CRUEL KING

Dive

Dive

Three months before the wedding...

The sea was blue and calm that morning in the port city of Albatra. So was the sky, reflected on this immense and capricious expanse.

_ It's a nice day, says Anisha to herself. If I can't pull up a whole basket of shells with this clear water, I'm not my father's daughter.

Perched on the largest rock next to the magnificent golden sand beach, the seventeen-year-old tied back her long ebony hair, then hung her wicker basket around her waist.

_ Well, now it's time to get off.

Anisha held on to her long chiton with one hand, and with the other, helped herself down, holding on to the imposing rockery.

The number of times she had slipped from this height. She retained painful memories and a few scars, which far from dissuading her, only enjoined her to be more cautious in her steps.

One last glance at the city that surrounded most of this re-entrant bay, and she touched the water.

_ Brrr! It's so cold!

Despite the rays of autumn sunshine that warmed the atmosphere, the sea was frozen at this time of year.

Anisha, whose father only allowed her to fish in summer, saw the difference.

_ That'll do it, old girl ! All you need is a little courage.

Shivers ran through her matte, pearly skin, as soon as she sat down on the edge of the big rock and plunged her legs in. Her flesh became like plucked chiken, and that was all it took to make her realize a few things.

_ I don't know how Father does every day, but it's obvious he's no slacker.

As if galvanized by her realization, and eager to be as strong as he was, she let herself slide into the water.

Once fully emerged and moving, she gradually adjusted to the temperature. After a deep breath, she dived in headfirst.

Holding her breath like a real fish, she swam along the rock to its base.

This was where the marine life was in full swing, and also where she and her father had been fishing for years.

Like picking flowers, Anisha took the time to choose each shell clinging to the rock, not too small, not too big, a happy medium that keeps the flora balanced. And then today, she wasn't fishing to sell, but to make a nourishing meal for her sick father.

The stew she would lovingly prepare for him would be delicious, and she hoped it would quickly restore her father's strength.

In the process, she even took the time to pick up a few small crabs, which she also put in the cage attached to her waist.

As she ascended, hundreds of tiny bubbles escaped from her nose as she expelled air from her lungs. The sensation of water gliding over her body was as pleasant as ever. And the sun's rays that greeted her at the surface, warmed her immediately.

Once she had pulled herself up onto the rock, Anisha ran her hands over her face to wipe it clean.

_ How is she today, Ani? asked Rio, another fisherman her father knew well who had just arrived.

_ Invigorating, declared the young girl cheerfully, untying her small basket from her belt.

_ I see the catch was good.

_ Yes, and in one dive, please, boasted Anisha, pleased with herself.

_ I'm going to think about hiring you, if this keeps up. With a such a breath, you'll turned me rich in no time. That is, if your gruff old man lets you. And how's that old carcass doing?

_ Better, I think. In any case, he's eating everything I cook for him, and the doctor says that's a good sign.

_ That tough-skinned scoundrel, says Rio in a tone designed to reassure her, he'll be back on his feet in no time. Besides, he's been talking about your wedding to anyone who'll listen, so he'll have to get better if he wants to organize it. Especially as Lori should be back soon, many of the conscripts have already returned.

Anisha blushed before grumbling:

_ There's no wedding, Father always talks too much for nothing...

With that, the young girl climbed back onto the rock and left the beach.

"What does that mean? He doesn't think there's anything going on between me and Lori ?"

Upset by the gossip that must have been rife in her little village on the outskirts of the city, Anisha sulked all the way home.

"That's right, Lori's a friend I've known for some time, but in reality I don't know much about him. I don't know where he lives or who his parents are. So for me to get mixed up with him, Father's got a lot of nerve."

Besides, it had been ages since she'd heard from him, and she didn't even know if their friendship still meant anything to him.

The war had certainly been no mean feat, but as a young conscript, he hadn't had to fight and had mostly been part of the logistics. Knowing this, Anisha couldn't understand why he hadn't taken the time to send her a single letter.

All the same, a smile swept away her bad mood. She remembered what Rio had told her: the war was over and her friend would be back soon.

Would he recognize her when he saw her again?