Lord Dregadon had made some pretty big mistakes in his long life of adventure. And today he was bringing his biggest one home yet.
He had been waiting for hours. The great white shark stood tall and stern with a somber look of regret and longing across his scarred face as he stared out to the great western seas on the docks of Orevan harbor. Watching and growing increasingly nervous as to how life was going to change so much for the both of them soon. The ship he had sent would soon be here. He would not turn his gaze from his responsibility this time. Not even as the sound of loud metal footsteps approached behind him.
You sure you're ready to do this? Whelorum asked as he approached quietly behind him. The red-skinned octopus always knew what was on his old friends mind.
No. Replied Dregadon But I can't ignore the issue any longer. It's my fault I'm in this mess. I have to make it right.
Whelorm nodded and stroked his beard of tentacles, proud of his friend's commitment to acknowledging the outcome of his actions. That especially was foreign to reckless brave Dregadon who would charge into battle time and time again and throw caution and fear to the wind. He had well and truly changed. Though he feared out of obligation only. Regardless, Wheorum would be there for him to help anyway he could. Even offering to tutor the new arrival.
Dreagadon tilted his head down and sighed. I'm afraid how she will be treated. And of what this will do to my family. But... What's done is done. It's time I embraced her now that she has no one. I owe her that much.
A loud whistle resounded as a medium-sized blue transport vessel slowly emerged in the distance and docked beside the pair. Slowly coming to a halt as if to mock and unnerve Dregadon even further. The sun began to set behind the hull in the distance as a unnatural mix of vibrant red and somber purple.
He held his breath. But it wasn't who he was expecting first.
Codswa, his personal servant emerged from the ship first, the metal automaton calmly approaching with a butlers stoick gate to give his report to his owner after weeks away on expedition.
Master Dregadon sir. He bowed. It is wonderful to see you again sir. I found her at last.
Thank you codswa. You did well. Was the trip alright? Any complications?
Thank you sir. No nothing of the sort. Though I fear the miss has never ventured far out to sea before, and this climate does not exactly suit her like the tropics. she has caught a cold so I gave her one of your wife's coats from the cabin I hope you won't mind.
Of course not. Shell gets used to the weather eventually." or so dregadon hoped. He didn't want her to have come all this way only to hate living here.
Very well sir. I am sure she will love it here. Shall I fetch her now?
Please do. Dreagdon said with a calm sigh. This is long overdue on my part. Lets get her back to the manor.
Codswa nodded and went back up the ramps into the ship.
"I'm proud of you Dreg." Whelorm said. Placing his hand firmly on his friend's shoulder. And tas'ka would be to.
"No. She wouldnt."
Dregadon could still recall that night. That wonderfully night of drunken jubilation after the great northern war had ended and he and Whelorum had enjoyed the brief celebrations on shore leave among the ricety driftwood streets of Azure cove. He remembered meeting a beautifully mako shark waitress and well..., one thing led to another. But his biggest regret was sneaking away come morning without saying goodbye one last time. He would never see her again. Or even learn until years later. That she had given him a child.
A half blood. His half blood. A shameful thing for any esteemed family, especially his to overcome reputation wise, but he knew it would pass. At this point he could cared less what others think of him or his children. And at least he had one friend who hadn't abandoned him yet since the news had become a scandal and tarnished his reputation. Whellorum stood by his side always.
Thank you, my friend. For, being here. Said Dregadon. I know I should have listened to you that night in the tavern before returning home from the war. I didn't even know...., I never would have left otherwise.
I'm somewhat glad you didn't. Wheorum Smiled. Otherwise, we wouldn't have the opportunity of meeting the wonderful little child together. But you know now, and I'm glad you're not ignoring that fact like so many prideful others would. Dregadon looked onward. Knowing that he would have a lot of catching up to do. And that the child would never have many prospects growing up on account of her mixed birth But he would still do her best to defend her family station and honor regardless as it was his most pivotal duty from now on. Everything else came second.
Codswa appeared behind the railing of the ship, slowly methodically leading the small child down the steps behind him by the hand. She was nervous. But was clearly very eager to depart. She seemed to have grown close to Codswa during the long journey and preferred to stay close by him for safety. She had never known true love or affection since her mother had died in childbirth, and it was a pity that her first taste of it was from an artificial machine. Dregadon would have to change that. The first of many things.
The girl stopped down the ramps and stared out beyond the two of them. her eyes wide as stars as she surveyed the vast capital city of the ocean monarchy with a sniffly nose. It's domed glass towers, paved streets, and canal streets. To someone who had known driftwood thatch houses and bamboo shacks all her life. It must have been like stepping into another world. A world of cold metal and industry. A world and heritage denied to her for so long.
Come along child. Codswa said calmly and joyfully, trying to get her to approach Dregadon. Don't be nervous. They'll be plenty of time for sightseeing later, I promise you. She continued onward. May I introduce. Miss Shene'kka.
The little shark girl made a clumbsy attempt at a courtsey as codswa had taught her on their journey back together. She was very skinny but still unusually tall for her age of only five. Clearly underfed. Dressed in simple coastal green garments slightly tattered from salt water and she wasn't wearing any shoes as was common in the tropics. But what struck Dregadon down to the core of his heart?
It was those eyes.
They were two completely different colors. From two different species. Her mothers. Bright cove blue, A coastal blue mako shark. And his. Dark shadow black.
Hello Shen'eka. Dregadon said, trying to seem less threatening and kneeling down to be eye level with her. "I'm...your father."
She didn't say anything. She averted her gaze to Look at her feet while shying further behind Codswa. She was terrified of the great white, his teeth, his emotionless black eyes. Everything. He wasn't surprised there, most species feared sharks, but to be afraid of your flesh and blood struck him hard. She probably hated him he guessed. Thinking he had abandoned her and her mother all these years. He would spend the rest of his life trying to make it up to her. Whatever it took.
She was half great white. Half him. A visible reminder he feared that would always be her own reflection of his unfaithfulness and abandonment of her. He would not want her to hate herself. He would teach her to take pride in her difference.
tska noa vkak kera? The little girl muttered hesitantly yet a bit eagerly. Clutching to Codswa's comforting metal fingers.
Tropic. Dregadon smiled. She didn't speak a word of oceanic. Codswa would have to act as a translator for now. But he wouldn't instill it out of her.
Young Miss Veso, asks why she is here master.
You're going to live with us from now on child. I...promised your mother I'd look after you when I received the letter. And I intend to. From now on...
He reached out his hand slowly. And for the first time in her life. The half-blood girl had a father. She took it.
"I promise."