EDITING■The Ocean's Voice- A Mermaid Story

22 The Elders

"You want us to what?!" One of the mer leaders exclaimed. "You reported this months ago: Humans are selfish and unfair. And they have proven the when they were about to take you. How do you know this isn't a trap?"

Kai and the Elders had gathered at Luna's Cove, a secret meeting hall of mermaid leaders. It was a sacred under water cave, with an air pocket, that allowed them to store historical mermaid relics. Even some things if value from shipwrecks were displayed there. The thrones which the elders sat were said to be carved by the original water bender, Luna herself. She made this place for wise leaders of her ocean. And now was a most critical time for the sea...

Kai responded confidently, "But their Prince, one of nobility freed me...They mean well. They just want us to redirect their ships peacefully. In return they will stop hunting endangered species. They even agreed to punish those who try to harm us."

"Why didn't they do that before-"

"They didn't know we existed!"

"Exactly. Its forbidden to speak to humans! How did you come in contact with them? They are dangerous."

"I told you in my report I was at my post when one of them spotted me. He thought I was from a shipwreck-"

"He?"

"Yes, the prince, son of an Emperor. I tried to kill him but he kept escaping and said he was trying to help. Then he saw I was a mermaid. He actually was flirting with me...it disgusted me."

"Disgusted? Past tense?"

"Well because he came to see me almost every day. He eventually gave up. But we did have a victor dinner over an oarfish I slayed. That's when he was about to kidnap me. But he didn't want to. In fact he let me go. He distracted his men so I could flee. They were going to hold me as ransom so we could give back the things we supposedly stole from them. But Edmond convinced his father to make a treaty with you. We can make peace with them."

"You Kai, our best warrior and most respected mermaid believe men who murder, rape, and who cheat and lie can negotiate? Why should we bother now? They tried to kidnap you, a person of value to our culture!"

"My fellow mermaids, I know what they have done to us. But we are imperfect beings too. We can make peace, we just need to try. For Luna, remeber? For the sea? What happened to all that talk of the prophecy?"

"You have feelings for this man don't you?" A voice from behind Kai said. She turned around and saw her mother.

Unlike Kai, her mother had a mauve colored tail. And her mother's eyes were a dark blue. They shared the same copper colored skin and similar elegant features. Her long hair was tinted with silver and in a long bread. Her mother was almost as old as three elders, and just as wise.

"The prince means nothing to me. But he saved me. You and I are in dept to him. But despite that, the king himself did come to me. I believe we can make peace with the humans. This may be a vital part of The Ocean's Voice Prophecy. Our fates may be entangled with theirs, whether we like it or not. They are going to meet us at noon in three days. Are you willing?"

"Pearl Marine, do you stand with your daughter?" An elder asked.

"If she believes we can negotiate then yes I stand with her." Said Pearl.

"Very well. We will leave two hours before it starts. Make the proper preparations." Said the Elder hitting the javelin.

"Thank you all." Kai said, relieved.

She turned to her mother with a great full smile. Kai had not seen her mother in many years.

Pearl hugged her daughter. When she pulled away she said. "This human. The prince. Do you trust him?"

"I trust a hungry leviathan more than I trust him."

Her mother laughed. "Tell me, what is he like?"

Kai rolled her eyes. "I might as well describe the taste of water... where in the sea do I begin?!"