body behind her's.

"Yes, as do I Ceshca. But that is up to your father, once he finds out." said Pita cautiously. He placed his hand that was hidden from view on her ass that was exposed, sending warm sensations through the princess.

"Will you take me tonight?" she asked.

"What about Neo?"

"I want him to be with me as well. Will you share me?"

"Mmmmmm princess." moaned Pita softly, he didn't want to share her, but it was as she commanded.

"Yes Ceshca I will share you." purred the body guard, his voice husky with want.

Ceshca had thought long and hard once Neo had helped her back to her room, and finally she had made a decision to let her virginity go, Pita and Neo made her insides burn and churn with desire the most.

"Come my daughter, don't just stand there. Come eat with us." smiled Father gesturing for her to take a seat across from Stone. Ceshca was heated and aroused by Pita's touch and she was afraid Stone would know somehow as she took her seat. Stone merely gave her a gaurded look but then turned to his food as everyone else started to eat their morning meal. The table passed without a word and soon everyone was thanking Father for the excellent meal and departing to their own daily affairs. Ceshca took Neo by the hand as he was exiting the dining hall, she shushed him and led him to her bed chambers.

"Why are we here? What's going on?" asked the man as she closed her main doors and locked them. 

"Do you want me?"

"What? Do I want you?"

"Do you desire me?"

"Oh, oh, oh, um well I..." stammered Neo just as Pita came from a hidden entrance within the wall.

Pita began to take off his shield and sword.

"Why is he here?" asked Neo nervously.

"I want to give you my virginity. Both of you." breathed Ceshca as Pita came closer.

"Uh what?" Neo blinked in disbelief.

Ceshca turned to Pita and raised herself up on her tippytoes to kiss him, the guard's big muscled body melted into her, his arms and hands were istantly accepting her small form, feeling her skin, touching her body; his mouth kissed her back. They explored each other, tasting one another. Neo's mouth dropped wide open while his cock grew instantly hard, as more and more skin was revealed on the willing princess Neo began to loose his grip, his blood pounded in his ears, his cock ached, and his lips begged to taste her.

"Mmmmmmm Pita." she whispered hotly as he pushed her dress off of her shoulders and cupped her breasts with his hands. As she pulled his belt off exposing his rigid cock, it popped up at attention. The princess instinctively knelt and began to lick and suck at the guard's big erection. Neo heard their moaning and found himself petting his own cock beneath the fabric of his pants. Ceshca then moved to be on her freshly made bed, drawing Pita with her, the man finished stripping her and began to eat her womanhood. Her eyes rolled and she meowed aloud with new pleasures. Those green eyes came to rest on Neo.

"Neo please, this is the only way I can avoid loosing it unwillingly." she panted, reaching her hand out to him. Gulping hard Neo came to her, his hands undressing himself.

"Ohhhhhh Neo let me taste you!" cried the princess as his cock sprang forth in all it's length and girth. Neo leaned onto the bed, his own cry came once he felt the warm wet heat of her little mouth as it wrapped eagerly around his bulging crown.

He began to thrust in and out of her mouth loving the sensations that she gave to him, his eyes flickered across her body as it writhed in delight while Pita licked and tongued her pink slit. Her eyes were locked on Neo's as she sucked his raging cock. Pita then began to push his hard cock into her virgin pussy.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" she came, his width stretching her, his length pierced threw her barrier as he pushed himself deeply.

"So tight princess!" groaned Pita as he pushed even deeper, touching her cervix with his tip, she thrashed beneath the two men. Neo found that he wanted to suck her bouncing tits as Pita began to have at the woman, pushing deep then drawing out. Eagerly Neo bend over and began to lick and suckle her plump jeweled nipples drawing ever louder cries of pleasure from her, he rubbed his length across her tummy while he bit into her tender flesh.

"Ohhh yesss!" she screamed as she felt his love bite, his fingers rolled and pinched her nipples while he bit at her fleshy breasts. Ceshca was wiggling and writhing as she was being taken, her voice was in constant moaning or screaming as they slaked their desires on her. 

"Do you want to feel her?" growled Pita as he withdrew from her dripping warm vagina. Neo instantly took the bodyguard's place, while Pita went to thrust his cock into her wanting mouth. Neo took hold of her legs, resting them on his shoulders, widening her, he pushed his throbbing dick into her tight channel.

"NEO!" she cried out as he thrust home for the very first time.

"Oh Ceshca." he moaned deeply as his began to thrust himself deeply within her passage, loving the way she squeezed and held onto his shaft, spilling her creamy juices all over him as he took her.

Ceshca willingly let them use her but Neo took his time with her, even though there was another man involved. He leaned forward to suck and press kisses into her tummy and breasts, adoring how her voice trembled and gurgled as Pita rammed in and out of her throat. Her eyes never left him as he thrust into her soft warm body.

Soon Pita came, gushing his warm seed all over her face and hair groaning her name as he spilled it. The guard cleaned himself up and then left them, claiming that he had to return to his post or someone would become suspicious.

Ceshca smiled up at Neo when they were finally alone. Neo pushed deeply and paused, he helped clean her face of Pita's seed before he devoured her mouth with his. As they kissed and tasted, his hips bucked softly into her, sending little thrusts of delight through them both, he hit her cervix every time drawing gasps and deep heartfelt groans from her throat.

"Oh Neo, oh Neo." she panted lovingly as he released her lips, his thrusts becoming more urgent.

"Ceshca." he purred.

She gripped his arms with her hands holding on, her legs wrapped around his waist while her eyes locked firmly with his.

"Harder Neo, I want you to do it harder!" she nearly begged as she tried to meet his downward stroke. Neo moaned loudly as he obeyed, pounding even deeper, rammed himself even harder into her.

"Yes Neo YES!" she screamed, thrusting herself against him, moving with his body, joining her strangled moaning cries of pleasure with his own.

"Oh Ceshca oh Cesha I'm going to explode." he managed to warn her, just before he gave one final inward thrust spilling his hot thick seed deep within her belly.

They clung to one another as their heartbeats slowed down, they trembled together, basking in the sensations of the aftermath.

She gazed up at him, and he looked deeply down at her and they both knew in their heart's that this would be a lasting love.



The Keneena City Ch. 07-10



~7~

The Keneenean princess made her way to the Temple of Ishka early the next morning, just as the horizons were beginning to fade from night to pastel pinks, yellows, and oranges. Her heart was thrumming as she recalled yesterday's impulsive wanton events, her skin grew warm even though the early air was yet cool. Ceshca knew that she had been reckless and stupid to do such a thing, letting her libido drive her emotions and her body, but then again she had not expected to discover a true partner out of the ordeal, a mate. Neo had been the gentler of the two men and the young woman had been drawn to his carefully thoughtful ways; her needs before his own.

"Leila, oh good morning Leila!" Ceshca geeted her Atlantian friend rather cheerfully, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled. Leila was praying her morning prayers to Ishka as well, and a few of the Atlantian gods.

"Good morning Ceshca, why are you especially happy this beautiful morning?" asked Leila as she rose from her kneeling position.

"I found a way to keep Stone away from me." answered Ceshca.

"Oh?"

"I gave up my virginity the other day."

"You what!"

"Yes, and it was magnificent."

Leila shook her head sadly, "Ceshca that won't deter the Commander. Maybe now he will persue you even more readily then before. And what of his right-hand, Jones?"

"What do you mean Leila, he wanted me because I was an untouched virgin, right?"

"Yes he did, but now you literally just made his raping you easier then you can imagine, if he ever get's ahold of you that is. Who was it?"

"It was Pita." returned Ceshca softly.

"Pita, your father's bodygaurd, Pita."

Ceshca nodded, "And Neo."

"And Neo!" blanched Leila, "You had them both. Ceshca." groaned Leila in a pained tone, she might have expected one or the other, but both!

"Well then I guess you will have two dogs trailing your six now huh." the Atlantian muttered, her voice was sarcasm amix with uncertainty.

"Mmmm." agreed Ceshca as she silently bowed her head and said a prayer to Ishka.

Leila waited for her friend to finish, then the tow women walked to Veshna's room in the southern archway.

"Veshna, come child we must go to breakfast." knocked Leila. It was the only time at breakfast that the two sister's had a chance to spend time with their father, unless he called them because he was always busy running the affairs of the kingdom.

Veshna opened her door, revealing a bright eyed young girl, she wore a skirt and a sleeved top.

"I'm ready." she said with a smile. Meadasha trailed behind them as they made thir way to the dining hall. Again Stone and some of the crew were seated at the table, Ceshca assumed Father was just being nice the last few days of the visitor's stay.

Everyone was enjoying the warm meal of oats, bread and juice. When a server stopped by Father's side, whispering into hs ear. Father grimaced, a look at tension crossed his eyes as he sat is goblet of milk down.

"Guests... daughters', I'm so sorry to have to leave you, but there is a dispute that I must help settle." he announced to the table as he stood up. He glanced lovingly at his two girls' then moved swiftly towards his thrown room. Everyone looked at each other, knowing that it had all been just for Father's sake that no one killed each other, in his presence.

Ceshca felt Stone's fingers reaching to pet her thigh, just as everyone had resummed munching. Her steely eyes looked up, without warning she launched herelf at him in a oncomming attack; knocking him back into the marble hard floors. On her first try she nearly cracked his skull on the merciless floors, stunned it took the audience a entire thirty seconds to move or make a sound.

"Ceshca no!" cried Leila.

"Pita!" Neo yelled, whipping his head around to where the guard stood motionless at the entry way. Stone had caught the girl's dagger filled hand seconds before he had struck the ground, it was apparent that he had all of the brute strength, yet still no one moved to assist her.

"Someone do something!" Neo nearly screamed.

"She started it." Leila said in a low monotoned voice. Humor was no where to be found in her words as she watched her friend's wrestling match. The knife made a horrible clanking noise as it hit the floor, Stone had nearly broken the princess's wrist in order to get the dagger away from his throat. Pita wanted to help, but Ceshca was his commanding officer and the princess, she only wanted assistance when she wanted it; she was a warrior at heart.

Her cry of pain echoed but Stone clasped her mouth closed with his massive paw. She twisted and writhed, attempting to dislodge the big man, Jones was trying to get in on the fight but couldn't with all of the flailing arms and legs. Ceshca managed to elbow Stone in the side, but he refused to let her go. His grunt of discomfort told her that she had buised him. 

"Listen you little wench! I want you. I'll get you to tell me where the crystals are, even if I have to fuck it out of you." he muttered darkly into her ear, just loud enough for her to hear.

Snarling she thrust her head back and knocked him square in the face, a loud snap proceeded it as his nose broke.

"Ahhhhhhfuck!" he cried out, instantly releasing Ceshca in order to cup at his damaged face. He lashed out at her as she was making her escape, slicing her face with her own dagger.

A squeak of pain came from the princess as she rushed out of the way, her fingers instantly drawn to the sight of the pain, her palm came away covered in blood.

~8~

"Gaurds take them!" she ordered as she found freedom, her voice was thick with the Keneenean language. Just before the princess collapsed to the floor. Gaurds surrounded the visitors and herded them to the palace prison. Neo's eyes never left Ceshca as he went with the crew, Ceshca hardly acknowledged him.

Leila was at her side instantly, hands raised up as she scolded her friend yet her voice barely carried over the shocked and surprised crew members as they left.

Veshna had a look of utter fear and uncertainty on her young face as she approached her sister. 

"I know I know!" Ceshca growled at her friend, as Leila snapped her displeasure at her. 

"Take Veshna and watch her." commanded Ceshca, her voice was strong and defiant.

Leila raised her lip in curious frustrartion, but she listened to her friend. Taking Veshna by the hand the Atlantian princess took her to her room. Ceshca turned to Pita as she watched her baby sister leave threw the main entrance.

"Princess, you must have a Cleaplata." he whispered to her.

"What, why?" she looked at him, eyebrows drawn together in frustration.

"It is the only way to settle the disgrace that Stone has brought on you. Your Father will finally know the truth for what it really is, he'll banish the strangers and the crystal will be safe once more." explained the bodygaurd.

Ceshca frowned at him as if his suggestion held no weight, he watched her, hoping that she would take his advice. Deep in thought the princess murmured,

"Maybe Pita, maybe. But to hold it with Stone, never." she left him, following in the direction that Leila had gone. Pushing the heavy double doors open she found Leila and Veshna sitting on her round bed, Meadasha being petted as they chatted.

"Cehsca you are the stupidest princess there ever was in Keneena." came Leila.

"What was that Ceshca?" Veshna's voice sounded small and timid for the first time since she was a younger child.

"I'm not sure why I attacked Stone, impulsive anger and fear, maybe. But now Pita has suggested that I hold a Cleaplata with him." the princess informed her friends.

"What! No." hitched Leila, her eyes widened with disbelief, "Me, do it with me Ceshca, don't disgrace your Father in front of the kingdom by challenging a total stranger to these lands."

"True. But there will need to be a third player." mused Ceshca.

"Me." Veshna said excitedly.

"Hush, you know you are not of age yet Veshna!" Ceshca's tone was firm but understanding; the age required that players be at least 18 years of age. Ceshca came over to the bed and sat down with her companions.

"What of Rilana?" suggested Veshna.

"The Middledon princess. Oh Veshna, you know she would have to best her brother first." returned Leila, she got up from the bed and went to soak a cloth in some warm water.

"That may be, but she is the only other one that can do the Cleaplata, Leila. Our parents certainly would not do it, not now. They are too aged." Veshna insisted. Leila returned holding a small cup of clean water as she casually began to dabe at Ceshca's injured cheek.

"Ahh, she's right Leila. Rilana would agree to it, having known the crystal legends herself. Her people are just as important as our two larger cities are, her mother bonded with the Middle crystal before she was born." winced Ceshca as fresh bloos seeped from the wound while Leila pressed against it with the damp clothe. The three girls were silent for a moment allowing the Atlantian to clean and press a gooey pultice into the wound making the Keneenean fidget in pain and discomfort.

"Will you and Veshna fetch Rilana?" asked Ceshca as Leila returned from cleansing her hands.

"Of course, we could be back by tonight, if we left now." replied Leila. Veshna ran to her dressing closet, returning soon with two heavy dark cloaks. Leila accepted her's with a smile, then threw it about her shoulders.

"What will you do?"

"I need to speak with Neo. I'll do it while you are gone." Ceshca said as she escorted them out onto the main limestone floored courtyard circle of Keneena. It was a large slab of limestone etched with Keneenean script and paintings, it was the first thing people saw before entering the palace. Leila's flying machine sat in the center of it where she had landed earlier. The craft was no bigger then a medium sized boulder, it had Atlantian etchings and words on it's haul and fin shaped wings. 

As they came to the manual seat, Leila assisted Veshna with climbing in, then she placed her glowing blue crystal into the slot that was near the front of the seat, instantly the craft lit up the etchings in icy blue, the same as her crystal color and the aircraft began to hover about 3 feet off of the limestone surface.

"Oh!" exclaimed Veshna in surprise, it was her first time in an Atlantian aircraft.

"Be safe, both of you." Ceshca hugged Leila tightly.

"Ceshca, what if Father doesn't see that there is more going on then just the Cleaplata?" Veshna asked, her face full of worry as she looked down at her sister.

"Then we will just have to find another way to stop Stone." answered Leila darkly, as she climbed into the pilot's seat.

Ceshca took a step back, safely away from them.

"Travel swiftly, return in peace." Ceshca waved to them as she watched Leila steer the craft a few feet higher before engaging the forward momentum drive. Veshna's squeals of delight and joy made Ceshca smile as she watched them depart across the city.

~9~

"What is a-a Clea... plata?" Neo asked as he and Ceshca sat in her balcony, later that day. The princess had gone to the prison after Leila and Veshna had left, taking Neo to her room to explain what was going on.

"Cleaplata (Clee-ah-plah-tah) is a game of stategy and skill. It is preformed by the royals for the entertainment and approval of the people." replied Ceshca gently.

"So its festival of sorts?" Neo searched desperately for a way to identify and compare this culture with some that he already knew.

Ceshca nodded.

"So how does Stone tie into all of this? I fail to see how your Father will learn of anything by watching you and your girlfriends get in the ring together." Neo mused.

"I will tell Father that I attacked Stone and threw him in prison because I saw in him a threat, and I will suggest that Stone be allowed to watch the Cleaplata. That way if he says or tries anything Father will be there to witness the man's intentions for himself." Ceshca answered confidently.

"And what if Stone remains silent, he's not dumb." Neo pointed out. 

"Don't worry Neo." smiled the princess.

Leila and Veshna did return later that evening with Rilana. Now all four girls were in a big rush to get ready for the Cleaplata that Father had arranged for them after hearing Ceshca's reasoning for the festival game. Ceshca's room was in controled chaos as the four ran around getting dressed and painted. Leila and Rilana had on blue outfits, Leila's was a blue bikkini top with a mini-skirt, the front of open ebing only tied together by the belt that made up the top portion of the skirt, her lace panties flashed whenever she took at step. Rilana's was identical except it held green spirals and leaf patterns as the design. Ceshca wore her orange bikkini, her top was firm and supported while her skirt was more of a belt then a skirt, brightly braided tassels made up the skirted portion of it. Each girl wore light-weight sectional body armor, designed to allow maximum movement but still protect the vital parts of the body.

They wore eyeliner and mascara, blue for Atlantis, orange for Keneena, and a blue-purple for Middledon. Footwear was not allowed in the actual Cleaplata, the girls' crystals glowed brightly as they made their way towards the dining hall. They were announced as they entered, a roaring cheer arose from the table as they appeared. Father sat at the head of the table while dozens of court offcials and advisors sat at the table with there wives and children, Stone sat stunned by the beautiful trio. Outside a near defening cry rang forth as the Keneenean people heard the three women had entered the dining hall. It was tradition for the combatants to finish getting ready in front of their main audience, so the girls braided their long hair while the dining table went back to eating, talking, laughing, gesting, and drinking. Zila held the paint bowls for the princesses as they drew their symbols and scripts on the portions of skin that were exposed, this took time because then the paint had to dry and set. Ceshca noticed that Stone would glance her way often, eyes heated with lust and passion, but she knew it wasn't enough to alarm her Father.

Once the grand meal was over, the crowds follow the three princesses into the small corridor that then opened up into a small arena. The arena could hold all of the people of the city and then some. Ceshca, Leila, and Rilana went to the center of the circle. Ceshca loved the feel of the soft white sands beneath her feel, as it squeezed between her toes like a cushion. This would be her fourth Cleaplata in her life, and she hadn't lost yet. The competitors waited patiently while the guests seated themselves, Zila came from another small entranceway on the north side of the arena, carrying something on a long silver tray. Leila's father, the King of Atlantis had showed up at the last minute for the game.

Over 300 eyes were glued on the three women as the walked over to the grand stand where the elder rulers sat, each giving her traditonal show of respect and honor to the two kings. They then turned and walked across the soft cool sands to where Zila stood. Upon the long silver tray that he held out to them, there were three daggers. A Keniile (Kè-neel-è) a Zyeilth(Zee-lth) and a Veincht(Vin-cht). All were native to their kingdoms, crafted for just this game. Ceshca took up the Keniile, Leila the Zyeith, and Rilana the Veincht. The three fighters returned to the center of the field, then removed their skirts, revealing their beauty and grace. Stone's mouth dropped to the floor as he watch the girls, he didn't know this was a nearly nude contest. But no one else around him seemed to be bothered one way or another by this display.

"Am I the only one getting a boner over this?" he whispered to Neo. 

"I think so." Neo lied, Ceshca was stunning and frightening to see, and he couldn't take his gaze off of her as the three began to circle one another.

"Let the Cleaplata begin!" Father shouted loud and clear. A thunderous roar of approval replied to him.

Ceshca used the butt of her dagger to bruise Leila's wrist as the other girl attempted to break the circle with a frontal swipe of her weapon.

"Ahhh" she cried in surprise at Ceshca's speed and acuracey. As Leila stumbled Ceshca was wrapped around her in an instant narrowly missing Rilana's own blade as the third girl leapt to take advantage of Ceshca's distraction. Leila attempted to thrust the Keneenean over her right shoulder but Ceshca clung to her back and neck like a leech.

"So what are the rules to this love affair?" Stone asked Neo sarcastically, his eyes never leaving the small form of the Keneenean princess.

"Any one can play that thinks they have a chance at winning. The way you win is if you can corner or disarm your opponent, hence they will have no other move left to them except to admit defeat." explained Neo, just as Ceshca had Leila pinned, Rilana knocked Ceshca aside and began to attack viciously.

"Sounds kind of kinky, actually." murmured the Commander. Sounds of metal striking metal echoed and then quickly died as the audience screamed and cried their delight. Rilana and Ceshca were locked in a wrestling match on the ground, but trying to dislodge the each other's daggers. Leila regained her feet and rushed them, a cry on her lips as she pounced at the two. Ceshca hissed horribly so, she lurched backwards so that Leila would land on Rilana instead of sandwiching her between them. Leila slammed into Rilana, rolling several feet across the sands, the impact knocked their daggers free of their hands. Ceshca crouched low, her eyes steady and dangerous as she saw what had happened, she smiled and remained still as the other two climbed to their feet.

"So easy. Do you give up?" Ceshca smirked as her opponents realized that their weapons were closer to the Keneenean then they had hoped.

Leila and Rilana glanced at each other, then rushed Ceshca as one.

"Ah!" Ceshca cried as the two body slammed her straight back, knocking her to the floor they pinned her arms to the floor. Ceshca flailed for a few moments in protest as Leila asked her if she would surrender. A spark of fire lit Ceshca's eyes as defeat was suggested to her so quickly.

"Never." she growled, rocking her hips, she brought her knees nearly back to her head and wrapped them around the girls' neck as fast as she could. Throwing them down merely with the strength of her knees and thighs. Ceshca coughed and sputtered as she tried to regain her own air, standing she saw that she had knocked the wind out of Leila and Rilana too. Clasping her stomach painfully, Ceshca made herself limp over to where the other two daggers lay in the sand. 

The crowd was wild, frenzied with excitement as she picked up the daggers. She slammed Rilana's dagger to the hilt deep in the sand so it could not be moved, then as she turned to go back to her opponents Rilanna lept onto her back from behind.

Ceshca managed to get her arm about the girl's neck and wield her high over her own shoulder, throwing her down onto the hard ground. Rilana's scream of pain wrenched from her as her body almost bounced from the force of the impact. Leila was still trying desperately to shake the dizziness from her clouded mind as she watched Ceshca thrust Rilana to the sands, her attempts meant her crawling to try and reach the Keliine that the Keneenean had dropped.

"Ha!" Ceshca said with pure victory on her lips as she snatched up her own dagger and the Zyeilth, poising them at the girls necks.

"Do you admit defeat?" she asked, her eyes darting from Leila then to Rilana.

"Yes." Leila panted with exhaustion.

Rilana frowned her displeasure but still she nodded as Ceshca's eyes met her's. Ceshca snatched all three weapons up, standing she faced the crowd and raised her arms high above her head in triumph; her smile spoke volumes as the audience cheered and screamed her name. Father and the Atlantian king nodded in approval as she came closer to the thrown stands.




The Keneena City Ch. 07-10



"She is so damn sexy." muttered Stone softly, as he eyed her sweaty exhausted form.

Neo silently agreed with him as he watched his lover accept a one inch gold victor's coin from her father.

"Keneena is the winner!" declared Father, raising her arm towards the crowded stands.

~10~

After their combat was over and the girl's had washed and changed, Leila and Ceshca went onto the main balcony that overlooked the city in order to escape the excitement of the festival. Neo joined them, chatting easily and enjoying the night air.

"I want to see the Soul again." Ceshca said breaking the silence that followed.

"Are you sure? What if something happened?" Leila asked cautiously.

"Oh Leila don't worry, nothing will happen." Ceshca answered confidently as she spun around, leaving the other two to trail her quick pace. Kela bounded after her owner eagerly as they all headed to the Temple of Light. As they stepped into the Soul Chamber, suddenly Leila's blue pendent began to throb as it grew brighter and her own tattoos glowed fiercely.

"It's impossible!" she breathed.

"Quick, return to Atlantis and bond with the Heart." Ceshca suggested hurriedly.

"But the legend." protested the Atlantian.

"What about the legend? Which one?" Neo cut in.

"The legend is only about Keneena and Atlantis, Middleton didn't exist until after the fall of Atlantis." spoke Leila as her crystal floated in a hovering way, as if it had a conscience of it's own.

"Maybe it is a danger that we don't know about." Ceshca said.

"Look!" Neo informed them, as the blue pendent ceased it's throbbing light and again rested between Leila's breasts.

"What does it all mean?" Ceshca mused aloud.

"I will run and tell our father's, they must know of this." Leila said rushed, as she turned to return to Keneena.

Ceshca grabbed Neo's hand as they gazed up at the Orange crystal as if spun and hovered 170 feet above their heads.

"Ceshca, I know this is a bad time to ask this... but do you like me? Maybe love me?" Neo asked as he faced the princess.

"I believe I do Neo." Ceshca smiled sweetly at the historian.

"I've always felt drawn to you Ceshca, ever since I first saw you." he admitted, blushing a bit at his realization.

"And I you Neo." she replied as she kissed him softly.

"Well, well, well. Ain't this just touching." smirked a familiar voice. Neo and Ceshca whipped around to find Stone standing no more then a few feet from them, Leila in his grasp. Jones and four other crew members flanked him on either side. Ceshca felt that sear on the side of her cheek where he had sliced it open, it began to sting as Stone came towards her. Neo started to step in front of her only to be waved away by the point of a pistol that Stone wielded.

"At first I wanted only the Soul, and then you. But now I think I want the both of you." he muttered darkly. The princess rolled her eyes in disbelief at this man's blind crazy persistance of stealing her spirit and destroying her home.

"How the hell did you escape the cell?" Neo asked.

"Son, the military didn't make me cammanding officer for nothing." Stone addressed the historian like a child being scolded for stealing a cookie.

"Now, if you provoke me any further, I will decide to take you first." he licked his lips as he looked Ceshca up and down. The Keneenean princess looked down briefly as if she were coming to a difficult desicion.

"Alright Stone, you may have me. But I beg you leave this place once you have fullfilled your desires of me. The crystal is far beyond you to control." Ceshca sighed heavily as she glanced up into the man's hard lust driven gaze. Stone stared at her harshly as if trying to decide if she spoke the truth or not. His grip on Leila's arm loosened ever so slightly.

"Fine. I'll agree to that.' he shoved Leila away into Neo's outreached arms. 

"Oh my god!" exclaimed Jones, just as Stone roughly took ahold of Ceshca. The chamber wavered and melted into an array of color as the Soul suddenly began to shift colors, melting from the bright nearly neon orange that was it's true color; into an emerald green. The rays were brighter then it's core as it stretched and touched the walls of the cavern. The eerie color change made it feel more like a disco room for an instant.

"What the hell happened?" barked Stone as he wrestled Ceshca to the ground. The crew had Neo and Leila at gunpoint as the Commander began tearing at the princess's clothes.

"The Soul, it calls to me." she spoke, her voice had taken a tone of ghostly reverberating as her crystal pendent hovered and pulled towards the Soul. The emerald rays jumped and wavered, like it throbbed in time with Ceshca's necklace. The Keneenean pendent was still an orange but there seemed to be emerald flames that flickered along its length, yet the gem remained unscathed.

"Stone let the bitch go!" snarled Jones, she tackled him and they rolled to the side.

"Ceshca." Neo addressed the girl timidly. The Keneenean princess stood up, glancing his way. Neo nearly fainted at the sight of her eyes, they had covered with an emerald film, a cataract that waxed over her entire eye.

"Leila?" Neo turned to her, trying to make sense of it.

"I have never seen a Keneenean calling. Atlantis' Heart beckons when in time of danger, that's why my pendent glowed earlier." she whispered, as if to herself.

Stone and Jones wrestled as Ceshca began to walk towards the Soul. Leila sprang into action, assisiting Jones in killing Stone, while Neo watched the scene unfold. Ceshca walked as if in a trance, her eyes never left the Soul, a shaft of light encompassed her as she set foot onto the pit of clear water, stepping upon it as if it were solid ground. She didn't take notice of anything around her, she only had eyes for the crystal. Neo was in utter bewilderment as he watched his beloved succum to the calling. She was almost directly beneath it as Leila and Jones came to his side.

"What's going on?" asked the female officer.

"She is going to bond with the crystal, but since Stone is dead, shouldn't it have like stopped by now?" Neo answered, he looked at Jones intensely.

"What are you not telling us?" snapped Leila, her eyes sparked fire at the other woman.

"Stone wanted me to plant a bomb to destroy Keneena." she admitted to them. Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew a black marbel, then handed it to Neo.

"This, this is the bomb?" he raised an eyebrow in curious fear.

"Yes, it can destroy both cities, it's that powerful."

"How do we stop it!" broke in Leila as she watched Ceshca begin the floating acsent up into the fiery Soul. 

"It has to be taken out of the city as the protective shield is raised over the Keneenean city." Leila answered the question herself, knowing the strangers would not have a clue as what to do.

"Let's go then." came Jones. Leila nodded and the two women left to fly the bomb out of the city limits.

Neo watched in pure awe and worry as Ceshca's tranced body ascended further and further up that single shaft of light getting closer and still closer to the Soul. The limestone slabs began to spin as she was taken into the fiery ball, revolving faster and still faster, the air seemed to be charged with electricity sparks of tiny fires shot out in every direction; the fireworks display nearly blinded the man but her stood his ground. As the sparks subsided his eyes took in her transformation as the stones began to slow a bit, Ceshca's body had been submerged by the crystal thereby becoming one with the Soul itself. Her body was now a singular emerald color, as the electric currents zipped and twirled about her still form, the color waxed and changed to it's original neon orange as her figure details were etched out. She was Ceshca but then she was also the Soul, bound in the physical form of the Soul of Keneena. She began her slow descent as the stones fell into the pool below her.

"Ceshca." Neo said as she approached the water's edge once again.

Ceshca's eyes snapped open, revealing the brightest, most brilliant orange that Neo had ever seen, her eyes seemed to be as windows gazing in on the very heart of the Soul, her eyes shone brighter then even her embodied form as she walked to Neo. Neo had not a clue what to say or do, hell or even what to think. The very phenomenon itself was as if it had been taken right from a science-fiction movie.

Jones set the marbel-bomb down just outside of the perimitter, and with a desperate leap she managed to clear the limit just as the orange force field began to climb upwards; covering the city in a dome-like shelter. The bomb went off minutes after the shield had finished covering the top half of the tallest building, the palace. The force field shuttered and vibrated with the nearness of the blast but the city remained unharmed. As the dust settled Jones and Leila looked over in the direction of Atlantis, releaved to find it had it's shield up as well. Leila sighed with such relief she thought her heart would burst from her chest; then suddenly she remembered her friend and rushed back to the crystal chamber.



The Keneena City Ch. 11-13



~11~

A soft ray of orange light drifted down from the clouds, the Keneenean princess in it's wake, down and down she floated until she rested in Neo's waiting embrace. He stood on the main round limestone slab that led up into the palace. His breathe was heavy and raspy but he had made it back in time to catch her as she came to rest in his arms. Her crystal still upright in it's conscious awareness of the Soul, but once it released her, Ceshca's breath returned instantly. Gasping, her eyes fluttered open. She felt his nearness, the warmth of his embrace, the heat of his breath.

"Ceshca." he whispered gently.

"Neo." she murmured in response, her green eyes fluttered up to look into his, opening her tightly clasped hand the princess revealed a piece of jewelry in the palm of her hand. Glancing at her palm, Neo saw what she had. An intricately crafted earring lay in her hand.

"This earring was my father's gift to my mother, the night that I was concieved." she told him. The piece was stunning. A small hexigon shape with four adjoining pieces that held a small white crystal in the center of it, and set in he center of the white crystal was a fragment of an orange crystal. Three strands of micro crystals hung from the hexigon shaped metal.

"Wow, it's beautiful, just like you." Neo said gently to the princess, looking into her eyes. She gave him a sweet but playful smile. Jones approached them, then hung back as the two engaged in a rather passionate kiss.

"Ceshca! Oh Ceshca are you alright my daughter!" Father exclaimed as he found the two youngsters on his front porch, as it were. Ceshca pulled away from Neo's warm tender embrace and turned to greet her father. Neo was blushing as he met the King's gaze. Ceshca kneeled as her father came closer.

"The Keneenean kingdom is safe my King." she announced.

"Ah Ceshcaclameshcama..." Father rushed to take his daughter up into his embrace. He muttered a string of Keneenean words into his heir's ear then released her. She handed him her mother's earring.

"Now! Let's go to the thrown room to discuss the more important matter." Father said glancing at Neo.

When they had all settled into the thrown room, Father began the discussion. Before Neo or Ceshca could say anything about asking for his blessing on them, the King merely gave it to them openly and honestly.

"What do you plan to do now that your Commander is gone?" Father addressed Jones.

"Well sir, I believe I will take myself and my band of theiving mercinaries back to the surface and swear us all to secrecy." Jones replied respectfully.

"Yes that would be very good Jones. But would you stay to celebrate with I and my people, in honor of you helping save my kingdom?" Father smiled kindly.

"Yes, we would be honored and joyful at staying to celebrate with you, your Majesty." Jones smiled back. After Father dismissed them, Ceshca stole Neo away to her bed chambers before anyone could see fit to stall them for anything.

The couple lay on the princess's bed as they talked.

"What happened?" murmured Ceshca. Neo heard the uncertainty in her voice and saw the trembling in her lithe limbs.

"The Keneenean Soul picked you, it will only accept one of royal blood in order to protect itself and the people. You bonded with it in it's Emerald Shade, the only time that a human can bond with it." Neo began.

"But, what is it?" Ceshca burst with curiosity.

"Your father didn't tell you?"

"No." she returned sadly.

"The Atlantian Heart and the Keneenean Soul are as two conscious entities... the Soul is fueled by the collective feelings of it's people. Just as the Heart is for Atlantis."

"My mother was the first to be selected, over a century ago." the princess exhaled, her voice shook, to Neo she didn't seem to be ignorant as she had led him to believe; then again there was much that his scrolls and books had not been able to teach him.

"Why did you not grow up with the Soul visible to you and the entire city?" he asked gently.

"Father, he buried it, where we found it... Mita(Mee-tah). I mean, mother, she went up into the Soul and did not return... the capital was in chaos as it sank beneath the waves, Mita was chosen to try and keep the city from being swallowed by the sea!" Ceshca finally admitted. Her voice had risen as she spoke, peaking as she broke into uncontrollable sobs at the end. Neo sat up and took the tender woman into his lap, craddling her as she cried, her little body fit so perfectly into his as he then began to gently rock her back and forth. His own eyes glistening with tears as he realized that Ceshca had watched her mother's death because of the Soul, the Entity that Keneena chose to honor and call protector had stolen the former queen from them; it was strange even still that these people also had a strong faith in Ishka or as Neo had grown up calling Him; God. 

"The texts that I have read say that your mother perished while giving birth to Veshna." Neo murmured gently.

"Atobea (Ah-tobe-e), Father, he wanted to protect me from having to be the chosen one as well. Praying night and day to Ishka that I would never be forced to make that same sacrifice. It just proves how little history has done my people justice in those scrolls that have been discovered." Ceshca said softly as her tears subsided.

"Ceshca, I didn't know. Please forgive me my love." Neo held her so he could look into her deep green eyes.

"I know you have much to learn Neo Livingston, it is why I haven't been any harsher with you. Strangers have never been to Keneena before your arrival. Ignorance is to be expected among the younger races." Ceshca smiled at his concerned gaze, "And yes my sweet Neo, I forgive you, for I never held anything against you in the first place."

"Thank you Ceshcaclameshcama." Neo managed to say her name without screwing it up. At this the princess smiled deeper.

"So how is my accent?" he asked as she climbed out of his arms and again sat facing him.

"Provincial, boorish, testy." she gave a funny expression as she spoke, wrinkling her nose a bit as if his poorly articulated pronounciation of her language truly did effect her. Neo bowed his head slightly in shame and embarrassment. 

"I do apologize your highness." he nearly whispered, his cheeks flushed with all manner of emotions at her honest critism.

"Ah Neo Livingston, it takes Keneenean childern half their lives to begin speaking our native tongue correctly. Like children of your surface world, I am positive there are those who accel faster than others, yes?" Ceshca lifted his chin in her palm, smiling tenderly at her newly found love. Neo's eyes met her's, which for him only added to the sting of her prior assesment, but he nodded in response to her thoughtful words. On the surface, Neo Livingston was a sought after historian and linguist, that is how the government discovered him... but down here, in this world of unparalleled beauty and wonder, filled with exotic living and strange customs; Neo Livingston was as a child. And he sure felt like one, especially at this moment.

"Neo please, be happy, share a smile with me my love, my maddia (madd-ee-ah)." Ceshca spoke. Neo's head shot up and his eyes zeroed in on her lovely face, her keen eyes were steadily watching him; anticipating his reaction.

"Maddia? Me?" his stunned voice shuttered with feeling as he repeated the word in his own mind. The words of the Keneenean people were much like other words of old, single words and phrases; hell entire conversations held so much depth. A vortex of multiple emotions and sensations could be in the meaning of a singular word.

"Ceshca! Oh Ceshca come, come!" squealed Veshna as she burst into her elder sister's bed chamber, the girl rushed over to her and snatched her hand and Neo's.

Startled the couple jolted out of their conversation as they were tug along by the young princess.

"Where are we going child?" giggled Ceshca.

"To Leila and Jones!" she said happily.

"What for?" Neo said as the couple exchanged a glance of surprise.

"Well someone has to help Ceshca get ready for the celebrations later tonight, no? And I refuse to be the only one this time." Veshna replied. Neo smiled as he detected the young girl's textured accent behind her english words.

"How long did it take you Ceshca." he whispered to the princess as Veshna dragged them down several hallways.

"I started speaking soon after Mita passed away. I was about eight. Veshna is learning quickly as well." answered Ceshca as Veshna finally came to a halt at a double door entrance. Whirling about the younger princess glared at Neo, suspiciously almost.

"Now... no men allowed threw these doors. You must go wait with the other gentlemen in the main hall." her voice took on a stern tenor, Neo tried to hold back a humored smile but it slipped as Veshna likewise tried not to giggle at herself.

Bowing low Neo said in all sincerity, "Yes your highness." he stepped to the side to let Ceshca pass by as Veshna opened one of the doors for her, he kissed her hand softly and bowed to her as well.

"I am honored and very pleased by your offer My lady." Neo purred as he glanced up at her as she passed into the room. Veshna narrowed her eyes at him, but quickly followed her sister, shutting the door behind her.

"Surprise!" Leila and Jones called out as Ceshca and Veshna entered the main room.

Ceshca gasped with delighted surprise as her best friend, Jones, and Rilana popped up from hiding behind various objects. Leila held up one of Ceshca's sexiest outfits, Jones held jewelry and Rilana was standing next to a long mirror and table where several makeup bottles and tins sat.

"So what did that all mean?" Jones smiled as Ceshca came closer to her friends.

"Yeah, what did you offer Neo?" Veshna pipped in as she took at running leap onto the available bed.

"Neo is my Maddia." purred Ceshca as she stepped over to Leila so she could help her out of her clothes.

"Huh?" Jones said, she couldn't help as her eyes openly stared at Ceshca's true comfort at just getting naked in front of an audience.

"Meddia, means uh... he is her lover, her friend, her comforter, her guide, her best friend." Leila explained as best as she could. She helped Ceshca slip into the short gauzey dress, it came mid-thigh, and had thinly braided shoulder straps. It was see threw and the color of soft sea blues and greens. It made her orange tattoos, body jewelry, and eyes pop vividly.

"Ah okay." Jones merely shook her head as she attempted to assiminlate the multi-faceted word, "I like your piercings." she added as Ceshca came to her and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you Jones. I never imagined you would be here." commented the princess.

"Uh, yeah, well Leila asked me if I wanted to see you one last time before I left, so I said sure why not." answered Jones casually.

"Aren't you staying for the party?"

"Yes... but." Jones began. Ceshca turned to see Leila smirking, as if she had a curious little secret up her sleeve. Jones handed Ceshca her earring. The princess gasped as she saw that it was her Mita's earring.

"Father said he wished that you keep mother's earring Ceshca." Veshna supplied as she watched her older sister carefully put it in her left ear. In her other ear she put a smaller orange crystal so as not to detract from the larger piece.


"And now the finale, your makeup!" sang Rilana as she danced around her area.

"You are such a clown Rilana." smiled Leila as she dressed herself in the adjoining room. Ceshca sat down at her friend's table and closed her eyes, wondering what Rilana would do to her.

~12~

Neo sipped at his cup of Keneenean wine as the rest of the crew and the city danced. He was seated near the wine serving table. The glow from the Soul high above the limestone circle cast the people in an warm comforting atmosphere, they laughed and danced, singing broke out whenever some of the elders glanced up at the Soul. Musicians played their oddly shaped instruments, a low sounding trumpet, a guitar and a harp sounding tools set the dancing tempo. King Montinmma sat on his thrown smiling and enjoying the company of several of his court advisors. Neo's pallet adjusted to the wine the more he sipped, his eyes scanning the crowded area for his beloved. The wine resembled a tart pomegranate with small specks of soft fruit that tasted somewhat like a cross between a lime and a strawberry. Suddenly the music ceased and Neo's attention was drawn towards the whispers of the crowd, his eyes searched but saw nothing until he followed the gaze of the crowd.

Ceshca stood at the top of the stairs, Neo's heart nearly burst from his chest as it swelled with love and pride for the woman. Her hair was thrown up in a mess of tendril curls that fell every which way, her dress was the color of the sea and he could catch hints of her lush body beneath the soft fabric as she began to descend the staircase. Her eyelashes were dark with mascara and her lips were a pleasant pink color. Leila, Jones, Rilana, and Veshna trailed behind the princess in her slow pace. Neo eyes registared the other girls presence but he couldn't pull them away from Ceshca, the orange light from the Crystal glistened off of the piercings that were beneath the gauze, her tattoos seemed to radiate light, her legs swung freely and her feet were bare; just the way Neo knew she liked it. Once the women had reached the bottom step the entire crowd bowed as one to the princesses, uttering words of thanks and graditude.

Ceshca walked straight to Neo, while the remaining girls joined the crowd or found another friend to chat with. Father nodded to the musicians and they resumed their tune. Ceshca smiled beautifully as Neo reached his hand out to her as she approached him. 

"Ah Ceshca, stunning does little to express how much of a goddess you truly are." Neo spoke to her as she took his hand.

"Thank you my love. You look handsome indeed." purred the princess as she spun a few turns into his lap. Her eyes locked with his as she pressed her lips to him, drowning him in a long slow kiss. Instinctively Neo's hands stroked and caressed her back and sides. Ceshca's arms wrapped about his neck, her small short form had to reach in order to lock them.

"I don't want to stay here." Neo's breathe was heated in her ear.

"Alright." murmured Ceshca as she stepped away from him, taking his hand she snuck them out of the crowded party. She led him threw a small patch of jungle and ruins.

Leila's sharp eyes caught the couple sneaking out and she just smiled, knowing where her friend was taking her lover.

"Where are we going?" Neo smiled as hanging vines and leaves as big around as an elephant's ear hid her leading form, the brush was not thick but it hung low. The air seemed to grow thicker as more water content filled the area. Ceshca ignored his questioned and continued to push threw the greenery. Suddenly she stepped threw a patch that appeared to be just like the leaves that they had been trudging threw for the past half mile, except she disappeared from his already limited view. 

"Ceshca, what..." Neo began to say but was cut off once he stepped threw the spot that his girlfriend had, stunned into silence. The thicket dropped from around him and his gaze was met by a domed canopy of leaves and high rising trees, a scattering of large hunks of limestone lay several yards around him, his ears caught the music of a gentle waterfall. The air was thick with steam that rose from the ground, Neo felt as if he had just walked into his very first steam bath. 

Suddenly Ceshca's pendent light burst threw the cloudy fog surrounding them and Neo gasped in wonder as his eyes were met by a statue. She was gorgeous, carved of the whitest limestone that he had ever seen, sections of her were crumbling or missing but still her beauty was preserved even as the fog lifted Neo could see that this was a statue of a royal, but who? A breeze blew, rustling the canopy high above their heads allowing some of the steam to escape, further cleansing the dense air. Neo saw that there was a small tranquil pool at the base of the statue's feet, and the sound of trickling water was coming from the figure's eyes and mouth. The statue held a smile that met her eyes, setting them ablaze with a lifelike feeling to them. A thick mossy grass covered the ground under Neo's feet as he stepped nearer to the massive statue. Ceshca was kneeling at the water's edge, crouched over her own knees with her face resting in her hands as they formed a point as her fingers touched at the tips.

Neo heard her words as he came softly to her side, she was paying respect to this person, telling her of what had happened in the past few days. The man loved the sound of Keneenean rolling from Ceshca's lips, he could never appreciate it from any other then her, it flowed so effortlessly, as if she were singing a gentle love song to this statue. Then again he had never heard true Keneenean until this voyage, he knew now that it sounded pretty and romantic from a native, like french or cherokee would to a white man; a stranger to the ways of the culture. He had much to learn and perfect if he ever were to speak it correctly. Tears slowly rolled from his eyes as he caught the rhyme and reason for her prayer... the statue... this woman was a depiction of her mother. One thing Neo was confident about was that he could understand the language better then he could hope to speak it at the moment so instead of offering his own prayer he merely listened to her's. She was telling her mother every detail off the past few days, explaining her new found love with him, and how she had called Leila for help. She spoke of saving the kingdom and Father's love.

Neo admired the script that graced the statue's clothing as Ceshca stood up again, a big smile on her tear stained face. She saw his own tear streaked cheeks and hugged him fiercely.

"Thank you for coming with me." she whispered.

"Always Ceshcaclameshcama." Neo answered. More of the fog lifted and Neo found that they were surrounded by pillars of limestone that encircled the former Queen, like a hedge of protection; he always noticed a curious bug in the air.

"Ceshca what is that?" he asked as she turned to see what he was eyeing. She smiled again then laughed.

The little bug was no bigger then a May-fly, it's wings were bigger as were its eyes, it had receptors that looked much like a tiny fern leaf. The body was shaped like a long thin oval and the entire creature was green, almost a metallic green.

"These are Niin (Neen). They are um, like what you would call fireflys." she giggled as one of the glowing little bugs landed on her fingertip. Neo realized that the whole canopy was filled with the Niin, as their glowing selves buzzed closer and closer, seeming to be curious at the visitors.

"Are they dangerous?"

"Dangerous? No. They thrive in thick foggy areas like this, and during mating season they glow even brighter." explained Ceshca as she gently captured several, taking a small class tube that she had hidden under her dress she deposited them into it, then closed the tube with a soft sticky fabric. 

"Ahhh." Neo said as he saw how, once enclosed the little bugs metallic green glowed even brighter still, producing a light bulb.

"When the city came to settle here, we did not have light for nearly 45 years. Niin were what we captured to use as a way to light the darkness. My father ordered that this place be a safe haven for them to live and breed, this is the one closest to the palace though." Ceshca said.

Neo gingerly stretched his hand out towards the bugs, and a few seemed to sense him, they timidly landed on the pads of his fingers. He had to keep from gasping like a small child as he made his discovery, their legs felt like the brush of a feather against his skin, and their big curious eyes stared up at him as if in acknowledgment of his presence. As they lowered their fern like sensors, he nearly giggled uncontrollably for they too felt soft to his skin; like velvet.




The Keneena City Ch. 11-13



"They tickle." Neo gave up and giggled, effectively scaring the tiny bugs away. Ceshca smiled as his mirth subsided.

"I'm glad they like you." she murmured gently.

"Would you like to continue our evening?" Ceshca purred sensually. Neo's ears caught her tone and he smiled.

~13~

The couple woke with the rising sun the following morning, as it began it's ascent on the horizon. Ceshca rested her head on Neo's chest as he stretched, caressing her flesh with his sensitive fingers.

"Why do you torment me with your beauty." Neo teased as he nibbled at her ear.

"Only because you tease me with this..." Ceshca returned as her hand slipped beneath the covers to pet his semi-hard cock.

"Ah you!" Neo growled playfully as he gently tackled her, rolling over to pin her tender body beneath his own.

"Good morning Ceshca." he spoke softly, leaning his face down he kissed her deeply. Moaning Ceshca returned his kiss, melding her lips with his, her palms bracing against his chest as they breathed in each other's scent.

Suddenly a knock came at the door, startling them. Rolling her eyes the princess nearly whined, "Yes?".

"Highness, the visitors, they are leaving." came Zila's hushed voice.

"Alright, tell Father I will be there shortly." replied Ceshca. The couple listened as Zila's foot steps faded away.

"Last night was incredible." Neo purred lovingly as he relaxed, nestling his erection between her spread thighs.

"Mmmm. I agree my love. But so soon?" she said glancing towards his obvious suggestion, with a smirk of playful delight.

"If you so desire." Neo whispered as he captured her lips with his, trying to convince her. Moaning Ceshca wrapped her legs around his hips as he pushed himself inward slowly. The couple melted into each other as their bodies moved together. Neo's eyes gazing at her as the princess writhed and made such sweet noises as he took her. The look of such bliss and love made him erupt almost instantly, he groaned her name as he filled her womb with his warm seed.

Later that morning, Ceshca and Neo finally dressed and joined the group in the dining hall. Seated at the table was the entire crew, including Jones and Cookie. Ceshca and Neo sat down next to Veshna and Leila.

"I trust that you both slept well." smiled Father, he chuckled as the couple blushed slightly. Neo was silent but nodded gently and took Ceshca's hand beneath the table. Jones covered her mouth to suppress a laugh. As the morning meal began Father asked Jones.

"What would you and your crew like as a going away gift?" he offered.

"Well sir, I believe each and every one of us would enjoy returning home." she replied sincerely. Smiling Father nodded, "Will there be anymore surface dwellers venturing this far into the sea?"

"No. Not unless there is expressed permission from you, your Majesty." Jones replied. Neo looked up from his plate of food.

"Yes there will." he interjected suddenly.

"Oh?" Father turned his gaze on him.

"With your permission, your Majesty. I have a fellow by the name of Daniel Whitemore, he was my partner in crime as it were while I was studying at the university. I would very much like him to see the city. He is my best friend and partner, Majesty." Neo said confidently yet humble.

Father raised a quizzical eyebrow at Neo Livingston. 

"He won't tell a soul I swear it. In fact I'd like to respectfully request that he stay here, if your Majesty deems it right." Neo smiled gently. Ceshca cut in suddenly, "You say his name is Daneel?"

"No. Like this, Dan-ee-el." Neo mouthed the words slower for her. Ceshca wrinkled her nose, as she always did when something didn't taste right to her, texture, sound, feeling.

"It feels strange in my mouth." she complained as she attempted the name again. Neo smiled lovingly towards his soon to be bride.

"You will get it right, have no fear love." he murmured to her sweetly.

"We shall see, now won't we Neo." Father addressed his son's questioning glance.

Once they all had finished their meal, they all went out to the front landing. A giant Atlantian flying machine sat hovering, Keneenean men and women stood by watching them, while other's were loading chests overflowing with treasure!

"Oh! Your Majesty!" exclaimed Jones once she spotted the mountains of jewels, gold, and silver being loaded onto the vessel. Father smiled wide as the crew murmured and whispered to themselves.

"I only wish that I could provide something more for your bravery and valor at saving my home." Father admitted softly to the group.

Neo held Ceshca's hand tightly as he whispered that he was not returning with them, Leila overheard him and both women squealed with joy and tackled him with hugs.

"Ah, ah, ah. Okay!" exclaimed the man as he was accosted by hands and kisses. Once he was released from the tangle of the two beautiful women, Neo stepped towards Jones, and handed her a small letter.

"This is for Daniel. Thank you Jones." he said.

"Well Livingston, you sure as hell got us here, I'm the one that should be thanking you. And hoping to God that you don't hold a gudge." Jones took the letter and carefully put it in her coat's inner pocket.

"No, I know, it's okay Samantha. You were following orders when it came to beating me up and holding me at gun point; and you are welcome I enjoyed the adventure that it took to get here." Neo replied offering her his hand. Samantha Jones smiled and shook his hand heartily.

"So I guess this is goodbye for good, eh." she said.

"Well, not really. You will be bringing Daniel back here, that is, if he decides that he wants to come." Neo replied happily.

"True, true." Jones tipped her hat to him, then she turned. Glaring at her company she ordered, "Don't just stand there gaping at me, step to it! Get your asses on that thing!". She nodded towards the Atlantian hovercraft.

Neo turned and found his father just staring at him, tears glistening in his gray eyes.

"Ah dad." Neo whispered as he wrapped his father up in a tender embrace.

"Neo." his voice shook.

"You can stay with me dad."

"I know. But I can't leave your mother up there." the older man said, Neo could here the uncertainty in his trembling voice.

"Tell her the truth dad." Neo sighed.

"I planned to." he replied.

"Good. Get in touch with Daniel, maybe by the time he has made his decision, you and mom can come with him." suggested Neo, hope and love weighted with every word.

Nodding Cookie stepped back from his son, his eyes still filled with love, but a new light had come into them. A look of pride and hope had filled his heart as well. He began to slowly join the rest of the crew as they filed onto the craft.

"Will you ever return?" Cookie asked, his eyes still not finished looking at his son as he stood in the doorway.

Smiling Neo shook his head. "Naw, dad the world does not need another hero. You know that as much as I do." he chuckled to himself, he felt Ceshca take his hand as she to watched the craft. With a curt nod, Cookie then disappeared into the inner workings of the hover machine.

Neo took a deep breathe as the craft began to rise.

"They will take them as far as the surface, but no higher." informed Leila as she joined them. He had began a new life with Ceshca, the princess of Keneena and he knew that his choice to stay had been the right one for him. She soon would be crowned Queen of the Keneena Empire. Neo turned and his gaze rose to the crystal that hovered above them, then he glanced at the hovercraft as it finally faded from his view into the clouds. Yes indeed, the Soul was truly Life and Love of the Keneena City.

~THE END~