Sweet Song

Chapter 8

I looked at the human in thought. She had a point. Perhaps there could be a way to magically return my voice to me. The origins of our voice and powers were about as long as human tales were when discussing the origins of fire. I didn't want the human to be without a voice though. There was only one thing I could think of which would be able to restore my voice and give one to Mele.

I jumped back into the water and held out my hand. She looked at it oddly, as though she hadn't touched it before, as though she hadn't really looked at it. She held out her own hand with a questioning look. "Are we going back?" I gave her a wicked smile before shaking my head and pulling her after me. She made a startled sound but she quickly closed her mouth as she went under water.

I was quick to get back to land. Though it wasn't where Mele had come from. It was a rather small island. I was taking her for a rather long trip today apparently. We had to enter through an underwater gate. It was rather rusted and rotten. It looked intricate and well designed. It suited the landscape beautifully with different colours of coral and plants decorating it.

We were met by two rather large fish who escorted us into the cave. I waved at them. I could feel Mele struggling slightly. We had to go in and up soon or else she would drown. I hurried the fishes up with a swish of my tail and we were soon led through the cave and up. The strange looks of the fish didn't go unnoticed by me.

They weren't looking at me curiously, it was as though they were startled. They looked at Mele strangely. It was understandable. Not a lot of fish had seen a human before, especially not this close up. She spluttered and coughed as we rose our heads above the water. She took a while to compose herself before attempting to give me a glare.

Her attention was caught by her surroundings just as much as mine was. I hadn't been here before in my life. I knew that my father and brother came here a few times when I was really young. They tried to plead with the witch to give me a voice. They told me a few stories of the witch. Apparently he didn't really get on well with people and preferred to be by himself.

The cavern was quite a sight to behold. It was phenomenal. There was a rather bright light coming from the roof, if you were to look up you would see the rather dark sky which was illuminated with stars. This was followed by various jars full of bugs and plants which illuminated the area with a rather warm yellow-green tint.

There seemed to be crystals lining the walls, it was as though we were within a geode. There was a table and other tools. I didn't know the use for any of them. I was like most other Sirenneyets, I knew nothing of the Aquayge's skill in magic. That was their official term. Though most people just called them sea witches. I don't know how fond they were of the title.

"And what do you two bring me?" A deep voice called from the other corner of the cave. I whipped my head around to see a man coming down some stairs. He had long blue hair and rather slanted eyebrows. I couldn't quite see the colour of his eyes as they were gazing upon a book.

He was wearing rather dark clothes,I didn't know if it was the lighting which made it green or the fabric which was used but it was a rather dark emerald colour. It was as though he was wearing a rather long robe or coat. I knew that the Aquayge's society and lifestyle was much different from mine. I didn't really know what to expect. "A human and a Sirenneyet?"

I nodded as I came closer to the edge of the pool. Mele followed me though she was still distracted. The Aquayge came closer to us and crouched down. I could now see that their eyes were a golden colour. They were rather pale and his skin reflected off the water. "Hmm and what are you doing here?"

I could feel the two fish who had let us in, moving around in the water. They were near the surface and they were moving back and forth. They seemed rather nervous. I had turned my head away to look at them but when Mele didn't talk I turned back and nudged her, nodding towards the man. "I uh- Hello." She stuttered out slightly as she watched the Aquayge. "We're uh- here to ask about my friend here."

She had gestured to me with her head, she was using her arms to keep her up and steady. The Aquayge titled their head and then held a hand out to her. He didn't wait for her to take it, he took her hand out of the water and pulled her closer to him, where she'd be able to hang onto the edge. "Thank you."

He gave a slight chuckle and shook his head, standing up. "My name is Turin." He now had his back to us as he put down the book he was reading. "I was wondering when you would pay me a visit, Ula." My eyebrows furrowed and I moved forward, I felt the need to be close to Mele. I didn't tell Turin my name.

"Of course, I can tell that got your attention." He chuckled again as he turned back to us with crossed arms. "You are legendary around here." His steps were slow and somewhat clumsy. He looked like a human who had drank too much alcohol. "Your failure to your species is something which will never be forgotten." He grinned wickedly.

I was ready to leave, I was ready to give up. "She's not a failure!" Mele argued. She was struggling but she seemed to be returning back to her regular self which I had seen before I had dragged her under the water.

Turin raised an eyebrow. "Hmm is that so? The daughter of a man who only wants what's best for her and yet she disrespects his wishes. Can't really take much from that, can we?" He opened his arms widely. Mele had an open mouthed expression on her face.