EDITING■The Ocean's Voice- A Mermaid Story

19 Edmond

The prince boarded the vessel. It was the best ship in the whole fleet, not the largest, but it was the fastest. His father named it The Marina. Besides his heir, and their people, it was the Emperor's most prized possesion. It was a majestic ship, made of the best materials from the mast to the rigging. Edmond stepped onto the main deck where the crew awaited him. The mixed scent of rum, fish, pipe smoke, and sea salt filled his nose. It was not pleasant.

The scent of sea salt seemed sour now. When he was with her it was sweet. And the spary of the ocean misted him, reminding him of her elegance... and of his betrayl.

When the crew saw their prince, they immediately bowed. The only sound to be heard was the flapping and rustling of the wind in the sails. The captain was the first to speak.

"The siren, your excellency...? Where is she?"

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"How did she escape?!" One of the sailors asked annoyed. "We had her right where we wanted her!"

"I'm not sure..." Edmond said. "I actually do not think that the mer people are a problem."

"Not a problem?" Said another furious salior "Your grace they've killed hundreds of our men and have sank our best ships, along with their captains and cargo!"

"Yeah!" The men on the ship began bickering and shouting about all the trouble the mer people have caused.

And the commotion quickly got out of hand.

"I understand," Edmond announced, "but haven't you ever wondered why?"

"Why?" Said a deep, stern, demanding voice from behind Edmond, in the darkness. The men kneeled as the figure came into the light from the Captains quarters. "Why, son?"

It was Edmonds father, Ceasar Oric. The greatest general, comander, and warrior in all of the Empire. The most respected Emperor in the whole known world. Everyone on board immediately kneeled, except Edmond.

"Greetings father..." said the prince speaking up. "I believe the mer people do not mean to harm us. You see they are, if you will, guardians of the ocean. They believe it is their sworn duty to assist the moon to protect the ocean and all life in it. Even if it means our death or their own-"

Ceasar nodded at his men to rise and turned his attention back to his son.

"And your new lady friend told you this?" His father teased. "How do you know you are not under a magic spell? Did she love you to make you lie to us?" The men chuckled.

Just remember it's for Kai. Show them, make them believe that mermaids are dangerous and powerful beings. What they truly are.

"Father, we are not in courtship nor having an affair, she despises me. The only reason I'm still alive is because of your royal blood. She did not want to start a war. Once I discovered one, you wanted my men and I to lure one of stature and keep her for ransom; pay back for what we lost. However, we have killed thousands of them and sea life. They almost went extinct. If anything we owe them. It's not possible to wipe them out. They are many and they all can fight, very well."

"Well what do you suggest?" Asked Ceasar impatiently.

"We should try negotiating."

His father then burst into laughter and the men followed. He stopped and said "You want me to talk to these pretty faces and ask them kindly not to kill us and crash our ships? Is that what you are saying my son? They have multiplied into many and they themselves have taken half our food from our fishing industries. Won't it be easier for me to find that mer maiden for you and give her to you? And then wipe the rest out or enslave them to assist or entertain our hardworking men?"