Chapter Text
Something was off, Semeru could feel it in his gut…
However, Princess Miranjani was in her room listening to her tutor…
Patrols had been timely all day…
Gatekeepers were at their stations…
The weapons in the armory were all accounted for and at the ready…
Princess Miranjani was still in her room, but starting to get bored with her tutor…
Yes, all was in order, so why couldn’t the Captain shake off this sensation that something big was going to happen.
Maybe he should seek Cho Oyu? No, the Oracle needn't be bothered. Besides, what would she do? Wave her arms about while doing the crab dance and then say that the ocean would reveal its secrets in its own way.
Semeru grumbled.
“Have you eaten sir? You seem uneasy," inquired Denali’s pleasant voice.
Icy gray blue eyes blinked as he became aware that both Denali and Agung were before him, no doubt ready to give him their patrol debrief.
“Report,” Semeru barked, not missing Agung's shrug at his partner.
“Apart from more trash migrating from the north, nothing out of the ordinary, sir,” Agung crisply replied.
Denali added, “I've fed Girtle, and she requests we diversify the menu from seaweed wraps. Grantle enjoyed the visit and recounted tales of far off seas. Mantle seems to just be chilling in his cage. Mola didn't seem hungry and didn’t have much to say today. Beluga is restless, but I explained we're still figuring the roots out.”
Semeru gave a solemn nod. After a massive oil spill mysterious and aggressive blackened roots began to encroach throughout the ocean floor, edging ever closer to the Merfolk Kingdom. Wherever the roots appeared they seemed to spread the oil spills taint, poisoning the coral and driving the wildlife away. Now the roots have started to trap creatures in cages. Cho Oyu was tirelessly working on untangling the tainted roots, but has yet to brew up a solution.
The Captain suspected it was only a matter of time before the roots elevated their game and began caging Merfolk.
A sudden ripple in the calm waters caught the trio's attention and they looked up to see a wooden boat gliding above their heads.
“Is that not the sea captain who ferries land dwellers?” Denali asked as she gazed mesmerized by the boat.
“Yep, appears to be two in the boat,” Agung noted as he peered up at the vessel.
“More land dwellers,” Semeru growled and felt his grip instinctively tighten upon his trusty spear. “I shall report back to his Majesty,” the Captain stated as he tore his gaze away from the boat and onto his guards. “Good work you two. You may take a break then resume your posts at the gates.”
“You should take a break too sir…” Denali began but her words fell upon empty water as Semeru sped off like a barracuda. She sighed deeply.
“Heh, you can’t help but care for everyone Denali,” Agung grinned as he nudged his partner playfully. “But, be careful, you’ll drain yourself quickly if you spread yourself thin.”
Denali gazed at companion with a small smile of understanding, Agung knew her all too well. “I just worry for him, you know. I’m sure he is spread beyond thin.”
Now it was Agung’s turn to sigh as Denali’s words were too true.
“We are doing our part by making sure he doesn’t have to do everything himself. He knows he has our support and relies on us to share the burden. We’ll keep doing our best right?”
“Right,” Denali replied with a stronger smile. Agung’s words always had a way of making her feel better.
“Alright! Now let’s go get some grub because I’m starving! Last one to the mess hall is a blobfish!”
“You’re on!” Denali cheered as they raced back to the heart of the kingdom.
Meanwhile Semeru had already returned to the barracks. His detailed report to King Krakatoa and Queen Nanda Devi was well received, easing the weight in his heart slightly. Unfortunately, Cho Oyu had no progress against the taint to report and the Captain could feel the heaviness in his chest return.
He also spied Princess Miranjani secretly eavesdropping from behind the statue.
“Shouldn’t you be with your tutor?” Semeru inquired afterwards as he leaned upon the wall next to the statuette, not letting it be noticed he was holding a conversation.
“Well, yes, but isn’t it also appropriate for the heir to the throne to be aware of the situation affecting her kingdom?”
She got him there…
“Besides, isn’t it exciting that another land dweller is visiting? There hasn’t been much movement up above since the oil spill. I wonder if they are a door knob salesmen?” Asked Miranjani’s hushed but excited voice.
“No movement from up above is optimal,” Semeru huffed. “Such curiosity of the land-dwellers just leads to misfortune.”
“Hmph, you know, I recall that there was a time when you were just as curious and would sneak trips to the beach to watch them,” Miranjani retorted with a pout.
“And you remember my misfortune,” Semeru replied back as evenly as he could between clenched teeth, though he looked at the statue now, allowing the scar slashed across his face to glisten as he frowned at the hidden princess.
“Semeru, I,” Miranjani faltered. “You know I didn’t mean…”
“Princess Miranjani? Princess Miranjani!” Called out the flustered tutor in sheer panic.
“I was never here,” Miranjani whispered before darting back in the direction of her room.
This tutor would not last long…
Back in the barracks Semeru didn’t even realize his eyes had been closed for a time while recalling the events at the palace.
Blinking, he spotted Poseidon, his crimson lobster pet curled up on the bed, napping. Semeru would never let any harm befall his little friend, nor upon any of the kingdom as long as he remained vigilant. More so now if new land-dwellers were making their way to the island.
Again there was that gnawing sensation, then Semeru’s stomach growled ravenously.
Maybe it was just hunger and nothing more…