I couldn't believe my eyes, what once used to be a slum for lower fish folks is now an execution ground, I watched in disbelief at the dead bodies of my people hanging from the gallows set up. A woman's scream spins my head to the left, I sight a guard walking away from her with a baby, while two others hold her down, my heart drops at that, why is her child being taken away? They move her away from my vision but I could still hear her pleas, I turn back to the gallows, horror seeps into my soul as I watch them preparing her for the same faith.
I look away, unable to watch as tears flow away from my eyes, I shut my ears to silence her choking sounds, the compartment dividing us and those guards opens revealing another merman, he was wearing one of those emblems signifying he's a "drud" one of the leaders of the mermaid troops, he must be newly appointed because I've never seen him before.
'I hope you're satisfied at the little show we put together specially for you princess, that will be the faith of every individual of your kind, of course you won't all perish by hanging, we've prepared special ways for your family and its relations, if you don't work with us you'll suffer the same faith, I've been ordered to execute you on the spot if you show any signs of treason, don't make this difficult'.
'Now watch, watch as we reduce you all to nothing, he pointed at the direction of the gallows, the guard who'd taken the baby had placed him right in front of his mother, she looked like she was about to die any second, he pulled out a sword holding it above the poor thing, everything seemed like it was happening in slow motion in that moment, I launch myself out of the hydra as fast as I could towards them as he lowered the sword, I made it just in time, hitting the sword away as I grab the baby, he was crying and wriggling around, I held him close to me facing the guard, I pick the sword beside me, pointing it at him, he stayed fixed in his spot, shock clouding him.
'Step away princess', Leo says, as he and the drud approach us. 'How much more monstrous can you get? YOU KILLED HIS MOTHER! I yelled, what crime could he have committed to suffer the same fate? 'Hand it over, the drud speaks through gritted teeth, I will have you punished for interfering'.
'It? Fine, I say as I hurl it at the guard, he didn't have enough time to react as it pierces his abdomen, 'what are you doing? Killing a mermaid counts as treason, Leo yells at me, 'if I'd wanted to kill him I'd aim for his heart', I retort even though I did hope he'd die, the baby in my arms had stopped crying and was cuddling my fingers.
'I would do as you say, just don't hurt the baby, my voice quietens, please'.
'That's not happening,' the drud replies,
'yes it is' Leo interrupts, the baby shall live, you have my word, now kindly return to the hydra princess, we still haven't reached our final destination,
'but I don't trust you, I state.
'He'll come with us, I'll have one of the servants raise him and when we leave, he'll leave with us, I'll have him work as one of my servants, I don't go back on my word princess' determination evident in his tone, for the first time, I decided to trust a mermaid, not because I wanted to but because I have to, 'fine, I sigh, I'll take your word.
'Summon one of the servants with us Nord', so that's the drud's name? He looked furious but I guess he has to obey the "prince"
I head back to the hydra after a maid had taken the baby, Nord didn't hesitate to show his discontent before leaving us. It was awkward considering Leo just helped me, the last thing I wanted was help from a mermaid but I'm thankful to him, I don't think mermaids are capable of good, neither will I see them in a different light because of this, but I do hate him less.
We'd arrived at the place we'd be staying for who knows how long, I'd been escorted to the room I'd be staying, my things already arranged neatly, it wasn't as big as my room at the castle but I have enough room to train so it's alright.
I had eaten few minutes ago so now I'm just laying, the incident from before replaying in my mind, the last thing I heard was a very faint thank you before she took her last breath, it makes me feel better she died knowing her son was saved. The more I think about it, the more I hate mermaids and the less I hate Leo, a knock pulls me out of my thought, a lady walks in holding something, she bows before speaking up, 'this is yours princess, I'll explain everything to you, you are to change into it tomorrow, the maids will escort you to the grounds, get some sleep for now', I wasn't too eager to know what it was so I just went to bed.
I've had breakfast and now I was in my room staring at what that lady had brought me, it was an armour of some sort, are they sending me into battle? It looks creepy but I have to admit I like it, it was black with gorgeous designs on it but it was a bit heavy and I could tell it would restrict my movements, the helmet was more comfortable and light but I never wore them so it felt a bit odd.
I was taken to the grounds by a maid, judging by my armour, I'm either going somewhere dangerous or going into battle, but considering the place I'm in right now its neither, 'I hope you rested well princess because today would be a long day, the king brought you here so you can undergo special training, we have a tradition, one so sacred he's willing to taint it with your bloodline to uphold it, maidens from the nobles and royal household undergo a trial in the presence of the heir to the throne and his subordinates, it comprises of three tests;
the first is agility, the second is endurance and the final is combat which is completed in the presence of the public as well. The winner is chosen by the prince as his wife and the future queen, I've been told out of all the lovely maidens we have he wants you, its not my place to speak but I'm strongly against that, a fish folk and a mermaid is an abomination'. But I'm here to make sure you win so please comply'. She finishes.
My mouth was hanging open at the end of her speech, I didn't interrupt her even once, the more she spoke, the more baffled I became, I'm competing with other mermaids?? For Haison???? I despise that fool, why do things keep getting worse?
'You haven't said anything princess and it's quite unethical to leave your mouth hanging open', she interrupts my thoughts. 'So they really did keep you in the dark, typical' she huffs, enough talking, I need to assess how good you are right now, come at me princess, don't hold back'.
An opportunity to fight a mermaid? That doesn't sound bad at all, 'I can't fight in this, its restricting', I grumble.
'You have to, you'll be wearing the same thing that day, you have to learn to move in it, now, fight me', she throws a sword at me, amusement dancing in her eyes, a smile creeps unto my face as well as I race towards her, I aim at her tail, looking to immobilise her but she easily dodges, hitting my head with the side of her sword, I was surprised for a second because I was sure I was too fast for her, mermaids are slow compared to fish folks,
'you went for my tail, that's smart but you were too slow, try again', ten rounds later all I could manage was a scratch on her armour and a mark on her right cheek, it was like she was being soft with me, I was so tired I couldn't even hold the sword properly anymore.
'You are talented, most people are unable to even leave the mark you did, but you're letting your emotions control you, you need to block that out in battle or you'll go down first, you rely on your speed too much, its important but not the most, you're not flexible enough to move as perfectly as you could, we need to improve that, I'll keep pointing out your flaws till you perfect them, for now we'll work on this, if you're not too tired, I'd like to measure your endurance.
I was panting, trying to control my breathing, 'what do you take me for? I'm not pathetic enough to be tired after something so simple, go ahead mermaid, bring it on! I exclaim.