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Her breathe caught when he leaned forward, staring her directly in the eye. He definitely believed what he was telling her. Distant cities. Traders. Being equal with humans. He felt she had caused a pivotal shift in their society. All because of this machine. Her heartbeat resounded in her ears. That she could have caused all this. Such ideas was a lot to take in for her. She looked him in surprise, looking for a proper response. "Alden. I think we should wait on telling people. Better to make it a way of life first don't you think?" Besides, she didn't want to parade in front of others. If this helped the people, then she did her job as a good citizen. Nothing more. Right?
However, making more. This prototype definitely was the stretch of her abilities for the moment. Having a group to brainstorm with and then have each go their separate way to see what they came up with might be a good idea. "If we had individuals with creative skills work each on a different area. One on creating something that could carry many thing for traders. One for creating something focused on speed. I'll look into what other properties different elements added together make..." humans. Humans were known for their destructive capabilities. They held no respect for the animals that they came into contact with simply because the animals could not effectively fight back. If they were to be on the level of humans, they would need to equip patrol crafts with weapons on some type, which meant more research. Looking up at Alden, she asked, "Do you think we can take this further? Do you believe in me?" |
Alden tilted his head at her, as though he hadn't quite understood what she said. "That question should have an obvious answer." He crossed his arms. "Of course I believe in you. You've done a lot more than I've ever seen any of the city's merfolk take on. You should be an image to everyone. I'm amazed at how well you've come out of your shell, how much you've changed, only for the better, since I've invited you to take Loretti's place when she retires to follow her father. Not only that, you've developed what otherwise has been a dream to most. If your vision can be developed further, adapted for mass traders, for the young, simplistic for the old, and save a lot of time, even create a way to create more advanced magic-based technology, you'll be held on a pedestal so high you'll not be forgotten for many, many generations to come." He twisted around. "I'll always believe in you. If you've got an idea, I want to hear it. We'll keep your ideas as quiet as you like, depending on how you think things should progress. It'll be a nice distraction for me, though, and some others. We're a bit too focused on the humans so nearby, but for the time being, they're at bay and we're hidden." Glancing around, he looked at the mermaid's new vehicle. "We should get this back to the palace. You'll be able to put it in the courtyard and away from the general public. I've got to go check on the streetlight covers, and I'll be there in a bit." He took off, arcing quickly through the water. |
She felt a sense of relief at the affirmation. Why she craved being reassured, she didn't know. She just needed to hear it and felt more sturdy for it. With Alden there, she could do this. Why merfolk had not tried inventing was beyond her. It was a lot of fun. To have what was play to her be referred to as something worthwhile felt really good. She slipped the pendant back on and leaned down, so that it could be inserted into the craft. Feeling the slight vibration that meant it had come to life, she turned towards the palace and sped towards it. Reaching the main courtyard, she steered towards a corner and drifted to a stand still.
Loretti swam over to meet her. She grinned and for a few more minutes, the two acted like the young children they were not. After shyly pointing out different aspects of the craft to her mentor, Loretti took her arm and the two swam on into the palace. Heading down into the workroom, they began working on possible metal designs that would allow faster travel through the water. Loretti showed Diana a new technique for getting a smooth flat surface that was still a curve. It took practice, but Diana began to get the hang on it. |
Amazingly, quite a few of the city's children had decided to help in the distribution of the covers. Now only a few city lights remained without a cover above them, and those were the lights along main streets, which would remain without a cover to be lowered for late-night travelers. Above many of them, however, dark blue glass-plate covers hung, ready when nightfall was announced to be lowered, giving the place a moonish glow when necessary. As he went back to the palace, he was passed by the young crafters as they were leaving the workrooms. They bid him a good evening, which he returned, and he went back to the palace without more bother. As he pushed open the door to the palace entrance hall, he paused and leaned against the jamb of the door. Usually when he arrived back, it was bustling with activity, even in the late evening. He couldn't recall what time it was specifically, but it was far too... quiet. Staff were elsewhere, guards were mostly outside the dome, keeping low profiles and watching for... humans. He sighed. His parents always made the place so active. Was his rule followed by an age of melancholy silence? His black scales weren't as shiny as most, and his face always screamed that he was tired, wary, or lost in thought. He usually avoided eye contact, and could hardly bring himself to look someone in the face. That was changing slowly, but not fast enough. He had to show he was assertive, watchful, serious but fair, and definitely ready to take action when that was necessary. He took a deep breath and started forward, but a hand on his shoulder suddenly forced him to spin around, clenching his hands and reaching into his reserve energy for a weapon to use. As energy radiated from his closed hands, he recognized it as Guai. "Why did you do that!?" Alden demanded, sighing in relief. "You know not to sneak up on me like that!" "I'm sorry." Guai looked down to Alden's waist, where the bag he'd given the young king still hung. "Several guards request your presence on the southwest post. They've seen... something." Alden nodded quickly, and took off, flashing past Guai and speeding quicker than he'd done in the race. Word from the guards meant something was going on, and if he delayed even a moment, perhaps something terrible would happen. That very thought sent him moving at almost torpedo-based speed. Bolting through the front gates, he circled low over the dome and arrived at the southwest post, which was draped with seaweed and various stones. Two guards resided at that place. "What's happened?" Alden asked quickly. "A water craft of unknown origin has been seen circling a mile off the gate." One of the guards stated with a bow. "It went upward and eastward, but vanished from sight beyond the crater lip." "Go tell the others to be on absolute alert." Alden told the guard that had been silent. "I want everyone to be on the watch for any unidentified watercrafts that dare near the crater. Make sure to lift your positions to higher posts, near the top of the dome, but keep yourselves hidden. Thick seaweed was placed at that location for cloaking purposes. Go!" The guard did so with a quick nod. He turned his attention back to the other guard. "Go on up. All the guards will be positioned at the top posts from now on. Other kingdoms are secondary to this one threat. Is that understood?" The guard nodded. Alden turned his back to hide a sigh, and started moving rather slowly back to the palace, and the courtyard. |
Diana tested how the water went past the surface she had created. Loretti nodded her approval at the design. This would definitely allow for more speed. Diana set about to making an identical surface for the otherside of the craft. "Loretti, did you see any ways to improve the energy source?" The older mermaid shook her head. Diana's shoulder's slumped at that but she didn't let it keep her down. Loretti began to assemble the second set that would go inside the craft. Diana wondered aloud, "I wish there was a way to keep these pendants warm when we are not wearing them." Loretti suggested, "Look into that after this is finished. One thing at a time or nothing will be done. I'm going to add some fins to the sides much like a fish. It will give you more stability. If we make them moveable, then you can control them with your feet." Diana grinned, "Great idea. I'll just attach this to the side." Putting the two out plates together, they began marking where the fins would go as well as drawing up a diagram of how to include the new and improved moveable fins. Diana realized that this was a bit of hard work but was enjoying herself too much. If they could figure out how to improve the rising and falling of the craft, then perhaps they could also find a way to get it to fly out of water. Doubtful. It would most likely be to heavy. Still, someday when she had an apprentice, that might be achieved.
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When he returned, he sat on his father's throne. Alden still felt out of place upon a seat of such high power, but the quiet resonance of gently moving water and the dim, easy bluish glow of the room's set stones did calm him, if but a very small amount. The soft, sand-filled seat shifted a bit under his weight, though his thoughts remained steadfast planted at the forefront of his mind. It had taken millions of years for some random undersea explorers to stumble so close to their reality. And at such a terrible time in the kingdom, to boot. Alden was not his father, nor was he on the same stage as his mother. He would never be them. But perhaps he could step up onto the pedestal beside them some day. He'd have to get them through this first... He sighed, once again, and tossed his tail over the arm of the throne and laid his head back. Studying the moonstones on the wall behind him, his thoughts traveled to the glowing crystal Diana used to power her vehicle. They could make more over time. But they needed to remain warm to generate power, which was what Diana used it for, aside from lighting her chamber. It contained an energy source independent to others, but it was dormant unless heat was present, giving it its glow. Although if it were capped with a portion of the metal which, for some odd reason, generated its own heat. If that could happen, and the rest be made into a simple necklace, it could allow the crystal to circulate its heat and generate stronger power. Alden sat up in his throne, considering this possibility. He'd have to make a crystal specifically for this purpose. It'd have to be the same size and style as Diana's, of course... He dove out of the throne room, going down to one of the little independent work rooms as these thoughts raced in place of more stressful ones. |
They worked on it for several hours. It still had a long way to go, but the main design was done. It was a matter of covering it with the right curved surface that was even on both sides. Each stretching their hands and fingers, they looked at each other's tired eyes and laughed. Trading jokes about flying fish and humans, they swam out for a break and something to eat. It was nice to have friends. That was something Diana was sure of. To have Alden and Loretti offer their friendship so freely to her with no notice for her peculiarities, it was like a gift. One that she treasured deeply. Now they left the workroom and headed down the hall, their laughter filling and echoing down the corridor.
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Alden's ears twitched involuntarily at the sound of Loretti and Diana's laughter as they passed the door to his workroom. It was nice to hear the girl laugh; almost a night and day switch from the way he'd met her. He pulled the long gem-shaped crystal from the magma oven after its last heating, and gave it a quick shine as it cooled in its final, permanent form. It glowed spectacularly, as it was supposed to. He stared at it for a moment. Perhaps if Diana could show such a turnaround, he could too. He just had to be pushed further out of his comfort zone. Alden set the crystal aside and began work on the topper. It didn't take long once the metallic substance was heated, and in fact, it took a lot of maneuvering to not only form it, but fix it to the crystal in such a way that it wouldn't work loose or fall off. As he introduced the metal to the crystal, which had at that point cooled, its blue glow was reawakened and spread throughout the entire gem. So it worked. Alden laughed to himself as he strung a silver chain through the loop he'd made in the topper, and left the workroom. This was some good news, at least, in the series of headaches. The hallway was silent; he'd have to go around the palace to find Diana. |
Diana looked from the patio lounge out over the city. The glowing lights casting soft hues over the scene. The table before them had a variety of foods laid out. Both were famished, but taking their time savoring each bit. Loretti had shown her a special cream to rub into the hands after working on metal that helped one keep their agility and flexibility. It was easy for a hand to cramp up or stiffen if not taken proper care of. Especially in their line of work. The balcony this particular patio was on gave the sense of privacy with the spacious room for company and a generous view of outside the palace. It was a nice way to relax after the hard hours they had been putting in. Diana was suggesting to Loretti, "I have been thinking. Why not have a small group of merfolk simply swim away from the city. Have them travel the currents so that the humans think that their glimpses of something, us, was simply something, us, traveling along currents. That way the tie isn't with this place. Lead the far away from here and convince them we live somewhere else. Then disappear and let them swim in circles of confusion."
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Loretti picked at a clamshell she'd just picked up. "I was thinking something along those lines." She said at last. "I took a general approach to the matter, then I had to think a little harder. Such as, what would Alden or Guai think of the idea? I have a pretty good idea of what my father would say. He'd think, then mutter, then he'd say something about it being an unorthodox and risky trick. But he's always been good about dancing around the subject of a solid answer with me. Then, there's Alden. We could take the idea to him, then---" "No need." Alden glided onto the patio quietly, and as he passed the table, laid the object of his work on its corner. Even away from him, Diana, or Loretti, it kept its glow. Alden leaned against the railing over the city view. "I thought about that idea, Diana, a couple days ago. I'd intended to use a group of guards; dress them as merchants, send them on their way to some vast, wide open area of the seabed and let them disperse on their own, and lead the humans to a dead end entirely. But the thought vanished... When I considered what we've yet to see." Alden sighed. "They can track us. They've got bothersome little toys called 'Radar' which can follow a specific item, watch where it goes, and let the person follow along. Or, there may be more of them than we know, scattered from all sides. I've made the note to not only close all trade routes to and from here, but to send escorts to warn other towns, villages, and cities of this event. I'll also be spreading guards thin into the seabed several miles around the city and the dome itself, to keep watch on the people already here." He pushed away from the balcony's railing and, before leaving it and its view of the glowing city, raised the crystal. "I decided to cap it with the metal that generates its own heat. Seems it's circulating the energy in the crystal on its own now." He nodded to Diana, set it down again, and raced back into the palace to begin his aforementioned plans. |
Diana picked up the crystal as Alden left, turning it over in her hands. The skillmanship was rough at best, but it was solid and would hold. She looked over at Loretti and winked. Taking off her own crystal, she handed it to Loretti, "My dear, you should have one of these. Might come in handy." Then she put on the one Alden had made. Looking it over, she asked, "Can we design the spot to turn on our newest transportation model to fit this one? It isn't everyday you get to have something a king made. She grinned and then laughed, "In fact, it isn't every mermaid who gets to be so close to a king. Imagine, we actually talk. Though he seems to always be rushing about lately." She glanced in the direction he had taken off. "Would he get upset if a person were to pull a trick on him? I was just thinking he needs a reason to laugh."
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Loretti pursed her lips, as though thinking---but she was staring at the crystal she'd taken in place of Diana's new one. It was true, what Diana said. Not many got close to the royals, and when they did, it was a friendship, partnership, relationship in general that lasted decades, centuries sometimes. Guai had been lucky. He'd befriended the king when he saved the old man's life one day, after he'd become ensnared in a trap meant for large fish set up by humans. Guai and Loretti, who had been very young at the time, had been thanked, and offered a place as the palace's physician. The queen had taken Loretti up to teach her the artisan talent, which Loretti had mastered quickly. They had also befriended Alden within days, despite his rather antisocial start as a prince. "Well, my father and I trick him all the time." Loretti said at last, shaking herself out of that past. "He's always taken it as it should be, as a harmless trick. But then, he'd not been in such a position of power before. With him being so jumpy with everything that's happening... he might not take it as well as if things were more easy-going." She put the necklace on. "I'd hold off on any plans for the time being, if I were you." She nodded. "But I'd be glad to follow you along later." She snickered at the prospect of a prank, or trick, or something to take Alden's mind off such important things later on. |
It was something to ponder. Definitely would be nice if the humans weren't around. Since they were though, they would have to make the best of it. Perhaps she could go on vacation to another settlement or something. That way if she caught the humans' attention, she would not be leading them to the city. Diana stretched and finished up their meal. Turning to Loretti, she thanked her, "It has been an amazing time here. I'm sorry about the humans though. However, I want to spend the coming hours at home. Will I see you later?" In truth she had never spent so much time around other merfolk before. It was tiring and she really needed some rest in a familiar place. Even if Alden had given her a room here, it wasn't home. Besides, her parents would be happy to see her and she would be happy to see them.
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Loretti sighed, looking up to the dome’s roof. She would be able to see the faint glow of sunlight now if it weren’t for the humans being so near. “Of course, Diana.” She said after a moment. “I don’t doubt you’d want to see your family. I’ll let Alden know you’re gone---but do well to come back within the next day or two, or both he and I will begin to worry!” She smiled, lifting herself and going around to enter the palace again. As she made it halfway through the hallways, she caught Alden flitting around a corner. Following along, she found he had gone back to his room, but left the door slightly ajar. Moving through, Loretti found Alden lying on the soft bed of sand in the corner, fiddling with the gold trinket that had been made for him by Diana. “I thought you were going to take care of some things.” Loretti said, approaching him and taking the item from his loose grasp. “I was. Told Guai to handle it for me.” Alden sighed. “I never thought I’d be thrown into something this heavy. I have to think ahead of the ones searching for us. I have to think of the villages outside more than I would normally, consider their safety. I think it’d be a good idea to petition some new guards, at least for a temporary position outside the villages under the kingdom.” His unsteady gaze suddenly focused. “They’d be good messengers too, in case a village is within the path of the humans’ sweepers, we’d have to divert their path somehow, with a combined current that’ll push the vehicle off---” Loretti placed a hand over Alden’s mouth. “Stop overthinking things. While it’s a good trait to have, you’ve got to calm down. A good king is one who’s alert and focused, not scatterbrained and barely scraping the surface of insanity.” Alden nodded slowly, accepting it as simple fact. There was no way he’d put others at risk by burning himself out. “Okay, I get it.” He smiled weakly. “Where’s Diana?” “She’s gone to visit her family.” Loretti took a seat by Alden and fiddled with the clasps of the tail trinket. “It’s nice to visit every now and then; and I assume she’s got a lot of stories to tell them!” Alden looked away. It was nice to visit those you cared about. Perhaps he could do that, if he had time after this scare... |
Reaching home, Diana swam inside much to the delight of her parents. Her sister brooded in a corner, at work on some project while Diana talked with her parents around the family forge. It's gentle glow and heated waters made it the perfect basking place. She told them about her room in the palace, where she worked, and the invention she was working on. She also told them about what she was learning and demonstrated how some patterns if worn smooth against the skin actually provided faster speed. This was of some interest to her mother since she could replicate those in hair wreaths that held the hair tightly for racers. She was finally talking about her time with her new friends Loretti and Alden when her sister, Athena, threw down her project and raced outside.
At first Diana stared after her in complete bewilderment. Then realization dawned on her that her own words were hurting Athena somehow. Twisting and swimming after her, she heard her parents worried calls after them. Athena, being the oldest, had long been the faster swimmer in the family. It wasn't until Diana had joined her in the same school that it was discovered Diana had gained faster skills than even her. So it was no wonder that Diana left her concerned father and near panicked mother behind. She soon realized though that keeping up with Athena was more of a problem than she had originally thought. She had not rested much lately and was tired. Now when she needed to heal this rift between them the most, she couldn't seem to keep up. |
Alden couldn't rest. Not now that he'd realized that the outlying towns and villages had no protection from whatever may come. No information outside what they may have heard by merchants before the gates were closed to them. He couldn't lie around while he knew no one was near them to either protect the people from intruders or get news to the city quickly. Alden, alone, patrolled the streets. People were everywhere, though he searched for those with strong tails, powerful-looking arms, a steady head about them. When he found one, man or woman, he said the same thing: "The small towns outside the city need help. Go to the palace entrance if you can help, and wait for me there." Four he'd found already, and that was a good thing. People were always willing to help, at least, and in stressful situations like these, having those calm at heart was very helpful to Alden. It kept him calm in turn. As he turned a corner, he was passed by a young woman very swiftly, as though she were trying to get away from something. Glancing back around, he saw Diana coming after her, but moving very slowly. Recalling back, Alden realized the girl that had passed by was Diana's sister; he'd seen them together, and with their parents a few times before. Why, though, had she run? Moving forward, he stopped Diana. "What's happening?" He asked quickly. "Diana, please. Has something happened?" |
Her heart felt like it was breaking. Would she never be able to be on good terms with her older sister? She had always wanted Athena's approval. This was almost worse than being ignored. Complete rejection. So lost in these thoughts was she that when Alden appeared before her like a giant black shadow, she didn't think before bursting into tears and swimming up to half curl and half hug him. Not caring that she was showing such weakness in public, probably because of Alden's color scheme being the same as the shadowy places she hid in when insecure, Diana fought to get a single sentence out. Not much was making sense, even to her ears. Still, she had to try. He said he would be there for her and would listen. Maybe he would be able to understand. So despite the crying, she tried to get the words out. "Ath...enaaa... issss... upset. I... wass tryin... to... fix..." Bursting into more sobs, she brought one hand to press against her forehead. Her sister was supposed to be the one to comfort her, give her advice, make things seem not so bad. That was what sisters were for. Why couldn't she have that? Why did things have to be so tense between them? What had she done wrong? She tried to be nice, polite, and give the credit to others like a humble younger sister should. Still it didn't seem to help.
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Diana’s reaction was more than shocking for Alden. He’d not seen anyone so distressed, at least, none that could be considered a friend. He put an arm around her. “Calm down, Diana. I understand.” He didn’t understand. Not the bond between siblings, at least. He never had a brother or sister. No one to love or hate, laugh or cry with, share in the good or bad. But Loretti was a sister to him. As close as a sibling ever could be. Though she had come into his life a bit later, he knew her well, and she knew him. But now Diana’s relationship with her real sister, a sibling by blood, was threatened. Or had it always been weak? Had it always been strained? Perhaps this was just the breaking point. He patted Diana. “I can help you do something. Athena should return home soon, shouldn’t she?” He spoke calmly, a low tone that he hoped would instill a sense of ease even in Diana’s state. “We can wait at your parents’ home for her to return. Surely she will. Then there’ll be no running. No shouting. You can talk it out, somehow. Both listen and tell of each side’s troubles.” He lifted Diana’s head, and nodded. “If anything can be done, let it be done. You can’t lose a bond with your sister, after all.” |
Hearing Alden's calming voice and feeling his arm seem to take on half the burden when he put it around her, she wanted desperately to believe everything would be okay. Still there was something that was nagging at her. Bits and pieces of past conversations between Athena and her friends or between Athena and her parents. Accusations and threats. That Diana was an embarrassment. That Diana was too high and mighty to be around the rest of them. That Diana was nothing special. That Diana didn't deserve the special recognition her parents gave her.
Now she was apprenticed. Would Athena follow through on the hints and leave? Would she leave this city for one of the one further out? Athena had had friends move to some of the outlaying towns after graduating school. Had she tried to leave? It wasn't hard to get out if you knew where the smaller holes were. She wouldn't dare go for a large one near the top of the dome would she? Struggling to not keep crying, she started to speak when she burst into tears again. It was all her fault. She should have taken the hints and left herself so that her family could have stayed together. If she had left, then Athena wouldn't have to worry about doing the same. "It's all my fault!" she screamed. "I should have left before so she wouldn't be tempted to do so now!" |
Alden's eyes snapped open. Leave? The city? At a time like this, leaving was definitely the worst idea anyone could have. At least for the general population. He pulled Diana away and stared at her. "Siblings say things all the time. It doesn't mean they're serious. But I can't take what she may or may not have said or meant at face value. If she's left the city, I have to go after her. I have to." He moved back. "Diana, I want you to stay under the dome, no matter what. Go home. Now." Twisting away, he flew from the road. The thought of the extra guards was gone. The more serious matter had flooded his mind, and the idea of someone out there alone, trying to get to a different town, the nearest being over fifty miles away, was a majorly pressing matter. It was heightened only by the fact that it was Diana's sister. A sister that could indeed be a good friend, if their relationship were patched up. When he reached the front gates of the city, Alden paused only for a moment. "Tevin." He grabbed one of the guards. "Go to the palace, tell Loretti and Guai I'm going out to find someone. There's a few temp guards waiting, go gather more and take them out to our towns and villages. They need protection too." Tevin nodded quickly, and as Alden passed, he left his post to the second guard to do as requested. It was only a moment or two before Alden was up and over the crater edge, in the open. Where could Athena be? Hopefully she was good at hiding, but bright tones just didn't blend in well in the open ocean. |
Diana stared after Alden in disbelief. Two of them gone because of her? No! Not him too! He was her first friend. She couldn't let him. But just as she had been unable to catch up to her own sister, so now she couldn't swim fast enough to reach him. A retort shot out of her despite his being gone, "Old man get back here!" Turning, she went to the one place that held hope. No longer caring if she stayed to shadows or was out in the open, she darted straight for the palace. Reaching it, she ducked and dodged through the corridors until she was down in the depth where the workrooms were. The newest model of their design was finished and looked more like fish than the other had with movable fins. Not seeing Loretti, she figured it was just as well. She couldn't stop crying. Everything was her fault. A part of her wanted to curl up in the darkest corner, but her shaking hands grasped at the vehicle in urgency already set her path before her. Tugging at it, she began to work to get it outside the palace.
***** Swimming in anger, Athena worked her way across the bottom of the ocean. She didn't bother to hide. That was something her sister would do. Always sneaking around, uselessly doing nothing, appearing special to someone... it wasn't right. She was certain that Diana was just trying to make her look back. After all, it was she who had been the top of her class and excelled in music. Had that gotten her anywhere? No! But Diana had simply to hide in a corner and the world was hers. Had always been. No one cared about her, but everyone cared about Diana. How many times at night had she overheard her parents talking in concern about, not her, but Diana. How many times had she listened to the teachers encourage Diana, but not herself. This ocean wasn't big enough for the both of them, but she sure was going to make sure that there was as much water between them as she could. Hands clenched and ready for battle, the beautiful hot colored mermaid fled. |
Keeping close to the bare sand, Alden flipped his tail so hard it kicked up a massive cloud of sand. He moved so quickly Alden was forced to narrow his eyes to protect them from the water's impurities. Something flashed to the corner of his vision. Freezing and flipping around, he saw nothing, but a forest of seaweed stretched wide to his right. "Athena!" His voice had never risen so greatly, not even during a public address. It carried over the underwater currents vastly. Anyone within a mile would hear him, including humans, should they be outside their vessels somehow. "Athena!" Twisting around again, Alden lifted himself up and away from the floor of the sea. Scanning the area, he gasped when he caught a fire-toned mermaid flying over the sand. She looked as if she were ready to attack anything that stopped her, but he couldn't mind that. Not now. A high beeping was sweeping the water around them. He dove forward, catching up before she even had a chance to realize someone was near, and he grabbed her arm. "Athena! Stop running. Stop!" It took a good amount of strength to force her to halt. But when he did, Alden put himself in front of her. "You're putting yourself in the path of the humans. If they find you, they'll catch you and take you out of the ocean, put you in a cage, make others come in and stare at you like some freak show. There's a reason I shut down merchant travel between the city and outlying towns, and this is it!" He panted, a bit out of breath. He'd really sapped a good amount of energy since he hadn't been sleeping well, and the burst of adrenaline had worn out. |
Athena stared in shock at Alden. It was the king himself! And he had come after her. Her. Fear and humiliation at her actions filled her and she immediately bowed before him. "Your majesty. I'm truly sorry. I'll do as you command." She couldn't believe her stupidity. If she was so set on being foolish, the least she could do was not drag others into it. Still, pure amazement that he was the one holding her still... stopping her... left her bewildered. She couldn't even think straight. Then another part of her filled worry over what this incident would cause people to think of her now. This was not what she wanted. Gulping, Athena bit her lip.
***** Climbing onto the blue machine, her slim body slipping inside and her hair flowing smooth behind her, Diana slipped Alden's crystal into the slot and felt the slightest purr. Turning the handles, she flew up and twisted over and around. Flying straight for the top and a large hole, she shot through and then used her years of experience in hiding to fly through the blue shadows down towards the floor. Reaching there, she started skimming the surface through shadows of rocks and seaweed. She was once again responsible for hurting others. There had to be a way to help. |
Alden shook his head. "Athena, out here, you're my equal. I want everyone to stay safe, and that includes you." He looked around. The beeping was getting stronger, but he had to say what was on his mind before they returned. "Diana is absolutely mortified that she's broken what relationship she has with you beyond the point of repair, and that's what she wants to do, repair your relationship with her. But if you're taken by the humans and sent up to a zoo, neither of you will have that chance. I want you to go back and find Diana. You have to let her talk to you, even if you don't want to respond. The one thing I don't want to see is a sibling relationship fail." He nodded once, and looked around again. Something was coming out of the seaweed forest, beeping all the way. "Oh, lord! Go, Athena, go now!" He turned her around as if she were a doll, pushing her into a small rocky area. The light perched below the red submarine trained on him, and he turned and flew over the ocean floor, pumped again with adrenaline. The sub turned toward him, and he went a little slower, luring it away from where Athena was hidden. Loretti sat on the floor as Guai entered the throne room, followed closely by Tevin. As the father and daughter joined each other, Tevin paused. "Alden requested I tell you of his absence: He's gone to find someone who left the city. I have dispersed the temporary guards to nearby cities, who will then send out the best fighter they can to the other cities. Hopefully the chain will continue and the cities and towns will be very safe. Or at least they'll be on alert." Guai nodded solemnly. Loretti stared between them, but finally shook her head. "He'd better be careful. I know him!" "I do too, Loretti." Guai sighed. "Come on---we're going to the entrance." He went past Tevin with a nod, and Loretti followed silently. |
Athena was so shocked that when he shoved her towards the rocks, she automatically swam into them and curled up in a hollow. She couldn't believe what he said nor what was in the waters with them. Had she been wrong all this time about Diana? No, surely not. But regardless of that, her stupidity had unknowingly dragged her lord towards danger. Huddled there, she wondered what she should do. She was so scared the though that Athena wasn't sure that she could move. Her brain wouldn't function. Hearing the beeping starting to go away, she wondered why King Alden had risked his life for her? He was more important than her. They were not equals. His voice carried more ability than hers. He ruled the oceans. She was a mere flute player. Which left to another question, why had a mere flute player been so jealous of a nobody. Duh, because Diana was no longer a nobody and someone she should have been proud of.
***** Flying from rock to rock, Diana looked for signs of where either Athena or Alden could be. Seeing the stirred up sand that had not yet regained the ripples of the ocean currents, she realized that someone had swam in that direction recently. Turning carefully, she slowly started forward again. This time more cautiously. Looking around, she wondered where they could be at. She thought she heard a beeping sound and tried to keep an eye out for it's source. Last thing she needed was unwelcome company. |
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