Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

36.) Respite

Roka took us back to a place far from the others. A forest of sea weed, now lush from the mana that poured out of the palace. I didn't like the way it brushed and clung to my skin. I swish my tail to slap away the bits that held on to it. Deeper in the forest was an underwater cave system.

"This is where we used to keep our eggs." Roka told me.

The cave was mostly open. Many entrances and exits. Pillar like structures held up the roof. The remnants of marks where something was tide around them were all the clues left of what this place used to be. An empty cradle.

"The temperature here is always warm, and the water circulation makes this place ideal for sleeping." Roka continued. "If you can wait awhile I'll bring a sponge for you to rest on."

But I didn't wait. I found a place on the smooth floor and layed down on my side. I wasn't angry, just tired. Everyone has their own wants and needs but I was just tired of being a means to anothers end.

When I slept I dreamt a weird dream.

In my dream I was the one who stole the pearl. It was bright and radiant and fit snuggly in the pouch above my  tail. In such a sensitive place it couldn't be taken without notice.

To complete my mission, I brought a ship full of shiny things that glittered and sparkled, live horses, and meats that were especially bloody and fragrant. Pulling the ship to the south side end of the reef, I felt the heat build in my throat before I toarched the boat. When it was properly set ablaze I flew back to the North and waited on the land for them to take the bait.

It was to easy.

Those water dwellers were completly enamored with their prize.

The horses panicked from the heat and the smell of the fire. To escape the flames they jumped from the deck and into the salty water. But this was also part of the plan. Their thrashing and squealing only drew more attention. Sirenaide prefer their meals fresh. After all Sirenaidea are just over grown fish at heart. The smell of meat to pull them in, the thrashing noises will peak their interest,  then they will find the shiny gems and coins inside the boat. Clawing to reach those sparkly stones will hold their attention long enough for me to take what I need.

I could see the vibrant city under the water. Corals in full color and over flowing with life. It was proof that they kept hostage the item I needed. The Sirenaide were swept into a frenzy. They swam towards the boat in a murderous mass, the blights were all to familiar with capsizing ships to rob it hauls. When the moment came I flew over above the largest building, it was blurry to see down into its open roof but undoubtably the Star was there.

I rose up into the air. High above, carrying a large rock. Fuelled with purpose I pulled in my wings firmly and let myself fall. The water moved in waves but I still felt pain when I hit the waters surface. A flurry of bubbles exploded around me, as I sank into the Sirenaides nest. Down, down, down.

Holding my breath I fell silently into the Sea palace. Unguarded? I let go of the rock and let it fall to the floor. The round Star lay in a pile of bright crystals. a miniature sun illuminating its surroundings. It was gorgeous prize. These dumb fish dont know what they have, to leave something like this out in the open.

I held the star in my hands and felt its warmth before tucking it delicately in the pouch above my tail. Now to swim  up and out.

Lightning fast I felt the vibration in the room. One of the Sirenaide had chanced upon me. It was faster, it couldn't be helped as we were underwater. It ripped at my body with sharp teeth and claws the tips of it claws were glimmered as it cratched into my wings and body. These fish are stronger than I expected. Yet, their built for speed while dragons are built for strength.

It was killed quickly enough but my blood spilled into the water. It would only draw more to me. I flapped my wings and propelled forward with my tail. Not unlike the blanket octopus. I reached the surface and took a greedy breath of air. Stopping now wasn't an option. Even if I made it to land their wasn't a guarentee that the Sirenaide that walked the land wouldn't give chase. Only when I met the clouds could I be victorious.

Arm over arm I swam to the shore. Then a screeching of anguish trembled through the sea. Thousands of devasted mouths screaming with fury above and below the waves. I picked up my speed. My wounds were slow to heal for some odd reason but the thought stayed in the back of my mind. Moving foward and never stopping, it was the only way to survive.

It was a small mircle that I reached the cave. Climbing up rhe mountain side might have been my only option had I not found this temporary respite. I had to dry my wings to fly. This would be a decent enough hiding spot for the moment.

Further back I found stairs carved into the rock. Following it was a tight squeeze but managable. Injured but mobile. I smelled the air and tasted the scent of humans. Its possible this was a trade route for humans to get to the sea without climbing over the mountains, carving something like this requires dedication and a strong desire.

The stairs led up and out. To my suprize it wasn't just a path I found but an entire colony of humans. They were startled by my presence but instead of devotion and respect i was met with a far more sinister reaction. From their weak little houses they openly attacked me without reason. I thought it was somewhat funny untill one of their tiny weapons actually managed to break past the barrier of my skin.

Unacceptable.

Whats worse? There were many of these things. Weapons and these tiny humans wanting to strike me down. To my displeasure I didn't leave unharmed. These audacious humans faught me with ferver but my fire was stronger. The entire colony was personally raized to the ground.

Flying was painful and the trip back to the mountain would be difficult but i had to press on. To bring back the star and information of these weapons.