Sea Lily Chapter Five - Seven

Chapter Five: To the Ship1

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 itself 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 the boat. 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 group. 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 then 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 breath 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
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. Ella stared in amazement. She watched as turtles shot out from the sand towards a rocky hill covered with sea moss and yellow sponges.12

“Oh my!” Exclaimed Ella, “It’s beautiful.”13

“Tearuslee, what does the map say now?” Asked Clay.14

Fumbling around Tearuslee looked at Clay confused, “I don’t have it, you do.”15

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.16

“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.”17

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.18

Tad first noticed them and nudged Clay, “S-sir, box jellies.”19

“If it’s not one thing it’s another!” Exclaimed Clay.20

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.21

“I read somewhere that jellyfish don’t have any brains,” stated Ella.22

“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.23

“I’ll g-go sir,” stammered Tad.24

Clay looked long and hard at Tad, “well Tad me lad, what makes you think you should go first?” Asked Clay.25

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.”26

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.27

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, they're all droopy.” She lifted her chin towards the dark pink figure in front.28

Tearuslee ducked under a luminescent purple jellyfish as Clay called to Tad to stop. Clay pushed his way past 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.29

The worried looked melted off of Ella’s slim face as she watched Tad drift to the coarse sand with eyes closed and gills flapping rhythmically. 30

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, its dull green foot tirelessly pulling itself forward.31

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.32

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.33

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.”34

“It says it may be extinct. When was the last time anyone’s been inside?” Clay asked seriously.35

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.”36

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?”37

Taking a deep breath that puffed up his small pink chest he quickly nodded his head. Rising from the coarse sand he drifted along a path only he could see. The others straightened up and followed.38

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.39

After 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. 40

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.41

“Aren’t most rocks humpy and bumpy?” Ella asked in a hushed voice.42

Gruffly Clay voiced, “yes, as far as I know. Why this one is not, I don’t know.”43

Tearuslee at this time had wandered off. She chose 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.44

“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.45

“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.46

Each stood looking, one would turn their head and the others would follow. Suddenly Tad jumped back. “I’ve seen that design before somewhere.”47

“Where?” asked Tearuslee.48

“Recently. I just can’t remember where.” He said quietly and turned back to scrutinize the cravings. 49

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.50

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.51

“Hey, I didn’t see that before.” Said Tearuslee. “Is that a diamond?’52

“It looks like it to me.” Stated Clay; “There’s also one in the medallion.”53

“Wonder where that ship’s captain got it,” stuck in Tad.54

“Try it Ella, it’s yours,” Clay handed the medallion back to her.55

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 carving a round doorway opened up. The rock slid in showing a faintly lit tunnel. They watched as air bubbles escaped from within.
Clay cautiously scuttled over and peered around an edge. He ducked into the opening and disappeared. 56

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.57

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.58

“So the map is right. Is it extinct like it says?” Tearuslee asked.59

“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.”60

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.61

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, without 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 carved.62

“What did this?” Asked Ella.63

“Not what but who. It’s an old story told by the elder merpeople.” Started Tearuslee.64

“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.”65

“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.66

“Will someone please just tell me the story?” Demanded Ella.67

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.”68

“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.69

“Yes of course s-sir. Along side the merpeople giant crabs used their huge claws to cut the r-rock back.”70

Ella asked, “What did the merpeople use?”71

“Sharpened clam shells,” answered Tearuslee.72

“The merpeople and the crabs worked along side each other day after day.” As Tad told the story they had started down the cave's 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.73

“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.”74

“Oh my gosh, how awful,” sobbed Ella. “Has anyone been back?”75

“No one has needed the Sea Lily until now.” Answered Tearuslee.76

“Why was it hidden away?”77

“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.78

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 are there no rocks on the floor?”79

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.80

Shocked Tearuslee shook her head back and forth, “b-but it should have rocks all over. I don’t understand.”81

Ella thought for a moment. “Maybe it was just a story.”
Both Tearuslee and Clay’s face turned fire engine red with anger. Clay’s hands curled into fists as his upper arms tensed, “how can you say that? Our whole lives we’ve heard this story. It’s part of our history.”82

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 examine the wall, “then maybe it wasn’t true.”83

Clay started to advance towards Ella but Tearuslee stepped in front of him. “She’s not trying to insult you.” She said quickly.84

“Just suggesting.” Clay’s face and hands relaxed slightly so Ella went on, “the history doesn’t fit with the inside of this place.”85

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 Clay balled up his fists.86

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.”87

Clay’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I see nothing,” he said quietly and dropped his head into his hands.
Tad’s fins beat slowly to keep him in one place as he stared at the exchange with wide eyes. His dark pink scales had paled to a faint pink blush.88

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.”
He took his hands away from his face and turned towards her. “Isn’t it important to you?”89

“Not as important as finding the Sea Lily and curing my people.” She sighed.90

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.91


Chapter Six: Sea Lily92

“Watch it now. The path gets narrow around this bend,” Clay called back.93

As they turned the wall on the right hand side gave way to empty water. The wall on the left side took on a rosy glow and the water was heating up.94

“What’s beyond this wall?” asked Ella.95

“I assumed it was solid, human Ella, but from the heat this wall is giving off I’d say the volcano is not dormant or extinct.”96

“Are you saying this mountain is alive?”97

“Truthfully? I don’t know, but my best guess is yes. Yes, its active,” said Clay sadly.98

Ella turned to Tearuslee. “I can’t believe I followed you? I could be home and safe! But no, I going to burn to death!”99

“Ella calm down!" Tearuslee pleaded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know.” She put head into her pale webbed hands and sobbed.100

Shocked Ella stopped and pulled her friend into a hug, “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.”101

“I just wanted to help.” She sobbed, not looking up.102

Ella just held her as she cried herself out. Soon Tearuslee was done. She wiped her eyes and smiled sadly at her friends. “I’m fine.” She sniffed.103

Ella took a deep breath counted to ten then said, “well I guess it can’t be helped.” She shook her head and continued, “let’s keep going. The sooner we get there the sooner we’ll be out of here and I can go home.”104

Tad piped up, “and l-lets hope it d-doesn’t erupt.”105

“There’s always that.” Tearuslee said quietly.106


Onward they went up, past pockets of warm water only to turn a corner and hit a cold pocket. The walls stayed smooth and glossy along with the ledge, uncluttered by debris. Around one bend a hole the size of a beach ball appeared in the wall about Ella’s eye level. A flow of magma the color of red-hot iron right out of the forge hit the cold water hardening into rounded stair steps.107

After an extended amount of time the ledge widened into a regular tunnel with even walls on each side. They had swum on for 20 feet when the cave tunnel narrowed.108

Ella glanced around uneasily. Expecting at any instant the tunnel to come tumbling down on her. Her heart beat wildly as she followed Tearuslee closely clutching her clammy hand.109

Clay called back to the other members of the group, “the way is blocked. Tad lad, come up here.”110

Tad squeezed by the girls. His scaled side
rubbed up against the cave walls. “Yes s-sir?”111

“There’s an opening up at the top. I want you to swim through and see what is beyond the boulders.” 112

Bravely the small dark pink damselfish swam to the roof of the cave and squeezed through the tiny opening between the loose stones.113

“S-sir.” Came Tad’s faint voice from beyond the opening, “I think I-I found the Sea L-lily.”114

“What do you see lad?” Asked Clay.115

“We’ll sir…it’s b-beautiful. It’s so b-bright it hurts my eyes. The walls sparkle, they're white and bumpy. I d-don’t think it is quite finished in here.”116

“What about the plant?” Yelled Tearuslee.117

Tad stuck his snout out the hole and called down gleefully, “it’s in the middle of the room. There’s only two left. The rest must have died. There’s this wondrous beam of light surrounding it.” Here he paused. “Uh guys? W-we’ve got a p-problem.”118

“What?” called Clay.119

“Sir, I think you need to come in here and s-see for yourself,” squeaked Tad.120

At Clay’s nod Tearuslee swam up and started to push some of the loose rocks aside. The light became brighter as the hole became larger. As soon as there was room for her Ella swam up to join Tearuslee. Clay stayed at the bottom pushing the loose stones out of the way.121

The hole reached the middle of the cave tunnel and the two girls continued to work on it from the inside while Clay worked from the outside. Tad swam back and forth through the large entrance tensely.122

Clay stepped through the hole sideways ducking his head as he bellowed, “so what was the problem?”123

“Shhhhhhh!” Exclaimed the other three. When they moved out of the way he saw what they were worried about. Coiled around the brilliant white light lay an enormous snake-like creature. Its body was gray-white with a pale almost transparent underbelly with blue veins crisscrossing it. The head, which lay close to the last two plants, was shaped like that of a horse with a snout that was long and hairy. A mane of brown thick hair ran down from between its short pointy ears to the middle of its body. Before the ears on both sides of its horse-like head held its eyes. At the moment they were closed but Ella could see that they were massive. Down its grayish back it had three humps like a desert camel.124

“Havhest,” whispered Clay. “Norwegian Dragon or Sea Horse.”125

Ella’s mouth hung wide open as Tearuslee muttered, “oh my Neptune.”126

Ella could not take her eyes off the monstrous dragon. She watched as its sides rose and dipped as it serenely breathed. “Has anyone ever seen one of these Havhest before?” She asked softly.127

Tearuslee shook her head, as both Tad and Clay said no. No one took their eyes off the beast as they slowly backed out of the newly created hole.128

They huddled together as Tearuslee said, “I’ve read about these sea dragons. Their rather lazy it’s said and…oh I can’t remember.” She said frustrated.129

“Settle down Tearuslee.” Said Clay soothingly.130

“It’s something to do with fighting it. I just can’t remember. I’m so sorry guys.” Tearuslee crossed her arms and looked down at the ground.131

“Don’t worry Tearuslee it’ll come to you. In the meantime maybe we don’t have to fight it.” Ella suggested.132

“What do you have in mind?” Asked Clay.133

Ella gestured for Clay to follow her. She led him over to the edge of the entrance where they peeked around the corner. “It's sleeping, right?” Clay nodded, “What if someone swam over without waking it?”134

Clay stood with his hands on the top of his carapace. He studied the layout of the room. In the center still stood the last two remaining Sea Lilies and around them curled the sea dragon. Off to his right lay a cluster of large boulders sparkling like the walls. They were large enough to almost hide his 9 foot long body but only if he ducked. On his left was open ground littered with small stones the size baseballs. He turned back to Ella, “Alright, here’s how I see it.” He started, “there’s only one place to hide, those boulders. Now I’ll sneak over to them and from there I’ll start over. If I’m lucky enough I’ll get the plant before it even knows I’m there.”135

“Clay there is no way you’ll be able to hide behind those rocks.”136

“What do you propose to do then, human Ella?” He asked.137

“I’ll do it.”138

“No, I’ll do it,” interrupted Tearuslee. “I’m the one with the fin here, so I should do it.”139

“Wait a m-minute. I also have a fin,” said Tad.140

“But no hands,” argued Tearuslee.141

“I’m the strongest,” stated Clay.142

The three of them stood or floated arguing about which of them would go. Clay turned to point something out to Ella only to find she was missing. “Where is human Ella?’ He interrupted.143

They all glanced around. Tad cautiously peeked around the entrance to the room. “There she is s-sir.”144

They rushed into the cave room and stood staring at Ella as she swam from the boulders to the middle of the room. Carefully she started over one sinuous length. The creature sifted and brushed up against on of Ella’s legs. It opened its huge mouth showing its sharp row of teeth, like a shark's. Behind the teeth rolled a blood red tongue, forked like a snakes or lizards. As it raised its horse like head its large eyes opened showing ebony colored eyes.145

“Ella, it’s awake! Watch out!” Screamed Tearuslee.146

Ella turned as the sea dragon lunged for her. Suddenly it raised its head roaring furiously. Its head snapped at a piece of wood sticking out of the side of its neck. Its scales were thick and the spear did not go far in. A few yards away stood Clay poised with another spear. With another deep roar the dragon darted towards him catching one of his legs in his large mouth before Clay could get another spear jabbed into it. It let go of his leg to pull the spear out. Clay stumbled back favoring one leg.147

During this time Ella had tried going forward with her plan to get one of the Sea Lilies. But as the fight continued the sea dragon’s coils drew tighter, cutting off her path. Circling back she came upon Tearuslee and Tad. They were whispering and watching the battle.148

Back and forth the battle raged on with neither of them, the mancrab or the sea dragon, getting the upper hand. Clay limped and cradle one pincher as the sea dragon lurched in for another leg. The sea dragon looked like a puffer fish with spears hanging out of the side of its neck and head.149

All of a sudden Tearuslee popped up and said, “I remember! I remember that music puts it to sleep.”150

“What are you waiting for start singing!” Yelled Ella as Clay stuck it with another spear.151

Softly at first one solid note arose from Tearuslee’s slim throat. She held it for a few moments as the sea horse monster realized there was music. Timidly more notes floated to its pointy ears.152

The sea creature swung its head towards Tearuslee and lowered it right in front of her. She trembled with fear and the notes wobbled as she choked them out. Closing its eyes it rolled its head from side to side along with music.153

Tearuslee continued to sing while Ella snuck over and collected the Sea Lily. When Ella had reached the entrance where Tad was tending Clay’s wounds. 154

Tearuslee softly let out the last note and slipped out.155

Ella hugged Tearuslee, “I can’t believe we did it.” She handed Tearuslee the precious flower.156

Taking it from Ella she said, “I can’t believe I remembered what to do. I was so scared for you.”157

“I was scared myself. But you guys were taking so long to decide who would go I just went. I didn’t even think about.”158

From one of the stones Clay’s angry voice came, “I can not believe you did that human Ella. How could you risk yourself like that? Did you even stop to think?”159

Ella swam over to him and grabbed his calloused hands. Kneeling in front of him she said, “Oh Clay please don’t be mad. Everything worked out and we now have the Sea Lily. We can go and cure the merpeople. Please, please don’t be mad.”160

He looked at her with hard unforgiving eyes as she pleaded. Finally he squeezed her hands and smiled. I’m just glad you’re ok, human Ella.”161

“I’m just sorry you got injured. How are your legs?”162

“I’ll be just fine. Tad here is good with the bandages. He should be by now, he’s been doing it long enough.” He chuckled and then sighed, “Tearuslee bring that troublesome flower here.”163

Tearuslee swam over holding a perfectly formed lily. Its funnel shaped flower was a pale shade of yellow almost white with orange anthers poking out from the center. Its stem was long with narrow leaves.
“Well it’s certainly pretty. I hope it will do the trick.”164

“Oh it will Clay. It will.” Said Tearuslee truimphly.165

“I’m d-done,” sighed Tad. “As long as he t-takes it easy we can head back now.”166

167


Chapter Seven: Home168

The following morning King Portius the 7th greeted Tearuslee warmly at the edge of the city. Ella thought he looked just like a king should. He was tall, taller than Clay with jet-black hair that was graying at the temples. His black eyes were shrewd but when he smiled they had crinkles at the corners. His massive hands encircled Clay’s as he shook Clay’s hand in gratitude. He turned to Tad bowing his head in thanks to the damselfish.169

Ella stepped back suddenly afraid of this merman. She knew nothing about him, only what Tearuslee had said. He was much bigger than her and so stern looking. Tearuslee pushed Ella from behind as he turned to her.
King Portius bowed low sweeping his hand across the fine sand. “Dear human Ella, I am in your debt. You along with the others of your brave company have brought back the cure for my people. Antanego is forever grateful.” He took her hands in his and kissed the back of them and when he smiled she felt peaceful. “Let us prepare that paste.” And he turned from them.170

“You know something’s been bothering me.” Said Ella.171

“Oh what is that?” Asked Tearuslee as they started towards the medical cave. Clay glided by smiling at the girls.172

“Who put the shell on my shore? And why?”173

Tearuslee stopped and pulled Ella’s arm. “What are you saying?”174

“I’m saying that someone wanted me here. But who?”175

Tearuslee dragged Ella on towards the brightly lit cave entrance. In a worried voice she said, “I have no idea. Did you say that you saw a fin a day or so before I pulled you through the whirlpool?”
Ella nodded.176

“Maybe that fin is the owner of who ever is behind this?”177

“E-Ella,” piped in a voice.178

The girls turned. Behind them floated Tad looking forlorn. His dark pink scales had paled to a light pink and his fins drooped.179

Ella bent down and raised his pink chin up. “Tad do you know anything about this?” She asked softly.180

He looked at her with large eyes full of sea tears.
“Oh Tad what did you do?” Asked Tearuslee dropping down beside Ella.181

“I had to d-do something. N-no one was going to d-do anything. So I t-took the m-map.”182

Sadly Ella asked, “what if I hadn’t found the shell map?”183

He pricked up a little, “I made a copy and hide it with my bandages. We still could have found it.”184

“Tad you took a terrible risk. I can’t believe you did this.” Exclaimed Tearuslee.185

Leaning towards Tearuslee, “oh p-please don’t say anything to the King. Please! I won’t d-do anything like this again and it all worked out in the end.” He cried.186

“But Tad why did you pick me?” Asked Ella still kneeling.187

“I heard w-what you said when you were s-standing on the shore. You said you wouldn’t h-hurt anyone or anything and I believed you. I knew you w-would help us.”188

Sighing Ella stood up. “What do you say Tearuslee can we keep this a secret?”189

Tearuslee looked at Tad hard, letting him squirm. “Yes I think we can. What about you Tad can we keep this a secret?”190

Tad laughed, nodded his scaled head and swam off into the medical cave.191

“Tearuslee,” Ella called stopping, “I really think I should be going back now.”192

Looking back Tearuslee said, “but you must stay and meet Princess Gianna. Afterwards I’m sure we’ll have a feast.”193

Ella swam to Tearuslee and grabbed her hands. “I want to go home. I really miss my parents. I want to hear Old Gray bark at the old cat.” 194

“I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. Let’s go. I’ll explain everything to the King.”195

“Thank you Tearuslee.”196

“No Ella thank you for everything.” 197

They headed back out of Antanego towards the same beige boulders she had first seen.198

“Tearuslee, please tell Clay and Tad goodbye for me.”199

“Of course and please take this to remember us,” she handed Ella the shell map.200

“Don’t you need this?” She asked.201

“No. I can make a new one,” she whispered and then laughed.202

They hugged and Ella pushed off.203

“Bye Ella.”204

“Bye Tearuslee. I had fun.” She called as she went further away.205

***206

Ella blinked and the sun was bright in her eyes. She could feel the warmth of the breeze ruffling her dry hair. She sat up abruptly and touched her clothes and hair again. “I’m dry.” She whispered.207

Bounding to her feet she ran over to the pond and peered in. She could see the bottom. She reached her hand in and touched the smooth rocks. Ella sat back on her legs disappointed.208

Beside her she found the shell. She touched the ridges and bumps remembering the Havhest and the Sea Lily. Old Gray’s barking interrupted her thoughts. Looking she saw her mother standing at the top of the hill hanging clothes on the line. Overhead birds chirped and she could smell the wet soil underfoot mixed with roses.209

“Mom!” Ella yelled as she started up the hill. “Mom I fell in the pond and it lead to the sea. And I met a mermaid and a huge half man half crab that carried spears. Oh and also Tad.”210

“Slow down Ella, Who’s Tad?” She asked confused.211

“He’s a damselfish and we found a sunken ship and there was an squid. And box jellyfish.” She rushed on, “and we fought a sea serpent. Tearuslee sang it to sleep. We got the Sea Lily and took it back to Antanego where I met the King. But I missed you guys so I had to come back.” She threw her arms around her mother who stumbled into the laundry basket. “Oh mom I missed you!” She said breathlessly.212

“Oh Ella, what an imagination you have.” Her mother laughed.