Sonder: a Miscellany

Lomien

She was called Lomien, creature of the sea, queen of the tide. She ruled the waters from the deepest cave to the last grain of wet sand on the shore. It was all hers.

Lomien was a red and white Axalman, the creatures born of the coral, her torso striped with jagged patterns and her tentacles long and powerful. But atop her head was the true jewel, born only to the chosen rulers of the ocean—her crown. It grew up first as spikes on her tentacles as an adolescent, then the spikes became longer and darker, the same color brown as the armor she wore over her arms.

She was the strongest, most beautiful ruler the Atlantic had ever had, and yet there were still those who would challenge her.

Lomien would fight the creatures that challenged her throne with her only weapon—a long, powerful pike. Every challenger, every rebel who came against her met the watery end of her blade. The ocean knew her power, her people unafraid, and Lomien was the crown to the almighty Atlantic, ruler of the Axalman.

Until one day, deep under the surface of the water, when she had to meet with the ruler of the Arctic. The king of the Arctic was also an Axalman, but with tentacles as white as the ice in his waters and a mouth as sharp as his spear. His name was Rumelk, King of the Ice.

For the most part, Lomien was a peaceful ruler. She did not wage wars or take part in meaningless quarrel, but she did defend. She pledged upon the crown on her head that she would defend her queendom to the death, so when Lomien summoned Rumelk to her castle, she did not intend to commence in meaningless banter.

The two met in secret, deep in the confines of Lomien's palace, where no other creatures of the water could see or hear. The two took a seat at opposing ends of a long table, and the servants were all dismissed. Then—and only then—did Lomien begin to speak.

"King Rumelk of the Atlantic Sea," said she, her voice dark and strong, "I have summoned you here tonight for one reason and one reason only..."

Rumelk inclined his head and folded his hands on the table.

"To declare war."