"Abijam, I think we might have to go on land."
Abijam floated in place, utterly stunned. "On L-land?" he managed to ask, his voice shaking with disbelief.
After a moment of contemplation, Ambudhi let out a deep breath and nodded. "Yes. I feel that's the most effective way to locate your sister."
Abijam groaned. Why does Arieshell always get herself in these types of situations? He knew the reason and knew it well. She desired empowerment.
"France," he whispered, "The mermaid said she heard a man yell the phrase 'set the sails for France.' Could that be where Arieshell is?"
"Indeed, my son."
"Why now? Why are you willing to go on land?"
"It's hard to understand what it truly means to be a father until you experience it yourself, Abijam," Ambudhi responded with a hint of sorrow.
Taken aback, Abijam hid his face, ashamed of his words toward his father. He sensed a regretful feeling wash over him as if he was deemed guilty for questioning his father's choices.
"How are we going to know which direction France is?"
"Simple, I've seen ships that have a flag with three vertical bands colored blue, white, and red. We can sneak on board and go from there."
Abijam shook his head, understanding his father's words.
"Should we let the senators know?" he asked.
The sound of a trumpet played as Sentator Bay and Senator Jewel entered the throne room. They both bowed in respect of King Ambudhi and Prince Abijam.
"Your Highness. We escorted the young mermaid out of the palace," declared Bay.
"Did you discuss a plan with Abijam?" asked Jewel.
"Yes," replied Ambudhi.
"What did you two come up with?" inquired Bay.
"Father wants to sneak on a ship," answered Abijam.
Jewel cocked her head. "Really, and what's your plan on how to get on board the ship?"
"We will use our god-like powers to turn our tails into legs," replied Ambudhi.
"I hope you know what you are doing," said Bay.
Early that morning, Abijam, Ambudhi, Bay, and Jewel emerged from the water, looking for ships with the French flag. As Abijam looked out at the vast ocean expanse, he shielded his eyes from the bright sun.
The seagulls swooped down in search of their next meal as the waves gently rolled and crashed against the large rocks. As they gazed towards the horizon, ominous dark clouds began to gather, their arrival announcing their presence with a booming thunder that echoed in the distance.
"I'm not sure if ships will be out on the water with a storm coming in," expressed Abijam.
"We need to try," replied Ambudhi.
Raindrops fell on the ocean's surface as the King, Prince Abijam, and the senators dove back into the water. Their tails moved swiftly behind them, forming little splashes behind their path. Abijam caught a flash of lightning in the corner of his eye.
A massive splash of bubbles emerged in their route. A school of fish quickly swam past them in the opposite direction where the splash was caused. This is not good. Abijam felt a pit in his stomach.
He knew if they crossed paths with a school of fish, that meant trouble was near. They swam further as dead sea plants greeted them. The group made it to the Fishing Grounds. Or what Abijam likes to call them, the Hunting Grounds.
"Are you sure you want to do this? This could be risky," questioned Bay.
"This is for Arieshell," Ambudhi responded calmly.
Abijam wanted to choke after hearing his father's words. It's a death wish if they continue past this point. Arieshell was quite brave if she succeeded in her plan of leaving the ocean. Was it ever planned?
As the group resumed swimming further into the fishing areas, Abijam saw the hull of a fishing ship in the distance. His heart started to race. He had never been near a boat or not that Abijam recalled.
He flinched. Abijam spun around to see his father grasping his shoulder.
"Don't be afraid."
Abijam examined his father's eyes. He felt comforted by his words. Just as he was about to speak, there was a sudden splash from the left side of the ship.
"Your Highness, come see this," expressed Bay.
Both Abijam and Ambudhi swam where Bay and Jewel were hovering. An oversized and heavy fishing net drifted down on the ocean floor.
Jewel expressed her disappointment, "It's disheartening to see them already going after sea life."
Bay put an arm around Jewel, soothing her.
"We can't go into the net," expressed Ambudhi.
"What should we do then?" asked Abijam.
"Find an open window or a crevice that we can sneak in," replied Ambudhi.
Bay and Jewel floated up on the surface. Abijam followed them and looked up at the giant ship. Abijam narrowed his eyes and noticed an immense flag hanging high on the stern. Three vertical lines. This must be what Father was describing.
"Do you see an entrance anywhere?" asked Abijam.
He examined the massive boat. Abijam looked up, his eyes drawn to the sleek hull of the ship, and noticed a bump-out in the back. His body shifted naturally towards the bump-out, catching Abijam's eye with its ornate window adorned in shimmering gold designs.
He extended his hand to outline the window until he noticed an open gap. His smile was like a sudden beam of sunlight. A flapping sound caused Abijam to flinch. As he glanced downward, his eyes caught a glimpse of a robust rope dangling in the depths of the water.
Abijam's eyes sparkled with delight as he swam nearer to the rope. He grasped the coarse and tattered rope. It had a prickly texture that Abijam didn't recognize. The middle-aged merman yanked the material to test its resilience.
"Do you think it can hold?" asked Ambudhi.
Analyzing one last time, Abijam shook his head. "I believe it can. The rope seems sturdy enough we could climb up it to get into that opened window."
"We will be here to assist you two as much as you need," stated Bay.
"The only assistance we need is for you guys to be near if anything dangerous comes," suggested Abijam.
"We will have your back."
Abijam nodded. He glanced up as he held the rope in his hand. The wind blew viciously in Abijam's face as he looked up at the window and back to the cord. Oh, Arieshell, what have you done to us? Abijam whispered under his breath.
"Abijam, your fins," said Ambudhi.
Abijam focused on his tail. He hesitated for a second, then waved his hand across the lower half of his body. A cloud of mist and water gathered around his waist and fins. He anticipated the drastic feeling and took a long-awaited breath.
Abijam carefully moved his new legs after the transformation. He felt a shock run through his body. The vigorous energy was like a shock of lightning coursing through Abijam's veins.
The man clenched the rope, attempting to hold himself. The tense feeling overwhelmed the shocked and scared Prince.
"Abijam! Are you alright?"
He heard his father's concerned voice in the back of his mind. Abijam never witnessed his father in a worried manner before. He tried to speak, but only his saliva came out.
"Abijam! Talk to me!" yelled Ambudhi.
"I c-can't feel m-my legs! It feels like knives."
Ambudhi placed his hand on Abijam's shoulder. "Don't worry. The feeling will pass."
"Why didn't you explain that I would feel excruciating pain?"
"I never anticipated you or your sister to use your powers."
"You didn't realize Arieshell was clever enough to know her divine powers?"
Abijam narrowed his eyebrows and swiftly climbed up the rope. He considered possibilities of how Areishell could discover her divine powers. Did she know all along and not tell him, or was it an instinct she needed to use abruptly? He heard his father's muffled voice.
Abijam assumed it was his father's response but did not want to continue the conversation. His mind and body ached as Abijam tried to use his remaining energy to pull himself up the rope.
Finally, Abijam managed to grasp the window sill and heave himself up. At first, he thought he could successfully get over the obstacle, but he stumbled and collapsed onto the floor of the captain's cabin.
"Abijam! Are you hurt?"
Abijam leaned on his left forearm and adjusted his body into a sitting position.
"I'm fine," he paused, "Just weak, that's all."
After a minute, Abijam saw his father gracefully maneuver into the room and around him. Abijam felt a tight grip under his arms. He attempted to speak, but his father swiftly lifted him by his arms and set him down. He felt an object of soft and cozy material underneath him.
Abijam looked down at his hands and new legs. His face flushed a bright red once he realized he had no clothes. I'm bare. His thoughts were interrupted by Ambudhi throwing a sailor's suit. He glanced at the material and gave his father a confused expression.
"Put that on. We need to blend into the environment," stated Ambudhi.
"Can I have a minute to compose myself?"
"Sure, but please don't take too long because we don't know when the captain will enter."
Abijam nodded. He observed his father go behind a wooden wall. His father returned shortly after and cautiously peered out the door.
Ambudhi turned to face Abijam.
"I am going to sneak out. You can get dressed behind that wall. Please be careful, and don't take too long."
"I will try my best."
Ambudhi jerked his head and slowly crept to the door. He turned and peered over at Abijam. He gave him a reassuring smile before making his way outside the exit. Abijam fiddled with his fingers. He couldn't help but glance at the uniform. I feel like a child despite being hundreds of years old.
Abijam gradually stood up. His body felt noodley and unbalanced but Abijam was determined to finish their task of locating his sister and bring her back where she belonged... the sea. He dragged his legs over to a curtain chained to the wall. Abijam grabbed the silky material and closed it.
He lifted the uniform to his face. He cocked his head, perplexed about how to put it on. Abijam's heart raced as he strained to listen. Suddenly, a jarring noise echoed through the room after an eternity of silence. Heavy, booted footsteps thundered against the wooden planks of the ship, causing Abijam's nerves to jump. He sensed that something was approaching, but he wasn't prepared to face it.
Abijam held his breath as he heard the doorknob turning. The door creaked open, putting the merman in a stiff position. Why did I agree to this? Abijam's heart pounded. He counted the seconds as he heard the captain scouring around the room. What is he searching for?
Without warning, Abijam's grip on his uniform tightened as the captain stumbled and bumped into the chair where he had been sitting just moments before.
"Did I move that there? I swore that chair wasn't in that spot before."
Abijam peeked through the curtain as sweat ran down his forehead. He witnessed the captain open a cabinet and retrieve an aged paper. What's that for, I wonder? Abijam felt relieved when the man left.
As soon as Abijam slipped into the crisp uniform, he pulled back the curtain. He stepped out and collected himself once more. That was a close one.
The sound of the door opening startled Abijam. He looked up to see his father taking a deep breath.
"I was concerned that the captain had seen you because you were taking a long time to get ready."
"It's not easy for me to act like I'm not in pain, father. Please forgive me."
"We should go before he comes back."
Abijam nodded in agreement.
Abijam watched as his father quietly turned the old metal knob after waiting for a few seconds. He motioned to Abijam to go outside.
As he gingerly placed his foot onto the ship's deck, a wave of salty sea breeze rushed into his nostrils, filling him with excitement about this adventure. Abijam's mind went wild as he realized the numerous stories he could share with the senators.
However, one question ate away at him. Why couldn't they experience what humans experience? The men aboard had a carefree sense about them that compelled Abijam to desire to understand better.
Drops of rain splashed on Abijam's hand. He spun his body as the light sprinkles became heavier and the sea tides became more coarse. As Abijam took a deep breath, he was hit with the invigorating scent of the salty ocean air.
"At least I can feel more at home," Abijam lingered, "for now."
Abijam jumped as thunder growled in the distance. He heard the captain bark commands at his crew. As the sailors dashed to their respective posts, Abijam tried to blend in with the crowd of hard-working sailors.
Abijam looked around, hoping to catch sight of the rough waves. He considered using his powers to calm the tumultuous waters. Suddenly, he heard a loud crack as lightning struck a wooden beam, causing it to slam into Abijam's head.
Abijam slowly opened his eyes to find his father attempting to revive him, his voice echoing in Abijam's head as the sunlight blinded him. As he struggled to regain consciousness, a warm and reassuring hand gently lifted him.
"Where are we?" He managed to spit out.
"Take it easy, son," responded Ambudhi.
"We are at the docks in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France. Monsieur," stated the captain.
"France, you mean-"
"Yes, Abijam. We made it!" exclaimed Ambudhi.
As Abijam rose to his feet, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He gazed around the bustling docks, his eyes scanning each ship's name with keen interest. Prince Abijam burst into laughter and danced as he saw the last ship. That's the one!
"That's the ship," he said, pointing to it, "That's Sparrow!"