Bastian's Song [Complete--Editing]

[ 13 ]

As Bastian covered his face, Militum moved and took Melodia's outstretched hand into his. "My lady." His soft voice was a lullaby of comfort. "We should abide the Triton's desire." It was a testament to Melodia's state of shock that she didn't resist him as he tugged her towards the door. Along the way, he swept up Lachlan and Ceili and gestured for the remaining guards to leave as well. 

Within a minute, only Bastian, Zareb, Varya and the Atlantean ambassador remained. When Zareb glanced suspiciously at her, she lifted her gloved hands and lowered her inky hood. 

Pearl pink hair flowed in luxurious locks around her head as she revealed lavender colored eyes and a face that was strikingly symmetrical. Skin art covered her skin, making a ferocious mask around her eyes that enhanced the lavender in them.  

"My name is Ambrosia." Without the hood, her voice was smooth and just a little louder. Bastian looked up as she spoke and gasped softly. Ambrosia smiled at him in a way that made him think she knew exactly what he was thinking. 

Beautiful. 

"Given the circumstances, Triton," Ambrosia slowly pulled off her gloves, displaying more skin with those same purple markings. "I kindly request that I be allowed to stay and hear what this Selach has to say." The ambassador glanced at Varya. "Assuming she does not mind a neutral party remaining?"

Varya frowned and sniffed at the water. She looked like she wanted to say no, but something stopped her. "I suppose you can stay." Now that the others had left, Varya seemed even more tense. 

Bastian rose from the throne and swam closer to Varya. He noted Zareb's stiff tail and tried to comfort his friend with just his eyes, but it was a difficult situation for everyone involved. Ambrosia swam closer as well, filling the water around her with the scent of fresh tala. Bastian inhaled deeply, relaxing as the warm scent filled his nostrils.

"I will not waste anymore time." Varya said, abruptly bringing Bastian back into the present. "My people do not call for peace, that much is true. However, even we have certain things that we hold sacred above all else." Her fingers tugged at the chains. 

"One such thing is the trio of days known as Sacre Luna. Our celebration of the blessings that Selene gives to our people and our prayer for plentiful hunts the coming decade." 

Bastian blinked, his eyebrows rising. "Decade?"

Varya nodded in confirmation. "Yes. The celebration is once every decade. Which means if we miss this opportunity, another won't arise for ten years. A lot of people could die over those ten years."

Zareb grunted. "Let me guess, you would hold those celebrations somewhere deep in Selach territory?"

Once more, Varya nodded. "I won't tell you where, exactly, because I am not that trusting. But I can tell you it is near to an ustrina."

Ambrosia chuckled at the confused expressions on Bastian and Zareb's faces. "She means a volcano." As one, the boys looked at her, both of them silently questioning. Ambrosia lifted a hand to her mouth, but the corner of a smile still peeked out at them. "As an ambassador of my people, I speak many languages. Even that of the Selachs."

Varya grinned, her sharp teeth showing in all their pointed glory. "I'm impressed. I didn't think you would know my mothertongue."

The pink haired mermaid gave a half bow, acknowledging the compliment. "I am learned in many ways that may surprise you, Varya."

Zareb frowned, displeased at how easily the two mermaids were getting along. "Back to this Sacre Luna celebration," he grumbled. 

"Oh, yes." Varya's tail twitched a little. "During the three days of worship, my people are not allowed violence. It is the only time someone might come into the clan territory and speak with our Elder, the one who leads all the packs. If you can convince him that being your ally would be more valuable than being your enemy, he has the power to end this once and for all."

Her one eye focused in on Bastian. "It is also a time of great vulnerability for us. You can see now why I did not wish to speak of this to anyone other than you. If you come, my people will respect you as a leader. If you send someone else, they will refuse to listen to them. You must believe me when I say this is the best way to achieve peace."

Though her knuckles were white from how hard her hands were holding onto one another, her voice was steady and her gaze did not waver. Everything about her seemed honest and raw in a way Bastian was unused to. It made him uncomfortable.

"Well, that does pose a problem." He looked to the trident he still held in his hand. "While I am the Triton now, the merman who challenged me is my uncle. Not only is he more experienced and a better warrior than I am, but his magic is just as strong as mine. We are blood, after all."

Varya snarled. "He is just as bloodthirsty as our Elder. If he becomes Triton, he will have me murdered and he will do so with great pride."

Zareb looked away, his stony face a sign that he agreed with what Varya was saying. There were many things that Zareb admired about Arsenius, but the greatest thing had always been his strong will. Now that strong will was a threat to his friend.

For a moment, silence weighed heavily on all of them. Then, Ambrosia broke the silence with a small flick of her tail and a few simple words.

"Why don't we just run away?" 

~~~~~

Author's Note:

I love you all for still reading! I am proud to introduce Ambrosia to the story, as she has been waiting patiently in the back of my mind for a while now. I hope you don't mind the wait, as I have been busy with another project. (I'm going to have a short story published!!)

This weekend I'll be enjoying an anime convention, but I still expect to update Bastian's Song next week so yay! As always, if you have any questions or anything, please comment and I'll be happy to answer. Thank you for reading. ^^