Whatever Guai had given him had definitely taken the edge off Alden’s nerves, even after its strength was countered. It let him smile easily, lift his arms in grace and accept the cheering as positive, and exchange a few words with the palace staff as they renewed their pledges of loyalty. When Loretti and Diana moved forward, he returned their bows, and when Guai approached, Alden grasped his hands in thanks, the gesture saying more than words could.

When the staff parted, Alden moved forward and looked upon the city. It was so much larger than he remembered, though he’d seen the gathering just a day or two ago. He could feel their appreciation radiating, like a second sun. He had to speak, however; he recalled what his father had done when he was crowned, along with his mother. “You have no idea how much I adore my city.” He said, in a voice that automatically magnified to spread to every ear present while not overpowering the ones at close-quarters. “Every face is unique and precious to me like a rare gem; tomorrow, I’ll be able to spend my time among the city, but for today... I must leave you.”

He bowed low to the present merpeoples, and turned, letting out a calm, yet pent-up sigh as he dismissed the palace staff and returned inside.

Diana couldn't slip into the shadows fast enough. She bolted with a quick twist of her tail easily blending in to the sides of the hallways once inside. She couldn't help it. All the bent up suspense had needed release and this was it. Speeding through several corridors, she finally got past her panic and stopped. Looking around, she saw that she was halfway back to her own room. Floating there gasping from the quick excursion, she didn't notice Loretti catch up to her until am arm wrapped around her shoulders. Turning, she looked at the old mermaid in wonderment. Loretti winked, "I can see the smallest change in metal. Of course I would be able to see you. Do you want to be alone or would you like company?" Diana squeaked out, "Your company is fine. That huge crowd, I could do without. Please stay with me."

}So so sorry! I'll try to reply faster from now on!{


Alden almost forgot where he was halfway back to his room. Fortunately, Guai was behind him, and led him on the rest of the way. Though he hadn’t felt it when before the entire city, his heart had been racing; though the fact that he could actually accomplish that made his head swim as randomly as he. As he went to the sandy area of his room, collapsing on the warm dome of sand, Guai hovered before him.

“I’m glad you made it work so well.” He said. “Hand me your necklace, and I’ll go get the stone finished.” Alden obliged, taking the gold piece from his neck and handing it over. “Your mother and father would be proud.” He added quietly, and left at that final word. Alden managed a smile. Perhaps they would be proud of him... He looked down to his tailfin. The beautiful gold piece Diana had created shined a bit in the water’s light wave. It didn’t weigh him down, and, perhaps, was the most thoughtful gift he’d ever received. He ran an admiring finger over the delicate-looking leaves.

Loretti led the shaky mermaid down towards the workrooms. Her escape from the crowd had left her drained and trembling. Diana felt a small feeling of relief as she recognized the doors to the artisan hall. Slipping through, the two made their way to the metal working area. Seeing the glow of the forge, she slowly approached it and floated before it. The warm water here soothed her while raising her hair slightly with a small current. Loretti, satisfied that Diana would relax here, turned and began pulling out tools for the necessary work ahead of her. Someone would bring Alden's necklace soon and she wanted to be ready.

Making sure she had large and small clamps laid out straight and in order, she also double-checked for small metal tweezers to add to the table. Then she got out a large talon to use for welding and placed it in the coals before Diana. She turned to double-check on the girl. She was relaxed now and the strain was gone from her eyes. Satisfied, she relaxed to await the delivery. Alden had done well up there. No doubt he had a similar reaction to Diana's after disappearing from public view, but he was strong and would do well with the education he had received for this role he now played. Of that she was certain.

Guai made his way to the workrooms with quick whips of the tail. He remained close to the floor, keeping Alden’s necklace grasped tight and close to him. Sometimes one couldn’t quite trust the rest of the staff. Merpeople were coming and going generally quickly, save the guards, most of whom had been around since Alden’s father was made king.

He opened the door to the metalworking room, and found both Loretti and Diana inside. “Dears, you did magnificently!” He proclaimed. “And Diana, you kept your composure very well.” He held the necklace out. “I trust you two can set the stone better than any other mermaid? We mustn’t allow Alden to go without it for more than twenty four hours.”

Loretti gently swam over and took the necklace carefully. "I will have this done within the hour. Be back then." She turned and sped over to the work table she had prepared. Diana picked up the heated tongs and brought it to her, then went to get some magma lights set up around the station. Loretti tuned out the rest of the world around her and used the larger claps to begin pressing in the edges. Once she had that done, she switched to the smaller clamps and began to do the fine detail. With them, she was able to make perfect ripples, such as you would find on the sand, all around the frame. This took a great deal of time and patience. After every few minuscule ripple set, she used the heated tongs to meld a point down even more. This strengthened the frame even more.

It took twenty minutes for Guai to return to Alden’s room. When he did, however, he held in one hand a pouch and leather-based strap. Alden glanced up, still a bit too wired to manage sleep. “What’s... that?” He asked, nodding to the item in Guai’s hand.

“They’re the crystal-based downers I’d given you not long before you were to appear.” Guai opened the mouth of the bag and lifted a few up. “They’re much weaker now, but taking more than a few at a time will have the same effects on you as before.” Alden didn’t speak, but approached to take the bag. “I know you don’t want to get addicted to anything, and trust me, you don’t have an addictive personality, but if you’re ever feeling a great amount of stress, just keep these with you and take a couple at a time. They’ll wear down within six or so hours, but won’t halt your thinking ability.”

Alden stared at the bag. Shaking it a bit, he could hear the little gems rattling about just out of sight. However, he nodded, and smiled. “I’ll be sure to do that.” He said. Guai nodded. As he left, however, he spoke over his shoulder: “The girls ought to be finished with your necklace within the next half hour.”

When the door closed, Alden turned and moved back to his sandy corner. Sitting atop the soft mound, it shifted a bit under his weight, but held firm. With a nod, as though reassuring some invisible presence in the room, he clasped the leather-like fabric around his waist just under the gold-chain attachment adorned with various blue and dark green gems. After a few moments he turned his attention to his tail. Since coming back he hadn’t taken the gold adornment off. It was too good for him, he couldn’t doubt that. Far too good for him to own. His eyes wandered down the extreme thinness of some of the looped strands, so small, but strong, reinforced, almost. He contented himself with studying each edge of every pulled bit of metal, flattened, altered, noting no issues, no problems in the gold’s surface, not even a scratch out of place.

He almost forgot the time when he realized he was several minutes late in picking up his necklace. He shot from the room and down the hall, making his way to the artisan workshops.

They had the necklace done. Diana placed it on a cushion and set it on a nearby shelf. Then while Loretti stretched out her fingers and left to get some rest, Diana went about cleaning the room. She put away the tools first. The clamps went into their individual places with the other tools. Tongs were kept on a ledge near the magma. With those out of the way, she carefully picked up the small bits of metal that had been snipped off and put them into a bin where other gold bits were disposed. They would be melted together and refined another day. With the workroom clean, she paused to wonder where the young soldier had disappeared to and why he was late.

Swimming over to the shelve, she picked up the cushion and carried it towards the forge where the light from the magma could glow off the gold. Examining the work in that light, she thought over how she could replicate the framed edges. It was clearly Loretti's own style. Yet all styles could be replicated if one had the patience to practice. The warmth of the forge felt soothing against her skin and scales. The warm water created a current that lifted her hair gently. She wished there was a mirror for her to see the effect, but pushed that wish aside.

Alden jiggled the bag at his side before entering the workshop. What would people think of him? Would they consider him unfit if he relied on something to calm his nerves before facing large crowds? Or did his father have to deal with the same thing? Would they feel more secure, or less? And would he become dependent on the effects of the crystals? He tried to push the worries away as he extracted one from the bag and inspected it. Smooth, small, it almost slipped through his fingers. The color was of a marbled white and very light blue, a bit different than what he’d been given first. However, they’d been shaved to make them so smooth, easy to swallow without worry of choking.

With a sigh, Alden replaced the crystal and entered the shop. Loretti caught him at once, bringing him to a shelf and taking the small pillow from above their heads, showing the work she and Diana had done. “It wasn’t hard.” She said proudly. “And it’ll stay permanently.”

Alden gave a warm smile and took up the necklace. Its newest gem gleamed in the slight shadowed glow from the forge, and carefully, he placed it on his neck, latching it. It was official, now. He was the ruler of the city, the final word of every proposed law or request. What a terribly important role to screw up.

Turning, she watched Alden enter the workroom. Floating there bathed in the forge's light, she watched his expression closely. He seemed to accept their work. Still though, he seemed to not be as happy about it as she had hoped. Something was bothering him. She hoped it wasn't because she, an apprentice, had worked on it as well. As he latched it on, the gold gleamed on his skin with a glow that could have been almost of it's own. It accented his neck, chest, and shoulders.

She felt a shudder run through her at that moment. Turning, she looked back into the forge. She had actually been starting to wonder what it would feel like to have him touch her again. Granted last time it was her fighting to get out of his grasp when he assumed she was a criminal. But still. It must be the forge and its magma creating these romantic illusions. Shoving them away mentally, she took a deep breath and collected herself.

Turning back around, she swam slowly over to the two of them. Loretti was sure proud of their work. She could understand that. Each piece was something you put a bit of your soul into. You did it as well and as right as you could, or you would forever feel disappointment and regret. Shyly staying behind Loretti's shoulder, she offered, "It looks really good on you your highness. Your appearance is as every bit that of a king as your ability is." She couldn't bring herself to use his name, not after what she had been thinking two seconds earlier.

Loretti’s smile was clear and brilliant. He returned it to the best of his ability and hugged her. “We’d be terribly bland if not for artisans of your abilities.” He spoke both to Loretti and Diana, who had floated up behind her. “You don’t have to call me by anything other than my name.” He added. “Not my most prized staff. And even then, you’re more family than not.” He took Diana’s hand and squeezed slightly before turning and leaving the workroom.

He sighed. The reality was really pressing down on him. He absently reached for the bag on his waist as he went to the throne room. Pulling a marbled stone out, he studied it for a moment. Guai was an expert at medicines, he wouldn’t have allowed a too-large dose after the near-catastrophe that had gone down not long ago. He swallowed it quickly, and hurried the rest of the way. Though it was the way it had been left when he exited before, it seemed so cold. And dull. Perhaps later it would regain its shimmer and shine, at least in his eyes.

As he rested on the throne that had once belonged to his father, he felt a bit more relaxed, even as Guai came in. He floated swiftly and silently to Alden’s side. “You seem terribly lonely.” He said.

“Lonely?” Alden smiled a bit. “Why do you say that?”

“You’ve no one but friends. While friends are well and good, perhaps you should find a young lady?”

Alden sighed. He’d been spoken to about this too many times to count. “Indeed, so I’ve been let to know. But Guai... Nothing more than family ties and friendship interest me. I’ve not the capacity to love more than what would warrant... you, as a friend, more of an uncle. Loretti, a sweet sister.”

“And Diana?”

“A lovely lost sibling I’ve come to meet once again.”

“No more.”

Alden stared at Guai. “Absolutely not.”

“No one at all?”

“Do you question my resolve, Guai? Have I not made myself clear?”

“Absolutely.” Guai bowed low for a moment, before hurriedly straightening himself. “My apologies, Alden. I forget how much you hate that.”

Alden nodded. “I’m content with a more solitary existence. My ability to love someone in an intimate way has been considered, and simply brushed away. I know this, Guai. I’ve tried.”

As Guai left, rather slowly, as though hoping to be called back, Alden closed his eyes. The water was rather still.

Diana felt herself blush as he squeezed her hand. What was this? She had wanted him to tough her, true. However, she wasn't sure she liked how her heart fluttered about. She couldn't control it. It was similar to how she reacted before panicking and swimming to the shadows. Yet, it wasn't the same as that. Confused with herself and finding she missed Alden when he wasn't around, she bade Loretti a pleasent day and left. Leaving a message with a palace guard that she was going out for a swim, she glided out of town and into the clear ocean water. Nothing could reach her without her seeing it from here. She looked around and saw nothing. Unless one had a way to see long distances, no one would be able to see her here save from below.

Looking down at where the city lay hidden, she wondered when her people had built it. The city was cleverly placed and hidden. Divers from the human world didn't even swim this far down. She turned and looked out into the deep blue ocean. Calm and peaceful. Blue like her. She slowly started swimming away, letting herself relax with each stroke of her tail. It was like painting, only the ocean currents were her paints and her tail the brush. She smiled and wondered what the sky looked like right now. Not an option. If humans were as close as she heard, then they might see a head sticking about the surface. She would stay down here.

Alden buried his face in his hands. He didn’t feel incomplete. He’d been present on conversations when his peers, those he could at least consider distant friends, had exclaimed that they were simply incomplete without a husband or wife, or someone to share themselves with. But Alden couldn’t agree. He felt complete, enough. Without his parents, a hole had formed in his chest, and he knew it would never be fully hidden away. He fled from the throne room and down the same particularly small hallway he’d led Diana down, when he had been half-competent and rather powerfully drugged.

In his sanctuary, which was only known by several others of the palace, he felt calm. Much more than a small marble of calming crystal could do, absolutely. It was lit easily, shimmering as though close to the surface, so amazingly colorful, natural, like the coral reefs so near human land. Here, Alden laid down upon a smooth stone, surrounded by the coral and small fish that managed to thrive among this area, though it was so far down. Loretti was an amazing teacher, and he felt that when she went on to pursue other talents and skills, Diana would make a perfect replacement. Her abilities would only grow with what little practice she would endure with Loretti. It was nice to have someone who was so like him around. He studied the bright red coral below him and closed his eyes. Perhaps he could catch up on his sleep.

It wasn't long before she saw a strange phenomena. A type of metal craft with a reflecting shine about her size, maybe a bit larger, was in the water. There was a strange straight thing on top, but otherwise was smooth. She ignored it outwardly in her behavior, but inside she was worried. She had never seen anything quite like it, but the metal was similar to what humans used. And humans were advancing in their capabilities lately. She remembered the worried conversations Alden had been in. If this was human, then she must not put the city at risk.

Slowly but steadily changing direction, she headed for the island. There was groups of dolphins that occasionally came by. It might be a long wait, but if it killed her, she would wait there for them. Then hide in their midst to escape. She took her time and soon the island's base came in view. She approached from a side and angle that were not her true intent. Hopefully they didn't have the ability Alden did to see in shadows once she was closer to land. Reaching the island, she circled as close as she could until she came to the other side. Slipping into the cove, she slowly worked her way into the ledge up on the side. She didn't want to get trapped by going upstream to the waterfall. This would have to do.

Huddling there, she waited. It was several hours later that the noise of something overhead went past. It circled for awhile alone. Then it was joined by a craft on the ocean surface. Both buzzed around all day and into the night. Finally they left. She kept still and dared not come out. Not until the dolphins and their playful selves came would she dare leave her hiding place. She wrapped her arms around herself and forced her trembling frame to relax enough to doze. That would be the best way to spend the time.

Over the next three days, she slowly grew cold and sluggish in her hiding place. Three long days without any word or sign of Alden. She hadn't realized how much she had grown accustomed to having him and Loretta in her life. When she needed, she ate the moss that grew inside the ledge, but otherwise left her world around her alone. The humans kept coming back and kept searching. The dolphins were friendly creatures and might visit out of sheer curiosity of them. She wished they would hurry. As the sun set for the third time, she cringed and resigned herself to another night on the ledge.

Alden slept on and off for what seemed like ages. Sometimes he caught one or two of the colorful little fish that swam past and ate them. A rather crude means of remaining hidden from the rest of the palace for the most part, coming out only to answer certain pressing questions and spying on the humans and their contraptions. After a day, he came to realize that, as he watched the temporary settlement made by the humans, that a couple submarines and a surface-dwelling watercraft was gone. He magnified the scene, and found that, yes, his eyes had not lied to him.

He remained there for the rest of the day. Try as he might, Guai couldn’t get him away from the spyglass. Hours passed with his eye glued to the lense, until he couldn’t even remain upright and fell into a deep sleep at the foot of the spyglass. His dreams were dark and formless.

A shake awakened Alden from sleep. A guardsman had appeared with a bit of a worried look on his face. He was an older one, an absolute gem among the guards, powerful in battle and knowledgeable about the territory. “Alden, young Diana gave me word she would be taking a small interlude for herself. However, that was three days ago, and she’s not returned. I’ve questioned the palace staff and they have yet to see her. Not even Loretti knows that she’s returned.”

Alden was wide awake immediately. “She’s not come back?”

“No. I saw her head off westward, into the darker open water, but she’s not returned.”

He straightened up. “We have to find her. Remmy, come with me please. I’ve been watching the humans and their vessels and several have gone. Perhaps she isn’t willfully out of the city.”

He took off, foregoing the traditional routes of hallways and roads, leading Remmy, the older guard, with him. They took off swiftly and with powerfully knowing beats through the still water. Alden couldn’t doubt Diana would come here. It was incredibly peaceful, dark blue, like her, and she easily blended. But with the technology humans had, they’d probably be able to see her well in the dark.

In the secluded area, Remmy put his hand on Alden’s shoulder. “Do you hear that?” His voice was low. Indeed, Alden had heard it. An engine running. It was coming from before them, somewhere in front, but he couldn’t quite see for the lack of sunlight. It was getting dark on the surface, and darkening only more below. But they were close to the ocean floor, and when Alden glared into the dark, he could see a large blue tail, large in comparison to general fish, and moving a lot as though it were attached to a human. “There.” He pointed. The sound of the engine was close, so perhaps he had a chance to use his more hidden power. It was rare he got a chance, and Diana was probably stuck where she was on the ledge.

He raised his hands. “Brace yourself, Remmy.” He said slowly. His concentration focused directly on the water itself. It wasn’t moving. That had to change. He opened and closed his hands, directing the movement in front of him. The water began a dance, back and forth, then side to side. As it did, however, it became harsher, twisting in sudden movements and churning like a terrible storm. It caused mass streams of bubbles and kicked up sand, creating the perfect cover. He darted forward, finding Diana among the ledge in hiding and pulling her out. “Come on now, don’t ask questions yet!”

He and Remmy led her away from the humming, which seemed to have gotten very erratic as the water became massively disrupted.

Diana was drifting in a daze, conserving her strength so that she could get through another day. Physically should would be fine. However emotionally, she found herself dealing with an emotion she had never really had to deal with before. Actual loneliness. Not the being alone loneliness. It was the missing someone loneliness. Her mind wondered to Alden constantly. Then the water started to churn. She twitched into full alertness and looked out from her hiding place. What in the world. Through the mass of bubbles, a hand reached out towards her.

She jumped and hit the roof of her ledge. The hand grabbed her wrist and Alden was there. He started pulling her out as he said, "Come on now, don't ask questions yet!" It was like a dream. Her hero was rescuing her. Returning the grip with his hand, she let him pull her away from there. Another guard was with him and he flanked her other side. Using their direction for focusing where they were needing to go, she added her own tail to propelling herself forward. The humming and engines that had plagued her hour after hour slowly began to recede from her ears. The ocean was strangely silent without them. Silent that is, except for her rapid heart.

She glanced back towards the island and the human crafts above. Those things had not found her when she was close to the island. Perhaps the same stayed true of the ocean floor. "Let's go down! Where rocks are..." she paused. She hadn't talked for awhile. It felt funny. She pushed the thought away and simply tightened her grip on Aldan's hand. He was here now. So all was well. She had to believe that.

When the silence was mostly complete, save for the breathing of himself, Diana, and Remmy, Alden looked around and stopped. “Let’s just see what we’re really dealing with first.” He said. “Maybe...”

Remmy went in front of them. “They’re coming back!” He growled. Indeed, the humming of the engine returned, up and a little to the left. Alden growled in annoyance much like Remmy had. “Hit them!” He shouted to Remmy.

“What if they’re too far down?” Remmy glanced around, readying the obsidian tip of his gold-and-iron spear. “They’ll be crushed!”

“They’re not, we can see the moon!” Alden pointed upward, to where the distorted silver disk of a full moon waved. “They’ll make it up within a minute, especially if those submarines are equipped with quick-release emergency pods.”

Remmy stared at Alden for a moment, possibly confused about what he’d said. However, he dared not hesitate a moment longer, and allowed the gold of his spear’s pole to glow, then collect in the tip of the obsidian and shoot forward. It hit the submarine square on the side, and sent it spiraling away from them and the city itself. A moment later, two small projectiles shot from an unseen side, toward the surface. “There!” Alden pointed. “They’re fine.” He glanced at Diana. “Are you okay?” He asked. “Hurt? How long had you been under that ledge?”

Diana stared in shock at the golden beam of energy. It wasn't something she normally witnesses. That would be so much easier to use on sharks than a simple sword. Shrugging that off, she looked down. She couldn't bring herself to meet Alden's gaze. "I am fine. About three days I think." Beyond being tired and weak from proper nourishment and exercise, she was feeling super guilty. She wasn't sure she should be, but she had once again been the source of trouble. She didn't like it either.

The cooler ocean water here was a relief to that warmer current at the island. It was fresher too. She would have been right at home if she hadn't been the source of the recent drama. And now she had also put her king in danger. She wasn't making a very good mermaid or palace apprentice at all. With all these mistakes on her head, she was also out here in the open unable to hide. Though after hiding for several days like that, she preferred not to be out in the rocks anymore. Sometimes a person could tire of even the favorite places.

Alden studied Diana carefully for a moment. She probably wasn’t fine, but he knew enough not to question it. Remmy approached, gasping a bit. “Hate... Using... Powers... Like that.” He managed. “Wears... You down something fierce...”

Alden patted him. “You’re a perfect shot, always have been, Remmy.” He said. “Go on back to the palace and let Guai and Loretti know where we are if they’re worried. I’ll... have to call an immediate meeting with the rest of the city guards, so spread the word as quickly as you and the others can. Meet in the Great Hall. I don’t want any delays, and if anyone’s asleep, wake them up and have them present and alert. Tell Guai and Loretti to be there as well.”

Remmy gave a quick and powerful salute, and darted off, silver tail flashing in the wake of the ripples he created. Alden sighed, and looked back at Diana. “I really should thank you. For your little outing.” He said. “It’s led to a very important discovery that can do the city very well. I’ll need you to do something for me when we get back to town, if it isn’t too much to ask after your adventure.” He gestured around. No doubt she would be tired, hungry. There weren’t many places small fish could hide around a ledge like that, so vacant and without anything to call them there.

Diana watched Remmy swim away, his tired frame filled with purpose. Slowly turning to look back at Alden, she straightened her shoulders and made sure she was composed. It was taking a lot of effort not to appear shaky to him. He was a smart one and more observant sometimes than she was used to merpeople being. Another reason why he was king. Nodding she responded, "Anything my lord." Then she bent at the waist in a bow with one arm folded across her chest. He had essentially rescued her. Didn't that mean he was all the more deserving of her respect and admiration? If not her love? She would do anything he asked and gladly.

Alden smiled and shook his head. But it was something to expect. While Loretti and Guai were more accustomed to calling him by his first name, allowing friendly banter and teasing to go about them, he couldn’t expect Diana to be the same so quickly. It was how she was raised under the rule of his parents. “I’ll need you to head to town.” He sighed, and egged her to come along as they headed in Remmy’s direction. “Gather the florists and crafters, mainly those with skill in working with cloths and knots. They’ll need to be present in the courtyard.”

He didn’t like where this was headed. The coral cage around their city protected them from large intruders such as carnivorous fishes, but it also allowed sunlight into their home. The people wouldn’t really like being cut off from those rays of sun, but protection came first. They could easily leave the dome if they pleased. “Take this with you.” He pulled a gold and turquoise ring from his finger, emblazoned with a gold symbol that resembled Alden’s name. “We’ll need them for a massive job that must begin immediately. Wake them if you need to, Diana. With the offensive attack we were forced to take, the humans will most likely know something especially powerful is down here. We have to hide the city and do so quickly. Come first thing tomorrow, yet another city-wide meeting has to be called.” He sighed at that. But it was more than just an initiation. It was for the city’s well being.

She stared at him with open-mouthed shock. She wasn't sure she liked where this was going. Also, a project of such size after that last attack... shouldn't he be focusing on the military? Numbly nodding yes, her other hand reached over and touched the ring in shock. Suddenly what he was asking of her hit home. She found herself swimming backwards, "Wait, what? Me? Gather the... the..." Gulping, she tried again. Nothing came out. Finally realizing that she was going to have to be creative here, she paused. Then bowed and turned to swim away.

Diana wanted to please Alden. He needed her help. She was going to have to find a way to do this. Her thoughts were rushing through her mind. One thought stood out above the rest. Her mother was the current master of Flora and as a master would be ideal in helping her with this. Diana figured that that would have to be her first stop anyways. Who else had as much experience in helping royalty as her mother?

Alden bit his lip as she turned to leave. Had he put too much on her so soon? He hadn’t thought of it in the rather stressful situation. He went forward and stopped her. “I’m sorry.” He said. “Because I know it’s taking you out of your element, your desire to vanish, rather than be social. But you know, hiding the city itself and keeping everyone safe is just as important as mobilizing the guards. The city will be hidden as though the coral cage is no more than a massive stone covered in deep-sea flora. But I have complete faith that you’ll do well in waking and bringing those of necessary skill to the courtyard. You just need faith in yourself.”

He nodded once, and flipped his tail, hurrying off to the palace. Remmy, Guai, and Loretti would have gotten at least most of the guards by now.

She looked after him surprised. It was an idea that had crossed her mind once, but that she had dismissed. Who would be willing to give up their sunlight? That he would think of it just showed his willingness to take on the unpleasant to help his merpeople. She looked towards the city and swam quickly. She reached the gate and entered inside. Swimming up so that she was above the buildings, which was unusual for her, she scanned until she saw the artists section in the lower section of the city. She made a beeline for it.

Reaching her parents' house, she went inside and woke her mom. Her mother was very surprised to see her. Diana related quickly to her the danger they were in and Alden's plan for the city. She explained what his instructions had been to her. Her mother wisely pointed out, "Then you, not I, will gather them. However I will act as your adviser and follow you." Diana balked, "But you are more experienced in gathering the mers for a meeting." Her mother retorted, "And you are charged with this task. Now let's be on our way." Her mother guided her out of the house and to their first destination.

Reaching the first residence, her mother gave his a slight nudge. Trembling all over, Diana forced herself to not sink towards the ground. These were strangers to her. However she knocked on the door. A glow from a stone came from inside. A master came to the door. "What do you need at this late hour?" she swallowed and got out, "The king has need to you and all your apprentices." She showed the ring Alden had placed on her hand. He took one look at it and nodded. Every place from there that they visited went much the same way.

The Great Hall was bustling with the mass of palace and city guards. A few had been shaken from sleep, so far as Alden could tell when he entered the hall. However, when they saw him, they became quiet and attentive, as did Loretti and Guai, hovering around just near him. Though without the effects of the marbled relaxant, Alden felt oddly comfortable where he was, above everyone else, about to tell them what to do.

“I’m glad you all could make it.” Alden said at once. “And I’ll need you all to listen very carefully, because I won’t repeat myself. For the past week or two, Guai and I have been keeping a close watch on an encampment of humans on the surface not more than two miles away from our city. Not an hour ago, we’ve experienced... a situation.” Alden paused, and looked around. Everyone seemed restless at that revelation. “A submarine not half a mile away. We managed to deflect it and send it in a different direction, and the contained humans got away without seeing any of us, luckily. However, I want no precaution overlooked! I want half of you, you---” He pointed to the left of the room. “---You hundred will be under command of Remmy.”

He indicated the right side of the room. “You hundred will be under command of Gem.” Alden indicated a woman, one of the few female guards. “Gem’s patrol will begin first. Make a hundred-yard radius around the entire city, part along the floor and above the dome. Remmy’s patrol.” He looked to Remmy, who stood straight and tall. “I want you to rest, because in twelve hours you’ll rotate out! If anyone sees anything out of the ordinary, I want you to come to me at once, no matter what I’m doing! Take a spyglass from the store room and get out there.”

Remmy nodded, and the entire congregation muttered their agreement. “Go!” Guai called. “You heard the man!” As he spoke, the mermen and few mermaids took off, holding their weapons in front of them. Alden sighed, and glanced around to Loretti. “You come with me, won’t you? Diana is gathering the florists and craftsmen and women, and despite your work in metals and gems, you ought to be very good in overseeing what tasks I give them.”

Loretti nodded, and followed Alden to the courtyard.