Pretty Fin

by Smokey Moment

  On the opposite side of the Trojian Sea, sat the city of Panga. The smallest of the four cities. Panga had the most nutrient soil in Madaka. Their land was mostly flat with small amounts of gold in their clear green streams. The land was colorful, with four shades of green grass and plenty of vegetation. But Panga lacked jewels and precious metals. Something highly sought after, as they enjoyed adorning themselves with it. There were two mountains in the entire city and both were abundant in one stone that was unique to them. The sapphire. Its beautiful rich blue color was popular to all the other cities except Mojarro, which was a city laden in jewels and had no desire for the stone. The sapphire did yield high trade value with Eulachon and Piratchu, but their most valuable resource was their soil and exotic and edible plants. Panga was ruled by King Nephrus. He was a strong leader who kept the peace between the lands by constantly traveling to speak with each leader. Panga’s claim to fame was their ability to grow plants not found anywhere else. All thanks to their soil.

  Adjacent to Panga, across a large body of water, was the city of Piratchu. A small city, in comparison to Mojarro and Eulachon. It was the only city ruled by a woman. A Queen named Rasbora, who was a strong and fearless woman. Her army was large and the men were committed to her. She had the most aggressive army in Madaka. Her men would die to save her honor. Queen Rasbora had two daughters. Princess Eilena and Princess Darbee. Her city, Piratchu, was also rich in plants, soil and wood and was the only city with an abundance of pearls in their waters. They had the largest and tallest trees. And men were employed to keep the trees healthy and ready for extraction. The wood was cut down and traded for jewels like emeralds, alexandrite, gold and other metals.

  Then there was Eulachon, the largest city in Madaka. A large section of land with huge mountains. Eulachon was not adorned with jewels. It was a city once beautiful and vibrant. But decades of heat, gases and aggressive farming, had all but ravaged the land. Their natural and most abundant resource was oil and edible aquatic life. Their rivers and lakes were teaming with rare and delicious sea animals. And their oil was used for everything from cooking to personal use. Eulachon’s beloved leader, King Orfe, was a gentle and mild-mannered man. He ran Eulachon efficiently. He was generous and fair in his dealings. He was beloved by all. But he had a weakness for women. His roving eye didn’t go missed by the Queen. But her husband doted on her still. And she kept her disappointments of his friendliness towards women to herself.

  King Orfe led by example, often going to the people and engaging with them. And the citizens of Eulachon looked up to him. He doted on his one and only child. A son. Prince Andreus. And young man who didn’t share in his father’s ideals and beliefs. Prince Andreus had plans. He liked the power. And he had plans to execute his own political agenda. They were the largest land with the smallest amount of highly sought-after resources. And yet they were the most powerful.

  Eulachon was partially surrounded by land that spewed molten lava. It was unique to that area. Eulachonians had become adept to the gases emitted from the seeping gaps in the ground. And Fin’s father, King Zander, always believed that if their people came to Mojarro, they would be the only ones capable of crossing over the dune and entering the lair. A highly protective opening that no one ventured to. Its existence was kept from all the people of the four nations. King Zander was one of a few people aware of its existence.

  It was called the gates of hell by Madaka’s forefathers. The gods and goddesses of the ocean; The creators of the oceanic world. And no one wanted the species on the other side to invade their world. A group of people known for extreme violence. Deceivers who would rape the land and claim it as their own. King Zander had been taught about the Dry Land Dwellers. A race of people that he would need to always stay hidden from. It was a precaution that the old wise men of Mojarro were the first to talk about. Many believed it was a tale made up to entertain the young and control the old. But Zander knew better. His father had proof. And the Dark Lair was kept a secret.

  Of all the cities, Eulachon was the most feared. They had the largest army and the largest population. Although the world of Madaka existed in peace, each city still kept an active military and each leader travels with guards and soldiers close by. There wasn’t always peace. What tranquility they experienced, was the result of years of fighting. Peace had come at a cost. And only after thousands of lives were lost.

  King Zander was well aware that other leaders sought his land. He had built a formidable army himself. He too, sought to gain access to things he did not have. His solution was easy. Marry off his daughter and gain a second city through the joining of two leaders. Queen Rasbora also had two daughters that she could marry off. She too had a chance to join forces and combine wealth and resources. But no princess was as beautiful as Finora. The king was sure he would have the opportunity to choose successfully. There was Panga, which would be ruled by Price Osiris one day. Then there was Eulachon, and Prince Andreus. He had reasons for interest in both lands. But there was a problem. Fin was not docile. She was not demure or easy to control. It would take time and convincing. And unknown to the king was the fact that his daughter was different. She was much more complex. It was more than the color of her tail. She had a different spirit. Different desires. Much more than he could have ever imagined. And she would seek love. Real love. The tangible kind. And she would find it in the unlikeliest of places.

  An Unfulfilled Life

  “Ok, so listen. The new owner is on his way here. His name is…” the man said, as he walked through the office of Bandz Technology Firm. David looked at a fax he had just received. Everything was going so fast. It had been just a few days since the owner passed away. And a team of lawyers scurried to find an heir. Howard Reed had left behind a vast fortune. A will drafted in his own handwriting and tucked into a safe, dispelled all rumors. Erased any fear. The company would continue on. Mr. Reed had a son. A man ironically in the same line of work. The move would be seamless. He had been brought up to speed on the current state of affairs for Bandz Technology. A firm that was made reputable by their tablet style cell phones.

  The lawyers located a long-lost son, who himself owned a small but successful technology company in Boston. The handwritten will left his son and only child, everything. IT was Howards way of repaying for time lost. He hadn’t laid eyes on his son in years. This was a way to pay him back for not being in his life. His brief encounter with the man’s mother had left him a father. A role he never wanted.

  “What’s his name? Do we know anything?” the secretary said. “Barely! He will be here shortly. I want you to make an announcement and have everyone come to Conference Room C.”

  Dave grabbed his things and headed to the conference room to brief the employees. He wasn’t sure what he would say. Some people had quit upon the death of their beloved boss. Others waited. It was a strong company with vast holdings and a bright future. They were on the cutting edge of technology. No one wanted to see the company fail. Not with several promising inventions set to change the course of communication, ready to be unveiled.

  “Ok everyone. Sorry for the last-minute meeting. I’ll make this quick. As you all have probably heard by now, Howard had a son,” he said. The room went quiet. Whispers suddenly halted. “No! I haven’t heard that. What son?” one of the computer scientists said. Dave looked intently at him. “He had a son George. That’s all I know right now. If you let me finish. Can everyone hold off comments until I have finished,” he said, giving George a stern look.

  “As I was saying. Howard had a son. He is also into communications and technology. He had his own business based out of Boston. He had decided to join us here at Bandz. In fact, he is on his way here now. I wanted to brief you before he got here. Please make him feel welcomed. It can’t be easy losing your father and stepping into his place at a company you are unfamiliar with. I expect George, Thomas and Lionel to bring him up to speed. Kathy and Marisa will meet with him separately to go over sales projections an
d what’s coming up,” Dave said. Soon whispers filled the room.

  “Hold on. Let me finish,” he interjected. “No. Wait Dave. No one said anything about a son. Some young cat’s going to just come here. Run the place? Does he have a degree? Does he know anything about this business? We have lost half our workforce already. Half! We can’t survive without engineers and scientist. Some of our account executives have left. The meat and potatoes of our company. Who is this kid?” the man said, as people around him shook their head in agreeance.

  “My name is Lance Neilson Reed. But please, call me Lance,” a voice said from the doorway. Everyone quickly turned around. The room went silent. Lance was no kid. He looked like a man with a plan. He was confident. Charming. Handsome. Sophisticated. It was obvious he was already a success. His well-tailored suit and expensive shirt and tie, couldn’t be missed. He wore it well.

  Lance was the personification of male perfection. His thick lashes and eyebrows coupled with almond shaped, powerful looking eyes, were mesmerizing. It seemed the gods had showed him favor. His mustache and goatee finished his look. And his clothes fit him impeccably, showing off the fact that there was a trim and muscular physique beneath the two thousand dollar wool blend suit. Every woman in attendance of the impromptu meeting took notice.

  The women swooned. His presence was captivating. Lance cleared his throat. He didn’t mean to cause panic or take anyone by surprise. But the silence was deafening. “Oh. Mr. Reed. Welcome. Glad you could make it. Everyone, this is Lance Reed. The new owner of Bandz Technology. Please make him feel at home,” Dave said.

  “Thank you, Dave. I just want to say hello to everyone. And thank each and every one of you for staying on with the company. I’m sure my father’s sudden death was a shock to you all. But we will mourn together and honor him by building on his legacy. I have a lot to learn. And I am hoping to sit with each of you to get your thoughts on the company’s strengths and weaknesses. Just so you know, my background is in technology. I have a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Bandz will continue to thrive and grow. Please be patient. And anyone who needs to talk, my door is always open,” Lance assured.

  “Thank you, Mr. Reed. Welcome,” one woman said. She was the manager of Human Resources and she was already looking forward to working with him. “Hi,” Angel, the sales assistant greeted. Soon everyone began to greet him. The secretary looked at one of the female account executives and grinned. He was impressive. He was more than eye candy. He seemed down to earth. They looked forward to working with him.

  Dave introduced every person in the conference room. Some women gave each other looks. One kicked her co-worker. He was intimidating. Sexy and cultured. And obviously intelligent. He came with a lengthy and successful career in technology and had several degrees to his credit.

  But Lance was humbled. He was aware of his attraction to the opposite sex. But being visual perfection had not saved him from heartache and pain. If the female employees of Bandz were hoping he would be flirtatious and hell bent on showing his prowess, they would be mistaken. Lance was picky. He had tried his hand at dating but the timing wasn’t right. He had been in several long-standing relationships. The last one, testing his strength and perseverance as a man and human being. He had suffered a great loss. And as a result, was single and not ready to jump back into the dating pool. He had overcome a lot. And now he was in a new city running a new company. A major move from him. And there was no one there to lean on. He knew no one in California. He didn’t even know his father.

  Lance spent nearly an hour talking to his employees and being brought up to speed on some of the more urgent matters. He and Dave excused themselves and had a private meeting to cover more serious issues. Dave was impressed with Lance’s credentials. He was a man of considerable education and wealth himself. And now he was inheriting a huge fortune. He was also inheriting his father’s cars, homes, properties, land and other valuables. His father’s watch collection alone was valued at more than five million dollars. Lance was overwhelmed. He hadn’t had a chance to even mourn for the man whose face he saw only through Forbes.

  “Thanks Dave. Thanks for everything. I have to get going. I am meeting movers at the house in Malibu. It’s the only property that I may keep. I haven’t decided,” he said. Dave smiled. He knew his boss well. Howard was an opulent man. He had more homes than any one man would ever need. “Yeah. Your father loved cars and homes. He just liked to own things,” Dave said. “Yeah. I see,” Lance replied. Dave looked at Lance. He was friendly but he seemed like the type of man that liked his privacy. Dave wasn’t sure he should question him. But he was curious.

  “So, you have family? Wife? Kids?” he asked. “No. Not yet. It’s just me for now,” he replied. Dave chuckled. He was a newlywed with twins. “Well, don’t be too much in a hurry. Your life isn’t yours after the family starts growing.”

  Lance laughed. He agreed. But he was still a romantic at heart. And no matter what, he still looked forward to marriage and children. But it seemed fleeting. He had been on a few dates. But his heart wasn’t in it. He hated the casualness of it. The uncertainty. And he was confused as to why he didn’t seem destined for marital bliss. Within the last year alone, he’d been on six dates and two almost dates that he ended after seeing their online profiles. Most of the dates were set up by his half-brother, Allan. He meant well.

  Allan had worried about his younger brother. He was still mourning the death of his unborn child. A tragedy he and his fiancé could not overcome. After the miscarriage, Paula went into a depression and their relationship could not handle the strain. The marriage was called off and Lance suffered in silence. Paula was in her eighth month of pregnancy. A rare condition was to blame. But Lance blamed himself. He believed she was under stress from his hectic travelling schedule, and the fact that he always wanted her to accompany him. Allan stepped in to pick up the pieces when Paula left. He began setting him up on dates with women he knew. Various women from different backgrounds. All beautiful and intelligent women. But one after the other, Lance found a reason not to go on a second date. He was particular. And he wasn’t sure what he was looking for. All he knew was he would know it when he felt it.

  “Thank you for all your help. See you in the morning,” Lance said to his secretary. He was adjusting well. It had been a great first few months. Maria smiled and shut her computer down for the day. She was attracted to her new boss. But Maria was no fool. She needed her job. An office romance with the owner could end badly and she would probably be out of work. So, she snickered at the thought. He was eye candy that she would have the pleasure of working with every day. Nothing more. Lance walked with Dave out together. The men talked about the meeting they had lined up as they made their way through the parking structure. “See you in the morning,” Dave said as Lance walked up to his SUV parked in a private spot with his name on it. “Yep. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lance replied.

  It was a scenic drive to his home in Malibu. Lance open the double doors of his gate and pulled into the driveway. The Oceanfront property was breathtaking. A custom-built home, that sat close to the ocean. Its structure, a part of the rock it sat on. A long, man-made wood dock stretched from the home, out into the ocean. Howard Reed was a man who loved his toys. And his most cherished was his water toys.

  “Mr. Reed,” the man said, as he approached Lance’s car. Lance rolled the window down and shook the man’s hand. “Hi. Am I all set?” he asked. “Almost. Just a few more things,” the man replied. Lance sighed. He saw movers taking furniture inside. He had left the door unlocked and had an interior designer furnish the home. “I will be right back. I saw you out here and just wanted to update you. There are just a few more items that need to be placed and we will be all set,” he said.

  Lance sat back. He scratched his head and then looked around. His favorite part of the property. Where it was built set it apart from the other homes. Beachfront property was prime real estate. And the views were spe
ctacular. Lance looked forward to sunsets. He yearned for the outdoors. He was a water guy. He loved beaches. Long walks. He used to surf but had given it up. This was perfect for him.

  “All done Mr. Reed,” the man said. Lance was so consumed with his thoughts, that he didn’t see the man walk up. “Yes,” he said, as he rolled the window down. “Come take a tour. We are all done. I want to make sure everything is to your liking,” he said.

  Lance walked the house, room to room, making sure there were no other changes he wanted. “This is great. I love it. I have no changes. It’s perfect,” he said. “I’ll make the final charge to your card. Would you like me to mail you the receipt?”: he asked. “Sure. Thanks a lot,” Lance replied. He walked the man and his crew to the door and then walked into his newly decorated great-room and plopped down. His timing was perfect.

  He watched the sun as it set. It was a spectacular sight. The last time he saw a perfect sunset was on a beach in Hawaii. He was hypnotized by its beauty. And he would now get to see it every evening. Lance got comfortable. He had dinner in the fridge. He got up and heated the plate and sat back down. He tried to relax and get acclimated to his new life. Thoughts of his father consumed him. A man who had no time for him. A man he had tried to contact before being stopped by his mother. Her words cutting deep like a knife. Naomi told her young son that his father wasn’t ready to be a dad. That he abandoned his responsibilities. But Lance pressed on anyway. And when he heard his voice one day when he called his office, fear consumed him and he hung up. Lance decided to write a letter. In it, he detailed how he admired him. How he hoped to meet him one day. That he loved him regardless of his decision to not be in his life. Lance never heard from Howard. And when his lawyers showed up on his doorstep, it was all overwhelming.