Mermaids

Three days... That's how long Alana has been riding over the valley and through the mountains... Three long, sleepless days. Daydream insisted on stopping for only an hour every night. So, he could rest his legs and Alana could stretch hers. Surviving on nothing but apples, berries, and other fruit she found on the road. Oh, what would she give for a meal? A real meal. And a bed. An actual bed. She couldn't even remember what time or the exact day it was. The mountains blocked most of the light, and his trees hired the sun and the moon from them.

Alana lets out a deep sigh and stares at the gray sky. A sharp pain presses on her coccyx. "The saddle is hard," says Daydream, aware of her pain. "Too hard" Alana replies vaguely and lowers her gaze to the grassy hills in front of them. "How did we get here Daydream." "On my back" he replies sarcastically. Alana fakes a laugh. "I've always asked for adventure, faraway travel, and new places, but this... This is too much. Too much of a good thing. This is not the adventure I was hoping for." "Sometimes we get more than we wish for. That's why you should always be careful about wishing." Alana lets out another deep sigh. "What would I do to take back that wish" she murmurs angrily. "Most don't know what they have until it's gone. Your kind really needs to learn to appreciate what they have." "Your kind," Alana asked. "You know what I mean little one", growled Daydream. Alana laughs. "Sure. We're taking a short break. Daydream. I need to stretch my legs. "We're not there yet, little one," Daydream grumbles. "I have a feeling it's going to be a while before we reach the captain," Alana suggests hopelessly. "Don't you lose hope yet! Be brave." Alana shakes her head. "I just want to freshen up" Alana protests.

Not knowing where she is, she walks to the mossy rocks. The sound of waves and dripping water lures her into the rocky gate. Irritated, Daydream shakes his mane, after which he follows her. "Alana" asks Daydream rhetorically and places his strong hooves suspiciously on the warm sand. "I have a bad feeling about this Alana. A stone gate? Right in front of a beach? I don't know." "Don't be a foal Daydream" Alana teases, with a laugh, and strokes his soft nose. She stared at the bowl-shaped rock wall in amazement. The mossy walls sparkle here and there with caves and dark dens. Each with its own curtain of bright green creepers. The off-white sand feels cool beneath Daydream's hooves as he plods lazily behind his rider. The rhythmic sound of the waves slowly relaxes Alana. "A moment of silence," Alana says contentedly and caresses Daydream's neck. Shaking his head, Daydream smells the clear water. "It smells like fish," he grumbles. Alana smiles amusingly. "Just drink now," she orders, kneeling beside the sea. As Alana runs the cold water through her face, Daydream slurps greedily. A loud whinny, rising sharply in height, escapes Daydream when a young woman dives out of the water.

Alana stared incomprehensibly into her deep-set coral-colored eyes. Without any trust, she steps back a few steps. In a fierce voice, the mysterious woman speaks; "Don't worry sister". She has long dark blue Brazilian curled hair, neatly braided into a fluffy ponytail, that strokes her almost naked-neat hourglass-shaped body. Her round breasts are covered by two lilac-covered starfishes. Her cocoa-colored skin shines in the bright winter sun.

Impressed by the mysterious woman, Alana stares at the lilac-colored fish scales that cover her lower body. The curved row of shiny scales seemed to swallow her hips. The creature watches with a mysterious smile on her bright red round lips.

She stared at Alana curiously. "It seemed like years ago that we had a traveler on our beach. Where are you going, sister?" asked the mermaid curiously. Hesitating if she can trust her. Alana looked at the purple coral necklace around her slender neck. Matching handmade earrings, adorn her sharp pointed ears. Sharp like fairy ears but smaller than fairy ears. "You can trust me," the woman assured impatiently. Alana licks her lips. "Sorry, I've just never seen a mermaid before," Alana stammers. The young woman gestures with a giggle. "A first time for everything, I can show you our place if you wish." "I can't hold my breath that long" Alana protests cautiously. "Alana.. we have to move on" Daydream suggests. Alana fixed her eyes on the setting sun. "Are you lost?" Alana shook her head. "No, I'm going to .. Là Mol" she answered hesitantly. An unknown sparkle appears in her eyes. "You're wrong," she warns. "What do you mean," Alana asks and looks at the deep sea. "Would there be more mermaids? Just below the surface? "The sea is treacherous," Daydream warns. "You must go East. There you will find Là Mol". Alana frowns. "The East?" "Syska" echoes abruptly.

Alana stared in disbelief at the hissing maid. What she feared was happening. Out of the deep water, a second mermaid shows itself. Syska stares at her sister, hissing.

The second maid was so much different from her sister. Her inverted triangle body had ivory skin and lime green fish scales. Her long dark pink hair was neatly tied in a waterfall braid. Her wide-set magenta-colored eyes gave Alana even more fear.

Irritated, Syska disappears into the chilly waves. "Don't listen to Syska'" warns the mermaid, and smiles warmly. "Syska" Alana asks nervously and looks at the mermaid's lime green top, made of braided seaweed, that covers her round bust.

"Là Mol is in the North. Follow the West Coast, there you will find the gate. I apologize for my sister. Unfortunately, not all my sisters are nice." Alana nods understandingly. "Alana" nags Daydream again. "I advise you to travel on. These waters are not safe for a damsel like you. Follow the chore, she will lead the way." Alana steps back in shock when the mermaid disappears back into the ocean.

"Little one" asks Daydream affirmatively. "I have no idea" says Alana still confused, remembering the last maid of her words. "I've never been fond of mermaids. They're strange." "They say that about me too" protests Alana and tightens the braces. "This is different. Some mermaids help you. But most mermaids only help you drown." Alana shuddered at the thought. "I was just about to ask to spend the night here. The sun is setting." "Didn't you hear what I just said, little one? Or the maid? We must go. Now!" Alana lets out a deep sigh. "Then we'll look for another sheltered place." "Now I hear you," Daydream says sternly, and turns. Disappointed, Alana follows him. She is tired. Worse, exhausted. She would love to lie down on the soft sand and sleep, never wake up. Before she can step away from the cool water, a cold hand slips around her ankle.

"Let go" she shouts and tries to defend herself against the strong hand that drags her into the water. Hastily, she takes a deep breath before her head disappears under the chilly water. Syska stares at her with a smile. "You should have listened to my sister... virgin" mocks the mermaid. Hopelessly, Alana tries to escape from her grasp. Daydream storms into the water in concern." Alana" he shouts loudly. Air bubbles escape from Alana's lips as the maid drags her deeper and deeper into the clear water. Wriggling, Alana grabs a round coral. Instinctively, she hits it on the mermaid's forehead. When the maid screams and releases Alana, she dives hastily backward. Her lungs squeak in protest as she tries to swim away. Before she can breathe, Syska grabs her again and pulls her under. The cold water burns on her skin and pulls on her clothes. The weight of her dress drags Alana back under. In the far distance of the deep water she sees heavenly blue lights sparkling. Their town?

Alana's head starts to feel light, and her lungs start to collapse in her body. The witch amulet slowly escapes from Alana her dress. His clear pearl glitters in the ice water. A pressure moves into the water. Slowly the water bubbles around her body. Distrustfully, Syska removes her grasp from Alana. Her eyes burned on the witch amulet. A low growl echoed from her throat.

Surprised, Syska dodges away when a strong hand grasps Alana on her shoulder. Alana's heart skips a bit when a strong arm, covered in chainmail, reaches around her stomach. What should she do? In the end, he saves her from drowning. Alana's strength slowly disappears while Hate pulls her back to the shore. Coughing they both end up on the warm sand. Hate pulls her effortlessly out of the water and spits water out. Did he just really... dive into the water with his weapons? To save her? But why? Alana coughs and looks at Rogue who holds Daydream his reins. "Alana" whispers Daydream. Alana spits water out and looks panting at Hate.

Growling, Hate gets pulled back into the water by two strong maids. "Hate" groans Rogue and tries to pull Hate out of the water. Alana hastily crawls backward on the sand. "Alana, leave now" says Daydream hastily. Alana looks at Rogue who is busy trying to save his master out of the water. Alana coughs, not sure what to do. "Alana" whispers Daydream and pushes his nose against her soaked body. Panting, she strokes Daydream's nose. The cold wind freezes her soaked dress as she stares at the water. What was that? Why was Syska running away from the chain? Did the amulet do anything? Shaking her head, she hides the jewel again and scribbles straight. "Come on Daydream" she whispers and makes her way through the warm sand. Rogue doesn't even notice that she leaves. Daydream was right. Mermaids were not at all like the professor said. Slowly, they leave the beach. Why did that maid give up at the sight of this jewel? Did she know this belonged to Katara? Did she know who Alana was? Alana shakes her head and stares at the dark clouds. Come on, it can't be that far.