Under The Sea

Chapter Thirty-Three - Allies

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" Paxton asks as he comes up from behind Finn, taking a seat on the sand beside her, looking out at the waves rolling in.

"It's different, seeing the sunset above the water. I never realized it could be so bright," Finn returns, glancing over at him. "But you're not here to talk about the sunset."

"No... I'm not," Paxton returns, his hands fidgeting in his lap.

"Do I scare you?" Finn asks, catching as he tries and fails to stop the trembling.

"Yes," Paxton sighs, averting his gaze and sighing.

"You scare me, too," Finn offers, catching Paxton off guard.

"You have no reason to fear me," Paxton says, turning to meet her gaze.

"Well, neither do you," Finn insists, "and yet here we are."

There is a moment of tense silence as they stare out at the horizon as the sun continues to creep out of sight, allowing the sky to darken around them.

"Prince Samuel left instructions to gather the Kingdom's forces and sail for Latistan to help the merpeople."

"Why would he do that?" Finn returns, bringing her knees up to rest her cheek as she looks over at him, "humans have no reason to help the merpeople."

"I'm aware of what occurred in the past, but..." Paxton drifts off, considering his words, "I don't believe that you are aware of the full story of what happened fifteen years ago."

"Is that so?" Finn returns, with a quirked eyebrow as Paxton nods, "then I guess that's what you're here to tell me."

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"Stop pacing," Finn deadpans as Paxton begins his sixth lap around the flowerbeds, "you're making me nervous."

"Sorry, I just... I've never done this before."

"Deliver an order from the Prince who you serve?" Finn quirks an eyebrow at him, "that seems hard to believe."

"Give an order to prepare for war," Paxton returns, the nerves clear in his voice as Finn eyes him.

"If you prefer, I can do it."

"No, it has to come from me," Paxton insists. "They will never accept it coming from you. I'm his servant, his personal attendant, I must-"

Finn cuts him off by embracing him in a hug, catching him off guard as she holds him. Paxton brings his hands up to wrap around her waist, allowing his head to rest on her shoulder, as he feels his body relax.

"Thank you," Paxton offers, as they separate.

"Don't mention it," Finn returns, crossing her hands across her chest, "I think everyone is here."

Paxton shoots her a nervous smile as he sighs and then steps around her and into the field where the fleet of captains had gathered. Paxton felt the nerves creep back in as he moved to stand before them, conversations continuing all around him as he moved to the center.

"T-thank you all for coming," Paxton began, his voice soft, as the captains continued to talk amongst themselves. "E-excuse me."

"Hey!" Finn shouts, catching the group off guard, as the voices die down around them, and Paxton stares at her in disbelief as all heads turn to them. Finn nods at the crowd, bringing Paxton back to the moment as he turns to meet all the stares on him.

"I bring a message from the Prince," Paxton begins, catching the attention of all the captains as the last of them turn their stares from Finn to him. "He has ordered that the Meridian fleet make war preparations and set sail for the Kingdom of Latistan to aid in their liberation."