Sea Lily Chapter 5

1

Lying down on their stomachs they peered over the last sand hill. Looming darkly on the valley floor sat the sunken ship. As before the sea life avoided the boat so the area around the vessel was deserted.2

“I d-don’t see the squid,” whispered Tad. “Do you see the squid?”3

Ella shook her head while Clay and Tearuslee whispered, “no.” Stillness and silence drifted up from the sandy floor. They continued to watch with an occasional sifting and shuffling.4

Suddenly the boat rocked and out on the main deck slithered a tentacle. As they watched the slim arm twisted it’s self up the mainmast then slide down to disappear behind the rail. Only to reappear near the stern along with two more arms.5

Does that answer your question?“ Tearuslee asked. “So what is the plan?”6

Clay looked again at the shell map. Ella watched him run his finger over the bumps and dips. “Well, I don’t think we need to go near the ship,” Everyone let out a sigh of relief, “we needed to go left from the ship so from here we’ll angle down to the right. Everyone be quiet and move quickly.”7

As they set out Ella glanced nervously to the side of them. So far the squid had not seen or heard them. Staying on the outside of the void they slowly worked their was around. Just as they started to turn to make the straight stretch the creature rocked the boat sending rotten boards and silt spraying out. The long skinny head arose out of the debris and stared wide eyed at the small. Quick as a jackrabbit from the surface eight tentacles shot out to slither towards the four members.8

Panic showed on Ella and Tad’s face. Clay grabbed Tearuslee giving her a push forward them turned towards the last two. “Quickly! Swim!” He called.9

Ella kicked with all her lagging strength. Tired arms pushed the salty water around her weary body. Panting she heard Tad behind her gasping for breathe as he pushed himself forward. Clay brought up the end. Ella could feel the currents of water turning when Clay spun around, spear drawn ready to defend them. The tentacles raced nearer as the little group swam on.10

On they swam until at last Clay called for them to stop. They were out of reach for the squid’s arms and it didn’t seem to want to leave its sunken ship.11

“Look!” Called Tad. Spread out below them was 12

a vast meadow. In the meadow dark green eelgrass swayed with the current. Their arms reaching for the sunlight just out of reach. Yellow sponges hung to some of the leaves looking like honeycomb without bees. In between the patches of grass small crabs and gray sea snails crawled making small roadways in the sand. A ledge of coral ranging in colors of green to red lined the outer edges. Ells stared in amazement. She watched as turtles shot out from the sand towards a rocky hill covered with sea moss and yellow sponges.13

“Oh my!” Exclaimed Ella, “It’s beautiful.”14

“Tearuslee, what does the map say now?” Asked Clay.15

Fumbling around Tearuslee looked at Clay confused, “I don’t have it, you do.”16

He turned a little red over his beard, as he looked ashamed at Tearuslee, “Oh yeah right, sorry about that love. Ah yes, here it is.” Clay handed it over to Tearuslee.17

“Well, we seem to be at the right meadow. Look at the far end. See those huge rocks? That’s where we need to go.” Stated Tearuslee. “The map says there is a door some where in or near the rocks.”18

Everyone turned to look across the eelgrass. While Tearuslee had been explaining about the door a swarm of box jellyfish had migrated into the meadow.19

Tad first noticed them and nudged Clay, “S-sir, box jellies.”20

“If it’s not one thing it’s another!” Exclaimed Clay.21

Transparent and beautiful the dangerous jellyfish drifted across the meadow. Their thin tentacles dragged across the eelgrass collecting small creatures. Their box-like bodies shimmered with the colors of the surrounding landscape.22

“I read somewhere that jellyfish don’t have any brains,” stated Ella.23

“That’s right. So this shouldn’t be too difficult. All we have to do is get across without getting tangled in any of those nasty stinging arms,” declared Clay.24

“I’ll g-go sir,” stammered Tad.25

Clay looked long and hard at Tad, “well Tad me lad, what makes you think you should go first?” Asked Clay.26

Tad looked down at the sandy floor and saw a small sea snail inching along the edge of a clump of grass. Squaring his shoulders he looked up at Clay and said, “I’m a d-damselfish. I can withstand their stings.” He paused waiting, before stumbling on, “I was hatched for this.”27

Clay nodded as Tad took a deep watery breath before twitching his tail fins. The three left to follow watched with dread as Tad cautiously pushed his way through the harmful jellyfish. One by one and little by little Tad made a winding path through them. Each jellyfish that Tad towed out of the trail coasted off with the current, so that it looked to Ella like a string of balloons at a car lot.28

Carefully Tearuslee and Ella swam after Tad as Clay scuttled sideways on long legs after the two girls. Ella could see Tad’s tail fin drooping after being stung a couple of times. Ella slipped back to swim next to Clay and nudged him; “there’s something wrong with Tad, Clay. Look at his fins, there all droopy.” She lifted her chin towards the dark pink figure in front.29

Tearuslee ducked under a luminescent purple jellyfish as Clay called to Tad to stop. Clay pushed his way passed the girls, being careful to avoid the jellyfish. He took Tad in his hands and peered into his eyes. He made Tad follow one of his claws one eye at a time. Finally he announced, “he’ll be fine after a small rest.30

The worried looked melted off of Ella’s slim face as she watched Tad drift to the course sand with eyes closed and gills flapping rhythmically. 31

All around them the sea life continued. The dangerous box jellyfish swayed above and around them throwing bands of reflective light bouncing off boulders and sand. Rainbow colored fish zigzagged through the open spaces Tad had created and the jellyfish. Turtles listlessly pushed at the sand with their hind legs, stirring up small clouds. Peering closely at a clump of yellow-green seaweed Ella noticed a small blue snail inching it’s way up one thick arm. It’s dull green foot tirelessly pulling itself forward.32

Ella’s mind started to drift. Watching the snail struggle reminder her that she still had a math assignment waiting for her. She inwardly groaned at the thought of fighting to come up with the correct answers. Fraction problems floated behind her closed lids.33

She once again felt the pain of homesickness descend around her heart as she wondered what her mother and father were doing at his very moment. Did they miss her? Did they know she was gone? Were they looking for her? Did they wonder what she was doing? She squeezed her eyes tighter and hugged her knees to her chest.34

Tearuslee floated next to Clay. Both were studying the shell and murmuring in low voices. Weariness showed on Clay’s face as he tried to explain something to Tearuslee, fiercely shaking his head. Tearuslee on the other hand gestured wildly explaining her point. A rosy color covered her face as her words got louder and more heated. “But it’s only an extinct volcano! There’s no need for you to scout ahead.”35

“It says it may be extinct. When was the last time anyone’s been inside?” Clay asked seriously.36

Stunned Tearuslee stopped to stare at him. “I-I-I don’t know. I haven’t thought of that.” Pausing she clasped her webbed hands in front of her scaled torso. “But I still think we can all go in together.”37

Clay tugged on his beard as he looked down. Stroking the dark curls he muttered, “Only if you follow me and do as I say, exactly as I say. If I say run, you run.” He looked at each one until each nodded. “Tad, you ready to go on?”38

Taking a deep breath that puffed up his small pink chest he quickly nodded his head. Rising from the course sand he drifted along a path only he could see. The others straightened up and followed.39

Tad made his way slowly trying hard to push the delicate but dangerous box jellyfish out of the winding path. The long thin stingers floated freely with no purpose or reason. Here and there Tad’s scaly body suffered burns from the arms.40

What seemed to Ella as a very long time they passed the last of the jellyfish. She could see shoulders slump and sighs of relief come from the other three. She herself was completely relieved to be through them and terribly tired. Two large boulders the sized of a full size trucks loomed before them and they swam the distance quickly. Behind the large rocks the extinct volcano sat. 41

The surfaces of both stones were smooth to the touch and the beige color was dotted here and there with gray and black. Each of the group took turns rubbing their hands across it. Then they stood in a line staring at the strange rocks confused.42

“Aren’t most rocks humpy and bumpy?” Ella asked in a hushed voice.43

Gruffly Clay voiced, “yes, as far as I know. Why this one is not, I don’t know.”44

Tearuslee at this time had wandered off. She choose to circle the rocks to the back. Suddenly she stopped at the back of the first stone. A strange feeling passed down her back making the fine hairs stand up. Carefully she studied the stone in front of her. Seeing as slight discoloration at eye level she ran her hands over it.45

“Hey guys!” She called, “I think I found something.” Clay, Ella and Tad rounded the boulder and stopped near her. Each stood staring at Tearuslee. “I think this is a hole of some kind,” she started cleaning out the depression. “See here, it’s round. It doesn’t look natural. She stopped and stepped back. What they all saw was a perfect round carving. Inside the carving was a design.46

“Stand back Tearuslee, “ Ella said pushing past her mermaid friend. Ella stuck her hand into the depression and worked out the rest of the sand. “There, now we can see what’s carved there.” And she stepped back to join the others.47

Each stood looking, one would turn their head and the others would follow. Suddenly Tad jumped back. “I’ve seen that design before somewhere.”48

“Where?” asked Tearuslee.49

“Recently. I just can’t remember where.” He said quietly and turned back to scrutinize the cravings. 50

Ella stuck her hands in her pockets of her shorts as she swayed with the slow current. Feeling down at the bottom she absently played with something round. She grabbed it in her fist and then dropped it again. She could feel the weight of it pressing against her upper thigh. She picked it up again when it dawned on her that she had seen the same markings just this morning. “I think I saw that design also. I saw it this morning…this morning at the ship.” A wide grin spread across her face, “Oh my gosh, I saw it,” she pulled out the medallion she had in her pocket, “on this.” And she held it out for the others to see.51

Clay snatched it out of her hand. He looked at it and then the depression. Both had the same strawberry top shells craved around the outer edge and one Spider conch shell in the middle. “Look here,” he pointed to the craving in the stone.52

“Hey, I didn’t see that before.” Said Tearuslee. “Is that a diamond?"53

“It looks like it to me.” Stated Clay; “There’s also one in the medallion.”54

“Wonder where that ship’s captain got it,” stuck in Tad.55

“Try it Ella, it’s yours,” Clay handed the medallion back to her.56

Ella bit her bottom lip as she slipped it into the slot. It fit perfectly. They heard a soft click and to the right of the craving a round doorway opened up. The rock slide in showing a faintly lit tunnel. They watched as air bubbles escaped from within.57

Clay cautiously scuttled over and peered around an edge. He ducked into the opening and disappeared. 58

While he was gone the girls huddled together nervously gripping each other’s hand. Meanwhile Tad had paced or would have paced if he had legs. Instead he swam back and forth behind the nervous girls.59

Clay returned a few moments later gesturing for them to follow him. “It looks to be leading into that volcano behind us.” His deep voice sounded nervous.60

“So the map is right. Is it extinct like it says?” Tearuslee asked.61

“It does appear to be but it is a lot warmer in there than it is out here.” He pulled out one of his spears from his pack. “Once inside its level and smooth but 15 yards in it starts to slope down. Stay close to me and no wandering off.”62

With Clay leading the way Ella, Tearuslee and Tad followed as close as was comfortably possible. They entered the circular opening warily. Four pairs of eyes darted around the murky cave. They paused just inside the opening to let their eyes adjust.63

Inside the cave was just as Clay said. Beneath Ella’s floating bare feet the floor looked smooth and sand free. Also the dark walls were shiny and unblemished, with out jagged ledges, like the obsidian rocks Ella had found while hiking in the woods. The ceiling similarly had a gleam. Everything was smooth and level with a glass like glow as if craved.64

“What did this?” Asked Ella.65

“Not what but who. It’s an old story told by the elder merpeople.” Started Tearuslee.66

“Not only merpeople but all elders tell of the Mirror Cave.” Said Clay. “I remember my own pappy lowering himself into the shallow tide pool to tell us kids this story.”67

“Princess Gianna’s mother, the queen, had a favorite storyteller and he would also tell the story to any who would listen.” Said Tearuslee happily.68

“Will someone please just tell me the story?” Demanded Ella.69

Clay cleared his throat but Tad started instead. “The t-tale goes that in the time of Queen Sealynna and King Portius the 3rd a special cavern was carved out by a t-team of merpeople. Mermen and merwomen of great talent and trust.”70

“Don’t forget the giant crabs helped,” cut in Clay, “my great, great, great grandfather helped. Or so it’s told in my family.” His chest was puffed up with pride.71

“Yes of course s-sir. Along side the merpeople giant crabs used their huge claws to cut the r-rock back.”72

Ella asked, “What did the merpeople use?”73

“Sharpened clam shells,” answered Tearuslee.74

“The merpeople and the crabs worked along side each other day after day.” As Tad told the story they had started down the caves only tunnel. There was a gradual decline in the floor leading them under the sea floor where the water returned to a normal temperature. The walls around them continued to be smooth and glassy. Distorted images of the four members reflected to them.75

“If I remember right it t-took many years to complete. This volcano has been extinct for many hundreds of years so I’d estimate that in that time it had only been dormant because right as the last Sea Lily was planted the m-mountain started to rumble. Rocks were f-falling out of the ceiling causing underwater waves that flung the workers around. One crab made it out alive. He lived long enough to tell a passing eel what had happened before dying beside the opening.”76

“Oh my gosh, how awful,” sobbed Ella. “Has anyone been back?”77

“No one has needed the Sea Lily until now.” Answered Tearuslee.78

“Why was it hidden away?”79

“It’s a very rare and precious flower but it was dying out. Or it was being eaten. No one remembers which, human Ella.” Clay stated.80

Ella nodded her head as the path gradually inclined. The walls were still smooth and the floor was uncluttered by rocks. “If the mountain started to erupt why is there no rocks on the floor?”81

The rest of them stopped and looked down at the floor. Tad’s nose touched down on the bottom as Tearuslee turned around in a circle. Clay just stood looking at Ella with a confused look on his face.82

Shocked Tearuslee shook her head back and forth, “b-but it should have rocks all over. I don’t understand.”83

Ella thought for a moment. “Maybe it was just a story.”84

Both Tearuslee and Clay’s face turned fire engine red with anger. Clay’s hands curled into fist as his upper arms tensed, “how can you say that? Our whole lives we’ve heard this story. It’s part of our history.”85

Taken a back by his anger Ella held up her hands in surrender, “I’m sorry, it was only a thought. I mean if there aren’t any rocks or cracks in the wall,” Tad swam over to exam the wall, “then maybe it wasn’t true.”86

Clay started to advance towards Ella but Tearuslee stepped in front of him. “She’s not trying to insult you.” She said quickly.87

“Just suggesting.” Clay’s face and hands relaxed slightly so Ella went on, “the history doesn’t fit with the inside of this place.”88

Clay looked hard at Ella, his shoulders still tense, “human Ella, I am trying hard to understand what you are saying but I find it difficult. You are telling me that everything I believe in is wrong and I can’t accept that.” Once again he balled up his fists.89

Sweeping her hands around her, “look around Clay. What do you see? Nothing! Everything is just as it was when they finished. My class just studied volcanoes and if there were an eruption there would be rocks and cracks. The ground would be uneven. Take a good look around Clay.”90

Clay’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I see nothing.” He said quietly and dropped his head into his hands.91

Tad’s fins beat slowly to keep him in one place as he stared at the exchange with wide eyes. He’s dark pink scales had paled to a faint pink blush.92

Tearuslee’s pale blond head went back and forth like a tennis game. Her mouth was moving but no words were heard. Her tail fins swished with annoyance. Slowly she swam over and laid a webbed hand on Clay’s massive shoulder. “Everything will be ok Clay. We will find out what happened here if it’s important to you.”93

He took his hands away from his face and turned towards her, “isn’t it important to you?”94

“Not as important as finding the Sea Lily and curing my people.” She sighed.95

Clay turned away from her and stood staring off into the dimly lit tunnel. “No…no I don’t think I want to know and I don’t think the rest of the undersea world could handle it anymore than I could.” Without waiting he started up the tunnel again.96