Shattered by the Sea Lord - Starla Night Page 0,104
more, joyful cries filled the ocean. Fathers reunited with sons, exiles greeted old friends, and happy tears mixed with wonder at the mythical events they had all survived.
The city itself was in shambles.
Sure, the Life Tree had survived—if it could recover from the kink in the middle—and only two of the bulb-shaped castles floated.
Figuara’s warriors eagerly embraced Prince Ankena—now King Ankena—as the rightful ruler. They were desperate for leadership, and he stepped into the role as if he’d never left.
“Lieutenant Figuara, secure the city borders. I will not give predators an easy meal or let the All-Council think now is a time to strike.”
Lieutenant Figuara straightened with the promotion to his previous rank. He summoned his warriors and formed units, then released them to the king. His most trusted warriors fanned out.
King Ankena pointed to the next unit. “Fly the patrol routes. Go to the surface and recall the teams that lead the squid. They must stop their attacks immediately. Collect any remaining warriors of Lusca and inform them of the change.”
That unit soared out of the city streaking for the surface.
King Ankena turned to the third. “Go to the echo point. Warn the ocean about the kraken. Not just Luscan warriors. Everyone. She goes where she will, and the mer world must know.”
All the units dispersed, and then the king turned to the remaining warriors—kids, Konomelu and Itime, and others—to pull away the wreckage and rebuild.
Dannika floated with Ciran near the edge of the women and children. “Aren’t you going to advise him?”
“There is no need.” Clear admiration was stamped on his face. “He listens, like King Kadir, and reacts as I would. He is doing all he needs to do and more.”
Fiery red tattoos covered King Ankena’s now healed broad shoulders and tapered waist. Aqua eyes with small iridescent red threads gleamed as he issued his orders.
Hadali rushed around, mirroring his father, organizing the kids to play training games to free up the adults to do the work. But poor Lukiyo floated in shadows. He bit a hangnail which was reminiscent of Hazel biting her nails.
Bex floated quietly beside him, just being present and listening.
“I’m the heir,” Lukiyo finally said to Bex, but loudly enough to vibrate to Dannika and Ciran. “And I accepted Grandfather’s offer to teach me because I wanted to become a worthy warrior like Dad. But…”
He rubbed the tattoos over his heart. Luscan tattoos had overwritten Meg’s phoenix, but the outlines of talons clinging to a willow branch lingered underneath. It symbolized the ability to bend and not break.
“I feel like everything Grandfather taught me was wrong. I shouldn’t have listened. Maybe I’ll never be fit to rule.”
Bex shrugged one shoulder. “You always saw both sides.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No.” She turned to face him. “I mean, yeah, regret your mistakes. Apologize, make amends. But don’t get stuck on one ‘right.’ Your grandfather was stuck. Your dad almost got stuck, too, but then he met me. People can be wrong but still get things right. Don’t be afraid of your ability to see.”
His chin wobbled.
She offered her arm.
He hugged her. They held each other. Suppressed tears made their eyes turn red, but neither one of them cried.
Aw. God. Dannika touched the corners of her eyes, even though she was underwater, so it wasn’t like she had to worry about dripping tears.
Ciran squeezed her. “You will be a mother with true empathy.”
Her throat closed.
Good thing she was vibrating her chest to speak. “You are so sweet. We must be soul mates.”
Bong…ong…ong…ng…g…
The bell rang.
Again.
The kraken was long gone, but giant squid emerged from the trench and fought around the base of the sad Life Tree. They scattered the neatly organized piles of debris and chased the warriors.
Meg kicked down and successfully dispersed them.
Then the bell rang again.
Rinse and repeat.
The third time it happened, Meg called for a conference. Angie and Bex joined her, Dannika, and Ciran. “I guess we should have given Val a stopping point. How long do you think she’s been ringing it? An hour?”
“In surface time?” Ciran calculated. “Five days.”
“Days? Oh, her arm must be so sore. We’ll have to do something super nice for her.”
“A tasteful gift basket,” Angie suggested. “Perhaps something pilot-related. Or a rare mer delicacy.”
“Oh? What’s the specialty down here?” Meg’s lips twitched. “Segmented trench worm?”
“That is no delicacy,” Ciran said. “It is tough as the string you lace on your human shoes.”
“Never mind. But we should surface fast before the bell undoes all the warriors’ work cleaning up the city.”