Epsilon Blazing

Okay, here is the second chapter to my story.

Chapter Two A Promise
Epsilon found himself standing before the sea. He stared around him with awe. In all the great expanses of space he had been in, he had never seen such beauty. The moon cast a pearly light on the water, making the greenish blue silvery. Waves crashed softly on the sand, making a soft sssshhhhing noise. The whole world seemed asleep, and the stars twinkled softly far above.
He turned around, and saw a bunch of box shaped things behind him. He understood from all the new knowledge unfolding in his brain that these were houses, in which people slept. Sleep seemed like a good idea to him right now too, and he strode toward the town in hope of some one giving him a room for the night. A dark blue cloak had been added to the clothes he wore up in space, but the night was still chilly.
He knocked on the gate of a big house, and waited while he surveyed his surroundings. He was standing on the edge of the town square, which was ringed by large buildings. Little houses that weren’t much more then shacks grouped around the square, leaning away from the sea breeze. The house in front of Epsilon was practically covered by climbing ivy, giving it a jungle look. A stone wall wrapped around it, broken by two wooden gates.
“What do ya want?” A head in a big white night cap peeped out of the door, and the shrill voice came again. “Do ya want a room? If ya don’t, leave!”
“Can I please have a room?” Epsilon asked politely.
“Do you have money?” the lady sounded mistrusting. Epsilon thought about it for a moment. Money seemed to be what they traded everything for, and it was essential in most places. He felt in his pockets, and came out with a few small copper pieces.
“Will this do?” He asked, showing them to the lady.
“Oh certainly,” the lady said, sweetly now, coming out of the door and opening the gate. “You can pay for the night tomorrow. This is the best Inn in town! You won’t find better food anywhere else!”
“Thank you,” Epsilon murmured sleepily as she led the way to his room, still going on and on about the Inn. He collapsed on the bed as soon as she left, and shut his eyes wearily. What a day it had been…

“Lets go exploring today,” Coral suggested eagerly. Nadine and her were just drifting about lazily, and Coral was bored. “I feel like doing something new.”
“Exploring isn’t exactly new,” Nadine said. “We used to do it all the time.”
“I know, but I want to go farther then I’ve ever gone before!” Coral did a summersault in excitement. “We’ve never gone past those mountains,” she pointed towards the craggy rocks in the distance.
“Its dangerous over there,” Nadine said . “There are giant squids and sharks, and hungry clams,” A twinkle appeared in her eye. “Lets do it.”
Laughing, they swam towards the mountains. The water got darker the closer they came, and the mermaids got glimpses of strange creatures floating through the water. Soon their chatting stopped, but they continued on. Soon they reached the summit of the mountains and peered down the other side.
“Lets go back,” Coral said. “We’ve had our look. I don’t really feel like exploring any more.” Nadine agreed wordlessly as she turned hurriedly away from the murky blackness.
Before they had gotten farther then a few feet away, they heard a strangled cry. Turning around, they saw a fearsome battle taking place. A sperm whale and a giant squid were thrashing in the water, with the giant squid winning. It had all its tentacles around the whale’s neck, and the whale could not get free.
“We have to help!” Nadine shouted to Coral over the noise.
“If we try to, the squid will just turn on us!” Coral shrieked.
Nadine knew she couldn’t expect any help from Coral. Her mind was racing, trying to think what to do. ‘I won’t be any use if I’m in a panic,’ Nadine thought desperately. She took a deep breath, and let it out. Her mind calmed, and she focused on one thing that she hoped would work.
Nadine closed her eyes. All around her was water, water, and more water. In her mind she envisioned a block of it separate from the rest, and carefully she started easing it apart. Each layer she took off got thinner and thinner. She poured all her power into her final layer, which was thinner then paper. Opening her eyes, Nadine shot the sheet of water at the whale. It slipped beneath the Squids tentacles, loosening his hold. With a cry of relief, the whale shook the squid off of itself and surged upwards. The squid sank into darkness.
“Lets get out of here,” Nadine said to the amazed Coral, and swam upwards to the whale.
“How can I ever repay you?” the whale said joyously when they were a good distance away from the mountain. “You saved me.”
Nadine smiled. “There’s no need to repay me,” she said warmly. “Anyone else would of done the same thing.”
“Well, I’ll keep an eye on you. If you ever need help, I’ll be there.” And the whale swam off, relishing in his freedom.
The swim back to the palace was silent. When they were almost there, Coral broke out, “I’m sorry I didn’t help you. I was scared.”
“Its alright,” Nadine said. “I’m just glad you did suggest to go exploring.” And smiling, they swam off to play.

Sylvia and Adalia were in the petitioner’s room. There hadn’t been many people for Sylvia to see, so in the spaces between them Adalia would tell her things from her life in Grees.
“My parents were captured in a war,” Adalia said. “I was born in Grees, but I look very different from everyone there.” Just then the butler walked in.
“Excuse me,” he said stiffly. “Sir Demosthenes wishes to pay a call to her Royal Highness Sylvia Wentworth.”
“Show him in,” Sylvia sighed. Shortly, Sir Demosthenes entered.
“My lady,” he bowed.
“Sir Demosthenes,” Sylvia said, forcing a smile. “How nice to see you,”
“It is always the greatest pleasure,” Sir Demosthenes said, “To see your charming face.”
“Why don’t you sit down,” Sylvia said, interrupting his ardent stare at her. A footman appeared over her shoulder, offering a glass of wine.
“I have come,” he said once he had settled and taken some wine, “To propose something.”
“Most people do,” Sylvia said under her breath.
“A proposal of marriage,” he said grandly. Sylvia nearly choked on her drink. She had been expecting this, of course, but it was so early in his visit! Leaning forward, Sir Demosthenes said, “Not only would this allegiance strengthen both of our countries, as you know, I am a member of the Oligarchy, it would provide for you a husband and eventually an heir.”
Sylvia frowned. So he knew why she was accepting his visits all of a sudden. “Well, sir,” she said when it became clear that he expected an answer, “That would certainly work for both of us. I shall have to consider it.”
“My best of wishes to your thinking, then,” Sir Demosthenes said standing up. He bowed again and left. Sylvia smiled wanly and said,
“Adalia, I want you to tell me about Sir Demosthenes.”

KrazyKelia