The Forgotten Waters.

Chapter Eleven: The Red Lights

"You think they'll be alright for the night, Drake?" Lana rested her head against the window as she looked towards the sand bed. The lights of the jellyfish had began to dim, finally calming and going dark. The moon high above shined lightly on the sea floor. Her hand rested on the frame as she watched the sleeping cove, "Warriors, you sharks have more of a bite, hmm?"

Drake shook his head, "I'm sure they're fine. Caspian has been planning this a long time I believe, and if they are traditional, which our son is, he'll wait until Aiden is on his first cycle I'm certain. Then we'll have the next heir, hopefully." The elder chief smiled before tiredly rubbing his face. He grabbed Lana and pulled her against him. The merman coil his tail around hers. Drake's hands rested on her hips as he leaned down and kissed her cheeks gently, softly whispering in her ear, "We could always try for another during your next cycle." The male grinned as he leaned down and peppered her neck in soft kisses.

Lana rolled her eyes, "A growing warrior won't wait. Remember how excited you were? We hardly did." The white haired mermaid moaned softly as her tail danced around. She wrapped her arms comfortably around Drake's shoulders. She looked towards the sleeping girl in the back room for a moment. Her long flowing hair fell down and gracefully floated in the water. She looked up at Drake before pulling him down into a soft kiss. The two were getting carried away themselves before she heard something fall. Lana opened her eyes and looked forward, "Ah, hello darling. You've finally woke up."

Drake pulled himself back. The male groaned before rubbing his face. He had nearly forgotten about the mermaid that had showed up. At least, for a moment. The merman adjusted his armor he wore across his chest as well as his cuffs. He swam forward towards the girl before reaching for a bowl of seaweed candy, "Hello dear. Would you like some? I'm certain your hungry, yes?" The male moved forward, but the girl and quickly sped off back into the room.

Lana frowned a bit. She shook her head lightly as she looked towards the hiding mermaid. The queen swam forward as she gently placed her hand on Drake's own, "Let me talk to her." The female moved inside and looked at the young mermaid, who held her torn tail over her face. Lana moved in front of her and sat, "My, what a lovely tail you have. You've been swimming for a long time, yes? You've been in here resting such a long time." The queen placed her hand on her own chest, "Where are my manners. My name is Lana. I'm the healer around here." She watched the girl's eyes peer behind her, and the queen only smiled, "Don't mind him. He's a sweet guppy." The queen glanced back at him, rolling her eyes as she looked back at the girl, "What's your name, darling?"

The mermaid swallowed, her eyes darted back and forth between the two adult merpeople. Her body trembled as her fingers picked at the mechanism on her tail. Lana's words seemed to be relaxing the young mermaid. This outsider was tired. Her eyes were still so heavy, she seemed malnourished and really, faded. As she picked at the lock, she occasionally grimaced. Her fingers had been raw, and now they knew why, "My name is Belle, but that doesn't matter." She looked around, "How, how long have I been here?"

"Oh, but it does matter. Belle. That's a lovely name, yes?" Lana rested next to her with her own hands in her lap, "Nearly a full day, darling. Our warriors found you exhausted. You even seem to be a little beat up, yeah?" Lana watched her pick at the metal device. The queen moved forward and took Belle's hands in her own, "Miss Belle, where did this come from?"

Belle's eyes widened. She shifted in a concerned manner as her eyes dimmed. The mermaid looked at the two of them before shaking her head lightly, "I have had it for as long as I can remember." She explained, but she was obviously tensed as she looked at the queen, her expression as that if horror for a moment as she grabbed the queen's arm. Her link had suddenly began to flash a small red dot. Belle looked around in the dark of their den, "Y-You all need to go right now! Why did you save me?!"

Lana showed concern, moving back from Belle as she spoke. The queen was obviously confused, and it seemed that Drake was showing those same expressions, "I don't understand, what's wrong?"

"The people are coming. When it glows. They know you're here!" She covered her face, "Y-You need to go, now!" The young mermaid was looking around frantically, "I'll start swimming, I-I'll keep going."

The pairs face had gone pale. Lana looked up at Drake slowly, "People, you mean, the Land Walkers, Belle? They, they put that on you?" Lana's hand had come up to her mouth, "D-Drake, we-" The mermaid was cut off by the sounds of their warrior's horns pulsing through the water. The sound echoed down the cove. Lana had moved forward to look out the window, seeing a red light was in the distance, but it formed a row. The queen swam back, knocking into some of her decorations, which flew quickly in the water.

Drake seemed to be in just as shocked, but as he moved towards Lana and grabbed her shoulder, "Lana I want you to head towards the edge. Everyone knows where we need to be. The horns have been blown. We have to move, now." The merman looked around, "Grab what you can, darling. We need to get out of here, quickly."

"W-what about the girl? My son's. Caspian and Aiden are out for the night like the rest of the school for the Pearl Dance. We can't leave them. I-I have to find them before we leave."

Drake looked at the girl, "She goes the opposite way, and if she follows, she'll be killed on sight." That was all it took for Belle to bolt out of the cave. Drake grabbed his spear and his helmet, "Caspian will hear the horn and so will Aiden. They won't go out of the sound of the horn. You know that." The king leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "I love you Lana. Get ready, and meet me at the Deep. I'm going to see the warriors guarding the cove. I'm sure Caspian won't be far behind."