Pretty Fin- Raging Seas

by Smokey Moment

  “Good afternoon,” King Andreus said, as he walked through the streets of Eulachon shaking hands with his subjects. The citizens lined the streets waiting for a chance to see him. “Your Majesty,” one woman said, as she smiled at the handsome and stately looking king. Men and women stood next to one another. Andreus shook the hand of a face he recognized. A tailor named Bestilo. The tailor bowed then touched the hand of his beloved king. He hoped to work for him. He had sent message to Andreus dozens of times hoping to be employed. Not for the money, but the prestige. It was an honor to work for the castle. All employees enjoyed the extra benefit of notoriety and acclaim for holding such positions.

  “Bestilo…How are you?” the king asked. “Fine, Your Majesty. Still hoping to make your vests and wraps,” he replied. Andreus nodded. “My wife’s mother is still head seamstress. She could use some help. Why don’t you come by the castle tomorrow and speak with her. Her name is Mayat,” he replied.

  Bestilo smiled. “I know Mayat. She is the best dress maker and seamstress in all of Eulachon,” Bestilo noted. Andreus agreed. But Bestilo was fast becoming known for his unique and well-structured designs and Andreus wanted him to be a part of his team. “Yes and she will be expecting you. I will tell her to set time aside to meet with you,” he said.

  The king and his personal guards, along with several soldiers, continued down the wide paved road. The beautifully structured wood and stone homes were covered with thin branches and sealed with metal. The homes were sturdy and well built. The use of wood, travertine and metal made them the most structurally sound homes in all of Madaka. Queen Rasbora was so impressed with the sturdiness of their homes, that King Orfe, when he was alive, had some of his builders show her men how to replicate the homes.

  “Your Majesty, is it true?” a woman stepped from the crowd and said. Andreus gave her a quick visual reprimand. He had answered that question dozens of times and was getting weary. “Is what true madam?” he asked. The woman shuddered. Her nerves on edge. It was the closest she had ever been to him. He had a reputation for being cordial but also unpredictable. It was also known that several of his guards had lost their heads. It was dangerous to ask him but the woman took a chance. She knew she was speaking for many who were too afraid to ask for themselves.

  “Is it true that men are raping women. Soldiers. Our male citizens,” she said. Andreus nervously chuckled then cleared his throat. “I have heard things. Untruths! There is no proof of such behavior. I promise you, the soldiers under my rule have been under a lot of stress. Mojarro threatens the future of Madaka. What we hope to accomplish is not popular. It will make some uneasy. But what I can promise you is that the world will be a better place once we come together. I will bring us together. I promise this,” he said. The woman gave an unconvincing smile. She wanted to believe him. To trust in him. Her family did. Her father did. It was easier thinking of it in that way. To believe it would all make for a better Madaka. The woman wasn’t so sure.

  King Andreus made his way through town. He reached a turning point and circled around then returned to his castle. He was now hoping that word of mouth would spread his message. He walked into his vast and opulent castle with gold and pearls embedded in its stone. The castle known as Pearl Palace. The castle with jewels imported from Mojarro in the walls. Guida sat at a table sewing a thin veil to wear with her new dress.

  “Why don’t you get Mayat to make that?” Andreus asked. Guida glanced up. Her husband still did not know her. This was her passion. She enjoyed the creative process and the stress relieving moments that sewing gave her. “No, my king. I want to make it myself. My mother has her hands full making your soldiers new vest with the jewels you have taken from Mojarro,” she said sarcastically.

  King Andreus scoffed. He was aware his wife didn’t like his tactics or the fact that he ran Lark out of his own castle. Lark was her first love. She cared deeply for him even though Andreus was her husband before she’d even met him. Andreus would torture her daily if he knew how deep her feelings went. Or the fact that she had been intimate with him. Her father Halacai had recently gone to live in the Palimora. He was uncomfortable with Andreus’ decision to take over his home town. He couldn’t stand around and watch. and Guida feared for his safety. She blamed Andreus for a lot that had gone wrong. And now she was living a lie to get along.

  “Mother,” Guida called out, as she entered her mother’s room in the servant’s house behind the castle. “Come in dear,” Mayat said, as she sat placing medals on the vests. The king had devised a system to make it visually easy for citizens to tell the difference between guards, soldiers, lieutenants and commanders. He had instructed her to place small iron bars on the shoulders of the uniforms. Guards and soldiers would get one bar. Lieutenants would get two and commanders would get three. It was ingenious. Mayat and her team of sewers had begun placing the bars on the front of the soldier’s vests.

  “Where’s the prince?” Mayat asked regarding her grandson. Guida smiled. He was her small ray of sunshine. The reason she stayed put in a castle with a man she had no real feelings for. But Guida wanted more. She wanted Mayat’s advice. But her mother was an avid supporter of the king. She reveled in her position as his head seamstress and also his mother in law. It was a position that came with the best of perks. The highest of honors. And she was not looking to be stripped of her imagined crown with real benefits.

  “What is it dear? I can tell something is concerning you,” she asked. Guida sat down and watched her mother’s skill at work. She had learned from the best. “I don’t know. It’s all still so new. Should I be happy?” Guida asked. Mayat sighed. Guida was at it again. Speaking as though her life were grueling when it was fabulous.

  “Oh Guida. What are you looking for? We are in a new era. That doesn’t mean you neglect what you have right in front of you. You question your life? Why? Who else lives so wonderfully. He doesn’t bother you. He allows you to be. What else can a woman ask for. And you have a son. That is your reason. He will always be your ticket to a better life. Anything you want, you will get. You will see your power grow with time,” Mayat said, glancing up and giving her daughter a reassuring smile. Guida sighed. “I guess,” she replied. It was no use. Mayat would never say anything else. She had tried. The truth was she wanted Mayat’s help so she could leave the castle. She hoped to sneak into the Palimora Sea and get to Lark. The only way that would be possible would be if Mayat watched Zion. He was too young to leave alone. And she was sure her lady’s maids would tell. Everyone either loved or feared her husband. Which meant she could trust no one.

  “The men are back at their posts, Your Majesty,” the guard said. Andreus looked him over. He was donned in leg wraps and a vest with several small, thin iron bars running across the top. Andreus furrowed his eyes. “What is it Sire?” the guard asked. “Tell Mayat I want the bars easier to see. These are too small,” he said. “Yes, Sire,” the guard said, as he left to relay the news to Mayat. She had already made over a hundred vests. It would mean getting back the ones she already handed to the soldiers and refastening them with newly formed metals. Andreus didn’t care. He wanted the new look to be perfect. He wanted the citizens to see their rankings easily.

  “Sire…You are not pleased with the vests?” Mayat said as she approached him. Andreus put his hands behind his back and looked off. He didn’t like her approach. She was there to question his orders when he was sure she was given the message exactly as he’d stated to his guard. “Didn’t Inus give you the message?” he asked, as his guards stood close. “Why yes but…” Mayat replied, then paused to keep from his verbal reprimand. “But what? You have your orders. I want the metal bars larger. If you hurry, you can be done sooner than you think. It has to be. This is very important. It must be perfect,” he said. “Yes, Your Majesty,” Mayat replied as she turned and walked away. It was the first time his behavior had incensed her.

  “I need you to tell all the soldiers, that have the vest with the metal fixings
, to return them. I have to redo them all,” Mayat said to her assistant. Guida stood by listening as she held her son. “What?” Guida questioned. Mayat turned and walked past her. “I must replace the metal. The king’s orders,” Mayat replied. Guida shook her head in disbelief. “He would never have asked his mother to redo hundreds of vests,” Guida complained. “It is no problem Guida,” Mayat said. “Yes, it is mother. He has no respect. That’s the problem. What about all your hard work? The vests are fine,” she said. Mayat looked off. She didn’t want to cause problems. “It’s fine. I’ll hire more help. We’ll get them done!”

  Panga turned out to be a great second home for Arfusei. It helped that Lillia relocated there with him. She was his love. They had a new life together in the city that offered their land to the war hero and his wife. It was a temporary move and King Nephrus had made their stay comfortable. His commander Darr showed Arfusei and Lillia around, and the couple settled on a house near the edge of the Trojian Sea for easy travel back and forth to Mojarro. Darr promised Arfusei he and his men would help protect him. They promised to guard against rebel soldiers from any city, looking to get rich by capturing the wanted fugitive. There was still a huge bounty for him, Ziege and Lark. Any soldier who deliver one of King Zander’s trusted men would surely be rewarded. And any city hiding the men would come under the wrath of King Andreus. Panga was sworn to secrecy. Arfusei’s presence was kept a highly guarded secret.

  “I’m going into town for mophos and ragtu. Do you want anything else?” Lillia asked Arfusei. “No. I have everything I need,” he replied with a smile. Lillia blushed. Arfusei was her gentle giant. He was a tall and strong man. A man with a good heart. Her fierce and powerful warrior. He wasn’t happy unless he was guarding what he loved, and what he loved was Lillia and Mojarro. He was comfortable but he would do anything to return home. As accommodating as Panga was, it wasn’t home.

  “Well, I’ll be back. I want to put dinner on before dark,” she said. Arfusei tried to appear happy and content. Lillia deserved as much. But Arfusei had a hard time showing feelings that weren’t there. Lillia could see his struggle. She too missed home. She missed Fin. She’d raised her. She had been her lady’s maid since Fin was a small child. No one was having a harder time with the changes than Lillia. But she put her feelings on hold to keep Arfusei together. He needed her. And she would be there.

  “I would like a small amount of mophos please,” Lillia asked the street vendor. The man pulled several green and yellow striped fish from his container and wrapped the moving fish in thin paper. He hit it across his table, in a violent thrash, killing the fish instantly. Mophos had to be eaten soon after death or one could be poisoned. A fact unknown to Eulachon and Piratchu residents since mophos was native to the Trojian Sea, a body of water they had no direct access to.

  Panga was scenic and beautiful in its own way. It lacked the beautiful jewel encrusted mountains covered in bioluminescent moss, but it had had beauty nonetheless. With plenty of waterfalls and lots of vegetation, it was visually stunning and a nice home away from home. Panga had trees. Lots of them. Mostly dwarf and smaller trees, with plenty of grass and flowers. Lillia could see that the residents used their backyards as gardens. Almost everyone grew their own herbs and edible flowers. It was one of the things that made the city special. Lillia enjoyed having access to a garden. It brought back memories of the days at the castle. Using soil imported from Panga, she had started a small garden with King Zander’s permission. A garden courtesy of Pangian leader King Nephrus. He sent soil as part of a trade deal that allowed some of Mojarro’s wealthier citizens and King Zander to partake in the healthy lifestyle. The herbs meant longevity since it was used to cure many things that ailed nermeins. And Lillia took the liberty to start her own garden. It made her feel at home.

  “Excuse me madam. Are you Lillia? Wife of Arfusei?” a man asked. “Yes, I am. Who wants to know?” Lillia asked, as she walked through the low valley, shopping for food and other delicacies. “King Nephrus would like to see you. Please come with me,” the man said, as he pointed to an awaiting chariot. Lillia squinted. She looked around. Arfusei was expecting her. She wasn’t sure she should go but it was the request of King Nephrus. She was sure it was more like an order. To ignore him when he was showing such hospitality would be an insult.

  “Come in. Sit,” King Nephrus said as he stood and poured her a cup of haku. A tradition when a king had guest. He handed the wine to Lillia. She took the gold chalice and looked at the contents. Lillia didn’t care for wine. She hated the way it made her feel and Arfusei would surely smell it on her. Lillia held the chalice hoping not to offend King Nephrus. “You wanted to see me Sire,” she said. The king sat across from her.

  “Yes. I am concerned. Arfusei has been quiet about Mojarro. I have ears in Eulachon. The king and his men do not know he is here. I am not worried. Not yet! But there has to be a plan. I worry about Panga. Queen Rasbora is probably worried about Piratchu. Only a few men know what is happening. One of those men is your husband. He is a hard man to get to. He keeps to himself. Skeptical of newcomers. And rightfully so,” he said. Lillia was confused. The king was talking in circles. She wanted to know specifically, what he wanted with her.

  “I’m sorry Your Highness…What can I do?” she asked. The king gave a nervous smile. The answer was complex. He felt himself backed into a corner. He was open. He wanted to house them, but not permanently. Sooner or later, word would get out and he would be forced to face the wrath of a formidable enemy. A man he never liked and tried to warn King Zander about. He was not surprised that Andreus and his men led a coup and had taken over Mojarro. He had broken laws set in place centuries before. The cities were to respect each other’s boundaries. It was a law set forth by their forefathers. The gods and goddesses of Madaka. He wondered if there would be a response from the gods for having broken such laws. Something big was coming. He could feel it.

  Lillia waited for his response. She was anxious to hear what he had to say. She was unfamiliar with him. He wasn’t really her king. She was in a foreign land. A refugee. Outcasted from Mojarro for safety reasons. The eulachonian soldiers would capture her just to force Arfusei to show himself. But Lillia was smart. She was an enduring and devoted woman. Her loyalty was to Arfusei. No matter what the king said, the message would be delivered to Arfusei. So, he needed to be careful. Talking to her was the same as talking to Arfusei. And she couldn’t understand why he requested her versus speaking with her husband.

  King Nephrus stood up and walked back to his wine table. He poured a glass of haku and sat back down. He took a sip of the wine then cleared his throat. He was a man who thought clearly. Saw things clearly. He just needed small bits of information. He could put the rest of the puzzle together. But he had nothing. And wanted something.

  “As you know, Panga is indebted to Arfusei. We want to protect him. We offer our land to him. But that generosity comes with the threat of war. King Andreus will come here and ravage our land if he discovers we hide an enemy of his. The lieutenants of King Zander are all considered enemies. Pangians residents are peaceful. But they are selfish. They will answer to me but I cannot ask them to risk their sons and husbands for a foreigner,” he said, as he paced the palace floor.

  “Where is the Queen? Why has she not shown herself. Requested a meeting? She put Lark in charge and just disappeared? Why? How can I prepare when my men are worried. As they should be. I lost many men in the battle. Mojarro is vast. You have many more citizens. You have many men still. We can’t risk combining forces this time. If we go to war and lose, Panga will suffer greatly. And we will be vulnerable. There will be nothing stopping him from overtaking our land,” he continued.

  Lillia sighed and looked down. War was inevitable. And it seemed they were doomed before it had even begun. She felt bad for the danger she and Arfusei were putting the Pangian community in. And she was unsure how to respond. They couldn’t live in the Trojian Sea. It was risky. Only Lark and Fin knew
the waters. It was safer to live in the Palimora Sea. Water that was teaming with uaru defense soldiers. But euloachon soldiers were present. They had nowhere to go.

  “Yes, Your Highness. They will come to take over. It is only a matter of time. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It is my belief that King Andreus wants to rule the world. If you are suggesting that we leave, then I must ask that we be allowed more time. If something happens to Arfusei, then what? He is one of the leaders. One of the few men capable of building weapons and teaching the skill necessary to win. Please!” she pleaded. King Nephrus bit his lip in frustration. Panga had been hit hard by the first war in the Palimora. Even though they’d won, it was not without great loss.

  “We are on the brink of women outnumbering men here. Once that happens, the women will not want their fathers, husbands or sons to protect our land for fear of never seeing them again. But I have no remedy and there is no plan. We are in the dark here. What are the soldiers doing in Mojarro? What do you know? Your husband has not said much. Surely, he knows something,” he said.

  Lillia sat her chalice down. The king was right to be concerned. But neither her nor her husband knew much more than what he knew. And if Arfusei had more information, she doubt he would tell. Lark had everyone under a strict code of silence. It was for their own protection. She looked the king directly in his eyes and weighed her words carefully. She appreciated his kindness. His courage. Housing them was dangerous and Lillia valued the man he was. But what he was asking was out of her control. She couldn’t speak for, nor control her husband. He would need to wait.

  “This is something between men, Your Highness. My husband is not keeping secrets if that’s what you are implying. He knows as much as you do. You need to speak with him. Yes, he is a man of few words. Yes, he is proud. But he will tell you what you need to know. He will tell you what you should already see. King Andreus is looking to grow his army. Right? If he can get Mojarroian men to side with him out of fear, then there will be nothing to stop him from running the world. You don’t need information to imagine what a person is capable of. You just need to watch them. Study what they have done. What they have already shown you,” Lillia said.