Just beneath the surface

A meeting unforetold

The next day, a Spanish treasure hunter by the name of Captain Fernando Del Magillione was said to visit the city known for its tea. However, he heard that the city was beginning to be known for another thing, known for its exquisite jewelry. The townspeople were told to maintain utmost courtesy, and to display honor and reverence to the great Spanish captain. Jahmil was brushing off the dust from the racks holding the jewelry, and at the same time wiping the trinkets with a thin fabric to maintain their exquisite luster.

"We have to make this place as neat as possible before the captain arrives", Takhamen instructed.

"Well, it's not like we have an assurance that he will actually come", Jahmil replied. Suddenly, the door opened up, and the great Spanish captain entered. He wore a suit of armour that resembled that of a conquistador, and a robe adorned with an array of patterns. He placed his hat by the doorway, leaning it slightly against the wall. Takhamen and Jahmil kneeled to honor him, but Captain Fernando instructed them to get up.

"It's been a great pain. Everywhere I go, the people kneel or bow before me.It's actually irritating. Please tell your neighbors not to do that. I'm not a God, but just a man like you", Captain Fernando said.

"Yes my lord, anyway what brings you here good Sir?" Takhamen asked.

"I saw a host of gorgeous paintings outside, and I wondered if I could get some to frame on my ship. Oh, and can I see your ring displays?"

"Oh yes sir right away", Jahmil said. He brought with him a wooden tray filled with rings arranged in neat rows.

Captain Fernando took some time pondering over which one to pick from, and though most of them fit to his finger perfectly. He didn't fancy the gemstones on some of them. He finally picked a ring with a beautiful emerald embedded on it.

"So how much is the cost of all these?" he asked, holding out a frame with a painting.

"That's a total of ten gold coins sir", Takhamen replied.

"Ten? Are you sure?

Jahmil and Takhamen looked at each other and tense up wondering that the price was too high.

Here take it all", Captain Fernando said, holding out thirty gold coins."I hope you pay your servant well, there's a lot of underpaid slaves out there. I hope your servant doesn't become one of them", he continued.He went out of the shop, and headed back to the tavern where his crew was staying.

There was a moment of silence, and all Jahmil and Takhamen could do was stare at each other.

When they arrived home, Alyaha was so thrilled when she heard the news.

"How did you get all these?" she asked.

Jahmil and the old man grinning at each other.

They ate out at the seaside eatery that night, staring at the cold, dark sea. The food was great, and so was their laughter. They arrived home, tired yet happy for the day. Jahmil lay on the couch, as he was too tired to even head to his room. He began to recollect on everything that happened so far. To him, everything seemed oddly smooth, too smooth in fact. Could it be the calm before another perpetual storm, or the deep breath before the plunge? By these thoughts, he fell asleep, transcending to a world of his own. Just as he closed his eyes, he felt the wind blow past his face and heard leaves rustle all around him, accompanied with the faint sound of the waves in the distance. He opened his eyes to a gray, cloud covered sky above him. Birds flew in all directions, as if they were trying to escape from something. Below, the fishermen and their families scurried to the dense forest for refuge from the strong winds. Jahmil knew this scene all too well, and now realized he was dreaming. He looked to the far side of the coast, and saw his father, a brave and noble man, helping the fishermen to safety. As the village chieftain, Jahmil's father plowed fearlessly into the wind to gather the men from their huts, waking up any stragglers still asleep despite the disaster. Far away from the coast, Jahmil could see his mother head towards a boat far away from shore to rescue a child who accidentally boarded the boat and got swept away. After assisting his people, Jahmil's father went to help his wife, but just as they got the child off the boat, the water receded. Jahmil knew what would happen, as he dreaded this same scene every day of his life. He screamed with all the voice he had, and tried to run nearer to his parents, but he was suppressed. His voice could not escape his mouth, and he could not move an inch. He convinced himself that he was dreaming, yet his heart tightened and beat faster. In the distance, the wave rapidly grew larger, rapidly grew in height and bore down on the coast line. Jahmil wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn't. Tears fell down from Jahmil's eyes as he saw the wave crash down on the coastline, wiping out everything in its path. It raced across the shore, knocking down the row of coconut trees lining the beach, and swept past Jahmil. The current was so strong, and the water soon submerged him. He couldn't move, or swim up, as he was stuck to the same place. He was drowning and all he wanted now was to wake up. Suddenly, he was fished out of the water by a massive tentacle, and got out of the water. In front of him, he did not see the hillside, or the forest. In front of him, was a city of Azur stones, slowly emerging from beneath the waves. In the air, he could hear a faint whisper.

"Come my child, to where the souls of the sea rest", it whispered. Then, a massive serpent wreathed in scales of Jade and silver reared up from behind him, and just as the serpent roared, the city crumbled into pieces and hid beneath the waves. A much larger wave emerged from behind him, and crashed down upon him. Jahmil got up, and realized that he was no longer dreaming. He gave out a long breath, still trembling, and his chest still heavy from drowning in his dream. He looked around, and lay back on the couch. His neck felt numb, as it was positioned badly on the couch's arm. Alyaha went down from the staircase and saw Jahmil on the couch.

"Did you actually sleep there the whole night?" she asked.

"Yeah, and I regret it", Jahmil replied.

"Well, it might break your neck. I'm sure it's not feeling good", Alyaha said. She then prepared the table for breakfast and called her father to eat. Jahmil stood up, and brushed the weird sensation he had away.

"Just another dream", he thought