Curse of the Seas

Frosty Turf

A few hours have passed since Amara and Rodrigo left the Atlantic Kingdom. Amara was still feeling somewhat traumatized after her encounter with the cult. The close encounter still haunted parts of her mind but she still maintained a calm exterior so as to not make Rodrigo worry too much about her since he did get injured during the rescue. She was quite eager to leave the kingdom not just so that they can continue their adventure, but also so that she can get away from that wretched place as soon as possible even though the cult was dismantled. In their haste to leave, they almost forgot about Rodrigo's stab wound on his back. Thankfully, a healer mermaid from the Pacific kingdom was visiting at the time and noticed the wound. She then stopped them and offered to heal Rodrigo's injury. After she was done, not even a scar was left as if the wound never even existed.

They were approaching the waters near Greenland and it was noticeably starting to get chilly.

"Guess it's time to put these to use," Rodrigo said as he put on his coat, with Amara following after.

"Woah, I feel a lot warmer and comfier now in this," Amara said in amazement. It completely insulated her and she felt very comfortable in it.

They soon started noticing icebergs as they travelled further north until they located the Arctic kingdom. It was a spectacle to behold. Homes were carved out of ice and it was further highlighted by some of the sunlight that was able to reach these depths. These didn't compare however to the sight that was the palace. It was a giant structure completely made out of ice and it's blue color complemented the beauty and intricacy of the structure itself. They soon entered the kingdom and noticed that very few merfolk were wearing any warm coverings. The ones who were completely bare looked paler than most caucasians although not to the degree of albinism. Their tails also seemed to be thicker as compared to the former humans and merfolk that inhabited the Atlantic Ocean. Amara assumed that they were used to living here so their bodies adapted to the colder temperatures. The ones who had coverings did not share the same complexion as the locals as they were traders who travelled up north, although Amara wasn't sure what they would want to get from this region. They also noticed on their way into the kingdom that there were underwater geysers on the outskirts of the city where mostly travellers stayed, presumably to keep warm in these icy waters. There were also many merchildren playing around in the streets, unfazed by the cold while the adults were just minding their own business. They seemed to be much more accommodating as compared to the Atlantic kingdom as they were visibly much happier as compared to the citizens of the Atlantic kingdom when they first went there. Soon they arrived at the palace entrance and there were two guards watching the entrance. They were different however, as opposed to those of the Atlantic kingdom. Instead of spears, they had rifles that seemed to be Russian of origin while also wearing ushanka hats.

"What is your business with the queen?" one of the guards asked in a Russian accent.

"We wanted to ask her for information about something," Amara replied.

"That's an odd reason to visit," the guard commented.

"Come on Ivan, we don't get visitors much anyway these days. At least you're not out there having to deal with sirens," the other guard told him.

"Visitors are visitors I suppose, Natasha. Go on ahead," Ivan told Amara and Rodrigo.

"Wait, did you say... sirens?" Rodrigo asked Natasha.

"You never encountered any on your way here?" Natasha asked.

"We didn't see any merfolk on our way here," Amara replied.

"Sirens are dangerous savages. They attack unsuspecting travellers in these waters and steal anything they can. It's a lucky thing that there are even survivors, as most who get attacked never live to tell the tale. I've heard rumors that they also feast on mermaid flesh. Their voices are also hypnotising and it's almost impossible to resist. I wouldn't want to be their next meal, you know," Natasha said in a cautionary tone.