Oceans Call

Chapter 5: Sea Howlers & Kings

"Fear not, child. It is only I, Aaronarra," The creature said. It's deep voice was gravelly but lilting.

The animal was large, it's form similar to that of a dragon. It's body was covered in scales of various shades of blue, green, and gray that glinted and shimmered mystically in the dim light. Twisted antlers curled from the beast's head, framing it and casting the illusion that it was twice it's size. Deer-like ears danced in the current, tendrils of white hair flowing out of their depths. Fur floated around the creature's face, reminding me of Medusa. It looked fierce, but also noble and majestic. Large wings rested on the beast's back. It's flat back sported a row of rounded spikes from it's neck to the tip of it's tail, which curled around it's body. I couldn't help but notice the spade at it's end. My eyes trailed along the creature's body, finally meeting it's eyes, which held a glint of amusement in their deep green depths.

"What..." My voice was quiet, a mere squeak in the quiet of my bubble cell and the surrounding water. I started again, my voice slightly stronger, "What are you?"

"I am Aaronarra, the Sea Howler." He said. Things have been so weird that I'm just gonna go with this... I thought. I must have been drugged somehow. Or I'm hallucinating. Or, there's actually a "Sea Howler" sitting in front of me like an obedient dog. 

"Ok, then what's a Sea... Howler?" Just keep asking question and maybe you'll get out, Melody, I tried and failed to reassure myself.

"Sea Howlers are the guardians of the oceans. Only one of us exist at a time. On the first full moon every ten centuries, a Sea Howler is born at the exact time the other dies. That way there is only ever one. I communicated with you earlier using my telepathy."

Obviously. "So..." I was cut off abruptly when a large man hurled into the cavern, his legs pumping through the water like torpedoes. "Aaronarra!" His voice boomed causing the stalactites to tremble. I immediately recognized the authority in his voice.

Who's this jerk? I thought with annoyance. Interrupting my question and unhelpful answer time with this thing like he owns the place. Why can't he just let me continue my pleasant conversation with Puff the Magic Dragon?

"Yes, King Eriladar?" Aaronarra asked calmly.

Oh, never mind he does own the place...

"Is this... her?" He emphasized the last word with an unsettling sense of urgency.

"I do not yet know. But she is different from the others..." The Sea Howler replied.

"What's going on?" I whimpered. I was tired of unanswered questions and living in a bubble next to a blue man and his companion while a dragon took residence in my brain. "Mr. King and Mr. Dragon, I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation but I need answers. Now." Did I really just say that? When did I get so daring?

The man's lips turned up and down as he fought off a smile. Aaronarra too struggled not to laugh, (or whatever dragons did to express amusement), his eyes shimmering. "Very well. Answers you shall get. Ask away, young one," Aaronarra said, his voice edged with humor.

Wow it actually worked. Huh. "Quick recap. I'm in the Pacific Ocean in the Undine kingdom, Trocien. Aaronarra is a Sea Howler which is the equivalent to a water dragon...?"

"Those statements are correct," Aaronarra replied. "Though I am less sure about the last part."

"Ok so who's King... Eriladar?" I asked.

"I am the king of the Undines," the man replied. I could've sworn he puffed his chest. The king had blond hair that fell to his shoulders and a broad, bare chest. He looked to be in his early fifties, about the same age as my adoptive parents. He wore seaweed green leggings and had golden cuffs on his ankles and wrists. Two curved swords were strapped to his back, forming an X. They matched his leggings. An emerald was set in the hilts and clawed tendrils sprouted from it, forming a web of silver encasing the gem. A shaft of pale blue light ran through the blade, fading to white at it's tip. 

"Why am I here?" I whispered, my hands once again finding a place on the bubble's surface.

Eriladar stared at me melancholily. Aaronarra seemed unwilling to share the explanation, but after a moment's silence, the king spoke. "My daughter, Liluth, disappeared around eighteen years ago. She is the heir to the throne and if we don't find her..." He trailed off and his eyes looked far into the distance. "We've been searching for her since she disappeared but had no luck. Her mother died protecting her. I can't let her life be wasted."

His eyes met mine again. They were a deep ocean blue... just like mine. I looked at his familiar blonde hair again. What's wrong with me?! I'm not this merman's daughter! I thought.

But the possibility had already worked its way into my mind and settled there.

"I was found on a beach south from here. In California," I murmured, more to myself than to him.

His eyes widened as he asked my age. "I'll be eighteen in a few weeks..." I answered softly. Could I really be his daughter?

"The night Liluth disappeared, we fought a battle down south. Was the water warmer than it is here?" He gazed at the sandy floor. "And why were you on the beach?" He seemed to ask himself.

"Yes, California has warmer water, much warmer in fact-"

"Is there a way you could see her true identity?" Eriladar asked Aaronarra.

"I could perform a mind search using my telepathy..." Aaronarra proposed hesitantly. "But it may prove a challenge if she is unwilling to cooperate. It was hard to communicate with her when she arrived. She has an unusually strong mind for being raised by humans, even if she turns out to be Undine," he added.

"I'll cooperate," I said helpfully. What can I possibly lose?

"Very well. It shall be done tomorrow morning. Aaronarra, continue answering her questions please. I need to rest," the king announced, sounding weary. Aaronarra dipped his head and the guards bowed in turn.

"I only have a few more questions." I reassured him when Eriladar had left the cavern. The creature sighed with relief and I held back a nervous laugh.

"What was my mother protecting me from when she died?" I asked.

Aaronarra's demeanor grew solemn and he was silent for a few moments before he answered, "The Shadows..." so quietly that I had to strain my ears to hear.

Ok that totally helps me, I thought with frustration. "And the shadows are?"

"The Shadows are corrupt, demon-like creatures. They used to be Undines, long before their evil lust for power transformed them entirely. They are malevolent, monstrous beings that only care for themselves. They dwell so deep in the ocean that light doesn't reach them and they become part of the darkness."

I shivered at the malicious description and racked my brain for another question to ask. "Clarifying question: Undines are the king and these two?" I nodded at the stoic guards.

"Correct," Aaronarra hissed.

"If I'm the Undine princess or whatever, will I get a cool sword like King Eriladar had?" I asked sardonically. 

Aaronarra chuckled, a deep, throaty purr. "I am positive that your heritage will be rewarding in more ways than one," he replied.

I yawned. Wow, I'm processing this weird information fairly well, I thought with shallow humor.

"Well, that's all I got," I mumbled with another yawn.

"Very well. It is late and you should get your rest, as you have a long day tomorrow," Aaronarra said, his green eyes twinkling.

I nodded and settled on the soft ground of my bubble. What a welcoming way to treat your possible future queen... I thought bitterly as my eyes finally closed off the strange world around me.

~*~*~*~

A/N
Is Melody the heir to the Undine throne? Is she even an Undine at all?
Sorry this chapter kinda seemed forced and stiff, hopefully I can make it smoother after editing.
Vote * Comment * And Keep Reading!
(1338 words)