“This is the main entrance for all visitors to come through so they can address Poseidon about the reason for their trip into his kingdom, at least for those who can breathe air; others wait until Poseidon fills this room with water to speak to him. Granted he knows the minute we came into his territory, but not why and who exactly. So we wait here until he comes in,” Proteus explains to me.
I walk over to the dome wall and feel the texture; it’s like a rubber and moves to the touch, not much but it gives at pressure. “One of Poseidon’s creations, it has some give to it but cannot be broken unless he wants it to be.”
“It’s amazing. I have never seen it before and it is so clear like glass you can see out or in.”
He laughs at my comment. I turn to see why.
“This is your first trip to Poseidon’s realm, I gather.” I nod at his statement. “Have you ever met Poseidon before?”
I shake my head no.
The corner of his mouth lifts, he just nods with that smirk, “Well, all I can say is, you will be surprised, young one.”
Suddenly, we hear someone break through the water pool behind us. I swivel quickly, drawing my sword at the same time. I feel Proteus lay his hand on my shoulder.
“Be calm, it is all right,” he assures, then addresses the newcomer. “Delphine, I am glad to see you. Are you just arriving or have you been here?”
I watch as this Delphine comes completely out of the water shaking Proteus’s hand.
“No, I have just arrived. I received a note from a concerned friend who wanted me to come because of the rumors of war and people that are considering which side they will join.”
“Ah, so Poseidon is still being stubborn, and Leia is still the smart one,” Proteus laughs. I see Delphine nod his head to Proteus’s comment.
“That sums it up, but that is between us. She wouldn’t want Poseidon to know she reached out for reinforcements,” Delphine tells Proteus.
“No worries, I won’t say anything.”
“So, who might you be?” Delphine asks me as he turns to me with an outstretched hand.
“My name is Tane, I am Taniwha. I have come to help stand with Poseidon.” I figured I might as well get it all out there.
Delphine smiles at me. “Glad to meet you, and happy you have come to help. Even though Poseidon will say he doesn’t need it, the rest of us will be happy you are here.”
I nod my head in acknowledgment, then I hear the big double doors behind us open. We turn to see a man, not much older than me from his appearance, with blond hair cut short and a short blond beard enter the room. He must be close to seven and a half feet tall. I am not short by any means, but I am about half a foot shorter than him. He also exudes power and strength that makes it feel like he is ten feet in height. I wonder who this man is as he walks up to Proteus and Delphine, then I hear his booming voice for the first time.
“Delphine, Proteus! Old friends, so good to see you. What are you both doing here?”
“Poseidon, it’s great to see you again. Can’t friends drop in and see how you are?” Proteus says.
About this time, my brain is catching up and realizing that the one that looks closer to my age is Poseidon. All the mortals’ statues and drawings resemble Proteus more than the actual Poseidon. He could walk among mortals and they wouldn’t know who he was.
“Who might this young one be?” Poseidon asks, as he walks up and raises his hand to shake mine.
“Poseidon, I am Tane.” I bow my head over our handshake, honored to be in his company. Being this close to him, I can feel his power radiating from him.
“Tane, have you come for help? Is there something I can do for you?”
“No sir, I have come to help in whatever way I can with the threat that is against you and your kingdom,” I tell him honestly.
He raises his eyebrow at me, then turns to look at Proteus and Delphine. “Is that why you two have come as well?”
Delphine steps closer, “Sire, we all know you can handle threats against you on your own. We have come to help back you and keep those in your realm safe and protected.”
I can see Poseidon’s eyebrow raise higher at what Delphine says; I can also see he is about to tell us all to go home when Proteus moves up closer to Poseidon.
“Old friend, I have seen what is coming. You will need all the allies you can get in this upcoming battle.”
Poseidon looks deeply into Proteus’s eyes. “Show me?” He holds out his hand to Proteus, who clasps their hands together. Poseidon closes his eyes as Proteus’s eyes roll back until all you can see is the white of them. After only a moment or so, they drop hands and Poseidon opens his eyes, his mouth locked tight, and I see the muscle twitch in his jaw.
He turns to all of us, “Welcome, and thank you for coming, gentlemen, you are welcome here in my home.”
I hear the purr of a voice come from the pool of water, “Is there no welcome for me as well?”
We all turn and see a golden blond beauty step out of the water, and she is immediately covered in a sheer white flowing gown with a gold headpiece holding back some of her hair. Poseidon walks up to her as if in a trance. With shock written across his face, he grabs both of her biceps and pulls her into his arms. “Does this mean you missed me?” she purrs to Poseidon.
He pulls back and looks at her with longing I would not have thought to see from a strong god like Poseidon.
“I have missed you every day you have been gone. If I knew a war would bring you back, I would have started one myself ages ago.” He told her with all sincerity in his voice. She laughs at his comment, brushing it away as if he was joking, but by the look in his eyes, I think he was serious.
“Come, let us get something to refresh you,” Poseidon tells her. It’s as if the other three of us in the room no longer exist. I look to Delphine, and he has a smile on his face. I look over at Proteus, wondering his reaction to this. He just smirks and shakes his head, telling me not to ask.
Poseidon and the woman drift off.
“You had a hand in this, didn’t you, Delphine?” Proteus asks him.
Delphine just shrugs his shoulders and starts to exit the room. I follow behind Proteus since I have no idea where we are going or what is going to happen next.
Chapter 3
Leia
As I am sitting in my water chamber letting my tail soak up some saltwater, I hear the door to my main chamber open and close. I immediately know it’s Natal from the soft patter of feet as she comes running in.
“Guess what, my little messenger returned and told me he delivered the message and waited just in case Delphine had one in return. He said as soon as he finished reading it, Delphine turned into his dolphin form and disappeared so fast he couldn’t track him. I have a feeling Delphine is already here or will be at any moment,” she tells me.
“Did you thank your messenger for the speedy delivery?” I ask her.
“Of course. I kissed his other cheek and I swear he will never wash his face again.” She laughs.
I roll my eyes, because she is probably right on that account. Hopefully Delphine can find a few people to help with this upcoming war. The gods know my father would keep me in the dark about the situation until all hell breaks loose. It helps to have a friend like Natal that can get any info she wants out of a man here. They can’t help but to tell her anything she desires.
“Any other news that you have heard from your many admirers?”