Well, that had not taken long at all.
Ervin stifled a sigh, shutting his eyes briefly. He could already feel Kai’s gaze upon him. Their parents continued on with their conversation with the messenger, speaking as if their eldest wasn’t in the same room. But there he was, listening to every word. Ervin wanted nothing more than to sink down into the sand and cease to exist.
Marriage. That was all his parents seemed to talk to him about these days. That, and his status as the crown prince of Osiria. To the royal family, these subjects were always together in conversation and had been for as long as Ervin could remember. Therefore, he had had reason to suspect that the messenger from Tempedor would be related to his “coming of age.” He was not entirely surprised that his parents had chosen to not include him in the discussion of his future with this Lady Talora, which further soured his mood about the whole matter.
Ervin had done his best to express his disdain regarding his future, but his argument was almost always cut short by his mother. It was “his duty” to rule the kingdom, and in order to do that he needed a wife. His mother, just like Kai had, had just recently made a comment about how Ervin’s work as captain of the guard was taking up too much of his time. It wasn’t as if he wouldn’t come when he was summoned, as he had today; but Ervin had certainly thrown himself wholeheartedly into a task he enjoyed. Not that being king of Osiria would not have its own challenges, but he knew that much of the role involved discussion and debate thoroughly shrouded in politics. Ervin had no interest in such things, and yet his birth status still superseded his wishes.
But, it seemed Ervin would be counting the days of his freedom. With each talk of weddings, the economy, and potential grandchildren, he should have suspected that his parents’ plan was this close to fruition. Now it seemed that an actual proposal on his behalf had been made. Deep down, Ervin knew that he loved his parents dearly; but at this moment he wished they could see just how much he was seething. But no, they were more blind than ever to his emotions. It stung, but Ervin’s obedience managed to just barely keep his tongue at bay.
”I say we should set up a meeting as soon as possible,” Ervin vaguely heard his mother reply. He opened his eyes once more, fighting the urge to bury his face in his hands. ”It will be lovely to see the family of Tempedor, especially for such a time of celebration. Don’t you agree, Ervin?”
If Ervin had had any food in his mouth, he would have most certainly choked to death. For a heartbeat, he almost wished that it was so. He just barely was able to swallow his spit before speaking. “Yes, Mother,” he replied hollowly. Hydne nodded with satisfaction before turning the conversation back between the three of them.
Kai, however, seemed to actual sense his brother’s discomfort. ”Hey,” he hissed, much to Ervin’s displeasure. ”What’s got your fin?”
“Not now, Kai,” Ervin growled almost immediately. He knew any comment his brother would make, being their mother’s “perfect child,” would aggravate him enough to break his facade. If he were to explode in front of a guest, Osiria would not be put in the best light.
”I know you don’t want to do any of this -” Ervin’s jaw clenched. ”- but it’s the right thing to do. It’s what you were born to do. Man up.”
Yet another family member shoving Ervin’s feelings away without a second thought. As if it was that easy for him to just feel nothing about the entire thing. Ervin was steps away from accepting a life that he did not want, and he knew that it would make him nothing but an empty shell of himself. But no one cared about that. All that mattered was the blood flowing through his veins and how it would carry on for further generations -
”Captain!” The sound of Ren’s voice was like music to Ervin’s ears. While his second-in-command’s tone was lined with urgency, he was more than thrilled by his appearance. Glaucus, Kai, and Hydne looked far from pleased by the intrusion, but Ervin ignored them. He moved to meet Ren part of the way without hesitation. ”Sharks were noted along the northern wall,” the guard murmured. Ervin’s brow furrowed slightly. Sharks were not uncommon in the area, but any near their borders could pose a threat to visitors and the kingdom itself at any time. ”We have sectioned off the homes nearby, but -” Ervin knew full well that Ren was terrified of sharks. Their people were able to live alongside most creatures in peace, but there were always some that reminded them of their place on the food chain.
“I will join you,” Ervin said. He could see relief flooding his second’s eyes. He began to follow Ren out of the hall but was stopped by his mother clearing her throat. “Sharks,” Ervin called back. He did pause to face her respectfully, hands going behind his back. “My apologies, but I must excuse myself in order to make sure our kingdom is safe, your Majesty.”
The messenger from Tempedor gulped. Hydne’s faint scowl remained unchanged. ”Come see me when you return, Ervin,” she responded. ”There is still much to discuss.”
Ervin gave a small bow. “As you wish, your Majesty.” He turned away once more, joining Ren who provided him with his spear and captain of the guard rope sash.
The pair arrived at Osiria’s northern wall quickly. A few of their men were standing watch, focused on the gray forms swimming back and forth several lengths away. The sharks, while still at a safe distance, were clearly searching for prey. Ervin surveyed the evacuated area briefly for signs as to what would have drawn the fish here in the first place. It didn’t take long for him to find that both the wall was crumbling in places and the homes here were decorated with bright white stones and coral. “They’re drawn to the decorations,” Ervin said to Ren. “They can see the colors of the mosaics on the houses through the wall. Be sure to inform the owners to repaint them or -”
”Captain, they’re moving!” Ervin’s attention returned to the creatures. Indeed, the sharks appeared to suddenly turn away from their initial target. He watched in surprise as they took off at full speed. It was not a move out of fear, but of intent. Despite Ren’s protest, Ervin pulled himself up and over the northern wall before following them.
“Come on!” he yelled over his shoulder through the bubbles left in his wake. “The main travel route is over here, they could be going after a pod!” Ervin’s men were quick to act at that, catching up quickly. The sharks were much faster, but it didn’t take long for Ervin to see what they had been drawn to. He slowed his swim, allowing Ren to come to his side as he took in the dark shape on the surface far above them. They watched as the sharks rose towards it, bright flashes of light drawing shadows. Ervin recalled then the red sky he had witnessed just hours before. The vibrations through the water from the winds and waves were apparent now.
”A ship. Human, most likely,” Ren said. He glanced over at Ervin. ”Took the sharks away from Osiria. I’d say that’s a job well done.”
Ervin did not reply. This was the one part of the guard that he did not care for. Their job was to protect Osiria and the seas, and yet they were ordered to not interfere when it came to humans. Indeed, they were the rulers of the land; but it never sat right with Ervin to refuse to help them when they chose to travel in his domain. The stories of old stated that humans must never know about Ervin and his people, as the land only brings war and despair. He had always wondered if this was true but had never been brave or rash enough to question further.
But today… Ervin was full of suppressed anger towards his own kingdom. All his life he had been ordered to follow rules, his destiny decided for him. Well today, Ervin would choose to be in control of something he actually believed in: preserving life. And without another word, he propelled himself forward and up.
”Captain?!”
“There are others in danger now! I need you to keep the sharks at bay!” Ervin called back firmly. He paused for a moment to face his team. “That is an order!” A chorus of “Yes, sir!” echoed back as he resumed his swim. As he drew closer to the base of the ship, he heard a different commotion on the opposite side. He recognized it as something thrashing about near the surface. Ervin could also sense the strength of the waves above propelled by the storm, undoubtedly making surface swimming difficult. He made a beeline for the struggle. Through the dark, Ervin could see four limbs treading the water. He surged upward, arms out to bring the other with him so that at least their head could be above the surface.
