Ocean Song Beneath the Waves
Chapter 22: Crisis in Aquaria

“Well do we know the Ram my Prince,” she says softly as the Seer replaces herself growing impatient with their incessant talking. “For the Ram is you and now you must rise up and fight to protect the Sea!”

“Are you quite done? I grow weary of your incessant talking,” the Seer says with sheer boredom in her tone as she looks over a well-manicured hand. Calder grimaces as he quickly glances back at Serena and Rodion, who haven’t a clue as to what they should do. For now it’s best if I send them back. Bringing them here might not have been my brightest idea, he thinks regretfully as the Seer then turns her gaze to the two. “And you must be the other humans that Axensus failed to obtain! How interesting...” She mumbles as though she be aware of something that they know not of.

Calder scowls as he glares at her. Before anyone can say anything he does a quick hand motion and opens a portal behind the two fair-haired siblings. “Time for you two to go. Stay in Aquaria and do not leave the palace! Do you understand?” He asks quickly.

However, Serena isn’t quite ready to be whisked away yet as her mind wanders back to what the Seer said. She had said the “other humans” which means that there are others like them that have fallen prey to the Ocean’s Curse. “We understand but-”

“Good!” With that Calder thrusts them both through the portal as Rodion shouts out.

“Wait a second!” Though his words are quickly swallowed as the portal disperses in an array of green mist and bubbles.

“Now then, where were we?” Calder asks with a chilling smile as he turns back to the Seer with a deep-set fury blazing in his eyes...

“You two are back sooner than expected,” Prince Oceanus says casually as he goes about the work on his desk with careful observation. A few stacks of papers are arranged neatly upon his desk, waiting for him to look over or approve. His right hand is in a constant state of movement as he gracefully guides a magical quill across the page of one the of many papers from the stack.

Serena and Rodion take a moment to gather themselves after the disruptive displacement of their current surroundings.

“Why is it he always sends us here?” Rodion asks in annoyance, clearly not happy with constantly being sent to the Prince’s office. How much dislike could this man possibly hold for another person? This be a question Serena continues to ponder as she witnesses the interactions between the two.

“Believe me, I am not pleased to have you spontaneously appear in my study either,” Prince Oceanus sighs as he lays the quill down and turns his full attention to the pair. “What, pray tell, are you doing back so soon? I was given to believe that you would be away for two days. Yet here you are a few meager hours after your sudden departure.” His tone implies that he’s less than enthused but his face maintains a visage of neutrality even though there is a displeased look in his eyes upon looking to Rodion.

Serena quickly swims forward as her mind abruptly does a three-sixty and returns to the cause of their sudden dispatch from Nautica. “Nerisia has fallen under attack by Proteus’s forces!” She quickly exclaims as the Prince suddenly stands from his seat.

“Did something happen to the Ruby?” Prince Oceanus asks urgently as his neutral expression is quickly replaced with a stern one.

She shakes her head as Rodion steps in to continue for her in a less urgent manner. “Aries has been found but Calder sent us back here before we could see how the situation would play out. Before that he told us not to leave the palace, though I hardly think us any safer if Nerisia was so easily breached,” he says disdainfully but Prince Oceanus cares not for his sharp tongue at this moment.

“So Aries has been awakened then? Then I would imagine that Taurus may be next,” he says thoughtfully before his expression reverts back to its usual cold visage. “As for security, you have naught to worry over. Aquaria is a kingdom protected by strong currents as well as a powerful barrier. It is not so easily breeched like Nerisia was,” he says dismissively as Serena thinks back to the times when she has entered and exited Aquaria.

“But how is it that I have come and gone so easily?” She questions curiously as Prince Oceanus waits but a moment to come up with an appropriate response.

“The first time was pure luck, the second time I had followed you, and the third time my sister was with you. As for when you were to meet with Calder, the currents were subdued so you could pass through.” After saying this a high pitched voice could suddenly be heard nearing his study.

“Prince Oceanus, darling!” The Prince had to resist the urge to grimace as the loudness of his betrothed resounded through his ears quite painfully. Not even a moment after she called out, the doors swung open and in she swam. “We still have preparations to attend to for the wedding and-”

Delmara stops short as her gaze immediately lands on Serena before snapping over to Rodion, whom didn’t seem the least bit interested in her untimely arrival. “I guess we’ll be going then. Wouldn’t want to intrude upon your wedding planning,” he says sarcastically as he grabs Serena’s wrist and makes for the door.

“But Rodion-” However, before she could say anything, the doors had already closed behind them. Prince Oceanus releases an inward sigh as he turns his attention to his silent betrothed, who stares at the door as though it were the most interesting thing under the sea.

“What was it you needed Delmara?” The Prince asks tiredly as he crosses his arms over his broad chest, patiently waiting for the young mermaid to speak.

Delmara blinks owlishly as she remembers what it was the brought her here. “Oh, of course! I required your assistance in planning for the wedding. I’m not sure if I should go with gold trim or silver trim for the tablecloths,” she says with a pout as the Prince releases, yet another sigh.

“I told you to do whatever you please,” he says as he makes for the door in an effort to escape all the madness surrounding him.

“I know that but is it really too much to ask that you at least show a little interest in the wedding?!” She huffs in frustration as Prince Oceanus glances back with a blank look in his eyes.

“Right now it is a bit too much to ask. There are more important things to deal with than some silly decision for the choice of trim on a tablecloth,” he says bluntly before exiting the room and leaving an irritated fiancée behind...

He decides to seek refuge within the palace gardens, however he hardly expected to hear such a beautiful song upon his entry.

He follows the song until his eyes immediately land upon a familiar head of long light blonde hair dancing about according to the pull of the current. He remains concealed behind a tree of coral as he listens to her song. Such things are a rarity in the palace given that the descendants of Poseidon have no singing capabilities of their own.

He likens her song to that of a lullaby but never has he heard such a beauteous melody. Sure there is many a different type of music amongst the sea kingdoms but there are also the unknown ones that are often kept for no one else to hear.

He’s drawn forth from his state of peace when the song abruptly stops. He glances in her direction, only to replace a sight he’d never thought he’d see. Crystalline tears stream down her face silently as she gazes at something far beyond this realm. Her lips part with the intent to say something that he must strain his ears to hear.

It’s as though the very sea around them has grown silent as her soft whisper filters into his ears. “Mom...” As much as he’d rather not, he replaces himself trying to sympathize with her just a tiny bit. Not once had he ever gave her parents any thought for he thought nothing of her and her brother. It’s then he realizes how little he really knows about this human whom he’s known only to behave as a stubborn child lacking any respect whatsoever. Mayhap there was more to her than she was willing to let on...

His curiosity piqued, he went to reveal himself when an all-too familiar voice broke the silence.

“Never have I seen such a vision of absolute beauty. Why Amphitrite, herself, would surely be jealous!” He stifles a groan as he turns his gaze to the entrance to the garden at the same time she does after she wipes away her tears rather quickly. Standing at the entrance is a merman with rich russet skin and hair as dark as the Velrethian Abyss. His sensuous silver eyes stare at her with unrestrained lust and passion that causes her to put her guard up.

“Who...are you?” She asks slowly as she eyes the strange man cautiously, all the while Prince Oceanus is rubbing his temple in annoyance. Why is he here? He laments as the newcomer bows gracefully whilst offering her a charming smile.

“Pray forgive me, oh beautiful Siren. I merely found myself captivated by your song which drew me in like a fish to a sea flower.” His words are naught more than flirtations and that fact alone causes the Prince to suddenly feel tired from just listening to him. Meanwhile, the poor girl knows naught what to do when faced with such a...unique being.

Finally Prince Oceanus decides to put her out of her misery as he comes out from behind the coral tree to address the newcomer. “That is enough Alankar. Surely there must be a reason for you to suddenly arrive here...unannounced,” he says pointedly as he crosses his arms and glares at the merman, now known as Alankar. Alankar doesn’t seem the least bit put off by the Prince as he smiles graciously with a flourishing bow.

“Long has it been since I have seen you last Oceanus,” he says cheerfully as he stands upright before gesturing to Prince Oceanus’s side. “But I would prefer you introduce me to your lovely companion before I answer anything too serious.” Prince Oceanus sighs once again as he resists the urge to snap at the womanizing fool.

“Serena, this is Prince Alankar of Mandara,” he says blandly as Prince Alankar sighs in distaste. “Alankar, this is Serena Adamaris a...” Prince Oceanus trails off as he briefly stares at Serena contemplatively before continuing. “Our guest.” Serena replaces herself suddenly confused at the feeling of mistrust emanating from the Prince. One would think he would introduce her as a human to royalty from other Kingdoms as Calder had but...

It’s then that she remembers something Calder had said that she originally didn’t think too much of. “I am well-aware of the poor relations between each of the kingdoms and such matters are of no concern to me...” He had mentioned poor relations between the kingdoms. Could it be that Aquaria is also on bad terms with Mandara? She wonders as she bows her head in greeting to the Prince of Mandara.

“A pleasure to meet you Lady Serena,” Prince Alankar says flirtatiously as his voice drops a few octaves.

“Pleasantries aside,” Prince Oceanus says as he casually draws Prince Alankar’s attention away from the silent girl. “What are you doing here?”

Prince Alankar smiles knowingly as he suddenly begins to emit an air of authority. “I have come as an emissary of Mandara.” Prince Oceanus tenses as he eyes Prince Alankar cautiously with a blank look upon his face. “I have come to establish an alliance between Mandara and Aquaria...”