Saving Maltira

Chapter two

"Where have you been, Lay?"

Layla groaned at the sound of her mother's voice. Dressed in a sapphire blue dress that complimented her beautiful blue eyes, her blonde mother exuded grace as always. Because mermaids could live as long as 500 years, her mother at 70 years of age looked only slightly older than she did at 35.

I was out by the medians, mother".

The medians?! Her mother was appalled. "Why do you insist on staying away from society? “

The medians is a good place mom, you should check it out some time ".

The queen looked at her only daughter and wondered what she had done to deserve this. "Okay. her mother raised her hands in surrender. "I don't want to go into that now, have you packed for the festival?

Layla winced. "No".-

"Ha!" Queen Lycoia turned on her heel and walked away with her head held high and a straight back, she turned once to Layla and said, "do whatever you want Lay." and she was gone.

Layla hurriedly packed her breast cups. She packed her golden hilt dagger, her bow and arrows, her jeweled combs and a few poisoned darts. In all, Layla packed more weapons than every other thing combined.

Little Pokio poked his head through her chamber door. Can I come with you?

Layla smiled fondly at her baby brother without looking up. The festival of the white waters is for warriors, Po".

Pokio came in and sat on her water bed. He cradled his face. "I don't want to be a warrior; I want to be an artist. But I love the art portrayed in the festival of the white waters. I can write a poem about what I see ".

Layla looked at him. Youve never been to one, she said so how can you love the art portrayed?

He flopped on the bed, the king has told me stories", he flipped over on his stomach, " and I've seen pictures.

Layla tied her sack and eyed her beautiful brother, she leaned and ruffled his hair " I'll take you when you learn to hold a dagger properly ".

"Ugh", Pokio groaned what do I need a dagger for when I have you? You're one living weapon. Besides, I despise daggers ".

Layla brightened. A bow then?

Pokio glared at her. "I hate 'em even more!”

Layla sighed and sat beside her brother. "Why won't you look at weaponry as an art? You're an artist; consider it another branch of art to explore".

Pokio spoke to her with the patronizing patience of their father, "True art is never used to cause harm".

Layla rolled her eyes, "I think you're wrong professor, let me give you a scenario. Imagine I catch. . Let's say Bikumbert, wealthy Mr. Bikumbert, in a compromising situation and I quickly capture the situation in a sketch and later use it to collect lots of money from him in exchange for destroying it, " she paused and looked pointedly at her little brother, "what is that called? "

"Blackmail", Pokio answered without blinking.

"Good! In that case, have I not used art to cause harm?" Layla beamed at her logic.

Pokio gaped at her, You know what? Stick to warrior stuff. Analyzing the wisdom of the world is not for you, he jumped down from the bed, "please bring me back a souvenir. One more thing. . ."

Layla looked at him expectantly.

"Your protector will be here for you soon". He ran past the door just as one of Layla's shells hit the spot right beside his right shoulder.

"Are you ready?

Layla smiled up at the handsome red head. "As ready as I'll ever be".