The Sword of Thera: Bloodline

By Rachid Bowles

How can curiosity change your life forever?
Andreas Omari never gave it much thought, too busy complaining about his life. One night he makes a fateful decision and learns the volatile nature of curiosity. Sometimes it can lead you to amazing encounters, other times to shadows. Then there are those rare moments when you take an unbelievable journey filled with dangers and wondrous discoveries.
In the cool night air fear grips Andreas as a battle rages all around him. Brilliant hues of light reflect off swirls of smoke from explosions. The commotion overpowers his calls for help. He charges away from the chaos. In the gloom, he comes face-to-face with a strange girl dressed in black with a lightning bolt symbol on a wristband. With Andreas in tow, she forges an escape route with the aid of a special bow and her companions.
Now Andreas must face an uncertain future as a marked target. To help him survive he must rely on everything his parents taught him, a pledge from a strange girl named Cleo, and a sword he picked up in a panic. Yet fate is not without its order. Few things are mere coincidence. The sword and his bloodline form an unbreakable bond that will lead to his destruction or success. The choice is his.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rachid Bowles
• Release date: May 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463521069

Book preview

The Sword of Thera

Bloodline

Rachid Bowles

Copyright © 2014 Rachid Bowles

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, including names, and places are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, events, locations, or symbols, is coincidental.

Reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work in any form requires written consent of the author, except for brief quotes used in reviews.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.  This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people.  If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.  If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite authorized ebook retailer and purchase your own copy.  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 978-0-9797477-2-4

To Ma for playing baseball with us.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Thank you

Chapter 1

Keeping secrets is fun sometimes. Makes you feel powerful, important. You can yell out I have a secret and everyone around wants to know what it is. Secrets are also burdens. Some light as a feather, others a ton of bricks. And, in a blink of an eye, a revealed secret can change your life forever. So we hide them as long as possible.

A secret wants to see daylight. It craves it. And the heavier it is the greater the desire for freedom.

Parents seem very good at keeping secrets. I guess they have years of practice. But even they cannot hold them back forever. Eventually, the floodgates will burst open.

Well, I wanted to know—had to know.

Now I am running and hiding to stay alive. Every move I make affects millions. I never thought about how fragile secrets are. And you never know where or when the key will show up. One normal day I woke up and flung the covers off, brushed my teeth, and drifted down the stairs not looking forward to another typical day in the Omari house. For once, how about going to an amusement park, a zoo, anything? Throwing a ball around, even a board game sounded better.

Warrior training, best joke a parent ever played. Maybe I’ll use it taking out the garbage. Please don’t let him decide to make today an ambush lesson. I will run out the house screaming.

The smell of bacon caught my attention exciting every taste bud. Cool. Mom always knew how to get me going.

I faked a sad face and drooping shoulders—anything for a pity piece before breakfast. Never worked on my father, just made things worse. I reached the base of the stairs and peeked into the kitchen.

My mother faced the television. A dish slipped from her hand crashing to the floor. Dozens of jagged pieces scattered around her feet.

I slid around the corner out of sight as my father stormed into the kitchen.

Honey what’s wrong? he yelled.

…Listen.

An amazing discovery occurred a week ago off the northwest coastline of the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea, the broadcaster said. Several researchers from the New York Museum of Antiquities salvaged a sunken treasure ship. Not one filled with gold and jewels but of ancient weapons. Many archaeologists eagerly wait for a chance to examine the artifacts. Others claim the find is a hoax, citing a lack of historical evidence supporting the age of the weapons. Only carbon dating will reveal the truth. If confirmed, who can deny the overwhelming excitement this will bring to the world? The ship carried, among other artifacts, two ornate metal containers. The larger is inscribed with the words ‘Weapons of Crete’ written in ancient Greek. Preliminary reports indicate the contents are a set of golden weapons, twelve in all. The second container holds an unnamed dagger. Several markings are engraved into its hilt. They appear similar to ancient Egyptian in form. The researchers and their extraordinary cargo are expected back in New York City tonight arriving at the Eastside Pier. All of us here are certainly looking forward to the exhibition, hopefully in the near future.

My mother clutched at his shirt. Is Andreas training?

He hasn’t come down yet.

Good. They’ll be coming. What are we going to do?

Protect him as always. We knew this day would come, eventually.

Never like this. Crete and Thera together.

The phone rang once, twice. Weird because nobody calls us, ever.

I’ll get it, my father said. Hello…Yes, I just heard the news.

What are they saying? my mother asked.

Everyone agreed to share information.

They knew, this can’t be happening, not now.

Tonight…understood. We’ll been there. A faint dial tone lasted until a click silenced it.

The toaster popped and a burnt bread smell overpowered the potpourri air freshener. I heard a screech of a chair being pulled out from the table. Then another.

It’s been some time since either of us fought on a team, my mother said.

Speak for yourself. Our son keeps me focused.

They both laughed uncomfortably.

One night that’s all, my father said. Zip in, grab it and back before midnight.

This is the last time.

Our choice seems like a life senten—

I crept around the corner. Hey, everything all right?

Andreas, a little late for training. Sleep okay?

Her face was flushed—like the kitchen turned into a sauna. Sweat pasted loose strands of hair to her forehead.

Time for a haircut, young man. Maybe this time we’ll let you get that fade style, the one with the part in the middle.

Really?

Don’t sound so excited, my father said.

What’s wrong? I asked.

Don’t worry, son, my mother said. Everything is going to be all right.

Then something is wrong.

Quit with the wisecracks and sit down, my father barked.

Peace please, my mother said. We just heard some…unexpected news, that’s all. Nothing to go crazy over, grown-up things. She placed a plate in front of me.

I heard—

Heard what dear? She piled eggs and bacon on my plate.

The news said a ship was coming in tonight filled with weapons. I used my fork to toss a piece of bacon around my plate. I think it’s kind of cool. Are you taking me to the museum?

No.

I leaned away from the sharp, deliberate word. I never heard her speak that way before, so much fear. I’m, I’m sorry, I said.

No, I am. Just promise you won’t go.

All right, Mom, I won’t go. But that’s unfair. Finally something cool comes to town and I can’t go see it.

Promise me.

Okay. I said what she wanted to hear. I never disobeyed, but this was different.

Let me see those brown eyes. She stroked my face. I mean it. You know I can tell when you lie.

Fine, I promise. I won’t go to the museum.

It’s settled then.

I sat for what seemed an hour taking bites here and there.

Your mother and I are going out. Be back around midnight, maybe earlier.

You can manage for a few hours, right? my mother asked. I think it’s time anyway.

They drove ten blocks every day to drop me off at high school. I don’t get it. All of a sudden I can stay home alone? Let me guess, this is one of those things I’m going to understand when I get older?

It’s just one night. I promise, everything will be fine.

It was the second time she said everything was going to be okay. A ship with weapons was really bad news. I had to see this.

Time to get ready, my father said.

Finish up, Andreas, and clean the dishes. Watch as much television as you want, just stay away from the…news.

Right Mom, no TV news.

And stay inside. My father hugged me then went upstairs.

They left with just a quick goodbye and more hugs. My father never hugged me more than twice in one day. I searched the internet for the phrase Weapons of Crete—Mom had never said anything about web news. All I found were blog posts talking about the discovery and how everyone in the world wanted to see them. That had to be where my parents were going. I scribbled the address and mapped a route by subway.

I boarded a train and slouched in a seat. The smell of stale urine filled the train-car. A man dressed in ripped jeans and a dirty white t-shirt limped down the aisle. I hardened my face as he stared at me. He passed through to the next car. The train screeched to a stop at Third Street station near Eastside Pier. I stepped outside. The guy with the ripped up jeans stood on the platform. Three people pushed past me, the last held the door long enough to get in safely.

I ran up and out of the station toward the dock. I crouched behind a few empty shipping barrels trying to catch my breath. Several ships were anchored along the wooden pier. A strong wind blew across the deck of a fishing boat sending the smell of rotted fish everywhere. One of the workers unloaded large crates from the researcher vessel with a crane. Others broke down the cargo and used hand trucks to haul them along the dock to a box truck just outside the entrance.

A blue spark flew overhead snapping a large plank in half. The workers looked around wide-eyed then ran for the entrance. Someone dressed in all black fired a lightning bolt from a bow. It popped the crane cable. The cargo crashed into the dock and smashed wide open. I moved to the other side of the barrels to get a better view.

The bow-wielder passed under a streetlight. There was a red band across his wrist with a symbol I couldn’t make out. Dozens of warriors in black stormed the mass of piled up cargo. Someone slammed a mace into the dock. Support pilings snapped. A portion of the dock caved in sending planks splashing into the water. The force pulled the tie lines connected to the ship making it pitch and roll. The barrels I used for cover tipped over and rolled away. I crawled to a broken crate. People dressed in black lay dotted around the dock close to the ship. Most were struggling to their feet. Some weren’t moving at all.

A blinding flash of white light had me covering my eyes. The remaining undamaged cargo crates shattered. Chunks of wood flew everywhere. A piece stamped New York Museum of Antiquities landed near me. Dark thick smoke flooded the area.

Five people picked through the rubble of crates. They dashed away. One of them carried something under their arm. Another group intercepted them and stole the item.

Two individuals faced each other. One pulled out a sword, the other an axe. Streaks of fiery red lit up the night as the axe-wielder swung as if chopping a tree. The sword cut through the air glimmering neon purple. The weapons collided. I ducked away from sparks that flew out.

The remaining crate fragments exploded. All I could hear was a ringing noise. A piece of wood smashed into my head sending me back. I cracked my head on the hard wood and saw stars. I leaned up on an elbow and felt around for any signs of blood. Red droplets dripped down my arm. I pressed the wound with two fingers to stop the bleeding.

A large figure wielding a trident, like Poseidon, lumbered straight for me. I blinked twice to make sure.

A trident.

I scrabbled for something to defend myself with and picked up a dagger lying near a broken metal container. When I touched it, bluish-white sparks leaped from the hilt. I screamed out. The dagger slipped to the ground. I scooped it up with my other hand then dodged away from three sharp prongs plunging toward me.

Argh, the figure grunted in a deep masculine voice. Give it to me and I’ll spare your life.

I lifted the dagger as a shield. I don’t have anything, mister.

He pointed at the dagger. That belongs to me, he said with a fiery, raspy tone. I want the sword now. He extended his hand on which a ring glowed green.

Bad vibes oozed from this strange man. No. I clutched the hilt tighter and backed away, stumbling with each step.

Then die. He drew back his trident and held it high.

Mommy!

Andreas, I faintly heard behind me.

A reddish blast slammed into the man’s side. His screams drowned out everything else.

Andreas? a deeper, more manly, voice called out.

Smoke from explosions clouded the area. Guards dressed in standard riot gear lined up at the entrance to the dock. They fended off a few figures dressed in black with their batons. I crept toward them, toward safety.

Mom! I yelled.

Someone lifted their hand toward the guards. A wave of yellow energy jumped from the person’s ring. The dock shook and a loud rumble echoed in the cool night air. The center man in the line of guards flew back slamming into the pavement ten feet away from where they originally stood. The remaining guards bolted from the area.

Two warriors aimed at the fleeing guards, one with a ring the other a bow. Blue and white streaks of erratic light charged out from the ring as flashes of fiery red jumped from the bow when the wielder released the string. One-by-one the guards fell.

I hopped off the ground. Keeping low, I raced for the dock entrance. Ash from billowing clouds of smoke choked the air. I slowed to get my bearings. An odd silhouette appeared in front of me. I slammed into it and bounced off.

Come with me, said a feminine voice. The woman wore a dress with slits on the sides over skin-tight pants, boots, and a mask. Her wristband was gray with a jagged blue lightning bolt. Ninjas, they all looked like ninjas, wearing everything black except their wristbands.

Get away from me.

She pressed a button under her ear. I have the package. She grabbed my injured arm.

I collapsed to the ground, protecting it.

Wielder is hurt. She lifted me and pulled me away from the battle.

I tried to escape but she was stronger than me. Where are you taking me? I received no reply.

For a split second, time froze. Do I go with the beautiful girl or stay and fight the ugly bad guy? Of course I only guessed about her beauty from the sound of her voice. For all I knew, this was the ugliest girl in the world. I can’t leave my parents. I ripped my arm away from her and started back toward the dock.

The trident man flung everyone out of his way and charged toward me.

I ran in the opposite direction. Another ninja rushed toward us. I pushed the girl out of the way and kicked the ninja in the face, clearing our way out.

Thank you, let’s go. She seized my arm and pulled me further away from the dock. After a few blocks she headed down a side street. She moved like a sprinter, her arms pumping and knees raised high.

We ducked into an alley as several police cars screeched to a halt, sirens blaring. Fireballs, lightning bolts, and shock waves ripped through the air. An officer charging the dock collapsed to the ground and curled into a ball.

A few brave officers rushed toward me and the girl, each whipping out a sidearm.

The girl pulled an object off her belt. Two arms on opposite sides unfolded and snapped out. The object transformed into a bow. She aimed at the line of officers.

I pushed her arm away before she fired. Wait.

She punched me in the gut and I doubled over in pain.

We can’t escape with them following.

She pulled the string back, a jewel at the front lit up like fire. As she released the string, a fire arrow jumped from the jewel. It slammed into a police car bursting it into flames. She shot less intense fire arrows at the officers’ feet, causing them to collapse to the ground. Each strike flashed in the dim light and sent a puff of smoke swirling into the air.

You could have killed them.

If I wanted them dead, they would be dead. Keep moving.

I just want to go home. I want my parents.

Whining is useless. She dragged me past the injured officers.

I slipped the dagger between my belt and pants for safekeeping.

She stopped near four other ninja figures with the same band as hers. My attack won’t hold them for long.

They followed as she led us into an open manhole. The deeper we journeyed the darker the tunnel grew making it impossible to see where they were taking me. We crossed over some train tracks.

I should have listened to my parents and stayed home. Who are you? I asked.

The Daelus, the girl said. She jabbed me in the neck with a small needle.

Everything started spinning. Three blurry figures pulled a metal door open. Another tossed me over their shoulder. I bounced around feeling more-and-more dizzy. It wasn’t long before everything went black.

Chapter 2

Sunlight rushed into my eyes through a small window across the room. I grabbed a pillow as a shield and rolled against the wall away from the burning light. A few moments passed before the pain subsided. I stretched out, hampered by sheets. Trapped like a rat. I hurled the pillow across the room. The air thickened with the smell of eucalyptus mixed with mint. I realized it was coming from a covered bowl atop the nightstand. I flopped around kicking my legs free. The bed creaked and squealed in protest. I held the mattress until the bed stopped moving.

Where am I?

That girl and her ninja friends, they’d brought me here. I tossed the patchwork blanket to the side. She’d better be nice. I’ll fight a girl to get out of here.

I moved to the edge of the twin bed. This place didn’t look like New York.  Never saw an indoor cut-stone floor, unless in a movie. I opened the single drawer in the nightstand.

Nothing.

A white cloth object lay atop the nightstand. I picked it up and unraveled it to see my dagger. No one stole the stupid thing, surprising.

Guessing how much the trident warrior wanted it, someone else would have eyes on it. I snatched the dagger and made figure-eights in the air. Nice and light. Why did he call it a sword? I tossed it on the bed. They can have it, whoever they are.

Time for exploring. I dug my feet into a small rug by the bed. The smooth fibers had the feel of cool silk. Not like the hot cotton sheets and the grandma blanket. From the comfort of the bed I gazed around the room for more clues.

I walked to a suit rack at the foot of the bed. Each step felt foreign. The rug under the stand was rough, a little thicker than outdoor carpet. A set of clothing hung from the stand. At least they gave me that. Better to face my captors dressed. I picked up a tan tunic-style shirt. The size looked pretty good, just above the knees, sleeves to the wrists. I examined the white bandages wrapped around my arm and head. Must have been for the burn and the wound from the wood. Good job dressing them