Chapter 12 - The Vision (1)

In the first verse, nothing happens. However, when Elleryn was about to sing the second verse, the surface of the lake began to tremble, bubbles came out and from afar she could see that a mermaid had come out to the surface of the lake. When she finishes with the song, there are about twenty heads that come out of the lake, all looking at her with sharp glowing eyes and annoyed looks.

There's one mermaid though who stares at her while assessing her. She has beautiful dark blue hair and her eyes are red as fire demands attention, she swims closer towards Elleryn and Elleryn is about to take out her arm when she grabs Elleryn's by her arm and grips it tightly.

Rydan was surprised. He was about to run towards her, and perhaps hurt the one who tries to hurt Elleryn. But Elleryn touches the mermaid's head, caressing her hair, soothing her and calming her senses.

One thing to do when making sure a Mermaid doesn’t attack callers.

The bluehead Mermaid let go of Elleryn's hand, now she looks at Elleryn, letting her speak.

"My name is Elleryn Qye,” Elleryn smiles down at her, “the Daughter of Qye,” she started.

The mermaid nods, "my name is Madia, you can presume me as queen of this lake, the one who protects its kind," she clicks her tongue, looking a little disturbed by Elleryn presence, "you are the new Daughter of Qye I presume, Lady Byrl already dead?" Madia stated. Her tone is harsh, but Elleryn holds her tongue and just nods. She is here to ask for a favor, the least she could do is be kind towards them.

"I believe your purpose here is for strength," Madia hissed, eyeing Elleryn with malice. "It's winter after all, just like the rest of you. Always coming here for a purpose", she continued.

Even though she is weakened by the season at the moment, Madia still feels it, the power that rests within her, more powerful than Lady Byrl herself. At one moment Madia was just about to follow her every word, but she can't do that, not when she wants something out of her.

"Yes, I need strength from you. I believe you stated your wish to the other daughters as well, can you name it, I will grant it," Elleryn said.

Madia stares at her doubtfully then she smiles.

"My wish? No, Princess," she hisses once again, "It's a deal, not a wish, just like you need something out of us, we need something out of you", Madia replied.

Elleryn nodded and asked Madia to go on, to state her side of the deal.

"We want a barrier, a protection around the lake. A week ago, hunters caught us, killed us, they said the Kingdom needs our blood, so we want protection even from the King himself, I believe you can do that," Madia stated her part of the deal.

It isn't that difficult to create protection on a person or mythical creatures. It would be a different matter for a lake or around the kingdom, it will be harder to create. Not to mention the size of Eyions Lake that resembles more like a sea, after Elleryn just received her strength out of the mermaids, she will have to lose it for the mermaids as well.

However, she can do other types of spells instead, similar to a protection spell, but her strength wouldn't drain immediately. A spell that brings invisible fog around the lake so then any creature who wants to harm the mermaids and the living creatures living near it, would never be able to see the lake, ever.

She could definitely do that.

"I agree," she said.

After making sure there’s no falsity within her words, Madia begins to close her eyes. In order to make a deal with fairies and mermaids, words can have the same amount of strength as written contracts. Breaking a words' agreement will only hurt the one who breaks it, this is why Madia believes Elleryn and the other way around.

Madia begins to sing with her eyes closed, the rest of the mermaids follow her, she opens her eyes to look directly into Elleryn’s eyes and when she receives the strength from the mermaid. She could feel it, like a stream of water that rushes down the river. She could feel strength rushing each nerve inside her body, filling her with power and strength that could last until the last day of winter.

When Madia and the rest of the mermaids finish the song, Elleryn smiles, and begins to chant the spell of fog around Eyions Lake. At first, the fog begins to clouding around the lake, but within seconds the fog disappears, making Madia hisses a little, she is still doubtful towards Elleryn.

"It's a protective fog, for those who intend to harm the living creatures inside Eyions Lake, they would never find the lake, but those who don't want to harm the lake will easily find this lake," Elleryn explained, calming Madia heartbeat immediately.

"Thank You," Elleryn said. Madia looks at her, but then she smiles, "Thank You," Madia then swims back with the rest of the mermaids then disappears into the lake.

Elleryn stands up and walks towards the place Rydan had watched her all along, with a few steps, she stops in front of Rydan and smiles towards him.

"Let's go," she said.

Rydan was astounded. The reason was because he was sure that he didn’t make any noise and he was far enough for her not to notice him. However, the one Rydan facing right now isn't an ordinary creature, she is different.

Elleryn decides to leave Rydan behind, smiling to herself. She loves the surprised face Rydan shows to her, as though Rydan didn't expect she heard his movement, his breathing, and heartbeat from afar. It appears that Rydan sees her the way he sees another girl and Elleryn loves that look on him. It makes her feel normal.

As normal as she could feel.

Rydan follows her step in silence. Not questioning her about the mermaids or the deal. Truthfully, Elleryn knows he must be itching with questions looming around his mind. Curiosity is surrounding Rydan so much that Elleryn is willing to answer if he asks, but he didn't. He just follows her step through the white winter forest towards the castle. Elleryn couldn't take it, she stops and turns around, facing the confused tall guy in front of her seemingly short stature.

"What do you want?" Elleryn asked.