Prince Aky

Quick to Smile decided he could not bear it any longer. Ten hours a day, every day, of study while everybody else was having fun, was too much. It did not seem fair to him, not by far. However, at the same time, that was something he just could not do. How could he dare to? He was a loyal boy, the royals had given him food and a place to sleep, been kind to him and given him a future, as Wide-Shoulders said. Besides, he could end up tied to the pole for a full day and night, head shaven, in the open sight to all. It had never happened to him, but no fun could compensate that.

Yet, it was not at all about fun, he realized. It was all about Sea. Why was he loved less? Maybe his familly did something wrong? There should be a reason, of course, something he could fix or at least understand and accept. He had to go, had to! Just for a little while, nobody would notice hopefully, he thought.

Decided he took a basket which he hoped would help him to be taken by one of the many slave kids doing some sort of errand around the palace. Then he walked down the stairs to the underground channel which served to supply sea water for the temple and allowed barges to unload directly in the palace. As soon as he arrived to the water he undressed and threw himself in the passagen. Then, dimly illuminted by torches he swam under the surface towards the sun rays which sneaked through the opening.

Quick-to-Smile knew how to hold his breath for ages so only three time he had to ascend for air. Finally, as he passed through the open sea gate, light baptized him and the dark water turned into turqoise revealling a world of life. On the rocky ground one million coral tubes sported their open red fans. Red and yellow striped fishes danced around them. Below the boy, a courious ten feet mante circled curiously. Quick was at home, how come he was loved less?

As Quick emerged on the surface far away from prying eyes with the water shining on his face, he was living joy. He took five glorious second to reveal in his glory and then crawled graciously to the cove where his dreams awaited him. For an hour he would be free.

He emerged on the solitary beach and admired his world for a moment. Then he sat on the sand with his toes still carres by the tide. Then he gasped feelling sorry of his life, when a girl sat by his side, startling him.

She seemed to be eleven, exactly like him, sported bright turqoise eyes, tan skin, a kind face and green hair.

.- "Hi, Quick, what's your name?" Asked the newcomer.

.- "Hey! What? Er... Quick-to... but you knew that! How?!"

.- "No, Quick, I mean your real name".

.- "Ah... don't... no". Said the boing jumping up to stand. "Tell me yours, first".

.- "Quick, you have came to my home, so I get to do the questions".

.- "Is this your home? Sorry, I didn't know". Said Quick with a flush on his face. "But that's the only name I've got".

.- "Oh, are you a slave?"

.- "What, do you know my name and don't know am I a slave?"

.- "No, you are not".

.- "Please, don't play with me, just take me to the guards and make it fast". Replied Quick thinking this was just the cruel joke of a pampered noble girl.

.- "You are not a slave, I know better than anybody, trust me".

.- "Then you are short sighted. Haven't you see the back of my left shoulder?"

.- "Yes, I had, so what?"

.- "My tatoo, even analphabets can read that tattoo, SP, Slave Palace".

.- "That only means somebody considers you a slave, not that you are one".

.- "Everybody does".

.- "Not everybody".

.- "Who doesn't?"

.- "Me".

.- "You, and what can you do about it? Sea loved me less, that's why I am who I am".

.- "Quick, I am Sea".

.- "Yeah, and I am a killer whale".

.- "Maybe in your next life, I could grant you that".

.- "Yeah, sure".

.- "Quick, don't you believe me?"

.- "Sorry, if you want to play a game, that's fine with me. I'd love to! In fact I almost never get to play with anybody, unless I'm 'it' and it's only about having fun out of me".

.- "Quick, this is not a game. I am Sea". And saying this the girl tore one of her hairs and tossed it in the sea which immediately, transformed into an azure fish it swam away. Then, painlessly, he took one hair from Quick and did the same. This time a tiny manta circled around the boy's feet to take refuge under his toes.

.- "He loves you!, doesn't he?" She said smiling.

.- "But how?!" Asked poor Quick completely puzzled.

.- "I am Sea".

Then Quick came to his knees and bowed before the goddess. To his surprise, she did the same.

.- "Please, Sea, don't... I mean... it's..."

.- "Quick, I have to beg you a favor, I need something from you".

.- "Say and I will obey". Replied Quick automatically.

.- "No, Quick, I don't want you to obey me. I am begging you a favor".

.- "But..."

.- "It's ok if you don't want to".

.- "No, I want, I want... but I can't understand why you are begging me".

.- "Don't worry. I just don't want you to be my slave. Yet I need you for something. The Kingdom is in dire danger, not right now, but soon very hard times are to come and I need you to help Prince Aky now and when he becomes king".

.- "I already do that... this was just a little excursion to the beach, that's all, I promise".

.- "No, now you obey him and I want you to help him. Listen Quick you are the people who have chosen me and I know you will endure dire times to come".

.- "Can't you destroy our enemies?"

.- "Quick I want to save you, not destroy the enemies, even if I could. Quick, will you help me?"

.- "Do you love me?"

.- "I made the Morning Star for you".

.- "Yes, I will help".

.- "Good, now I want you to make a choice, free men choose. I don't control fate but I think I can do something to help you in the way. Would you like to become a sea captain or be a father of one thousand children?

.- "Sea captain!" The boy replied cheerfully.

.- "Very well, take it know". Saying this, the Goddess offered him a small algae pouch which was tied to a cord. "Tie it to your arm, but do not open it before you reach the palace, please".

.- "OK".

.- "And now, come back, before they miss you".