Pretty Fin

by Smokey Moment

  “Attack,” Lark shouted, as his men swam forward and lunged with their spears. Men crashed into one another. The force sending ripples through the water. Spears jousted upward. Many men mortally wounded, as the pointed spears entered into their bellies. Men began floating to the bottom by the dozens. King Andreus stayed back. He could see his men succumbing quickly to something. Blood filled the water. His men were dying swiftly. No one was really fighting. Just thrusting movements from the Mojarroian soldiers and blood. Some of Andreus’ men turned the tables on the opposing force and removed the spears from their bodies. They used them in the same manner, wielded the weapons against Lark and his men. Men suffered. The sounds of their pain and dying last words were echoed throughout the water. The smell of their blood picked up by predators and scavengers from miles away.

  Lark looked through the crowd. A soldier came at him aggressive and swiftly. He pulled his knife and stuck it into the man’s abdomen. He pulled it out. His eyes on Andreus. He sneered at his enemy. He tried to swim to him, but was grabbed from behind and trapped in the soldier’s firm grip. Lark tried to wiggle away, but the soldier had him. Arfusei was fighting a large soldier. He was hard to kill. He had stabbed the man twice yet he still had energy and strength.

  The man swung his tail knocking Arfusei back a few meters. Arfusei swam towards the man, his knife still in the man’s back. He pulled it out and stuck it in again. The man was weakened. Arfusei looked back in Lark’s direction. He was losing the battle. Arfusei pulled a second knife. He was not supposed to have it. Too much metal would weigh them down. A sharp wide blade molded out of gold and aluminum. A spare, he was glad he had. He swam over. He stuck the blade in the soldier’s neck. He turned around. The look of pain on his face affecting Arfusei deeply.

  He was the enemy yet Arfusei felt sorry for him. This was a war they had brought about. It was not necessary. An act of vengeance and greed had their king sacrificing many for his own, for his personal satisfaction. Arfusei stared the man down. He watched the life drain from the young man’s face. A man young enough to be his son. Lark nodded and went after Andreus. Arfusei turned to check on Rotiro. A blade from a spear he fashioned entered his groin. Lark heard his cry and turned around. “Nooooo,” he shouted, as he swam back to his wounded lifelong friend. Lark removed his blade and swiped it across the soldier’s throat, opening his neck and killing him. He grabbed Arfusei.

  “Hold on. I will get you home,” he said. He held onto him and then ordered a soldier to take him back. “We can’t lose him. Take him back. And tell the queen we are still battling. We are winning. But it is far from over. I have to find Andreus.”

  The soldier grabbed Arfusei by the arm and swam back. Lark dropped down to the bottom. He swam slowly. Looking around at all the dead bodies. Some were the bodies of his enemy. Some were the familiar faces of his own. Lark was devastated. It had been a hard-fought battle. There were many dead men from Mojarro. More than he expected to lose. As he continued looking around, he noticed a soldier with his clothing missing. Lark stopped. He looked around. It was a soldier from Panga. But the uniform was Mojarroian. Lark’s mind raced.

  “Oh no,” he said, as he took off for the castle. He believed Andreus removed it and was now wearing it to gain access to the castle.

  Andreus swam close to the surface and made it past the slaughter. He dropped down to the bottom and continued swimming towards Fin’s home. He had walked his men into a tough battle that numbers alone did not win. Angered and ready for the ultimate revenge, he hoped to get to Fin. She was now his mortal enemy. He swore to kill her slowly. He had lost many men. He wondered about the items they used to take his men out so swiftly. Some of his soldiers retreated. The battle was lost. But it was not over.

  Lillia ran into Fin’s room. “Your Highness. Its Arfusei,” she frantically said. “What!” Fin said, as she awakened from a deep sleep. Fin jumped out of bed and ran behind Lillia to the kitchen. The soldier stood over him. “Get the healer. Quick!” she ordered. The soldier ran out of the castle, headed to the home of a local medicine woman.

  “Which herb is for blood?” she asked Lillia. Her lady’s maid was too shocked to answer. Fin knew Lillia had a long-standing crush on Arfusei. He never seemed to notice. And Fin felt sorry for her. He would notice now. He was an awakened soul.

  “Lillia,” she blurted. “Huh,” she answered. “Get me herbs. He will be fine. He needs our help. Focus! Go get the things you used when the guard got attacked and injured by the Tetra,” Fin said. Lillia ran to the garden.

  “Arfusei? Can you hear me? Say something. Please,” she pleaded. “You can’t leave us. We need you. Lark needs your guidance. And Lillia has always loved you. Come on. Don’t die,” Fin cried.

  “Okay. I found everything but willow and blackroot,” Lillia noted. “What does that mean. Will it work without those?” Fin asked. “I don’t know Your Highness. I will try,” she replied.

  Lillia grabbed bedding and covered Arfusei. They decided to leave him on the kitchen floor. The healer arrived and made a potion of her own. She rubbed herbs on his wounds then poured some in his mouth. The only thing to do was wait. Fin stood back. She felt weak. “I must lay down. Please take care of him. Wake me if anything happens,” she said. “Yes. I will,” Lillia replied. Fin returned to her room and crawled back in her bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the fabric filled pillow. Lillia lay on the floor next to Arfusei. Her hand on his hand. Praying for his recovery. She too had been awakened by the touch of Fin.

  “Your Highness,” Ziege said, as he stood over Fin. He had a deep gash on his arm and bite wounds to his legs, but otherwise was fine. Fin opened her eyes then sprung up. “What happened?” she asked. Ziege smiled.

  “Is it over? Is it really? We won?” she asked. “Yes, Your Majesty. The war is over. We lost many men. They lost more. Many of them retreated,” he said. Fin smiled. “Oh Ziege. That is wonderful.”

  Fin’s smile turned to a look of concern. Ziege looked upset. Something was wrong. Fin shook her head slowly. “No. Don’t say it. No! Where is he?” she asked. Ziege continued to shake his head. “I don’t know. There are many bodies on the sea floor. We tried to locate him. Clem is among them. But there was too many to find Lark. Plus, Tetra came. Many of them. They began to eat the dead. We tried to stop them. Then we tried pushing some of the soldiers into the ground. We were able to bury some. But we never located him. I am sorry Your Highness. We will wait and go back once it is safe.”

  Fin grabbed her vest and a knife. “No. He is alive. He is strong. Smart. He is out there alone. Maybe wounded. We can’t look later. I must find him now,” she said. “Your Highness no! I will take men back in the morning. It is dark. You won’t be able to see clearly unless there are sea animals around to light the way. Please,” he begged. Fin walked past him, stubborn and determined. “No one knows the bottom of the Palimora like I do. I will go,” she said, as she ran to the door.

  Ziege ran to the soldier’s quarters. He ordered two of his best soldiers to help him catch up with Fin and aide her in the recovery of Lark. Most of his soldiers were either injured or fatigued from battle. It was a difficult request. The men needed rest. Food. But the queen was already on her way.

  The water was black. Fin wondered how she would see the surface, let alone the bottom. “Come on. Let there be life,” she said, as she dove in and changed to her powerful blue tail. Fin swam, staying close to the bottom. Illuminated sea animals were scattered about. Not enough to light the area. It would be a difficult task. She hoped he could hear her. She planned on getting close to the area and then calling Lark’s name until she found him.

  Andreus hung around until he was sure the soldiers were gone. He had a plan. One that he hoped would work. He had everything he need. “I have no army. So, they will have no queen,” he angrily promised himself. He cared about nothing but revenge. His new wife was a few months pregnant. He had other soldiers that relied on his leadership. But his evil heart had consume
d him. His desire to force his ways on the world had him throwing it all away. He was willing to die, trying to kill Fin. She would be surrounded by guards. They would tear him apart if they caught him. But he blamed her. And so, she had to die.

  “Please be safe,” Fin said to herself, as she searched the sea floor for Lark. He could be anywhere. She knew it was a long shot. But she could not sit by, knowing he was in trouble. “Lark!” she yelled out. “Lark!” she shouted again. The water seemed peaceful. It was hard to imagine a war had just been fought there. Soon the faint smell of blood filled the surrounding area. It was heavy. Fin was crushed. She could tell a lot of men had died. It was unnecessary. She felt bad for the families. And she could only hope Andreus was among the dead. She didn’t think to ask Ziege in her frantic haste. Lark was a priority.

  “Lark!” Fin continued to shout. She yelled his name every few meters and listened intently for some sort of response. Soon she could feel a change in the current. Something was coming. It was approaching fast. Fin smiled. It was Lark. He heard her.

  “Lark! It’s me, Fin. I thought you were dead,” she said, as she rushed to him. Sediment had been stirred by the movement. The illumination of sea creatures wasn’t enough. Fin squinted as the sediment got into her eyes. She called his name again. She wondered why he didn’t answer. She hoped he wasn’t injured. Suddenly an arm grabbed her around the neck. It was Andreus. He tightened his grip as Fin chocked and squirmed to get away.

  “Princess. How nice. You read my mind,” he said, as he took pleasure in squeezing the life out of her. Fin struggled to pull away as he laughed at her efforts. “So, you stay behind while a slaughter commenced. One that you commanded. At least your father was brave enough to enter the water and face his enemies. You women… Natural born cowards,” he snarled.

  Fin could feel herself losing focus. She feared for her life and the life of her unborn child. Andreus had her in a tight grip. She was unable to speak. Unable to yell out. Fin thought of using telepathy to communicate. She hadn’t used it since she was a child. She never had the need. Nermeins had the ability to speak under water. And so, it was an unused talent. And not all nermeins had the capability.

  She tried talking to Andreus. She tried pleading for her life. But it didn’t work. He continued to taunt her using his voice. Oh Lark. Please be ok. Please, she thought. Fin had never tried telepathy with Lark. She was unaware if he had the gift.

  Fin felt herself slipping away. She suddenly dug her sharp nails into his hand, severing a finger. “Ahh,” he blurted, as he released his grip. She tried to swim away but he chased her down and swung his tail around knocking her back. Fin was disoriented from the blow. Andreus smirked then attacked her tail and fin. He ripped her fin into shreds and dug his razor-sharp nails into her tail, badly damaging it. Fin yelled out in pain. Already in a weakened state, she didn’t have the energy to flee or protect herself from harm. It didn’t take much effort for Andreus to severely wound her.

  “This blue tail you love so much. That you think distinguishes you from the others. Look at it now. You will never be able to use it again,” he teased. Fin could not see the damage. But she could feel the immense pain coming from her lower half. “Please! I have done nothing to you,” she said. “You have. It all started the day you shunned me. And now you will pay. Too bad so many had to suffer,” he replied.

  Andreus prepared to finish her. Fin could barely see him. She felt herself getting weaker. She was losing blood. She prayed to the gods to spare her child’s life. That she would sacrifice herself for the life of her child. She closed her eyes. Ready to die. She hoped Lark would happen upon her and take the baby from her body. “You’ll die slowly like my men.,” he said, as he approached her. “Please. I am with child. You started this war. Why are you so determined to make me suffer?” she asked. Andreus slowed. “With child. Then the child will die with you,” he angrily said, as he charged her.

  Suddenly Lark emerged from the sediment. He swung his powerful tail around, smacking Andreus in the head. The blow stunned Andreus. He shook it off and charged at Lark. The men tussled against the ground. Lark grabbed for his knife. It was missing from the holder. Andreus grabbed him and twisted around him, wrapping his arms around his neck. Lark struggled to break free. “Is she worth dying over. Are you to blame? Are you the father of her child? You wanted her? I saw it in your face, the first day I met you. It’s you. And you will die with her,” he said, as he tightened his grip.

  Lark glanced at Fin. She was floating on the bottom. Her body bobbing with the currents. He felt himself succumbing to Andreus’ strong hold. He looked back at Fin. They couldn’t die together. It seemed unfair when they never even lived together. As one. He loved her. And Andreus was partially right. He did want her. He needed to see her once again. He was responsible for her. He promised Zander that he would take care of her. “Fin,” he mumbled. The sight of her lifeless body enraging him.

  Lark twisted around and grabbed Andreus by throat. The men had each other. It was now a match of wills. Who would stop breathing first. Who would black out first. The men stared into each other’s eyes, enraged, as they tightened their grips on each other’s neck. Andreus began closing his eyes but his grip stayed firm. Lark growled. Andreus’ grip began to loosen. Ziege swam up from behind and punch Andreus in the spine. The force, injuring him severely. His body floating as he started to move again. He was coming back around. He tried to swim away. But was grabbed by the neck once more. Lark swam quickly towards an area he knew well. The Palimora Sea blades. He remembered seeing two Tetra there. They were feeding on a carcass.

  Andreus was too weak to fight back. His weakened body being pulled by Lark to the sea blades. An area that was a known habitat for Tetra. When he neared, he bit a chuck from Andreus’ neck and tossed him in. He floated backwards. He waited. The fresh blood caused a frenzied attack. “Ahhhhh,” Andreus yelled out, as the Tetra bit chunks of him until he was consumed. Lark swam away. He had to get to Fin.

  “Fin!” he said, as he took her from Ziege’s arms. “You are weak. Injured. Let us carry her,” Ziege said. “No! I can,” he assured. “Are you ok?” Ziege asked. “Yeah. Thanks,” he replied, as he placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “What about Arfusei?” he asked. “He’s still out. It’s hard to say. Lillia has bandaged his wounds. And the healer is there,” he said. Lark felt confident Arfusei would be okay. “Tetra’s are still in the area. We need to get her out of the water,” Lark noted.

  He took Fin gently in his arms and swam back to the Mojarro shore. The men walked through the town. The soldiers worried. Their queen wasn’t moving. They bowed their heads as Lark passed, carrying her body. Fin was injured severely. It would take a miracle to save her. All they could do was hope.

  F

  in awakened to a bright day. The flowers were in full bloom. The new hues of purple and red were delightful. There was so much yellow green and blue that the new colors brought life into the area surrounding the castle. The red flowers were gifts from Panga. And Queen Rasbora sent purple gleamers to compliment the red. Lark had to step in as acting leader since Fin was still too weak to run the city. And she asked Lark to take on her duties while she tried to get well. The truth was it was a permanent position. She didn’t want Mojarro under her power. He had earned the position. He was her father’s closest confidant. The son he never had. It was as it should be. He would be king.

  Eulachon had settled. Fin asked Guida to take her seat at her husband’s throne. She was reluctant to take the position. She wasn’t the type to lead. But she agreed to take on the duty for the sake of her unborn child. Fin and Guida forged a bond and she eventually introduced her to Lark. Fin could see a sparkle in Guida’s eye for the handsome, well-mannered and powerful new leader of Mojarro. She smiled, as the two shook hands and made small talk. Lark apologized to Guida for the war. She spoke of being aware that Andreus was planning something terrible and apologized for the loss of men. Lark seemed intrigued by the interes
ting and beautiful new queen. But then suddenly cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Fin. She didn’t mind. He was awakened. He was now mentally free to be attracted to women.

  Guida held no one responsible for her husband’s death. His obsession with Fin and a city he coveted, was his undoing. Guida was the daughter of Halacai. A secret only Zander and Lark knew. His undisclosed visits to see Mayat was easy since she stayed so close to the sea resulted in him fathering two children with her. Mayat loved Halacai. Their committed love for one another kept hidden from the world. It was forbidden. They were from two different cities. But that didn’t stop them and Halacai swam to see his family often and was still acting as liaison between the cities of Madaka. It was perfect for him to now step in and help his daughter. He knew Eulachon well. He could advise her on how to run the city. And Guida needed him. She was uncomfortable in the new position.

  Halacai moved to Eulachon to act as his daughter’s advisor. Fin was glad. He was a good man. He only ever wanted everyone to get along. She would continue to let him work as prime minister between the cities. He was good at it. Eulachon would be better with him there.

  It was a long rough road. Fin was still healing every day. Arfusei had healed and returned to his post. A scar on his head the only reminder of his near-death injuries. But Fin had not healed completely. And Lillia was tending to her daily.

  “How is she today?” Lark asked. “Better. The healer has stopped giving her pain herbs. And she is much more alert. She is depressed. She just found out the baby didn’t make it,” she said. Lark sighed. That was a blow. Fin would never be okay. “Can I talk to her?” he asked. “Sure. But keep it brief. She still has some pain. She needs her rest,” she urged.