Seconds pass by with every step we take, seconds that quickly turn into minutes, and before I know it, hours.
Slowly, seashells and pearls start appearing more often. Looking at the map, I can tell that I’m getting closer to Mermaid City.
It’s a saying that mermaids are obsessed with shiny pearls and beautiful colored seashells. And I can’t blame them. It’s easy for the shine to grab your attention, making you want to keep it for yourself. Sometimes they wash up on shore, and other times they can be found in the least expected places where our ancestors might have dropped them.
One time a year, there’s a huge market where every single creature attends, showing their crafts. One that I’ve seen multiple times, created by mermaids, is beautifully decorated brushes. Not only brushes, but mirrors, hairclips and decorative tableware.
They never fail to make things more gorgeous than they were from the beginning, the things they can craft with their hands are magical.
Even though it’s the mermaids who design the things, they often take help from elves to sell it for them, since they can’t be out of the water for too long.
I have never met a mermaid, but I would love to do so. I would have a million questions and I could write a whole book only from their answers. I want to know everything about them, how they live, what their favorite food is, can they speak with other underwater creatures?
The list of questions would be endless.
“I hope to meet a mermaid one day.” I say, my dress flowing around my legs with each step.
“Maybe you will.” A manly voice appears.
“Ector?!” His name leaves my mouth before I get the chance to think, an immediate wave of joy washing over me.
“Unfortunately I am not the man you seem to be in love with.” He speaks again.
I turn my head, trying to find the person behind the deep voice. It’s not until he steps out from behind a tree that I actually get to see him clearly. The guy with long blonde hair and a big bow behind his shoulder.
The guy who tried to lure me to him, deeper into the woods. The guy who wanted me to get the same fate as my sister.
“What are you doing here?” I spit out. “Why are you following me?”
“Oh, dear. It was never you that I followed. It was your beloved savior.” He breathes. “What was his name again? Oh, Ector, as you just said.” With every word leaving his mouth, he comes closer to me.
“He’s not here.” It takes all the strength within me not to break down and fall to my knees right here, in front of him.
“Well, that wasn’t too hard to tell. I’ve got eyes, you know.”
“Leave us alone.” I say, stomping away from him as anger grows within me.
“Now, why would I want to do that?” His steps follow behind me.
Slowly, I reach into my small green bag and grab the silver dagger. “Because I’m asking you nicely.”
“You didn’t ask, you...”
“Leave. Us. Alone.” The words come out through my gritted teeth as my body spins around and places the pointy dagger against his throat. “I didn’t ask you, it was a demand.”
“Woah.” His arms fly over his head with a grin plastered on his lips and something dark shifting in his eyes. “I don’t want to harm you, little girl.” He continues, pushing the dagger away from his body.
“I’m not a little girl.”
“You seem pretty small to me.” He looks down and blinks with one eye.
“I’m gonna go now, and you’re going to stay right here, and not follow me.”
“I will leave you alone as soon as you tell me where your little puppy is.”
“My puppy?” I said in confusion.
“This Ector you talked about.”
