Just for Fins by Tera Lynn Childs Page B

in the formal dining chamber.”
    My contingent and I follow them into the palace. I’m in the lead, with a guard on either side. Then Peri between another pair, and Tellin between his. Finally, my last two guards bring up the rear. We’re quite a parade.
    We pass through the halls of the shipwreck, narrow passageways lined with saltwater-preserved wood and rusted hardware. Eventually we pass through a large opening—like a giant hole in the side of the ship—and into a more merlike structure. Carved from rock and reef, the heart of the Trigonum palace is not so different from my home in Thalassinia. Rounded halls and spiraling ramps. Pearl-crusted frames around mosaic portraits. But where everything in Thalassinia sparkles with gold and gems, the details here are more modest. It is apparent that Trigonum does not possess the wealth my kingdom does.
    I’m lucky to have been born into Thalassinia. I only hope I can help Trigonum in some small way and that I can convince them to help us in return.
    The guards stop in front of an open doorway and gesture us inside. There, at the head of a long black table, sits King Bostrych. When he sees me enter, his round, bearded face cracks into a broad smile.
    He has always reminded me of an old-time sea pirate. Tall and broad, with a round face and a big, bushy black beard. But always with a ready smile.
    Several other members of his household, his family and maybe some key staff, are seated around the table.
    â€œOho, Princess Waterlily, Prince Tellin,” he calls out with a laugh. “Please, come in and join us. The feast is just about to begin.”
    As if on cue, a trio of wait staff swims in with big dome-covered trays. They each take a position at the table and, in perfect synchronization, set down their trays and pull off the domes with a flourish.
    Each tray is filled with a bounty of fruits and vegetables, both sea grown and from land trading.
    I sense my guards staring eagerly at the offering. They are probably starving after the trip to Seaview and then the swim here. As much as I don’t want to impose, it’s lucky we arrived at dinnertime.
    â€œThank you, King Bostrych,” I say, smiling and nodding. “We appreciate your generosity.”
    â€œPosh,” he says, waving off my gratitude. “I doubt you swam all this way for dinner service. Come, sit at my side and let us discuss your purpose here.”
    Peri stays next to me as the Thalassinian and Acroporan guards take some of the open seats and quickly dig into the fresh feast before them. I nod at Peri, indicating she should join in as well—she must be just as hungry as the guards. But she shakes her head and comes with me as I swim nervously to the head of the table and take the seat to Bostrych’s right. Tellin takes the seat to his left.
    â€œDon’t be nervous, Princess,” he says as I sink into the chair. “I won’t be holding the events of the council meeting against you. Say your piece, and I will listen with an open mind.”
    I take a deep breath, clasp my hands tightly together in my lap, and begin.
    â€œAs you know, King Bostrych, I am concerned about the effects of ocean warming on the people and the kingdom of Acropora.”
    He nods at Tellin and then reaches out to grab a handful of sea grapes. “Made that clear at the council.”
    Tellin blushes, and I’m pretty sure I turn bright red too.
    King Bostrych pops a sea grape into his mouth and bites down. I take it as a good sign that he’s still smiling and hasn’t ordered me out of the room.
    â€œYes, well, after that meeting I realized that the problem is much bigger than Acropora.” I fidget with the hem of my tank top. “The environmental issues are affecting all the mer kingdoms in different ways.”
    â€œTrue enough,” he says after swallowing the sea grape. “We have our own problems here, to be sure.”
    â€œI know,”