must always be diligent with her surroundings as she ventured into the open waters and even be aware of all she encountered in the coral forest. "Many are your friends and will watch over you, but there are still those who enter that mean you harm. They know you hold the key to the balance of our world, and they are threatened by that. You must continue with your quest to know all the secrets of all the clans; they are your allies. They will keep you safe."
The storm finally passed, and the waters settled into a gentle, rhythmic motion once again. Soon many emerged from their hiding places, where they had been protected from the burning sands. Life resumed as usual in the forest. There were large creatures and some so very tiny the eye had to adjust to catch sight of them. Each one appeared magical, especially to Willow. She marveled at the delicate wings that glided them through the water and how they appeared to hover in one place without any movement, yet they moved in place. Some of the creatures blended into the seascape of the coral forest and often went unseen until they moved. Yet even they had their own language, and Willow would one day communicate with them all.
Willow had been lost in the beauty of her new home when she noticed Ellura had vanished. She was getting used to the idea that Ellura and Morven often appeared and then disappeared just as quickly, leaving her alone. She too had mastered the movement through the waters in what seemed the speed of light. She was there, and then she wasn't.
No one was more aware of this than Vala, the young man she had chosen to someday be her mate. He would follow her and occasionally try to sneak up behind her to startle her, but when he was just about to make his move, she would vanish and then reappear behind him. It became a game for her. Vala was not always happy about her movements with him, but he kept that to himself. He didn't want her to know it bothered him that she could move through the water better than he could. Though he had lived in the water all his life, he knew she carried the blood of the ancients and would be able to do things he never dreamed of. When he finally gave up and turned to leave, she would call his name, and he would give her one more chance.
It frustrated him not to be there at her side. All the water people knew that someday they would join as mates. Vala was strong but gentle and beautiful to look at too. What a beautiful couple they would make. Just the vision of the two of them gliding through the waters with their shimmering golden hair that lit up even the darkest of waters would turn the head of any creature in their path. They glided together with the synchronicity of the Delfin Clan when they raced in open waters, leaping in and out of the waves.
But how could Vala protect her and stay by her side if she could vanish and he was not able to find her? Now they were still young, and it only annoyed him occasionally, but as he matured into his own, would he still feel that way, or would he withdraw? He knew the importance of her mission and the responsibility she held, and he wanted to be there with her and for her, but how could he? He was able to hide this from her now, but as she began to strengthen in the ways of the ancients, would he be able to?
That thought quickly left as Willow drew nearer to him in the coral forest. They would sit on a ledge they noticed one day as they were gliding close to the edge of the caves on the other side of the coral forest, just before the pathway to the open waters. They would talk, as young adults do, of dreams and hopes. But both of them knew it would not be that way for them. Soon they would have to put those ideas behind them. They both would be held to more stringent conditions than the others. They would not have the luxury of spending days just gliding, with no thought of tomorrow. They also knew this was their destiny and ordained since before they were born.
As they sat together, staring out at the open waters, Vala turned to her, took her arm, and started gliding closer to the edge of the coral forest, out of the protected area of their home. Willow was hesitant to move forward. She had experienced firsthand the dangers that lay there. She pulled back slightly. Vala turned and spoke to her softly. "It's OK; I am here to protect you." Willow knew she should not venture any further but did not want to question his wisdom. She knew that if she refused, he would feel ridiculed, so she followed his lead. She kept vigilant about her surroundings, as she had been taught, never taking the open water for granted. She knew in a moment's time, danger could lunge out of the darkness.
As Willow turned her head, she noticed the edge of the forest further in the distance. She began to feel very uneasy. She had not ventured out there since her encounter with the mighty jaws. Had she not been rescued, she would have been lost to the endless waters forever. She did not want to upset Vala, but thought, How can I resolve this and return us to safety without shattering his adventure? She knew she had better think quickly, for she truly sensed danger. She thought of Llyr and quietly called his name.
"Yes, my daughter of the sea. Why do you call me?" She told him of her dilemma and how she sensed danger nearing but did not want to embarrass Vala.
It was apparent something was wrong. Even Vala began to sense something was not right but could not quite determine what made him so uncomfortable. He took her hand and, for a moment, stood still in the open waters. Suddenly, they heard a siren sound so piercing, Vala grabbed his head in pain. He grabbed Willow's arm and told her they must leave and return as fast as they could; he sensed danger.
Willow replied, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure," he said.
"All right."
They turned and glided as fast as they could back to the safety of the coral forest. When they arrived, Vala turned to her said, "We must not go there without the safety of Delfin Clan again."
Willow agreed. "I think you're right."
Of course, Willow knew the voice of Llyr in any pitch, and she knew it was him sending a warning to Vala in the form of a siren, making it Vala's decision to return to the safety of their home. It ended well this time, but Willow knew she could not always ask her friend Llyr to come to her rescue. This would be a great challenge for her.
Willow and Vala glided back to the center of the coral forest, where the others were, but they said nothing to anyone. Vala returned to his pod and Willow to Morven and Ellura. She knew there were going to be consequences. There was no way they would not know of her venture with Vala.
As she drew nearer, Morven reached out her hand and took Willow's, and they left the presence of Ellura. They glided across the coral forest to a place Willow had never been. Morven did not speak, nor did they travel at the speed of light. They drifted in and out among the coral branches and soon arrived at a cave that was hidden deep among the forest.
They entered into the darkness of the cave and then plunged deep within its belly. The further they went, the darker it became. What is this place? Willow thought quietly. Still, Morven said nothing. Willow could not adjust her eyes and completely depended on the guidance of Morven. Soon she saw a faint light in the distance. As they came closer, the light illuminated her path. The two of them entered a vast chamber then an open space that gradually became shallow. They landed on a soft, sandy shore beneath the cave. Willow asked, Where are we? with more intensity in her thoughts. She and Morven eased out of the water and sat on the sandy beach.
Morven sat for a moment in reverence and then turned to Willow. "This is where the ancients entered the water world so long ago. This was their final exit from land into the endless waters and to the coral forest. Some of our people remained on land, but most entered the sea for the last time and made it their home. Our family came in through here.
"Many sacrifices were made to make this journey. Many did not make it, because they could not resist the temptation to enter the open waters. They were young and did not know the ways of the beasts of the open waters and were lost forever. The ones who stayed the course through the darkness until they reached the safety of the coral forests were spared. They did not go into the open waters until the Delfin brothers taught them the ways and followed alongside them whenever they traveled to fish, protecting them from the beasts of the open wate
rs."
"In time, we adapted to the ways and movements of the Delfins and spoke their language. We learned together how to benefit from the hunt for fish. We have also watched over our land people who stayed behind since that day. When famine covered the lands, we, alongside our Delfin brothers, brought the migration of fish to the boats. We always kept out of sight beneath the boats, but we have always been there. Our ancients learned the languages of many of the sea creatures. We live together with respect for one another. It is and always has been the way we survived."
Morven continued. "I am growing weak. Someday soon, you will need to take my place. You cannot let your emotions risk danger to yourself and to our people. You must lead from wisdom! This will be your greatest challenge. You have learned well the ways of many of the clans, yet there is much more to conquer within yourself before you take my place." Willow knew what Morven was saying was true, and she knew Morven was aware of what had happened with her and Vala.
She spoke to Morven about things that were troubling her. They sat for a long time, speaking in their private language. Willow expressed how it bothered her that she could not control her thoughts and keep them