The Deadly Song

The Beginning

I was seventeen when i died; long ago, age does not matter anymore... When they killed me. when my lungs were filled with water and my screams were not heard... I remember their faces; their guiltless, cruel eyes... I do not remember the pain, but the fear 

... the total constricting fear; that is still clear in my mind... I remember....

My feet stomped on the cobblestone road as i ran down the street; the sound echoing off the nearby buildings and adding to the overall hustle of the late afternoon day. I laughed as i went, my long skirts stirring up the dust and dirt. I side step an oncoming carriage, fluttering my hand in a brief wave to the driver. Once again i take off in a brisk walk towards the docks, my thoughts focused on the oncoming farewell...

i shudder at the memories invading my mind... This is not something i want to remember.... My life is better now... i am free from the pain of that old world... Now that Morrigan is gone; peace has come... i tilt my head up and look at the sunlight dancing off the water...

i watched the sunlight glimmer on the water's surface as i lift up my skirts and step onto the dock, my shoes thudding against the old, sturdy wood... i raised my hand over my eyes to block the harsh light of the setting sun, and scan the moored boats, noting the brash dark wood boat at the far end, its flag lowered against the mast... I frowned slightly, curious of the strange new boat... No matter, there was Nikki's boat, i saw him there, standing at the bow, his head bent over a map in his hands... i waved to catch his attention; he looked at me and smiled, the sadness of our farewell showing in both our eyes... No words were spoken, our good byes said earlier that day... The boat's anchor was lifted and it shifted off to sea, disappearing along with the final sunlight...

i turned my back to the fading boat and began walking back along the dock, my footsteps seeming louder than before, the night around me silent and cold... I pulled my shawl tighter around my shoulders and quicken my pace; uneasy...

I never made it to the end of the dock.

Strong hands concealed in thick leather gloves grabbed my shoulders and threw me down onto the dock, the harsh wood scarping my back, my breath temporatily lost. My satchel was ripped away from me. I stared at my attacker, a tall man, his form wrapped in shadows. he grabbed me; picked me up like i was nothing and threw me over his shoulder. He carried me onto the boat i had noticed before and tied me to the bottom of the mast, when i looked up i could see the Skull and Crossbones shine a brilliant white against the black backround of the flag... The boat's anchor was lifted, and we went out to open ocean...

The other men refered to the one who grabbed me as Morrigan... They took everything from me, my money, my jewlrey, my shoes... They hit me; kicked me... I sobbed and took the blows, wishing for it all to be done... I was unbound and yanked to my feet, my arms forced behind my back. I screamed and struggled as he slammed me against the side of the boat and lifted me so my face was over the surging waves... I struggled to catch my breath and held it as my head was shoved under the water... Over and over.... I was sputtering and coughing, but no air would come... Only the water, filling my mouth and lungs... I struggled and thrashed, but soon i had no strength left... I relaxed and went limp... I inhaled the water...the hands released me and i splashed into the ocean... No strength to swim; i sank.....

Then i saw them... the many pairs of eyes in the water, the ambers and browns and blues and greens... they were beautiful... they sang to me... They came to me, and they changed me.... The water instead of fighting with me, began to sooth me... My legs became a tail, scaled and wonderful... i was alive, i was a siren, and i wanted revenge...