When Worlds Collide

Chapter 4

Meanwhile in the Verdenshav Kingdom, sailing over the crystal waters of the sea, on board a fine vessel that was managed by the kingdoms best fishermen, a young prince called Gray stood at the railing and lifting his face to the sea air. His dark hair brushed by the wind and his smile pointed toward the dolphins who playfully jumped from the tide.

"Isn't this perfection Lahar?" The young man said to a slightly-older, and more practical looking fellow. "Out on the open sea, surrounded by nothing but water."

"Oh yes it's simply delightful." Lahar responded sarcastically, his face green with sea-sickness.

"There's nothing like it Lahar. Here I am feeling the salt on my skin and the wind in my, miles from the shore and seeing the sun rise over the ocean horizon."

"And here I am about to heave-ho!" Lahar gagged before throwing up over the side of the ship.

Gray chuckled to himself. Lahar had been a loyal manservant to the prince for years, ever since his father had passed away. He was very strict, firm, and unbending in his beliefs. Taking his job as the prince's guardian and tutor very seriously, but he was not without a kind heart and he cared for Gray very deeply. In fact it was under Lahar's guidance that Gray was able to recover from the loss of his family and grow into the handsome, honorable, and caring young man that he was now. Unfortunately the years had also caused Gray to develop a mischievous and roguish streak. One that his servant wished that he would control.

"Your highness, haven't you had enough sea-faring for the day?" Lahar asked. "You've got to get back to court and take up your father's crown."

Gray rolled his eyes upon hearing this. Oh Heaven, not this lecture again. Not on a perfect day at sea like this. Recently Lahar had done nothing but insist that he ascend his late father's throne and become the new king of the Verdenshav Kingdom. But that wasn't the life Gray wanted. Even as a boy, he had never felt at home in the castle. He felt that ship gliding on the ocean surface was where he belonged. Everything seemed more real there. In the tide's swift flow, where everything was wild and free. It was all he ever desired.

"I'm not ready for that yet Lahar." Gray said. "I'm not even the right age for it."

"Only one more week til your eighteenth birthday and then you'll have to-"

"Wear a crown on my head and be forced to wed."

"That'd not exactly how I would put it milord."

Gray just dismissed his guardian and went below deck to help the crew tie down the sail. They were all in a friendly type mood this morning, smiles on their faces, singing folk songs as they worked. It made the prince's frustration slowly become mellow. Then suddenly, his mellowness turned to intrigue when he heard a beautiful voice echoing a song from the waves

"What is that?" He asked, his eyes searching for where it came from. "Do you all hear that?"

"Hear what?" Lahar asked descending from the higher deck.

"I heard singing." He said. "A girl singing."

"You must be hearing things sire." Lahar concluded. "There is no woman on this ship. The sea air is making you unwell, I'm sure."

"Or maybe it's one of Gajeel's sisters." Said one of the sailors on the ship.

"Who?" The prince replied.

"Gajeel, King of the sea, ruler of the merfolk. Every sailor knows about him lad. He's got a sea-beauty for a wife and four fair younger sisters. His second sister is said to be the most lovely, and the best singer in all the world."

"King of the sea. Merfolk." Lahar scoffed. "Nothing but a silly superstition."

"Says you, ya landlubber. But mark me words, the merfolk are real and I wouldn't be surprised if one of them was nearby right now. Ready to steal a poor man's heart and then his mind."