Deadly waters
Back in Orelia…….
King Durian had summoned Kaleo.
’Did you hear anything from Sela yet?’ he enquired.
’It has just been a couple of moons since they left, sire. I
have never seen you this restless.’
’Theo has never been this far before, and I….... I would
also like to hear about his training.’
’I have advised Sela to send a message once they have
boarded the ships. If they have kept the course, we should
receive a message soon enough. I could understand that you
are anxious, but we need to be patient, sire! And hope
everything goes according to plan.’
’I have never before questioned myself so, I just hope that
we have made the right decision sending him to Deladra.’
Durian paused and looked away, ’Knowing well the dangers
lurking there…., wondering if I will ever get to see him
again….,’ he couldn’t speak out anymore.
’Do not be disheartened, sire! You have taken the right
decision as the king. Prince Theoden will surely understand.
He is with Sela and Dena along with an army of our best men,
who would willingly lay their lives for the prince. He will be
safe!’
’I am being haunted by these dreams lately, Theo’s face
and the disappointment in it when he learns of the truth, it’s
dreadful. And the queen, my lovely Visi, who has always
trusted in me and never questioned my choices, what would
she say when she comes to know of the truth?
Will she ever look at me again the same way after me
hiding so much from her, and what I have done to Theo? You
very well know of the circumstances when we got married all
those years ago. We promised to be honest and respect each
other.’
’You must stop being so hard on yourself sire, you had no
other choice. I do not think queen Visi is unaware of the king’s
duties.’
The queen entered as Kaleo just took her name,
’Know what my lord?’
’Must take your leave for now sire.’ Kaleo bowed to them
and left.
’I have been a bit disturbed since Theo left, wondering if I
have been a bit too stern with him. Wouldn’t blame you if you
hate me for it!’
’Not in my dreams my lord, why would you say such a
thing. I wouldn’t dare doubt your intentions after everything
you have done all these years. He is but a naive child unaware
of the realities of this harsh world. I do understand that this is
necessary for him to grow into the man he needs to be.’ She
placed her arm on Durian’s, looking into his eyes, but he
turned away. ’Does something bother you, my lord?’
’Just wondering about Theo, and what he might be
thinking.’
’As the king, you have done what is required of you my
lord, and I respect your every decision. I have seen you
sacrifice everything for the kingdom, no one would ever wrong
you,’ she assured him.
Durian looked at her admiringly and smiled…
’If I haven’t mentioned it already, might I say that you
shine brighter than the prettiest star as always,’ he kissed her
arm. ’Would you join me for a stroll under the open sky
outside, my lady?’
She blushed and they both walked away looking at each
other fondly.
Aboard the stable vessels on the shallow seas on their way
to Deladra, there was merriment and sound of laughter. The
men were relishing the salty sea winds along with freshly
roasted wild boar and ale to force it down their throats, while
some were trying to mask their concerns of missing
companions and myths of sailing.
They were not out of the
capital often, it was stimulating but somehow made them
anxious as to what was going on. Suddenly, they heard
banging of horse hoofs against the reinforced wood, and
everyone went silent.
’What is with these steeds?’ one of the men enquired in a
drunken tone.
’They might need some ale…...,’ another chuckled.
’Seems like they want to get out, but why? We should
check........,’ another added.
’That is not necessary…. Did you hear that?’ One of them
looked out at the waters.
An eerie tone emerged amidst the ruckus of the horses,
’I heard that too….!’ One of them confirmed.
The vessel had run into something, and it swung side to
side.
’What was that?’ The men yelled.
There were no sea stacks in sight, everyone was aghast as
to what they could have run into in such deep waters. The men
were just wondering when the horses broke themselves out of
the hold and raced onto the deck. The men tried to pacify them
but of no use and there was that unsettling tone again……. and
another jolt, the ship rocked like a cradle.
’Hold on men….! Can anyone see anything?’
It was chaos with the erratic horses rearing and kicking
about with men trying to control the herd while others tried to
figure out what was happening but there was very little
visibility. It seemed like the ship was being obstructed by
something from below. They tried to steer the vessel into a
varied direction by adjusting the sails in haste but within few
moments one of the sides at the bottom was damaged and
water gushed in before they moved farther away.
’She’s taking in water, all hands-on deck!’
But, they had nowhere to go, before anyone did anything
the ship tore apart on the edge.
’We are going down, brace yourself!’
In moments all the men, the horses, and the cargo were in
the waters as the impaired vessel went down. Men tried to hold
on to the floating boards and save themselves. One of the men
drowned screaming,
’My leg.... something’s…...’
One after the other they disappeared into the watery
depths wailing, until there was deadly silence.
As the sun rose over the horizon at dawn and the sands at
port Gini turned warm, Pavo and his men arrived. Pavo was
the chief advisor to king Aiden of Deladra. A resurrection had
been commissioned after the damage during the last attack to
facilitate arrival of the prince of Anmara.
’Check if all the work has been done and send word to the
guards at the top that we are here, and I should be intimated as
soon as the ships are in sight. Be wary and look out,’ Pavo
ordered the men.
They quickly climbed off their steeds and got
to work.
Pavo and his men waited and waited but there was no sign
of the convoy of ships. It was when the sun was at its highest
that Pavo got to thinking,
’According to the message received from Anmara, they should be
here by now, but they seem to be delayed somehow. I wonder what
could be the reason? I pray for their safe arrival. It is worrying but I
suppose it can be expected when relying on the sea winds. I am sure
they will be here one of these coming days, we can send our patrolling
boats out if that is not the case, but I will have to get back to Menore
and notify king Aiden who will be waiting for us to arrive.’
Pavo waited patiently for a few more hours, but no more,
he had to head back.
’Wait here for the arrival of the prince and his troops,
return with them. Stay watch and make sure the
prince is well received. I need to get back to the capital now.’
Pavo was confident of his men. He got on his stallion and
rode back as swift as the wind.
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