Fin unzipped it. She peeked in. She gasped at the items. The bag was filled with items that were not from Madaka. Items she recognized. Lance had purchased all the same things for Isla. The items were from Earth. The world above them. Fin pulled the baby bottle and pacifier out. She sat them on the table.
“Whose stuff is this? Where did it come from?” she said in a low voice. Inside the bag were baby clothes, a pink bib, a white skull cap and crumbled old diapers. A woman’s clutch, jewelry and a wallet were also inside.
“No. This can’t be,” Fin said. Still in disbelief. She opened the wallet. It had been destroyed from the dried salt water. Inside were tattered papers and several pictures. One picture had been remarkably well preserved. The one in the middle was in the best condition. Images on the others were hard to see. Fin stared at the picture of the man, woman and child. A child with red hair and freckles. A baby that looked a lot like her mother. A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Mom,” Fin mumbled in a breathless and fading voice. Her pain wiping out any strength she had. She rubbed the outline of Aterra’s face. She stared at the grandparents she never met. It all made sense. Fin was flooded with emotion. She understood Aterra’s silence. Her inability to swim. Her reason for avoiding the water. Fin wished her mother would have talked to her. It would have been ok. She would have kept her mother’s secret. And as Fin realized who her mother was, another realization was made. That she too, was human. Part nermein and part human. She smiled. Her and Lance had a lot more in common than she could have imagined. He wasn’t so different from her. Her bloodline traced back to the new world. Fin wondered if everyone in Madaka had a human connection. She wondered what happened that resulted in their differences. She could only guess.
She could not have imagined her history. That they were the offspring of gods and demigods banned to the sea. There was a human connection. Fin felt it. It was becoming more evident in the way her soldiers responded to her. Something that was taken from them was still there. Hidden in the depths of their souls. It was in their eyes. They just needed to be awakened. There was a void. Fin gasped. This had to be the result of the sins of our forefathers. We were punished. Sent here. And stripped of the ability to feel deeply, she thought, as she looked off. A revelation spoken to her from her great grandmother. Her guardian angel. Fin wasn’t sure why the thoughts came together so vividly. As if told to her directly. But she knew what had happened. She could see it clear as day. And she had a new found duty. A responsibility to her people.
Fin placed the items back in the bag. “Clem!” she shouted. After several minutes she could hear him running down the hall. “Yes, Your Highness,” he replied, out of breath from the sprint. “Please have someone put the door back on. Shut it. Then seal it. And have Lark gather the men. I need to meet with them.”
The lieutenants of her army wondered what the meeting was about. Fin said nothing as she walked from the castle, looking like a woman with a lot on her mind. She approached the large assembly. It was men from three cities. Among the crowd was the Pangian and the Piratchuian army. Several thousand men. Too many to address individually. Her message would need to be relayed by men designated to get her words to those not within hearing distance.
Lark stood close, confident in what Fin would say. She had become a wise and fierce leader in a short time. It was obvious that she was affected by someone on the outside. He wondered who had her so confident as a woman. Who had her heart. She was there, but she was also absent. Fin looked at him. She glanced at Arfusei, Ziege and Clem. Missing was Sparrow. She wished he was there. He was older and wise. He knew things that she wished she had the privilege of learning. He had been in war. And he was her father’s friend and greatest protector. But she had her own confidants. Arfusei was also one of her father’s closest guards. So was Lark. Clem was the youngest and newest member of the army. But he was loyal all the same.
These were the men who would lead the others. The key players of her power. The main men in her life who would need to be the first ones freed from what bound them. An invisible shackle. Unlocking it meant an understanding of themselves. And intimate knowledge of love and protection. It would make them fiercer. They would have greater purpose. Instead of doing what was expected of them and fulfilling a duty. She needed them to fight from the heart. To fear death. It would make them more acute. They would be more powerful fighters.
“I called everyone here because I have something important to say before we head to the Palimora Sea. I am looking at the faces of many brave men. Your courage is outstanding. Your fearlessness admirable. And as we set out on a mission to save our cities, we must first reflect on what this battle is really about. It is more than protecting the loss of assets. Or saving our way of life. This is about our love for this great world. Our love of family. It is bigger than the individual. We do this as one. I know you hear me. But you don’t really understand me. Your idea of unity is clouded. We are like ants. Have you ever paid attention to them. They exist as one. But there is no witnessed love between them. When one dies, they continue on. Walking over it. Like discarded trash. They move the dead out of their way. And they continue working towards a cause. Survival,” she said, as she paced slowly from one side of the neatly divided rows to the other.
“I am here to tell you that there is more. Our culture shuns physical contact. Our eyes have been closed. But if you touch, you can feel. And if you feel, you will have desires. Life will have a different meaning,” she assured. Fin walked to Arfusei. He furrowed his brow then looked at Lark.
“Hold out your hand,” Fin said, as she extended hers. Arfusei glanced at the faces of his men. He became nervous. “It’s okay. Touch my hand,” she said. Arfusei slowly raised his hand. Fin stepped close to him. She took his hand and held it firm. He stared into her eyes. Lark’s feeling went from intrigue to jealousy. Fin smiled at Arfusei. He closed his eyes. He was overcome with a new sense of awareness. He opened his eyes. Fin got closer. She hugged him then leaned back, keeping her hands on his shoulders. “Do you see?” she asked. Arfusei nodded. A tear came to his eye. Fin could see he was aware. She stepped back. She could see Lark was upset. She would deal with him after the men were enlightened. He was already aware. He just didn’t know it. She had inadvertently awakened him long before this day. His jealousy told her that.
The men stood around in shock. Arfusei looked around for his younger brother Rotiro. He spotted him and walked to him. Rotiro became nervous. Arfusei held out his hand. Rotiro reluctantly reached out after a nod from Fin. It would be disrespectful not to follow her lead. But he was uncomfortable with the idea of touching his brother.
“It is okay. You will see,” he said to him. Rotiro raised his hand higher. Arfusei took it. Rotiro felt an overwhelming sense of self. He smiled. Fin watched as one by one, the men shook each other’s hand. A domino effect that started from one enlightened spirit to another. Fin was the daughter of Zander. Who was the son of Zaire. Who was the son of Veltorro and the grandson of Spurgis. A line of descendants from the founding god and goddess of Madaka, Hershiel and Contessa. And the only one with pure human DNA in her blood. Not altered, as was her people. She was anointed. Her awakening would be the catalyst. Her touch, their liberation.
“Their ready,” she said to Ziege, as she touched his shoulder. She looked intensely at him. He looked back into her eyes. A connection was made. Fin walked away as her army became acquainted with one another. They would be ready for war. But not before each man was shown his heart. His soul.
“Is the queen in?” Halacai said, his head shrouded in a loose hood. Clem showed him in. He escorted the odd man to Fin’s meeting chambers. “Your Highness,” he announced, as he knocked lightly on her door. “Come in.”
Clem opened the door and Halacai walked in. Fin sat at her father’s throne. Now her throne. Her men standing around her, all in deep discussion. They ceased their talks when Halacai entered. Lark, Ziege and Arfusei had been meeting, off and on, all morning. Th
ey were updating Fin on the progress. Her army was ready.
“Yes,” she said, as she as she turned and looked at him. Halacai approached but was stopped by Lark. A face he had known all his life. Lark new him well. Halacai didn’t understand the change. The need to hold him back first. “He may approach,” Fin said. Lark moved from his path.
“It is about Eulachon,” he said, looking around at the men. He wasn’t sure it was ok to speak in front of the guards. Fin assured him he could. “These are the men who will face the men of Eulachon. You may speak in their presence,” she replied. Arfusei looked at Ziege. The men grinned. King Zander met in private. And delivered the news to his men. Only Lark was allowed such privileges. But Fin was a different kind of leader. Her men loved her inclusion of them. They were honored that she had trust and faith in them.
“Your highness. Men are gathering at the shore. They are preparing to enter the water,” he said. His voice shaky. His eyes darting beneath the cover of his hood. “How many?” she asked. “All of them,” he replied.
Lark looked at his men. Fin stood up. She felt instantly light headed. Her strength had drained from her. But she stood strong. She would not let them see any weakness. “Gather the men. Its time,” she said.
Fin wrapped her legs. She put her father’s vest on. It was large and hung off of her, but she couldn’t go into battle without it. “Umm,” she whimpered as she felt a sharp pain. It was a familiar feeling. “She looked off. “No. Nooo,” she said. A knock on her door startled her. “Yes,” she said. Lark opened the door. “They’re ready,” he said. Fin looked back. “Ok. I’m ready,” she said. Lark looked at her. She didn’t look good.
“We don’t need you. Please stay here. Address the citizens. Your job is here. Keeping everyone calm. I promise to send word back,” he said. Fin walked to him. She smiled. He was the kindest and most caring man in Madaka. She was sure he would have won her heart if it weren’t already spoken for.
“I must fight. This started with me. And even though he has married, he still holds a grudge. He still wants the land that would have been his. And he killed my father. I can’t stay back. Don’t ask me to,” she said, turning from him. Fin looked herself over in the mirror. Her reflection not as clear as the refined mirrors of the new world. But Madaka had been efficient in their own right. It was made of aluminum and other naturals metals. Metals found in Panga and in the mountains all over their world. Lark watched her get ready. Fin turned back to him.
“I know how you feel. You have cared about me your whole life. And now you worry about my safety. Part of me doesn’t want to go because I know you won’t be able to focus with me there. But you must. Because I won’t be any good to the people here, knowing that you are out there. I will be alright,” she said, as she leaned forward. Lark grabbed her arm. Fin held her stomach.
“You are ill. Fin! No! You cannot go,” he said. Fin smiled. “I’m not sick. I’m pregnant. And I am going. Now go. I want the men in rows of five. Long lines so the people can see their loved ones once more. In case they don’t return.”
Lark bit his lip. This was a terrible way to start. He was worried. And worse, he was more jealous. He wondered who she had gotten close to. Who she loved enough, to allow him the chance to father another child.
Fin waited for him to leave. The pain bearing down. It was happening too soon from what she recalled. She grabbed her stomach. “Ahhh,” she moaned. The pain soon eased. Fin stood straight. A new fear surfaced. She had a child to save. Lark was right. She couldn’t go. She and Lance had another baby on the way. She rubbed her belly. Memories of the last time they made love melted her heart.
“I have to get you back home. Okay… I guess I won’t go into battle. But I will get them there,” she said, as she turned and left out. She planned to pull Lark, Arfusei and Ziege to the side and tell them. It would be welcomed news. They didn’t want her there. She would be a distraction.
T
he streets of Mojarro were filled with citizens. Fin walked front and center, her men surrounding her. Families stood along the sides cheering them on. Fin waved. She was the brave face of the war. Her people admired her perseverance. Men smiled as they passed their families. Some reached out and touched their loved ones. Fin watched as some people looked perplexed. Others seemed to come alive. Fin promised herself that she would stay behind and enlighten them as well. It would be great if when the men returned, their families had a new found love and connection to them. The large and intimidating presence of the Mojarroian Army was fascinating. They walked with a purpose. There was something different about them.
Lark, Ziege and Arfusei proudly led them to the Palimora Sea. The men picked up the pace. They walked in, their powerful legs splashing in the water. They walked until the water hit their chest. Fin stayed with them. She walked in side by side with Lark then suddenly stopped. He looked back at her. Arfusei waved. Her men continue past her. They looked straight ahead. They were focused. Fin was proud. She stayed until the last few men walked by. Fin went in further. She pushed off the sand and swam further in, never changing to her tail. She needed one last look before the battle. Some men would not return. The brutal reality of war. She floated, arms extended, watching the men disappear into the darkness.
“Are you alright Your Highness?” the guard asked. “Yes. I need to address the people. Then I need to rest. I’m tired,” she said. Fin walked back into town, flanked by a few guards designated to stay back for her protection. She made her way to the stage her father used, to address the citizens.
She hesitated as she looked around at the sullen faces. She began speaking. She told them about their past. As much as she had figured out. What she believed happened. And how they could be better. Men women and children were affected by Fin’s words. Her instructions. It was simple. Touch one another to come alive. That something would be revealed in the touch. Husbands touched their wives. Then their children. Eventually, wives kissed the men. Then hugged and kissed their children. The power that had them unaware of themselves, had been broken. But their new found awareness opened their hearts up. They cried for their sons at war. Fin had to speak with families one on one, and in small groups to give hope. She tried to answer their questions. Eventually the citizens comforted one another. They talked among each other. Fin was drained by the time she returned to the castle. It was the longest and toughest day of her life. And all she could think about was Lance, Isla and now the new baby she was carrying.
12
A New Dawn
T
he waters swelled with the bodies of men swimming towards Eulachon. King Andreus and his men were also in the water, making their way to Mojarro. The combined force of waves from separate directions, caught the attention of the uaru soldiers. They could feel the shift in the currents.
“Hey something big is coming,” one uaru said to another. “I know. Alert the others,” the captain said. The men swam around looking for the source of the waves. Lark and his men slowed as they neared the mid-point. Ziege swam down to stand with the men closer to the floor of the sea. Arfusei swam next to Lark. He had already decided that Lark’s life was important. He was close to Fin. Possibly their next king. Fin had a fondness for him. And so, he would fight to the death to protect him. And to protect his baby brother Rotiro. The men had an advantage. They had weapons and they had heart. It meant more to them. And they had each other’s back.
The uaru saw the Mojarroian soldiers in the water. They swam to the men on the end. “Who is in charge here? Why are you in the water?” he asked. “You need to speak with one of our lieutenants,” he replied. The uaru soldier swam past, hundreds of soldiers looking for Lark. He was well known. The uaru knew Lark was the leader of the Mojarroian army. He spent many days and nights looking for the princess when she first went missing. He even spent the last days as one of them.
“Lark,” the soldier shouted. Lark left the line and swam to him. “What is going on? Why do you have so many soldiers in the water
? I heard the princess is back. Is that what this is about?” he asked. “She is our queen. The last battle that killed our king and ultimately our queen, was just the beginning. Now that Prince Andreus is king, he is attempting a takeover. We are here to defend our territory,” he revealed.
The uaru soldier was surprised. It was a bold move. They would have to be prepared to fight as well. Their job was to protect the waters. And keep the citizens from unapproved entry into each other’s land. This was a breach of gargantuan proportions. “I will alert my men. We stand with you. If King Andreus shows up. And has no good explanation for his presence, we will assume he is now an enemy of Madaka.
Prince Andreus’ senses were keen. He could smell the men. The water current seemed interrupted. “They are here,” he said, as they neared the midpoint. Lark was keen as well. He was adept to the Palimora sea. He had spent time there. He was accustomed to the environment. The animals. The feel of the water. His attention perked up. Ziege snarled. Arfusei got in position. Lark could see the men. Soon the others could see them.
King Andreus yelled to his men to blast through and kill any man in their path. Lark and his men held their spears by their sides. They were waiting for their enemy to get closer. The wood had no reflective qualities. It would not be seen by the men until it was too late. “Get ready,” Lark said. His hand firmly on his spear.
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