Chapter 4
Early the following morning, Jaruwah arose early and urgently summoned his councillors to the formal chamber.
Arend took her usual place, right beside the king on one of the rocks that surrounded the massive rock table, and her hawk eyes scanned the area for clues as to the reason for the gathering of the council, which had been called without her prior knowledge. Why had she not been informed of this beforehand? Her anger wreathed inside her like coral reef snakes. Being left in the dark on any subject threatened to destroy the delicate veil hiding her evil core. She wheezed quickly and then squeezed her lips tightly together to conceal her unravelling irritation and simmering anger.
“I called you all here today to bear witness to the crowning of young Dowen as the new Prince of the sea – and your future king,” the king stated boldly.
Arend gasped out loud, which was now the only sound that dared penetrate the thick silence which cloaked the atmosphere like an almost tangible mist of unease.
This atmosphere lasted several awkward seconds before someone boldly stood up and cheered, “Blessed be the new prince, Prince Dowen!”
The silence was then pierced and everyone else, aside from Arend, stood up to cheer too.
Relieved at their acceptance of the new prince, Jaruwah lifted Dowen high into the air. This brought even louder cheers. Mermen born with golden hair was always a good omen, and now the much-needed omen was to be the prince of the sea. The face of fortune was at last smiling upon the mermen. Jaruwah was finally feeling hopeful for their future.
“You all knew Tendha and Ress well. I don’t think there was a merman among us who didn’t love them dearly. And they gave their lives for us. So, I have now taken on the responsibility of raising Dowen, their son, as my own. Although he is not from my loins, he is still of royal lineage, kin to me, so from this day forward, let it be told throughout the seven seas that Dowen is prince, son of mine, my true heir to the kingdom of the seas. Let no one say differently. Let no one reveal any other truth, especially not to Dowen. He must grow up believing that he is truly my son, the prince of the seas, for I so declare it.”
Another silence ensued; this time stifled with hesitancy encrusted with doubt.
Jaruwah sighed. “It’s for all our sakes. It’s for the sake of the sea. It’s for the sake of our continued existence and rule. Therefore, I must insist upon this,” the king tried to reason with them. “I need an heir, and Dowen is of royal blood, after all. This is the hand we have been dealt and I believe, it is the right thing to do,” the king tried to convince them. “Besides, he has golden hair. That is a good sign.”
Finally, the king’s decree was accepted, and cheers filled the chamber once more.
Jaruwah held the child close to his chest and peered into the young boy’s eyes. “These are our people, Dowen, and one day they will be your people to lead,” he told the three-year-old child. “It will be up to you to protect and guide them. Our future and our trust, as well as the responsibility of guarding and protecting all marine life, will be in your hands, Prince Dowen!”
“Prince Dowen!” Loud cheers echoed through the caves. They came up to bow to their new prince.
The mermen people respected their king and there was no doubt among the council members that all mermen would abide by his decision. All welcomed his decision, aside from one who cradled a child of jealousy within the rotten crib of her mind. I will not stand for this! Arend cursed silently. I will put an end to it if it’s the last thing I do. With her dark oath, she stealthily slipped out of the royal council chamber and away from the king and his joyful crowd of nitwit sea urchins. One day you will all bow down to me as your queen, she vowed. Just wait and see.
Copyright © 2022 Ursula Graetz
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