King Thaddaeus looked to Titus and gave a slight grin and then nodded his head and turned to flee with his remaining guard.
Titus knew that he was giving up the battle and he was glad of it. Titus swam to the surface and saw Micah in the nearest boat, “They are fleeing, thank you my brother; we nearly lost this one,” said Titus gratefully.
“We were glad to help; how is Tarra and those within the city?” Micah asked with concern.
“I do not know, I will go now and see if there was a breach. Make sure your men gather up as many of the enemy as they can; we will all have to work quickly, the sharks are circling and only their fear of us has held them off this long,” said Titus and then dove down and sped towards the entrance of the city.
He now realized that he had not seen Damon. Titus glanced behind him and saw that King Titan and Tristan were also beginning to swim towards the city with some of the guard.
When Titus entered Tullius, he felt a knot within his stomach as he saw Damon. He was being held by Makoa, but there were several wounded guardsmen all around, including his father. Titus went straight to Prince Terrance, trying to ignore the glare and thoughts of Damon. “Are you alright Father?”
“Yes my Son; it was only a sting from their devil rays. I and the others will be fine in time.”
“He managed to sneak his way in,” said Makoa to Titus.
Titus swam to Damon and angrily said, “So Damon, you would not heed my warning!”
“How can I not want what you have; you have always had the better life, even when we were only a few winters old,” whined Damon.
“That is not true Damon! All the mer of our city are treated as equals. You just could not live by our ways,” said Titus sternly while gripping his spear so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
“Please Prince Titus; I beg for your mercy!” Damon cried as he broke free from Makoa’s grasp and swam down and laid his chest upon the sandy bottom at Titus’ tailfin.
Makoa glanced to Titus with a raised brow and sent his thoughts telling him not to trust him.
Titus hesitated with his judgment; he had not expected Damon to act in such a way.
Tristan swiftly swam over Damon and thrust his spear through Damon’s back pinning him to the sandy floor.
Titus looked to Tristan in disbelief.
Tristan humbly said, “Forgive me Prince Titus; the one thing that I forgot to warn you of was Damon’s new toy. It is his poison ring; he was just about to prick your tailfin with it.”
Titus looked to see that Damon did indeed wear a ring, which was not common for a mer. It only fit midway on the knuckle. It had a small needle sticking out of the center that had been hidden by an oval ruby stone that slid open to the side.
“Thank you Tristan; you have truly saved my life,” said Titus gratefully.
“And you have helped to save all of the mer of Tullius,” said King Titan as he now swam next to them. “Today you have earned your crown in my Kingdom. Bow before me,” said the King to Tristan and he did. Then King Titan proclaimed, “Let it be known to all that Tristan is now a Prince among our people.” The King placed his forked staff upon his shoulder.
One of the maidens that had been summoned brought the golden tray with the strand of shells and the King tied it around Tristan’s head.
Then Sirene broke through the crowd and went into his arms kissing him.
Lana came with little Rose and Tarra to Titus. Lana couldn’t believe that it was finally over and that Titus and King Titan had survived.
“It was because of Micah that we won the day,” said Titus to Tarra.
“Micah!” Tarra said in shock.
“Yes, he and his men came in their small boats with their harpoon guns.” Titus smiled.
“I did marry a brave man indeed.” Tarra smiled brightly.
“Yeah, you really did,” said Lana amazed by it.
Titus took little Rose in one arm and Lana in the other and said, “It is so good to see you both.” He kissed each one on top of their heads.
“It’s good to have you safe Husband,” said Lana as she began to cry into his shoulder.
“It is well Lana; do not cry...” said Titus and then he realized that she had been keeping a secret from him and she was overwhelmed with it. “How long?” Titus asked her.
“A few months, I didn’t wanna give you more to worry about,” she said with a slight smile.
“I thought that we were not going to keep secrets from each other?” Titus asked with raised brows.
“I’m sorry; I’ll try and remember that if we should ever go to war again,” she said hoping he’d understand.
“May we never have war again, and may both our children grow in peace,” he said as he kissed her deeply.
Makoa escorted Tarra with some of the guardsmen to Micah who was waiting for any news of her. “Bula my love,” said Tarra as she surfaced.
Micah immediately jumped into the water and embraced and kissed her. “I have missed you so and have worried for you and your family,” he said as he held her chin looking into her eyes.
“We might have had a different outcome if you and your men had not shown up when you did.” Makoa grinned.
“We could not just leave you to them, we had to help. Is that a crown of shells I see upon your head?” Micah asked surprised by it.
“Yes, it is a long story that your mate can tell you,” Makoa chuckled.
“Thank you for helping us my brave husband,” said Tarra kissing him once more.
“You are quite welcome my wife; let us go home,” said Micah and then he jumped back into his little boat.
“Tell Prince Titus and Princess Lana that I am going home with my husband.” Tarra smiled to Makoa.
“I shall; safe journey to you both and all of your men as well.”
Micah had instructed his men to gather any of the bodies of the enemy mer that they could find and told them to take them and bury them.
Makoa had his guard take the bodies of the enemy that they found and place them in an underwater cavern that they sealed with large boulders. Makoa also made sure that the brave mer of Tullius that had died in battle were to be treated with reverence and put into a separate underwater cavern.
It was a bittersweet day for King Titan and his people; they had won the battle, but had lost some of their valiant guardsmen.
~~~
Later that evening, Lana and Titus nestled in their home with little Rose and Tempest. Lana couldn’t keep from kissing Titus again and again. She was so grateful that he was home safe with her once more.
“So these are the spoils of victory; I like it.” Titus smiled.
“I was so proud of you Titus and thank you for keeping Makoa in the city; I’m not sure that Damon appreciated it though.” She gave a slight smile.
Then Titus’ thoughts turned sad. How hard it was for him to understand why Damon had ever left their way of life. He wondered if part of what he had said was true; him wanting what Titus had. The sad thing was that he could have had that life still, if he had never chosen to follow his brother Darious. Now that he thought of it, how fitting it was that Tarrock’s spear had brought him the justice he so richly deserved.
“It’s alright my love; he chose to live that way. Your brother Tarrock would have been proud of you this day.” Lana smiled looking up to him and placed her hand on his cheek.
“Yes, I believe that he would.” Titus smiled back and kissed her. Then he read Lana’s thoughts on how much she was missing human food as her stomach rumbled. “Do not worry my pregnant wife, we will visit Mer Island and also have Levu bring some of that cooked pig you are so fond of. I will even let you sit under the shade of the trees and cry for an hour if you wish,” he chuckled.
“As long as you promise to stay near me, I’ve missed you,” she pouted.
“What was that you said?” Titus fanned out his ears and waved them back and forth.
“Stop it! You know I can’t stand it when you ma
ke me laugh like this!” Lana said while giggling. He made her so happy and she was ready for a time of happiness once more.
~~~~~
Chapter 20
JOURNEY HOME
Several months had passed since the battle of the mer. Lana and Titus enjoyed taking little Rose to Mer Island and visiting with Tarra and Micah. Rose especially enjoyed playing with Talei. They had become the best of friends.
On this afternoon, Tristan and Sirene went along with Titus and Lana. They had come several times before and enjoyed their company. Tristan even enjoyed getting to know Micah; he had never really had a chance to know a human before. He was glad that he was no longer the mer he had once been. Tristan was taught that all humans were his enemy. Now he knew that was not true.
All of the girls laid on the large flat rock and basked in the sun talking, while Titus and Tristan showed Micah where the best places were to get clams.
Lana was going to make a large clam chowder with Micah’s help. She now had a rather round tummy from her new little one growing inside her. She insisted to Titus that this baby liked human food even more than Rose had. He would only laugh and shake his head at her.
“It is nearly time to return to Safe Harbor,” said Tarra somewhat sadly.
“Yeah, are you worried for Micah?” Lana asked.
“He cannot travel so far in his little fishing boat and I am not sure what we will do.”
“Why not get a larger boat?” Sirene asked.
“Yeah, like my dad used to travel with,” said Lana encouragingly.
“I am not sure that Micah would be able to use such a boat,” Tarra said sadly.
“There’re all sorts of boats, even ones with motors like his little boat. He wouldn’t have to get a sailboat.”
“Yes, I suppose he would be able to drive a larger boat, but it will still be hard and lonely for him,” said Tarra not sure that she wanted him to have to experience that.
“Tarra I can take turns riding on the boat with him and Talei. I could even make them one meal a day. Believe me I’d like that; it would give me a chance to eat better and rest more. Now that I’m so far along with the baby, I wasn’t really looking forward to such a trip.” Lana smiled.
“Really Lana, that would be wonderful! That would help Micah and you too!” Tarra said excited about the possibility of it.
“Hey, you’d be doing me a favor!” Lana laughed.
“What is so funny?” Titus asked as he swam up to the rock.
“We were just talking about Micah needing a larger boat to travel to Safe Harbor in. I was telling Tarra that I could help him with Talei and to make at least one meal a day for them. It would give me a chance to rest on the boat myself.”
“Are you sure you would want to do that Princess Lana?” Micah asked as he also swam up.
“Believe me, I’d love it!” Lana smiled.
“Yes she would; she would be able to eat your food,” chuckled Titus.
“That would be fine with me. I had not really thought about what sort of boat I would need, or how to even get one,” Micah said deep in thought.
“You would need a large one.” Tristan smiled, knowing what kind of ships sail the open seas.
“Micah, you find a boat that you think you can handle and let us take care of the payment for it. We have not given you a proper wedding gift. Anyone that has to put up with my sister deserves the best,” Titus said winking to Micah.
“That is it!” Tarra yelled as she jumped on top of Titus taking him under the water.
“Seriously Micah, the mer can give you some of their treasure to help you buy the boat. They can’t use it themselves,” giggled Lana.
“Now in my former Kingdom, we mer melted the gold into crowns.” Tristan smiled.
“Well, you are no longer in that Kingdom are you?” Sirene said smiling with raised brows.
“No, I am not. I am more than happy to wear a crown of shells and be far richer for it,” said Tristan as he went and pulled Sirene into the water and kissed her.
Tarra and Titus came back to the rock and Tarra hopped up once more next to Lana. Then she turned back laughing to Titus and said, “Let that be a lesson to you!”
He just shook his head smiling at her.
“I will go to the big island and see what larger boats might be for sale; then I will let you know Titus,” said Micah.
“Good, there is not much time before we leave. You will also need to stock it with provisions.”
“Yeah especially ham, bacon, eggs, cheese...” said Lana.
“Yes, yes, she will have her fill,” said Titus as he swished his tail sending a wall of water over Lana. She just sat there glaring at him. He had forgotten how moody she was now and he was sorry for what he had done. He slowly pulled Lana to him in the water and said, “I am sorry; I will try and behave.” He kissed her and she smiled.
“I will get the clam chowder started,” said Micah as he took the net bag of clams to the fire where the large stock pot was beginning to simmer.
“I forgive you,” said Lana still smiling to Titus and then she shoved his head under the water. He came up laughing at her and they kissed once more.
~~~
It took Micah a few weeks to find the right boat. He found a 50 foot cruising yacht. It had a large enough motor that it could handle the long journey. He would not have to use the sails if he did not wish to. It had a nice L-shaped galley with stainless steel appliances. It also had a large Master cabin with plenty of storage and a second cabin for Talei. He had the name painted over and gave her a new name; the Island Traveler.
Titus and Makoa had taken Micah to where a very old and undiscovered sunken ship was. She was a U. S. Clipper Ship; most likely used in trade in the 1800’s. Most of her was gone; what was left was covered in coral. The mer had found a small chest of gold coins within one of her cabins long ago.
Lana couldn’t believe that the coins were actually Spanish Doubloons.
Titus gave the chest of gold to Micah and he gave it to his father. Ratu Daniel took the chest of gold to the big island and said that it was found by one of his divers; that way, Micah would not have the attention put on him. It was a big deal and Kaloki Island had been mentioned in all of the newspapers for the discovery. Titus made sure that Micah had more than enough gold for the boat and to share with his village. Levu was grateful for Titus’ gift. He was sad to see his friends leave, but knew that they would be returning in the fall.
In no time, Micah had the Island Traveler stocked with the necessary provisions for the long journey. He met the mer above Tullius at the appointed time. Titus and the rest of the guard made sure that they sealed the city with many large boulders. They hoped that they had seen the last of the others, but it would take some effort for them to enter the city if they came while King Titan and his pod were gone.
Lana was so excited to be going home to Safe Harbor Island. She couldn’t wait to see her father, Rose and little Jedediah. She was glad that she would be able to have her next child there where her father and Rose could be a part of it too.
King Titan called all of the mer to fall in line for their journey. Once more, Titus and Makoa would be bringing up the rear of the pod with half of the guard. They all carried their spears as they swam. Little Rose would take turns riding on Uly, Makoa and Tempest when Lana rode on Titus’ back. Then she would ride on her daddy when Lana rode in the yacht with Micah and little Talei.
~~~
Lana loved seeing a pod of Orca whales as they swam past them. They seemed to be as gentle as Tempest, even though they were also called killer whales.
Titus smiled back to her as he read her thoughts and told her that not everything is as it first appears. Then he flapped his ears making her laugh.
She said, “No, I suppose they aren’t. I was a little frightened when I first saw you.”
“A little frightened!” Titus chuckled.
“Okay, maybe I was really frightened. That was before I knew what a s
ofty you really were.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.
“Only for you my love.”
“Do you see how gross your parents are Rose, yuk!” Uly said as he swam next to them with Rose on his back.
“Kiss him again Mommy!” squealed Rose.
“I will,” said Lana as she kissed Titus’ cheek once more and saw her daughter light up as Uly groaned with disgust. “Just you wait Prince Ulysses, you’ll feel differently one day when you’re a little older,” giggled Lana.
LEGEND OF THE MER Page 21