Episode Eight - A Friend (Part 2)

It had been ages since Lars held a woman outside the bedroom. The feel of Eira's warmth, roused dormant feelings he was used to suppressing. It was…nice. Every fibre of his body was attuned to hers as he carried her to the phantom.

"We're not using the toot-toot dinghy?" Lars noted Eira's disappointment.

"The phantom would be faster." And more efficient, he thought wryly. While Craole was beautiful, Lars found their transportation system terribly inconvenient. Or maybe it was his ingrained practice to never waste time. In battle, one second could mean life or death.

Eira found no reason to complain, especially when Lars refused to set her down throughout the short flight. She had to bite her lip to keep from smiling, euphoria filling her heart to bursting. Lars was worried about her, and he liked having her in his arms — the tight way he held her, told her so. She was certain he didn't do this with every other woman. Snuggling deeper, she was content to be held for as long as he was willing.

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Esa greeted Florian with half appreciation and half devastation — appreciation for solving their problem and devastation for the fishery's partial destruction. Not to mention, there was a grotesque Octopod carcass floating in the aquaculture pool. Florian assured the flustered manager that Ataxia would bear the costs for collateral damages, assuaging Esa's financial constraints.

"We'll put a request to the local military to remove the carcass within twenty-four hours," Florian explained. "I'll need the fishery's cooperation to drain the aquaculture pool. There's something I need to check on."

"Of course." Esa complied, immediately requesting the staff to empty out the pool. Once completed, Florian alarmed Esa by climbing the dead Octopod which was starting to reek of decay. "What are you planning to do, Vice-Captain Denali?"

Removing his blade, Florian felt for the predator's underbelly and sliced vertically. A gush of ingested contents spewed from the Octopod's guts — a heap of undigested fishes, ocean litter and lastly, human limbs.

Esa threw up on the spot.

Covering his nose against the putrid smell of rotten flesh, Florian announced. "I'm certain now that this Octopod was responsible for the decline in seafood and the recent ship attacks and disappearances."

Still green around the gills, Esa voiced out, holding a handkerchief to his mouth. "But what was it doing so near to shore? Our reefs are well guarded and there hasn't been a rogue predator in years."

It was a question that boggled Florian too. Yes, Craole was surrounded by water but, it was too shallow to invite deadly predators, especially one as large as an Octopod. It was a fact that giant ocean predators thrived in the deep sea, in the twilight zone and not near the reefs.

"What is that?" Esa pointed at a distinct mark on the Octopod's tentacle.

Following Esa's gaze, Florian tamed his surprise at the same symbol he found on the mandrillus at the treefolks village. Without hesitation, he carved it out and slipped it into his pocket. "It's just a wound mark," he lied through his teeth.

"There you are." A patronizing voice sounded from behind.

Esa and Florian turned to see the newcomer. Every muscle in Florian's body vibrated with undiluted resentment. Schooling his expression, he exited the pool. "Councilman Denali. What brings you to this part of Craole?" Twenty-one years later and his father's arrogance was still as suffocating. Apparently, nothing had changed. Captain Strauss, now First Lieutenant Strauss had promised him vengeance — not by ruining the Denali family — but by proving to the old man that Florian Denali was a survivor who didn't need to grovel at his father's feet for favours. He had grown up without the Denali influence and he sure as hell didn't need it now.

In the presence of a higher authority, Esa lowered his head. "Councilman Denali."

"Imagine my surprise when the council informed me that the Denali name was used to access the angling cove yesterday." His father was unimpressed, his tone pompous. "You were always a good for nothing son. I see the military is the perfect place for you." Openly judging his son's dishevelled appearance, he sneered. "You're nothing but a bunch of coarse miscreants leeching off the government's funds. Look at what they've turned you into. You're nothing like your siblings."

And there was the same old dig. It was a known fact that even through his achievements, Florian would never be like his older brother and sister — one a Duke, and the other a councilwoman. Fortunately, those words no longer bothered Florian who didn't know his own worth back then. Not one for confrontation, he merely pasted on a superfluous smile. "It's good to see you too, Father. I hope everyone is faring well."

Councilman Denali eyed his youngest son. Florian Denali might bear his name but, he was unrelated by blood. His whore of a wife had borne this child without his knowledge, trying to pass her bastard off as their son. To save face, he grudgingly accepted the child into the Denali family. He had hoped the boy would be killed by those predators he hunted but, Florian remained a thorn in his side. "It's a shame you aren't dead yet. It's true that a lowlife always lands on his feet."

"Then I suppose the same can't be said for you." A feminine voice interrupted — scathing and sarcastic. "If Florian's bound to live like a cat with nine lives, then you'd be dead in an instant."

Spluttering with rage, Councilman Denali whipped around. "How dare you—"

Eyes glittering with unadulterated fire, Eira cut him off. "I dare, because Florian is a respected man and soldier who is a thousand times braver than you will ever be. I don't care who you are. Nobody gets away with insulting my comrade. If you have a problem, then you can take it up with this big guy over here." She jerked a thumb to Lars. "He's our superior."

Florian's lungs expanded, so did his heart. Eira was defending him – a stranger. She risked incurring the wrath of Craolean royalty because he was...a friend. He didn't think she was serious before. Now he no longer doubted her sincerity. Eira truly believed every word she said about him. For the first time in his adulthood, Florian felt something other than cold, corrupt emptiness. He was numbed from being cut down to size or misjudged but, having someone stand up for him…indescribable warmth cocooned his heart.

"I know who he is," Councilman Denali spat furiously. "A barbaric Captain is who he is."

Eira fumed, intending to give the ungracious man a piece of her mind when Lars held her steadfast, his coolness dissipating. "I have no bone to pick with you, Councilman Denali. Unlike you, I don't find the sport of belittling others entertaining. If you will kindly take your leave, this place is now under Ataxia's jurisdiction. I'd appreciate not having to physically evict you and save you the embarrassment."

Councilman Denari turned the shade of an Octopod, absolutely livid and offended by the Captain's insolence. "I won't allow such disrespect by Ataxian scums! Just you wait and see." With a flick of his robe, he stormed off, bearing not a trace of elegance or aplomb.

"Good riddance!" Eira blew out an angry breath. "I can't believe he's your father."

"Actually, he isn't." Florian decided they had the right to know. "My father's antagonism is justified. I'm a bastard who doesn't share a single connection with the Denali family. Councilman Denali was forced to accept me under his wing."

This was news to Lars. That explained why his mentor, First Lieutenant Strauss had told him to create a 'home' for the misfits he was going to recruit.

Eira blinked. "I don't see what's the problem. The Qeath tribe do not blame the children for their parents' mistakes. Children are precious."

Her point-blank statement had Florian tongue-tied. She was right, although not every society was as forgiving or welcoming as the Qeath tribe. In the end, he could only smile feebly.

Moving on, Lars nodded at the carcass. "Is that the Octopod?"

"Yes. I've confirmed it with Esa here. He's the Fishery Council's manager."

The forgotten Esa stepped forward. "I am Esa. A pleasure to meet you…,"

"Captain Lars Verhelst," Lars supplied, shaking the man's hand. "Eira and Florian are my subordinates."

While the two conversed, Eira approached Florian. "Did you see the little one?"

"Not a peep. I'm afraid it took off last night." He eyed her warily. "Shouldn't you be more concerned about your own condition? You were bleeding out in my arms if I hadn't rushed you to the medical centre. They had to give you a blood transfusion laced with Cell II. You should be fully healed in a few more hours."

But Eira wasn't paying attention to him, scanning their surroundings. "Where could it have gone off to?" And just when she decided to befriend it.

"Maybe it's better this way." He patted her shoulder, his goodwill of comfort lost on her.

After they have settled everything with the Fishery Council, the three of them boarded the phantom and returned to Ataxia.

What they failed to realize was that they weren't exactly alone.