Fish Out of Water

chapter Thirteen

Leaders and Listening


Day Five: The Place of Light, Aegira

“Ah, and here’s The Golden One. You always did have to make an entrance, Lunia.” Kraken’s still-boyish blue eyes twinkled in his smooth, handsome face, and settled on us as we spilled from nowhere into the meeting, naked and semi-conscious.

“Kraken,” the Queen silenced him with a steely glare. “Lunia is my invited guest. Late she may be, but we will give her time to collect herself before we continue.”

She paused for a moment to ensure her next sentence was given due attention.

“And you will give her all the courtesy owed to a guest of the Queen.”

Unused to public dressing-downs from the Queen, Kraken huffed fussily as he floated at her left hand. Gag-ai-lan helpers scurried forward to shelter us while we took some moments to recover from our song-travels, draping us in the blue-green silks of the Royal House to afford privacy while our atoms re-gathered and our minds sharpened. It was hard this time, and I felt a chill of fear, knowing that what we were doing was dangerous, hyrdroporting so much and so far in so little time.

The Queen seemed to take a few moments also, to collect her thoughts.

As we re-formed, I took in the beautiful Council meeting chamber, the Place of Light, lit by the ecstasy of a million gleeda bugs. A sight few people ever see.

While we collected ourselves, Imd spoke to us. To us alone, deep into our minds.

By the Goddess, I am glad you are here, my friends. You give me relief, and strength. Before we begin, I need to tell you something.

I was still incapable of speech, but I tried to signal with my eyes that I was listening, and I felt, rather than saw, Mom do the same.

Last night I was visited during the night, by my mother, the goddess Ran.

I had to stop myself from saying, You too? Man, she really gets around.

The Queen continued. My mother, she told me you are both very important, and that I must look to you, and protect you as far as I can. As you both know, I have spent months in the fog, dithering and confused, wondering why I did not feel as sharp, as young, as I always have.

I bit my lip, almost embarrassed by her openness.

I had just assumed it was old age catching up with me, Rania, in my thousandth year.

Had she read my mind?

But it was a source of vast relief to know that it was more, so much more, than that.

Relief?

A source of relief and, of course, rage.

Oh, okay, so rage I get.

The idea that someone poisoned me, to keep me… docile? Someone close to me, perhaps. It makes my blood seethe like a tsunami. It makes my heart ache for revenge.

I nodded. Yeah, baby.

But this is a passion I must contain if I am to steer my nation through these troubled and uncertain times. A passion we must all contain. Do you understand?

I couldn’t help feel this was directed at me. The feeling amplified as Mom took my hand and squeezed. I nodded at Imd, and she turned back to the rest of the grouping. “Let us begin.”

My thoughts were still settling back into sense in my post-hydroporting brain, but I knew two things with crystalline clarity. One, I needed to get back to that cave as fast as I could. And two, I hadn’t been invited to this little shindig, but I hated leaving Mom in there, with Zorax, who’d done Ran-knows-what, and Kraken the Rapist, who made her run away from Aegira and turn off mermen for life.

I was standing in the ante-room to the Council chamber. Close, so close, to the most secret place in this nation. And I was still none the wiser about what was going on here, or about what had gone before. Kraken. How was it possible? He and Mom? Obviously before Shighsa, Carragheen. Before me. Were they lovers before he went? After? During? Were they on land together? And what were the lovers’ ears for? Why did they need to be able to find each other?

We’d left Dirtwater this morning, but still ended up appearing right in the middle of the meeting, just after it had started. Hydroporting can be unpredictable like that. I knew it wouldn’t bother Mom. But me, I prefer not to show up naked and confused in the lion’s den. Who knew which of those assembled bigwigs was part of this whole mad conspiracy?

I’d rather have my clothes on and my wits about me when facing them down.

I thought through what I needed to do. Most of the people I was really keen to question were in that room. Especially Zorax, and it would be useful for me to know what they were discussing. Basically, I needed to find a discrete way to eavesdrop.

I carefully considered the Gag-ai-lan chaperoning me.

“Ah, sorry, did you say your name was Meegost?”

He nodded, a man of few words.

“I really need some things, do you think you could fetch them for me?

Trained at the best schools in Aegira, Gag-ai-lan live to help, so I could tell that Meegost’s basic desire to get me whatever I wanted was warring with his instructions to stay put.

I tried to look inoffensive. It was hard. I’ve been offending people forever.

“It’s just, I’ve not been well, and the hydroporting has really tired me. Do you think you could fetch me some food? Would it be acceptable to eat while I wait, do you think?”

Okay, that had sealed it. Food is the Gag-ai-lan speciality.

He was off, but not before he ran his hands delicately across the opening leading into the Chamber of Light, setting off a shower of tiny sparkles in the water around us. Damn. A protective skin across the opening, effectively sound-proofing it. He then settled me down on a low day-bed close-by, with exhortations to wait there until he could return with some food. I felt kind of bad that I was taking advantage of the fact that Aegirans don’t really have suspicious natures, but not bad enough not to do it anyway.

As soon as he was gone, I was off the bed, and found the perfect spot. A small alcove in the dark corridor leading to the Place of Light. I could see the ante-room where I was supposed to be waiting, but also hear proceedings in the main space. The acoustics were amazing. The incredible, scooped-out area was custom designed to enable you to hear the waving of the tiniest fin. I could hear what was going on perfectly. I wasn’t sure how long the whole thing was going to take, so I settled on the soft sandy floor in the small alcove.

I could hear the Queen doing the ritual welcomes.

Even though the participants knew each other, it would be a breach of etiquette not to begin the meeting by intoning the credentials of each, and issuing the traditional welcomes.

“Shar, my oldest adviser, the controller of magic and the highest ranking of my councilors. Tireless in the service of Aegira. You have given me wise counsel for many years now. I know you are concerned about our refugee policies, and wish to discuss them today.”

The Queen paused, weighing her words. “I also know that you know how I feel about this. It has always been Aegira’s destiny, her calling, to be a safe harbor for those tribes of the ocean, or individuals among them, who were hurting, lost or alone.”

I considered what I knew of Shar as I listened. I realized how little I really did know. No woman, no children. A life of service. What moved him? A certain pride, a vanity in his position, but what else? But the Queen had moved on.

“Kraken. If ever a man were blessed by the Gods, it was you. Beautiful, and compelling. If this were a nation of Kings, surely you would be leading us all.”

Was there a hint of irony there? A tacit acknowledgement of his pridefulness?

“I know that you too have questioned the help offered to the Lost Ones. We have much to discuss. After all, we ourselves were refugees from another place, in the beginning.”

As I listened, I wondered whether the Queen was immune to gossip. She must know that Kraken’s perfect life was far from perfect. That he and Shighsa had never been a love match, maybe even that he had known some troubles with his son.

“I know your passion for Aegira. And you, of course, have been a watch-keeper, and know The Land well. Although you are not…” The Queen paused theatrically. “What is the Land term? A fan?”

Laughter rippled across the group at the understatement. All knew Kraken’s view that land-dwellers were evil and corrupt, people of violence and shallow dreams.

But none as well as me.

I tried to figure it out. Whatever else he had done, Kraken worshipped Aegira, the idea of it, its purity and light. Could such a man have poisoned his Queen, the daughter of Aegira’s founders?

The Queen continued. “Epaste, the Silent. Custodian of the Seekers, those who cared for Aegira in times of trouble. You who see all, and always offer your reflections with such humility and kindness. A voice of reason when the Council suggested curtailing the program of assistance to The Lost Ones. You who offered your home to Leigon families when their insurrection against their oppressors had seen them tortured and driven out.”

I thought about the Queen’s words, and cursed my own prejudices about this man. Aegirans distrusted him, but people are always afraid of those who are different. I wondered again at the events that had seen Epaste forego his voice.

Secrets make people vulnerable.

I knew from my few moments in the meeting, before I’d been gently guided out, that the extended Council was there tonight as well. Zorax, the Choirmaster. Neela, the Planner. And Rashind, the Healer. I knew from our earlier appearance in the Chamber that they were floating on rush mats opposite the council.

I tuned in again to Imd’s voice.

“Zorax, my old friend. Zorax the Jolly. In a land of song, the most revered of our artisans. You create the sounds that sustain our nation. Without you, what are we but fish, hidden and afraid? It is our song that lifts us into another realm, the song with which we celebrate life, and light, and the bliss of our community.”

I thought about that little Santa face and wanted to puke.

C’mon, Imd, cut to the chase.

“Neela, our Planner. Right now, the only other woman in this group. How strange that is. I wonder, how did that happen? At other times in my reign, women have dominated the Council. And, in the reign of some of my sisters, only women have been allowed. But during my thousand years, I have been so blessed. I have benefited from the insights of both men and women.”

I could almost hear the silent discomfort about the current ratio.

I knew from Mom that the brilliant Neela had been responsible for much of the revitalization of Aegira over the last decade. She had not only completed a technical revolution in architecture, but made the history lines on the roofs of the houses her own private crusade, and the Queen applauded the way their history was being made so concrete, and so personal. History is personal, Imd knew after a thousand years of life. People’s lives are all that really matters.

I assumed she dug the woman wisdom Neela brought to the Council.

“And last, Rashind. Our doctor and newest member of the grouping. You have only sat on the Council for two moons, succeeding ancient Artog, the Chief Healer, after he had recently passed beyond.”

I knew little of Rashind, except for his grief, which had become legend.

Rashind’s parents, high-ranking and well regarded Gadula, had both died when he was very young. They had been well known for their good works, for seeking out and nurturing talent among children of all classes, for sharing their light and warmth with all who touched their home. Rashind had been raised by old Artog, and, as a result, he had always seemed very serious although he was not much older than Lecanora. Worked and studied too hard, failed to indulge in any of the idle pursuits which the young should enjoy. I wondered what that arcane upbringing had done to his soul.

One thing was for sure, Rashind was very beautiful. It was so rare to see a dark Aegiran, although it still happened occasionally. Rashind’s skin was the color of dark sand, and his hair was like midnight. His appearance sometimes caused fear and suspicion among Aegirans.

I wondered if Aegir and Ran had ever considered that the annexing and isolating of this kingdom, and the in-breeding which resulted in such genetic similarities, might make Aegira’s people a trifle intolerant of difference.

“The last place in the circle is empty, but waiting, for my beloved Lecanora, who will join us soon, for the first time ever. The Princess will be an important force for continuity, whatever the future holds. After I am gone. She must begin to learn the important lessons now.”

I could hear the love in the Queen’s voice. Imd had been Lecanora’s mother since the child had been a few days old and she loved her ferociously, as completely as any mother could. She had tried hard to protect her from the serious business of Queenship, but now the time had come for her to start to learn it.

“And Lunia,” Imd continued. “Thank you for coming. Let us begin.”

As I’d been listening to the introductions, my brain had insisted on continuing to stray to Carragheen, like it had wanted to ever since I ordered him out, back in Dirtwater.

I could see his face as I left him, dark and blonde and troubled. Now I knew some of what had concerned Mom. The son of her old lover. A lover with whom something had gone horribly wrong. Did she see in Carragheen the things that had driven her from Kraken? Or, worse, did she see in me something of herself, headstrong and infatuated?

I was trying to focus on the reasons why I was so furious with him.

If he knew, about Kraken and Mom, he should have told me.

But the problem was it wasn’t really his betrayal I was thinking about. I was thinking about kissing him. How it felt, and how he looked, so dark blonde, wolfish but vulnerable. I was thinking about this fighter who despises bullies, who fights often for those who are hurting.

A man of goodness.

And darkness.

As I thought about dark things, and half-followed the sonorous lilt of the Queen’s voice, I felt again the sharp bite of responsibility for the pain I’d caused.

I thought about Doug at the hospital. The thick smoke of my fury almost choked me, but I couldn’t afford thoughts of revenge yet. I could hear the Queen getting down to business.

“Now, we move to the reason I have brought you all here today.”

Her voice sounded so calm, but I knew she couldn’t be, with all that had happened to her, and was happening to her nation. I was impressed by her resolve, and her strength.

“I have called you here today to tell you three things.”

The acoustics meant that even though I couldn’t see them, I could hear tiny movements through the water than meant some of the participants were shuffling expectantly.

“Firstly, I have been gone. Here, but gone. Now I am back. The way I have been, it was not of my choosing, but it’s over. I am here, and your Queen. I will never leave you again. I have taken steps to ensure that I can never be taken from you in that way again.”

I could almost see her eyeballing the assembled honchos, and I wished suddenly that I could be in there to see them, to sniff out the deception on some of their faces. “I do not know how long I have with you. We all know that the billow maiden queens traditionally give birth in their thousandth year to the next queen, and then live only until she comes of age to take the throne. But there are no more queens now, I am the last. I do not know what this means for me, for us. For Aegira. But I do know this.” A pause.

Man, she was good. Guess a thousand years teaches you some tricks.

“We will work this through together, and while I am here, I will be your Queen, in every way I am able. And I will not tolerate any treason.”

Nothing. No responses from the group. I imagined the heads downcast in a collective show of trust and humility.

But who was faking?

“Two,” the Queen continued. “We will not deceive the populace anymore. I know that I agreed to hiding the… Imogen. But that ends tonight. Together with the High Triad, I will call her family in, I will tell them. And we will ask their forgiveness for this shameful deception.”

Wow, impressive. Gutsy. But what then?

“Then we will tell the rest of the community. Including The Lost Ones. They are part of this nation too. I will let it be known what has happened, and what we are doing to find her.”

Shar interrupted at this point, and I could almost smell the outrage seeping from every scale on his body. “My Queen, I must disagree most violently—”

“No,” the Queen cut him off. “You must not. You will not. I have decided. If you are unable to join with me as I do this, you may relinquish your post.”

Faced down, he retreated. “Of course not, Queen. The decision is yours.”

Yay Imd.

“Thirdly, we must tackle the fear about the prophecy head-on. People have been afraid, because they have not known what is to happen to Aegira after my death, how she will be led. For the answers to that, we have all been waiting, hoping for a sign.”

She waited a few seconds, taking the temperature of the room.

“But the answers must come from us. We must decide how to rule our community, if and when I pass. We are able, and brilliant. We can work this out, together. With clear succession plans, we can deal with anything which may emerge. From the prophecy, or elsewhere.”

With the Queen’s words ringing clearly through the chamber, it began. A low, slow crooning, the Aegiran equivalent of applause. It continued for long moments, an ovation.

As it died off, a lone voice broke the silence. Kraken.

“My Queen, you are wise and just and right. But while we are making plans, should we not also be making plans to deal with the future shown to us by the prophecy? Its words are clear. When Ran’s line ends… You are the end of that line, my most gracious Queen. And now only one world can be. Earth or sea. It is us, my Queen, or the land-dwellers.”

He paused, theatrical as ever. “We cannot allow it to be them.”

The Queen was silent for a moment, and when she spoke, it was as though she had been considering his words carefully. “Go on, Kraken. Tell me what you think it all means.”

After some self-important throat-clearing, Kraken continued. “The temperature readings from our scientists and the news from watch-keepers points to one thing. The land-dwellers are destroying the earth. And it will not just be the land they ruin. Already the seas are polluted, dying in some places. The whales’ songs have limited range, from all the noise pollution. The seas are rising, destroying the reef. If we do not act, they will destroy us as well. This is what I believe the prophesy means.” More throat clearing. “If the land people continue, we will perish. Only one world can be.”

When the Queen spoke, she sounded weary, but imperious. “Kraken, I believe you are right. Something must be done. And that is why I have asked Lunia here today. Welcome, daughter.”

A murmured chorus of greetings acknowledged my mother.

I searched Kraken’s tone for any sign of what lay between them, but he was inscrutable.

“Lunia knows earth politics,” the Queen began.

It was true. Mom might be the mayor of some small town but she’s been actively involved in Democratic party politics for years, especially in promoting women. I’d even heard someone say recently that she’d been helping out Susan Murray, the Presidential candidate.

I’d asked Mom, but she’d been coy.

The Queen went on. “I have asked her here because I want to seek her advice. I want to meet with the land rulers. I want to talk to them about what they are doing.”

“What?” In his fury, Kraken forgot his place.

He was silenced with a sharp hiss from Shar, and recovered speedily.

“I am sorry, Leader, but I cannot allow this to be contemplated. Aren’t you concerned? What about the blood in The Eye? It’s his call sign. Manos. We need to act, before the prophecy comes true, and we all perish. The land-dwellers cannot know about Aegira. They are people of vice, and violence—”

The interruption was from my mother this time, and I was shocked.

“Violence takes many forms, Kraken,” she interjected gently.

“Hah.” I could hear the sneer in Kraken’s voice even without seeing him. “You are foolish if you countenance this, Lunia. You know that they will never allow Aegira to live unmolested. No, we must act, but not with diplomacy. The Queen is right. We are brilliant. We must find a way to rid the earth of the pestilence of the land-dwellers.”

“Kraken!” The Queen sounded shocked, and I was too.

What the hell was he saying? Destroying the earth? The freak had gone mad. The whole world was being taken over by freakin’ fundamentalists. Kraken sensed the room’s mood, and retreated. “It’s not what you’re thinking,” he insisted.

Oh, this was gonna be good. How are you going to back-pedal from this one, Lex Luther?

His tone was shaky when he continued. “I simply mean perhaps we can find a way to control their actions, to prevent them from continuing to do the dangerous things they have been doing.”

“Without talking to them?” The Queen’s voice was wry, and very, very tired. “No, Kraken, my mind is made up. All that remains to discuss is how we will do this. And I want my daughter to be part of this conversation.”

Like a neat segue, I heard someone approaching, presumably with Lecanora, and I dashed back to my spot in the ante-room. But it was the Gag-ai-lan, and from the look on his face I could tell that something was very, very wrong as he brushed past me without acknowledgement.

My cop instinct defeated my sense of etiquette as I followed him into the Place of Light.

“My Queen, my Queen,” he burst out in distress. “It’s the Princess. I went to fetch her for the meeting. No-one has seen her. She is missing.”