9 Part 9

Conch swims at full speed to a crepevine valley between his ship and the shark infested reef with his conch shell tied around his neck.it was dark, with only crepevine lanterns to light the murky waters. He will be hunting sharks at the reef and eels in the valley base for a while and this area is the best resource for meat. Despite it being so close to the city of Atlas. He locks his visual on the largest shark, takes his conchshell off his neck and lets it grow into a great axe with spikes as its blades. As soon as he gets ready to attack it, he noticed its swim pattern changed.

It's a attention shifted to something below the swarm. He sees two eels dancing around wildly near a large coral pipe at the edge of a hill trying to knock it over. It was just high enough to brake it and damage whatever was inside. He seems to be in a hunters circle. He was after a shark that was after the eels that are after something in the coral pipe. Whatever the circumstance, he felt like luck just turned for the better for him. He licks his hungry lips ready to jump, until he notices a large tailfin in the pipe. The color of it said it wasn't a local fin. He immediately thought who the fin belonged to and didn't like the thought. At least he gets a big meal to share with Coral.

The eels knock over the pipe, the shark dives for the attack. Conch used the pipe as a signal as well and heads straight for the sharks head, slicing it off and letting it fall on the two eels trapping them under it as he continues toward the pipe. He catches it before it hit the ground below. He heard a small shriek from inside it. Conch sets the pipe down, takes hold of the fin inside and pulls on it. As he suspected, it was Zui. She was holding two small clamshells tightly in her arms as she squeals from the surprise.

Conch-

How did I figure? I almost thought you'd be breakfast for next morning, lady.

Zui-

Z-Zui! I'm Zui.

Conch-

Whatever. I thought the bigger the fin, the faster the fish. What gives?

Zui-

I went to the kingdom, but it seems I am not welcome anymore. One of the councilmen said something about my family not being needed now that I am presumed dead. He had a mean look on his face saying it, so I assumed he was the reason I was alone.

Conch-

. . . . Sorry I asked. Can't really tell you much but to prove him wrong instead of swimming for it.

Zui-

I did. My family was pleased to see me alive and well. Thanks to you of course.

Conch-

Uh-huh.

The moment she relaxed, he let her drop to the ground.

Zui-

Eep!?

Conch-

So who or what the hell told you it was alright to swim around shark reef at night.

Zui-

Ow... you sounded like you were going to leave the area you were in. So I thought I would give you something to at least thank you before you left.

Conch-

Again it's dark. Every nocturnal carnivore is looking for a gullible weakling to swim by for a midnight snack.

Zui-

I didn't know when you would leave! And I figure an escort would be out of the question if I saw you again.

Conch-

...Fair. But no thanks. I told you I didn't want anything out of helping you. It was just guilty conscience like I said.

Zui-

You also said it was up to me to fine you. Yet here we are by chance that i can actually see you here near Atlas of all places.

Conch-

It's called sarcasm. Don't look for me. I got enough problems just for being a pod. I don't need a fish from some high sea kingdom stalking me too.

Zui-

I'm not stalking you!

Conch-

You're getting there. Now stay home and leave me be.

Zui-

Wait!

Conch swim back to the shark head and eels, leaving Zui at the bottom of the hill.

Zui-

At least take the shell.... Aw.