The High Seas Queen

Chapter Seven: Unfiltered Sunsets

Wren’s POV 2 years earlier. Before the Madness

Most Monarchs travel to visit the cities and towns above the waves before taking over their ruler positions. As I prepared for my trip, I often thought back to the stories my friends told me about humans and how different they are. It always made me think ‘They can't be that different, as we are all living beings that the ocean provides for.’ I wasn't fortunate enough to make this trip before accepting my place in the ocean as Ruler of Octopoda, so leaving the coral ring that protects my hometown was bittersweet. I only look back briefly to see the border of vibrant pinks, blues, and yellows of the coral. I see Brom, a merfolk, and my second in command. I am leaving him in charge while I'm gone.

We had just graduated from school and Ashera had asked if I would be one of her advisors. I didn't answer right away, mostly wanting to tease her but also needing to discuss it with my father. I never did get to answer her. I was on my way to see the group when a guard stopped me and relayed the information he received.

“Sir, I have news from your hometown. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but your father has passed, and it's requested you go home immediately.” I couldn’t bring myself to see her after hearing those words and left without saying goodbye to any of them. I haven’t been to the capital of Oki since I left that night. I never sent any word to my friends about my well-being or why I left. I have always been afraid that they would hate me. Even so, I miss them all, thinking of when we got into mischief or pulled off some sort of prank on Sebastian. It was almost a decade ago now, but it hurts like it was only yesterday. I miss Ashera the most. My princess, the instigator of all the shenanigans, I could never tell her no.

Breaking the water's surface before realizing it, and making it to my ship, I had been trapped in the memory. Floating above the lovely reef and housing my special crew was The Blossom, as Captain Jason and my father named her, a small ship with a well-crafted mermaid figurehead on the front. It was a gorgeous, well-made ship that I inherited from my father. The crew members living on this ship are a captain, five crewmates, and a young man who serves as the cook. They are a band of humans that my father put together. I may add, as I go through my travels, for now, these people were my trusted crew. They would serve as shipmates and guides around the land, helping me blend in while we moved around.

It is quite a journey to the nearest beach city and may take days, a week at most. Waving my hand above my head, I give the command to head out as soon as I step foot upon the deck, wanting a quick start to our adventure. The sails bloom in the wind as we move through the waves. I breathe in the salty air. It feels so different to fill my lungs up here. It's lighter and feels like it's truly expanding my lungs. Under the waves, it's a thoughtless action that feels heavy and does not bring the same kind of relief to my chest.

At first, it was a little awkward since they had only really dealt with my father in the past. This was their first time meeting me as a ruler and not some scared little kid hiding behind dad's legs, no longer the grumpy teenager who only wanted to swim with his friends. I may have been given this role younger than most monarchs, but I was determined to be just as good if not better than my father before me. It only took a few days to show them that I had no intention of being any different and got to work cooking or cleaning something. I had truly become part of this crew and loved the feeling. I missed home, sure, but here I was more free than I had been in years.

After waking a few days into the journey, I realized I hadn't seen the captain at all the day before and there was no yelling coming from outside. Giving my legs a good stretch and walking towards the captain's quarters, I find Orvo, the cook, fishing off the port side, near the helm, looking towards the horizon as he flicks the line occasionally. I just continue not wanting to bother him in any way, he’s probably fishing for supper. Jason Blackeye, a former pirate, now the captain of my ship, is in his cabin studying a map. He heard me enter, his ears perking a little, but he didn’t look up. It didn’t bother me much that he never addressed me as Monarch or his boss. I smirked and continued toward him, standing across from him and looking at the map.

“Is there a problem, Jason? You look a little worried, and I haven't seen you outside for a while.” I didn’t think there was much I could help with. I never had to navigate above the waves as there were landmarks and fast currents to follow under the waves. I still wanted to do what I could to help.

“No sir, we are still on track, it’s just that Orvo said he saw something odd swimming under the ship. Normally, we don't think too much about weird things given that we know about you all, but this was an unsettling sight, even for this specific crew. It was heading the way we came. Do you think we should be worried?” He looked a bit worried as he drew a line with his finger from where we were on the map to where we came from a few days back.

“It could have been a large sea animal, I guess. What did it look like? When was this?” I didn't want to panic just yet. If it was anything to worry about, I could jump in and check it out for myself. He shook his head and motioned towards the door.

“I think you should hear it from Orvo. I can't quite make out what to think either.” I do make my way out to Orvo and up the staircase. He’s sitting on the railing methodically flicking the long pole, mesmerized by the view he had in front of him. Jason cleared his throat and addressed him. “Orvo, tell the Monarch what you have seen now. " Don't leave out any details. This is important.” I came to know and even like Orvo during the last few days. I helped him fish and cook. I knew he was thinking hard about what to say to me.

“Well, Octopus King,” the smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he continued. "I didn't know your father for long, except during his last few years. He took me in when I was just a boy and taught me how to take care of a crew. He and the captain took care of me and I would never want to hurt one of them or you.” The way he spoke and reminisced at this time was confusing to me.

“I am glad my father could be a great source of comfort to you as you have lost your own. I hope that you will allow me to hear all the stories you have, and I will share mine. Though I must say you have me worried, Orvo. " What did you see that makes you sentimental like this?” It wasn't until my chest burned that I realized I was holding my breath, waiting what seemed like days before he opened his mouth and told me exactly what he saw.

“A long metallic structure swam under the ship yesterday afternoon. It moved like a whale through the water, although it didn't look like a living thing. Before we left port to retrieve you, I heard of an underwater ship that someone was developing for tourism. I think that's what it was.” That was a bit unnerving. Humans making underwater ships could become a problem someday, but for now, the ocean protects the merfolk with underwater currents that steer people away from cities and towns. Oki was protected by a great barrier so that even if someone got close, they would be gently navigated away and never know they were moving around a huge underwater city.

“Thank you for letting me know Orvo. I don’t think it’s anything we need to be worried about just yet.” I patted him on the shoulder, and he nodded, his attention now to the pole in his hand. He still seemed disturbed by it. I decided to ask him what his thoughts about it were. “Tell me what you worry about.”

He patted the rail beside him, asking me to sit, and I did for a long time, long enough to watch the sun start to go down. The colors of an unfiltered sunset are nothing like those of underwater sunsets. It wasn't until my stomach started growling that I realized I was alone. Orvo must have left me here to make food for the crew and I had sat up here all day just staring at the horizon.