A Siren at the Helm

Chapter XXIV: The Letters

The moment her scales disappeared beneath her skin and her tail divided in two, she turned into Amina again. She was sad to see it go. It was like waving goodbye to a very dear friend, not knowing if you would see them again. Of course, Amina knew she would see her tail again but that did not change how she fealt.

The sand squished between her toes as she walked up the beach, her soaking dress dripping droplets of the sea she had left behind. Amina turned once to survey the ocean. The Vengaza was too far away to be seen, but that did not stop her from searching. She waited for a moment even though she knew it was wishful thinking to imagine a ship in the distance. When all that appeared were a few white crested waves bidding her a last farewell, she sighed and left.

Amina walked up the hill bordering the beach, leaving the sea, The Vengaza and Esteban behind her. She smiled. All three were sure to be back to cause her trouble.

*

As she made her way to town, the wind dried her dress with a little aid from her magic. And so, it was not long before her bare feet stood on the cobblestone street in front of the Evans's house.

Amina nodded in greeting to the neighbors wife as the woman left her house. Probably on her way to the market.

Just then an auburn mop flashed in front of the Evans's window. Moments later the door swung open to make way for a little bundle of wild hair and creased play clothes. Annie stormed down the garden path and threw herself into Amina's arms with a squeal of delight. She giggled when Amina clumsily caught her.

"Amina! You're back! Is the great forest really that big? Did you see a dragon? Did the fairies come to visit you?"
Amina laughed, "It is bigger than you can ever imagine, little clownfish. And the fairies are very polite. The dragons however, are another story..."
Annie gasped before swinging her little body back to the door. Amina barely managed to hold onto her.
"You see mama? I told you so!"

Amina's eyes lifted to woman standing in the doorway. Mrs Evans stepped closer and Amina let Annie down gently. Or as gently as it was possible to lower the wriggling little girl to the ground. The mother welcomed Amina into a hug with a warm smile. "It's good to have you back. We had expected you back much sooner." She laughed, "At one point Jonathan had even suggested that you had been gobbled up by one of those fearsome dragons."

Amina had told the Evans family that she would be going to the Southern parts of the mainland. She could not have them know of everything she had intended doing, and that was before whatever it was that had happened with Esteban.

"Well, I managed to fight it off," Amina replied.

Mrs Evans suddenly stepped back. She examined Amina from head to toe. "Where is your suitcase and..." she glanced at the pale toes poking out from under Amina's dress, "your shoes?"

Amina gulped. With all the excitement she had forgotten to collect her baggage from the inn on the mainland. And as for her shoes... well, they could be anywhere.

When she did not answer Mrs Evans sighed, "You are buying new ones yourself. And come inside. It is not appropriate for a young lady to walk barefoot in public."
Amina guiltely obeyed. If only Mrs Evan's knew what she had been up to. In truth, there were very few things during her little trip that could be deemed "appropriate" for young ladies.

Inside Amina could hear and smell a stew bubbling away on the fire. She thought back to Fish's Fling-in stew and grinned. This house might not have cannons or sails, but at least the food was edible. Esteban too had liked Mrs Evans's cooking, Amina remembered. Maybe-

"Oh, while you were away a few letters came for you. I think I put them in my nightstand."
"I'll get them!" Like a bolt Annie ran to her parents' room.