Chapter 2

"So they think that we poisoned their little flowers?" Seperh asked as he and Fazel walked towards the Great Hall for an emergency meeting. His day was not going well. First, he woke up to discover that all his fish had gone off. Then his uniform got caught on a hinge and ripped. So he had to sew it up, lest he get in trouble for disrespecting the Royal Navy. Then he stabbed himself repeatedly with the needle while sewing (he was normally very good). Finally, before he was about to go to bed and sleep away the day, a messenger showed up at his door and told him there was a mandatory emergency meeting and now war with the Forest People was looking more imminent than ever.

Fazel shrugged. "They think we poisoned the crystals which keep all the plants in the forest healthy and alive. Which, to be fair, who else would have done it?"

"I don't even know where these stupid crystals are. No one here does. You'd think that they'd be looking at other forest tribes. Aren't they having trouble with some tribe leader out west?" Seperh scoffed.

"I'm not saying that it makes complete sense. But think about Seperh, the only reason we haven't done an organized attack is that the Forest People can kick our asses on land. It makes sense that we'd want to take out their defense."

"This whole thing is stupid and now I gotta go find a flower so that these idiots can have their pretty gardens again."

Fazel stared at him. "I would have thought you'd be more sympathetic to them."

"And why is that?" Seperh growled. He hoped no one around heard Fazel. If war did break out between them and the Forest People, Seperh did not want to be seen as a potential traitor and jailed.

"Well... because... you know." Fazel turned away from him and stared ahead as they continued to walk.

Seperh glared at him and sped up. He hated people thinking that he would side with the Forest People. He was an Ocean Person through and through. There was nothing in this world that would ever cause him to be sympathetic towards those sneaky, little bastards.

Fazel picked up on his mood and didn't say anything. They made it to the great hall where other captains and first mates gathered. Arwin, the Fleet Admiral for Siezera was there to greet them.

"You're late, captain," Arwin said as he ushered them inside.

"We are actually right on time," Fazel said, flashing the admiral a dazzling smile.

Seperh elbowed him. "Show some respect," he hissed.

Fazel glared at him but followed him to their seats, right next to Pu'a and her first mate, Tez.

"How much do you want to bet they're sending us little Forest People to help out," Pu'a said with a smirk. "That should be fun for you, Seperh. Maybe you'll actually end up ditching the navy and join them in braiding flowers into their hair." She and Tez snickered into their hands. Arwin started making a very long and boring report about the state of affairs between them and the Forest People.

"We aren't twelve anymore, get some better insults," Seperh growled. Despite enduring this abuse for years, he had yet to master the aloof 'I don't care what you think' mentality that would get Pu'a to back off.

"If it didn't bother you, then we would. But as it appears to be making you angry, so we'll keep at it for a while." Pu'a said.

"Captain Cordoya, is there a problem?" Admiral Arwin said.

"No, sir." She schooled her face into a mask of complete subordination with Tez following suit.

"Then pay attention. I am here to tell you all that Siezera has made no attack on the Forest People. Nor has any other port that we are affiliated with. However, it does look suspicious that Tehama, the closest Forest settlement to Siezera, was attacked. I'm sure you're all aware by now, but we will be sending out teams to look for," Arwin bent down and studied his paper, "a plant called Yellow Stem Weed. It's not found on this island, but there should be some supplies of it to the south."

"What the hell is a yellow stem weed? And if it's not on this island, then how do they know it's going to do anything?" Fazel hissed.

"Do I look like I know what's going on in their heads?" Seperh growled. He did not need to be drawing any more attention to himself.

"There have been fifteen volunteers to go on the ships and set sail."

"What do you mean volunteers?" Seperh asked.

Arwin stared at him for a moment, his mouth pressed into a tight line. "Captain Mosta'an, do not speak out of turn again, you're on thin ice." He sighed and continued. "They'll be able to decipher the differences between the plants better than anyone here. And it is imperative that they be on the ships to keep the plants alive when they are found. Besides, I have a feeling Chief Woodrose wants to keep an eye on us; make sure we're actually doing what we're supposed to."

"But only fifteen volunteers?" Another captain called out. "There are more of us than that."

Arwin, once again, pressed his mouth into a hard line. "As you all know, tensions between our people and theirs are high, so it is understandable that many don't want to be at our mercy on the water. The next person to talk out of line will be dishonorably discharged. Can I finish?"

The room was quiet.

"Thank you. Because of this shortage we've drawn names on who will be setting forth on the expedition. The Forest People should arrive tomorrow. The captains that are chosen will have time to pick up rations and other materials that are needed. I don't think I need to warn you all that these people will be brought back in one piece and will be treated with the utmost respect. We're already on the brink of war as is and we don't need any of you making things worse by mistreating our...guests."

The room was quiet once more, though Seperh could feel the tension rising. Several of the captains looked red in the face. He also didn't know how the Forest People were going to react, being so far from land. Even going five miles in was enough to cut off Seperh's connection with the ocean and cause him anxiety. Sure, he was good at fighting without the water. He still felt naked and unable to defend himself, like crabs in a bucket that were easy to grab and eat.

Arwin went down the list of names, each person called looking angry that they had the injustice of being forced to babysit for a few weeks while they went looking for a stupid plant. Fifteen names were read off the list, Seperh wasn't called.

"Oh thank god," Fazel said, smirking as Pu'a and Tez were carted off with the other 'volunteers' to get further details on the mission. "We got back a week ago, and I love the ocean, but It's nice not having to worry about food for a bit."

Seperh nodded and followed the rest of the captains and first mates out the door. "I don't think I'd be able to get through the trip without killing the Forest Person we'd get stuck with." He growled.

Fazel didn't say anything. He never said anything in situations like this. It pissed Seperh off sometimes.

"Your mama's not going to like you saying stuff like that."

So Fazel did want to push his buttons today. Nevermind, he liked it better when the man was silent. "What should I care what she thinks? I'm my own person and entitled to my own opinions."

"Are they your own opinions when everyone else around you seems to have the same ones?" Fazel asked.

"Keep in mind that I am your commanding officer. Don't push your luck." Seperh growled. He rarely had to use that on Fazel, who had been in best friend since their academy days. He only had to use it when Fazel was being exceptionally annoying.

Fazel didn't reply. Seperh hated using his status as a commanding officer. He had been in the academy with Fazel. He was one of the only people who would willingly come up and talk to Seperh instead of hurling insults and slurs from across the room. Still, he didn't want to be pushed right now. He needed to keep his head down and get things done.

"Sorry, I didn't know it was such a touchy subject," Fazel said. He didn't look like a man who had had his job threatened by his best friend, he looked bored and easy-going.

"You've known me for almost eight years, why wouldn't this be a touchy subject for me?" Seperh asked.

"Because it shouldn't be. That's why Pu'a and all them bother you, because they know it's a touchy subject."

"Ignoring them is easier said than done, though, " Seperh said.

"I guess. Don't let stuff like that get to you. You're good at your job, and that's all anyone needs to know about you. And it's okay to be glad that we aren't going to have to sail off with some annoying person who's never been on a boat before."

"Agreed." Finally, finally, Seperh could get to some sleep and tomorrow would be a better day.