Chapter 2

Janna smiled at Jenna and Gilly  “Please stay here, together, for a short while we finish up some other counsel business.  Otoerel will bring you some refreshments.

I am very proud of both of you.” She left just as Otoerel swam up with a larch conch full of goodies.  “Hope this will hold you two while they finish up in there!” he grinned.  Gilly grinned back “Thanks Otoerel I’m sure it will!” 

“Good” said Otoerel “ I have to get back in there now, “ and he gestured toward the Elder conclave. “ stop worrying so little one!” he laughed and gave Jenna s’ hair a pull before swimming away.

“OH! Gilly” Jenna “Why for Poseidon’s sake did they choose me?  You I can understand…but why me? “  Looking at Gilly with a slight worried frown. “It really doesn’t make sense!”

Gilly just laughed.   “I expect it will make perfect sense once they have told us exactly where the search is going to be...and Jenna,  “ he continued thoughtfully,

it isn’t as if you are some silly pup with no sense—then too there is your gift.” He paused, looking at her in a new light, “I am not sure exactly what part your voice will have in this adventure.  I am sure that I’m glad you will be with me.” Gilly took her hands and smiled at her.  “So,” he said” shrimp or jellyfroth?” he asked as he proceeded to munch on the shell full of delacies. “OH This is good!”

His calm acceptance of the situation, not to mention his kind words, made Jenna relax.  So she joined him in the little feast as they waited.  Discussing this and that and thoroughly enjoying their time together. By the time they had finished off the Shells treats Janna’s mother and Otoerel returned and told them to follow them to the inner pool area of the counsel’s pool.

Inside the Elders Grotto the light from above danced on the water, and caused the sea rivulets that wound their way through the sea moss on the walls to glisten.  The rivulets created a gentle murmur that surrounded the pool itself.  It was huge to Jenna’s eyes.  She had never been inside before.  The ledge on which the elders were seated was of the finest Jade stone and the table before them was of corals, abalone shells, pearls and sparkling crystals.  Goblets of wondrous materials (taken from the sunken ships her people came across now and again) were on the table, as were many other items, of which Jenna hadn’t a clue. 

She was quite lost in the beauty of her surroundings until Timotha spoke.

‘Welcome Gilly and Jenna,” his voice filled the cavern,” we of the counsel hope to be able to persuade you as to why your unique abilities are needed for the search this shift, and must insist on your oaths to not reveal what you are about to hear to our people, in the event you decide to not accept.”

Jenna glanced at Gilly, then at each of the Elders.   Then they both gave their solemn oaths to the counsel.

“We accept your oaths” said Timotha, ”Both of your unique abilities will be needed if, this shift, as we hope…the lost city shall be found.  In the time between the shifts we of the counsel have discovered a strange field of vibration surrounding one of the Islands to our North.  Word of it was brought to us first by Occa the tern.  He came to us with the story of a strange shimmer surrounding the isle known as Grosha.  Occa was able to fly through it and even to land on the isle, yet in his words…

”I was able to land on the Isle Grosha—but not the Isle Grosha.  It appeared the same and yet was not.  There were trees there I did not recognize, and other things. The sand, the grasses were alike yet different.   I admit to the counsel that I know not the meaning of this strangeness; but I recalled the tale of the Walrus Wolkendo.  The tale was told of the time of the disappearance of your city, oh Mer people, and included in it the sight of a shimmering sky, a horrendous noise, a crack of doom said the walrus, and a displacement upon the waters. Here--Occa paused in his tale,” said Timotha.

“Little else did he say of import to this matter but we of the counsel were now set the task of finding out, if we could, what it might portend.   We had to first search out the Walrus Wolkendo to hear of this from him.  Indeed with the hope of learning anything more there might be.  He confirmed Occas’ tale.

Some of us have also been to the Isle Grosha.   The shimmer Occa had reported was there.  The differences he talked of were expanded to the sea surrounding the Isle.   One day Throomb was exploring the caves beneath the Isle and he heard Mer voices.  He called to them but none answered. He returned to us only 3 days past.  He said that as he left the area of shimmer he felt the sea quiver and as he looked back the shimmer had disappeared.  The sea, the isle had returned as it had been.”

All was quiet within the Elders pool…only the faint music of the rivulets could be heard when Timotha finished his speech.

Janna swam to the forefront.  “Jenna, Gilly, there has been other strange findings in this shift between shifts.  All pieces, we believe, that will help us in solving this mystery.  But before we go forward we need your answers.  Do you accept this task of searcher? “  All eyes were on the young mers.  

Gilly and Jenna looked at each other, joined hands and as one said, “WE accept”.

“Good! Good! “Boomed Timotha.  All the elders were now smiling at them.   Once more at ease, as if a huge burden had been lifted from them, the tension in the pool was gone.  Janna smiled proudly.

Then Janna took up the explanation.  “Gilly, Jenna,” and her voice held excitement now, “We couldn’t be sure if all the portents we have been receiving had to do with our search until this shift.  Poseidon’s tail now points directly to the Isle Grosha.  There is no doubt that somehow the shimmer and the Crack heard by the Walrus are important keys to finding our lost people.  Think of it!   You may be the first to view Atlantis and our people again!” She positively glowed at the prospect, and all others in the pool, were caught up in her joy…trilling the music of the Mer.

Janna calmed and smiled as the last of the joyous trills died down. 

“Tomorrow we will tell the people you have accepted.  You will leave 2 days hence.  For now, you will stay in this Grotto.   The rest you will learn as you begin new trainings for your search.  I will come to you at sunrise.”  She said. “We of the counsel Thank You. “ 

The Elders all swam up to the young mers, smiling, shaking their hands, congratulating them and thanking them, their excitement was catching and Gilly and Jenna were all but worn out as the last of the elders left the Pool.

Gilly and Jenna followed Otoerel to an area behind the Elders pool designed for sleep.

Two large shells were set for the young mers to sleep in.  Pearl Globes shone upon the chamber, which was rich and comforting.

“There is food and drink if you need them” He said pointing to a coral table. “It is my honor to wait in the next area to ward you and tend to your wants.” his grin was infectious.” Have you any wants Searchers?”

Jenna grinned back, but Gilly said, “Otoerel, if there is a map of the areas we will be traveling-- could you bring us one, Please?  Also, if possible, I would like a list of the  ‘other’ strange things Otoerel and Janna mentioned.  It will help us a great deal I think to let these seep into our minds tonight.”

“I will see to it Searcher.” Otoerel said with a new respect.  Then he, too, was gone.

Jenna curled into her shell and said “Gilly!  I am tired and my mind could not hold one more thought!  Wake me, if you must, when Otoerel returns.  Gilly swam over to her shell and tugged her to a sitting position.

 ‘Jenna!  How can you be sleepy when there is so much to learn?!” he asked.  She leaned on him and closed her eyes…”because (yawn) I am” she said, right before falling asleep on him.  Gilly had to laugh as he was easing her back down in her shell and as he looked upon her lying there he discovered a different feeling for his friend.