A Mermaids Tail

11.Deal

Narfi had laid her down to sleep on a bed of furs and headed back to the main cave system to join the others, leaving Alicia alone with her thoughts for the first time in a while. It had all happened so quickly, she lay gazing up at the candle light dancing in and out of the crags and cracks it the roof of the cave, going over the events of the night in her head.

She'd been trapped in the tank surrounded by the prying eyes of that evil man and his cruel piers, Narfi and Vali and the others had entered dressed as priests and freed her, and then Narfi made the Faeries captive there give her back her legs somehow. The escape through the window and over the roofs was all a blur until the image of Narfis prone form on the street below and the spire that was snapped all through her, had anybody been killed? Was Narfi going to be alright? She'd never known anyone survive a scream before let alone two. She hadn't intended to do it, it just came out uncontrollably. She shook her head to clear it and put the matter from her mind while she reviewed the rest of the night. After that they'd reunited at the gates to the city where Narfi was using magic to fell the guards trying to attack them. She hadn't known he himself was magical, although it did explain a number if things, like his references to the Gods made sense, and it would explain his resiliency to her screams, however she'd seen him bleed and grimace in pain, he was still very much mortal.

Then the explosion had came, huge splinters of burning wood flying in every direction, intense heat, and a sound so forceful it shook the ground and left a high ringing in her ears. Through the hole that had once been the gateway walked what she'd have thought was Narfi if he hadn't been on the ground between herself and the newcomer. Yet as he stepped from the shadows the flames lit his face and she saw he was more aged than Narfi, and his eyes burned an insane bright green, his features and his look slightly different, darker possibly, there was glee in his expression at the destruction around him.

"Nari!" barked Vali jumping to his feet only and hurling forward in a rage to be grabbed around the waist by Narfi who yelled at him shaking his head and tossing him in the direction of the gate yelling "Ga!" and shoving him until Vali turned glowering, leaving the city.

Narfi turned to the others, briefly, motioning to the gate and then turned away to rejoin Alicia. Kissing her quickly on the head he pulled her towards the gate putting his fingers to his mouth and whistling. Hati bounded through the open gateway moments later and Narfi gripped her fur as she passed swinging them both onto her back. Just as they turned in the courtyard the thunder of hooves echoed through the city and as they headed to the gateway they looked back to see mounted guards stampeding down every street towards them. Urging Hati onward they dashed from the city across the farmlands outside it. Alicia had looked back again then to see the guards pouring from the hole to be joined by even more men on horseback that had been making their way around the walls, presumably to block them in. Over the open farmland the horses did well, even with their head start the guards were quickly closing in on them. By the time Narfi and Alicia passed those on foot the guards were not far behind. They both looked back and as they reached the tree line it was clear the others wouldn't make it in time. As Narfi pulled on Hati to turn her a high pitched buzzing came from within the trees as a cloud of light hurtled towards them. Hundreds of Faeries exploded from the forest rising like a huge wave and then crashing hate into the unsuspecting ranks of the City Guard. The Faeries did not linger, there attack was quick and swift, but they'd bought the others just enough time to reach the trees. Hurrying on through the forest they soon had the advantage over the guards as the undergrowth thickened and the trees grew closer together. Then as they passed a certain point the horses began to stop dead in their tracks, rearing up, refusing to press on. Within moments she could no longer see or hear those pursuing them yet they pressed on not stopping until they came to a huge cave mouth, others dressed like Vali and those that rescued her watching them curiously as they dismounted and headed into the caves. Narfi had pushed through the caves quickly leading her to where she now lay the dim echoing argument nothing but foreign noise to her. Her eyelids felt heavy now and she imagined she saw shapes and figures dancing over the roof as she fell gently to sleep.

Along the harbour walls light blusters of wind blew about the hair of the pirates that all stood holding their hats or rags to their chest solemnly watching the small ship with a half masted Jolly Roger drift towards the dark storm out at sea. Then softly the voices of the pirates joined together as they sung

"O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;

The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:

But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red,

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead."

Below the dark clouds at sea the claps of thunder and crash of waves drowned out his crews song as the Captain stood at the helm of his ship as his huge first mate manned it. The deaf brute had refused to leave the Captains side and secretly he was glad of it, he knew what awaited him within the maelstrom and he was happy he would not face it alone. He gripped the railing tightly to hold himself upright, the shaft of the arrow that had landed in his heart still there to stop him instantly bleeding to death, his face pale and drained and a boiling hatred for the person who'd put him here and that damned mermaid too. The ship began to rise up as it ascended a huge wave and as they tipped it's peak an all to familiar sight greeted them. The swirling bubbling waters twisting themselves into a whirlpool that dragged the ship sideways into it's pull, the ship hurtled through the water in a wide swing, corkscrewing it's way into the middle. Beneath the dark churning waters a monstrous shadow lurked, floating to the surface. The Captain and First Mate looked on gripped by the sight as huge tentacles began to break free from the waves and lash around viciously, crashing back down into the water causing waves that hammered into the ship that was dragged into them by the whirling waters. Erupting from the waters the living mountain that was the Kraken began to become visible. It's smooth, oily, dark violet skin seemed to go on for miles before the pitch black lens of it's eye lifted free from the water and towered over them.

"C'mon ya big ugly bastard! Stop ya gloatin' and do what you've come to do you oversized octop..."

"SILENCE HUMAN!!!" boomed a voice that seemed to come from inside the Captains brain. "It seems you and I have a common enemy captain, and as you are at deaths door I have a very lucrative offer for you."

"And what would that be squid?" Captain yelled back as defiantly as he could.

"I give you life and you serve me, and bring back my mermaid and that bastard son of the gods with her."

"The bargain seems heavily tipped in your favour beast!" the insulted Captain shot back.

"They always are. Of course I could simply devour you now if you'd prefer?"

"You have yourself a deal Kraken, under one condition, you spare my first mate here," the Captain nodded to his left where the mute still manned the helm.

"As tiring as I find you...very well, and to assure your success I will imbue you with my ancient magic, your current state is enough evidence that you'll require more assistance than just your life back."

Above them a tentacle hovered menacingly as if about to come crashing down through the ship. The Captain opened his mouth to protest when a torrent of black, tar-like ink rained down onto him, flooding his lungs and choking him into unconsciousness.