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Prologue: Part 2
Penina had guided the Guardian’s body to the shore of a nearby island and pulled her far enough to ensure that the high tide would not drag her body away. Then, gathering the seaweed from the island’s surrounding shallow waters, she created a soft bed for the Guardian to lay on.
She also realized that the harsh sun may also damage the Guardian’s hide, so Penina tied some palm leaves and branches to make a makeshift shelter just enough to cover the Guardian’s body. But the leg…she noticed the Guardian’s leg was at an odd angle, and it made her feel sick. Penina had never taken up any medical studies, and she cursed at her lack of foresight to consider their significance. She definitely will be asking her teacher to add a few lessons in that area…
The Guardian gave a groan and trembled slightly. Penina placed a hand on her forehead – it was very warm, indicating the start of a fever. Think, think! The Pearlcatcher gritted her teeth in frustration. What did mom give me when I had a fever? She recalled a sort of minty kelp leaf that was fed to her, cool to the tongue, and quick to lower a dragon’s temperature. Ice embrace! I saw one of those when I was looking for kelp to make the bed.
Quickly, she jumped back into the water and swam back to thick forest bed of kelp. Grabbing a few handfuls, she hurried back to the now shaking patient. “Here, chew this,” she brought the kelp to the Guardian’s mouth, but she was hardly aware of the Pearlcatcher in front of her. “You need to eat some of this,” Penina pressed, and she gently opened the Guardian’s mouth, placed some kelp on her tongue, and then closed her mouth for good measure to ensure that she would chew and swallow the kelp.
But the coolness of the kelp invited the Guardian to easily swallow it all, and she gave an audible sigh as the kelp’s effect spread across her body. Opening her eyes, the Guardian weakly lifted her head to see the Pearlcatcher before her.
“Who are ye, kind spirit? Is this the afterlife? Where are the rest of me crew?” but when she looked directly in Penina’s eyes, she was quite startled. Something within her stirred, a protective instinct that she was told about as a hatchling but never felt – until now.
Penina was getting uncomfortable with the Guardian’s stare, so she tried to break the silence, “My name is Penina. I’m no spirit, and this is not the afterlife. And your crew…I’m sorry. I could only save you.”
Tears welled up in the Guardian’s eyes at the news, but after giving a hard swallow, she spoke again, “May their souls fin’ rest in the sea. Thank ye kindly for saving me life, Penina. My name is Keala.” Keala attempted to stand, but gave out a cry of pain when she tried.
“Woah, easy there, Keala. You’re still hurt,” Penina helped guide the Guardian in a more comfortable position on the kelp bed. “Me leg is done in by those blasted crates. Ne’er will I trifle with cargo again,” Keala spat in disgust.
“I suppose the booty was done in by the booty,” Penina laughed at her joke, but stopped as soon as she saw Keala staring at her seriously. Luckily, the Guardian began to laugh after a moment, realizing the joke, but stopped shortly as she grimaced and held her ribs. “Aye, and me ribs too. They feel plenty bruised,” Keala sighed, “Guess me hide is staying on this here shore for some time. Although, in good company,” she winked at Penina, causing the Pearlcatcher to blush.
Penina fumbled with her words, “Err, well, yes, um, I think you need to get some food and water. I can go get some for you, if you want.Um, well, you can’t get it yourself, so, yeah. I should go get some…now.” Flustered, she turned back into the water to gather some food.
After gathering some supplies and a large shell to hold water, she returned to the Guardian who was sound asleep. Relieved to see Keala resting, she gently laid the food before her and began looking for a freshwater source. Thank goodness Guardians are known to like seafood. Her search didn’t last for too long. There was a river nearby that fed into the ocean, so she scooped some up with the shell and carried it back.
The sun was starting to sink to the waves, and Penina saw Keala staring wistfully towards the ocean. Trying not to make a sound, she settled down near the Guardian and laid the shell full of water near her claws. “Here, drink this. You’ll need to keep up your fluids.”
The Guardian looked at her and smiled gratefully. Gulping down the water, she then ate the seafood Penina gathered as though it was her last meal. “Ahhh, that’s bet’er. Me thanks to the chef. I ne’er thought I’d be able to savor another meal,” she looked into Penina’s eyes with a mixture of gratitude and something that the Pearlcatcher couldn’t place a finger on, but it made her shiver.
Keala saw her shiver and thought that Pearlcatcher was cold. Deciding to lay her tail around her to shelter her from the wind, she said “Ah, the wind is a bit chilly as the sun falls, ain’t it? Here, lemme return ye kindness. Not much that this broken dragon can do, but I ‘ope it helps.”
They stared at each other for a while longer, the glint of the day’s last rays being reflected in each other’s eyes. This time the silence was comforting as the two souls who thought of themselves as lost and in need found a kindred spirit to lean on.
“Ye know. I thought fer sure that my chance at life was done. All the things that I wanted to do, the places to visit, the adventures to be had – to be swallowed by the sea, ne’er to surface from a watery grave,” Keala turned to the ocean as she spoke, the endless expanse of water embodying the endless possibilities of a life lived full. “But ye saved me, stole me away from death. Fer that, I am eternally grateful. Ye have me life, me heart, and me soul,” the Guardian looked back towards Penina, “What is it that your heart desires most? I wish to make it so an’ give you a chance at a life you want like ye did fer me.”
Penina looked down in embarrassment, tracing her claws absent-mindedly in the sand. “I don’t know what I want, but…” The Pearlcatcher began to speak about her life, about the future that was expected of her, and all of her fears and distress that she had felt through it all. The Guardian was a complete stranger, but yet it felt like a complete stranger would be able to hear her out without judgement, to not see her as royalty but as the everyday dragon she saw herself as.
Keala listened on, never interrupting, as she heard the Pearlcatcher’s life story and woes. It tugged on her heart, and she wanted nothing more than to ease Penina’s burden in any way possible. “…and that’s why I escaped. I just needed to get away from it all so I can finally have a moment to myself, as just me.”
But Penina became startled as she realized that a whole day has passed since the night she escaped her home. “I’m so sorry. I have to go,” she hopped up and turned towards the ocean. “Wait, lass! Ye ain’t leavin’ me here with this busted leg now?” Keala’s eyes widened in fear, both at the idea of being alone and of her charge leaving.
Penina turned back and placed a gentle hand on the Guardian’s claws, “Yes, but only for a little bit. I have to return home before they start searching all the way here. If they do, they’ll kill you,” she shook her head, “I can’t let them do that. I’ll be back once they’re appeased, and then I’ll come back to help you out some more – I promise.”
Keala’s heart leapt when she felt the Pearlcatcher’s hand on hers, and she realized the weight of her words. The Guardian nodded solemnly, “Then move swiftly. I’ll wait howe’er long for yer return.”
Penina gave a reassuring smile, “Then, I’ll see you later, Keala.” She hopped into the ocean and sped home. When her form disappeared in the ocean, Keala whispered, “See ye later, Penina,” and lowered her head down to sleep.
“Sis, sis! Wait up!” Kailani saw her sister hastily swim right past her towards home. Penina was surprised to hear her sister’s voice and stopped, waiting for her sister to swim up to her.
“Where have you been? Mom’s been worried sick. I don’t know if Dad knows yet…probably does by now. I’ve been searching all day. Even the guards are searching high and low for you…” but she saw a different glint in her sister’s eyes that made her grin. “Wait, where did you go? This sort of stunt is something I would do, but I never thought you had it in you.”
Penina was a little guarded. They were great at keeping secrets for each other when they were hatchlings, and she usually didn’t reveal her sister’s whereabouts when she escaped her lessons and other responsibilities. But she never had a huge secret that she had asked Kailani to keep. She didn’t feel ready to share it yet.
“Uhhh, just swimming.” Kailani raised an eyebrow, “A bit far out and for a long time. You better have a better story than that for Mom and Dad.” Penina groaned, “You have my back though, right?”
Her sister grinned, “Of course! You got me out of plenty of scrapes and escapes. It’s time to return the favor.” Penina gave a huge sigh, “You are the best sister. Thank you.”
“I’m your only sister, but I’ll take it. Race you home!” and she sped off. “You’re on!” Penina sped off after her, laughing. They loved to race each other when they were small, and doing so again felt like they were both hatchlings, living life without a worry. It was what Penina needed – a short escape before returning to the weight of her responsibilities and future.
It was their Mom who first saw her daughters race home from the palace’s window. She quickly made her way to the back door that she knew Kailani tended to use when returning in secret from her parents. Fetia typically turned a blind eye and feigned ignorance when her mate questioned if Fetia escaped for one of her outings (she did the same as a hatchling too). This time was different – she needed to know what happened with her daughter, Penina.
Arms folded, she stood at the entranceway waiting and heard the giggles from her daughters as they approached. “Okay, okay, so this is what you’re going to say – ” “Say what, my pearls?” Fetia cut off Kailani before she could continue, looking intensely at her daughters.
Penina looked startled and afraid when she saw her mother, but Kailani didn’t even bat an eyelid as she walked in. “Oh, why she was missing for a full day. Seems she was caught up in one of her study topics and had to go out to investigate. Right, sis? Go on, tell her. She won’t bite,” as she shoved her sister forward.
“It depends,” Fetia said dryly, hiding her amusement. Penina could see some of the relief in her mother’s eyes, so it gave her the courage to talk, “Well, I read about the possibility of shipwreck outside of the city, the one of the pirate crew that attempted to attack Nan’nalu. I figured seeing it in person would be more meaningful than just reading about it, so I set off. But then I came across a discarded fishing net that had a dolphin trapped. I had to help it escape and make sure it could make it to the surface before it drowned. Before I knew it, it was already a whole day, and I couldn’t make it in time to see the shipwreck…” Well, it wasn’t the exact truth, but it felt close enough to her experiences that she could say it without stumbling.
Fetia let out a sigh, “At least you are safe. Don’t be going out like that on your own again. If you so desperately need a field trip like that for your studies, drag your sister along. She seems to specialize in those and who knows, perhaps she can learn a few things too if she tags along.” Kailani grinned.
“In the meanwhile, you also need to speak to your father. He was ready to go out himself if you didn’t make it home by tonight. We best catch him before he swims off on a search of his own.” Penina’s tail drooped. She knew that she would get a lengthy lecture from her Dad, and she dreaded it. Turning towards her sister, she gave the most pitiful look she had in herself in a silent plea.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll join you, but you’re pushing it. Let’s go find Dad,” Kailani said flippantly.
The daughters found their father in his chambers, sharpening his trident as he sat on his kelp bed. Penina tried to hide behind her sister, losing confidence as she saw the grim determination in his eyes.
“Hey Dad, you can put that trident away. We found her,” Kailani said, and she gently shoved Penina ahead of her, “All safe and sound.”
He stood up smartly, and placed the trident’s base on the ground, giving a resounding metal clang that echoed in the room. It made Penina feel even smaller, but Kailani’s hand was firmly pressed against her back.
“Hi, Father,” Kailani spoke meekly, and she avoided looking directly into his steely gaze.
“Penina,” Tusitala spoke, in a quiet and cold voice “Where were you?” His eyes never left her as he awaited an answer.
Why did it feel like there was little air in the water to breathe? She swallowed and began her story, “I was out on an excursion to find the shipwreck of the pirate crew that attacked Nan’nalu, since we recently learned about it in my history class. Unfortunately, on the way, I saw a fishing net with a dolphin trapped in it. I worked on freeing it from the net and then ensured that it got to the surface before it could drown. Then I dismantled the net after, to make sure no other sea life would get caught in it. I lost track of time and before I knew it, it was very late. I’m very sorry, Father,” she looked down at her feet, afraid of how he would react. She had never been missing like this, never journeying far from the city. Would he believe her?
He didn’t move while she spoke, and he remained still for a minute more after Penina finished. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he nodded, “As a ruler, you need to be mindful of your time. It is a treasure all on its own, something that can never be bought yet still slowly gets used up. Do not disappear like that again on your own. Take with you -”
“Me! She has me, Father!” Kailani chirped, and she grabbed her sister’s arm, “I’ll be sure that she doesn’t go anywhere dangerous and comes back on time.” Tusitala looked dubiously at her youngest, “You?”
At that point, Fetia had quietly swam into the room without notice, and spoke, “I think what you mean to say is, that you will be there to help her if she does get into trouble. Your sister would probably be more inclined to avoid problems if possible.”
Kailani feigned a hurt face, “You hit the mark there. But we’d be safer together, for sure!” Penina looked at her father pleadingly, “I still need to check out that ship wreck. Can I go there in the morning?”
Tusitala looked tiredly at his two daughters and sighed, “Yes, but let us know when you go out and when you return. If you are gone longer than a day, then we will search for you.”
“Yes!” Kailani pumped her fist, and Penina’s tense body finally relaxed. Yes, now I can go to Keala first thing in the morning…
“Off to bed, both of you. We all need our rest after the day’s excitement,” Fetia shooed off the girls, who both quickly made for their rooms. Only Fetia and Tusitala were left behind.
“That was quite the scare,” Tusitala said, “I am hesitant to even let them out of the city.” Fetia looked up at his mate, “But you know that my own escapes and adventures led me to you,” and she cupped his head in her hands, looking eye to eye. Her mate smiled, “And I would have had it no other way.”
They rested their heads against each other for a time until Fetia broke the silence, “At least they have each other. It makes me more relaxed knowing that.”
“Agreed. Let’s get some sleep. I, for one, am exhausted,” and after a small kiss, they retired to their bed, both quickly falling asleep.
next
Aaaaannd, here's the other half of the prologue! We got our roster of initial characters, and we'll see where our lore goes from here. Ready for the journey? I know I am!
@Petall @Aquasparky
Prologue: Part 2
Penina had guided the Guardian’s body to the shore of a nearby island and pulled her far enough to ensure that the high tide would not drag her body away. Then, gathering the seaweed from the island’s surrounding shallow waters, she created a soft bed for the Guardian to lay on.
She also realized that the harsh sun may also damage the Guardian’s hide, so Penina tied some palm leaves and branches to make a makeshift shelter just enough to cover the Guardian’s body. But the leg…she noticed the Guardian’s leg was at an odd angle, and it made her feel sick. Penina had never taken up any medical studies, and she cursed at her lack of foresight to consider their significance. She definitely will be asking her teacher to add a few lessons in that area…
The Guardian gave a groan and trembled slightly. Penina placed a hand on her forehead – it was very warm, indicating the start of a fever. Think, think! The Pearlcatcher gritted her teeth in frustration. What did mom give me when I had a fever? She recalled a sort of minty kelp leaf that was fed to her, cool to the tongue, and quick to lower a dragon’s temperature. Ice embrace! I saw one of those when I was looking for kelp to make the bed.
Quickly, she jumped back into the water and swam back to thick forest bed of kelp. Grabbing a few handfuls, she hurried back to the now shaking patient. “Here, chew this,” she brought the kelp to the Guardian’s mouth, but she was hardly aware of the Pearlcatcher in front of her. “You need to eat some of this,” Penina pressed, and she gently opened the Guardian’s mouth, placed some kelp on her tongue, and then closed her mouth for good measure to ensure that she would chew and swallow the kelp.
But the coolness of the kelp invited the Guardian to easily swallow it all, and she gave an audible sigh as the kelp’s effect spread across her body. Opening her eyes, the Guardian weakly lifted her head to see the Pearlcatcher before her.
“Who are ye, kind spirit? Is this the afterlife? Where are the rest of me crew?” but when she looked directly in Penina’s eyes, she was quite startled. Something within her stirred, a protective instinct that she was told about as a hatchling but never felt – until now.
Penina was getting uncomfortable with the Guardian’s stare, so she tried to break the silence, “My name is Penina. I’m no spirit, and this is not the afterlife. And your crew…I’m sorry. I could only save you.”
Tears welled up in the Guardian’s eyes at the news, but after giving a hard swallow, she spoke again, “May their souls fin’ rest in the sea. Thank ye kindly for saving me life, Penina. My name is Keala.” Keala attempted to stand, but gave out a cry of pain when she tried.
“Woah, easy there, Keala. You’re still hurt,” Penina helped guide the Guardian in a more comfortable position on the kelp bed. “Me leg is done in by those blasted crates. Ne’er will I trifle with cargo again,” Keala spat in disgust.
“I suppose the booty was done in by the booty,” Penina laughed at her joke, but stopped as soon as she saw Keala staring at her seriously. Luckily, the Guardian began to laugh after a moment, realizing the joke, but stopped shortly as she grimaced and held her ribs. “Aye, and me ribs too. They feel plenty bruised,” Keala sighed, “Guess me hide is staying on this here shore for some time. Although, in good company,” she winked at Penina, causing the Pearlcatcher to blush.
Penina fumbled with her words, “Err, well, yes, um, I think you need to get some food and water. I can go get some for you, if you want.Um, well, you can’t get it yourself, so, yeah. I should go get some…now.” Flustered, she turned back into the water to gather some food.
After gathering some supplies and a large shell to hold water, she returned to the Guardian who was sound asleep. Relieved to see Keala resting, she gently laid the food before her and began looking for a freshwater source. Thank goodness Guardians are known to like seafood. Her search didn’t last for too long. There was a river nearby that fed into the ocean, so she scooped some up with the shell and carried it back.
The sun was starting to sink to the waves, and Penina saw Keala staring wistfully towards the ocean. Trying not to make a sound, she settled down near the Guardian and laid the shell full of water near her claws. “Here, drink this. You’ll need to keep up your fluids.”
The Guardian looked at her and smiled gratefully. Gulping down the water, she then ate the seafood Penina gathered as though it was her last meal. “Ahhh, that’s bet’er. Me thanks to the chef. I ne’er thought I’d be able to savor another meal,” she looked into Penina’s eyes with a mixture of gratitude and something that the Pearlcatcher couldn’t place a finger on, but it made her shiver.
Keala saw her shiver and thought that Pearlcatcher was cold. Deciding to lay her tail around her to shelter her from the wind, she said “Ah, the wind is a bit chilly as the sun falls, ain’t it? Here, lemme return ye kindness. Not much that this broken dragon can do, but I ‘ope it helps.”
They stared at each other for a while longer, the glint of the day’s last rays being reflected in each other’s eyes. This time the silence was comforting as the two souls who thought of themselves as lost and in need found a kindred spirit to lean on.
“Ye know. I thought fer sure that my chance at life was done. All the things that I wanted to do, the places to visit, the adventures to be had – to be swallowed by the sea, ne’er to surface from a watery grave,” Keala turned to the ocean as she spoke, the endless expanse of water embodying the endless possibilities of a life lived full. “But ye saved me, stole me away from death. Fer that, I am eternally grateful. Ye have me life, me heart, and me soul,” the Guardian looked back towards Penina, “What is it that your heart desires most? I wish to make it so an’ give you a chance at a life you want like ye did fer me.”
Penina looked down in embarrassment, tracing her claws absent-mindedly in the sand. “I don’t know what I want, but…” The Pearlcatcher began to speak about her life, about the future that was expected of her, and all of her fears and distress that she had felt through it all. The Guardian was a complete stranger, but yet it felt like a complete stranger would be able to hear her out without judgement, to not see her as royalty but as the everyday dragon she saw herself as.
Keala listened on, never interrupting, as she heard the Pearlcatcher’s life story and woes. It tugged on her heart, and she wanted nothing more than to ease Penina’s burden in any way possible. “…and that’s why I escaped. I just needed to get away from it all so I can finally have a moment to myself, as just me.”
But Penina became startled as she realized that a whole day has passed since the night she escaped her home. “I’m so sorry. I have to go,” she hopped up and turned towards the ocean. “Wait, lass! Ye ain’t leavin’ me here with this busted leg now?” Keala’s eyes widened in fear, both at the idea of being alone and of her charge leaving.
Penina turned back and placed a gentle hand on the Guardian’s claws, “Yes, but only for a little bit. I have to return home before they start searching all the way here. If they do, they’ll kill you,” she shook her head, “I can’t let them do that. I’ll be back once they’re appeased, and then I’ll come back to help you out some more – I promise.”
Keala’s heart leapt when she felt the Pearlcatcher’s hand on hers, and she realized the weight of her words. The Guardian nodded solemnly, “Then move swiftly. I’ll wait howe’er long for yer return.”
Penina gave a reassuring smile, “Then, I’ll see you later, Keala.” She hopped into the ocean and sped home. When her form disappeared in the ocean, Keala whispered, “See ye later, Penina,” and lowered her head down to sleep.
“Sis, sis! Wait up!” Kailani saw her sister hastily swim right past her towards home. Penina was surprised to hear her sister’s voice and stopped, waiting for her sister to swim up to her.
“Where have you been? Mom’s been worried sick. I don’t know if Dad knows yet…probably does by now. I’ve been searching all day. Even the guards are searching high and low for you…” but she saw a different glint in her sister’s eyes that made her grin. “Wait, where did you go? This sort of stunt is something I would do, but I never thought you had it in you.”
Penina was a little guarded. They were great at keeping secrets for each other when they were hatchlings, and she usually didn’t reveal her sister’s whereabouts when she escaped her lessons and other responsibilities. But she never had a huge secret that she had asked Kailani to keep. She didn’t feel ready to share it yet.
“Uhhh, just swimming.” Kailani raised an eyebrow, “A bit far out and for a long time. You better have a better story than that for Mom and Dad.” Penina groaned, “You have my back though, right?”
Her sister grinned, “Of course! You got me out of plenty of scrapes and escapes. It’s time to return the favor.” Penina gave a huge sigh, “You are the best sister. Thank you.”
“I’m your only sister, but I’ll take it. Race you home!” and she sped off. “You’re on!” Penina sped off after her, laughing. They loved to race each other when they were small, and doing so again felt like they were both hatchlings, living life without a worry. It was what Penina needed – a short escape before returning to the weight of her responsibilities and future.
It was their Mom who first saw her daughters race home from the palace’s window. She quickly made her way to the back door that she knew Kailani tended to use when returning in secret from her parents. Fetia typically turned a blind eye and feigned ignorance when her mate questioned if Fetia escaped for one of her outings (she did the same as a hatchling too). This time was different – she needed to know what happened with her daughter, Penina.
Arms folded, she stood at the entranceway waiting and heard the giggles from her daughters as they approached. “Okay, okay, so this is what you’re going to say – ” “Say what, my pearls?” Fetia cut off Kailani before she could continue, looking intensely at her daughters.
Penina looked startled and afraid when she saw her mother, but Kailani didn’t even bat an eyelid as she walked in. “Oh, why she was missing for a full day. Seems she was caught up in one of her study topics and had to go out to investigate. Right, sis? Go on, tell her. She won’t bite,” as she shoved her sister forward.
“It depends,” Fetia said dryly, hiding her amusement. Penina could see some of the relief in her mother’s eyes, so it gave her the courage to talk, “Well, I read about the possibility of shipwreck outside of the city, the one of the pirate crew that attempted to attack Nan’nalu. I figured seeing it in person would be more meaningful than just reading about it, so I set off. But then I came across a discarded fishing net that had a dolphin trapped. I had to help it escape and make sure it could make it to the surface before it drowned. Before I knew it, it was already a whole day, and I couldn’t make it in time to see the shipwreck…” Well, it wasn’t the exact truth, but it felt close enough to her experiences that she could say it without stumbling.
Fetia let out a sigh, “At least you are safe. Don’t be going out like that on your own again. If you so desperately need a field trip like that for your studies, drag your sister along. She seems to specialize in those and who knows, perhaps she can learn a few things too if she tags along.” Kailani grinned.
“In the meanwhile, you also need to speak to your father. He was ready to go out himself if you didn’t make it home by tonight. We best catch him before he swims off on a search of his own.” Penina’s tail drooped. She knew that she would get a lengthy lecture from her Dad, and she dreaded it. Turning towards her sister, she gave the most pitiful look she had in herself in a silent plea.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll join you, but you’re pushing it. Let’s go find Dad,” Kailani said flippantly.
The daughters found their father in his chambers, sharpening his trident as he sat on his kelp bed. Penina tried to hide behind her sister, losing confidence as she saw the grim determination in his eyes.
“Hey Dad, you can put that trident away. We found her,” Kailani said, and she gently shoved Penina ahead of her, “All safe and sound.”
He stood up smartly, and placed the trident’s base on the ground, giving a resounding metal clang that echoed in the room. It made Penina feel even smaller, but Kailani’s hand was firmly pressed against her back.
“Hi, Father,” Kailani spoke meekly, and she avoided looking directly into his steely gaze.
“Penina,” Tusitala spoke, in a quiet and cold voice “Where were you?” His eyes never left her as he awaited an answer.
Why did it feel like there was little air in the water to breathe? She swallowed and began her story, “I was out on an excursion to find the shipwreck of the pirate crew that attacked Nan’nalu, since we recently learned about it in my history class. Unfortunately, on the way, I saw a fishing net with a dolphin trapped in it. I worked on freeing it from the net and then ensured that it got to the surface before it could drown. Then I dismantled the net after, to make sure no other sea life would get caught in it. I lost track of time and before I knew it, it was very late. I’m very sorry, Father,” she looked down at her feet, afraid of how he would react. She had never been missing like this, never journeying far from the city. Would he believe her?
He didn’t move while she spoke, and he remained still for a minute more after Penina finished. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he nodded, “As a ruler, you need to be mindful of your time. It is a treasure all on its own, something that can never be bought yet still slowly gets used up. Do not disappear like that again on your own. Take with you -”
“Me! She has me, Father!” Kailani chirped, and she grabbed her sister’s arm, “I’ll be sure that she doesn’t go anywhere dangerous and comes back on time.” Tusitala looked dubiously at her youngest, “You?”
At that point, Fetia had quietly swam into the room without notice, and spoke, “I think what you mean to say is, that you will be there to help her if she does get into trouble. Your sister would probably be more inclined to avoid problems if possible.”
Kailani feigned a hurt face, “You hit the mark there. But we’d be safer together, for sure!” Penina looked at her father pleadingly, “I still need to check out that ship wreck. Can I go there in the morning?”
Tusitala looked tiredly at his two daughters and sighed, “Yes, but let us know when you go out and when you return. If you are gone longer than a day, then we will search for you.”
“Yes!” Kailani pumped her fist, and Penina’s tense body finally relaxed. Yes, now I can go to Keala first thing in the morning…
“Off to bed, both of you. We all need our rest after the day’s excitement,” Fetia shooed off the girls, who both quickly made for their rooms. Only Fetia and Tusitala were left behind.
“That was quite the scare,” Tusitala said, “I am hesitant to even let them out of the city.” Fetia looked up at his mate, “But you know that my own escapes and adventures led me to you,” and she cupped his head in her hands, looking eye to eye. Her mate smiled, “And I would have had it no other way.”
They rested their heads against each other for a time until Fetia broke the silence, “At least they have each other. It makes me more relaxed knowing that.”
“Agreed. Let’s get some sleep. I, for one, am exhausted,” and after a small kiss, they retired to their bed, both quickly falling asleep.
next
Aaaaannd, here's the other half of the prologue! We got our roster of initial characters, and we'll see where our lore goes from here. Ready for the journey? I know I am!
@Petall @Aquasparky
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