Venom Of The Sea

Part Thirteen: Lowell

Is he serious..?

I watched as Cedric moved to the nearest window in the throne room, his body language reading that he was.. Tense. On edge. The letter threatening for his daughter's hand in a forced arrangement, or a war would be released upon the kingdom of Mercadonia.

"My king, forgive me for questioning you but... Are you really going to risk your daughter's happiness for this... This lowlife?" I slightly scoffed, as I moved to this side looking down into the courtyard, watching while the other soldiers trained against one another. Their swords clashing together while they gave off their battle cries, I couldn't help but think to the time of my father battling...

Cedric took a deep breath as he moved his hands to where they pressed against his back and laid in each other's palms. I watched his body's every tense motion, the way his shoulders leaned back as his face read... Nothing, his face was unreadable.

"I understand your concern for my daughter's happiness, Lowell. But, she must learn that... The kings and queens must be willing to give up their happiness for their citizens..." He whispered his voice sounded so... Sincere. In the time I've worked by his side, I've never heard him sound this... Serious, all while sincere.

"B-But, my king-" I started when suddenly he turned towards me, making me back up in instinct.

"But nothing, Lowell. You are my knight, not my caregiver or anything more or less." He spat I took a deep breath, trying to calm down and not let his words of anger get under my skin. I watched as his muscles tensed but his eyes read scared. I couldn't but feel remorse for him.

His wife taken or went missing... Now his only daughter missing, along with our only girl sourcer, along with our number one gather. With the war coming up, along with the forced marriage arrangement on his daughter... Who might be dead for all we know-

No, no, I can't think like that... I need to stay positive.

"Yes, sir... Forgive me. I will leave you alone." My voice was a whisper as I turned away, moving towards the doorway. Just as I was about to exit, I turned back and looked over my shoulder to see Cedric fallen onto the sea-white quartz floor with his head in his hands.

I looked at him with a sad look, only to shake my head and continue to leave the room. I started back towards the courtyard, my heart was pounding against my chest as I entered the yard. Once I looked up from the ground that's when I noticed that everyone was looking up and watching me. I couldn't help but feel this sudden... Rage bloom inside of my heart, forcing all of these negative thoughts into my head.

"Get back to work! We will not stop until you boys become men!" I shouted as they all looked at each other then back towards me. I grabbed a few more swords from the holders, throwing them to a few of the new recruits. Some of my helpers stood off to the side, their arms crossed over their chest while they watched.

"I thought you said you were going to have these boys turning into men by the time I returned?" I scoffed as Johnny, my right-hand man gave me this sheepish look as he shifted side-to-side. The other soldiers gave him a cocky look as I glared at them...

"You three, go make ten laps around the courtyard. Now." I slightly hissed as they gave me a sudden look and sighed, looking at each other and took off towards the running area of the yard. I looked back towards the others that were going at their training hardcore.

"Lowell, what happened in there?" Johnny asks as he swam next to me as I took off towards the armory. I continued to swim staying silent as Johnny continued to follow behind me, surprisingly he could keep up with me... I was swimming so fast I was surprised.

Just as I was about to reach the armory Johnny suddenly appeared in front of me, his arms out to where he was blocking the whole doorway. I stared at him, my eyes hard as my lips gave a small snarl.

"Lowell, please... I understand that it's none of my business, but I would like to help you..." He sighed, I could see the hurt in his eyes... When Serenity and her friends went missing, I honestly became so... Outraged towards everyone and thing that stood in my way.

Finally, I allowed my blood to cool from its boiling point, looking up at Johnny with soft eyes as he slowly put down his arms and moved a little closer. He knew how protective I was over them, and now that they are gone especially when Serenity left the barrier and all I did was... Watch.

Suddenly a hand appeared on my shoulder, I looked up from the ground with slightly teary eyes as Johnny wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I grunted as I hugged back, all of my emotions were just... There. They were coming out now, at this very moment... And all I wanted was for them to get home safely.

- Serenity -

My body became developed in water as I opened my eyes to see Christopher, or Chris as Sebastian called him; transforming... His two perfectly tan legs becoming a silvery white as they separated, I could hear his painful screams as they echoed.

I watched in fear that he might not make it... Humans have a 50/50 chance of surviving a transformation this large... Mom help me if he dies... My father would kill me if he found out I even went near a land-lover or human. Feeling the pressure of the need for air, I quickly surfaced and took a deep breath only to dive back down.

Once I did, that's when I saw Chris... He went zooming past me, his tail pushing him strongly against the water as a large smile appeared on his face. I couldn't help but smile also, he looked so... Happy. I opened my mouth to yell but quickly regretted it as water filled it.

Quickly I swam to the surface and spat out the hot, salty water as Sebastian grabbed me under my armpits to help me out. We both sat there on the edge of the rocky area and watched for Chris to return to the surface, I felt anxious while waiting... Why? I honestly don't know.

"Is he coming back up for air soon, or what is going to happen?" Sebastian asks as he stands there with his hands' stuff in his dirty sleep wear. I look up at him and shake my head gently while ringing out my long black hair.

"He's fine, now that he has gills he shouldn't have to come for air. Unless he wants to surface..." I whisper when I saw the slightly dirty blonde hair appear on the surface making me smile widely. Chris appears in front of us, his tail balancing him as he stood there. I knew that Chris felt embarrassed by Sebastian staring at it...

"Dude... You're a mermaid, or merMAN, my bad." Sebastian laughed as Chris rolled his eyes and looked at me.

"So, what happens now?" His voice held this weird sound of happiness in it, as I looked down at him and turned my head to where Mercadoina was located. The two followed my eyes and looked out there too, as I sucked in a deep breath.

"Well... Either A, my father allows you into our kingdom and you leave your human life until we have a way to sneak you out past the barrier. Or there's option B..." I paused, standing and moving to where I was looking out on the ocean while holding both of my arms.

"And what is that..?" Chris asks as he moved closer to where I was, I felt a shaking breath leave my lips as I closed my eyes and sighed looking down at the sand below my feet, which I have slightly gotten used too...

"I leave and you forget this every happened..."