Just for Fins by Tera Lynn Childs Page A

answers. “That’s how the Trigonum Vortex got its reputation. But supposedly they are happening more frequently. And with greater intensity.”
    The waters of Thalassinia are relatively calm. Other than the occasional hurricane that churns the surface but leaves the depths undisturbed, we don’t have many natural disasters. It must be stressful to live somewhere where they happen all the time.
    â€œThat information helps a lot, Peri,” I say as we continue our northerly swim. “I’m sure it will help to go in knowing some of what’s going on.”
    She swims close to my side. “I thought so.” She tucks the folder of kelpaper notes into the messenger bag slung across her body. “I’m glad I could help.”
    I take her hand.
    â€œIt definitely helps to have my best friend at my side.”
    We swim along in silence, and I let my attention drift to the world around me. Everything is quite still. There are few fish in the stream of the faster-than-usual current. I glance up. I can see far above, just beneath the surface, the hulls of several boats. From this distance I can’t tell if they are pleasure boats or commercial fishing boats or even scientific expeditions.
    As I watch, something splashes into the water next to one of the boats ahead of us. A trail of bubbles spirals down, falling just in front of the lead guard as we pass. I crane my head down to see where the object lands, and when it does, I’m appalled to see that it’s a glass bottle.
    â€œGross,” Peri says, seeing the same thing.
    I shake my head. “Why would anyone think they can use the ocean as a trash can?”
    â€œSome people just don’t think about it all,” she says.
    Sad but true.
    Even sadder, as we swim by, I see the seaweed forest along the ocean floor littered with all kinds of human trash. Shopping bags, tangled-up fishing line, even a big, bright-blue plastic barrel. It’s awful.
    â€œThis is where we change course, Princess,” Captain Frater says. He makes a quick hand gesture, and the school of guards turns as one and sets a course to the east.
    We’ve kept pretty near the shore until now, for more than two hours. With the magical boost to the Gulf Stream from Daddy’s trident—just one of the royal powers that comes with being king—the complete journey only takes us a little over three hours. We’re swimming to a stop in front of the palace before I know it.
    Peri takes her position as emissary very seriously and insists on being the one to officially announce our presence. She swims up to the front, which looks to the human eye like an abandoned shipwreck, and clangs the bell on the stern of the ship. Within moments, a pair of uniformed guards, wearing the dark teal and gray colors of Trigonum, slide open a hidden steel door.
    â€œWho calls?” one of them asks.
    â€œCrown Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia,” Peri replies. “She seeks an audience with the king.”
    The two guards, twins, look at me and nod.
    â€œPlease come in, Princess,” one says. “Prince Tellin is waiting for you.”
    The other adds, “We will notify King Bostrych immediately.”
    â€œThank you,” I say, trying to sound regal. “Please tell his highness it is a matter of some urgency.”
    â€œYes, Princess.”
    With that, they leave us in the entry hall as they go to inform the king. Tellin and a single pair of Acroporan guards are waiting there, too.
    â€œAre you ready?” Tellin asks with a nervous smile.
    The message I sent him, asking him to meet me here today, outlined the basics of my plan. He knows what we’re asking for and what the next steps are.
    â€œAbsolutely,” I say, more confidently than I feel.
    â€œHis Highness King Bostrych of Trigonum,” one of the twin guards announces as they both swim back into the hall, “invites you and your contingent to dine with him