Page 1 of Coral Prince Conundrum
CHAPTER ONE
Seero
The ocean is where I belong. The salty mist kisses my bare chest, and I take in the scent of the water. The waves are a glorious soundtrack as my sea dragon, Drakey, barrels toward our destination. Sitting on the saddle affixed to his back—a flat surface made of gray coral, naturally—is a comfort I’m used to. I readjust my dark green waistcloth covering my groin and undergarments, thankful that my clothes repel water. Drakey bristles, his blue head bobbing up and down, but continues to sail onward, so I reach forward and rub his back. I communicate to him with marine animal language that he’s doing a good job, and that when we’re done, he can eat all the fish he wants. No manmade method of travel can get me places faster than a sea dragon, and Drakey has always been my most faithful pet.
We approach the foggy mist of our destination, and I recheck my compass. According to all the planning and star charts I consulted, we’re almost there. I put my compass away in my green knapsack and allow my hands to linger in the bag. I have very few possessions, but the plastic device known as a credit card should allow me to access my funds when I get there.
We approach the dock, and I gasp at the sight. Big ships and little boats occupy the concrete bay. The fact that surface-dwellers taint the oceans with their killing machines makes me frown. “Not here, Drakey,” I say in animal-speak. “North. Turn left.” I rub his scaly skin, and he changes direction, as instructed, to a less occupied beach.
I recall Father’s words as I was about to leave yesterday. We were at the docks of Port City, the most populous region of the Coral Kingdom. Guards flanked us, and the press were held back by a perimeter. Everyone wants a snapshot of the royal family, but my people spend most of their time in underwater homes and communities. We had a private moment without Mother or my siblings, where he buttoned up my turquoise cloak. It was just the poised and proper king, me, and the ocean.
“It seems like only yesterday when I was twenty-five years old and embarking on the great global survey.” Father nodded and put his hands into his black-and-green cloak.
I felt the emotion of his words, his pride as a parent to watch his firstborn become independent. Father was so aloof to me until I was a teenager, but the past few years, he’s made up for it by including me in all things political. The Coral Kingdom will be mine to rule one day, after all. “You can always come with me.”
He laughed a hearty chuckle, and I snickered. “We both know you don’t want that,” he replied. Father stared off at the sunset. While he is more heavy-set, I inherited my small frame from Mother. They both have ochre, almost goldenrod skin, but I have Father’s distinctly shaped eyes. His beard is gray, but we both have long, shoulder-length black hair. “I have had my share of the outside world. Humans of other countries…they are rather disgusting.”
I nodded, and concern grew in my throat. Father placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “My son, it is imperative you see them for what they are. Gather information on that smartphone technology so we have enough evidence to do what we discussed at length.”
My throat went dry. The horrors that we, the Coral Kingdom, can enact on all other humans are nothing compared to what they do every day to the marine ecosystem. At least, that was the narrative Father and the Corali Court reported. And now, I was pivotal in deciding our kingdom’s future.
“I know, Father.”
He pulled me into a tight hug, and I tapped him back. “Goodbye, my son. May the next five weeks enlighten you to see the truth of the surface-dwellers.”
I let go and tried to hold back tears. While I was delighted to finally leave the Coral Kingdom on my own and see the world, it would be lonely without the safety of my guards. I turned around and whistled, and Drakey promptly arrived, his blue snout and whiskers poking out of the water. I stepped forward as my loyal dragon pivoted so that the saddle was close to me. Clutching my knapsack, I hopped forward onto Drakey’s back.
Here I am, twenty-four hours later, already breaking father’s directives. The plan was for one day in California, United States, then down the Pacific Coast to Panama, then to Colombia. I was to circle the globe eastbound.
But I refuse: I am a man now, the sole ambassador for all Corali, and I need to make my own decisions. First and foremost, I must find unity in humanity, even if that means hiding in plain sight.
As Drakey swims closer to a boardwalk and a small, unoccupied beach, I grin. One of the signs draped over the wooden boardwalk reads: “Princedelphia Memorial Day Celebration.” I do not know what Memorial Day is or what the metal machines are above, boxes with the words “cotton candy” and “funnel cake” on them. But I know I am in the right place.
I reach into my knapsack and take out a small paper. The advertisement has a picture of people enjoying beverages near alarge building. It reads, “Need to RUN away? Try the Renversé Hotel! Nearby, grab a cup of joe at Café Magnifique.”
I turn the flyer over and read my handwritten note: “A haven for runaway princes.” The subforums on the internet claimed that this place was perfect for my plan, a safehouse for royal anonymity. While I am not running away, I am delaying Father’s plan for my great global survey. I am a man; I am the Coral Prince, and I need to discover the truth.
I double-check to make sure my knapsack is secure—the special coral-seaweed polymer fibers completely keep out water—and tie it around my bare shoulder. Then, I leap into the water. We’re yards away from the foggy beach, not that anyone’s around, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The surface-dwellers don’t even know sea dragons exist.
I look up at Drakey’s four limbs paddling at the surface. I smile, and the gills in my neck flare out. Like almost all Corali, breathing underwater is second nature to me. However, unlike me, most of my people cannot bend water with their mind. I commune with the ocean and ask it to guide me up. In seconds, the water responds to my command, and I’m floating up to Drakey.
I mold and shape the liquid until I’m seated on a little throne made of solid ocean in front of my faithful sea dragon. I lean forward and kiss his head. Only certain members of the royal family can commune with marine wildlife, and I’m honored that Drakey has stood by my side all these years. “Thank you. Now go. And do not tell Father where I am. I love you.” I rub his head, and he bristles. He is unsure of my plan, but he follows along anyway, turning around and diving down.
But am I sure of my plan? I wave my hands in a circle, manipulating the water throne beneath me, turning it around. I gaze at my destination: Princedelphia, Oregon, in the United States of America. So much is at stake, but I have faith that thesepeople are not all fish-destroying monsters. A small, selfish part of me wonders if I might meet someone special here on dry land. Settling down with a surface-dweller is unheard of, but meeting cute American boys for a little fun would be harmless.
I shake my head of erotic fantasies and gaze at the empty beach. Then, I wave my hands again and dispel the water, allowing me to dive deep. I swim forward swiftly and with ease, breathing through my gills. Princedelphia will soon know me. I am Searoyal Dagat, and I am on a mission: to preserve peace by discovering the good of humanity.
CHAPTER TWO
Seero
The walk to the Renversé Hotel is about one kilometer. The soles of my feet are used to the rocks on the ocean floor, so this American gravel has no effect on me. I try to stride with ease, but the environment is equal parts dreadful and fascinating. Dark cables drape the skyline. Automobiles race back and forth. The metal vehicles spew smog, and it sobers me, reminding me that surface world technology continually poisons the environment. So, I try to ignore the streetlights and buildings, and make my way to my destination.
The hotel is located in the aptly named Renversé Plaza. A concrete fountain with a tiny statue is the centerpiece, with benches lining the round walkway. The area appears to be a congregating spot for the local community. The chill and light rain do not affect my bare chest; the moisture quells my distress over being so far away from the ocean for an extended amount of time. But I am here to assimilate, so it’s off to the hotel I go.
I pass by the fountain in the center and read the plaque. My English reading comprehension is stronger than my Corali reading, so it doesn’t take too much effort to study the bronze sign. I murmur the words, “Prince Bartholomew Renversé. Runaway Royal. Founder of Princedelphia. Lover ofhot beverages.” I don’t stop to read the years or other facts, but I smile knowing I’m not the first prince to seek refuge here. Judging by the number of alien and otherworldly kingdoms that have been discovered as of late, I doubt I’ll be the last.
I enter the hotel lobby to bright lights in contrast to the overcast outside environment. Cool air touches my bare torso, but fortunately, I have dried off, so I am not too uncomfortable. The red carpet under my feet guides me toward the desk. No patrons are around, it is only me and several decorative vases lining the walls. Being alone in a real American hotel for the first time, the nerves set in. What if I stand out too much? What if someone recognizes me? Corali don’t leave the Coral Kingdom, but what if they have media connections here in the US? My family vowed not to contact my smartphone, but what if they do? I dread the thought of Father realizing I am not on the designated path I set out on.
