Chapter Four
The sails were shortened and all momentum of the vessel gradually came to a halt.
"We are now over the abyss," the handmaiden informed Obi-Wan, who then assisted him in donning the gill apparatus.
He felt a bit foolish while putting on the contraption, but if it helped him succeed in this mission, he didn't mind. Once it was on, Obi-Wan took it back off, removed his over-tunic, and tried again. The gills were light but made him feel awkward and clumsy.
"Was is it you all say? May the Force be with you?" Sabé asked him once he was ready to depart.
He wasn't sure how she knew that. "We do and thank you," the Jedi replied before swinging his legs over the side of the boat and dropping himself down into the water. This ocean was warmer than most he'd been in due to the plasma eruptions from the core of the planet. He would do his best to avoid any of those.
Once his head bobbed up to the surface, the handmaiden gave him further instructions. The Mer kingdom was directly below the ship. Queen Jamilla had told them to wait six hours for his return but no longer. After that, he was on his own.
Six hours thought Obi-Wan. Most negotiations as complicated as this one often took days. The shoreline wasn't too far off, however, and he was a pretty good swimmer.
"Six hours is sufficient," his muffled voice informed her. "I'll return by then to inform you of my success."
The look on the handmaiden's face revealed her suspicions that he may be overestimating his abilities, but Obi-Wan was confident. Six hours wasn't nearly long enough, but eventually, he would convince Queen Kailana to comply.
Obi-Wan dove deep, adjusting for pressure changes, and found the gills seemed to be working adequately. However, he hadn't tested them yet to see if he could speak while wearing them. There was nothing around but fish to speak to and he didn't think they would answer him back. Instead, he swam on, deeper still until he came to the first cave of Eleuabad; a system of catacombs where the largest underwater creatures of Naboo dwelled. Just beyond the first cave, he expected to find the main city of the Merfolk, Thalari.
Once he'd exited the cave, the location of the kingdom was obvious. It was relatively the same size as Theed and remarkably similar in architecture, although exposure to the saltwater had tarnished the copper domes over time and they now exhibited a dark green hue. Even the statues representing former rulers were present outside of the palace gates, the same as in Theed. Obi-Wan began to wonder which came first. Who copied who? Perhaps there was more evidence to uncover to explain the contempt between the two kingdoms. The archive information only went so far back. It was something to consider.
Back at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, he knew several Jedi who were of aquatic species. Kit Fisto for example, and one of his closest friends Ban Eerin. However, their kind were capable of adapting to being both under the water and out of it. These Thalarians were apparently confined to staying submerged. In Obi-Wan's mind, that severely limited their exposure to other cultures and ideas, and probably had a lot to do with their arrogance and pride.
Finally, he was able to test out the artificial gills and announced his identity to the pair of guards on either side of the palace entrance.
"I'm Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi from the Coruscant Temple, and I'm here at Queen Jamilla's request. I request an audience with Queen Kailana."
The Knight was trying to be discrete in staring, but their appearance was rather intimidating. All other aquatic species he knew of that were sentient, such as his friend Bant, were kind and gentle. Bant had ended up becoming a Jedi Healer. These beings were dangerous looking and they had legs. He wasn't sure why he thought they wouldn't, but they did. They were muscular and long extremities that ended with webbed feet and toes that displayed sharp talons.
They both wore armor consisting of chest and shoulder plates apparently made of gold. This far down beneath the sun's ability to shine through the water, their skin itself seemed golden as well, although the shadows may have been playing tricks with his sight.
It was their eyes, however, that caught Obi-Wan most off guard. They weren't large and friendly as his other aquatic friends'. They were narrow, small, orange in color and regarded him with suspicion. Protruding through the opening at the top of their golden helmets were long reddish-gold fins. There were also pointy fins extruding from their biceps as well as thighs. A golden metallic wrap girded their loins, displaying what the Knight assumed was the emblem of their Kingdom; a spear with a sea serpent running through it.
The spears they carried were broader and more elaborate than any he had ever seen before, and even though he had his lightsaber with him, the Jedi silently hoped he would not be forced into combat with any of them. They were definitely a unique and powerful-looking species.
Neither of them spoke to him, although another, not so bulky Mer swam up to stand in the alcove on the other side of the iron gate.
"Follow me, Jedi," he said, though not verbally. Obi-Wan was startled to hear the being's voice in his mind. So much for worrying about communicating with them. Apparently, that wasn't going to be a problem after all.
As the young Jedi followed along through the columned hallways, random colorful fish would swim past. The scenery was beautiful though distracting, and he needed to remain focused, so he kept his gaze down upon the path that lie ahead.
His escort led him into a large amphitheater which was filled with Mer of all sizes, shapes, colors, and ages. They were expecting him after all; apparently interested in what he had to say. Why else would they be here? Except maybe to gawk at the frail human who was quickly growing tired of swimming.
The focal point of the theater was the throne which was set in stone at the lowest level. It too was covered in gold and glimmered in the glowlight lanterns that were placed close by.
Queen Kailana could've been Jamilla's twin sister were it not for her purple fins and scales. Their facial features were quite similar as well as their expressions. Even the members of her court were alike. Behind her on either side were rows of Mer, only the female kind. Their faces too were similar to the Queen's and they all wore the same coverings. Even their fins were the same color. But now that Obi-Wan had light to see by, he noticed that where their scales stopped and their skin began, it was the same shade as his. They weren't so different after all.
The female Mer also had hair, he noticed. While the majority of the male was bald, the females' locks were long and flowed to and fro with the currents of the water. They were also heavily adorned with jewels and golden baubles which hung from their ears, their necks, and were even braided into their hair.
"I am Queen Kailana, ruler of Thalari and the Kingdom of the Mer. Who are you?"
Obi-Wan introduced himself telepathically, trying his best to be respectful and keep his gaze focused on the Queen. However, there was one maiden whose eyes kept lifting to steal a glance of him. The others stood quite still as they likely were expected to with their eyes lowered. All except for this eighth one that is. She was at the far end of the row, the one furthest from the throne and she finally gave up once she realized she'd been caught by the visitor and simply stared straight at him.
Yet another distraction, he thought, and a beautiful one at that.
"I am here at the request of Queen Jamilla of Theed, who wishes to continue the peace treaty which was established between the Mer and the Naboo one-hundred years ago. Though not only continue, but to improve it, for the benefit of both Mer and Naboo."
The Mer ruler leaned toward the male who had escorted him in, which Obi-Wan assumed was an advisor before she made any reply. Once again, a voice filled his head.
"We have no interest in continuing any sort of treaty with the humans. They cannot be trusted. They were the ones who crossed our borders! They were the ones who broke the treaty and continue to deny any wrongdoing! They are a murderous lot and we want nothing to do with them! As far as the Mer are concerned, we are at war with the Naboo."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Obi-Wan replied calmly. "If that's the case, then my time here is done. Thank you for seeing me."
The young Knight twisted his body to swim out of the theater, only to be stopped by two crossed spears clashing before him and the call of Kailana herself.
"Jedi! You are nothing like we presumed. It's been many years since one such as yourself was presented in this court. You may speak your peace."
Very well. Obi-Wan grasped the rod that was sticking up from the stone, assuming it to be for dirt-bound people such as himself to steady his body and he stood before the Queen, unmoving.
"Treaty protocol dictates the two kingdoms meet face to face at a central and secure location of the negotiator's choosing. Seeing the other participants are oxygen breathers, they will remain in a submergible. This shall accommodate both parties. I choose the Palace Lagoon at midday tomorrow for the time. Is this arrangement acceptable?"
Once again, Kailana leaned over to speak privately with her advisor, a lanky, spindly Mer with silver scales who appeared to be of advanced age.
"Your recommendation is sufficient."
Not a very complimentary way to put it, but at least he was starting to get somewhere.
"I shall return to the surface and will see you midday tomorrow then."
After a bow, the Jedi was again escorted to the palace gates and he swam his way back to the surface alone where the royal barge was still waiting for him. The sun had begun to dip low on the horizon, but at least he didn't have to swim to shore. His muscles were already complaining and all he could think about was getting the damn gills off him to breathe fresh air again, but it was all he could do to pull himself up out of the water and onto the deck.
"How did it go?" Sabé was quick to ask him before he'd even had a chance to dry himself off.
"She agreed to meet in the lagoon tomorrow."
"Really?"
The handmaiden appeared quite surprised, which caused the young knight to smile. Everyone he'd met so far had underestimated him. Tomorrow, he would make sure to correct that misconception.