“Seems like a flawed system.”
She chuckles. “I’m certain the pirate met his end.”
Mr. Tick retreats from the arena, and the tiny fish fly at each other. Blood spills into the water, making me suck in a breath. I lean forward, eyes wide, as a vicious flurry of fins and teeth ensues. I am equal parts enraptured and horrified. Never again will I dismiss a fish based on its size.
The ticking gets louder, and the crowd collectively holds its breath as one fish goes in for the kill. They clash, and one of them swirls upward, blood whipping around them before their lifeless body floats down to the ocean bed with a tiny thud.
The clock stops, and Mr. Tick scurries into the arena. “Joe is the victor!” The crowd goes nuts and glints of gold shine as the deal makers pay out. “Congratulations to the happy couple. Joe has earned the right to become Felicia’s mate.”
A fish several times larger than Joe swims into the center of the arena. Wait, that’s the female? How would that work? Where did he put his sausage? Do fish have sausages?
Joe swims under Felicia, who grimaces as a little blood fills the water when he attaches himself to her.
“Did he just bite her?” I ask.
“That’s how they mate. He will fertilise her eggs from there,” Linda informs me.
“Then they part ways?”
She shakes her head. “Nope, he’s there for life.”
The vicious crocodile’s eyes land on me again. I glance over my shoulder to find the mermen still blocking the exit. I don’t think I’m going to like where this is heading.
“They are still there,” I mumble.
Genie floats out to glare at them. “Perhaps they will move once the gold has been paid.”
I don’t think that’s the case.
Sure enough, people move toward the various exits, expecting the guards to allow them to pass. When they don’t, their curious gazes scan the arena for the cause of their delayed departure.
Two mermen swim up the small barrier outlining the fighting ground. “Mr. Tick would like to meet the new Lady of the Lake,” one of them declares.
“Mr. Tick will need to request that meeting through Poseidon,” Linda demands. “She has already been presented to him and accepted. You cannot mess with her.”
“Move out of the way,” the low rumbly voice belonging to the crocodile says. The mermen part to reveal the owner.
“I simply wish to meet the new Lady. I consider it my duty to be aware of everything happening here.”
That’s quite the claim, knowing all. I struggled to remember everyone’s name in my tiny village after living there for many annuses.
“I’m Daphne,” I tell him, hoping that by offering my name, he will let us leave. But there’s no mistaking the danger pulsing in the water.
“Daphne,” he growls. “Join me for a drink.”
It’s not a question, but I have danced with danger more deadly than him. Trying to intimidate a maiden who has fought to survive a realm intent on ending her every diurnal is a pointless endeavour.
“Nope, I’m good. Thanks, though. Maybe next time.”
He grins. “I have something you want.”
Doubtful.
“Then set a meeting with Poseidon, and we can talk.” I turn, noting the guards have moved to the side to allow the folks to leave. Good. I try to join the crushing crowd. Suddenly, my boring ocean bed seems much more inviting.
“Poseidon will never let you leave, Lady of the Lake.”
I give him a thumbs up over my shoulder like he’s imparted some incredible knowledge. “Thanks for the wisdom.”
