The Black Pearl
Or
The Gem of the Sea.
Here is a taste of the story...
For ages, the gems of the sea were well hidden from man, resting in the bellies of the Great Sea Clams that came up to feed near an uncharted island every summer. Guarded by the Sea elves, these clams would rest near the island and take in large quantizes of fish and plankton. There they would mate for the summer. They would then return to the dark depths of the ocean.
On one fateful day, after a storm pushed a small sailing vessel near the island did the gems become endangered. While a young sea-maiden watched a young warrior showing off, a man slipped over the side of his ship and swam down. Fighting the elements, he swam into one of the great clam’s mouth, taking one of the gems from deep within the folds of the clam’s throat, careful not to disturb its slumber, and swam out before the great shell closed around him. Swimming up to his ship, he placed his prize before the feet of his fellow deckhands, before diving back down for more. Six men, each with a heart of darkness stared in wonder at their prize, counting their luck, and the coins they would receive for such a gift.
Seven men who just that morning were heard cursing the fates and gods for their plight. Now Fate, or some unnamed god smiled down upon them.
However, the second great clam was much faster than the first. When the man entered to take yet another gem, he exited in haste, striking the clams muscle with his foot, causing the clam to slam down on him, cutting him in two. Smelling blood, the sea-maiden swam forth, catching the upper half of the man before rushing him away.
Aqua, the daughter of the king reported to her father, telling of the gems plight, while asking forgiveness for her actions. However, she had broken the most sacred of laws, laws passed down over the ages. By her fathers own words he sent his only daughter to retrieve the gem.
A black pearl, the size of a small melon.
