EXILIUM REX

Chapter 22

Angelo del Mundo's Rohypnol-Induced Hallucination In Fable Mode (Part 2)

These two creatures, who appear more human-like in appearance than being children of the ocean (except for the scales of their skin); are the bachelorette Queens who have long been paired up by certain Councilors of influence to be the shellmate of their king: the one seated to right of the gallery and who appears healthier for her pale heft is Queen Kanaken from the western Ocean of Atlungtian, who is also supposed to be Councilor Lumot’s “big fish” for the King of the Ayisan Sea; and seated on the left side corner of the gallery is the dragon-like Queen Kanimo from the eastern Ocean of Pasipingako, who is also supposed to be the “fighting fish” of Councilor Pabebe.

That is why it is no longer a wonder that, in the middle of Councilor Pabebe’s report to the Council, the two Queens frequently steal piercing and desirous glances over at the illuminated corner of the Dome where the silvery Shell of Nobility rests.

In a flip-flapping of a gill, everyone’s attention is gathered towards Councilor Pabebe, since from the scaled lids of his eyes on the upper shell of the clammy adviser there appear to be tiny yellowish blobs which quickly floated, higher and higher, until these beady particles lightly collide with the bioluminescent planktons of the chandelier hanging on the dome’s ceiling – one by one, they will momentarily flare up like the sparklers ordinarily used by the children of the human beings, and, afterwards, disappear just as quickly. A proof that, even under the sea, the sea-children of Mother Nature also know how to shed tears.

The majority seafloor leader momentarily stopped his report and instructed his mermaid, Tamuneneng, to wipe the tears from his eyes with the servant’s soft hand. The girl immediately obeyed, since everyone realizes that no drop of tear must remain long on the eyes of a clam; for it will transform into a pearl which, though glistening, is as black as the woven ropes of the dreadful Deep Sea Bottom Trawl.

The Deep Sea Bottom Trawl is a sort of fishnet regulation self-enforced by the Kingdom of the Ayisan Sea to its denizens. It is a sort of a temporary house transfer, to the ocean where they will not be followed by the fish kills, the red tides, and the other dangerous phenomena of the seawaters. With its long and slow process, many of the saltwater creatures are tested and even perish during the pilgrimage itself. During their stay in this ocean orphanage, the fishnet shall remain until the phenomena within the Ayisan Sea subside. One of its side-effects is the slow deterioration of the sea bed, until the entire sea becomes mud. On one hand, this is important so that, when the clean saline water flows again, it will ensure that no threatening microbe shall again propagate, once the new kingdom is founded again on the said mud. That is why if, in the thick of things, the challenges of the harsh and ever-changing climate and the other natural barriers to the journey are added, there is a greater risk that, even though the saltwater creatures of the Ayisan Sea may be able to return, the original place they for so long called home shall never be the same again. Although, there is one other option that is unknown by many which can prevent the declaration of the Dee Sea Bottom Trawl in times of critical danger. The choice of the Ayisan Sea denizens, through the enactment of a law by the Council of the Clams in a time of critical danger, to be subsumed by the caring water of their neighboring ocean.

A few more blows of the bubble and Councilor Pabebe continues with his emotional speech.

“Forgive me for my sudden burst of emotion… That is why, Honorable Councilors, my fellow clams, to the Council’s two official guests of honor, Queen Kanaken from the Ocean of Atlungtian and Queen Kanimo from the Ocean of Pasipingako, and to my fellow water creatures, again I make it known to you, in this emergency session, that during yesterday’s first low tide of the sea at dawn and our soldier mermen discovered the icky occurrence of our beloved Sea King’s disappearance, together with Councilor Lumot, I immediately instructed General Palikpik-Tainga to form a task force which will search for him in the entirety of our sovereign territory, and to return him to his throne as soon as possible.”

A dreadful kind of silence bursts from the ranks of the Councilors. One more flip-flapping of the gill and an old voice is heard asking permission from Councilor Pabebe to take to the seabed floor.

It is Councilor Lumot.

Councilor Pabebe immediately signaled the minority seafloor leader that he is free to address the assembly in session.

The clammy mouth of the oldest councilor hardly opens up to effervescently express his easily-swayed feelings.

“Merciful Amansinaya, creator of all the Waters and to his only heir, Bathalon, Lord of the Deep Seas! The most fearful day to us all has now arrived! Within the next three days, and in accordance with the existing provisions of the Law of the Sea, if still we shall not find and return our beloved Sea King to his throne, then and there shall we be forced to declare the said position vacant…”

Because of the onset of overstreaming bubbles, the hall of the whole transparent dome almost shakes in dangerously seismic proportions. All the more, Councilor Lumot raises his hoarse voice over the din.

“And if the throne is declared vacant, each and every one of you are aware that, under the Law of the Sea, we as a court of the Council are hereby ordered to declare the entire kingdom to be placed under the Deep Sea Bottom Trawl clause as soon as possible! Or, if there is really no other way, we can pass a law…”

The whole Ayisan Dome almost bursts because of the overstreaming bubbles from the clams of the Council, while the soldier mermen have desperately secured the doorways to ensure that the session will remain orderly as it reaches a very critical chapter which the Council can no longer avoid. Councilor Pabebe momentarily raises his upper shell so everyone shall remain calm and quiet.

“Quiet, please,” the majority seafloor leader announces. “It is still too early to deliberate such a thing, honorable Councilor Lumot. Personally, until the task force of General Palikpik-Tainga has not yet returned from their search of our Sea king, we have no basis to act and decide as a court of the Council.”

There is a clear sense of approval from the majority of the Council from what Councilor Pabebe has expressed. And as a final reminder of the majority seafloor leader, “Thus, as good advice to everyone in this assembly, it is best that we all return to our daily duties and functions for the meantime. And I assure all that, once the good General has any update for me and Councilor Lumot, we shall immediately call again for an emergency session. The Council of the Clams is now hereby declared in recess until further notice.”