The Glimmering Sea

CHAPTER TWELVE

The waters of la Laguna were shallower compared to the Gulf of Venice and were protected by islands striped north to south, long and narrow like eels. As they swam from the lagoon into the Gulf, Armida had to admit, to herself at least, Erastus was charming and pleasant when she had wanted him to be disagreeable and dull. She had wanted to dislike him.

Erastus turned to Armida. ≈Parts of Marea are rather beautiful. Don't mistake my meaning; Thalassa is also wonderful. But it is deeper in the Aegeano, so the sunlight is dimmer.≈

≈I always thought, in the darkness of the water, it would be less...and...well, you...I mean...≈

Erastus had a laugh that enchanted Armida. ≈Are you saying I'm quite bright?≈

Armida ducked her chin in embarrassment. ≈Honestly, yes. I have never seen oranges altogether like your scales. Oranges and reds are rare. Of course, they do offer protection from those predators colorblind to you.≈ She didn't mention the iridescent purple of his eyes because it was difficult to reflect on them. Not without feeling unsteady, a sensation similar to her disorientation the first time she'd tried to walk on the Isolotto di Nuovi.

They swam past the Watcher Station because Armida wanted to show him the area beyond Marea, which seemed quite small to her while with a more traveled companion.

≈Is Thalassa much larger than Marea?≈

≈Oh, yes. Where you have a handful of networked caves, we have spread throughout the Aegeano. The land between our two colonies, Terre dell' Est is a shorter, bulkier shape than the long, narrow Terre dell' Ovest bordering Marea to the west. We have many islands and fragrant, soothing waters. Maybe you will visit someday.≈

As they turned back, Armida heard familiar clicks and squeals ≈Do you have dolphins in Thalassa? These two coming toward us are my friends Nudger and Warbler.≈

≈How delightful you have named them, but how can you call them friends? Other sea creatures are not like merfolk. They lack minds as we have.≈

The dolphins came no closer. Armida heard whispers in her mindpath.

≈Armida, we do not trust your friend.≈

Armida swam to them. She would not ignore them because of some callous Thalassan. She rubbed Nudger's snout and slid her hand down Warbler's smooth back. The two dolphins circled her, then streaked away as if leaving something unpleasant behind. She returned to Erastus with less enthusiasm.

≈I see you care for them. They are not much use except for a bit of play and simple affection.≈

Armida flashed. ≈What do you know of affection, then?≈

≈I know I would show you affection if you permitted it. You spoke of my color earlier; however, I must say your scales are an extraordinary shade. Aegeano blue—the shifting aquamarine of the shallow ocean areas where the water meets the sand.≈

Erastus reached out and drew Armida into his arms. As she pulled away, she was too shocked to caution him. Over his shoulder, she had seen Rinaldo approaching and had caught the distress on his face.

≈Rinaldo! Wait for us!≈

Erastus watched the departing Rinaldo with a smug twitch of his smile. ≈I have competition, then? No matter. I've heard he is to live in Terra. So much the shame for you, yes?≈

≈Rinaldo is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Our parting is painful for us both. It is not an issue for you to involve yourself in.≈

They swam west in silence while Armida burned. She loved Nudger and Warbler. She loved Rinaldo. No pompous outsider had the right to judge her friendships or assume her intentions. No unspoken arrangement with her parents excused Erastus's crass advances.