Pretty Fin

by Smokey Moment

  He watched as she ducked beneath the water and disappeared into the night. He stood there motionless. He never felt so helplessly in love. He had never made love to a woman and felt one with her. It took him a minute. She felt wonderful. She had his heart, body and mind. She had to return.

  “Your Highness,” Arfusei said. Queen Aterra stood from her chair. “Yes,” she said, feeling uneasy. His demeanor was off. Their long-time personal guard Arfusei seemed stressed. He was normally calm. Nothing frazzled him. “What is it Arfusei,” she said. “It’s the King, Your Highness,” he said. Aterra gasped. “Take me to him. Now!”

  Arfusei walked the long hall to his chambers. Aterra walked hurriedly behind him. Her head down. Her heart racing. Arfusei opened the door slowly and looked at Aterra. She walked past him. His soldiers stood around him. Saddened. Quiet. And totally grief stricken. Aterra was confused. He looked sleep. She looked around at the soldiers. They nodded and bowed their heads. Aterra approached his bed slowly. She began to see signs that he was battered. His eyes closed in an unnatural way. His body damp and cold.

  “What happened?” she said in a barely audible voice. “We went to war Your Highness. Right in the middle of the sea. The Prince made demands. And the King ordered the attack.”

  Aterra touched her husband’s hand. The men looked at each other. Touch was rare. It was shocking to see. She closed her eyes. She held his hand tighter. The men tried to pretend they were unaffected by it. But their minds raced. They wondered what she was doing. It was unnatural. Only children were touched. Babies. The youngest of their society.

  But Aterra was not like them. She desired touch. She was not condemned as they were. She came there as a baby. She was ten months old when she arrived. She came from a doting mother and father who filled her world full of love, affection and physical displays of love. She didn’t remember them. But touch was familiar. She had moments she shared with the King that no one knew. No one saw.

  She taught him how to touch. She taught him how to kiss. She awakened things in him. It was a source of their deep love and affection for one another. And when Fin expressed sexual feeling, she panicked. But she knew what it was. She had them herself. Because she was human. And so was Fin. More so than her nermein bloodline. The reason for her differences. Physically and emotionally.

  “Can I have a moment with my husband please?” she asked. Aterra realized the soldiers had seen more than they should have. The men left, one by one, as Aterra took in a deep breath and exhaled. Her husband, the love of her life, was gone. Fin was gone. There was nothing else. She had no desire to run Mojarro. She felt bad for them. She wanted to be with her husband and daughter. The city would need to find a way.

  Aterra laid next to her husband. She kissed him and held his face. “You can’t leave me here. You can’t,” she cried, her voice trembling. She sighed. She raised up and looked on his table. She looked around. She saw his ornate, jewel and gold encrusted shawl that the dressmaker made for him. She eased out of bed, grabbed it and got back into bed. She pulled a gold brooch from it. She laid the shawl over him. She wasn’t sure how to proceed. It was a dull ornament with square corners. She had never heard of someone hurting themselves. Only one another. And only in battle.

  She could see the bruises on her husband’s neck. She touched hers. She felt her pulse. Her lifeline. It was where she would strike. She pulled her arm back. She leaned her head to the side. She closed her eyes and held the brooch at an angle. Aterra swung towards herself. The metal ornament entered her neck. She muffled her own cries as blood squirted from her onto the King. She dropped her hand. Shock set in. The room spun. She could feel herself becoming lightheaded. She laid her head on him and closed her eyes. She would be with him soon.

  Aterra slowly slipped away. Her life no longer a mystery. She had gone into the room. The locked area that was forbidden. She found things that were not of their world. A bag full of items she had never seen before. A bottle. A pacifier. A woman’s wallet. Baby clothes. And a picture of a child that looked eerily similar to her. Same red hair and freckles. A child sitting on the lap of a woman who looked a lot like her and a man standing over them. A family. Wearing heavy duty clothing that looked of another world. Aterra could see herself in the child. It was her.

  She had some answers although there were still a lot of questions. She was from another place. A world unknown. The picture showed a background that included a house and landscaping. It was unlike anything Madaka had. This was not Madaka. Aterra knew she was orphaned. But she did not know she was from another world altogether. It was a relief. She was not deformed. Where she was from, this was how they looked. She thought of her husband as she took her last breath. She was proud to have been his wife. Theirs was a great love story. They had done things they had no idea their bodies would do. It was in Aterra naturally. And she taught him. They were as one. And they would continue to be as one.

  10

  Longing

  F

  in swam through the brine, down through the dark lair and out into the Trojian Sea. She stopped and looked back. Her pain at leaving Lance behind was immense. “Lance,” she wept, as she pictured his face. She hoped to get back to him quickly. Her heart was crushed. She had left him devastated. He didn’t deserve such pain. He had told her only a few nights prior about the premature daughter that he still mourned. And the devastating effects of some recent tragedies in his life. He looked Fin in her eyes. And told her she was helping erase the pain. That he wasn’t sure he could feel again. Love again. But he did. And he told her he would never love another the way he loved her.

  Fin gathered her composure and swam towards the castle. She neared the familiar rock and emerged from the waters. She looked around. Madaka was eerily quiet. No one was on the shore. Her castle was on the top of the cliff. She couldn’t see it from her vantage point. But it was there. And she had to face the music.

  The waves crashed against the rock. She could scale them to the top. Or swim to the beach and then ascend up the hill to the castle. Fin decided to scale the rocky cliff, with its large grooves, perfect for climbing. She reached the top and look over the land. She could see a few guards deep in conversation. Their demeanor solemn. Their faces carrying a sadness she hadn’t seen. Fin walked slowly. One of the guards looked off. His eyes squinting as he tried to see her clearly. Soon his eyes bulged. He couldn’t believe it was her. He pointed. Then excitedly shouted. “The Princess!”

  The men ran towards her. “Princess! Princess Fin!” they yelled. Guards exited the servant’s quarters and ran towards her. Fin smiled. Over one hundred men were running her way. She felt missed. It felt good to be so wanted. She always felt nothing but love and protection from the soldiers who once protected her father. Fin was overwhelmed. The faces of men she hadn’t seen in months were approaching. Clem, Casio, Arfusei and Ziege. Soon the other guards circled around her.

  “Princess! Where have you been? We have searched for you. We never stopped.” Fin teared up. She couldn’t look them in the eyes. She didn’t mean to be such a burden. But her life there, was going in the wrong direction. She didn’t have the heart to tell them how she feared marriage to Prince Andreus. They would blame him. Get defensive about it. And she needed them to keep the peace with him. They still needed to trade goods with Eulachon. It wouldn’t be good for them to start off despising him.

  “I just needed time. A lot of time,” she said. “Yes. You were gone so long. We all thought you were dead,” Arfusei confessed. “I know. I’m sorry. It was necessary. I have so much to share with you. So much to tell you.” Fin looked around. There was no way her father wouldn’t have noticed his men gone. He should be running to greet her. And she wondered about Sparrow and Lark. They should be standing there as well.

  “Where’s dad?” she said. The soldiers and guards looked at one another. Fin’s smile faded from her face. “Arfusei!” she asked, looking to him for an answer. Arfusei hesitated.

  He stepped closer to h
er. She took a step back. “Princess…I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” he said. Fin grabbed her mouth. Her eyes bulged.

  “Don’t…Don’t you say it. Where is he. I want to see him now,” she demanded. He is still in his room. We were waiting to find Lark. He is gone,” he said. Fin fell to her knees and sobbed. The men looked intensely at each other. They weren’t sure how to console her.

  “Show me him. Now!” she said as she stood up and ran to the castle. “Wait Princess!” Arfusei shouted, as he ran behind her. She picked up speed then ran through the front door. She shot up the stairs and down the hall. Her eyes so filled with tears, that her vision was blurred. She got to his door and turned the knob. Arfusei grabbed her arm.

  “Wait Your Highness,” he said. “What? Why did you say that? I am not the Queen. You address me as Princess,” she said, as her heart sank. He had never called her that before. It was not a mistake. “Why did you call me that?” she shouted, afraid of the answer. “The Queen…,” he said. Fin let out a blood curdling scream. She opened the door. Arfusei entered with her. She ran to the bed. Aterra and Zander lay side by side. As if asleep.

  “No… No... No…,” she said, her voice loud and powerful. She was broken. She was saddened. And she was angry. “Leave me. Get out. Please get out,” she said, pushing him towards the door.

  “Ahhh,” she wailed. Arfusei stood motionless. Afraid to leave her side. It was the same thing the queen had said. And he felt to blame because he stood outside the door as she ripped her throat open with a gold ornament. “Your Highness please. Come sit down. Let us help you,” he said. Fin didn’t budge. “No! I said leave me.”

  Arfusei closed the door slowly. He was terrified of what she would do. She could hear Arfusei call to the other guards. She dragged her feet across the floor. She was weak. Her head light. The pain of the moment, unbearable. She was afraid to touch them. This wasn’t real. They were asleep. Nothing more. She touched her father’s hand. “Oh,” she whispered, as she felt the cold of his flesh. “Dad... Mom… I’m so sorry,” she said.

  Unable to stand any longer, she fell to her knees. She pulled his shawl off and smelled it. It was all she would have of him. A shawl that still smelled of his scent. His favorite covering. Fin cried hysterically, as she clung to the edge of the bed. She was heartbroken. She blamed herself for their deaths. She didn’t have the whole story. But she knew somehow, it was all about her.

  She wailed loudly. The guards were shaken. She was their new queen. Their safety was in jeopardy. The citizens were doing everything they could to keep word of the king and queens passing, a secret. But now there was hope. They had their queen. A new leader. And even though the town knew nothing of Fin, she was still respected. She was the daughter of King Zander. Who was the son of King Zaire. All powerful. Strong and resilient. And both were great leaders.

  “Find Lark,” Arfusei said to one of the soldiers. “But he isn’t coming back. He’s in the sea,” he replied. “I know that. Find him! Now! He will return for Fin.”

  “Your Highness…Are you ok?” Arfusei said, as he knocked on the door. He hadn’t heard a peep from her in two days. He slowly opened the door. She lay on the edge of the bed. The same spot she was in when he checked several days earlier. “Um…Your Highness. Can you come sit down and eat? Basra cooked you a nice meal. Your favorite. I can get her to bring it to you, if you prefer,” he said. “No. Please leave,” she whispered. Arfusei cleared his throat. He had something else to say. It was important but he could see she wasn’t ready. But he needed to inform her anyway.

  “Um…Well…We need to get the bodies in the sea. They are beginning to crumble,” he said. Fin looked at him. “Decompose,” she said. “What?” he asked. He hadn’t heard the word. “Nothing. Just please,” she said, as she laid her head back down. Arfusei let out a long exhale. He turned and shut the door behind him.

  “They found Lark,” the soldier said, a glow on his face. Lark was possibly the answer to their prayers. He knew Fin well. They were closer than anyone. Had been since they were young. They needed him.

  Arfusei smiled when he saw Lark’s face. Lark had been gone just as long as Fin. He had turned to the sea and never came back. His sole mission, to look for Fin. And after the death of the king and queen, he vowed to never return. He became an uaru. A water soldier. But Arfusei knew better. Lark loved Fin. And he would return to see her.

  “Lark!” he exclaimed, as he bowed. He couldn’t be happier to see him. Lark was their top commanding soldier at one time. He still received the same respect that he always got from his comrades. Other soldiers entered, smiling and greeted him respectfully. He was missed. He was their backbone. Afraid of nothing. The kings most trusted guard of all.

  “Where is she?” he asked. Arfusei stepped aside. Lark looked at the door. He looked around at the happy but emotionally drained and scared soldiers. He knew they feared an uncertain future. They had no real leader. No plan. And Prince Andreus could only be held back for so long. He still had a strong army. He still wanted Mojarro. And he still wanted Fin.

  Lark opened the door slowly. His heart dropped as he laid eyes on her. She was alive. She was before him.

  “I said leave me,” she cried. “I will. But first we have to burry your parents,” he said, his voice deep and powerful. Fin raised her head. She knew that voice. She turned around.

  “Lark!” she said breathlessly, as she jumped up and ran to him. He was not prepared for the touchy, feely and emotionally woke Fin. She hugged him. His body hard and frigid. He touched her back. She laid her head on his chest. Lark was surprised. Her touch made him feel a way he had never experienced. Fin put her face in his chest and continued crying. Soon Lark relaxed and started holding her. “It’s called a hug,” she said, as she wept on him. “A what?” he asked.

  Fin chuckled. She could feel the wide range of emotions from him. His original apprehension, to his now open and welcoming embrace. Fin stepped back from him and wiped her eyes. He stared intensely at her. Something was different. More sensual. More magnetic. He wasn’t sure what it was. “Where did you get that from?” he asked. “What? The hug? A friend,” she replied. Lark looked puzzled. “I’ll explain later.”

  The guards stood around. They couldn’t make out the muffled sounds that came from the room. Fin and Lark were heavy in conversation. And Arfusei was happy he was there. Things would move forward now.

  After an hour, Fin emerged from her father’s chambers, with Lark right behind her. “Arfusei. Gather the rest of the men. We need to bury them tonight. Under the darkness. Lark will throw off the uaru’s. We have to move fast.” Arfusei looked at his men. He expected them to do whatever she said. Without question. And his fierce body language was understood. It was not officially announced, but she was their queen.

  “Casio! I need you to travel to Panga. Tell the King I wish to meet with him,” she ordered. “Yes, Your Highness.” Fin looked at Ziege. He was one of their best swimmers. He could go long distances and was powerful enough to fight off most predators. “Ziege! I need you to travel to Piratchu. Tell Queen Rasbora that we need to meet. Arrange a way for her to get here safely. Tell her it’s a matter of life and death.” Ziege bowed then hurried down the hall. Arfusei was proud. This was the Fin he knew and loved. Tough. Smart. Capable. Fin turned to Lark.

  “Thank you. I will see you soon,” she said. The guards could see they had a stronger bond. Fin was never that open with any of them. She never looked at them the way she was looking at Lark. “Ok. See you soon,” Lark said, getting one last look before moving swiftly past the guards. Fin watched him walk away. She believed in him. He was loyal. He was fierce. And she needed him. Arfusei looked at her. Your arrival must be witnessed. You are queen. We must go into town. Make your presence felt. Give the citizens hope,” he said. Fin agreed.

  ******

  Queen Finora walked through the town. Rae and her family waited to greet her. She hadn’t seen her old friend since they were teenagers. Rae’s
father had chosen a mate for her and she was now a wife and mother of three. “Fin!” she waved, her children by her side. Fin smiled and waved. Rae nodded. She knew Fin could not play catch up. She was their queen. Fin was emotional at seeing her friend. She remembered their fun times. How carefree life was for them. But life was now much different. Fin continued on. As much as she wanted to talk to Rae and find out how things were, she was now officially the queen. And she had pressing matters at hand.

  The citizens came out and stood outside the castle. Some were lined along the streets. They were happy to see her. They had renewed faith. She looked powerful. She was their new queen. They hoped she would address them soon. Tell them of her future plans. “The Queen,” the voices whispered, as citizens bowed. The sounds of gasps and whimpers could be heard as her parents’ bodies were carried through the streets. Finora fought back tears. She looked ahead. Her eyes focused on the sea. Her heart with her loved ones who had perished. And she was now responsible for thousands of citizens. Mojarro was the second largest city in Madaka. And Fin had a plan. She had been informed that Prince Andreus was responsible for her father’s death and in turn also responsible for her mother’s. Her thoughts turned to Lance, as she made her way to Palimora. He had taught her a lot. And his teachings would aid them greatly.

  The white soft sand gave way to the warm blue water. The long rows of men led by Finora was a powerful sight. No one spoke a word. The somber occasion was heart felt. Water splashed as the large group entered. Finora was their beautiful and elegant queen and they would die in the waters to save her. They were proud of her. She addressed them elegantly before they left. They needed to be uplifted. Their leaders were gone. Men had perished.