Chapter 16 A Pesky Mermaid

The night campfire glowed as the visitors began to settle into their beds dreaming about the Harvest Games that are to begin the next day. Homer walked over to Lexie sitting upon a log. He asked if she had bewitched him for he felt strange whenever he gazed upon her. Lexie placed her magic crystal near his cheek and announced he was touched with magic. Homer said he once fell off his raft and dragged down into the river current. Dinah and Dracon were gathering reeds along the river and heard Homer cry for help. Dinah tied a spear with rope and hurled it out from Homer. The spear dug into the river bank on the other side and Homer grabbed the rope. He followed the rope to shore and thanked his rescuer. Dracon asked if he could join his friends in their games. He often saw them outside the temple swinging sticks and practicing their archery. That is how they became friends. Since King Jason said Dinah and thunderbird god Max were married, perhaps it is his magic Lexie sees. Lexie said Max was present when that event happened, hiding in a tree. But, the strange feeling being around her is not magic, it comes from within because he is becoming a man. She assures their paths will intertwine in the future. He asked when he completes his adulthood ceremony that he be allowed to devote himself to her. The sea is a very uncertain place. Lexie replies she will consider it. They return to the campfire. Homer wakes up to hear singing in the river. He finds Ishtar dancing in midair above the water and water creatures rising to dance with her. She spots him and motions to come to her. He steps on the river to feel walking on clear stone. He dances with Ishtar and holds his hand out for birds to land. Birds tweet to the song and fly around in a spectacle around the goddess and elf. Then he hears laughter from his friends to fall into the river. Ishtar floats to the riverbank to help him out. The day of the Harvest Games had arrived.

Sailors and family of the Hermit prepared for the archery contest. The boys joined in the kids games. Ishtar and Cassandra are ready to oust the boys with inferior skills. The Hermit waved a hand and claimed magic was not allowed. The mermaid Layla came up with her bow. Homer could tell she was ready to prove herself even if she was competing against others who were better skilled than her. The children released their first arrows. Layla completely missed the target and Homer took a moment to intruct how to hold the bow. He released his second arrow to again hit the center mark. Layla hit the outer edge of the target. The third arrows were released and the decision of the final contestants were determined. Lexie walked up to all the targets to deem Kynthia’s grandson, Kalulah’s graddaughter, Enki’s son, Addison, Ishtar, and Homer to the final attempt. They loosed three arrows and Lexie judged Enki’s son as the winner. The Hermit gave him an obsidian knife with a wood handle covered in spiral carvings. The adult archery was soon under way and the goddess Lexie won, even without magic. The Hermit gave her an iron knife covered in prayer etchings. The quarterstaff, sword fighting, spear hurling, boat races, and foot races fulfilled the day. Homer, Dracon, and Valnar were in the boat the won the children’s boat race with Ishtar, Cassandra, and Layle shortly behind them. Dracon shouted not to let Ishtar win because she’s pretty. Homer paused a moment and paddled on. The Hermit presented them with new three-layered bows the centaurs had. Alexis, Kiko, and Enki won the adult boat race and presented with iron swords. They danced to music from the sailors’ flutes and drums. Homer danced with Ishtar and gave her a necklace of blue stones he wore. He said he got the turquoise stones from nomads. He asked if she would mind if he returned as an apprentice to Uncle Alaric. She was apathetic to the idea. He asked if she would mind if his father appeared to negotiate a betrothal with him. She blushed and giggled. She replied she would not mind. As they settled into bed, he kissed her good night. The next day, they received a surprise. Queen Zakiah, Levi’s mother, arrived in a chariot. She came for Levi because King Theron has been wounded in battle when pirates attacked the villages during the Harvest Games. On her way here, she was attacked by nomadic thieves. The Hermit rubbed a salve into her wounds. Eurick and Levi packed up and left after the morning meal. Zakiah promises Prince Levi will return in the spring. Ophelia recited prayers and burned incense. They finsished the games with wrestling, boxing, and swimming. Dracon was humbled at his friend Homer besting him during their wrestling bout and eagerly watched Addison defeat him. The harvest games completed, it began to rain and everyone walked into a cave where an altar covered in offerings was located.

“Is this the altar where you devoted yourself to Iris?” asked Dracon.

“Yes, it is.” answered the Hermit.

They continued to a large cavern with enough room for everyone to sit. The Hermit started a fire. Valnar asked to finish the story becaue he had not explained how Nix had returned. He left of at the murder of Linos and suicide of Mae. Jason said he told Vidar and Oskar that they could not follow him to The Haunted Forest.

“Yes, Jason released Balor. Balor lived two thousand years ago when the Kadacians built cities and Blythans have not arrived yet. He was a nomad who traded with villages and herded cattle to reach different pastures. He could swiftly tell the difference between Blythans and Lotans to attack only Blythans. Jason turned himself into a stallion and guided Balor wearing a hooded cloak claiming to be a shaman to the villagers. Every shaman must travel away from home before granted a priesthood in a temple so the villagers thought nothing of this strange man. In the daytime, he took the form of a wolf and slept in the shade of a tree. Jason remained in his black stallion shape to sleep and graze. Balor would feed on animals and humans. Once they arrived in Illium, rumors spread of a monster lurking in the dark. Some thought it was a werewolf because the neck would be bitten and skin shredded. The street urchins Jason knew as a boy had become bandits, rag bag sellers, and sailors. They all loved to visit taverns and enjoy the company of the barmaids. One had a sister who worked in a brothel so that is where he lived. Jason took Balor there to rest. Jason assured they were only after the guards who killed Linos. Jason got his revenge on the guards to find the arrival of Jopria’s brother from Ashur. Her father and brother stayed behind to fight the nomads surrounding the city while Grigor brought her mother, sister-in-law, and wife to safety. Jopria gave them lodging until news came from sailors bringing refugees who survived to announce Ashur was destroyed with the king and heir apparent dying in battle. One refugee searching the ruins found a body with its armor removed. The thing the raiding nomads overlooked was leather cap the king wore to protect his head from his helmet rubbing it as he moved. The cap was covered in letters of a prayer to protect the king. The refugee presented the cap to Her Majesty. A sailor said the heir apparent was guiding refugees to the docks when an arrow hit him and he fell into the water. The sailor presented the armor of the heir apparent they removed. Jopria and the royal family went into isolation. When they came out, Jopria gave her brother an estate on the east coast. Her mother and sister moved to Ashleigh. I heard later that her mother died of plague and sister died in childbirth after marrying a guard. Balor enjoyed Illium and returned with Jason to reside in the Haunted Forest caves. Once they had returned, we had a visitor.” began the Hermit.

After the spring rains from Laeos melted the winter snows from Vanir, Alaric took his spring bath in Aurora Falls. As usual the mermaids have yet to occupy their birthing caves. As he swam in the waterfall mist, he thought it odd that a high pitched female giggle echoed in the forest trees. He thought it was probably a sprite and thought no more about it. The giggle grew louder and louder, moving as if it was trying to get the elf’s attention. Next, a beautiful set of amber eyes peered from the cattail leaves gazing right at him. He greeted the young lass with long amber hair. He guessed by her seashell and shark tooth necklace that she was a mermaid. Her grin revealed a familiarity with the elf swimming in the river. She dived elegantly into the water and splashed the confused elf. She did not speak to him, but continued to laugh at him. She swam around and pulled at his submerged hands. Annoyed at being splashed at, he finally broke his bewildered silence to ask the mermaid who she was and explain her strange behavior. The pesky mermaid rose upon a rock and stared at her admirer.

“Do you not remember me? You buried me here.” answered Nix.

Alaric shuttered and whimpered his relief that his beloved Nix had finally come back to him. With amber hair, amber eyes, and a fishtail, Nix appeared as divine as a blonde haired, blue eyed, and freckled human she was before. He reached for Nix and kissed her in the waterfall mist. They swam ashore to share a campfire boiling his meal. Staring at Nix in disbelief, Alaric asks what made her finally come back to him. She explains the love goddess Ishtar came to her in the afterlife hills with a plea to return to the living world and pressed how his heart still aches for her. She did not realize how much time had passed until she saw him old and gray swimming in the river. As he fed his long lost love, his great-nieces emerged from their cave home.

“These are my great-nieces, fair maiden. Ishtar, Cassandra, please fetch a robe at once. We have a guest.”

The goddesses bring a robe and sash and their mother came out to meet the mermaid guest. The green robe was a little long and Lilia waved her crystal to size them just right.

“What is your name, mistress mermaid?” asks Ishtar.

“My name is Nix, little Ishtar.” answers the mermaid.

“That is our great-aunt’s name,” replies Cassandra.

“Is it, Cassandra? Should I use another name as I stay here?” asks Nix.

“No, Nix is a pretty name. I like it.” responds Cassandra.

“I shall keep it,” decides the mermaid.

“How long will you stay, Mistress Nix?” inquires Ishtar.

“It depends on your great-uncle,” replies Nix.

Ishtar turns to Alaric sitting across the fire.

“As long as she likes,” he answers averting his eyes to the fire.

“At least a few days, dear.” replies Nix.

The meal is finished and Lilia plays a flute as they gaze at the stars. The moon rises high in the heavens and the twins bid good night to their great-uncle and his guest Nix. Lilia takes them toward the waterfall and Ishtar spins around to look straight at Nix.

“Good night, Great-aunt Nix.” says Ishtar and dashes into their cave.

“Smart one that is,” comments Nix.

“So how long are you staying? Are you leaving me while I sleep so not to see me weep when I discover you are gone again?” inquires Alaric.

“How long would you like me to stay, Alaric?” asks Nix.

“Stay forever,” answers Alaric.

“Will you marry me again?” requests Nix.

“No,” replies Alaric.

A long pause consumes the night sky.

“That is all you are going to say to me? No?” pleas Nix.

“What would you like me to say? No, I am not allowing you to break my heart again. No, I am not letting you hurt Ishtar and Cassandra when you decide to hide in the afterlife again. No, you are not appearing to our son Eurick or daughter Lexie so they can miss you again. No, I am no longer the same Alaric you knew before and will not marry you again.” finishes Alaric.

“I noticed you no longer smoke your pipe. But you were glad to see me in the waterfall?” begs Nix. “That was shock. The euphoria and disbelief has worn away and I hate you for what you have done to us. You do not deserve another lifetime to cause more pain for our children and me. And I threw away the pipe after you died. I only smoked it because of you. I hated it.” explains Alaric.

“I promise to never leave you again. I have changed too.” asserts Nix.

“Liar,” responds Alalric. “I had enough of this journey down memory lane. I am going to bed. Good night, Nix.” ends Alaric.

Nix follows her beloved into bed and lies beside him.

“I love you,” says Nix before kissing him good night.

“I know you do. I do too.” replies Alaric frozen as ice.

“I am very sorry I hurt you. Is there anything I can do to mend your broken heart?” inquires Nix placing her arm around him.

“Heal Eurick’s broken heart. If he can forgive you, I can too.” declares Alaric. “You do not have to look for him in Illium. He will be here tomorrow. I foresaw it yesterday.”

Eurick arrived after burying Boudicca. He returned with his natural body leaving his elf image behind. They went into the storage cave to retrieve a jar of wine. They came back to Nix cooking breakfast of flatbread and wild boar bacon.

“Who’s the mermaid in your robe and sash?” asked Eurick.

“She is a guest and you will respect her as such. Her name is Nix.” answers Alaric.

Eurick sits near the dried mermaid and collects food on his plate. He notices the woman staring at him in awe as eats.

“Why are you staring, mistress? Something about me catches your attention.” asks Eurick. “My stag head, perhaps?”

“I have heard many stories about you, Eurick.” replies Nix.

“A father’s pride is unavoidable,” retorts Eurick.

Nix, Alaric, and Eurick begin eating their bacon and flatbread covered in honey.

“What is it, Mistress Nix? You are still watching me.” snaps Eurick.

Nix casually turns away from him. Eurick in return turns away from her. Cassandra comes up to greet her great-aunt. Eurick drops his knife and faces his mother in tears.

“I am sorry, mother. I was not expecting you to ever come back to us like father said. I thought you no longer loved us.” replies Eurick.

“My poor baby. I was busy being selfish in the afterlife and thought I would be forgotten in time. I was wrong, my son.” claims Nix. The mother and son embrace. “Do you forgive my foolishness, Eurick?”

“I forgive you, mother. Please tell me you are staying with us.” begs Eurick.

Nix glances up at Alaric standing near the fire.

“I can not fight all of you. Let me send a letter to Lexie and Alexis.” answers Alaric.

Ishtar and Lilia come up for breakfast. Alaric informs the goddesses of the good news and cancels lessons for the day. Nix and Alaric agree to a sweet and simple ceremony preformed by Ophelia in the Temple of Eris. Nix is informed Lexie is betrothed to a prince of the sea. They met as Lexie was entertaining mermaids on the beach with stories of Illium and the Haunted Forest. She greets Prince Wilz the mermaid way with a nod of the head. Alaric’s children, Lilia and her girls, and Alexis were the only guests. Iris suddenly arrived to dance with Alexis and Addison. After Nix had made herself comfortable back in her old home, Alaric feared she had returned to the afterlife when she was missing when he awoke one morning. He found her outside walking on the creek water and singing an enchanting song to cries behind the trees. Another look from the footbridge showed her striding upon the rocks along the edge of the river. Lilia sat on a log holding a crying bundle of blankets. Relieved, he raced across the bridge to see what was crying like a wounded animal. Lilia declares finding a baby mermaid on the mountain abandoned by her tribe. She saw no bruises or bite marks so someone must have left the babe right before Lilia discovered it. She sensed this girl was special and had a destiny to fulfill. She decided to ask Nix to help calm the infant as she tried to obtain milk from a nanny goat. Lilia also decides to call the girl, Layla, after a prophecy she saw a year before. This girl shall be a great warrior queen someday. For the time being, Lilia will raise her with the goddesses.

The next year held Lexie’s wedding and grand affair it was. Mermaids, elves, and unicorns came to the wedding along the beach. They received many gifts from jewelry to tools. Music filled the air and the feast filled the guests. Since the wedding, Queen Kaitlyn of the Amazons died to leave her crown to her daughter Kira. Chief Kadmor of Brandyburg sent the finest sword known to be made to his half-sister. Alexis’s sprite wife Althalia died and Alexis sold his Laurel home to live with Athar’s family. The great King Hector died to leave his palace to his son. Prince Kermit was living in the Black Hills as Lord of Fort Dido. Prince Dymas was Lord of Laurel and fighting pirates regularly. But with death came life in the form of grandchildren of our heroes being born and growing up in this changing world.