Lucas blinks his eyes and groans. His family surrounds him and helps him to his feet, “Where…where did they go?”

“Siff was taken back to the gods by her father, the great Jupiter himself.” His mother carefully examines his eyes to see if he is okay.

“But she has become one of us. Surely he would listen to our plea. He is wise and merciful.”

“He is wise and merciful, and we must trust in his wisdom even now. It is above ours even as his godliness is above ours.”

“But I have to explain. Surely if I explained he would—“

“He has already judged your voice, young Lucas. I fear what he would do if you were to oppose him again.” The Javentus speaks softly, still in shock at what has just happened.

“I do not wish to oppose him, I only seek to have my voice heard. Perhaps if he were to know the truth about all that has happened he would be willing to let Siff stay.”

“He has ordered us to stay within the village until sunrise, that is our penance for harbouring his daughter; and it seems a light punishment compared to what could have been done to us.”

“But Wise One, we have to try. We have to—“

“No, Lucas. No. We must wait until sunrise and then go about our lives. We were blessed to meet the gods. Jupiter himself has visited us. We must heed his words.” The Lord Elder puts his hand on the young man’s shoulder, “We must let her go.”

Lucas hangs his head in sullen contemplation, “No.” He shakes his head then looks beyond to the road out of Travos, “I cannot let her go like this. She is one of us and I have to try. I have to try and persuade him to release her to us. The great Jupiter will surely hear my voice. He has to.”

Lucas walks past his elder, in disbelief of the words coming out of his own mouth. The Wise One himself in shock at the disobedience as the young man wraps his hooded cloak around himself and swings his leg over Callio, “If you leave, Lucas, you put yourself in the path of judgement. And the judgement may even fall on us also. You must stay!”

“I cannot. I am sorry Wise One, but in this matter you are wrong. She is one of us, and while we are still able we must try to bring her back. May the judgement of mighty Jupiter be solely on myself.”

He whispers in the ear of his steed and they gallop out of the village. He disappears up the hill and into the night.

The fast paced rhythm puts Lucas’ heart to speed. Callio breathes heavy as he is urged forward over hills and through the outer boundary of his home. Lucas’ mind is consumed with Siff’s safety. As much as he adores and worships the great Jupiter, something did not feel right in that meeting. Surely he would have listened to a plea from his servant. Given it thought at least. He must catch up to them and seek Jupiter’s mercy.

The mighty cracking sound breaks Lucas’ thoughts, and the shockwave throws him and his steed to the ground. They tumble and cry out as the ground is ripped apart by raging fire. Gashes from the ground cover their bodies before the heat of the explosion walks through them. Callio lands on top of him and takes the brunt of the blast; Lucas cries for his beloved steed as he cooks above him, his own flesh catching fire beneath.

Fortunately the cataclysm is short-lived, and the heat quickly dissipates. In wonder at his own survival Lucas puts out the fires on his body. The tears sting his wounded face as he puts a hand on Callio’s burnt flesh. It is only then he dares look up and see the devastation in the village below. His village. His home. His family. A smoldering crater of fire. His soul. His heart. His life. Every movement of his face cracks and hurts, but Lucas cannot contain his grief. He cries out violently with burnt voice until blood comes from his mouth, mixed with the tears of one who has lost everything.

A burning in his soul begins to overtake his mind as the reality of the loss overtakes him. His mother, who only minutes before was tending his wounds. His sister, who had so quickly become Siff’s friend. His family, his friends. Esken. All burned and destroyed by the gods. Anger stirs in his heart and Lucas turns his attention back to the mission, now with new intent. He begins to stagger on. Back in pursuit he chooses to go first to his campsite, where he keeps his sword and spear. Where once was love and hope, now has become grief and rage. He does not know if the gods can be judged, but if so he will surely bring the wrath of justice upon them.