Love & Chaos 2: A New Pharaoh for Egypt

Chapter 10

Some Fishy Friends

Zia.

She carried Layla out of her room to Sarah and Liz's. "Sarah, we've got a fainter," she called gently, praying to all the gods that the mortal girl wouldn't be asleep.

Luckily, she wasn't. "Oh, god, what happened?" she asked, looking at Layla's limp body.

"She was at my door, and then she was fainting. I'm not entirely sure what happened," Zia admitted. "I think that I know why she came, though."

"Should I wake Liz?"

"No, no, let her sleep. It can wait until the morning, don't you think?" Zia pointed out.

Sarah nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're probably right. Take her down to the infirmary, and then get some sleep, doctor's orders."

"Did that William Solace boy teach you that?"

The mortal laughed. "Yes, he said that it's unarguable, and that if I say that, people have to listen to me."

Zia laughed as well. "I guess I can't refuse doctor's orders, then," she said. "I trust you can take it from here, Sarah. Thank you."

"It's my job, isn't it?" Sarah smiled before shooing Zia out of the room. "Now, go get some sleep."

Zia's dreams were strange, as they always were, but this was a different type of strange. She felt like she was drifting in the water, like she was almost a part of it...

"Lailapás!" someone was shouting. "Come here!"

"I'm coming, mother!" There was Layla, drifting through the ocean towards an older looking spirit. "What is it?"

"We've been asked to join an army," the spirit explained. "You will also be a part of it."

"An army? Mother, surely we aren't-"

"Lailapás, please, trust me right now. Our lady Chaos has been so kind to ask in person." The spirit had a pained expression on her face, trying to keep herself together.

"Why would we... Mother, who did she threaten to take?" When she received no answer, she repeated, "Who?!"

Her mother looked at her solemnly before answering, "You."

"Then let her," Layla insisted. "Don't join the evil ones just to spare me. I'll get us help, we can fix this, it will be okay-"

"Lailapás, you must listen to me. You have been charged with finding the Argo II and sinking it. Liz Jackson is on that ship, and Chaos wants her dead. Now do exactly as I tell you..."

"Zia!" A pillow hit her face, and she woke with a start. "You sleep like a log, wow. Dreaming?" Sadie asked.

"Yes," Zia admitted. "Was the pillow necessary, Sadie?"

"Yes."

Zia sighed, trying to understand her dream. She didn't hear what Layla's mother told her, but chances were that it was to make conversation, probably even to try to talk to Liz. Anyone who knew anything about Poseidon's daughter knew that she was compassionate and would try to help the hurricane spirit.

She went down to the sick bay to check on Layla. Poking her head through the door, she saw the bluish skinned girl sitting on the edge of her bed, fidgeting with her hands.

"Zia?" She glanced up at the door, and Zia came inside. "Hi."

"Hey. Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I have to go back home. My mother..."