Fin furrowed. She looked back down at the boy. She stared the child in the eyes then jerked her head back to Andreus. Her eyes watered. She was frozen. She kneeled down to get a closer look. She scanned his face. His eyes. His mouth. His skin tone. The color of his hair. It was familiar. Fin was horrified. The child looked like Lance. It was impossible. He couldn’t be.
“He looks like my husband. But…that…that couldn’t be. What are you saying to me? Tell me what you mean by that? Isn’t this your son! What have you done. Where is Guida? What is happening. Guida!” Fin called out.
“She can’t hear you. And she is forbidden from coming here. He is mine. The son of Lark. Imagine that. Do you recognize him now,” Andreus said, believing the husband she was referring to was Lark. Fin kneeled down. She touched his small hand as tears fell. He smiled at her, staring deep into her eyes with a longing. Fin immediate loved the child. They connected. They bonded in an instant. But she was in denial. And Andreus’ mentioning of Lark confused her.
“So Guida and Lark have a child. This is why you want him dead. You want his son. You bastard,” Fin fumed. Andreus stood quiet. His mood changing. He looked like he held the answers. Fin shook her head at him. She didn’t understand his hatred. She looked back at the baby, and reached through the bars. His touched was magnetic. She felt energized. Her skin flashed with the same scaled pattern the men had witnessed as they carried her to Andreus’ castle. Andreus was too busy staring her down, to notice the skin on her legs had changed. Zion held her finger. His eyes were fixated on her. Suddenly he spoke. And Fin almost fainted.
“Momma,” the baby babbled, as he held her finger tightly. Fin’s eyes widened. She jumped up and took a step back. Andreus smirked at the revelation. The secret he had been dying to tell her before he would remove her head. He wanted her to long for a baby she would never have. The way he had wanted her. It was the ultimate payback. One that he happened upon. Andreus was not searching for him when he happened upon what looked like a dead fish. Upon closer inspection Andreus discovered it was a baby. It’s body in the same area he and Fin were in when he attacked her. Andreus was injured, but still managed to haul the baby back to the shores of Eulachon.
“He is not Guida’s. I found him in the sea. She lost our baby. And we have not been able to have another. Yes, he is yours. He knows it. He has always known. He has not bonded with Guida, even though she loves him with all her heart. He pushes from her. This is your son. Yours and Lark’s. And he is mine now. I will kill Lark. And I will raise the child that should have been mine,” he said. Andreus was satisfied. Fin was destroyed. He could see the pain of missing the child had already destroyed her. He was now ready to finish what he started. But not before dropping another devastating blow.
“Give him to me! You had him, pretending he was yours. He was alive all this time…. Give me my baby,” she fumed, as she reached for his hand. Andreus pulled Zion back away from the bars. He started to cry and Fin became enraged. “You will die. The gods have prophesized it. I have seen your death. It is brutal. It is not by my hand yet I wish it was. You let my son see my face then take him away from me. He will never forget me. He is my blood. My heir. His ancestors will make you pay. Lark is not his father but he will kill you once he finds out what you have done. Stop this and seek redemption. It is not too late. Give him to me. Make peace with my ancestors,” Fin pleaded. Andreus didn’t fear her words. He was also a descendent of gods and goddesses. He believed that he too would be protected.
“I will raise him as my own. Don’t worry. I will give him Mojarro when he grows up and takes the position. Your ancestors will be pleased that I returned the land to him. But you will be nowhere around. Maybe you can watch over him. Maybe the gods will allow your spirit to be his guardian angel,” he said as he reached down and picked up the baby.
“Put him down!” Fin shouted, as she ran to the bars and tried to grab Andreus. “I will kill you. You took my baby. You took him from me. I will kill you,” she cried. Andreus turned and walked up the ramp. Zion cried as he turned around and reached out to Fin. “That would be a nice trick,” Andreus said, as he continued ascending up the steep wood steps embedded in mud. “Please! Bring him back. Let me see him once more,” she begged. Andreus continued. He was happy. He had gotten his revenge. He had seen her cry. Heard her beg. It was worth the wait.
Fin fell to her knees sobbing. Her baby was alive. The baby she mourned. She remembered feeling his heartbeat as she lost consciousness that fateful day. The baby who was no longer in her body when she came to, inside her castle. She never stopped crying for him. Never stopped wanting him. He looked like Lance. The eyes. His stare. His piercing looks. It was Lance. And now she would never know him. Lance would never meet him.
“I’m sorry baby,” she said in a low whisper, laying down on the cold hard floor and succumbing to her fate. Fin balled up in a fetal position. Her pain was immense. Nothing Andreus could do to her now would hurt her more. Death was the end to a beginning. But life without her children was a fate worse than death. She would never see Isla or Nimah again. And they too, would never meet their brother.
She had no more fight, as she lay on the floor remembering the times she had to leave her family to cry alone behind closed doors. Frequent stolen moments, away from Lance and her girls, wiping the tears that flowed uncontrollably. And now she would die never knowing him. Never holding him. Her breast kept the milk meant for him until she had Nimah. And she would die never giving him nourishment. Never bonding with him. She would rather die. Her heart couldn’t bear it.
“Your Highness. There are many men in the water. We had nets hoping to catch fish. But the fish were nowhere around. Not one. Then we started to feel powerful ripples in the water. We swam deeper, trying to locate the fish and that’s when we saw them. Men. Many! On their way here,” he said. Andreus walked quickly from him.
“Alert the others. Tell Ithicus. Everyone to the shore. They wish to save their queen. They want war, then war it is. Let’s go!” he shouted.
The soldier ran towards the back of the castle to alert Ithicus. He was standing around with a group of lieutenants, laughing and awaiting the execution of the queen. “Ithicus!” the soldier shouted. Ithicus turned around. The men’s faces turned from joy to faces on heightened alert. The young soldier’s eye darted back and forth between them as he ran up.
“What has happened?” Ithicus asked. He was ready for anything. Ithicus was Andreus’ most feared guard. He was violent. Unrelenting. And he was loyal to the plan and vision Andreus had for Eulachon. “Men are in the water. It is war,” he said. Ithicus smirked. “Grab the weapons. Go in the water. Kill them all!” he shouted.
Andreus stood at the shore watching as his men entered. He wanted them to see his face. Feel his presence. He watched as they splashed through the waves of the Palimora and disappeared into its vastness. He looked back at Guida. She looked worried. She loved a child that wasn’t hers and she didn’t want Fin to have him. Andreus gave a reassuring nod and entered behind his men. He and Guida were not in love. But they had an understanding. The baby was to remain with them. And the only way that would happen would be to eliminate anyone with an interest in his life.
He was the heir to Mojarro. A male. The grandson of King Zander. This war was the war that would change their world. He had to win. Then he could build Madaka to his likeness. Force rules and the lifestyle he wanted. That would mean he controlled the gems. He would control the food and metals. He would stay in the most beautiful land of them all and pass it on to his son when he died. The son of Fin. A child that should have been his. He would never have his own heirs. Guida had suffered greatly and was now barren. Only three nermeins knew the truth. Guida, Fin and himself. And Fin would be dead soon, removing the threat of exposure.
“Where is the baby mother?” Guida said, as she frantically ran into her room and looked around. “What! I thought he was with you,” Mayat replied. Guida gasped. “Oh no,” she said, as she ran
from her mother’s chambers. “Zion darling, where are you,” she cried out. Guida ran through the large castle. Only a few guards were left behind to protect her. One stayed inside with strict orders to protect Zion over the queen. The others waited outside the castle, armed with spears and swords, covering the perimeter of the castle.
“Is something wrong Your Highness,” Hanlo, the personal guard of Zion, asked. If men got past their army, he could possibly be in a battle to save the heir. Guida would be forced to protect herself or flee. It was Hanlo’s job to protect Zion. He was appointed as the baby’s lifelong soldier. A job given to him by Andreus the day he caught the baby from hitting the ground.
“My son! I cannot find him,” she said, her voice filled with fear. He is right inside that room, Your Highness. I have been standing guard over the door. I saw your father enter. He is in with them,” he said. Guida looked stone faced. She had not seen Halacai since the day she asked him to leave. And she was struck by the word them. “Who is them Hanlo?” she asked. “There’s another child. They are playing, Your Majesty,” he replied.
“Father,” Guida said, as she shut the door. Halacai stood over Nimah and Zion. The babies played together running around and throwing gems. Guida looked at Nimah. “Whose baby is this father?” she asked. Halacai walked to Guida’s throne and sat on it. He was tired from chasing Nimah in the Palimora. He had spotted her among thousands of fish and swam through the dense school of fish to get to her. She swam away at first but then tired out and swam into his arms. Halacai could see she was the twin of Fin. Same eyes. Same dark hair. Same features. It was like looking at Fin.
“This is the princess of Mojarro,” he informed. Guida kept her eyes on her father. She tried to appear unfazed. “And why do you have her?” she asked. “The child is caught between a war. I found her in the sea and brought her here,” he said. “Why bring her here?” she asked. Halacai walked to his daughter. She braced herself for what he would say. Her father was all knowing. He had travelled the world. Been in contact with its leaders. He knew things of which he never spoke on. Halacai was a deeply private man only speaking when spoken to and only getting involved when he saw a need. War was being waged. It was time he found out, from his daughter, whether his suspicions were true. That she had Fin’s baby. The baby rumored to have lost its life inside the Palimora Sea.
“These children favor Guida. I can see a resemblance. I want you to tell me what I already know. Is this child, the child of Queen Fin?” he asked. Guida stared him down. Soon, her emotions got the best of her. She could never lie to her father. He knew her well. Guida burst into a fit. She was not willing to give him up.
“Father please! He is mine now. You mustn’t say anything. Andreus will win this war and the child will stay with us. The queen is dead. Who will raise him,” she said. Halacai looked off. Guida was right. If Andreus won the war then none of it mattered. And if Fin was dead, then it was already over. Guida sat down. Halacai sighed and sat beside her. This was an evil deed. The child still had kin. A father. This was his sister. Surely they should be raised together. Halacai gave an ear. He listened to Guida as she told him what happened. It was tragic. And there was no undoing what had been done.
She pleaded her case and begged her father to understand. She told him she was barren. That the death of her unborn child damaged her and she would never be able to have children. Halacai loved Guida. He felt bad for her. And without Andreus having an heir to the throne, it threatened their union. She wouldn’t be safe. He was the type of man that would get rid of her and start over. Andreus only ever wanted Fin. Guida was a second choice.
“I won’t say anything. But promise me that you will treat the prince as your own. Shower him with love. I don’t see you bonding with him. You say you love him, but then are quick to part form him,” he said. Guida looked down. That is because he rejects me. He always has,” she said, her eyes sad and full of pain. “That is because he knows. He is a god. Maybe a demi god. He is not a child in the sense of a real child. He is a powerful force. He is aware of everything,” he said.
Guida looked at Zion. “What?” she questioned. “Yes! He knows. And this war you think Andreus will win is doomed from the start. He may not come back. And so you have to think of your future. They have already lost,” he said. Guida shook her head slowly. “No! He will return. That is my future. To be queen. To raise my son. It is the only future I want. I gave up the love of my life to resume my role as his wife. This has to work. I lost Lark,” she said. Halacai stood up.
“He is not returning. Find another way,” he said as he walked away. “Keep the young princess. I will come and get her once the war is over and the blood clears from the water,” he said. Guida looked at the children. They continued their play. She stared at Nimah. She gave a half-hearted smile. Nimah looked like a small version of Fin. A woman she once loved and admired. Fin was responsible for her and Lark meeting. The man she loved more than anything.
Fin stood. She could hear someone coming. Her eyes were now deceiving her. She was seeing things. She shouted out in pain. It wasn’t real.
“Oh my god,” Fin screamed out. “What are you doing with her. Nimah baby…What are you doing here. What is happening? How do you have her. Are you people all insane. Come to mommy Nimah,” Fins said, as she kneeled down. Guida looked around then unlocked the gate and Fin pushed it open. “Oh my baby,” she said, as she picked Nimah up and kissed her on her cheeks. Fin kissed her baby repeatedly, checking her over and then kissing her again. Fin bent down and picked up Zion as he held his hands up. “My babies,” she cried, kissing Zion on his lips and forehead.
“How dare you! I should put them down and kill you but I refuse to traumatize my children. He is not yours,” she cried out. Guida wiped her tears. “I know. And he knows. He never let me breast feed him. He never would let me hold him for long. He cried a lot at first and then settled down, but he was always looking for you. Always leaving out the door. The guards have brought him to me on at many occasions. He was always trying to get to the sea. He wanted to find you. I’m so sorry Fin. This was not my idea. Andreus brought him home. And he refused to tell me where he got him,” she said. “Where is Andreus?” Fin asked. “In the sea. The war has begun,” she said.
Fin carried her babies in her arms as she walked up the ramp and out of the dungeon. Halacai stood at the top. He smiled at Fin. “So you are alive,” he said, as he looked at Guida with contempt. She had lied. But he did not have time to chastise her.
“Where is Hanlo. He will not let you leave with Zion,” Guida said. Halacai smirked. “He is over there,” he said as he looked behind Fin’s shoulder. She turned around. The young guard lay dead on the floor. Fin walked away, shielding her children from being able to see his body. Guida and Halacai walked her to the door.
“Go now! Swim to the northern end. You will avoid the men if you keep on the outer-most end near the mountains,” he said. Fin was anxious to get her children to safety. She feared leaving them with Guida. She may change her mind and make it impossible to get Zion back. But part of her wanted to join the battle. Protect her men. She wanted to look Andreus in the eyes as she stabbed him in the heart.
“I need a knife. They took mine,” she said. Halacai reached on his side and handed Fin a long, wide knife. He handed her a handmade holder he fashioned from baika skin with seaweed wrapped around it.
“Here! Use this. Put it on your side. This will hold it until you need it,” Halacai said. Fin took the knife and holder. She was grateful. She was indebted to Halacai and Guida. Guida had relinquished her wants. Zion would never allow her to mother him. And she wanted him happy.
“You know. I never really saw him smile until today. He would never be the same without you. And I can’t allow that,” Guida said. Fin allowed her one last kiss. Zion turned from Guida but she kissed him anyway. He feared she would want him. He buried his head in Fin’s neck.
“It’s alright. He has his momma now,” she said. Fin hea
rt melted at the instant love she had of her son and he had for her. She closed her eyes for a moment and laid her head on his. “You’re okay,” she assured. Fin smiled at Guida then shook Halacai’s hand. He was the most honest and trustworthy man she had ever met. He had always done what was right. Even if it meant going against his own family.
Fin walked away. She exited the back of the castle and ran to the Palimora shore. She ran into the waters as her children held on tight. She looked in the eyes of her son. He was happy. He smiled at her. She gave him a kiss to ease his anxiety. “Can you hold your breath like Isla or can you change like Nimah. Let’s see,” she said, as she entered further into the water then dipped down. Zion’ small legs instantly turned into a beautiful small black and silver tail and his gills opened. Fin was surprised. He turned easily. It took Nimah a minute to get the confidence to turn. She was shy and reserved. But Zion seemed comfortable in the water.
Nimah clapped, then wiggled from Fins arm and swam away. Zion soon followed. “No, no. Come back. Both of you,” she commanded. Fin was happy to have her children but desperate to keep them safe. Andreus was still out there. They were not out of the woods. And he would take her son. Nimah and Zion swam back into her arms. “We have to go that way. Hold my hand and don’t let go,” she said, taking off to the north, with her children at her side.
12
Raging Waters
T
he waters were still lifeless. Lark could feel the shift in the undercurrent. “Get ready,” he said. The men braced themselves as they swam. The water ahead was dark. Something was heading their way and it was massive enough to darken waters at the surface, near the light of the sky. Ziege grimaced the oncoming onslaught of men. He pulled his knife and sped up Lark sped up to keep up with him. Rotiro and Casio were on both sides of them. It was the old battle crew. They were joined again for the greater good. “Do you see them,” Lark said, as he clenched his knife tightly. It was pointing forward and ready to take out the first soldier. The men forged ahead. Their opponents were coming at lightening speeds. “Attack!” Lark shouted.
Pretty Fin- Raging Seas Page 20
