The Forger
By: Naomi Lea
Chapter 1
A merman, bearded and brawny, slowly and methodically organized spears and daggers among the racks, lumbering as he scooped up the long metal shafts that were strewn across the stone floor. The scars that ran down his forearms, torso, and backside stretched as he bent and reached to put the weapons in their designated places. Bright eyes followed him from the threshold of the entrance, inquisitively watching the large merman at his toil. Those eyes, bright and green like the quavering seaweed in the sun, lit up the small face which slowly floated closer to the busy merman whose back was turned. As he raised a sackful of daggers towards a high shelf he heard a sweet voice ask, "Are you nearly finished?" He paused, then slowly finished his path of placement and turned around with a wide smile and open arms. "Come here, little guppy!" he boomed. The bright eyes, which belonged to a young mermaid, crinkled with glee as she giggled and sped over to him leaving a flurry of bubbles behind her. They whirled around in their embrace and laughed with the joy of being in eachother's arms.
Suddenly, the child exclaimed, "Oh Papa! We must go and catch it before it goes down!"
"You're right, my child. I am finished here, let us go before we miss it," replied her father.
Out of the armory and the palace, they jetted across the ocean floor about a league to a small cavern. Upon reaching its mouth they pivoted upwards, following the rocky wall that lead above, and propelled themselves toward the surface. They broke through the water and flopped onto the small, flat of rock that leveled about a foot above the water. The burnt orange sun was beginning its descent below the horizon. The merman, whose name was Fellos, lay on his side with the end of his tail dipped into the sea. His little girl Lyrah was also on her side with her back resting against his large, stout frame.
"I am so glad we can come up here and watch the sun. The sky has so many beautiful things that we cannot see from under the water," mused Lyrah in a slow and thoughtful voice. "I am glad you like the air, my dear. If you want to learn the family trade, you must be able to tolerate it while you work," said Fellos. "And when will I start learning as your apprentice, Papa?" asked little Lyrah. Fellos chuckled and rumbled, "When you are strong enough to hold the hammer!"
They loved to end their evenings in that fashion, lying on the rocks watching the sun go down. It was Lyrah's most favorite time. She was in a safe place where she could feel certain of things. Her father taught her all she knew of the world; all that was good and right. When she was down below with the other merfolk, it was difficult to make decisions. She was not always sure how she should think or what was right and wrong. But, whenever she came up here with her father, she felt reassured in the open air with her father and his strong being. His strength seemed to strengthen her and ease whatever worries bothered her under the water's surface.
Fellos also enjoyed the time he spent with his daughter on the rocks. The air gave a clarity of thought that was different than anything one could experience under the sea. He remembered coming here himself before battles or long assignments to clear his mind and prepare for whatever hard task lay ahead. It seemed his daughter was much like her father and she was always entreating her father to bring her up top. He didn't even have to suggest the idea anymore. It became their evening ritual to swim up to the rocks and talk about troubles, happinesses, or just sit comfortably in each other's silence.
A father's shows love for his child in many different ways. Fellos had a very calm and steady way of showing affection. Though his voice was deep and could boom through the currents, he did not use it very often. This made the other merfolk usually take his words quite seriously since he did not elicit them often. He was also had an extremely muscular frame covered in scars, which also added emphasis to his aura whenever he broke from his taciturn state. He was a kind man, strong in body and in belief. He knew there was a definite right and wrong in the world, and he did his best day by day to live by that sense of morality. He never forced his beliefs on his daughter or the people around him, but all who knew him knew that there was no changing him when it came to doing what was right. One would say that a weaponsmith might be in a dilemma as to the morality of his profession. As a maker of weapons, he was allowing people to kill others, which is certainly wrong. Then again, these same weapons also give defense against enemies and can sometimes stop fights before a death occurs. Thus, he was justified in his career and his life. He lived with a purpose and he planned to teach his daughter to do the same.
Another merman had the same idea with his child in terms of imparting a purposeful profession. King Norro of Gyorannis was swimming about the palace, attempting to spend regular quality time with his son. But, the logistics of which were becoming an impediment. King Norro wanted his only son Breil to learn the responsibilities of King since he would one day become one. However, since the king was often very busy fulfilling his own many responsibilities, it was difficult to schedule training, let alone bonding time, with the young prince. Fortunately his six daughters did not need much attention from him as thry were content with receiving gifts in place of actually seeing his face. They did what they willed, and that was enough for him to think about. His main concern was that young Breil would not be confident enough when the time came for him to ascend the throne. King Norro knew he had to find some way to get some time alone with the boy.
He kept searching the palace, checking every room and even stopping by his daughter's chambers to ask if they had seen their brother. All was to no avail since it seemed no one had seen him all day. The King, frustrated and discouraged, headed toward the royal stables where his dolphin chargers were. He figured he would spend time with his prized steeds if he couldn't spend that time with his son. He swam outside the main palace round to the back to the stable caves. As he approached the swinging coral gates, he noticed they were slightly ajar. He entered and there on a coil of seaweed rope was little Breil. The wall sconces lit up the cave where the dolphins, seahorses, and beluga whales rested. Of course, as these animals were free beings, they could come and go as they pleased. However, those employed by the King had responsibilities to serve as the fastest mode of transportation under the sea. Breil was petting a young dolphin pup whose parents were resting nearby. They were apparently engaged in comoelling conversation for Breil did not notice the approach of his father. "Ho there, boys," greeted the King, "What are you two up to?" Startled, the two children kicked their tailfins and buoyed upright to face the King. "G-greetings your majesty!" piped the young pup. "Oh-greetings father!" returned the prince. "Rolin and I were just talking. Sorry if we are in your way," said Breils with his eyes averting his father's.
"Well, now," began the King, "I wouldn't say you being in my way is a bad thing. I was actually looking for you."
"Oh," said the prince as his eyes cast further down.
"Yes, I just wanted to see if you and your friend wanted to take a quick swim with me," said Norro. At this their heads shot up and their bodies tensed ith anticipation. "I haven't yet begun teaching you to maneuver the chariot yet. We could both take a single steed, and perhaps young Rolin wouldn't mind getting some practice under the reins? If this pup is anything like his father, he's sure to be one of the fastest dolphins in the kingdom." At that last comment, Rolin the dolphin pup squeaked with glee and replied, "Oh yes sir! That would be grand! Breil would love to go! I'll go hitch us up- come on, Breil!" Excitedly following after his friend deeper into the cave, he shouted over his shoulder, "Thanks Father! We'll be ready in a few minutes!"
"I'll be waiting outside the stable," the King said loudly after them. King Norro drifted over to Rolin's father, Raillin, who was already shaking himself awake from his nap.
"You certainly know how to get the little ones excited, eh? Rolin is going to be making whirlpools all over the stables for the next week with all that excitement. We'll have to take him on rides just about every day," said Raillin tiredly.
"That's what the intention, my friend," replied the King. "This will be good for us to spend some time with our sons regularly and make sure they are ready to take our places when the time comes," said Norro turning towards the commotion that was coming towards them.
"Hrrrmph!" Raillin said as he blew bubbles out his air hole and shook his head. "They're all tangled up in the leads! What are we to do with these pups?"
Breil and Rolin were almost mummified in the seaweed reins with their tailfins almost immobile. They grunted and strained towards their parents, who just watched them as the struggled to loosen themselves. King Norro looked at Raillin, who met his gaze, and both of them cracked grins on faces and began laugh. "Well, I suppose we can't leave them like this!" boomed the King.
After that day, taking out the chariots became the highlight of the day for those four. Breil and his father were able to spend more time with each other and do something that both enjoyed. Whether they rode on the open sea or racing around the circuit, it was fun for all of them.
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