Blame it on the King

"I take it things went well?" King Glaucus inquired of his most trusted Wren.

"Of course, she's a natural, Your Grace." Still and serene, Aoide hovered in front of her King. Behind him she saw writhing tentacles as the Queen snuck out from her black abyss, stirring up sand and mucking up the water.

She gave her full report. She did her duty to her King, though she felt conflicted. She felt as if she may never see Liriope again. If she did, she feared it would be a version far less innocent than the one she sent off to the surface that morning.

"Good, good. Keep me posted on how she fares. If what I feel within her is really there, we are going to accomplish a great deal because of her." He put his arm around Aoide and escorted her from his chambers.

Aoide wondered if by "we", he meant only he and Scylla. What had she ever gained from her King but a kill count? She prayed he was right, that Liriope would return victorious with a host and gain the appreciation of her peers. But if she didn't, Aoide was not sure the blame could be put anywhere but on her King.

"I will go check in on her now, your Grace, if it pleases you."

"Yes, please do. I'd hate to hear she got off to a rough start."

Aoide nodded and swam away. She felt the need to catch a bite to eat before returning to the surface. She knew she would have to tell Liriope the truth about her role as a Wren eventually. For now, the necklace should program her enough to get the host into the water and wrapped up. Aoide's plan was to be there when she did and help her bring the host back without having to reveal too much about where it was going. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help preserve some of the young mer's innocence while she still could. Though what she really feared was the horror in Liriope's face when she found out the truth and the judgment in her eyes when she realized the role Aoide helped to prepare.

Aoide made her way east to an area she knew there would be plenty of crabs. She circled and circled until she found just the size she was craving. She dove down and scooped it up and tore off its claws in one big swoop. As soon as she sucked down the meat in its claws, she gasped. She felt as though she was choking. She thought she may be mad because she knew she had swallowed the meat down fine. She gasped again and bubbles floated up and out of her mouth. Why was she breathing air?

Liriope! She must be in trouble. She gasped again and felt like she may pass out. She had to sever her link to the necklace if she were going to save her. She tore off her own amulet and began to breathe again as she should, through her golden locks. She tied her amulet back around her neck and raced back to Lizard's point to find Liriope.