Playing Koi (17) (Patreon)

Jemma circled the memorial annex, trailing a delicate hand over the frames around the walls. Once this had been a tiny closet at the bottom of her workshop home with Liam, a place to remember a single lost child. Now it was at the top, the only part of her home with a window for light from Algaegard above.

Jemma's own artistic talents had developed in considerable part through the creation of these memorials. Her last memories of the fish close to her wouldn't do with some city-appointed sketch. Each one was better than the last.

"I hope you don't mind... I captured you the way I remember—from when we met." She hefted the sheet of thin coral plate under her arm, holding it below a shimmering blue scale already in its frame. "In the caves, remember? We still made armor out of plastic."

She lowered it carefully into place above the scale, and secured each clasp in turn. Liam posed dramatically on the surface there, looking as young and vibrant as the day they first met.

Liam Neon Tetra

Her song was an epic, and I was a verse. May she remember my voice.

Jemma hadn't written the inscription—nor did she know who had. It wasn't the one Sean suggested at the funeral. She probably could've changed it, but she didn't have the heart.

"I'll draw something better when I have more time," she promised, resting one hand over the scale. His smile, always just a little off-kilter. Jemma sniffed, and fought off the pain before it could break into more sobs. She had shed enough tears.

"War's over," she whispered, meeting the eyes she'd drawn for him. "That's what everyone says. Every tank for miles of the food court is cleared—no more predators, just little barbarian settlements. All the peaceful fish who want somewhere safe to live, but don't want to follow our rules."

Or more likely, weren't able to understand them. Fish that grew up fending for themselves in dark corners and lonely caverns were difficult to civilize once they got set in their ways. They weren't evil, weren't violent—but they couldn't just come into the city.

"Not sure if they ever got Goro. Koi's got to be as old as you by now. Maybe he died of fin rot in some lonely tank, cursing your name. Or maybe they blew him up with one of those chemical charges."

Liam didn't answer, of course. The dark waters he swam were beyond the aquarium now. "I hope you're keeping them company." She spun, turning towards the other little monuments in her memorial. Ryan's was right beside his father, drawn on the day he joined the military. Bright uniform, confident features—brave to the end.

But there were so many others. Most passed when they were younger than Ryan. The youngest hadn't lasted a day after her birth. "Tell them I love them," she said. "If I never see you—I'll be thinking of you."

She circled the room again, touching each scale in turn. The ocean had taken them away—generation after generation, year after year. No fish could live forever.

"Melody's bringing your grandson today, can you believe it? Don't ask me how the magic works. He's a goldfish... I hope you don't mind she named him after you." She turned away, floating slowly towards the window. It was about the same width as the room, a piece of clear plastic that could be opened from within. Above were the streets of Algaegard, with skyscrapers stretching on all sides now. Their street window was one of the last.

"He's getting so smart—maybe as smart as you one day."

Shouts echoed from above, shattering the stillness. Jemma stiffened, flicking her tail once to carry her all the way to the window.

A flurry of guards swam over the opening, already in armor.

Something's happened.

Jemma reached for the lock, twisting the mechanism sideways. The window swung inward, far enough for her to wiggle out the opening. She weaved through the crowded streets of Algaegard, her eyes scanning the faces around her. Confusion, worry—most were moving away from the wall.

Jemma accelerated, swimming against the flow of fish until she reached the front of the city, and its enormous metal gate leading out into the aquarium.

Jemma swam up to the gate, taking in the sorry scene before her.

A large group of goldfish pressed up against the gate from the outside, their scales dull and their fins tattered. They looked exhausted and terrified, with numerous little injuries.

One goldfish, slightly larger than the others, was gesticulating frantically to a translator on Jemma's side of the gate. A number of guards gathered on the Algaegard side, with more flowing in from the city all the time.

Jemma approached, weaving through the guards until she was close enough to see the goldfish's signs. Her eyes widened as she realized the severity of their situation.

They're being chased by monsters, she thought, her heart clenching with sympathy. They're being followed.

Her eyes scanned the crowd through the fence, searching frantically for any sign of Kisten. For better or worse, she saw no trace of that familiar goldfish.

The translator turned to the nearby guard captain, and spoke with confidence. "The goldfish demand to be admitted immediately. They'll be forced to attack if we won't open the gate."

Jemma's jaw dropped. That's not what they said at all!

Without thinking, she darted forward, swimming easily past one guard and over several others. Being so small had its advantages, especially now that she could swim so well. "Wait! That's not what they said!"

The translator whirled around, her face flushing with indignation. This fish was at least twice her size, with a tail of yellow scales on her back and creamy ones on her sides. She puffed up her chest, indignant. "Who even are you? Get back to the city, it isn't safe."

Jemma shook her head, turning towards the soldier instead. "Marlin, you know me. I can talk to the goldfish."

"Marlin, we should have her arrested. Algaegard is in danger. This fish looks at least half goldfish herself. She’s probably a sympathizer—we need to have her removed. Soldiers, come here!"

Jemma whimpered, flicking her tail to either side, ready to zip away if she had to. She wasn't going to let the city send these fish away, no matter what some translator wanted!

Marlin tilted his head to the side. "Miss, this is Jemma—Liam's mate. If she says she knows something about the goldfish we don't, I'm inclined to listen. What do you think they said, Jemma?"

She relaxed, drifting to the side to have a clear view of the fish. "That they're in trouble. They swam here with predators following them, and they're begging for help."

Marlin's eyes went wide. "Hanna, that isn't what you told me. Which is it?"

"I..." She flicked her tail at the goldfish. "It's a matter of perspective, isn't it? It's the same message—she's just giving them a different intent. I'm telling you what they really mean."

Jemma rolled her eyes. "Clearly. They're threatening violence—desperate, naked refugees. Only weapons I see are a few rocks they probably picked up on their way here. Not even any... magical tattoos." She zipped past the translator now, ignoring her completely. Jemma fixed her attention on the leading goldfish.

"Are you from Thetria?"

That produced several energetic nods from the goldfish. A few cried out—though of course it made no sound. Only Jemma, and maybe Hanna felt that enthusiasm.

"Old name for the old city," said the leading fish, bobbing nervously up and down. "Once called this. Please, let us inside. They are coming. Need to hide."

Why are you talking like that? Jemma turned her back on the leader, focusing on Marlin. "I can't order you, but please—let them come inside. The goldfish won't hurt anyone. The city council can vote about it later after they're safe."

Jemma's heart pounded in her chest. She looked between the captain and the translator, then to each watching guard in turn. Not a single one of these soldiers was a goldfish. She would have to count on Marlin's compassion.

Finally, he nodded. "Hanna, your office will hear about this. Lieutenant, get that gate open. Everyone else, at station! If there are predators following, we'll be prepared."

Fish swam to their station beside mounted spearguns, training a dozen of them on the gate. Bigger fish drew their tridents, approaching the gate from below.

"Jemma, stay. You're translating now."

She floated beside the captain, nodding to him. "I'm ready."

"Goldfish!" Marlin called, floating past the opening. "I know you can understand me, so listen. I am going to let you inside. You will swim past my defensive line, and wait there. You will not try to enter the city, you will not flee my soldiers or disobey my instructions. You have not been granted refugee status—yet. If you disobey, you will likely be ejected from Algaegard permanently. Do you understand?"

He waited for a response, but of course none came. A few goldfish nodded, the closest thing to a spoken answer they could give. Finally, he looked to the side. "Jemma, did they get that?"

She nodded. "They'll do whatever you say. Their leader wants to know if this is... a monument of great... a creation like unto the ancients?" She frowned, swimming closer to the gate. That put her directly in the line of fire of the turrets, if predators happened to rush inside.

Jemma didn't smell any coming yet. If she had to guess, she didn't think she would. After the war, few fish were brave enough to strike directly against Algaegard.

"Yes," she told them. "I think. I visited Thetria... long ago." She pointed at her chest. "Ancestor."

"Good!" said the fish on the other side. "Then we're safe!"

Jemma watched in silence as Marlin directed the goldfish past the security line. They moved slowly, their bodies weary and their fins drooping. Some of the younger ones were practically carried by the current, their strength spent.

Once the last of the refugees were inside, fish lowered the massive metal gate, securing its thick bars. Jemma turned from the gate, darting after the goldfish. She passed over the group, getting a better view than she could through the gate. She stared nervously between them, searching desperately for a young female fish covered with freckles. Kisten might be blending in with the other young refugees, trying not to attract attention.

But if she was there, Jemma couldn't see her. Her former girlfriend wasn't in the group.

Eventually they reached the square, where the two-dozen fish gathered near the aquarium gravel with dark, distant faces.

She swam over to Marlin, who was watching the goldfish with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "Can I talk to them? They came here from Thetria, and I need to know why."

Marlin hesitated. "The city council will want to know what happened," he said. "I thought Thetria was a mythical city. Magical, advanced... these fish didn't come from anywhere like that." He nodded towards an older goldfish near the edge of the group. "Cataracts. Even we can fix those. Those two have dropsy... and they all look half-starved."

"They said they came from Thetria," Jemma said. "I've been there, Marlin. It's... not perfect, but it's nice. Should be even better, after all these years."

Marlin frowned. "That's what I don't understand. Every story, every rumor... Thetria was... more advanced than Algaegard, even." He gestured towards the refugees. "See what you can find out."

Jemma didn't wait for him to change his mind. She turned and swam towards the group of refugees, her eyes searching for the goldfish she'd spoken to before. She found him near the center, where he seemed to be counting off a group of goldfish children.

"I'm Jemma," she said, sinking down into the group. Despite the worry of the guards surrounding them, Jemma wasn't afraid. These fish needed food, not a prison. They wouldn't hurt her. "What's your name?"

"Finn." He spun, blocking the children with his body. "You are strong, and smart. Will you save them?"

She glanced past him, at the two-dozen goldfish. "I should be able to convince the city council. There's a goldfish on it, son of—doesn't matter. He won't let them throw you out to get eaten."

Finn shook his head violently, expression frustrated. "Not us, them! Back at the old city. Most were... couldn't swim fast enough. Couldn't get away. Too small, too many teeth in the water."

"They're still in Thetria?"

Finn nodded urgently. "Yes! Most are... we are few. Brave ones... many died to swim here. But we made it, to ask... ask for help."

"What happened?" Jemma demanded. "Your defenses were so strong. Only goldfish could enter the city. Even a fish strong enough to swim through wouldn't be a threat as soon as they got inside."

Finn looked away from her, eyeing the fish to either side. But no one else said anything. They all watched Jemma, fearful. Whether they were relieved to find a fish who could understand them, or terrified, she couldn't say.

"Don't know about... that," the leader said. "Tank was safe from outside. Still... bad, in parts. Not much left to eat. Scavenge through the ruins, hunt snails. But then the storm tunnel stopped spinning. No more water, no more noise. Big fish came in from outside, and..."

The shield fell. Jemma swam right up to him, gripping his arm firmly with her fingers. "There should be an ancestor in that tank: Kisten. She made your barrier with runecraft. Is she with you? Red hair, freckles." She stopped abruptly, realizing the absurdity of it.

She'd just described every goldfish in the group.

"Ancestor... some say there is one in the old temple," he said. "Never go there. Dangerous, since the city fell. Much magic."

She might still be there.

Jemma released his shoulder, then fluttered back through the water. "Cooperate with the guard. I'll see if I can win the council over for a rescue mission."