Pretty Fin- Raging Seas

by Smokey Moment

  D

  arr and his men took Fin by chariot through the land. The men ran like stallions to the west, towards the large lake that separated Piratchu from Panga. Darr was attentive and alert, checking their surrounding as they made their way through thick grass and marsh lands. He was carrying precious cargo.

  He had long believed she was a god. A gifted and enlightened soul. It was his life’s new calling to aid the queen in whatever manner he could. A commitment that would him at odds with his beloved King Nephrus. But there was something more important at play. And Darr would risk discovery by his king for the commonwealth of the people. He believed his king was aged and out of touch. It was dangerous to not get involved. Andreus wanted more. And he wouldn’t stop. Darr was unsure why the king didn’t see what he saw. It was to go without question, that he would get involved.

  The men’s powerful legs kicked up the dirt. The lake was within just beyond a row of trees past a patch of thick vegetation. view. Darr furrowed his brow. He could see men rising out of the water. At first glance he believed the men were more Pangian soldiers. They were protective of him and would come to assure his safe return. But the vests and leg wraps the men wore, were of a different material and pattern. The men had metal bars on their shoulders. Darr glanced at the faces. Their serious gaze caused him alarm. Soon he realized that these were not his men. He stopped abruptly.

  Fin fell forward, her body slamming into the front of the carriage. “Ahh,” she moaned as she held her head. There was an eerie silence. Fin looked out the window. Her heart began to beat fast. “Those are Eulachon soldiers,” she said. Darr pulled a long sword. “No Darr! They will kill you,” she said, as she jumped out the carriage. The men walked from the water towards them. Fin held onto Darr’s arm. She didn’t want him to die for her.

  “It is alright. Go to Lark. Tell him they have taken me,” she said. Darr looked desperately at her. “No Queen! I will not. I will die first,” he said. Fin shook her head. “Look at me. Listen to my voice. They are not going to kill me. Not yet. We have time. Andreus will want to look me in the eye’s first. Torture me, as he has been tortured by my refusal to marry him. He is an egotistical child. And he will fall. Stand down… Let them take me. I cannot allow anyone else to die for me,” she said. Darr exhaled sharply.

  “Put the knife away of lose your head soldier,” the lieutenant of the Eulachon army ordered. Darr put his sword back on his side. The soldier looked at Fin. Their eyes locking in a cold and penetrating stare.

  “Queen Fin you are hereby ordered to come with us. If you resist, we are ordered to kill you where you stand,” he said. The men were intimidating. Darr clinched his fist. His eyes glaring at the opposition. The lieutenant grinned. This was his greatest achievement. It was a glorious moment for him and his men and he would receive the highest honors for taking possession of the queen.

  “Take her,” he ordered. Darr pulled Fin behind him and drew his sword. Soldiers rushed in. “No!,” Fin shouted, as a soldier grabbed her by the arm, subduing her. She glanced up. She could see one of the soldiers faces. He looking menacingly at Darr, as he plunged a knife into his abdomen. “No! Leave him alone,” she cried. Darr fell to the ground, moaning and holding his belly. His men charged the large group but was quickly overpowered. Fin watched in horror as the men were stabbed repeatedly with long knives. “Stop! You have me, now stop!” she yelled.

  Fin saw movement approaching. It was Princess Ellena and Princes Darbee. “Go back!” Fin shouted. Darbee held her hand over her mouth. She burst into tears. Ellena stood motionless. It was an overwhelming sight. Fin was losing focus. Her legs became weak. Her breathing was dramatic as she struggled for each breath. But the air seemed thick. She found it impossible to breathe. Soon she felt lightheaded. Fin fell to the ground.

  Darr wasn’t moving. Blood seeped from his wounds as he lay at her feet. Fin found the strength to raise up and look at him. Her heart was heavy. Another beautiful soul had been lost because of evil and treachery. She looked at the lieutenant, angered that he found the situation so amusing. “I want to see that same smile when I remove your head,” she warned. The lieutenant chuckled. “Take her to the king,” he shouted.

  Ellena sat next to Darr, as he rested. She sat a bowl of carabemen soup on the table. She was dressed elegantly in a green and blue floor length silk gown embroidered with pearls. The fabric was covered with a layer of thin lace. It was one of her favorite gowns from her extensive and fabulous wardrobe. Gowns she made herself from local and important fabrics from Panga. She had become quite skilled at sewing. And her skill at creating gowns was unsurpassed. She took joy in her designs and had made gowns for both her mother and her sister.

  “Good morning,” she said softly. Ellena wore gloves but removed them to feed him. Darr moved slightly, as pain shot through his abdomen. “Ahh,” he blurted. Ellena became concerned. “Move slowly. Your injuries were severe,” she said. Darr adjusted his body then laid on his side. He let out a loud shout then tuned to his other side. “Stop moving! The bleeding just stopped. Do you want to bleed more. You could have died. That was foolish attacking them. I thought you were dead,” she said. “That was the point of laying still,” he said, looking intensely at her. Ellena smiled. “Oh! Well…I’m glad you’re alright,” she said with warmth and sincerity.

  Darr looked into her eyes with longing. He remembered her face. It was the only face coming into his room and nursing him back to health. She was coming consistently and at all times of the night. He had become acquainted with her smell. Her sound. Her touch. She was unaware that he was much more awake than what he appeared to be. All in an effort to watch her. See how she cared for him. Watch as she stressed over every cut. She undressed him taking a moment to stare at his body. He opened his eyes and watched as she looked at every inch of him. She washed him from head to toe. His manhood became erect when she cleaned him. Ellena didn’t seem bothered. She washed him anyway. Darr had never experienced such joy. And he fell madly in love with her.

  “You must eat if you wish to regain your strength,” she said. Ellena picked up the bowl and scooped some of the fish and seaweed and placed it at his lips. Darr opened his mouth slightly and took in the food. Ellena smiled. She was intrigued. He was handsome and brave and she wanted to know him. She watched from afar, as he valiantly fought to protect Fin. It was admirable.

  “You are the Princess. What is your name?” Darr asked. “I am Ellena. My sisters name is Darbee. We carried you until our guards approached and brought you the rest of the way. I’m sorry for the others,” she said, dropping her head. “What?” he asked. “The others did not make it. Your men died before our soldiers could get to them,” she replied. Darr exhaled then closed his eyes. It was hard for her to see him in such pain. Emotional pain could be much worse than physical pain. It was harder to treat. And the scars sometimes never healed.

  She scooped more soup and slowly placed the spoon to his mouth. Darr turned his head. “Please eat. The only way you revenge their deaths, is if you eat,” she said, placing the spoon back at his lips. Darr liked her tenacity. And he loved her strength. She wasn’t as shy as rumor had her to be.

  Rasbora stood outside the room. Muffled words and an occasional giggle from her daughter were all she could pick up. Ellena had volunteered for the job that designated care givers usually did. Rasbora reluctantly obliged her daughter after Ellena threw a quiet fit at her mother’s initial hesitation. Rasbora had come to regret allowing it. A decision made to help with the trauma of happening upon the scene. Both of her daughters were traumatized and so Rasbora allowed Ellena to care for him.

  Soft wrestling sounds caused Rasbora concern. She grabbed her pearls and held them against her chest. She hoped Ellena had not spoiled herself with the man. Sex had taken their world by storm but women were still expected to honor themselves and wait for marriage. The sound intensified. Darbee approached in the distance. “What is it?” Darbee asked. The curiosity of her mother’s discretely p
laced position outside his door, required an explanation.

  “Nothing. I was just checking on our guest,” she replied. Darbee paused then continued on. She looked back at her mother. A bewildered look on her face. She was well aware of her sisters crush on the soldier.

  Rasbora could hear Ellena’s footsteps on the other side. She stepped back when the door sprung open. “Mother,” Ellena greeted. She exited and looked her intensely in her eyes. Rasbora gave a half smile. Her daughter turned and walked away, carrying the empty bowl with her. Rasbora knew the look. It was the sign of a woman falling for a man. Rasbora knocked then entered the room. She walked up to the bed. “Good morning,” she said. Darr sat up.

  “Good morning Your Highness. Thank you for saving my life. And for allowing me to heal at your home. It is kind of you,” he said. “You’re welcome. King Nephrus has been informed. He stated he had no idea you had accompanied the queen here. He was not pleased with the news,” she said. Darr sighed. “Yeah. Well…I had good reason to disobey him. I owe my life to her,” he replied. Rasbora walked closer then sat next to him. Darr was surprised at how comfortable she was with him. Queens did not consort so intimately with commoners.

  “So… I see you’ve met my daughter. I hope she is taking good care of you,” she said. Darr blushed. “Yes. She is wonderful. Beautiful,” he said. Rasbora turned quickly to him. “Oh! More beautiful than Queen Fin?” she asked. Darr looked intently at her. He wasn’t sure what she was implying. “Yes. She is the most beautiful woman in the world,” he replied. “I see,” she replied, as she stood and turned to face him. “Well get some rest. Feel better. Your King wants to see you right away when you are well enough to travel,” she said.

  Darr nodded then turned and closed his eyes. Her words felt dismissive. Rasbora left out and closed his door. She stood for a moment. He was interested in Ellena. And Ellena, was interested in him. Rasbora could see trouble brewing. She had never seen Ellena pay attention to anything other than her wardrobe. She seemed destined to be unwed. Darbee was much more inclined towards the opposite sex. And so, it was refreshing to see that there was some interest in the opposite sex. But Rasbora wouldn’t have it. Her daughter would not be marrying a soldier from Panga.

  “What did you say to him,” Ellena said, as she stormed into her mother’s chambers. Her voice demanding. Her face wrinkled. The anger emitting from her eyes likes darts ready to spear her mother’s soul. “Sit down and have tea with me,” Queen Rasbora said. “I will not! I want to know why he left. No goodbye. Nothing! Just left. He is not well. He could start to bleed again,” she said, as she waited for a proper response from her mother.

  “You would like that. For him to continue to bleed, so he can take up permanent residence in my castle. I told him that King Nephrus wished to see him. I did not throw him out, nor did I suggest he go now. If he left, it is because he must return to his post. He lives in Panga. He will continue to live in Panga. And he will marry someone in Panga,” she said, glancing up at her daughter.

  “You are incorrigible. You think that you can create what you want someone else’s life to be. Did you not care that he is the only man I have even been attracted to? Your unhappiness has blinded you. Or are you jealous?” she fumed. Rasbora looked up at her daughter. The words struck her in her already damaged heart. “He is not worthy to have your hand Ellena. If you loved once, you can love another,” she replied. “Do you believe that. Tell me you do not believe that,” Ellena said as she looked away. Her heart was broken into a million pieces. And she had never been so disappointed in her mother’s behavior.

  “I will never love another. So, I guess I’m destined to be just like you. Only I am much younger and I have no children of my own. What a way to live… waisting away in this dungeon you call a castle,” she said, as she stormed away. Rasbora sat the needle and thread down and gently placed the quilt she was making to the side. She took in a deep long breath and let it out slowly. She did not make the laws. Their land was under more powerful forces. Rasbora believed with all her heart, that her daughter was to be given away to a more suitable mate. She did not factor in love. No one did. But times had changed. Their eyes were opened. Love and intimacy were now the driving force and Rasbora was uncertain how it would all play out in the end.

  She too longed to feel intimacy. She was jealous. It seemed heavenly. To be loved so deeply that you would burst from within, and be ready to fight for it. Ellena hadn’t so much as uttered one word against her mother. Not a single decibel above what was considered respectful, yet she was ready to fight for a man she had just met. It made no sense. Her shy and elusive daughter was no longer a child. A fact that escaped Rasbora as she doted on her and tried to keep her from being hurt.

  But Rasbora had stunted her growth for long enough. And now she had emerged her own woman. Rasbora was stubborn in her beliefs, to a fault. She believed Ellena would soon forget, if she could just find her a suitable replacement. Rasbora thought long and hard. Then suddenly an idea. A selection party for her daughters. One where she would hand-pick the males she wanted as possible husbands. It was perfect. But the timing was wrong. Madaka was on the brink of war. Rasbora wondered if she should wait until things settled. She took a minute then decided she would wait. The time would also give Ellena a chance to forget Darr.

  Signals of Distress

  D

  arr swam, as every inch of his body ached. He was headed towards Mojarro in the middle of the night in dangerous waters. He would be unable to outswim any creature that posed a threat. He had heard about the concrums in the water, but had never seen one. He hoped he didn’t encounter the notorious beast of the sea during his swim. He was desperate to get to Lark. Arfusei had informed him that Lark was staying in the Trojian Sea and in the forest next to the castle.

  Darr made it to the shore. He swam up to the Sabalo Mountain edge and scaled the cliff to the top. He could see men making their rounds checking the perimeter of the castle. Darr ran into the forest and hid behind a tree. He could see that the uniforms of the men had the bars unmistakable bars on the shoulders. “Eulachon men,” he mumbled, as he looked around. Suddenly a soft clicking noise in the distance caught his attention. The rhythmic sound stopped then started again. Darr went for a closer look.

  “Lark,” he exclaimed in a low yet intense voice. He was happy to find him so quickly. It seemed a daunting task that he was up for. He had not seen King Nephrus yet. This was too important. He was aware of the trouble he was in. Disobeying a king and leaving the city to travel to another city without permission. It was all enough to get him thrown out of the king’s army.

  “Darr. What are you doing here? Have you come to fight?” Lark asked. Darr held his arm firm. He looked fiercely into Lark’s eyes. “I have come to deliver bad news,” he said. Lark pulled away. “What bad news?” he asked, bracing himself for something about Fin.

  “The Queen has been taken. I tried to stop them but I was attacked with a sword. It took a few days to heal enough to swim here to tell you,” Darr said. Lark backed away slowly. “Tell me she is not dead?” he pleaded. “I don’t know. He wants her dead. If she is alive, she won’t be for long. We must find her.”

  Lark was shattered. The news was a devastating blow. He walked to a tree and dropped to the ground. Darr approached him. Lark looked like a man defeated.

  “Lark! Come on. Don’t you dare give up. Stand up. Let’s go. I will help you get her back,” he said. Lark continued to look down. Darr kneeled in front of him. Lark was strong. Fearless. But this was Fin. Darr understood the loss. How a woman could break a man down, even indirectly. He too was in love. Pushed away by his love interests’ mother. He couldn’t imagine losing her in such a way. Kidnapped by a man who wanted her dead. It was crushing. But he needed to push his heart to the side. Dig deep. It was time for war. Time was of the essence.

  “I know how you feel. I’ve seen how you look at her. It was always clear that you loved her. And that’s why you must move now. Ga
ther your men and move. I have weapons in Panga. My men made more. We hid them in case we ever needed them. You do not need to waste time fashioning them. I will go and return with men who believe in your cause. My king will have me exiled for this. But I am willing to do this for you. For her. You are like a brother to me. The queen, like a sister. Ellena wants me to save Fin. She was devastated by what she saw. She thinks I am some kind of hero. I am just a nermein who will fight against the unjust. I will do this for her and you. And for the queen,” Darr assured.

  Lark looked up at him. His energy was renewed. The words of his brethren lifted him from darkness. He had to fight. He was Fin’s greatest chance at survival. The one who loved her most and would die trying. “You are willing to risk your position with King Nephrus,” he asked. “Yes! Now let’s go. We have nermeins whose very lives are dependent on us,” Darr replied. He stood then extended his hand to Lark. Lark grabbed his hand then stood up. “Go! Get your men. Gather your weapons. Meet me on the other side of the Sabalo when the days first light appears. I will get word to my men,” Lark said.

  Darr nodded then turned and ran to the cliffs edge. He jumped back into the dark raging sea. Lark’s mind raced. He needed to get back to Lance. He felt obligated to tell him Fin was taken. He wasn’t hopeful they would get her back alive. It was Andreus’ number one goal to get her for the sole reason of ending her life. And if he died too, Lance and the girls would never know what happened.