Berganashio - Chapter 20

“I hope I made the right decision,” Kunya said aloud mid flight. The two merfaries continued to lead the way to their home.

Keenwai, flying next to her, answered, “You did. I need you. You are my greatest support.”

“But how did the meebirds just go blind all the sudden? I don’t understand.”

“You saw the sparkly stuff fly through the air didn’t you?” Villi asked them, looking back at them for a second. “Those were scales from our birthmarks.” She pointed to her neck.

Larkin added, “The scales have power to cause blindness. We were trying to use the power against the sea-wolfs, not your meerbird friends.”

Kunya kept thinking about anointing day. She had been anointed with the gift of healing but she’d not discovered how to use her healing abilities yet.

“See that ahead?” Larkin beamed.

They had been flying for several hours. Pori, little Bry and Cotten swam in the water below.

“It’s the merfarie garden kingdom! Our home.” Villi stated proudly.

It was like a castle fortress. Gardens grew everywhere. Vines with every shade of colorful flowers climbed up the pillars. There was a river that flowed in the front of the castle door which was also covered in flowers. The door was lowered dramatically.

“Get ready for this!” Villi waved at Cotton, Pori and Bry who were now joining them from out of the water.

“We’re here!” Bry sang.

The front door lowered all the way. All of the sudden a choir of merfaries appeared like a welcoming gauntlet, singing in perfect harmony.

Keenwai and Kunya looked at one another wide eyed.

“Stunning!” Kunya exclaimed. “And look at all the plants and flowers that are springing up as they sing! It’s pure magic!”

“I’ve never heard anything so sweet and beautiful!” Keenwai said as he took in the colors and heavenly sounds all around.

“What a warm welcome, indeed!” Cotton nodded.

The four merfarie children, two meerbirds and one albino sea-wolf continued walking down the pathway.

“Where are we heading?” Keenwai asked Larkin.

“To the King and Queen of course, our parents.” Larkin answered with a slight pompous expression on this face.

Suddenly, the raptous singing ended. All the merfaries in the castle moved on to their own business. King Phineas and Queen Malka of the merfarie gardens were further into the castle.

Finally, the small group made it to the throne room. There was unique markings on the stone pillars. Light pierced into the room which was coldly quiet in comparison to the welcome home song that had been sung just moments before.

“Ah, our dearest children!” The Queen cooed from her throne. Her crown was brightly reflecting from the light. She had a sweet expression on her face.

The King opened his eyes as if he’d been meditating and had just been awoken from his deep thoughts. “Welcome home!” He declared with a nice deep sigh.

“And how was Tilly the seahorse? And who all do you have here?” Queen Malka questioned overly cheerfully.

Bry couldn’t help but be the first to answer and get their attention. “Tilly was silly as ever!”

Pori brushed Bry’s hair with her fingers. Bry brushed his sister’s hand away and then flopped in his mother’s lap.

“And who are you?” The King asked the three strangers.

Larkin introduced Keenwai, Kunya and Cotton so they didn’t have to speak. They just stood there in amazement and bowed when their names were announced.

“They are good creatures. We’ve brought them here to form an alliance with us.” Larkin eagerly awaited his father to respond to the idea.

The king responded. “How can we be certain that the sea-wolf isn’t a spy? Wouldn’t he be loyal to his own kind?”

Pori stepped in to answer the concerns. “We rescued him from his near execution, father! The others were going to kill him as he is not a carnivorous killer like the rest.”

“So, he doesn’t eat meat of any kind?” The queen confirmed.

“That’s right.” Cotton finally answered for himself.

“And he defended us when the other sea-wolfs tried to attack us,” Villi added sincerely.

“He’s a special white sea-wolf!” Bry jumped on his mother’s lap excitedly.

“I see.” She looked down at her son fondly.

“Are there many more meerbirds?” The king inquired.

Keenwai answered. “Yes, we are quite a large mob and I am the chief. Your children helped free us from bondage. We had been enslaved by the sea-wolfs to work on their ship until they sank the ship and led us to our freedom.”

“Well done, my children.” He looked at the four merfarie children with admiration. “An alliance is approved as I believe the timing for the building of an army is more necessary than ever before.”

A large booming sound suddenly shook the ground.

“What was that?” Bry shuddered.

The king and the queen didn’t seem alarmed in the least.

Pori, Villi and Larkin all looked at one another with surprised eyes.

Pori broke the silence. “We heard a loud explosion rumbling sound like that when we were in Tilly’s bunkhouse!”

“Whatever could it be?” Villi looked toward her parents.

“Could it be an earthquake or something far away?” The queen casually asked the king.

“Children, speaking of disturbances, the time has come to tell you that we must go to war.”

“With the sea-wolfs? Larkin asked. “We already know this…”

“Not just the sea-wolfs I’m afraid. We have some other enemies in the land, I am afraid.”

Queen Malka spoke up, interrupting him.“They’ve all had a very long day.” She sideeyed the king. “Let us not speak of such things now.” Looking at her children, “You all must rest and tomorrow we shall meet and discuss important matters.”

Larkin started to reply but his mother gave him a stern look. He knew it was no use to try to discuss anything further.

The four merfaries started toward their rooms. Cotton and Keenwai stayed in Larkin and Bry’s room. Kunya gave Keenwai a quick kiss on the cheek. She left to go rest in Pori and Villi’s room which was across from the boy’s room.

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