Chapter 17 - Reactions

Chapter 17

Reactions

While going through the town with Rimulus, Amelia couldn't keep track on where she wanted to focus. She glanced at each stand that was filled with trade goods, jewelry, items that were unfamiliar, and much more. It reminded her of a bazaar of some sorts. She took a keen interest into learning and began speaking to Rimulus again.

"Do they barter here? Or do they just have some sort of currency here?"

"It depends on each town. This one I see they do both. They trade and pay with money, but I've rarely seen anyone pay with money since currency is kind of rare,"

"What do you mean?"

"Each of the towns throughout the entire ocean has not had a stable currency or treasury system since the fall of the royal family over a thousand years. Actually, I take that back. There was another royal family, but that family dispersed since the last mer that was supposed to take the throne abdicated and wanted to live in the human world. Sadly, the previous king did not prepare so there was an economic fallout once again,"

"How long ago was that?"

"Nearly a decade ago,"

"Wow, I didn't realize that the economic and civilized structure was unstable,"

"That's why you see packs roam throughout each town to take what they want. There's sadly no set of law around here for that time,"

"But they look so happy and peaceful, how can it be so bad?"

"That's because one of the packs hadn't touched this one in either a long time or they haven't made it this far yet,"

"Now I see what Allura was talking about saying we were brought here for a reason, it's for people like them," Amelia said while looking at the mer smiling and greeting one another.

Amelia looked around once more and she began to draw into the conversations the merpeople were having. Some she could hear them speak English, some with Latin, and some with other languages as well mixed in. She heard some merchildren playing in the distance. Before becoming overwhelmed with the noises of each conversation, Rimulus got her attention once more.

"My lady!"

Amelia swiftly turned her head towards him.

"Is something the matter?" Rimulus asked waiting on her answer.

"No, I...I'm fine, are there any libraries around here?"

"There is one outside of this town. Are you wanting to start with the tutoring?"

"Yes, I believe we should get started. I know little, but I still need to learn how to converse with it."

"Of course, my lady. Shall I lead the way?"

"Sure, thank you,"

Rimulus and Amelia began their way to the library where Rimulus stated there was one. They began swimming into some more rocks as they exited the town to head to their next destination. The current was steady and warm making the travel easier and more comfortable for any mer to commute.

Back in a town of Oceano, Meredith was escorted by some villagers from the town the girls rushed to in order to see what was happening. They ended up getting involved in a matter which they made a daring rescue even though not hearing Allura's warnings she gave to Amelia. The elder merman, who tried restraining Lynae to go near the fire, invited Lynae and Meredith for dinner as gratitude for the actions they displayed going out of their way helping one of his fellow neighbor's family in a grave situation.

Meredith entered the home looking around not knowing how to act but also trying to find her sister as well.

"You made it back," Lynae said with relief.

"Mind telling me what's going on?" Meredith asked her.

"My apologies for the suddenness of the request of your presence, my dear. However, I wanted to thank you properly on behalf of the town of Hikiana for that daring rescue and standing up for my neighbors with those pack members." The elder said bowing his head.

"It's nothing, we were just passing through," Meredith said humbly.

"Don't be so modest. Your courage and your sister's miraculous talent is what kept a mother and child alive today. Please have a seat, make yourself comfortable, you are my guests." The elder said while bringing a plate of assorted edibles.

The girls looked at each other not knowing what that was on the plate, but they knew they had to eat it in order to not offend him. They squeamishly took each edible and placed it gracefully in their mouths. Then they slowly chewed the slimy substance while taking a big gulp to swallow it.

Some of the edibles tasted familiar to the girls and wasn't as bad as the first bite they had. Some they never saw it before and it tasted interestingly satisfying to their taste buds. Then taking a break from snacking on the delicacies, Lynae began speaking to the elder.

"So what do you go by here? Mister..."

"Aberdeen," he answered.

"Aberdeen, how long have you lived here?"

"All of my life. I take it you're not from the Oceano Polynesia region, are you?"

"No, how did you know?" Lynae asked.

"The way how you eat the different appetizers, you're not acquired to the taste of conger eel I take it?" Aberdeen smirked.

"No, but it's interestingly appetizing," Lynae tried to lie.

"You don't need to lie in front of me, child. Most of the natives don't like conger eel anyway," Aberdeen chuckled.

"Are the mother and baby going to be okay?" Lyn asked.

"I talked with Mizuko a little bit, he said they'll be alright, they're much grateful for what you did for them. There's something that's on my mind whilst observing what you did there."

"What's that?"

"Are you by any chance related to Princess Eira?"

"No, what makes you think that?"

"You have the same ability her royal highness did so many years ago. That kind of power does not exist for any reason nor does it share any common ground with us merfolk. The only explanation I could have is that if you were a direct descendant or possibly distant relation to her. When the mer called you venefica, I knew instantly you weren't because even sorceresses couldn't naturally contain that kind of power without some kind of powerful spell."

"I'm sorry, you got the wrong person. I somehow ended up with these powers, I'm not related to her in any way,"

"Such a shame, and to think I thought you came back to get rid of those ruffians from causing such terror and destruction among our town. Who knows, maybe take back your rightful place on the throne of Arktis."

"Look, we just did what we thought was right, we're not your guardian angels or anything. We must be going. Thank you for the meal." Lynae excused herself with Meredith following her.

While exiting the home of Aberdeen, Meredith began speaking.

"Shouldn't we try to help ward off any more attacks of the pack?"

"We already did too much as it is, we need to get home now," Lynae demanded.

"But I-"

"Now!" Lynae said in a firm tone.

Meredith huffed in annoyance thinking that she was trying to avoid the situation. She also remembered that threat she gave to one of the mermen that offered her a position in their pack. She wanted to desperately help the town folk so bad with their situation and to see the pack stop harassing into giving into their wants and desires.

However, she knew she couldn't argue with the curfew her father Hank had placed for the girls especially with school coming back in a few days from now. It would be her first day in high school and juggling down this secret life would determine to be a challenge for not only herself but for her sister as well. Lynae had a lot on her plate with college on her mind, and the fact that she was in this situation as well. She felt as if her future was being flushed from her because of some legend.

They headed back to shore. They dried off under their secret pier and headed back in human form. Both of the girls didn't talk to each other for the rest of the night.