Golden Waters

Chapter 10

Written by: Toasy
Edited by: Fench
Chapter 10

Oop we disappeared again-
That's my bad! I was traveling and doing a bunch of stuff and getting back to school so I was busy. We're here now, so that's what matters I guess. On with the chapter!

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The day was a cool one, a gentle, salty breeze blowing across the surface of the ocean. The sea was almost as smooth as glass and the sky was clear, not a single cloud floated by. The sun was warm but the steady wind made the temperature bearable. It was a perfect day. At least, it started that way.

Archer yawns, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands. He stands at the bow on one of the few balconies on the lower decks. It's a maze to find it, and that's why he likes it. It's near the men's sleeping chambers so he goes there in the mornings occasionally, drinking in the day before having to start it officially. It's quiet, and that's just the way he prefers it.

"Dang, you look like shit." A voice comes from behind him. Archer inwardly groans.

"I didn't sleep well last night." He answers, turning to face Narina.

"Well that much is obvious." She puts her hands on her hips, smirking.

"Is there a reason you're disturbing me this early in the morning or do you enjoy annoying me at ungodly hours?" He says, leaning back on the railing behind him.

"Now as much as I love seeing you suffer, Captain, I'm afraid I'm not here to get you to talk about your feelings. We need you on deck." She says with a toss of her short hair.

"Ok, ok, I'll be right there." Archer says through another yawn, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh and uh, before you go up there Captain you might wanna straighten the hem of your shirt." Archer looks down, confused, and sees his mistake. "I know you like to show off your rock hard abs and killer V-line but don't you think that's a bit much?" She grins as he quickly pulls down the edge of his shirt that had been tucked under itself, trying not to blush.

"Oh get over yourself. You show off your chest constantly anyway, what's with a little more of a tease, eh?"

"Narina I swear if you don't shut up right now-" She flashes one last cheeky smile before skittering back inside. Archer sighs, shaking his head as a soft smile graces his lips. He moves to get back inside when Narina's head pops back around the corner, making him stop short.

"Oh and you might want to fix your hair, too." She says before quickly disappearing. Archer reaches up to feel a cowlick sticking straight up on the top of his head. He quickly brushes it down and smiles to himself. Oh Narina, what would he do without her?

As soon as he gets on deck he notices that something is wrong. Everyone seems confused, speaking in low whispers to each other as they carry out their tasks. Small groups of people gather around the railings at different spots, all pointing and speaking to one another. Archer glances at Narina who made it up before him, and she shrugs, gesturing to a group of people.

He pushes forward, the crowd splitting out of respect. He makes it to the rail and leans over, searching the water. Suddenly, he sees it. With a splash something large dives into the water, and a moment later a group of them break the surface.

Mermaids. Beautiful women with long, majestic tails sprouting from their hips. Scales climb up their torso, littering their faces and shoulders. Great big fins move where their ears should be, gills lining their necks. Two dorsal fins sit at their shoulder blades. Their hands are webbed and on their forearms is the same webbing. Their skin is so pale it's almost translucent, their long hair flowing around them.