Saving Maltira

Chapter One

"Heads up!"

Layla ducked just as a colorful shell whizzed past her, she looked up to see 3 little beautiful mermaidlings giggling. She scowled at them and they scurried off. Sighing with a small smile, Layla went back to filing her double edged long sword.

Aquaira hadn't gone to war in centuries but Layla found a certain peace and solitude in methodically cleaning her weapons once a week. Her sole desire was to be a warrior. The third child and only daughter of King Acha III, Layla had five brothers and a doting father to protect her. But she took pride in being able to take care of herself. She had warrior blood running through her veins after all.

Now as she sat filing the sword her first brother had given her during her debut into society, she couldn't help but reminisce on how not only her family, but the entire Aquaira had been forced to accept that their princess wasn't a frail, weak girl. 

Layla was born under the ocean in her home, Aquaira— one of the seven cities that made up the entire mer- kingdom. Popularly called the apex city for its great wealth and affluence, Aquaira was built in a giant bubble like all other mer-cities. It was built with the most beautiful things. Because of the air inside the bubble, the mer-folk were able to breathe with lungs and walk with legs within the bubble. But whenever they left the bubble into the ocean, they morphed into their natural form.

Layla had always been fascinated with weapons. As a toddler, she always managed to cut a hole in her dress while playing with a small knife or a pair of sharp shears. 

After a while though, her mother gave up dressing her as a girl and just wore her pants instead of a dress. As soon as her mother became pregnant again, Layla found more freedom to explore her wild side. And explore she did! Her father taught her to capture and tame sea horses, her first brother taught her to wield a sword without cutting herself and soon she was besting him when they sparred.

She befriended a young soldier in the palace, the only swordsman who could match her brother's skill. Despite being a decade older than her, the friendship blossomed as he honed her skills and made her into a warrior.

"Layla!"

Layla looked up and around as she heard her name and then she saw a flash of red. She smiled.

"Behind you!"

The red head turned around and grinned at her. "I was thinking of sending out a search party."

Her young soldier friend walked up to her.

"Hi Jace". Layla smiled up at him. She always enjoyed the sight of him.

Jace stood over her and drank in the sight of her. She had piled her long white hair on top of her head in a messy bun and she wore simple cotton gray slacks and a plain black tunic. She looked nothing like a princess except for her natural grace which was common with mermaids and her powerful aura which told you of her blue blood. But the grace and power did nothing to hide the fire that burned in her eyes, a fire that reminded Jace of his own mother.

"How are you?" Jace sat beside her and took her file from her. "I think that blade is sharp enough." Jace said with a lope sided grin.

Layla threw back her head and laughed. Her laugh was strong as the woman herself.

"What are you doing out here? She folded her legs underneath her and carefully sheathed her sword.

Jace picked up a rock. The festival of the white waters starts tomorrow ". He looked over at her. "Do you have your supplies ready?

Layla looked lost for a moment, and then she started. Oh! How could I forget that?! I love the festival of the white waters ". She groaned and plastered her palm to her face. I only have a few hours to pack".

She hurriedly got up and started gathering her weapons while Jace laughed at her.