The Little Merman

Chapter Twenty-Two: "The Mermaid Hunter"

Nathan's anger boiled over at Jetsam's words. Shoving Jetsam back away from him, he swung out to punch him in the face. Only Jetsam blocked his punch with his arm, before smacking one of Nathan's legs. The pain shot up his leg, forcing Nate weakly down to his knees. Standing menacingly over him, Jetsam grabbed his throat to force his head back. Glaring down at him, Jetsam sneered out in a low threatening tone of voice. "You're in no condition to fight me, little prince. Besides... you're wasting time. The fishermen will be heading out to check their nets soon... and if you don't hurry, they'll find Mark. And do you know what they do to merfolk in these parts?" Nathan swallowed, his body shaking from either fear or pain, he couldn't tell. Jetsam leaned over him more to whisper over his lips smugly. "They'll cut off his tail and eat him... because Merfolk flesh prolongs a human's life. And our blood cures disease." Jetsam shoved Nate to the floor, laughing darkly. Nathan rolled over to bang on Sean's door, but Jetsam moved to lean on the wall as he coolly informed him. "Ooooh, sorry. The prince is busy. He was rushed off to an important meeting about the port town. You're on your own. As you've always been."

Nathan took a deep breath and climbed up onto his feet. Jetsam looked him over so calmly, before asking him softly. "I'm curious. Your friend has always put his life on the line for you... but how much does he really mean to you?" Nathan looked out the window to see the sky was starting to brighten up. Soon the sun would be rising over the water. Making up his mind, he smacked Jetsam in the face without warning and bolted down the hallway toward the stairs. Jetsam's laughter rang out in the halls, but Nathan ignored him. Running down the steps two at a time, he rushed out the castle doors. Servants jumped and barely moved out of his way in time. Some yelled at him, while others just uttered out in shock. "Goodness, gracious! Where is the fire, lad?" Running down the steps into the courtyard, Nathan's eyes swelled with tears. His legs were burning. He'd never reach him in time with his legs giving him so much trouble. Bowing his head, he internally prayed that he'd make it and ran toward the castle gates through the pain.

Just as he reached the castle gates. He signaled for the guard to open the gate. The guard looked around for a reason not to, before shrugging and pulling the lever to open the gate. Nathan started to run out, then stumbled. His feet were bleeding. Shaking his head, he straightened himself to start running again, when a horse let out a wild whinny from the stables. Nathan looked back to see the bay stallion kicking and bucking its way out of the stables. The stable boy ran out after the horse, yelling out. "GRAB THAT HORSE!" The horse slid across the cobblestones as people tried to surround it, causing it to turn and bolt straight toward him! The guard at the gate, rushed out to grab the horse's holster rope but the horse ran him down as it charged through the open gate. Nathan pressed himself to the railing of the covered bridge. He didn't want to end up like the guard. As the horse reached him, it reared and whined loudly. Nathan flinched, until he saw the horse was soaked from head to hoof. It pawed the wood anxiously and snorted water that didn't seem possible for a horse on land.

Nathan panted, not sure what was happening to him. The horse calmed down, glancing back at servants that were approaching slowly to try reclaiming the horse. Nathan followed the horse's eyes to them, then locked eyes with it. The moment their eyes met; Nathan saw a symbol reflect in its eye. The symbol translated to one word. Heard. Nathan gasped, mouthing out without a sound. "Poseidon?" The horse snorted, starting to sidestep with unease as the people drew close. Without needing more of a hint than that, he rushed up and swung himself onto the horse. The horse whinnied, bolting across the bridge as the servants yelled out. "Wait!" Nate laid over the horse, holding on tightly to its long mane. The horse thundered over the road at full speed, its body practically glistening with water. Nathan had never met his grandfather and to his knowledge had never heard of him helping anyone. Not since his father took the throne. He had so many questions that he wanted to ask. Yet, he couldn't let it distract him. If his grandfather had sent the horse, then it meant he was still watching. That he was giving him all he needed and nothing more.