A Tale of Mermaids Acathiens: The Forgotten People

Chapter 12 Part 2 Potential Mother

The banquet doors opened at that exact moment and Delphine swung Audra inside. The cheers and energy of the room shifted. Suddenly, Audra was a tiny fish inside a tank of very hungry sharks. They all stared at her in awe. None of them had seen the vestuv sulkne gown in years. For many it brought back painful memories. For others, they wanted Audra to themselves.

“Would you look at this? I give you our Little Human! The woman who will produce and give us life. She is spectacular!”

The crowd erupted in an all out roar and Audra fought everything not to cover her ears. Galeo shot out of his seat and rushed over to her.

“Audra, are you alright?” He whispered.

“Just take me to my seat.” She tried to make herself as small as possible. Even Galeo was affected by her outfit and she watched as his eyes trailed all over her. When he saw that she had caught him he blushed profusely.

“I apologize...you are just...breathtaking.”

“It’s alright...thank you.”

Galeo guided Audra up to her seat. She was in between King Codon and Eleas. The King held out his hand to Audra. She placed her hand in his but glanced over at Eleas. His jaw was clenched so hard she feared he would break his teeth. His eyes burned with rage and desire. His look lit something inside of her but she quickly pushed it away and looked up at King Codon. He was addressing his people again about his greatness but Audra couldn’t hear or make sense of what he was saying. Her world began to slow. Hundreds of faces looked at her with lust, hate, awe, and rage. How could so many of them feel so differently about her?

“Let the feast, BEGIN!” King Codon shouted as he lifted his and Audra’s hand into the air.

Audra could barely eat. Course after course of food came out. Audra didn’t have the stomach for anything. Eleas buzzed in anger besides her and his body heat was making her dizzy.

“You have avoided me for months. Then you come out in...that?!” He hissed.

“I didn’t have a choice. It was the King's order.” She hissed back.

“Was it also his order that you hide from me anytime I sought you out. Or turn me away.”

“What does it matter, Eleas? You lied to me. You took away my memory and brought me here. Now look at where we are. What could you possibly say?”

“I could have helped you.” He whispered through clenched teeth.

“Haven’t you ‘helped’ enough?”

Audra turned away from him and tried to take a bite of food so that she wouldn’t have to continue answering any of Eleas questions. The food tasted like ash in her mouth. Her stomach refused to allow her to swallow. As she forced down the bite, it felt as though she had swallowed a jagged rock. Cutting her insides all the way down. The banquet hall doors opened and a large rock-like table was being carried in by ten Acathien men. They dropped it in the middle of the banquet hall between all of the Acathiens.

“The feast is complete. It is time for nescia apeigos!”

The men cheered and Audra realized that she was going to be on spectacle for every single Acathien to see. Cyphal entered carrying the sample bottle and a large syringe with a long tube attached to its end.

“NO!” She screamed. “No! I will not do this ritual in front of everyone.”

The cheering cut off and the King turned toward her.

“Now, Little Human, you remember the last time that mouth spoke against me?”

Audra instinctively put a hand up to her face.

“Did he...hit you?” Eleas asked.

Galeo gasped, “Father? She is not Acathien. You know the laws. We cannot cause harm to a human in our care!”

“Do not tell me the laws boy!” King Codon warned.

Audra turned the king and decided to try a different tactic to keep everyone from being able to see the ritual.

“It’s just...I have only ever been seen,” She gave him her best doe eyed look, “by one other before. I have never been exposed to so many eyes. Would the King honor me in keeping this a more...private matter?.”

The king's eyes darkened and he scanned down Audras body. She felt like she was going to be sick. Audra knew that it had worked because King Codon had snapped his fingers and a guard appeared by his side.

“Little Human. We will make sure that only myself and Cephal will be able to see this, private matter.” Codon's voice sickly sweet.

Galeo growled and Eleas' entire body tensed. Audra sighed a little bit of relief. At least it would only be a couple of people present and not hundreds to watch her getting inseminated.

Codon roze from his seat and the hall quieted.

“My brothers. Tonight, I will bring you a princess!”

The crowd erupted.

“Cephal! It is time.” King Codon bellowed.

A guard came and grabbed Audra by the arm. Acting as if Audra would bolt the first second she had a moment of freedom. Audra felt her courage waning. A warm hand grabbed hers and the guard stopped pulling. Galeo was standing in front of the guard and Eleas gripped onto her hand. Audra looked at Eleas and his eyes were confusing to read. Usually cold and angry, his eyes held worry and care. Audra had tingles running through her arm where he held her.

“Audra. I will escort you.” Galeo said from behind her.

Audra couldn’t pull her eyes away from Eleas. She was lost in his eyes. Lots in the emotions running through them. Together they squeezed each other's hands tighter. The magical moment was broken when Galeo grabbed Audra’s shoulder. As if shaken from a dream, Audra turned to Galeo. Not realizing what had been happening. Eleas' dark aura returned and he glared at Galeo.

“I’m sorry Galeo. What did you say?”

“Come. I will escort you.”

Audra nodded her head and refused to look back at Eleas, as his eyes tore holes in the back of her head. As Audra and Galeo neared the table, where Cephal was fidgeting nervously, Audra leaned toward Galeo.

“Galeo,”

“Yes?”

“Can you send me courage? Through your powers?” She whispered.

“Of course!” Galeo beamed and Audra was instantly washed over with a shower of warmth. Her stomach calmed and her shaking stopped. Audra sighed and walked a little easier towards the rock table and let Galeo help her up to lay down.

King Codon watched the encounter and slid next to Mylio who was trying to hide in the back. Hating that he had to watch what was about to unfold.

“Is it done?” Codon asked.

“Yes, King.” Mylio gritted.

“Good. You know what would happen if I am disappointed, Mylio. You seem unusually attached to human. Bewitched, just like my sons.”

Mylio swallowed. “She has knowledge beyond compare Sire. I have actually learned from her. That is rare for a human to teach me something.”

“Hmm..if I recall you have only ever said that about one other human before.”

Mylio stiffened.

“What was her name? Pam? Coral?”

Mylio’s face was beginning to give him away as the blood drained from his head.

“No. I remember. Pearl. You checked-in and stated you met the most competent human you had encountered. She was a brilliant scientist and there was much we could learn from her. What ever happened to that human?”

Mylio cleared his throat. “She became attached. Human emotion is as fickle as it is suffocating. Their constant need for affection and love can cause one to become...agitated. I decided it was best to part before it became a problem.”

“Hmm..well I hope you don’t allow human emotion to cloud your judgement on my Little Human.”

“I am loyal to Acathia. Always.” Mylio bowed his head.

“Good.”

King Codon snapped his fingers and about thirty Acathiens swam forward. Audra frantically looked around in worry that all of these men would be in the front row for the show but they all shifted into different rays. Forming a large barrier around her, Codon, and Cephal.

“Alright now Audra. This isn’t going to be the most comfortable. Just hang in there with me. You will be alright.”

Audra nodded and closed her eyes. A sharp sting jolted in her belly and she hissed. Clenching her fists and trying to keep her eyes closed. Vomit threatened the back of her throat. Audra forced it down with a painful gulp.

“Almost...almost...THERE!”

An instant relief flooded Audra as the pain stopped. King Codon gleamed dastardly at her. Audra knew his plot, in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but think he might have bested her. Getting what he wanted.

“Now we should know within a week if you are carrying a child. If you are the pregnancy will only be five months. Acathien infants grow exponentially quick.” Cephal explained to Audra.

“It is complete!” King Codon roared. “Let us drink while she sits and stews my grandchildren.”

The Acathien men began to go crazy. Drinking, what Audra thought, had to be some kind of Acathien alcohol. Drums began to beat and vibrate through the water. An animalistic dance began with many of the men. They began shifting between man and beast in rhythm of the drums. They all seemed possessed. Audra felt a tingle of warning in the back of her mind.

This is dangerous. You need to get out of here. Quickly!

That voice was always ready whenever Audra was in deep pearril. The fact that it was surfacing now, Audra knew she needed to escape and quickly. A whirlwind of bodies began to circle around her. The drums were getting so loud they were baring into Audra’s mind. She desperately looked around to find Galeo or Eleas. She could see neither. A tentacle wrapped around her arm. She turned to come face to face with a large octopus. Unlike the others around him, this octopus seemed calm and unaffected. She recognized this octopus from somewhere.

“Poda?” She asked. This was Cephals familiar.

The octopus gave her a hard tug and pulled her out of the way of the jaws of a large barracuda. That zoomed past with eyes glazed. Unaware of anything around it. Poda tugged on her again. Audra willingly followed. Multiple hands and mouths tried to grab hold of Audra. Poda was able to pull her out of reach or redirect them out of the way. He quickly got Audra out of the banquet hall and into quieter waters. The drumming was less violent here. Audra took a breath and relaxed.

“What was that?” She asked Poda

The octopus floated in front of her with no response. After a few seconds he swam away. Leaving Audra alone to find her own way back. Before she could move a strong slimy hand wrapped itself around her mouth and throat.

“I know what you are, girl. I can smell it. Abomination. Half breed. I should kill you now.” Enchels poisonous voice slithered around her. As did his other hand.

Audra's scream was muffled by his strong hand. His long gnarled teeth scratched across her neck as he sniffed her.

“I ssshould kill you now. Make it an acccident.” Enchel slammed her against the side of a wall. Groping along her body. Audra couldn’t move as she tried with everything to kick, scratch, bite at Enchel. He was completely unfazed by her efforts.

“I won’t though. If you have a daughter. Ssshe will be mine. Baring my children and creating the strongest creaturesss this world has ever ssSseen!”

Enchels hand slide lower. Audra screamed louder.

“ENCHEL!” A powerful voice came from behind.

Audra was released immediately.

“Hello, Princcce.” Enchel spat.

Eleas didn’t look like himself. He wobbled like a drunk and his eyes were glassy.

“What are you doing?”

“I am congratulating the one who carriesss our future.”

Audra was trembling against the stone. The words Enchel had said played over and over in her mind. He was going to hurt her daughter. Hurt her child. He was even trying to take liberties with her. She was powerless.

“Begon creaton. Audra does not need your twisted congratulations.” Eleas mumbled.

Enchel bowed and disappeared as silently as he appeared. Audra was still not paying attention and couldn’t control her shaking.

“Audra…” Eleas stumbled over to her and strongly grabbed her shoulder. Twisting her around with a little bit too much force.

“Don’t touch me!” Audra screamed and shoved Eleas away from her.

Eleas was starting to come to a little bit being away from the drums that he noticed Audra’s state.

“Audra. What happened? What did he do?”

Audra’s eyes were huge as her trembling became uncontrollable.

“No. No I can’t. I won’t let him.” She whispered.

Eleas slowly reached forward and gently touched Audras arm.

“Are you alright?” He asked. Still a little slurred.

“Will you take me to my room please?” Audra whispered.

Eleas pulled her close and swam her back towards the castle. Audra looked over her shoulder one last time. She felt the eyes of Enchel still on her. It was time for her to escape. To get back to land and protect her potential child.