SEA MONKEYS part 4

Copyright (c) 2019 by Randall R. Peterson ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This is a work of fiction. All persons, locations and actions are from the author's imagination or have been used in a fictitious manner.

SEA MONKEYS

Part 4

By R. Peterson

Benny hid behind swaying clumps of kelp, as legions of Groma emerged from the secret passage. The underwater army moved past mountains of darkened Tresto that had been stripped from the tunnel walls by the treasonous Lagene, toward the city of Tenellis. Most of the insect-like invaders carried shocking sticks and a battalion of sea-horses pulled even larger weapons plus a few thing covered by woven tarps. The Sea Monkey’s sleeping castle shimmered in the far distance - an emerald jewel waiting to be captured on the ocean floor.

It was too late to warn the Eiriol. Tanwen said he was suffering from a disease and unless he went home he’d die there and be stuck in this world forever. Benny was halfway through the darkened passage when he stopped. An image of cranky Mrs. Wrachen ordering him to re-mow her weed-infested lawn made him turn back. These underwater creatures were his only real friends.

The invisible Moonraker attached to the lower half of his face allowed Benny to breathe underwater but he still exhaled carbon dioxide. Benny moved through the thickest kelp forests so that the oxygen bubbles produced by the plants would disguise his breathing. Brilliant colored schools of phytoplankton waggled past like small fishes attesting to his tiny size. He watched from behind a half-buried conch shell as the vast army assembled themselves around the castle walls. Why don’t these creatures just swim over the ramparts? Benny wondered.

His question was answered a moment later when a small group of Groma, obviously sent as spies, swam just above the castle walls and were instantly sent hurtling to the ocean surface by a tremendous blast of bubbles. The Eiriol were using stored oxygen as a type of underwater bomb. At least my friends know their enemies are near!

Lagene and her followers approached and Benny was sure he was going to be caught. Luckily they stopped just before they reached the place where he was hidden.

A squadron of Groma removed one of the tarps covering a train of underwater platforms attacked to the sea horses and Benny gasped. The head of a monstrous Olive Sea Snake strained against the cords tying it to the sleighs. The laughter of Lagene could be heard as she rallied her troops. “The venom from my captive pet as it pokes its snout into the castle windows will stun all of Queen Palmer’s defenders. Then they will be eaten at her leisure.” Most of the two hundred treasonous Eiriol warriors surrounding Lagene cheered.

Benny had never heard the Eiriol queen’s name before but it was familiar. His mind searched his past for recognition … but that world seemed a lifetime ago.

“What is to prevent this sea snake from devouring us once her supply of castle defenders is exhausted?” one of the captains asked.

“We’ve woven clothes out of Water Hemlock,” Lagene boasted. “We’ll dress the last of my pet’s meals in them when she is no longer needed. Once the snake has been fed it will die soon after!”

“What fools have you deceived into releasing the hungry sea snake before the castle walls?” the same captain took a step back.

Lagene pointed to a handful of her followers removing the tarps from the end of the train. They were too far away to hear her. “A few of my followers believe this operation is the queen’s plan to destroy the Groma. When you joined my command you all swore to gives your lives for me …” Lagene smiled wickedly. “Let some of these oaths now be fulfilled!”

Benny gasped as he stared at the doomed warriors removing the tarps … Glayelda was among them.

-------2-------

            Benny moved through the kelp forest until he was beside Glayelda. “You’re in great danger?” he whispered.

Glayelda gasped. “Benny! I thought you went home!”

            “You’re helping Lagene and she plans to betray the queen and capture the castle!”

Glayelda looked at Benny strangely then whispered. “Follow me and don’t let anyone see you. There is something you have to see…”

Benny followed Glayelda to the edge of a deep ravine. She pointed to the bottom and Benny stood on the edge and looked down. A large clam shell was just starting to close. “They open every three times a day,” she said. “You should be safe inside!” And then she pushed him.

-------3-------

            Eight hours later the shell opened and Benny was able to escape. He made his way back to where Lagene and her army had prepared to attack the castle. There were signs that a tremendous battle had taken place. Broken weapons lay on the ocean floor around the bodies of slain Groma, Eiriol and others. The Olive Sea Snake lay next to a pile of half eaten clothing made of hemlock.

            Benny searched through the carnage until he found Glayelda and she was still alive but just barely. “Tanwen and the queen have both suspected Lagene’s treachery for some time,” Glayelda gasped. “The Groma knew about the secret entrance and the city of Tenellis had to be abandoned. I came here with a few others to give the Eiriol a chance to escape.”

Benny tried to help her but he knew her life was slipping away. “Where did they go?” he asked.

Glayelda could no longer speak but she gestured with her hand. “West,’ she whispered.

Moments later she died in Benny’s arms.

-------4-------

            Benny buried Glayelda and the Eiriol he could find under some large rocks so that their bodies would not be eaten by scavengers. He spent almost an entire day searching the empty city of Tenellis without finding anyone. He turned and with tears floating around his face took one last look at the glimmering green castle nestled under the American Continental shelf …

… and then he began his journey to the west.

THE END ???