7 Chapter 7

Rumours about potential attack and invasion of underwater kingdoms made life in the ocean tense. Queen Asando, the queen of Odunda, Neo's birthplace, called her council to discuss the matter.

"Something is blocking me from communicating with the other leaders” Queen Asando said while moving her long, magnetic gold tail about "I do not know what is going on beyond the borders of Odunda'' she admitted.

"I suspect that something has been luring humans to the ocean, especially their young to drown them" Tunga, custodian of the Odunda border and biological father of Neo said.

"And how would you know what goes on with humans?" Sazhi, one of the Queen's council members, asked haughtily. He considered himself to be better than Tunga because of his status so he despised the fact that Queen Asando made him sit with Tunga. In Odunda, the closer one's duty brought them to the queen, the greater respect it earned the individuals.

"Tunga is chief custodian of the borders" Queen Asando reminded Sazhi. "He is bound to know what goes on with the humans because he works close to the water where humans swim," she added. Sazhi couldn't speak over the Queen's words so he gave Tunga a look of disgust.

"I do not know what is drowning the human young" Tunga said "But I will find out" he promised.

"Keep safe, Tunga. The last thing that I want is you gone. Without you our borders are weak" Queen Asando said.

"Many guards contribute in keeping the borders and gates secure, my queen. Tunga must not receive all credit" Sazhi said.

"He is the greatest warrior in Odunda" Queen Asando looked at Tunga who wore a look of gratitude. His silver tail is powerful and he was skilled in using weapons.

"It must be the Msifiti" Sazhi said. Msifiti were rebels merpeople who cause trouble for all ocean creatures but they didn't drown human, if anything they stay away from them.

"Since when does the Msifiti have power to manipulate the Queen's communication?" Tunga asked, sounding frustrated. "And they do not lurk close to water where humans are either," Tunga raised his voice at Sazhi.

"You will speak to me with respect, Tunga" Sazhi ordered "I am a royal council member and father of your future queen" he added. Queen Asando tapped her double edged spear on the floor and both men immediately knew they had to stop.

"Apologies, Queen Asando," Tunga said first.

"Apologies, my queen" Sazhi said as though he was forced to.

"My queen" Lamba, also a council member said softly "I mean no disrespect but perhaps your powers are beginning to weaken because it is almost time for you to crown a younger queen" she added. Tunga was not surprised by Lamba's words because she was a good friend of Sazhi ``Takhi is ready to take over" Lamba added. Tunga nearly laughed out but kept calm. Takhi was Sazhi's daughter and when she became queen Lamba would benefit greatly because she was Sazhi's friend.

"If there is a threat bigger than what we are imagining, it is better for us to have an experienced queen should an attack come," Tunga said.

"Since when do guards give advice, my queen?" Sazhi asked "If we are done discussing ma…"

"You will not tell me who to dismiss in my own council room, Sazhi" the queen warned "I have given you that position and if you feel you are above me, I can prove to you that you are not" she added.

"Apologies, my queen," Sazhi said. He couldn't wait for his daughter to be queen so that no one would speak to him that way again.

"Tunga, find out what you can and inform me if there is anything to know about a possible threat to the ocean kingdoms" the queen requested.

"I will find the answers to what is happening, queen" Tunga promised "May I be excused?" he asked and watched Queen Asando nod once. He'd never felt inferior to the likes of Sazhi but being dismissed like nobody offended him. He went home and was greeted by the sight of his wife Zasari. Many said Queen Asando was the most beautiful merwoman in Odunda but Tunga begged to differ.

"Tunga" Zasari swam towards him before hugging him. Her smooth tail gently brushing against his. His position as guardian kept him away from home at times.

"I'm home" Tunga whispered "But I have not found her yet" he added. He was talking about Neo.

"How certain are you that the humans you left her with cared for her?" Zasari asked.

"Nothing about the situation was certain, Zasari. We can only hope that Zangori returns home" he referred to Neo by her birth name. In Amba, the language of the African seas, it meant chosen one.

"Next time I will go with you" Zasari said"

"You must stay here with Dandari" Tunga said "Where is Dandari?". Dandari was their younger daughter.

"Resting" Zasari said "If she does not return soon, we will know that she is dead," Zasari said in a sad whisper.

"I will find her" Tunga said and watched Zasari nod.

"Did you tell the queen about your suspicion?" She asked.

"I did and I know that she feels something is not right too but her council is trying to convince her that it's because her power is getting weaker. A queen is powerful until her last day. If there is danger and our queen doesn't foresee it, we as her guards do not know what we may face. It leaves opportunity for an ambush" Tunga said "All that Sazhi and his friends want is for Takhi to be crowned so they will reap the benefits. I don't know what lurks in the ocean that doesn't belong in it but I do know that something is."

"I believe you" Zasari said "And I know that you will find out what is happening" she said.

"It has the power to mess with the Queen's power, Zasari" Tunga said "She admits to it only affecting her broader communication but something is telling me that it's affecting her far more. What if we can not protect Odunda from this potential enemy?"