Sharkania, the home of the shark-like sea people, was situated on an extensive volcanically highly active area. Most of the dwellings and also the public buildings consisted largely of solidified lava constellations. Everywhere one could make out the glowing, viscous rock in crevices, cracks or deeper trenches. The seat of Emperor Sharga's government was located on a huge underwater volcano, with lava flows running continuously down its cone. The red glow lent the city something eerie and threatening. Its inhabitants, who almost always carried a weapon, also seemed threatening. This was as much a part of everyday dress here in Sharkania as fin ornaments were elsewhere. The shark-merpeople, however, were also masters in using their accessories, should this be necessary in their eyes. The fact that they had a low inhibition threshold was known to everyone in the seven seas and had earned them part of their bad reputation. In addition, they were by far the people with the most battles and wars to their credit. All the experience they had gained had quickly paid off. The Sharkanians were not someone to be trifled with lightly. Nevertheless, they had grown tired of their extraordinarily bad reputation for some time and had tried to take a more peaceful course and thus form alliances with the other kingdoms. Emperor Sharga had sent his envoys to each of the kingdoms, which was already an enormous step, as he had usually only received the ambassadors of the others and only on good days. For a long time, the emperor had not cared about the other kingdoms. For him, they had always been nothing more than stored treasure chests that needed to be returned to his possession. The Sharkanians believed that it was they who decided the outcome of any war. If they were prepared to stand by someone, he would win. If they thought they would not interfere, the whole thing seemed doomed from the start. This had been the case for many years. But in recent years, more and more new threats had emerged. Threats where even the Sharkanians had to admit to themselves that they would not get anywhere on their own. For example, they had also had to contend with Ursula's intrigues, who had been able to wrap many of the more impulsive Sharkanians around her tentacles with her double-edged treaties. The decisive factor, however, had been more and more the rising fear in Emperor Sharga that his glorious empire would one day be exposed to a concentrated attack by the united six royal houses under the sea. There were always enough signs that the other rulers would finally get rid of the stingray in their eye as soon as the time was right. So the proud but by no means stupid emperor had finally decided to sign peace treaties and urged his subjects to behave more peacefully towards the others, even if he was aware that this would be difficult for everyone, including himself.
And indeed, many found it difficult, but there were some, mostly younger Sharkanians, who had almost no problems with this image-polishing. One of them was Andrina's fiancé, Caleb. He simply took the whole situation with humour. After all, they had the perfect starting position. At the moment, none of the others would dare to make a move against Sharkania. So what was there to be afraid of? That they would make a laughing stock of themselves? Certainly not. After all, the Sharkanians did not lose their experience and skill just because they behaved a little more peacefully. Those who made fun of them would still regret it sooner or later. In one way or another. That the kingdoms were still afraid of them had become all too clear when it came to signing the peace treaties. Atlantica alone had shown enough courage and sent an envoy to their kingdom. Caleb still admired the little crab's courage when he thought back to how Triton's advisor had stepped before his emperor with a proudly swollen chest. Surely they had all seen his fear, but his respect for the tiny crustacean was all the greater. After his red-haired companion mermaid had agreed with him, he was a changed man and had literally talked the Emperor into the ground, whereas the Emperor had already agreed after the first few sentences. It was clear that the emperor had only agreed so quickly because they had planned an ambush from the outset. At that time, none of them had known that the mermaid in Court Marshal Sebastian's company had been one of the princesses herself. Which, in retrospect, had probably been better for all parties. Had they also dared to take one of Triton's daughters hostage at that time and use her as leverage against him, the peace negotiations would probably have become considerably more difficult after their last guileful manoeuvre against Atlantica.
"Caleb, stop dreaming and swim here to give us a hand!" a friend's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He quickly tightened his grip on his spear and hurried to his side. The four of them had set their minds on killing a very special prey animal today and then celebrating Andrina's homecoming with it on a grand scale. They had travelled a long distance to reach the habitat of the prey they were looking for. After several hours, they finally got lucky. Lying in wait, they now timed their approach to the right moment. They had chosen an impressive saltwater crocodile. Experienced hunters as the Sharkanians were, they had surrounded their unsuspecting prey. Meanwhile, Caleb and his friends communicated only with small signs that had been rehearsed over the years. Each of their weapons had a number of small bones and teeth tied to ribbons. Hunting trophies that instantly showed everyone else in the realm what excellent hunters each of the four was. When the perfect time came, two of Caleb's friends shot off and threw their ropes around the large mouth with its many sharp teeth. The strong animal pulled them both along behind him almost effortlessly. But they did not let go of the ends of its bonds. Caleb himself set on, aimed for a moment at the perfect spot between the powerful armour and threw his spear. As so often, he hit the bull's-eye. Streaks of blood instantly rippled through the water and the crocodile let out a painful hiss. It tried in vain to get rid of the spear that had drilled deep into the underside of its throat with jerky movements. However, this only caused the barbs to drive themselves further into the flesh. In its death throes, it finally tried to swim away again. In doing so, however, it moved straight towards the fourth in the group, who gave it another thrust with a dagger. Driven by pain and desperation, the inguinal crocodile itself went on the attack. Deprived of its most powerful weapon by the ropes tied tightly around its mouth, it used its body to counter-attack. Faster than the other two could have reacted, the animal whirled around and flung the Sharkanian just ahead of it into higher water with its tail made of pure muscle.
The impact drove the air from Caleb's cronies' chests and a stifled groan reached the friends' ears.
The two mermen, who until just now had thought they had the crocodile in check, let go of the ropes and immediately came to their friend's aid. Meanwhile, Caleb nimbly grabbed the lost weapon and kept the animal away from the others. His spear was low and very well positioned. They would not have to take any more risks. Just a little more waiting and the prey would be bagged.
"Are you all right?" he called out to the others, not taking his eyes off the lurking crocodile.
"Yeah, just a few scrapes. Probably not even a scar to show off!" he got the reply and couldn't help grinning.
"A few more scars and you'll be one big patchwork quilt. Didn't know the women were into fin kickers," he joked after he could be sure everything was in the green.
As he had expected, after a few more minutes the big animal stopped moving. But he didn't want to underestimate it a second time and told the others to wait a little longer.
When that time had also passed, he set about retrieving his spear. Three claws and a large fang were removed from the carcass with the help of his friend's spear. Satisfied, he handed one of the claws to each of them. Jubilantly they attached their latest trophy to their weapons.
"Here, you've earned this today," Caleb said and handed the large tooth to the injured man.
"No, I can't assume that, you threw the spear so well. You killed it. The honour is yours," the latter refused.
"Come on, if not the scar, at least the tooth," Caleb persisted.
The other thought back and forth for a moment and finally took the fang. The four of them then set about preparing the crocodile for the journey home. Again, the two proved their skills by tying knots and lashing the hunted prey. So it wasn't long before each of the four could grab an end of the rope to comfortably ferry the animal back to Sharkania.
"Well, your fiancée will be in for a surprise. I'm sure she hasn't tasted such a delicacy in her homeland," one of his friends began.
"Certainly not," Caleb agreed, already imagining in his mind how she would react to the new taste experience.
The mangrove landscape gradually turned more and more into the familiar dark lava world the four called home.
Once they arrived, they immediately delivered the animal to a cook, after which they parted ways for the time being. Later, however, they would meet again at the banquet.
Caleb headed for his cave without any further detours. He had expected Andrina to rest a little after the journey. So it surprised him to see her not asleep, but swimming around like a cleaning fish.
"Why didn't you lie down for a while first? I could have done that," he greeted her and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek as she swam past.
"I tried, but I couldn't keep still without thinking about that fool. You should have heard him, Caleb. How can so much bullshit bubble out of an adult merman, a king," Andrina explained her unease.
"Come here," Caleb invited her with outstretched arms and a smile on his lips.
Andrina was only too happy to comply and let him take her in his arms. She was a strong mermaid and knew how to make her point. She had never minced her words and always said freely what she thought and felt. Caleb was no different. So she had the feeling that she could always remain herself in his presence. How often had they thrown unpleasant truths straight at each other and swallowed them because they knew that the other only said what had to be said, but most others didn't dare. She was sure if Caleb had been there to back her up, she wouldn't have let her sisters shut her up and Augustus wouldn't have just got away with his completely twisted views without comment.
Caleb breathed another kiss on the top of her head and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered leaning against his muscular chest.
"If you need to let it out, tell me. Then we can bitch about this plankton brain together. Maybe that will make you feel better. After all, we want you to enjoy your welcome party to the fullest afterwards," he suggested.
"That's a good idea. Wait let me think where to start. The guy was spouting so much manatee crap that it could have filled an entire room, believe me," Andrina immediately started to talk about her experiences in Atlantica and immediately felt a weight lifted from her heart.
Caleb relaxed on a nearby chaise longue and listened to his fiancée's outbursts. Every now and then he would make short comments or crack a joke that would make them both burst out laughing. For the most part, however, he let Andrina deliver her tale in great detail and simply watched her gesticulate wildly and swim from one side of the cave to the other.
"The way he then went on about the Sharkanians, I really couldn't keep it together. Attina was probably quick to shut me up before I would have stabbed father in the back with it. We had to get rid of the guy and this was the quickest way. I really haven't seen anything so narrow-minded and absolutely stupid," she let her pent-up anger and blasphemy run free.
"What do we expect from an Olympian like him? Orpheus left out of it, of course, but he's Atlantican through and through for me anyway," Caleb interjected, grinning as Andrina, further fuelled by this, made the next unflattering remarks about the ruler of the Aegean.
"Orpheus is lucky that he seems to take after his mother. But I still feel sorry for him. It must have been terrible to grow up with such a father. I hope Ares hasn't inherited anything from that dull-witted slob. That would be a disaster!" mused the Atlantean princess.
"That is to be hoped for, yes. But surely one must be under the influence of certain bad waters to develop such brain defects. I'm sure Ares is immune to that," Caleb added his two pearly shells. Andrina laughed at the notion but then became serious as her thoughts lingered on her nephew.
"Oh, speaking of Ares. There's something I should tell you before the party starts. Surely Emperor Sharga will be present when his Grand Duke's son invites to the table?" she asked before getting to the topic at hand.
"Of course. It would be a faux pas of the highest order if I did not invite him to such a festivity. Why do you ask?" he assured her.
"Well, I would have to discuss something with him. But I know he's so reluctant to hold audiences, so I'm hoping he'll give me a quick earful at the celebration," Andrina explained.
"And if not, we'll just tell my father and he can tell Sharga," Caleb said lightly, shrugging his shoulders. He didn't see the problem.
"I'd rather talk it over with him in person. Caleb, I really like your father and I'm also sure he wouldn't tell anyone on purpose. But he's quite the chatterbox," she immediately took the wind out of his alternative's sails.
"I guess you're right," Caleb laughed defeatedly, grabbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Are you going to tell me, or do I have to play finman without knowing what it's all about?" he asked curiously.
"Ares, has been badly injured and will probably never be able to swim as well as he used to. We need to make sure that this information doesn't tempt Sharga into attacking Atlantica, believing my birthplace is vulnerable. It's going to be a touchy subject, after all, that's exactly what's happening now. We must somehow convince him that it is best for all if Sharkania stands by Atlantica in this difficult time. Also, my father is planning a large-scale search for the sea witch Morgana. She has threatened Ariel and Melody," Andrina explained Atlantica's awkward situation.
Caleb stared at her, stunned. It took him a little while to process all this bad news. Then he took a deep breath to sort out his thoughts.
"That's quite a mouthful. I'm not sure if we should really bring it up with the Emperor about Ares," Caleb voiced his concerns.
"Yes I know, but won't it cause more problems if he doesn't find out until later. Right now my father is on the throne. Sharga doesn't dare take military action against him," Andrina argued.
"That's exactly the problem, I'm afraid. The sooner he knows about it, the more time he has to plan an attack for the time when Atlantica will be even more vulnerable than it already is. The day the throne passes to your nephew. Are you really sure this is a risk worth taking?" he asked anxiously.
"It is what it is. Sharga will find out one way or another anyway. Such information cannot be kept secret for long. Then isn't it better that he learns it right away and from someone who is well-disposed towards Atlantica? You yourself are always talking about how much the Emperor has changed since the whole thing with the peace treaties. Do you really think he's going to throw it all away now?" she asked for his approval.
"I can't tell you, but I'm not comfortable with this at all," he admitted.
"Be honest, Caleb. If you say I'd better not tell him, then I won't. I trust you and your judgment," she assured her fiancé.
"You should go for it. I'm swimming behind you no matter what!" he decided after another pause for thought.
"You're the best!" she said, beaming with joy, and threw herself into his strong arms again.
Relieved to have got the biggest worries off her chest, she let herself sink down next to her fiancé and finally allowed herself a well-deserved and much-needed little nap together with him. After all, they could finish the rest of the preparations for the celebration together later. After all, they could do everything if they stuck together and had each other's backs.