Chapter 1: Exile
The Night before:
Nautica had just entered the foyer of the great hall. Statues of rulers long since past erupted on either side of her. She made her way in her celebratory clothing, the traditional insignia of Atlantis which was a silver brooch pinned in the middle of her faded blue sleeveless tunic. The brooch itself was carved and crafted to show the infamous Trident, dolphins on each side of it's staff were carved and the entire brooch was en-crested with blue jewels. Below her tunic she wore a white silk skirt presenting a fashionable slit at the right side. She glided along the stone floors with ease in her silver strapped sandals which laced up her calf. During her brisk walk to the main room, she noticed how the elitist of her society was interacting with each other. The fake smiles and gold lined clothes made Nautica internally twitch in anger. The men and women of the elite knew how to impress the masses with their lavish jewelery clinging to their bodies. She narrowed her eyes in their direction and stepped to the side mentally preparing herself.
Becoming a wallflower, she settled herself against the walls and furniture of the grand hall trying to avoid prying eyes. Her gaze lit up in recognition of a fellow comrade, the one she had been waiting for. Her comrade strolled up to her, both bowing to each other in a formal robotic gesture. The Comrade guided Nautica out of the hall, down the subtlety glittered steps, heading towards the garden. They traveled a little ways down the garden path, coming to an abrupt stop. Nautica looked to The Comrade, opening her mouth about to give the "ok" to ignite the operation. Pain seared at the back of her head, so intense Nautica passed out cold in to the arms of the fervently apologizing Comrade.
The Present:
Nautica stood before the council. The bright glow of the counsels weapons lightly reflected on her off white garb that she was forced into. Usually in Atlantis, a prisoner is presented to the people and the council with the prisoners head hanging in shame. Nautica held her head high, a blank expression upon her face, but held high as if to say she was unashamed of the position she was in.
" Nautica Calypso Oceania, only daughter of the late Thylas and Lycorias Oceania, you have been charged with crimes against The Great Territory Atlantis, our and your homeland. What say you of these charges?"
Nautica scanned the room as the eldest Council member, High Priest Menesthes whom sat in the middle of the seven member council, awaited her answer. She took a breath knowing that no matter her answer, the result of her execution would be definite.
"I find these charges against me to be true High Priest." She spoke, her voice unwavered, no trace of doubt could be heard.
The audience whispered and murmered among themselves as well as the council. High priest Menesthes commanded for silence among the room, holding out his wrinkled hand in front of the masses.
"Nautica Calypso Oceania, How do you plead?"
The people held their breath, wondering if an appeal might turn up in the near future.
"I plead...Guilty...to all charges."
Outraged the crowd erupted in shouts and curses which rained upon Nautica. High priest Menesthes silenced the room once more. He looked to Nautica rising from his seat with a scowl however, the subtle glint in his eyes showed that of sorrow and pain.
"Nautica Calypso Oceania, it is with a heavy heart that I sentence you to Exile from Atlantis and it's close surrounding waters. You will gather what you can carry and will be escorted to the borders at which you may never cross over again."
The masses erupted once more in anger as they were hoping for an execution. The guards escorted Nautica out of the Counsel room back to the cells to arrange for the exile march. Nautica would gather as much of her belongings as she could, and turn her back on everything else she would have to leave behind. The crowds and some of the council members left the room leaving only High Priest Menesthes and only one other council member.
" Was that the right decision in your opinion, Menesthes?"
High Priest Menesthes did not bother to look beside him knowing council member Marissa, only a few years his junior, would stay behind to discuss the decision he had just made. Menesthes gave a sigh, his weary eyes still gazing at the marble archway where Nautica had just been escorted through a few moments ago.
"Marissa, had I made a right decison, she would have been on her way to execution right now. I would rather see my Granddaughter in exile alive, than humiliated and executed in front of my very eyes by those cretins."
Marissa nodded her head in understanding raising her hand to lay on the back of Menesthes's shoulder. She stayed beside Menesthes for the remainder of the time they spent in that room.