Into The Unknown

Chapter 2

The next morning I arrived in my studio before the light returned to the water. I spent all night sketching. I had to have five new designs done and sent out by tomorrow, and now a new appointment to look out for.

By the time Rysah got in I had two of the five designs done and packaged ready to go.

“Good morning, how long have you been here for?” she yawns.

I shug in the middle of constructing the third piece. I would finish this one and then take a small lunch before continuing.

“Last night you were very rude by the way,” she sighs, “to leave in the middle of dinner.”

“I wasn't expecting an ambush, you know how I feel about new people,” I was never too enthusiastic about letting anyone new in. Especially for my work place. We only ever get new interns every two years because of this.

Which reminded her to plan for new pupils next season.

“It wasn't an ambush, that’s an exaggeration. People are going to start thinking you're rude and cocky if you keep on doing that.” She came to stand behind me.

I stopped doing what I was doing, “I’m not rude, I’m just shy. I hate situations I’m not prepared for.”

She sighs, “I planned the meeting for two days from now. He instead of it being a casual lunch meeting. He invited you to his aunt's enclave( underwater cave).”

I groan, turning towards her. I let my head fall to her shoulder as I groan, “why can’t he come here?”

“He insisted, trust me, Emris and I both tried to tell him you'd hate that.” she places her hands on my shoulders, "you'll be fine.”

“I guess I will have to.”

“Yeah, how about a new outfit for the lunch?”

I shake my head and turn back to my work, “No, I think I will wear something I have. I already have too much to do.”

“You will make me a new outfit for a random dinner but not you for a special lunch?” She swims around the room.

“You're the best free advertising there is, what do you mean?”

She scoffs, "Don't make me ask you for a raise.”

“You can have it. Just don't say special lunch. It's a normal business lunch.” I begin to work again.

“You can't say Ale isn't quite handsome."

I shake my head, “I’m trying to work.”

“The meeting is set. You can't get out of it.” are the last things she says as she leaves the room.

-

-

-

Before I knew it the two days had passed and I was being escorted into the dwelling of Isabella Allicot. She is the wife of one of the three governing Mer people for this town. So sequentially her dwelling is the second highest point in town.

Instead of being built in with the coral like most of the other dwellings in town this one had been built out of pearly material. The structure had to have been carved out of rock and painted with a white pearly substance. I would have to ask what color they used.

I’m escorted into a waiting room. The entire room is just a big glittery chair shaped out of a big white iridescent shell. Pearls and star fish decorate it. It was magnificent and the only thing in the sitting space.

I nervously swished my tail and brought out my sketch pad. I had a few designs and thoughts set aside for the princess.

Ale did not take too long to make his appearance, “so I’m running late.” he comes through the big double door.

“It's no problem.”

He gives me a soft smile, “I already have the perfect room made up-”

I cut him off, “really it's no problem we can work here this shouldn't take more than a few moments.”

“I insist.”

“So Rysa told me you would, but I take no incentives. I would like to get back to my work as soon as possible.”

He sighs, “they told me you were rough around the edges but I didn't want to believe them.”

“The ominous ones don’t know how busy I am these days.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“Ah yes, well lets get to it then.”

“I have a few designs in mind, but I have yet to put anything to color wanting to know-”

He holds up his hand, “I’m not here for that.”

I give him a dumbfounded look, “excuse me?”

“You think the princess would send me here to talk of fashion trends and colors for her wedding?”

I shrug, obviously. Why else would I be here, but I didn't voice my concerns as he continued on.

“You have no idea who I am, do you?”

I thought I knew, apparently I know nothing.

“I’m a reader.” he pauses to read my facial expression that stays blank. As it would be until he told me what he could read, “I can read people's powers.”

That makes my heart pick up and I begin to shake my head backing away from this man with a dangerous power for me to be around.

“I came here to ask for your help. I mean no harm to you or what you have built for yourself. The princess needs your help and you're the only one who can help her.”

I shake my head, “I don't know what you think I can do, or how you think I can help but you've been mistaken. I just make shriveless designs. I’m a decorator.”

“You and I both know that isn't the truth.” his emerald eyes narrow in on me.

“Even if I could help I can’t I have no-”

“Please just hear me out.” He cuts me off and my lips form a line, "I've searched far and wide for another answer but there is no other answer.”

“I don't know what you are asking of me.”

“I’m asking too much, but I’m asking for the sake of all Mer kind for you to save the princess and stop a civil war.”

My eyes widen, “I can’t-”

“Stop saying you can't. I know who you are. You hid it well for a century, but the oracle for saw this. You fit the description. You will be our savior.”

Everything I had been running from, everything that I thought I had gotten away from came crashing down around me. I should have never come here. I should have never stuck my head out of the water.

After all these years I just assumed I was safe. I knew the power flowing through my blood. It lays dormant after the last time it was drained. The last time I was needed for my power only and then thrown away like garbage.

I couldn't do that again.

“Odine please, you are the princess’s last hope.”

Still shaking my head I ask, “what exactly is it you think I can do.”

“Your gift is to bestow gifts upon others.”

It’s not a gift, more like a curse.

“The princess has no gift if the royal family finds out there will be a civil war. During her wedding ceremony she has to show this power. If she shows nothing she won't be able to marry the prince and her family will start a war.”

“A war because her genes weren't strong enough to bestow her a gift? If the gods deemed it fit to reward her and her family they would have. It’s not my job to correct something that I have no power over.”

It's his turn to shake his head, “Princess Sloan had A gift, there was an attack and a synth stripped her of her magic. Not many know, but whenever they do she'll be deemed unfit. No one is better suited to rule than princess Sloan. She is kind and just and fair. Please. Please Odine. Help us.”

“The last time I bestowed a gift upon someone everyone's memory had to be wiped for my safety. No one in all of the seven seas has any recollection of what happened. But I do. I like my life right now. I've made a name for myself. Please don’t ask me to ruin everything I've built up for myself.”

“I know what I’m asking of you. No one will ever have to know. You have some time to think about it. The princess just wanted you to know the real reason for the summoning. Officially it’s for you to style her, but,” he trails off.

I nod my head understanding. I’d still have to meet with the princess and tell her no straight to her face.

“Please Odine, just think about it.”

Again I just nod my head.