“I assumed it was just your average goblin. Nothing special.”
But Ferris was right. This was a lot more intense than his usual. Normally, it was only one mer creature and it took nominal effort to bypass it.
The horses began prancing as if they could sense what was coming for them.
Masakage took a knee so as to remain steady.
Xaydin admitted he wasn’t as intelligent as his brother. A wise man would do exactly as Masakage, Gisela and Ferris were doing. Steady himself on the craft.
But he wanted blood. Let them throw him overboard. He’d take a piece of them with him into eternity.
Suddenly, something struck the bottom of the boat. Hard. So hard that it knocked him from his feet.
Masakage caught him before he fell overboard, into the sea. “What was that?”
“No idea.” It’d been too strong a hit to be a simple mermaid or merman.
It hit the boat again.
Ferris held on tight to the edge. “They break my boat, you’re buying me a new one!”
“Sure. If you live, I’ll be glad to.”
The older troll didn’t appreciate his humor.
Neither did Gisela nor his brother. To be honest, he wasn’t exactly fond of it, either. Not with this much turbulence. They were surrounding the boat like a school of piranha.
And sadly, none were dumb enough to poke their heads above the waves to give him a target.
They’re learning.
That was his thought until one of them shot out of the waves and into the air. The merman launched his own fireballs at them.
Masakage fired back as Xaydin let fly his arrow. His mark struck true but ricocheted off the merman without leaving a wound.
What the hell?
More of them jumped from the water. One was even bold enough to land on the boat.
Xaydin traded his bow for a staff, but before he could strike, the merman fell screaming to the boards at his feet.
It was only then he saw Gisela holding a bloody sword in her hands.
“Thank you.”
She nodded before she moved to go after another one who was trying to climb on board.
“Don’t!” Xaydin barely had the word out before a merman reached up and yanked her into the water.
Gisela tried to scream as she sank into the sea. Choking, she couldn’t see anything but water. Feel the hands of the creature that was trying its best to drag her down.
Hold your breath!
But it was impossible. The more she fought, the more she needed to breathe.
She gulped, ingesting the dark water against her will. Water that stung her eyes and lungs.
I’m going to drown if I don’t turn into something that swims!
