The Sea of Change

by Tina Engel

  Jordan asked, in a curt tone, “Why didn’t you just ask them.” As if it would stop me from asking anymore questions. I sensed that he was trying to get me to let it all go, but deep down inside, he wanted to talk. Follow my instincts. That’s what I needed to do.

  “Jordan, you saved me. You act gruff and mean and you have such anger deep inside.”

  When I said this, he stood with fury in his eyes and walked to the door.

  “Princess, this is unnecessary, you need to leave. The boat will be in port soon.”

  I stood up, walked to him, and shut the door quietly. I took his hand in mine and said in a whisper, “Please, I need to understand some things. I don’t even know the questions to ask but I need to talk with you.”

  Jordan’s attitude changed to acceptance. I felt that it was really what he wanted too, but he had no clue as to why either. We walked over to a small couch and sat together.

  “There are all kinds of fey out there, Princess. I was once very much like Brett and Adam in many ways. I, however don’t need the fluids that flow through the veins of others, to survive. I am not pixie either.

  “It’s said, that long ago, during a period of time when there was unrest on this planet and before humans arrived, two species of fey collided with one another. Back then, fey were a young species, growing and developing. These two groups of fey, one from the air and one from the land, fought over the great trees that surrounded their territory.

  “The land fey wanted to remove some of the trees to make room for their homes. The sky fey used the trees for their homes. Of course, the trees belonged to the fey that lived in them, and they didn’t want their homes destroyed either. If the tree was destroyed it would kill the tree fey.

  “There was a lot of killing and kidnapping of all three fey species for more years that we can remember. This was one of our great fey uprisings, or as humans would call it, wars, and that was when the council was created.

  “It was the Elders who came together with their special powers, who ended this battle, but in the end it seemed that some of the air fey and some of the ground fey had learned to cohabitate; some forcibly and others willingly. This created a new fey species.

  “Over the centuries, this new species, became more ground fey than sky and used their wings less and less. They didn’t want to be confused with the pixies. If a fey that needs pixie blood for survival mistook them for a pixie and drank from them, they would both die. They have a toxin in their saliva, that mixed with this new species blood, creates a poison.

  “They looked different from a pixie, but back then, if you could fly, others assumed they could drink their blood. All Fey, have developed and changed over the years, into the modern fey you see today. The elders are the ones who put order into our realm. They keep the order so we can all survive on this planet.

  “I am a product of that species, the joining of two. As we produced children, the wings became less and less visible, and the children were not taught how to use them. Some of us were born with no wings at all. I had my wings and chose to learn how to use them, on my own.

  “I used my wings often when I was alone, learning to fight and strengthen myself when I was young in the orphanage. I didn’t know until much later in my life, that I belonged to this fey species. It wasn’t until I went to the Elders that they shared with me my heritage. In the orphanage, we were considered all the same.”

  Jordan paused, so that gave me an opportunity to speak. “I thought all advanced fey like Brett and Adam were the same.”

  “Princess, just as humans have developed over the millennium, evolving and adjusting to their surroundings; be it food, climate change or clashing with other similar civilizations, so have we. There are just so many more species in our dimension because we have been here for so much longer. Species clash, then learn to cohabitate, and a new species is created.”

  “I thought when the elders banished you from the fey world for eternity, they took away your fey self and turned you as human as possible. How did your wings come back and you looked fey? You also survived under water?” I asked in a whisper, not wanting to upset Jordan, again.

  Jordan let out a little chuckle, along with the smallest of smiles and said, “Princess, your guess is as good as mine. It was instinct that took over. I guess my fey being was always there, just buried so deep inside of me that I had no idea it was still there. I had to save you, that was all there was to it. Something inside of me took over, the fey side I guess, and it is all just a blur to me now.

  “I have tried to turn back into my old fey self, but can’t. When I released the fey part of myself up on deck yesterday, it seemed to lock itself away again, deep down inside. What is different now though, is that I can feel it, deep down, wanting to get out but it can’t.”

  Jordan sat there quietly then. I put my hand on his and he looked up into my eyes. Somehow we were supposed to find each other. This meeting wasn’t a coincidence. I somehow knew him, but from where and how? I wondered.

  “Jordan, one more question, if it’s okay?” I said.

  He nodded his head in agreement, so I asked, “How did you know I was fey? You couldn’t tell that the others were. What was so special about me? Did I not have my glamour on all the time? I am still rather new at this.”

  Jordan chuckled again, but this time it was a deeper, good feeling chuckle. He said then, “Princess that was more than one question.”

  I blushed a bit at this and laughed too.

  “Your glamour was just as good as the rest. I was baffled myself when I saw you for the first time, and I didn’t see the human that you portrayed. I still don’t. I only see the fey Princess sitting here before me, with her hand in mine. I don’t even see Adam as fey and we have been together for longer that I can say.”

  “You haven’t been able to see a fey for years and you haven’t been able to change into your fey self since being banished?” I asked.

  Jordan shook his head as if to say “no” and rose to his feet. He walked back over to the porthole and gazed out again, as if in deep thought. I sat quietly for a bit, not wanting to distract him from his thoughts.

  Jordan turned back towards me and said, “In the beginning, I could sense if someone was fey or not. This ability dwindled, until I could tell no more. There is a reason I can see you, Princess. What it is, I have no idea, but I see you and am overjoyed. Maybe, just maybe….”

  Jordan stopped talking then, looked down at the floor and went over to sit in the chair behind the desk.

  As I sat there staring at this large man, who was as strong as an ox, but so broken and weak from the pain he carried deep inside, I realized that he was one of my gifts. This sounds strange, I know, but I felt it deep down inside.

  “Jordan, I want you to come with us!” I blurted out.

  Jordan looked up at me with a surprised expression, and I’m sure that I had the same look on my face. Where that came from, I didn’t know. It was like someone else was talking through me.

  I had to say something to clarify that last statement so I said, “Jordan, I don’t know why, but I need you to come with us. If you see me as I truly am, then there’s a purpose for all of this. I feel that I need you with me.”

  I was sounding like a frightened, needy girl, so I softened my tone and said, “I want you to come. I think I will feel safer with you along too. Please.”

  Jordan’s look softened and his eye had a slight glow of pride, but he shook his head and said, “Princess, I’m honored but I can’t go with you. What would Adam do without me to keep his young butt out of trouble? Oh, I know, he says that he keeps me on the straight and narrow, but it is really the other way around.”

  He stood and came over to sit next to me again. He took my hand in his this time, and I swear there was a connection of some kind. Not like with Brett but there was something down deep within me that told me I needed him close by.

  “Princess, you have so many around you to protect you. You don’t need an old
broken, once fey, now human hanging around.”

  I started to object when the door opened, and Adam entered the room.

  “We are entering port now and I need you, Jordan, to help.” Adam said, in a tone as if he felt bad for interrupting.

  Jordan stood up, still holding my hand, and that brought me to my feet also. The look on his face was still that of kindness and caring, but soon turned into the old cold, gruff Jordan that I had met days before. He grumbled something about them not being able to do anything without him, and left the room in a huff.

  I had to smile at this transformation, knowing that it was all an act. Adam smirked, as he said, “He will never change, I hope.” And left the room too.

  I went over to the porthole, and looking out, I could see the port in the distance. There were other boats of many sizes all around. I saw a bird way up high and as it came closer, I could tell that it was an eagle. Was it my eagle, I wondered.

  Then I felt a presence behind me. Brett put his arms around my waist as we both stared out the porthole. I loved the feeling of his arms around me; such a safe, warm sensation.

  “It’s time to collect our things and head up on deck.” Brett said.

  “Is that Eagle?” I asked.

  “Yes, he has been following us for several hours now. He should have news for us from Ana and Kimberlite, on what the road looks like ahead of us.”

  I turned around with Brett’s arms still wrapped around me, bringing our faces close together. I looked up into his eyes and just stared, I could so easily get lost in them. We just stood there, not moving, not breathing; just holding on to the moment. He felt it too.

  Brett bent his head down slowly, with the intent to kiss me, and I waited patiently for our lips to meet. It would happen this time, I just knew it. His lips were so close, just hovering there next to mine. I could feel the vibration from his body, emanating so strongly.

  A knock at the door broke the connection, and we both released each other instantaneously. It was Rose standing there with a look of impatience on her face, holding the cage with Lily inside.

  “Can we do this later? I would really like to get off this boat, on to dry solid land, and find a park to hang out in for a while.” She said, then turned and was out the door.

  Brett took my hand in his and said, “This isn’t the right time Emilee.” That was all he said, and I didn’t argue.

  We headed out of Adam’s cabin with Brett still holding my hand. He left me at my cabin to collect my things, and headed down to the bunk room to get his.

  “I’ll meet you up top.” He said, and disappeared down below.

  I walked over to the porthole and there was Andean not far away. He came to me, put his hand on the glass and smiled. I did the same and thanked him. He just nodded his head, accepting my appreciation with a smile, and swam away, disappearing into his own dimension.

  The waters looked plain. I wanted to go to the fey’s world but now wasn’t the right time. Oh yes, I could at any time leave the human realm and go to the place I wanted to be; but no, not the right time.

  I grabbed my pack and out the door I went. I didn’t head up top yet. I headed to the mess hall to see Trevor. I would miss this fey most of all. He was the fey that made me feel the most normal during this trip.

  As I headed towards the kitchen, out he came with something in his hands. His large grin and the positive energy flowing all around him, caused me to giggle. I loved being around this fey.

  “Princess, I want you to take this.” And he handed me a small wooden box the size of my fist. The top had an emerald in the middle.

  I looked up at Trevor, and his expression was more somber now, and he said, “Go ahead, open it.”

  I did, and there inside was a ring. The ring had a stone the size of a pea that was held in place by three small bars. The bars were made of gold. These bars went completely across the stone. They were so thin that they didn’t hide much of the stone. The stone was glowing and sparkling like a star in the night. I was mesmerized by what I was seeing.

  There was a piece of paper tucked up on the inside of the lid. I looked at Trevor and then removed the piece of paper. Opening it, I read: You will know who to give this to when the time is right.

  Trevor continued, “I found this many years ago before I even knew Adam. I was still in my home land. I had a strange dream one night; a beautiful lady came to me. She never said anything; she was just there in my dreams.

  “When I woke, there on my night stand, was this box. I opened it, read the note and have been carrying it around ever since.

  “I believe that you are the person that I am to give it to. Will you take it, Princess, please? I feel strongly that it belongs to you. Sometimes I see the stars in your eyes, just like in this ring.”

  I smiled up at Trevor, then tucked the note back in its place. Taking out the ring and setting the box down on the table, I put it on.

  The ring fit my finger perfectly. Looking at the stone, it looked different somehow. It was glowing brighter as the light swirled through the stone, as if it were alive.

  “See Princess” Trevor said. “It belongs to you!”

  I looked up at Trevor and he was smiling, but he had sadness in his eyes. “I wish I could come with you, but I think Adam needs me here.” He said.

  I reached up and hugged him. We held each other for a long embrace. I didn’t want to let go. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I felt safe here on this boat with these fey. I didn’t like change, and this was comfortable now.

  We let go, I turned and left the mess hall. Trevor didn’t follow. He didn’t want to watch me leave.

  I headed up top and there were Brett, Rose and Lily standing on deck, watching, as we were just about to dock. There were other boats ahead of us so we waited our turn. It didn’t take long and before I knew it, the crew members were securing the boat with great ropes.

  The crew members on board again, and the one that Rose had a crush on came to stand by her. They were standing together, just far enough away to have some privacy. Rose had put Lily’s cage down next to me when I had come on deck.

  If I wanted to, I could have listened in, but I had no wish to intrude on their private moment. They both looked a bit low-spirited, but when he gave her a hug she emitted a glow that I think only I could see. The crew member then put the back of her hand to his forehead in the traditional farewell, and she came to stand next to me.

  I reached over, and taking her hand in mine, squeezed it slightly as if to say, I understand. We looked at each other and both grinned, as if we had a secret that no one else could know.

  Brett looked at us both with curiosity on his face, but said nothing. I read his mind though, and his thoughts were,

  “Women, never will understand them.”

  I smiled even bigger, and giggled a bit. Rose didn’t understand but Brett did. His grin got larger too, but he just turned back to the dock and helped the crew members finish getting the plank set up for us to depart down.

  Adam came next to us and Rose and I let go of each other’s hand.

  “Well Princess, it’s been fun!” He said in a sarcastic tone, and the look on his face went along with it.

  He gave me a hug and said, “Don’t let this buffoon give you too much trouble.” He looked at Brett.

  They did a, punching each other kind of parting thing, that guys will do, and then from down below, came Jordan Davis.

  Jordan had a backpack in his hands and I looked over at Adam. He was smiling a resolved smile, as he looked to Jordan.

  “You made up your mind I see.” Adam said to Jordan.

  “Of course I did.” Jordan said in a gruff voice. “I can’t let these incompetent fey keep her safe, now can I.”

  Brett laughed at this, but Rose had a scowl on her face that I hadn’t seen before. She definitely didn’t appreciate that comment.

  I threw my arms around Jordan without even thinking. He put his arm around me awkwardly for only a moment, and t
hen gently pushed me away saying, “That’s enough Princess, oh, I mean Emilee. I’m coming along to keep you safe, just until I feel you don’t need me anymore.”

  I backed away from him, put a sober look on my face and nodded my head, letting him know that I understood. I understood more though than the rest.

  This was good I thought, but then I realized that yet another, whom I grew fond of, was going to be in danger because of me. Brett took my hand, knowing what I was thinking and he squeezed it kindly. He let go then and grabbing Lily’s cage, he headed down the plank.

  As I watched him descend to the docks below, I started to look around. There were people everywhere with their own agendas. Fishermen were bringing their catches ashore, some were cleaning their boats and some were loading, to head out to the great lake.

  It was a small port, but a very busy one. There was an open market not far from the docks where people were selling their goods, including fish, flowers, vegetables and fruits.

  As I watched all of this, I realized I was seeing much more than just what was happening in this human port. There was more activity going on in between. (In between what, you ask? Just in between.)

  It was the fey’s dimension that I could see in amongst the human world. There were fey, cleaning their catch of the day and fey children running around playing hide and seek amongst the large crates, just waiting to be loaded. I was seeing both worlds colliding together, but no one seemed to notice the other.

  It was the fey’s dimension that had, what I would consider, a farmers market where the goods were being sold. The fey grownups were busy working, but seemed happy to be doing it.

  The humans’ world was concrete and cold, with not a lot going on. There were some fishing boats, but they were mostly for play, not for work. I wondered why Adam chose this port to dock since it seemed not a place to sell his catch.

  I just stood there, watching, in awe of what I was seeing. It was truly amazing that this was possible, seeing two worlds at once. The colors in the fey’s dimension was so much more vivid, and the fey people more distinct in their appearance. Pretty soon I couldn’t see the human world at all. I was totally in the fey dimension.