Meeting Triton

 

Settling into a steady swim with broad sweeps of her powerful tail, Thalia moved quickly over the ocean floor strewn with shells, little fish seeking food, a discarded can here and there previously tossed onto the beach by someone careless and taken out with the tides, pieces of beach-washed and eroded glass of various hues from old soda and beer bottles.  She wasn’t exactly sure where she was headed so she ranged along the shoreline a bit, looking for something that would show her the way.  There was enough of the human in her to be annoyed at people throwing things away rather than recycling or at least placing into garbage bins.  The fish part just observed the objects as part of the landscape.  Until one gets caught in a plastic ring holding a six-pack of cans togetheror swallows a metal tab from a can.  None of us seem to be really aware until us, or someone we love, are hurt.

 

She entered a current leading away from the beach, a current of warmer, faster moving water.  Deciding to follow that for a while, Thalia changed direction with a flip of her tail and her fins, and basked in the warmth of the water.  She could see lights flickering in the distance and assumed it was the play of sunlight on the surface, reflecting down.  But she could discern colors in the light as she approached, colors becoming increasingly vivid and tantalizing.  The colors of the rainbow!  Here is where the rainbow intersected with the sea.  How beautiful!  But the other fish seem to be avoiding the area.  I wonder why?  It would be like my time of riding the rainbow to Rainbow Beach.  All that color and light surrounding me, embracing me.  Dare I risk it?  Will it be the same or is there a problem? 

 

 

 

She circled around and around the area where the crayon-lights penetrated the water, watching the fish as they approached.  It was almost as if there was a barrier: they would swim up to a point, then turn around and dart away.   The colors sparkle!  It looks as if the light-crystals would penetrate into whoever or whatever was in its path.  Light therapy!  Let the body be immersed in colors of all hues to help heal and become whole.  But there is also a hum, a sound, emanating from the rainbow.  Light and sound therapy!  So each organ and body part takes what it needs to move to the correct vibration, whether of light or sound or any combination it needs for wholeness and wellness.  Each being knows what it needs.  This would allow each part to receive the frequencies necessary for its growth.  Synergistic!  The whole is equal to more than the sum of its parts.   The merging of sound and light—what could be better?

 

Thalia edged into the whirling mix of colors and sounds, arching this way and that to be sure all parts of her were exposed.  She wound up automatically twirling in the encounter, not sure what she was seeing or feeling or hearing.  Closing her eyes momentarily, she gave herself up to the experience.

 

Once again she was riding the rainbow.  But this time she was not only riding the rainbow ever upwards through the ocean, she continued the ride into the air as the rainbow curved around the earth, then up into the heavens.  It was all part of her, one with her.  She was that and that and that as she encompassed all things.  She rose so high she was now coming back down, around the earth again, and then up through the earth and emerging into the ocean again.  She was back where she started, but was no longer who she was when she started.  She recalled the quote by TS Elliot: …the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

 

 

 

 

Then suddenly, the colors and sound disappeared.  In their place was darkness and silence.  She waited, holding on to the sense of wonder.   The smell reached her before she could see what it rode on.  A putrid, disgusting, overwhelming smell of fumes and sulphur and noxious toxins.  She recoiled reflexively as her gills reacted to the smell of decay and corrupting flesh.  The darkness thickened, shimmered and took on a hideous form.  Was this the Triton she heard about?     Half man and half fish?  Exacting a price to allow anyone to pass to the Island of Mudjimba?  She remembered pictures from mythologies, teeth bared, grotesque smile. The better to eat you?   

 

 

 

The smell and sight was so overpowering, she wanted to recoil from him.  Not just odious, but a sense of evil emanated from him.  The hell-fire red eyes added to the sense of evil.  Was this Triton?  Or something else?  Much worse?  The smells became suffocating, and the baseness, the heaviness of his presence seemed to drag on her.  Repelling–yet drawing her as a magnet of negative pole draws one of positive pole.  Lumps all over his face and body, maybe tumors?  Black, sharpened teeth.  Arms outstretched as if to welcome but seem more ready to envelope and annihilate.       

 

And yet?  She knew she was that, too.  She needed to relax her fears and extend love to this creature, whatever it was.  A few deep breaths, a remembrance of the rainbow experience and the connections to all things, “this, too, oh Lord.  I am that.”  She could feel the love fill her from Grace, and pour out of her, from Grace.  She reached for the black crystal in her hair and offered it to him, in love, in connection.  His aura altered as he graciously received the crystal, and held it close to better see.  Thalia could observe the crystal first enhancing the red fire from his eyes, but then changing it into many colors, like the rainbow, and finally, into sparkling white light.  

 

His appearance changed.  Long seaweed-rope hair, crystal ocean-blue clear eyes, human upper body and arms with green fish tail.  Still strange but more familiar.  His words bubbled out:  Sirrssle…welcome home!  You’ve been away for a long time.  We’ve missed you.

 

 

 

What do you mean?  Who are you?

 

I am your father, Sirrssle.  You disappeared many, many tides ago.  We could find no trace of you.

 

My father?  How can that be?  You now look familiar, but…

 

I gave you this black crystal when you matured to the egg-laying stage, to protect and remind you of your ocean origins, no matter where you travelled.  And now you bring it back to me.  I am the Guardian of the Deep.  Those who are frightened of me in my other form, flee.  Those who can accept or even love, are allowed entrance.  You have returned to your family, from once upon a tide.

 

But I am human now.

 

You did not appear human as you swam here.

 

I am able to shape-shift.

 

Can humans do that?  I didn’t know that.

 

They can if they focus and are able to move beyond themselves and what they think is their identity.  Most don’t.  But I don’t look like you.

 

He held up a polished piece of glass, now a mirror.  She could see herself, no longer all fish but now a meld of fish below with green scales on a fish tail with human features.  Well, not exactly human—my face would be considered ugly by human standards. My long, rough rope-hair looks rather coarse and ungainly, and is such an odd shade of brown with green highlights.  And my skin is really slightly scaly with protrusions that I thought were tumors on him.  No, I would be considered ugly.  But somehow he…father? Doesn’t seem so ugly now.  He seems natural, like a mer-person.  Pre-Atlantian or future earth… or both? 

  

 

 

Come. 

 

He swam off, to who knows where?  She hesitated, looked in the mirror again, then followed.

 

Thalia had met the Triton, and he was her.

 

 

 

Thalia   (http://healinghaven.wordpress.com)

Searching for Triton

Talking with the people gathered at Rainbow Beach, Thalia heard mention of others who already departed to travel to Mudjimba Island and the Triton that one has to meet before being allowed entrance.  First arrange for a ferry, then be literally dropped off into the water to meet the Triton and appease him in some undefined way, and then, hopefully, finally getting to the Island.  What a long drawn-out process. The ferry is away on a trip so I would have to wait for its return and then do my own bargaining.   I wonder if there isn’t a quicker way so I can catch up with the others.   Sounds like the more adventurous are already there.  And who is this Triton?  What does he want from me?  I just have some odds and ends in my satchel—I can’t imagine there would be anything he wants.

 

She sat down on the lovely sand, specked with the now-crystal Crayola specks from the Crayola Rainbow.  Gathering up a few of the crystals and watching the interplay of color and light, Thalia decided to look for at least one crystal of every color. 

 

 

How long will this take?  But how beautiful they are.  Definitely worth the time to create a ‘Crayola’ box of 64 light-crystals.  Just read that the box of 64 is now 50 years old after having been introduced on the Captain Kangeroo TV show in 1958.  Crayola says more than 200 million of these boxes were sold containing enough crayons to circle the earth 24 times.  Maybe that is where my Crayola Rainbow Ride came from. 

 

I love the quote by Robert Fulghum?  “Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon.  A happiness weapon.  A beauty bomb.  And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one.  It would explode high in the air – explode softly – and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air.  Floating down to earth – boxes of Crayolas.  And we wouldn’t go cheap, either – not little boxes of eight.  Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in.  With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest.  And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination.”   

 

Yes, wouldn’t that be wonderful—bombs of Crayolas—of color to delight instead of bombs to kill.  Look at how they catch the light and shimmer.  It’s like a kaleidoscope, a light show.   She held the crystals this way and that, becoming totally immersed in and mesmerized by the sparkle.

 

*****

 

Atlantis rises again, just as they said it would.  We measure the rise in barely perceptible increments, thus allowing us time to formulate plans and, perhaps, time for us to adapt.  As the ancient ones always said, a world gained is a world lost.

 

We go to survey the changes, Sssss-irl and I.  We will then return and report to the engineers so they can calculate how much time remains now before new evacuations are needed.  Swimming to the rising Atlantis, we scramble over chunks of marble gleaming in the moonlight to the apex of the high temple ruins and measure the distance to water’s edge.  Each moon-pass saw us there, walking a heartbeat’s distance further down the slope.  The incoming waves scour the marble one final time, a final smoothing-out of edges originally rough when entering the deep, and worn smooth over the millennium by the peace of the water. 

 

 

 

I remember playing amongst the original columns and buildings, running lithely, the one who is now Sssss-irl chasing, never quite able to catch me.  Those were the lifetimes when we could run gracefully on land.  Now, all has changed.   We have changed.  But still we play amongst the ruins, swimming and frolicking with ease, enjoying the light filtering through the water as flocks of multi-hued fish glint colors as they bank from one side to the other.  Sometimes the big fish, the Sharp-Teeth Eater, would appear, scaring us into hiding amongst the marble half-hidden by plant-growth.  We wriggle down into the algae, becoming as still as the ancient skeletons of lost civilizations entombed with us. 

 

As we wait, the shadow of Sharp-Teeth and old times passes over us, and we remember.  It is the transitions that are hard.  Over time, we move from one form to another, initially not remembering the others.  But during moments of quiet and awareness, the impact of the whole can overwhelm.  Questions swim and dart like a flock of fish as we wait.  How long will it take?  How long did it take?  What will happen to us this time?  Should we even try to adapt – once again?   We haven’t totally completed the last transition, and now another? 

 

With a long out-breath, hiss of water over gills, I turn to Sssss-irl and observe her legs almost blended into powerful back flippers, remnants of fingers showing from front flippers, eye membrane complete over eyes that have gradually migrated sideways to increase visibility to 180 degrees.  Yes, over the ages we adapted to our watery surroundings, and now?  Now what?  Do we stay below and continue this process, or rise above and start the reversal?  Atlantis rises again. 

 

*****

   

Whoa!  What was that?  When was that?  Who was that?  But it gave her an idea. Why wait for the ferry?  I can change shape and swim to meet the Triton.  Who knows what sights are in the waters around here?  She carefully gathered all the lovely crystals.  Tucking the largest jet-black crystal into her pocket, Thalia placed the rest into a plastic baggie from her satchel and returned the bag of lights into the satchel, feeling sad as their sparkle disappeared from view.  She walked to water’s edge and sat down with her legs extended into the blue world.  Thalia then took the black crystal from her pocket and wound it into her long hair. 

 

A moments pause, focus, intent… and she shifted, flipping to face the water, then squirming deeper into the brine, satchel diagonally across her scaled body, legs now fused with tail flipper.  Another wriggle and the satchel settled into a better placed for long travel.  She was on her way to search for Triton.

 

 

Confronting the Triton

            “Were-Pen, where are we going next?”

            “Triton’s Lair,” she replied.

            “Under the sea?”

            “Yes, of course.  Where else would an ocean god live?”

            “Just one little detail, hardly anything to worry about, but, well, you’ve got some metal bits that might corrode in the salt water, and me, well, maybe you didn’t notice my lack of gills, but I’m a land mammal.  I can’t breathe underwater.”

            “Oh ye of little faith!” said the Were-Pen.  “This is Lemuria!  We’re not bound by the laws of physics!  You’ll be just fine!  Just dive in!  The magic will work!”

            “But what if it doesn’t?”

            “You must believe.”

            “That’s just it, Were-Pen.  I have this itty bitty problem called a complete lack of faith.  The gods tend to hold disbelief against you.”

            “Maybe in your world, but this is fiction, and anything can happen, so here we go!”  The Were-Pen sharply prodded me in the back and I took a giant leap of, well, maybe not faith, but I was definitely stepping out past the point of no return.  And to my great surprise, it worked!

            “It’s amazing!  How did this happen?  I’m here, under the waves, and I’m breathing just fine.  It’s a miracle!”

            “Not really,” said the Were-Pen.  “Your life on land, that was your past, but you have to go on.  The tide goes in and out, with you or without you, it’s the law of ebb and flow, flotsam and jetsam.  You can’t step in the same river twice, it moves on, just go with the flow, don’t look back, however you want to say it.”

            I looked at the Were-Pen.  “You are very wise.”

            “Of course I am.  I have been used to record man’s wisdom through the ages.  You didn’t think I’m just any No. 2 pencil, did you?”

            “No.  But what is your name, if I may ask?”
            “You may call me Claire, short for Clarity, what you discover when you write down your thoughts, emotions, history, culture, stories.”

            “Claire, is Triton as fierce as they say?” I asked.  The stories I’d heard were terrifying.

            “He does have a temper, and no doubt about that, but he’s not all bad.  Certainly, he is the god of hurricanes and tsunamis, but he is also the god of moonlit beaches and silver sunrises over the seas.”

            “I hope you are right, Claire, because I do not think he will like his gift.”

            “Often we receive gifts we did not ask for, and may not like.”

            “True, and sometimes they are just what we needed, though we don’t realize it at the time,” I agreed.  “But I wonder how the Triton will react to an unpleasant lesson in humility?”

            “We’ll soon know.” 

           Claire and I entered magnificent rainbow-colored coral gates, and stopped before the Triton’s Castle-Under-the-Sea.  I rang the knocker, an ornate, antique brass anchor.  I heard no sound, but felt vibrations.

            “Who knocks?” an ancient Gray Dolphin asked.

            “Kerry and Claire, If you please, with a gift for his lordship the Triton,” I squeaked.

            “More likely a trinket to barter your passage to Mudjimba,” the Gray Dolphin muttered.

            “Yes, it’s true, we do ask his lordship’s permission to pass unharmed….We apologize for bothering your royal highnesses,” I said, trying to curtsey, which, under water, was not so gracefully executed.

            “Tourists,” the Gray Dolphin grumbled.  “Follow me.  Triton is bored today – perhaps frightening you will entertain him, at least until Wheel of Sailors’ Fortune comes on…”

            “Sire, some tourists for you to terrorize,” say the Gray Dolphin, then swam back to a safe distance.

            The Triton thrashed about and drew himself up to his full height, 20 feet at least, and his seaweed hair and beard billowed out in ragged, murky tentacles.  His eyes were as red as the center of a volcano.  His torso was huge, barnacled, and broad as a boulder.  The bottom half of his body was dark green and scaled.  He had no legs, only a powerful fishlike tail, which constantly flipped, like an angry cat’s.

            “What do you want?” he roared.

            “I stumbled, knelt, and shakily said, “Please, o Great Triton, may we pass through your kingdom safely, to Mudjimba Isle?”

            “What’s in it for me?  And it better be good.”

            “I have brought you a most special gift.  It comes from long ago and far away, from New England, in North America.”

            “Near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean?” he asked.  I nodded.  “Let’ see what you have, then.”

            I opened my Enchanteur’s bag, and pulled out a tiny iron scrollwork balcony, which grew to its full-size when it entered the salt water.  “They put these rails on balconies upstairs of homes, where the women would look out to sea, waiting for their sailor husbands to return home.  It’s a widow’s walk, because so often, the men were lost at sea.” 

            “You blame me for their deaths?”  The Triton’s eyes glowed with rage.

            “No, of course not,” I said quickly.  “You can’t stop the ocean’s ways.  You can’t stop the tides.  Whenever humans go to sea, we take a risk.  This widow’s walk is a token to honor your power, and, perhaps, a reminder, that what you do may impact someone else miles away from here and years away from today.”

             “Mortal, who are you to tell me how to rule my kingdom?”

            “No one.  I have no right.  But I strive to be a writer, and it is my sacred duty to try to tell the truth, humbly, even when I am afraid.  Please forgive me.  I must try my best to speak true, even when the words are hard to tell, and hard to hear.”

            The Triton looked hard at me, broke off a piece of living coral, and handed it to me.  “My reef is sacrificing some of its life to ensure your safe passage to Mudjimba.  I know how unpleasant it is to be the bearer or hard truths.  Your way, like mine, is not an easy one.  People will not thank you.  They will not want to be with you.  You may earn their respect, but not their love.  It is a loneliness as wide and as deep as the seven seas.  You will suffer enough – you need suffer no more at my hand.   You may pass through my kingdom with my blessing.  Go.”

Kerry Vincent (c) 2008

(Washington National Cathedral, light art by Gerry Hofstetter, re-colored by Kerry Vincent)

A Gift for Triton

Why didn’t you see

on that day

that now seems

so long ago,

and yet and yet,

it is as if I am

still standing there

beside the lilac bush

your mother planted.

I remember

it was in full bloom,

glorious lavenders and purples

and every shade between

and something bright and red,

a dash like a gash –

why didn’t you see?

Why didn’t you hear

the fluttering of my fingertips

as they reached for stems,

something to hold on to,

though to be fair

the butterfly was louder

as he pushed his way

out of his cocoon?

Why didn’t you?

Why?

Soul Sister

Into the Water

As I was about to leave the boat memories surfaced of being about eleven years old and going often to our local outdoor swimming pool. I used to love to climb to the top diving board – walk out to the very edge and launch myself – jumping not diving – hitting the water at goodness knows what speed, only to surface, climb out and repeat the procedure over and over again. No fear whatever!

Encouraged by the smile those memories brought me I took a leap from the boat entering the water with a thundering crash, no slow, elegant descent for this child/woman – oh no!

I flailed around at first, trying to acclimatise myself, my breathing somewhat staccato – aqualungs take a bit of getting used to. The waters enveloped me and I began to be calmed by them, a rather pleasant sensation creeping thoughout my body as if coming back to life. I floated, splashed a little, playing in the water, allowing myself to totally enjoy the experience.

Coming out of my self- absorbtion I began to see all the glorious colours of the life around me, the various fish, the corals, things I had no name for – so beautiful. I swam gently on taking in the sights surrounding me and counting my blessings, wondering how many folk were given the opportunity of an experience such as this.

What had been a flatish surface below me began to change as I swam on, undulating and become very rocky, more and more so giving out onto an opening to further depths. My intuition told me I was to follow the rocks, using them to feel my way down. The water became much cooler and murky, the fish and other creatures were still present but not quite as visible. A moment of fear struck me, I clung to the rocks. Something was at my hand, winding itself around my wrist and pulling – what on earth!!! I tried to stop it, tugging away, but it was too strong and this environment so alien to me, I had no purchase so as this thing pulled I went with it. Down we went, deeper and deeper. I started to worry about air – did I have enough? Our direction changed, we were moving forward, I could see ahead what appeared to be an opening, a much darker chunk of dark! We entered. Twisting and turning it seemed to be a tunnel and although I was scared I was also aware of enjoying the sensation of floating along, feeling like a fish, my body rhythmically bending and flowing through the water by the pull of this creature.

We rounded a corner and the tunnel opened out into a much lighter area. I could now see that it was some kind of eel which had hold of my wrist. It dragged me forwards through a mini-forest of seaweed-type growth – again that delicious flowing/floating sensation. We cleared the dense growth coming into a clearing and there, ahead of me, was – well – a creature. This creature:

I assumed he was the Triton of whom Gruff had spoken. I must admit I was more than a little in awe at the sight of him. He signalled me to come closer. I felt like Little Red Riding Hood approaching the wolf – “what big teeth you have”; “what RED (?) eyes you have” – I was terrified, certain this was it, my last day.

As I approached he held out his hands to me. I wasn’t sure what he wanted but raised mine to meet his. He took my hands in his and looked into me as if reading me. My fear dissipated. I actually felt safe. He drew me closer……closer still. He hugged me!!

“You are ready”. These words I heard distinctly yet he had not spoken.

“You are ready, go now on to Mudjimba, you have all that you need”.

He released me, whilst still looking at me with such intensity he seemed to just dissolve into the waters. He was gone.

The eel returned, circling me then veering off towards the surface. I guessed I was to follow. I swam up and up, the eel leaving once the sunlight could be seen through the waters.

I surfaced, right beside the boat – how odd, and there was Gruff waiting for me, hand outstretched to help me aboard – with a big smile on his face!

Jill

http://wyrdspirit.wordpress.com

Meeting the Tanagran Triton

After such a glorious retreat on Rainbow Beach I was eager to be on my way to Mudjimba Island. I was excited to meet the women there and to especially see the woman working on the tapestry of my creative future.

But there were stops I had to make on the way. First I want to spend some time with the mermaid calling out from her shell. I wanted to see her before Triton so that I could hear her calming music in order to calm my nerves. Who knows? She may even be able to give me some advice about what to do during my meeting with Triton.

So off I went in my boat with my own captain who was a very nice man called Trebor. Trebor talked to me about Mudjimba as we travelled, telling me tales about the women there and what I might find when I arrived. The water was calm but my eyes kept straying to the snorkeling equipment lying on the seat beside me. Soon I would have to suit up and dive down to meet Triton.

We stopped to spend some time with the mermaid who played her music much more than she talked. But just before we left she did give me a few bits of advice about Triton: “No sudden movements” and “Be mindful of his sadness”. The second piece of advice baffled me as much as I understood the first piece. I reminded myself that during this trip I will let be what will be and try my best to be present in the moment so I put my worries aside and let Trebor sail me to my next destination.

It didn’t take long before Trebor had stopped the boat and started to help me with my snorkeling equipment. It felt strange for a landwalker like me to be wearing such a thing but I was grateful for it when I had finally dived down and as per Trebor’s directions, gone looking for Triton.

In the end it was Triton who found me.

I must have be swimming around too near his lair and he had detected my presence. Quick as a flash he loomed up in front of me, holding an evil looking staff and I tried not to swim away in fright. He regarded me coldly as he cocked his head to one side and bared his teeth at me. Despite his show of mild aggression, I now saw what the mermaid meant. He was sad. He eyes said it all. They glowed red but were filled with such a melancholy that my heart went out to him. I wanted to reach forward and touch his face but instead I reached into the pouch I carried around my neck took out a token which I had made with love for this poor creature who seemed to need it more than me. I pulled out a necklace I had made from the seashells I found on Rainbow Beach. At the time, I had looked for the most cheerful colours I could find to make the necklace and I could see Triton’s eyes light up with pleasure as I held it out to him.

In a gesture of trust that touched my heart, he swam towards me, turned his back, lifted his hair and indicated that I should put the necklace around his neck for him. When I had, he looked down at it and tenderly touched some of the shells. Triton unscrewed the top of his staff and took out a large purple Triton Shell and handed it me. I understood from Trebor that this was the item that would be taken at the port of Mudjimba Island.

I bowed my head in thanks to Triton and then he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared before. I awkwardly swam back up to the surface where I found Trebor waiting patiently for me a few yards away. He moved the boat closer and helped me to climb in but when I tried to show him what Triton gave me, he told me to put it away and keep it safe for Triton’s gifts were for the eyes of only a few.

I put my purple shell into the pouch around my neck and felt honoured to have finally met Triton who proved to me that fears are often scarier than reality.

Image and text copyright Stacey-Ann Cole Soultide

Honouring the Triton – Felix Cartoon

In honour of the king of the Tritons, Neptune, here is a very

arty and inspired undersea adventure with

none other than Felix the Cat!!

Enjoy!

(Thanks You Tube for the vintage cartoon.)

(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)

In Search of the Lair

The Mermaid and I went out to sea and she sat on a pea green rock
The Mermaid looked up to the stars above and sang
of the land where the bong tree grows

Too long we have tarried, best not be harried
We must find the Triton’s lair
and dance by the light of the moon, the moon.

Apologies to Edward Lear
Heather Blakey – January 2008 St Leondard’s

To the Bottom of the Sea

 The anchor pulled me down into the chilly depths. There was little light down this deep though the waters were crystal clear; I could see just a little, but not much. Also, while I was descending quickly enough that I hadn’t needed to breathe yet, I knew that soon my lungs would feel like they were bursting.

Then I felt my feet sink into the soft sand at the bottom. The anchor in my hand shrank back to its previous tiny size and I clenched my hand around it before it could be lost at the bottom of the sea. Without the anchor to hold me down, I bobbed up off the bottom and drifted there in the still waters. My lungs were starting to feel the strain and I knew I needed to find air, fast.

I looked around and could see a faint light off to one side and began swimming in that direction as quickly as I could. I was pretty sure I didn’t have enough air to get me that far, but I knew I had to try. I knew I was swimming by some wonderful things deep under the water – fish and plants and coral and sunken treasures, but I didn’t have the time to look at any of them. I was frantic, hoping beyond hope to find air before I drowned.

Something came up behind me – something very, very large. I stopped and turned to look, thinking that it was a shark and I was done for sooner rather than later. To my surprise, I saw a whale. He hung there in the water, looking at me curiously. Then he said, “Little human, you have no air tanks with you. What are you doing down here with no air? Are you a new sort of human who has grown gills?”

I let the last bubbles of air out of my lungs, desperately fighting the urge to inhale.

“I see that you have not. And you are out of air. You will drown without air.” He paused and then continued, “I would say that you are out of time, little human, but I can help you there. I have lots of time, all saved up, and I don’t need every minute of it. If I let you borrow a little, there will be no harm to me!” He laughed, a sound that hurt my ears, even with the water to muffle it. “Here, take this – it’s a half hour or so, and I think that will see you to the next place with air in it. Of course, that would be the Triton’s lair, but there’s no help for that…”

I felt something change, and suddenly I didn’t feel the need to breath. I felt fresh and ready to swim again. I remembered the story that a ferry woman had told me long ago during another Lemuian adventure, that whales live mostly without a real connection to time, enjoying life as it comes. They hold it all back, until they think about things too much and then the stored time all comes rushing in at them, aging them immediately.  I thanked the whale with a huge smile.

He said, “Oh, don’t worry about it. If you can pay it back, all well and good, but if you can’t, I understand. Humans never seem to have any extra time. Just do something nice for someone else some time!” and with a flip of his tail he swam away.

I started swimming towards the light again, but not so frantically now. I could look around a bit and enjoy the scenery. There were multi-colored fish everywhere and wonderful creatures like anemones and starfish on the sea floor. I saw a sunken ship off in the distance – it looked like mermaids were playing around it. I wished I could join them, but I was aware that I only had so much borrowed time, and I shouldn’t squander it.

The light was farther off than it had appeared to be. It grew larger and brighter and finally I was in front of a cave, out of which the light was beaming. The cave itself was odd. I swam around the outside of it for a little bit, looking at it more closely. It was part of  a huge stone carving  of a dragon’s head. The cave was the mouth, with carved white teeth curving up and down around the opening. I swam up looked at the rest of the face. It was an Oriental sort of  dragon, with curling whiskers near the nose and big eyes with tufts of eyebrows above them. The scales were carefully carved into it, and altogether it was almost too real for me. Still, I didn’t have much choice if I wanted to see Triton because I would give odds that this was his lair.

Summoning up my courage, I swam back down and into the open mouth. I could feel a current flowing out of the cave, and had to swim hard to get through it. Swimming upstream down the stone dragon’s throat, I went deep into the cave and into the bright light.

Suddenly the current ended and I was swimming easily in the light-flooded water surrounded by jewel-toned fish. I stopped and it felt like I was floating in light itself.

I felt something grab my arms and pull me up and moments later I bobbed up to the surface. Looking around, I could see that I was in a vast underwater cave. The roof sparkled and glittered in the light shining up from the water and the walls were covered with bright mosaics of sea life. I heard giggles behind me and turned to see two mermaids swimming off – they must have been the ones to pull me to the surface. I looked in the direction they were swimming and saw a magnificent throne rising out of the waters in the middle of the cave. The light was flooding out from under it. The throne itself was a huge sea shell carved to hold a seat, with sea shells and other treasures set all around it. And sitting in the middle of it all was Triton.

He smiled at me, but there was no warmth in the gesture. I winced slightly, smiled back, and said, “Greetings, Triton. I am sent by Enchanteur.”

“I thought as much. Come closer, human.”

I swam up to the base of the throne and hoisted myself out of the water to sit on the edge.

“Up here. You will sit here and show me what you have brought to appease me,” he commanded.

I ascended the steps and came to a small seat just below his and sat there. “I had gifts, but lost them to the pirates who attacked the boat I was on,” I said. “I don’t know what I can give you now.”

“Pirates? Near my dwelling? I think not!” he roared. Triton clapped his hands – they made a sound like thunder. “Send the Siren. Those pirates will rue the day they came near my lair!” he snarled.

“Umm…Triton?” I ventured. “What about the people on the boat I came on? Will they be ensnared too?”

“Probably. But I will send some others to rescue them. They will be safe. Now, human, what can you possibly appease me with?”

“Triton, I am a teller of tales. Could I tell you a story, perhaps?”

“I love stories. You may indeed tell me a story – or two, or three… I believe the standard appeasement is something old, something new and something borrowed?” His eyes glistened with anticipation.

“Right then. I’ll start with something old. My mother likes to tell stories about her childhood, growing up on a farm during the Depression…” I told him some of the stories my mother has told me and my children over the years and soon had him laughing.

“Very good! That will do for something old!” he said. “Now for the new?”

I told him the story of the pirates, and my lucky escape. His brows furrowed with annoyance. “Those scoundrels won’t be trying that again anytime soon!” he vowed. “And last, something borrowed.”

I slumped and shook my head. “I don’t know what to tell you. I had a borrowed silk handkerchief for you, but…the only thing I have borrowed now is borrowed time. I am living on it. Or I was, while I was swimming. You see, when I went over the side of the boat, I didn’t have my oxygen tanks on yet. I was ready to drown when a whale spotted me and loaned me some of his time so I could finish the swim here and not drown.”

Triton looked at me. “I will admit to wondering how you managed to get here without air tanks. That is certainly something borrowed. And since you used that borrowed time to come and appease me, we will call it good.” He reached into a nook in his throne and took out a beautiful piece of red coral. “Take this with my blessings. I have enjoyed your tales very much.”

I took the coral and thanked him profusely. Then he reached into another place in his throne, drawing out a shell with a long thong attached to it. “This is another gift for you. Had your appeasements not suited me, I would have had that pouch that I know you wear around your neck. Since they did indeed suit me, I will give you this new gift for it. I think you will enjoy it, and it will get you safely to the surface once more. It is a magic shell – just put it to your mouth and breathe whenever you need air. You will never need air tanks again. When you reach the surface, it will shrink down small enough to fit in that pouch of yours. Just remove it whenever you have need of it and it will grow large again. I know you will use it well.” He smiled again, and this time there was warmth in the smile. “Now go. I will send some dolphins to take you back to Rainbow Beach since your boat is currently dealing with the Siren. Do not worry about your former shipmates – they will be safely back by nightfall.” Then he clapped his hands in thunderous boom once more, and several dolphins leapt into the air, flipping and laughing. “Your escorts,” said the Triton.

I thanked him again, looped the magic shell’s thong around my neck and plunged into the water with the dolphins. What an incredible gift the Triton had given me! I was excited about the trip back to Rainbow Beach.

It was as wonderful as I thought it would be. The dolphins and I played in the deep waters and swam around sunken ships, playing tag with the mermaids. They showed me all sorts of undersea wonders, and when we finally made it back to the port, they promised to look me up again sometime so we could play and explore some more. I waded ashore, happy and thoroughly water logged. I must admit I got some strange stares, coming up out of the water like that, but I didn’t care. I had just had an incredible adventure.

-She Wolf © 2008

Triton’s Appeasement

My appeasement gift for Triton.

I dallied too long at Rainbow Beach and had to brave the waters. My story is at Travels Between Carvanserai.

Sail Away to Triton’s Realm

L. Gloyd (c) 2008

Triton’s Fish Bowl

Some of E’s naughty wenches have been snared by the Triton and are in a very special fish bowl.
Now they are fated to amuse the Triton.
Will E rescue them or will she take off on her holiday and leave them to their own devices?

Heather Blakey – January 18 2008

Red Coral

“There! I see red coral,” I shouted to Albion as we slowly moved over the top of the reef. I pulled my head out of the observation box.

“Let’s move the boat a little closer.” I quickly stripped off my outer garments and put on a pair of goggles. “There’s some about 20 feet down. I’ll find a broken off piece, then we can row over to the edge of the blue hole and I’ll pitch it in. That’ll make Old Triton happy and we can be on our way.”

Albion deftly maneuvered the boat as I had directed. “You had better take the small hand saw in case you can’t find any pieces.”

“Hand saw?” I had not considered the possibility of having to cut any coral. Paying off Triton with a bit of coral seemed a small price to pay to get to the island. Reluctantly, though, I dug through the supply box and found the saw.

“Is this the right place?”

“Yes.” I eased myself onto the edge of the boat and then fell backward into the warm water.

I descended into the water, like an angel wafting on the breath of God. I was enveloped in a ring of colors as schools of blue and red fish swirled around me. I made it to the bottom near a wall of red coral. I was careful not to stir up the silt.

I quickly scanned around for a piece of broken coral but did not see any. I glided to the nearest branch and pulled out the saw.

The coral, this beautiful trinity that is animal, plant and mineral all in one, seemed to vibrate with energy. I lifted the saw.

No! I cannot do this. It would be a blasphemy to violate the coral. Triton will have to find another way to get his coral. I’ll figure out another way to gain passage to Mudjimba. I won’t pay with blood.

I paddled my way upward and popped through the surface.

“Did you get it?” called Albion.

“No…help me in please”.

Albion hoisted me over the edge of the boat. He did not say anything until I toweled off. Gone was his usual smirk.

“What happened?”

“Nothing. I just couldn’t cut the coral. It would not have been right.”

“Triton won’t be happy.”

“Triton can go pound sand, for all I care! I will not violate the reef.”

Albion nodded. “For whatever it’s worth, I think you did the right thing.”

“It’s worth a lot. Thanks.”

“So, Captain, how are we getting to Mudjimba without paying the passage? Getting angry and having a fit worked the last time you tried to get out of paying a fee….”

“Shut up…. The Island is not that far away. We’ll just row across the channel. No problem…..”

“Sure, no problem she says.” Albion picked up the oars and turned the boat away from the reef.

I noticed the wind was beginning to pick up.

Text and image: Lori Gloyd (c) 2008

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Click here to learn 25 Things You Can Do to Save Coral Reefs

The Trip to Triton’s Lair

 Rainbow Beach was a blast. I hung out with the others, shopped for a new swimsuit and shorts at the bazaar, ogled the buff boys on the beach, took in some movies at the drive-in, and generally had some fun. I rounded out the stay with a trip to the salon and got my hair and nails done. I knew it wouldn’t last, but it was nice to be pampered and that nail polish was such a wicked shade of red that I couldn’t resist it.

Finally I realized that I had put off the inevitable as long as I could and I went down to the docks to see about a boat and some diving gear- it was time to see Triton. The truth was, I was putting it off because I had no idea what on earth I was going to appease him with. Something old, something new, and something borrowed? If it was borrowed, how was I going to appease him with it? Didn’t I need to give it back, or it wouldn’t be borrowed any more? Every time I tried to figure this one out, I got a headache. Of course, that could have been a side effect of too much partying on the beach, too…

At any rate, I found a little boat that was headed out on a tour of the islands first thing in the morning – just a day trip, but they had room for one more and were quite willing to spend a few hours by the dive spot for Triton’s lair. The skipper said that the reef surrounding it was a great place for the other passengers to snorkel while I went to see Triton. I paid for my passage and then went in search of a diving shop. By dinner time, I had rented some diving gear and had gotten a quick lesson on using it. I have been swimming since before I can remember and it didn’t take long to learn to use the equipment.

First thing in the morning, I stored my bags in a rented locker at the marina, gathered my courage and a few small items in a water-proof bag and joined the rest of the tourists on the boat. The other passengers were a mixed lot – some academic type who was rhapsodizing about some rare species of fish he hoped to see on the reef, an entertainer from one of the bars who was clearly planning on working on her tan, a rather stuffy fellow who had made a fortune in the pearl market and his new bride, and a young person on vacation from the family farm who was excited just to be going out on a boat. The captain and his one crewman sailed the boat. There was something about this group that made me feel vaguely uneasy, but I wasn’t sure why. I said hello and then excused myself .

On the trip out to the diving spot, I sat by myself in the bow of the boat listening to the snap of the sails and splash of the water, and poked through my offerings. I had an old carving of a seahorse that I had bought at the bazaar (something old), a necklace of bright plastic beads (something new) and a silk handkerchief I had borrowed from the innkeeper, with the promise that I would replace it if necessary. I wasn’t happy with this selection of offerings – there was nothing of me in it, and I had a sinking suspicion that my offerings needed to be a bit more personal. I was truly stumped.

All too soon, we were at the edge of the reef surrounding the hole I was to dive in. The captain promised to wait two hours for me – I only had enough air for that long, so this had better be long enough. I was just getting ready to strap on my tanks when I heard a shout from one of the other passengers. I looked up and saw a boat bearing down on us at a tremendous rate of speed. A booming noise filled the air and something large hit the water beside our boat with a huge splash.

“PIRATES!” screamed the captain, scrambling to pull up the anchor and set the sails as quickly as possible. He didn’t have enough time, though, before the pirates were on us, grappling hooks and lines pulling our little boat close to their larger one. They swarmed over our boat, herding us with swords and knives into a group on the bow and then efficiently plundering the boat and everyone’s belongings for anything of value.

Finally the pirate captain turned to us. “All right, lessee what ye have on ye, ye lousy bunch o’ fish bait. Cooperate and let’s get this over with and we’ll be on our way and ye can be on yers.” His smile was that of a tiger ready to pounce, accented by gold teeth at either end.

Each of the passengers in turn was searched – the pearl merchant and his wife got special attention and yielded quite a lot for the pirates.

I managed to be last. When I handed my bag of offerings for the Triton to the pirates, the captain pulled out the carving of the sea horse and then threw the rest of it down in disgust. “Is this the best ye can do?” he snarled. “Ye must have somethin’ better on ye. Even the teacher and the farm girl had a ring or a necklace on ‘em!” He moved in closer, peering at me.

I was terrified that he would find my bag from Enchanteur. It was on a thin cord around my neck, and hung very low. I had nestled it in my cleavage, hoping that it would go unnoticed. But the pirate’s eyes were sharp, and he spotted the cord. “What’s this? Holdin’ out on us? Pull that out, and lessee what yer hidin’,” he sneered.

I slowly pulled the bag out of my shirt and stood there, holding onto it. The items inside clinked softly. They were alone in the bag; I had left the money back in the locker with my other things.

The pirate’s face grew greedy. “Well lookee here, boys, I think we got one a’ them bags that that magic lady, Enchanteur, gives out to her travelers. I heered there was a fresh bunch of ‘em over in Rainbow Beach an’ I got a standin’ order fer these bags o’ goodies. We kin get a lot o’ gold fer this, from the right people. Yessiree, I think we just hit the jackpot!” As he reached for the bag, a sudden wind blew up and caught the partially set sails. The boat jerked abruptly, sending everyone staggering.

Arms flailing for balance, I teetered on the edge of the bow and then realized that this was my chance to escape. I stopped struggling to stay on my feet and went over the side,

splashing into the water and still holding on tight to my bag. Quickly, I swam under the water to the far side of the pirates’ boat where I would be out of sight temporarily.

When I surfaced, the wind was still blowing and pushing both of the boats erratically. I realized that I needed to move quickly before either the pirates caught up with me or I was bonked in the head by one of the boats. Thinking quickly, I rummaged in the bag that I still held and pulled out the anchor. I took a tremendously deep breath and held the anchor out.

The anchor began to grow. In seconds, I was holding onto a full sized anchor and was descending rapidly into the clear blue depths of the hole.

-She Wolf © 2008

E’s Annual Ball

E is wondering IF she mentioned the ball at the Triton’s Lair.
Ah well! More rum and coke for her and the naval captain.
An ecclectic crowd is bound to arrive when word gets out that E is providing an orchestra and plenty of food and drink for everyone.
Heather Blakey – January 15th 2008

Arriving at the Reef

Albion and I took turns rowing most of the day. The water of the estuary grew more and more brackish until it was completely sea water.  Soon we were skimming the edge of Triton’s Island. In the distance were the hills of Mudjimba Island and the expanse of the Great Ocean beyond. Albion had been silent for most of the trip. Pouting, most likely.

I saw the reef as soon as we rounded Triton’s Point. The reef encompassed a blue hole, a depression in the sea floor made by a volcanic event long ago. Triton lived deep at the bottom.

“Here. Here’s where we want to stop.”

“We? May I ask a question without my head being taken off?”

I flushed with embarrassment.

“Sure.”

“Why are we here?”

I had figured he would know since he was sent by Madame T. At least he was talking now.

“According to the instructions I received, I’m supposed to get a piece of red coral and give it to Triton.” I began unloading the observation box.

“I see. May I ask why?”

“So he’ll give me passage to Mudjimba Island.” So far he wasn’t being argumentative.

“Hmmmm…. Why do you want to go to Mudjimba Island?”

“I don’t really know. E. will let us know when we get there.” It was nice having a regular conversation with this man.

“Right…. It’s a girl thing, I reckon?” He seemed to be getting it now.

“That’s it.”

“So you have to appease some ocean entity in order to get to an island for which you have no discernable reason to land? Sounds a bit risky, if you ask me. I’d better get prepared to rescue you, then.”

I knew it couldn’t last. I swung around to face him. “Look, don’t worry about me–”

Albion was standing in the boat.  He had removed his boots and was slowly unbuckling his sword.

For some reason, I couldn’t look and turned my attention back to the observation box.

“Uh, would you mind rowing slowly while I take a look? It shouldn’t be too hard to find the coral….”

I thought I heard him chuckle, but I forgot all about him when I leaned over the edge of the boat with the box. What I saw was truly astounding…….

Photo and text: L.Gloyd (c) 2008

The Price of Appeasement

Despite having a wonderful time with Vito I cannot stop fretting about my visit to Triton. I have no idea what to give him.
The morning of the dive dawns and I am particularly troubled.
“What’s up Che?” Vito asks.
“I have nothing to offer Triton,” I say, “I can’t think of a single thing that would be appropriate.”
Vito’s easy grin slides across his face and he shakes his head,
“You worry too much. You’ll think of something.”
I smack my head in frustration,
“I haven’t even paid you for the crossing!” I cry. This time Vito laughs out loud,
“You paid me several times, in full, the night you came stumbling up the dock looking for a boat.”
“I did?”
“You paid for more than a week of crossings. How else do you think you’ve been getting food and board here?” he asks laughing again.
“Oh, I see,” I am flummoxed, “I guess I thought, I thought maybe you…”
Vito roars with laughter,
“You thought I was wooing you?”  He continues to laugh and begins to wipe tears from his eyes. I am feeling more and more uncomfortable and beginning to get a little angry.
“I’m sorry Che,” Vito chuckles, “I’m very flattered, but if you wanted holiday romance you should have picked the boat of my brother, Santo, it is always moored right next to the Queen’s Fancy. If you had fallen over his mooring lines Santo would have carried you aboard and taken advantage of your inebriated state. I doubt you would have seen the outside of the cabin for days.”
Vito starts to spin the yacht’s wheel,
“I can take you to him right now if you want.”
I laugh,
“Don’t you dare!”
Vito reaches in to a pouch on his hip,
“Seeing as this is your last morning aboard I owe you some change,” he hands me three  gold coins. I am stunned,
“How much did I give you Vito?”
“You paid me eight Lemurian Guineas and wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to return it. So I decided to give you your money’s worth. I usually charge a guinea a day. That covers everything. You’ve had five days on board. You have three Guineas change. Now we’re square!” he smiles again.
“Vito, you are a perfect captain and a true gentleman. Your Great Grandfather would be very proud of you.”
“I like to uphold my family name,” Vito says, “Unlike my scoundrel heartbreaker brother Santo. I can still take you to meet him if you like!”
He chuckles to himself,
“So, Che, have you decided on your gift to Triton?”
I tumble the coins in my palm, listening to their heavy metallic chunking.
“Yes I have,” I say,” Can I borrow some beeswax?”
In my cabin I search my pack for a small roll of handmade paper that I have planned on using as a journal. I take a sheet and begin to write;

Thankyou Triton
For your gift of the sea.
Thankyou Triton
For sending me guardians, guides and companions
Who are strong, wise, honest and true.
Thankyou Triton
For teaching me I can be these things too.

I roll up the sheet of paper and seal it inside the beeswax. I wrap the wax pellet, with the 3 gold coins inside my favourite silk scarf; hand painted in turquoise with golden dragonflies.
Within an hour my bags are packed and I am on deck, suited up, ready to dive.
“Ready to rock and roll?” Vito asks winking at me.
“Gung-ho!” I reply. I have butterflies in my stomach despite the preparations of the previous days.
“I’ll be right here,’ Vito says seriously, “I’m not going on to Mudjimba without you.”
“Thanks,” I try to smile, “I’ll see you soon.”
I dive into the water and easily find the entrance to the deep reef. It is a hole, maybe about three metres wide, ringed with a colourful crown of coral. I push my way down, taking in the amazing and varied marine life. My offering is safely stowed in a pouch around my neck. I start to relax and enjoy the breathtakingly colourful surroundings.
Out of the corner of my eye I see something swimming beside me. I turn and see a large grey eel with red eyes. In a moment it is joined by two more identical grey eels. They seem oddly out of place amongst this rainbow world. The eels appear to be following me, swimming closer and closer, forcing me against the coral wall of the dive hole.
In unison, and without warning, they lunge at me, maws open, displaying viciously long and sharp teeth. They aim for my mask. Instinctively I raise my arm to protect my face.
A searing pain burns through my upper arm as their teeth tear through the suit and deep into my flesh. Again and again they attack. I keep my left arm up over my face and try to push them away with my free hand.
 The eels are relentless, determined to reach my mask. I cannot scare them off, the hole is too deep to attract Vito’s attention and I am loathe to swim back to the surface without fulfilling my journey. The dive hole is still not very wide. I bend my legs, push my feet flat against the wall and propel myself, as hard as I can to the other side of the hole. The coral cuts into my arm and side but the eels disperse. I swim deeper, blood pouring from my wounds. The eels return; again I shield my face and smash them into the wall as they bite and gouge my arm in a frenzy to reach my mask. They attack again and again; I lose track of how many times I have to torpedo from one side of the hole to the other. I can feel water filling my suit through the many tears and rips caused by the razor sharp coral. Eventually I realize the eels have gone. I don’t know if I have killed them or just scared them off. Blood is pouring from my left arm and side and I am on fire with pain. 
I manage to swim down to the floor of the hole. It is covered with blood red coral. I cannot tell if the coral is red naturally or if I am tainting everything with my blood. With my  good arm I prize my gift free from the pouch. I place it on the bed of coral. As I do a branch of red coral gently falls infront of my fingers. I stow it safly in the pouch, my fingers fumbling to close it.
I am dizzy with pain and fatigue. I cannot read the dials of my air tank but I know I used a lot of air during the fight. The brightly coloured coral is becoming blurred and indistinct. There seems to be nothing but blood. I cannot remember which way is up. I am incredibly tired. I just want to stop and sleep. I can see nothing. I feel the water around me. It is pushing me. It is pulling me. Lifting me away from the pain like many strong, comforting arms. All is darkness and red.

Chefleur

14.1.08

www.meetmysister.wordpress.com
 

The Triton’s Lair

The Triton’s Lair

Heather Blakey January 14th 2008

Waters of Mudjimba

It is pure heaven to morph and swim in the waters of Mudjimba. I am sure the Triton will welcome me to his watery kingdom and find a place for me in his Palace for a few days.

Heather Blakey January 14th 2008 

The Meeting with Triton

The past couple of days, Pris and I have sat quietly contemplating, listening to beautiful music of the sea, pulled books off the shelf on traveling, journaling and mythical God and Goddesses, and wrote in our journals. In the afternoon, we’ve had tea and cookies and in the evening a good glass of wine. We’ve anointed our bodies in luscious oils and soothing lavender.

All of this has been in preparation of seeking out Triton and appeasing the old chap in order to move on to Mudjimba to meet the spinners and weavers.

Today, we took off for our meeting. The morning was busy getting our gear together and loading it back on the aqua blue kayak. With the map the old woman gave me, we pushed the boat off shore and paddled to the area.

Pris spotted them first–a large rock bulging from the sea brimming with naked oceanids frolicking and playing in and out of the water. We stopped and sat watching, careful not to disturb their game (we assumed it was a game they were playing by what we could hear a few of them saying).

 

Slowly, we started paddling again and working our way around the large rock and the paradise of oceanids. About 200 yards further, we approached the deep pool where we understood was where we would dive in order to seek and face Triton.

Anchoring the boat, we secured everything that would stay in the boat. Before our jump, Pris reached for the shell mobile and called Enchanteur. I didn’t hear what she was saying since I was busy getting our bags ready. She hung up the shell. Then, with our bags over our shoulders we jumped into the cool blue waters swimming close to one another.

Both of us concentrated on our dive. You could feel the intensity of our intentions and desire to get through this as quickly as possible so we could move forward.

It seemed like an eternity before we came upon an opening that I suspected was Triton’s Lair. Pris swam a little closer so she could look ahead. I could see her peaking into the cave-like opening and then she swam quickly back. I was coming up to the cave. She pointed and nodded her head towards the left side, clearly wanting me to keep my eyes on the left side of the entry.

As we both started into the opening, a creature swam in front of us. It had been behind a large bed of coral and seaweed. At first, we couldn’t make out what kind of creature it was (both of us were a little leery in fear it might be something like a shark) that was swimming to meet us. As it neared, I could see that it was a monkey. A monkey under the sea? No, not a monkeyfish! This was a bonafide monkey—the kind you’d see in a jungle.

He appeared rather a friendly chap, “Hi, mates,” he exclaimed nearing, “I’m here to guide you safely to Triton. I heard you’ve come with unique treasures and gifts.”

Turning to Pris, “Saddle up on my shoulder little one so you won’t get pulled away by the currents.” Pris looked over at me, I gave a nod and she climbed on his shoulder.

The monkey didn’t say another word. I followed him through the opening and down a shaft. It was a short trip with nothing happening worth mentioning. Once we arrived, Pris stayed on the monkey’s shoulder and I sat on a rock near them to ask questions.

“Who are you,” I asked with curiosity. Just consider this, we were deep in a ocean pool with a monkey. Could be a trick and I wanted to make sure we weren’t in danger.

“I am you, I am blue, I am the sea, I am me, I am Pris, I am a kiss, I AM,” he chattered while laughing.

“You can see, I’m not laughing!”

“I am the Guardian of Thoth’s descendants. You are one of his children traveling through time and space, carrying on his work on Earth. I am here to make certain Triton does not play his usual tricks on you. He must know of your callings and yearnings, that you seek his gifts for your bag.”

“Now I’m laughing! It’s not likely that Triton would be the one gift giving. He expects us to appease him. Yes”, I asked.

“He will expect it yes. That is until he knows and you must tell him. If you cannot and do not, I will speak for you. Only, you will suffer with the question that will haunt you, “Why didn’t I?”

“I don’t want to live with that question hanging on my head. Tell me what I need to know before going in to see him?”

“I just did.”

[If you are unfamiliar with Thoth, he was considered an unusual god. Though some stories place him as a son of Ra, others say that Thoth created himself through the power of language. He was the creator of magic, the inventor of writing, teacher of man, the messenger of the gods (and thus identified by the Greeks with Hermes) and the divine record-keeper and mediator.]

Up to this point, Pris was taking this all in, “Excuse me! What about me? Will I have to appease Triton?”

The monkey (he was already smitten with Pris) stroked her hair and said, “No. Not if Genece follows through with my guidance. Triton will automatically release you and grant you purification.”

Pris looked over at me, “Genece, you heard the monkey! Tell Triton! Tell him what he needs to know!”

“Of course, Pris! Of course, you’d say that. You don’t want to meet and appease him,” I said.

“You betcha,” she exclaimed with conviction.

The monkey appeared bored with the whole thing, except he continued giving Pris an adoring gaze out of the corner of his eyes. Sh__! I’m sure if she did have to meet Triton, she’d have him eating out of her hands!

He turned to speak to me again. This time he pulled an item from a nearby rock ledge that was rainbow in color. “Here, put this on. It is Thoth’s rainbow cloak of protection.”

I took it from him and slipped into it. It fit like a diving suit only it was bright rainbow in color. Putting on tight clothing deep in ocean waters was not easy. After squeezing my body into it, he gave me a dark wig to put on as well. Placing the wig on my head, I felt something shifting.

Suddenly, I was spinning and whirling in a circle at high speed. Just as fast as it started, it stopped. I glanced over at Pris and her face was pure white. It was like she’d seen a ghost!

“Genece, you look like,” she muttered. Trying again, “You look like … well, you look like the God Thoth but with breasts!”

I felt empowered in the suit, like I had worn it many times before and knew its magical powers.

“Yes, Pris. I do. It’s quite something really!”

“I’ll say,” she quipped.

The monkey said, “It’s time. Pris and I shall remain here. I will not come forth unless you do not speak the truth to Triton and tell him what he needs to know about you.”

“Yes, I understand,” I said nervously as I swam deeper into the lair.The shapes and colors of Triton’s home were cool and refreshing. Let me see if I can describe what I saw before me.

There were three pyramids at the base of the floor, three different sizes. What looked like railroad tracks were on both sides of each pyramid structure. Shark and other fish swam freely about and in the center of the lair were roots, like that of a tree. On the larger pyramid towards the front of the lair sat a large lustrous pearl. Over the pearl was a Genesa Crystal spinning in eight directions simultaneously. It was quite extraordinary to see.

[The Genesa Crystal is a sacred geometric sculpture that can be used as a powerful tool for manifestation. Because its shape is perfectly aligned with nature, it generates an energy vortex that amplifies the intentions of those in its presence. In effect, it becomes an antenna that attracts, cleanses, balances, and finally amplifies energy. The Genesa Crystal is very close in nature to my name, Genece. Though, I think my mother named me after a romance novel instead of some geometric symbol]

As I approached the largest pyramid, Triton appeared with his extra large fork, “Are you one of the travelers here to appease me?”

“Yes, I am one of the travelers journeying to Mudjimba Island to spend time with the old women who are spinners and weavers. However, I am not here to appease you.”

“You are here then to be purified by my majestic healing capabilities in order to travel forward.”

I couldn’t speak. My mouth was frozen for a moment while my mind raced, searching for the courage to say what I was supposed to say.

Thinking to myself, “I’ve come this far in life, this doesn’t have to be scary. Just do it!”

“No, I’m not here to be purified either. I’m here to bring you a unique gift you’ve been seeking. And, I’m here for the pearl that you’re going to give me for my bag.”

With a haunting laugh, “They didn’t tell me that one of you was delusional. You must know that no one gets the pearl. For the pearl carries historical magic of the sea that goes beyond anything your human mind can comprehend.”

Again my inner thoughts were rampant, “That’s twice this week I’ve been called delusional. Oh well, doesn’t matter. Get your thoughts together and stay on track.”

“Ahhhh, it is true. My human mind probably wouldn’t comprehend all of it. However, my soul knows for I am one of the descendants of Thoth. I carry the tapestry of life weaved through my words and images. I am a mediator of time and space and I have upon my person the very thing you seek, the authentic writings of Thoth prior to The Emerald Tablets. I will trade you the writings for the pearl—fair exchange oh great Prince of the Sea.”

“You have the writings of Thoth? Let me see them now!”

Interrupting him, “No, no! You must first show me a sign a faith that you agree to my negotiations or I swim away from here and return home.”

“Okay, if I stop the Genesa Crystal from spinning and hold the pearl would that appease you?”

“Yes, yes,” I said, I reached inside the pouch strapped next to the bag, pulling out the sacred writings of Thoth.

Triton smiled and reached over for the writings wrapped carefully in green leather with an ancient emerald brooch of Thoth’s original cloak. Once in his hands, he kept his word. He gently lifted the pearl from the top of the pyramid and handed it to me. I placed it safely in my bag, knowing it was the missing piece of my eternal puzzle.

As I left his lair, Triton was holding the book of Thoth’s writings close to his chest. I think he received a piece of his puzzle as well.

Reaching the monkey and Pris, you could see by Pris’ face that she had been anxiously waiting her fate. When she saw my quiet smile, she jumped off the monkey and swam in circles around me singing. I think she was happy!

We said goodbye to our guide, thanking him for his words of encouragement and wisdom. Both of us swam up to the boat and paddled back to shore.

We were both ready to move forward and to meet the spinners and weavers. And, safely in my bag was the pearl I had long been waiting for. And yes, both Pris and I have our pieces of coral for Mudjimba

– Genece Hamby
http://sanctuaryofstillness.wordpress.com

Going in the Right Direction

After I pushed away from the dock, Albion and I flipped a coin to see who would row first. He lost and picked up both oars.

“Which way, Captain?”

I pulled out the map that I had purchased and unrolled it. I marked the route I had taken when I arrived through the portal and then charted our next course.

“To the Blue Hole and Triton’s Lair.”

“Triton’s Lair?” Albion’s cool demeanor cracked. “Triton is someone best left alone.”

“Don’t start with me, Albion.”

“Alright, alright….”

Text and image: L.Gloyd (c) 2008
Map created in Terragen.

Nostalgic Island Trip

Strange things happen at Rainbow Beach.  Finally able to wrench

Faerie Wren away, sporting a big headache, across in the boat to

Old Woman Island.  The people on the island were so

friendly and welcoming, we were very pleased.  It

appeared our taking part in the local festivities

pleased them, so Faerie Wren was vindicated. 

We asked to see the old woman of the

island, and a guide told us she was sleeping in one of

the huts, and we were not to disturb her.  Yet, said the

guide, “the whole island is an old woman”, that the old Nature

Goddess of old covered the whole length and breadth

of it, and would keep us safe in the treacherous waters,

in place of the Old Woman.   We gave a gold coin

to the guide and were shown the way to the diving

point.  We had to wear our glasses underneath our

suits, so we could see what we were looking for,

the Triton of the Deep…

The conventional diving suit was perfect for use here in

the deep, but Faerie Wren had to morph into his fish

suit, as there were none for birds. 

He can be seen swimming above me, in orange, and

took to it like a duck to water.  So many beautiful colours

and sights to see.  We carefully avoided the deepest parts and

treacherous ledges we had been warned about…

The Triton was not easy to find.  We had to change our minds

about what we expected.  Entering a part of the deep that was

different, we suddenly noticed that everything was huge.  The

seaweed was large and waved around with the underground

currents.  There at the centre of it was a giant golden orange

casket or cave, and we could hear a whispery voice emit from

it.  We instinctively knew it was the home of the Triton.

We offered it a prayer for the good of the ocean life and the

mysteries of the undersea world, and pledged never to

harm the realms there.  This pleased the Triton, and

it sang us a song, in tune with some whale noises we

had heard before.  Faerie Wren was so enchanted he

curled a precious necklace of sea beads around the giant seaweed

that grew around the home of the Triton, and then

we returned to the island, with a blessing from the

enchanted deep…

(copyright Imogen Crest 2008.)

Post Script:  These images are part of some senior school art assignments I did at the age of twelve or thirteen, using a watery theme technique on paper to create an undersea effect.  Little did I know that many years later, I would use these again, to be rewarded by a pleasing sense of nostalgia online.  These ideas are still relevant in the intensely technological years, which followed these early works at school, on paper.