~Fathom
Fathom had received Darkstalker's letter the day before the search party returned. He didn't have time to read it until after the search party announced their findings.
As Fathom read the letter, the things he had to do piled into his head. He had been busy helping Pearl the best he could after their conversation a few nights before. As Fathom finished, Pearl came into his room.
"I know you'd like to leave soon," she began, "But I'd like it if you could stay for just one more day? You've been a huge help."
"Pearl, I just got a letter from Darkstalker." Fathom said, looking at his sister. "He said that there's several things that are going to happen soon."
"What kind of things?" Pearl asked. She walked over to read the letter. Fathom rolled it back up so then she couldn't see it.
"Attacks. Bribes. That sort of thing." Fathom tried to reply casually. It came out more fearful though. "Darkstalker said that it'll be best to move to the Deep Palace, just in case."
"Oh dear. That sounds bad." Pearl said. "I should start gathering my things. You should, too, Fathom. We can go down to the Deep Palace, and then try to counteract their attacks. You've been so helpful—can you stay for a bit longer?"
"I can try." Fathom said. I can't make any promises though, he thought.
"Whose going to attack?" Pearl asked. "Did your friend say? Maybe why they're going to attack?" She started walking outside of Fathom's room, so he followed her.
"NightWings are going to come first. To talk." Fathom replied.
"Shouldn't we stay in the Summer Palace, then?" Pearl said.
"They're going to try to spread lies and rumors, according to Darkstalker." Fathom said. Lies and rumors that are true, his mind whispered. He pushed the thought down. "After they leave, they'll attack. The IceWings will also start their own attack. Darkstalker said that the NightWings and IceWings will either kill each other, or band together. He didn't say if there was a chance they would find the Summer Palace, though, just that we should go to the Deep Palace."
"That makes sense, I suppose." Pearl replied. She entered her room. "Can you help me gather some of the jewels I brought? I know you have your own things, but I think there's a bag somewhere you can carry them in."
"Thank you." Fathom said. He started picking up necklaces and bracelets, and sat them in the case that Pearl had brought out. He saw one that looked like the one she wore the day of the massacre—it could very well be the same one. Carefully, as if Albatross would somehow come back to life when he touched it, Fathom put it into the case.
There wasn't a lot of jewelry to put away. Once they were done, Pearl handed the case to a passing servant, telling them to bring it to her room in the Deep Palace. Once the servant walked away, she brought out a bag that Fathom knew had been bought by a RainWing sales-dragon. Pearl handed the bag to Fathom.
"For your little wooden sculptures." Pearl explained simply. "Gather your things, then we can leave at sunset. I'll tell everyone that we're going down to the Deep Palace."
Fathom nodded then started heading back to his room.
…
It was bittersweet being back in his old room in the Deep Palace. Fond memories of his dragonet-hood came back to him, coupled with the sadness knowing that he'd have to leave soon. He decided that he would leave that night.
Fathom didn't want to leave on bad terms with Pearl, disappearing without a trace, so he swam to her room. She was looking at herself in a mirror, seeing what she looked like with new jewels.
I'm sorry. Fathom said in Aquatic. He knew Pearl could see him because of the way the mirror was tilted. She looked at him.
For what? She asked.
I can't exactly say. Fathom replied.
She seemed sad and confused, but Fathom had already done what he wanted to do. It may not be the best thing to do, but it was done.
He smiled sadly as he went back to his room to grab his bag, and secured it in a position that it wouldn't slide off when he swam. He began swimming towards were he believed was the Night Kingdom. He stayed close to the shore, or at least as much as he could without getting noticed.