Chapter 3: Politics and Predators
The traveler panted as it knelt atop a dead worm, twisting its sword buried in the beast's head. Flecks of blue blood were scattered over its cloak and exposed face, the soles of its boots wet with the foul substance. The worm let loose a gurgling death rattle, its body going limp as the life left it. Off in the distance other worms fled the scene fast as their spines could take them, the humps of moving sand retreating into the desert with haste. Nearly three-dozen devil worms lay dead, their blood the first moisture the desert sands had felt in decades. Their bodies were covered with lacerations, stab wounds, and gouged holes. Some had come from the traveler's sword, the rest from other worms driven to a frenzy by the smell of blood. Several were burned to a blackened crisp, their charcoal husks releasing wisps of acrid black smoke and flurries of sparks like the corpses of dry pines after a fire. Swathes of glassed sand covered the ground around them.
The traveler's sword hissed as it pulled the blade out, the heated metal burning the worm's blood off. The traveler stepped off the dead worm, giving its sword a swing to shed the crisped blood before sheathing it. It wanted to avoid using magic if possible, but the situation became desperate when the ruckus attracted even more worms. They came like vultures to a dead ox, drawn by the prospect of meat and blood. In minutes the situation escalated beyond the traveler's normal capacity, and it was forced to escalate in turn.
A grim stroke of luck had been the voracious hunger of the worms themselves. The moment one was injured the others would turn on it, unwilling to pass up wounded prey. A well-placed slash or stab could quickly turn a worm into a target for its fellows, and they set upon their wounded kin like piranhas in a feeding frenzy.
The traveler walked back to its pack. It looked it over for any new damage the worms might have caused. Finding none, it pulled its shemagh away. Holding the image of the pack in its mind, it placed its hand over the tear.
"Diffingo."
A flicker of light emitted from beneath the traveler's shirt. Then a white flame consumed the pack, its weak light flickering in the traveler's goggles. Then it disappeared as abruptly as it had come, revealing the pack without a scratch on it.
The traveler tied its shemagh back on, once more obscuring its head and face. Slinging on the pack it set off at a brisk pace to the west, the winds of the Devil's Steppe consuming its footprints and carnage as it went. The only traces were the black smoke rising into the sky.
Dressed in his spotless white naval uniform with small sword at his side, Eric walked down the long hallway to the dining hall. The gold buttons shone as he passed through the light from the windows, sending flecks of light racing over the walls before disappearing. At his side was Grimsby. The advisor looked the picture of refined professionalism as he kept in stride with Eric, a single roll of parchment in his hand.
A waft of drowsiness pulled a yawn from Eric. The tea had yet to bring him to full alertness, despite his suspicion that Louis had used something akin to lamp oil to brew it. It was some of the strongest tea he ever tasted, but it not strong enough to remove sleep's hold completely.
"Are you alright, sire?" asked Grimsby, noting Eric's drowsiness
Eric nodded. "Just tired."
"Understandable, your majesty. It was a long night for everyone."
Several more steps and they were at the double doors of the dining hall. A pair of guards saluted smartly before opening the doors to the same hall Eric and Ariel had first eaten in. The giant windows let in the morning light and afforded a majestic view of the sea. Eric stared out to the waters, a part of him hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar black hair of his daughter.
This place rarely failed to bring a moment of nostalgia for Eric. Memories of Ariel as a voiceless teenager supposedly washed up from a shipwreck, and he a love-struck prince at the cusp of adulthood bent on finding the woman who had rescued him. To think the girl he was searching for had been sitting right next to him. Thousands of meals with Ariel and Melody had passed in the twenty years since that day, yet it still felt remarkably recent to him. How did time pass so quickly?
Today, however, the long table had been removed. A single round oak table and four chairs stood in its place. An inkwell and set of quills were set before each seat, and a guard was stationed in each corner of the hall. This was now a place of business rather than leisure.
The side door to the hall opened with a heavy wooden thud. "Eric!"
It would be quite accurate to call the man who walked in plump, for his large belly protruded well over his belt. His maroon tunic and leggings and brown belt strained to contain him, as though he had been packed into his clothes instead of dressed in them. A white regal cloak draped down from his shoulders to his ankles, accenting the bushy silver and red beard and eyebrows of his face. The top of his balding head was faintly visible through the points of his gold crown.
King Benjamin II of Glowerhaven, or Ben as he preferred to be called, was a longtime friend of Eric's parents. He was practically family to Eric, which made him the immediate choice for Melody's godfather. He and Eric's father had cooperatively strengthened and maintained an alliance of kingdoms that had existed long before Eric's time, and promised to continue long after the late king's passing. His jolly personality, generous nature, and love of children earned him the title of "Good King Ben." It was always a safe bet he would make an appearance dressed as Father Christmas at least once when the winter season rolled around. He was practically a clone of the holiday figure.
Eric quickly strode over, clapping hands with the man. "Ben! Good to see you again!"
"You as well, lad!" He pulled Eric into such a strong hug that the young king felt his back pop several times. "Is Ariel with you?"
"She's–oof!–attending to other matters," wheezed Eric as Ben released him.
"A shame. Ah well, I'm sure there will be time to visit once we've seen to business!" he said, brown eyes twinkling with a childish energy as he flattened out the creases he created in Eric's uniform. "Tell me, how is Melody these days?"
"Yes, how is the princess?" came a thin voice.
The hairs on Eric's neck stood up. It was his normal reaction to the presence of the man that now entered the room.
If Ben was a stand in for Father Christmas, then King Willard of Strihaven was destined to fill the role of the Krampus. He was wispy and thin, his clothes hanging on his frame like a sheet draped over a pole. A dark blue regal cloak with a brown fur hem hung from his shoulders, the end barely skimming the floor. The cloak looked heavy on him, as though his body might collapse under the weight of the fabric. His pale face was shaped like a hawk, eerily large blue eyes ceaselessly scrutinizing over his hooked nose and thin lips. The golden pronged crown on his head seemed inappropriately large, his silver and black hair sticking out from underneath the rim. There was a gloom hanging about him, as though he were too slippery for the light of day to strike him.
"Melody is doing well, Willard. Nice of you to join us today," said Eric, offering his hand. Neither of those statements was entirely truthful.
Willard eyed Eric's hand as though expecting it to do something unnatural, and then took it in a vice-like grip. His hand was as cold as his eyes. "Likewise."
Eric resisted the urge to scowl. He was not fond of Willard, nor was many a person for that matter. There was something unpleasant about the man, though he could never definitively identify what that feature was. He was an extremely shrewd and logical king, treating politics and people like pieces on a chessboard. His membership in the Alliance was rocky at best because of his history of putting himself before anyone else, including his own people on occasion. "The Fox King" was a well-earned if carefully whispered nickname.
Ben peered over Willard's shoulder to the door. "Where is Gerrod? Has he not arrived yet?"
"No cause for worry, old friend," came a deep voice.
The double doors opened once more. In walked a giant of a man in a forest green tunic and bright yellow pants. He stood a full head and neck over the three men. His arms were as big around as a normal man's thigh and his footsteps echoed in the hall like falling trees. His powerful chest and shoulders were clearly discernible under his clothes. Long dishwater blonde hair was as unkempt as his beard, as though he had brushed it for the first time that year. Striking green eyes peered down at the three kings from beneath bushy eyebrows, a golden signet encircling his head.
His imposing size was one of three reasons King Gerrod of Vorhaven was known as "The Mountain King." The second was that his kingdom was located in the heart of the Emerald Woods to the north and extended well into the White Iron Mountains. The third was his stubborn but fair nature strengthened by his iron will.
"Gerrod!" said Benjamin, walking over to the gigantic king. "I see you have not shrunk since we last met!"
"Neither has your waistline!" said Gerrod, his giant hand enveloping the jolly king's in a firm handshake.
Ben laughed good-naturedly at the jab. "Touché, my friend! Touché!"
The moment was broken by a sharp cough from Willard. "Everyone is present and accounted for. Let's get this meeting started then."
Eric motioned to the table. "Yes. Please be seated."
The kings moved to their respective chairs, setting their crowns on the table as was tradition before taking their seats. Eric had no crown to set, using his sword as a replacement.
"To business, then," said Eric. "I've read the reports from your kingdoms, and I will assume you've read mine. However, I want to hear directly from each of you, including any new developments."
"It's as I wrote," said Willard flatly, sounding peeved by the request as though he were wasting his time. "There's been an increase in pirate activity and incidents of slave traders attempting to move their wares through my streets. Some ships have gone missing, as well as some of our more lawless citizens. Still, nothing Strihaven can't handle. I've mobilized our soldiers as necessary. We anticipate a resolution to the matter shortly."
"The situation is not so manageable for us," said Benjamin, his voice now holding none of its former frivolity. "Twenty ships went missing at sea in the last year alone. Six coastal towns and two inland ones were found completely abandoned or ransacked. There are reports of sea monsters in our waters now. We recently found a beached wreck of one of the trade ships."
"How long ago?" asked Eric.
"Just this past week."
"Do you suspect pirates?"
Ben shook his head. "I doubt it. The damage is unique to say the least. As though the ship was crushed. I'm being swamped with requests from trade companies and towns for naval escorts and troops for protection. People are getting scared."
"Vorhaven's troubles are no less," said Gerrod. "Thieves and raiders are robbing our trade routes blind. Mining towns and logging camps are being destroyed. Smugglers and slavers are using our forests as hide outs. My cavalry patrols have captured three slaver caravans in the past month alone. Who knows how many they managed to sell off before..."
"Were you able to track down any of the victims?" asked Eric. Gerrod's response was a sad shake of his head. He then sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Eric now noticed the dark circles hanging under the giant king's eyes. He wondered if he suffered nightmares of his own for his inability to protect his people.
The room fell into silence as the information settled. Eric knew there were strange things going on both above and below the sea, but until now he had no idea the spread was so far or frequent. These sorts of happenings were not unheard of, but they were exceedingly rare these days. The last time someone raided a town in Seahaven was before Eric was even born. Slavery was forbidden since the time of his great-grandfather. The last slaver was captured when his grandfather was a child. These revelations only added to Eric's worry. It felt as though the very peace and prosperity their alliance was founded on was starting to crack.
What was happening to their world?
"Anything else?" asked Willard. It was closer to a demand than a request.
Gerrod kept his silence for a moment. Then he leaned forward, hands clasped for him to rest his chin. "There is one thing. Before I left Vorhaven, a report arrived from a patrol at one of our gem mines in the White Iron Mountains. The miners are refusing to work until soldiers are stationed there permanently. They claim there's… something in the forest."
"What kind of something?" asked Eric.
"A great beast. Tall as three men with fur like snow and glowing green eyes. They said it has been roaming the woods at night. All they catch are glimpses of the creature, but they never find any trace of it. No tracks, no hair, nor a scent any hound is willing or able to follow. It howls at night in the mountains, yet it sounds like nothing natural in those lands. They say the forest obeys it completely."
"Superstitious nonsense of simple people," scoffed Willard, dismissing Gerrod with a wave. "Those mountains are already mysterious enough without rumors of some large pale animal stalking the woods. It was probably an albino bear or some other beast. Staying too long in the forest does things to the mind. That and an indulgence in Vorhaven mead."
Gerrod scowled at Willard. "My people can be a tad rural, sir, but they are not simpletons ruled by superstition or the tap. And they do not mistake mountain salamanders for dragon whelps or dire wolves for werewolves."
Willard snorted. "Dire wolves? Surely you jest! Those mongrels have been extinct for decades!"
"In your kingdom, perhaps," continued Gerrod. "If they say this creature is not a bear or wolf then you can be sure it is not."
"Then what is it?"
The mountain king continued to scowl at Willard, clearly searching for an answer. The lingering silence told them he had none.
"Eric, what about events in your kingdom?" interrupted Ben, trying to diplomatically change the subject.
"We've had similar happenings," answered Eric. "A fishing town in the south was abandoned two months ago. We haven't found anything to indicate where they went. Five families were stolen from another town four weeks ago. We still have no leads on them or their kidnappers."
"Bastards," muttered Ben under his breath.
"As for the ocean," continued Eric, "In the last twelve months there have been ten pirate attacks along our borders and ten ships have gone missing. Before these attacks there hadn't been a pirate raid or ship lost in Seahaven for almost twenty years. Because of that we reduced spending on our military. My advisors are currently debating a way to return our navy and army to their former strength so we can deal with these threats. Two of the largest trading companies we deal with have notified us they will stop sending ships to our ports if the problems persist any further."
"If you're having so much trouble then go ask your father-in-law for protection," sneered Willard. "Or is the merman not meddling in the affairs of his other family anymore?"
Eric resisted the urge to sigh in exasperation. He should have known Willard would bring this topic to the table. Just as he did again and again over the past twenty years. Shortly after Eric and Ariel were married, Triton signed a treaty that brought Atlantica into the Alliance. Part of the treaty's terms was trading part of each coastal kingdom's most productive fishing grounds for a greater area of water that, although further away, was no less productive and tamer to sail. The treaty also limited the species of fish that could be harvested. In return, the merfolk would ensure the safety of all ships traveling within Alliance waters, and the return of any flotsam or jetsam to their respective kingdoms. Willard had grudgingly signed in order to avoid conflict with the other Alliance members, all of whom favored the treaty. Since then he made his unfavorable opinion of Triton and Atlantica known to all. Ships from Strihaven had been found poaching in the merfolk's waters multiple times, and Willard made meager efforts to stop them from doing so. Suffice to say, he was not well liked by the merfolk or Triton.
This made the relationship between Eric and Willard especially strained because of Ariel. In his mind the little mermaid was the root of his problems. He had an equally coveting eye towards her as well, as though she were a sort of jewel (which might explain why his last wife had run away with one of his knights). Willard was also suspiciously supportive of Melody's relationship with his only son, Prince William. Eric liked the young man and felt he would be a good match for Melody, but he never pressured her on the matter. He and Ariel let their hearts decide whom they would marry, and he would ensure Melody had the same right regardless of whom she chose. Willard, on the other hand, had a more political interest in their suspected affections.
"Atlantica is dealing with its own problems right now," said Eric. "Which is why Triton is not here to tell you himself."
"And don't forget, Willard, that the treaty clearly states he is not to intervene in human affairs unless it directly pertains to the welfare of his kingdom and the Alliance," added Gerrod.
"And what if it pertains to his bloodline?" muttered Willard, intentionally loud enough to be heard by everyone.
Eric narrowed his eyes, not deaf to the accusing timbre in Willard's voice. "Are you implying that Triton grants favors to us because of my family?"
"That's exactly what I am implying!" snapped Willard, a spiteful spark smoldering in his eyes as he leaned forward. "You expect me to believe it's mere coincidence you've lost the fewest ships out of all of us? Or that Triton knows nothing about what's happening out there when his kingdom is the ocean itself? According to my sources, he knows more than he lets on and does less than he's able to! He may even be involved in this mess!"
"Then you've been sorely misinformed!" retorted Eric sharply. "Triton has been more than open with us about the ongoing troubles in Atlantica! Right now his men are still searching the ocean for all our missing ships! And as for the number of ships we've lost, it's coincidence and nothing more. You have my sympathies for your losses, but our ships had no more or less protection from Triton or the merfolk than everyone else at this table."
Eric paused for a deep breath, calming his temper before he continued. "However, if this continues then asking for Triton's assistance may be our only option."
"And I'm sure he'll be glad to offer it to you," said Willard.
"I'm hoping to avoid that," said Eric. "That's one of the reasons I called for this meeting. I have a proposal to put forth." He motioned to Grimsby, who had been standing quietly at the door all the while. He briskly walked over and presented Eric with the rolled parchment. "As I said, our military was scaled down over the last twenty years because of how peaceful it's been. We'll be ill equipped to protect the kingdom if these attacks and disappearances continue. We'll lose more trade, more ships, and with them more people."
"What do you propose?" asked Ben.
Eric unfurled the parchment, holding it up for the kings to see. "What I have here is a contract. As you know, Seahaven is in an optimal position for access to the fishing grounds. We also have a strong trade in pearls, jewels, and coral with the merpeople. They consider them of much less worth than humans do."
He looked to Benjamin and Willard. "In exchange for naval aid from Strihaven and Glowerhaven, Seahaven will allow your fishing fleets access through our ports to the fishing grounds without levies. We will also encourage the merfolk to increase their trade with you, as well as increase their military presence in those waters to protect your ships."
He now turned to Gerrod. "For Vorhaven, we would concede sixty thousand acres of forested land and begin construction of new roads and restoration of existing ones between our kingdoms. The new roads would bolster trade for both of us and be patrolled regularly. In exchange we ask for timber, construction supplies, workers, and temporary military aid."
Eric now addressed the table as a whole. "This would provide us with the protection and materials needed to rebuild our military strength while protecting our trade routes, as well as shorten the time it will take us to accomplish this. After the fleet has been established and our troops trained, you would have your ships and men returned to you. I anticipate we could reach our goals by spring. Naturally, you retain all the privileges granted in this contract."
Ben held out his hand. "If you please."
Eric handed him the contract. Ben's eyes darted left to right, carefully scrutinizing every line of text. For a long minute no one said anything as he read.
"Your terms are quite agreeable, and your offer is generous," said Ben. He took the quill from his inkwell and scribbled an eloquent signature onto the bottom of the page. He gave it a few blows to dry the ink before handing the document to Gerrod. "I've been wanting to bolster our relations with the merfolk for some time now. They are a truly fascinating people. Tell me, what sort of things would they trade for?"
"A variety of things," said Eric. "Telescopes, music boxes, dining utensils, mirrors, and tools to name a few. They also love written music. A composition or musical score is very valuable to them. Ariel would be able to tell you more."
"I agree with Ben," said Gerrod as he signed before passing the paper to Willard. "I believe this will be beneficial for all our kingdoms in the long run. Tell me, are the merfolk fond of woodwork or silver?"
"Uh…not particularly, I'm afraid," confessed Eric. "The shipworms tends to make quick work of wood, and silver appears to disintegrate in seawater after a while. Something to do with the salt."
Gerrod scratched his beard in puzzlement, wondering what would cause silver to corrode in the ocean. All eyes turned to Willard, who was still reading the details of the contract. It was impossible to read the man's face for any sign of agreement or protest. A clam had a worse poker face. After several tense minutes Willard set the paper down.
"The terms are indeed beneficial to the Alliance," he said, but Eric could sense a calculated reservation in his voice. It was confirmed when Willard folded his arms. "However, you all know that my kingdom's relationship with the merfolk is strained because of some of our citizens' disobedience to the treaty. We are only just on speaking terms with them right now. I can't imagine they would be as eager to trade with Strihaven as with the rest of you. Also, lending so many ships and troops for such a period of time would weaken our own defenses. I see no benefit in weakening my kingdom to protect yours. Therefore, your terms place me in a less favorable position compared to the rest of you."
Eric gripped the arms of his chair a little tighter. He knew there was more to this than economic and political grievances. Willard was setting up for something. He was trying to get Eric to play chess with him. And he knew from experience Willard was an excellent chess player.
"That being said," continued Willard, "I may be inclined to sign the contract and then some…provided I am given the proper incentive."
The corners of Willard's mouth curled in an almost imperceptible grin, making Eric nervous. He knew that look well enough to know Willard just made the first move. Now he was waiting for Eric to take his turn so he could counter.
"And what 'incentive' would that be?" asked Eric.
"Despite what I'm sure the merfolk think of me, I am very interested in improving our relationship with them. We may be able to accomplish this by improving the relationship between our children in a more…matrimonial sense. Say, before autumn's end?"
Any drowsiness the tea had not driven out of Eric was immediately banished. His jaw clenched so tight it made his teeth ache, and he slipped his hands under the table so as not to reveal the angry tremble. Ben and Gerrod sensed the change in Eric's mood and scowled at Willard, knowing he was deliberately stepping on Eric's toes.
"If you are suggesting arranging a marriage between our children as the price for your assistance," said Eric, forcing himself to keep an even tone. "Then I suggest you drop that paper and this subject right now."
Willard shrugged nonchalantly. "I fail to see what has you so flustered, Eric. Your daughter and my son's relationship may not be official, but it's no secret they're fond of each other. We've both seen the way they look at each other. Should we really be so surprised? They've known each other seven years now. Perhaps a push towards the chapel is just what they need? They admit their feelings, the mistrust between Strihaven and the merfolk disappears, and you and your wife will one day have a legitimate male heir to–."
All of the kings jumped as Eric shot to his feet, knocking his chair back with a loud clatter. His face flushed and his fists clenched hard as rocks. He was resisting the urge to lunge across the table and punch Willard's oversized nose. Willard shrank back in his chair, alarmed by Eric's outburst.
"You listen to me, Willard, and you listen closely!" said Eric, his voice as edged as a sword. "I don't care what your reasoning is, and I don't care what you have to offer! I will not have my daughter used as a bargaining chip by you or anyone else, or have her right to the throne questioned! Where she and William go with their relationship is their decision! Not mine, not yours, nor anyone else's!"
He leaned even further toward Willard, making the king press further into his chair. "If you ever dare imply that my daughter is not suited for the throne because she's a woman, or attempt to use her for your interests again, I will end any and all relations between our kingdoms! And I am sure Triton would follow our lead if he ever caught wind of what you just said! That, and your secret orders to your fishermen to bring you any mermaids if they catch one!"
Ben's head whipped to Willard so fast his crown spun. "You what!?"
"The treaty is absolute on that matter!" declared Garrod, pounding his fist on the table. "Any merfolk caught by humans or found in their possession are to be returned immediately!"
"And that's the orders I have always given them!" said Willard, thought the slight paling of his face said otherwise. "I don't know what this boy's on about!"
"I'm sure you don't," said Eric. "But you do know that one word from this 'boy'to Triton and you won't be able to put so much as a toe in the sea, much less have any relations with the merfolk! I can't imagine he'll take kindly to you trying to play matchmaker with one of his granddaughters either! So…"
Eric straightened up and pulled the creases out of his jacket, folding his hands behind his back as the picture of calm control. Quite a shift from his barely contained anger moments before. "Will you sign the contract, or won't you?"
It was not a question. It was a threat, letting Willard know he had no leverage here. He made his counter and Eric had countered back and put him in check. He had the upper hand in this situation, and he would not yield the high ground.
Willard glared at Eric, his face now turning an unnatural shade of red. This was not only infuriating but also embarrassing. He was almost thirty years Eric's senior, yet here he was cowering before him. His temper was so close to boiling over his nails were digging scratches into the arm of his chair. He looked as though he might snatch Eric's sword and skewer him, and the guards started reaching for their weapons in case he tried.
Instead Willard took the quill from his inkwell and scribbled a hasty signature onto the contract before shoving it away.
"Expect our first ship by the end of the month," spat the defeated king as he snatched his crown from the table. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
With that Willard stormed out of the room, muttering curses on Eric and Triton under his breath.
For the first time in weeks Melody felt like herself again.
The corals and fish flashed by in a blur of colors as she swam. She was weightless and without worry, relishing the freedom and movement the water allowed her. A kick of her powerful tail and she was moving faster than human legs ever could. She dove off a rocky shelf to skim across a field of seaweed, running her hands over the soft leafy tips. She felt like she was flying, a swift sea sparrow in an ocean sky.
It had been a wonderful morning. She raced Tip and Dash to a canyon filled with radiant orange anemones. Swimming through them was like gliding through a hall of candles, their tentacles gently brushing her skin and scales. Then they joined a game hide and seek at an old shipwreck with a school of fish. Melody hid in an old chest, but Tip found her. Dash had more difficulty considering that sunken ships were not ideal for concealing a two-ton walrus. The winner had been an octopus that squeezed his entire body into the barrel of a rusted cannon. Now they were racing to Shark Canyon, the source of the renowned glow shells. Melody was hoping to find a shell as an olive branch to Elaine if she came back late. She also hoped there was no foul tempered octopus like the one her mother once encountered there.
A circular stone arch appeared as she rounded a reef. Melody put on a burst of speed and threw herself into a spin. She shot through the opening like a well-aimed arrow, twisting up and orienting back towards the archway as she laughed. Tip followed after her bubbles, intending to match her feat. He shot through almost as fast as Melody did, but lacking her control went shooting past her before rolling to a stop.
"Ha! Easy as crab cakes!" he declared, chest puffed with pride despite being upside down.
Not to be outdone by his friends, Dash moved to do the same. He was less than thirty feet from the hole when Melody saw a serious flaw with his plan. "Dash, wait! That hole is too–!"
THOMP!
"...Small."
Dash hit the arch with so much momentum he forced himself halfway through before getting stuck. Now he was wedged tight, the stone encircling him like a rock tutu.
"Hold on. I think I can…" He pushed against it with all his might, but he barely even budged. "One moment. Just need a bit…hnnn…more…hnnnnnn…uh-oh."
Melody and Dash truly wanted to help, but they were laughing so hard they could barely swim.
"A little help, please?" asked Dash, holding out his flippers for them to take.
"Sure," said Melody, wiping away an unformed tear of mirth. She took her friend's flippers and pulled while Tip swam behind and started to push.
The scene of the tiny penguin and young mermaid trying to extricate a full-grown bull walrus from a stone loop was comical to say the least. Dash's blubber made it difficult for Tip to get a good plant. Melody was not having any more luck due to Dash's flippers making for poor handholds.
"When we *umph* get back *grunt* to Atlantica *oomph* you are going *huff* on a diet," panted Tip in between pushes.
"You've been eating *nnh* kelp candies again, haven't you?" asked Melody as she started to pull again.
"Only a few," confessed the walrus.
Tip gave up and slumped to the ground. "A few what? Bags?"
"Hey, at least I don't gorge on sardine snacks!"
Melody giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand. "Just wait here, Dash. I'll go find something to get you out."
"Oh, don't worry. He'll still be here," said Tip.
Melody swam off, leaving the two to argue over the amount of kelp candies and sardine snacks that would be considered healthy for a walrus versus a bird that cannot fly. Soon they were out of earshot, and Melody began searching in earnest for something that could free Dash. Varicolored corals and bunches of seaweed passed by as she swam along, the sunlight creating a reticulated pattern of dancing light over the sandy sea floor.
As she continued searching a nagging feeling grew within her. Something was off about the ocean today. Some normally overlooked detail she rarely paid heed was out of place. But what? She felt significantly better than when she woke up, albeit still a bit tired. Tip and Dash were just as funny and cumbersome as they always were, which always put her in a good mood. The corals and seaweed and rocks were no different. The water was the same pleasantly cool temperature as usual. So why did the serenity feel so wrong? It was right under her nose, like a remora gliding along beneath a shark.
Suddenly Melody realized what it was. The fish! Where were all the fish?
Melody looked around, confirming her suspicion. There was not a fish, turtle, shrimp, crab, octopus, or other undersea creature anywhere in sight. The sea was usually brimming with a variety of aquatic inhabitants as dizzying as it was dazzling. Yet today it was empty. All was silence save the rustle of the seaweed and the lulling hum of the ocean waves above.
A flash of yellow from a nearby patch of seaweed drew Melody's attention. She saw the yellow tail of a masked butterfly fish sticking out of the green plants. Wanting answers for the sudden disappearance of her underwater neighbors, she swam down to the tiny fish. "Excuse me?"
The fish abruptly spun around, as though shocked she could speak.
"Hi," said Melody, giving her friendliest smile. "Where is everyone?"
"Shhhhh!" hissed the fish. "You have to hide! It's not safe here!"
"Why? What's wrong?" whispered Melody.
The fish ignored her, looking around anxiously. Melody noticed it was trembling so violently it looked as though the little fish had the chills.
"Just hide, or it'll find you!" The fish then buried itself deeper in the seaweed.
Melody pulled back the weeds to reveal the frightened fish cowering, covering its head with its fins. "What will? What are you scared of?"
The little fish turned to look at her, eyes wide with terror. "The monster!"
Melody was about to ask what this monster was when a smell hit her nose. It was a scent she rarely experienced, and for a moment she could not place it. But to anyone who has smelled it even once, the stench of death is unmistakable. It worked its way into her senses until it blocked out all other scents. It made her nauseous, and she clapped a hand over her nose on reflex.
"Just go! Hurry!" The butterfly fish bolted for a crevice in the rocks and disappeared.
Melody lowered her hand, forcing herself to breathe through her mouth. The smell still found its way into her nose, making her skin prickle unpleasantly. What could possibly be making such an awful stench?
Reason and caution told her to return to Tip and Dash and then return to shore. But just like her mother, curiosity about the unknown told her to investigate. Cautiously she swam in the direction of the scent. It got stronger with each stroke of her tail. She fought back the urge to gag a few times as she went, determined to discover the odor's source. She swam through a patch of thick seaweed, revealing an expanse of empty white sand. Was she mistaken, or was there something resting on the ocean floor out there? Not wanting to risk going further from cover, Melody retrieved the pocket spyglass she kept in her bag. She brought it up to her eye, sliding the lenses into focus.
The object was an adult humpback whale. Or rather, half of one. Everything from its blowhole back was gone. Its jaw hung open at an unnatural angle. Its skin was unnaturally pale, decay already leeching the colors of life. Hagfish, eels, sharks, and other scavengers had already begun making a meal out of the body.
Melody stared in astounded horror. This was not the first time she found a dead whale. Once in a rare tide one washed up on the beach, carried by the currents after it died. Other times she found their skeletons at the bottom of the sea, bones picked white and clean by the scavengers and time. But she had never seen one in this condition. Nor did she know of anything in the ocean that could inflict such devastating injuries on a full-grown humpback whale.
A glint from the sandy bottom flashed in the corner of her eye. Melody lowered the instrument, seeing a second flash fifty feet in front of her. Something white and pointy was sticking out of the sand. Steeling her nerves Melody swam to the object. It looked like a piece of smooth white stone buried in the sand, its polished surface causing the glare. Melody gave a few flaps of her tail to clear away the sand. The stone was lost in the grit for a moment as the particles swirled in the water, eventually settling down.
"What the…!?" gasped Melody as she recoiled with shock.
What she mistook for a stone was the tip of the largest tooth she had ever seen. The tusk-shaped tooth was longer than herself. The interior edge was finely serrated, flecks of meat caught in the minute saw-like indentations. Melody had seen enough ocean creatures to know this was not just the tooth of a predator. This was the weaponry of a creature larger than anything she had ever seen or heard of. One that could send every inhabitant of the ocean swimming for safety. Definitely one that could bite a whale in half.
A sudden chill ran down Melody's spine to the tips of her fins. She felt like she was being watched. She could feel eyes on her from afar, examining her with hungry interest. She brought her telescope to her eye, surveying the ocean beyond the dead whale. She saw only the endless blue of the water as it sloped down to the sea floor. Her instincts were telling her to head for land. Her heart started to beat faster as curiosity was replaced by fear when she saw the scavengers around the whale suddenly bolt, all swimming as fast as they could.
The demon stood alone in the infinite darkness. Nothing but black surrounded him. The only features that distinguished him from the pitch were the glow of his eyes and the lines over his body. That and the ring of fire before him framing a live image of Melody.
The demon narrowed his eyes. It was easier to watch the princess now that he had a beacon to track her with, though her being under the water still made it tedious. He could see the tremors in Melody's arms and fins as her fear began to grow. Yet she made no effort to flee. Fear was freezing her instead of galvanizing her to action.
"What will you do now, princess?" asked the demon, folding his arms as his tail swayed idly. "What will you do?"
Between the fear and the little voices screaming at her to get out of the water Melody decided it was time to leave. She jammed her telescope into her bag and swam back as fast as she could. The coral and seaweed became a blur as she fled. She was swimming faster than she ever had, but she felt like she was moving far slower than needed. The water felt thick, as though it had taken on the viscosity of molasses. Seconds stretched out to what seemed like minutes. Her intuition told her the predator had taken notice and was now giving chase.
Melody crested over a reef to find Tip and Dash still at the rock arch. Tip was trying to pull Dash back through by his tail now with the same amount of progress.
"Tip! Dash! We have to get out of here!" Melody shouted.
Tip stopped pulling. "Melody? What's wrong?"
"Something's coming! We've gotta go!" She grabbed hold of Dash's tail and braced her fins against the archway, pulling with all her might.
"What's *unf* coming?" asked Dash as Tip started to pull as well.
"I don't know!" said Melody. Her eyes clenched tight as she strained. "But I think it killed a whale!"
"It did what!?" exclaimed Tip and Dash together.
"No time!" said Melody, her face scrunching up with exertion. "Just pull!"
Melody felt her arms were going to pop out of their sockets with how hard she was pulling, but Dash remained stuck. The less he moved the more adrenaline hit her system, desperate to get her friends and herself to safety. She was becoming frantic.
"It's not working!" said Tip, his webbed feet kicking in a blur.
"Dash, you have to wiggle!" said Melody.
"What?" said Dash.
"Just do it!" said Tip. "Wiggle like your life depends on it!"
Dash immediately wiggled himself side to side as fast as he could. Melody could feel him coming free bit by bit. "It's working! Keep doing that!"
"Uh, Melody…?"
The frightened tone in Dash's voice and the shaking in his tail told her he had seen something. She looked around the stone arch and her tail started shaking as well. Her fear had been well founded. Something was coming towards them. It was a dark amorphous shape, and it was far off, but she could tell it was enormous. No doubt this was the whale killer. And it was coming for them.
Tip started to tremble as well. "M-Melody...what is…?"
Melody pulled with all the strength she could muster, her muscles screaming in protest. "I see it! Pull harder!"
Dash wiggled even faster than before, getting his flippers free of the stone and adding his own strength to theirs. With one last effort from all three he came free, rolling into Melody and Tip like a blubber bowling ball. The three went head over fin before stopping in mid-water.
Melody righted herself and looked back. The creature was even closer and larger than before. She saw a pair of giant yellow eyes staring straight at her.
"Swim!" she shouted, turning towards shore and shooting off with a kick of her tail.
She did not have to tell Tip and Dash twice. The three of them swam for shore as though their lives depended on it, which they did. Melody barely noticed the ocean passing by in their dash for the safety of land. Time slowed down to an agonizing eternity. She knew the creature was gaining on them. The water roared in her ears like wind. Her tail burned from exertion and lack of restful sleep, threatening her with exhaustion. Her strokes felt slow and weak, which pulled even more adrenaline out of her system until they started to slow again.
She could have sworn she heard the creature's tail strokes behind her. A part of her wanted to look back, curious as to the identity of their pursuer. But the instinct to survive was stronger, and she dared not peek for fear of what such a tiny delay could cost her.
The reefs disappeared as the sea floor began to rise. The water became choppy and more turbulent with the push and pull of the waves. Melody recognized the rocks and seaweed along the bottom. They were close to the palace.
"We're almost there!" She shouted as the shoreline came into view. She could definitely hear tail strokes slashing through the water behind her now. Her tail felt like it was on fire. Her fin strokes were becoming weaker by the second. The sequential tumultuous nights were taking their toll on her strength. The beach was so close now, but fatigue made the distance seem like a mile. She was using her hands to help her swim now.
A swell came up behind and pushed them all forward, giving Melody a much-needed boost. Digging deep she kicked her tail hard and aimed for the surface. She shot out of the wave like an arrow, arcing through the air and onto the safety of land. She caught a glimpse of the palace nearby as she flew. Then the beach rushed towards her and she crashed into it, rolling across the white sands.
The moment she touched land the spell reversed. Golden flecks of light enveloped her tail, splitting it back into legs as her dress was restored. The water vanished from her lungs as she came to a stop, covered all over in patches of wet sand. The lights collected around her neck to reform the necklace.
A heavy thump told her Tip and Dash had followed her idea. She saw the walrus go somersaulting over the beach until he stopped on his back. Moments later Tip landed upside down beside him.
"Are you guys all right?" Melody asked, gasping for air as she lay in the sand.
"Melody, look!" shouted the inverted Tip, pointing at the water with a trembling wing.
Melody looked to the ocean. Immediately she grabbed her bag and scrambled for the rock Tip and Dash were heading for.
A massive orange fin jutted from the water far past the surf. Not the triangular fin of a shark, or the long black fin of a killer whale. It was a spiny sail such as those on sailfish, though no sailfish ever possessed a fin of this enormous size. It was taller than a ship's mast. The orange color was marked by small electric blue spots, standing out against the sea like a flame against the night. A long tendril extended from in front of it, arcing back over to enter the water. It had to be well over the length of the longest galleon.
Melody slid behind the rock, nervously peeking around the edge while Tip and Dash cowered in fear. She had never seen a creature with a fin or appendage that size before. It had to be huge. Colossal. Titanic. How in the names of the seas were they able to outswim something that big?
The fin remained still, as though contemplating whether or not to continue its chase onto land. Then it turned back and sank beneath the waves without so much as a ripple. Melody saw the faintest glimpse of movement under the water as it swam away, but nothing to identify the monster by. Moments later it was gone. The ocean was calm and shifting as ever, revealing no trace of the deadly leviathan within its depths.
"Is it gone?" asked Dash.
"Yeah. It's gone," said Melody. She flopped back in the sand, taking deep breaths of air as the burn of overexertion slowly faded from her legs. Tip and Dash peered out from the rock to confirm it for themselves. Apparently, they had both stopped breathing while they hid because they loudly resumed doing so.
"What!? Was!? That?!" exclaimed Tip.
"I...I don't know," gasped Melody.
Dash fidgeted nervously, dragging himself back and forth across the sand. "Oh man! Oh man! What are we gonna do!?"
Melody got up and headed for the water. "We're gonna go tell grandfather, that's what! Come on!"
She barely went another three steps before Tip and Dash grabbed hold of her dress and started pulling her back.
"Hey! Let me go!" Melody protested, trying to wrench her skirt away.
"Are you crazy!?" shouted Tip. "You want to go back in the water with that thing still out there!?"
"Someone has to tell Atlantica! That creature's dangerous!"
"We notish'd!" said Dash around a mouthful of skirt. "It jusht tried to eat ush!"
"It's probably waiting for us to go back!" added Tip.
"Let go!" Melody pulled hard and the fabric ripped, sending all three of them tumbling back into the sand. Melody quickly got upright, brushing sand out of her hair. "I'm going with or without you!"
Dash lumbered after her, spitting out skirt as he went. "M'rody–ptooh–this is insane! It's too dangerous!"
"Hold on, kid!" Tip darted in front of her, back-waddling as he went. "Think about this for a moment! We just barely made it back to shore! Atlantica's a lot further away!"
"I know!" said Melody. "I'll swim as fast as I can!"
"You'll never make it, Mel!" said Dash. "That thing'll get you before you're halfway!"
"I can't just stand here!" said Melody, the ocean mere feet away now. "Someone has to do something!"
"Yeah…us!" Tip suddenly crouched in front of her. "Dash, emergency maneuver four!"
"Melody's eyes widened. "What the–oof!"
Dash headbutted Melody from behind, shoving her into Tip. Her foot caught on the penguin and she fell flat on the beach. Her necklace came flying off and landed in the sand. Before she could get up Dash slung is bulk onto her legs, pinning her down.
"Hey!" Melody tried to pull herself free, but she was stuck fast. "Dash, get off me!"
"I've got her!" said Dash. "Get the necklace!"
"What? No!"
"Aye-aye, captain!" said Tip as he saluted with a flipper. He ran to the necklace and grabbed it in his beak.
"Get off me!" shouted Melody, trying her hardest to work her legs free. "And give back my necklace!"
Dash shifted off her legs and she sprung at Tip. He quickly darted away, leaving her to grab only sand.
"Tip, give it back!" Melody demanded.
Tip spat the necklace into his flippers. "No way, Melody! Not if you're gonna get yourself eaten with it!"
"Give it back!"
"No!"
Melody lunged again. Tip bolted and evaded her hands again.
"Sorry about this, Mel!" said Tip as he turned and ran for the water. "But we're your friends! And as your friends we can't let you get hurt! Or eaten!"
"Tip! Get back here!" Melody shouted as she chased after him.
Tip ignored her and stuck the necklace's chain in his beak. He dove into the water and sped away along the shore, swimming fast for the palace.
"Tip, stop!" shouted Melody, leaving Dash as she ran down the beach after him. "Bring that back!"
She could see Tip as a black dot in the water with a speck of gold trailing behind. She had barely covered a dozen paces before her legs started to ache, still worn out from escaping the sea monster. She kept running a bit further until she slowed to a shuffling jog. Then she stopped completely, sinking to her knees in the sand. Her legs had no strength in them. She was spent.
A feeling of despair settled on her. She knew Tip and Dash meant nothing spiteful by taking her necklace. They were as afraid of losing her as they were of being eaten themselves. This was their way of trying to keep her safe. The ocean was a dangerous place with that monster swimming free in it. Anyone could agree on that. Melody had to as well.
But she could not accept that. If she did, it would be no different from the sea wall. She would have to admit a part of her was scared to go back in the water, and that terrified her. She could not stand the thought of being afraid of such a wondrous and beautiful place. It was as much her home as the land was.
Except now her home was hiding an unknown monstrosity that could devour whales. And she could not outswim it.
Melody curled over, pressing her forehead against the warm sand. This was unfair. Her dreams were already haunted by nightmares. Now her ocean was too. The one place she always felt safe was now as dangerous as her parents once imagined it to be. Tip and Dash were right. There was no way she could go back in the sea with that thing out there. It was just like when she was a child, except instead of a wall there was an unknown whale-killer in her way.
Tears of despair rolled off her lashes into the sand. Yet another place of refuge had been taken from her.
The demon watched Melody as she knelt crying in the sand, her walrus friend lumbering over to her. He turned, his tail sweeping through the image. It fell apart to smoke and sparks as he walked away, the claws of his feet clacking sharply against the unseen floor.
"Foolish girl," he growled. "How much longer did you think it would last?"
A/N: Melody has been trapped. Trapped in the waking world where her worst fears cannot reach her. And now trapped on land where a terrible new monster cannot hunt her. Yet the peace above the waters has been no less disturbed as the first traces of malign intent appear. Even with a common threat there are those among the kings of men who will not set aside their own interests. Far, far away the traveler continues its solitary journey into the setting sun, undeterred by the fiercest predators and harshest climates of the Devil's Steppe. What awaits this lone warrior and the princess of land and sea? What evil is lurking in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own "The Little Mermaid," Disney, or any of its associated characters and intellectual property. Everything else, however, is mine =)
