A Tale of Mermaids Acathiens: The Forgotten People

“There is only one tiny problem with your little bargain. We no longer have a zavingas. They are in well, short supply, so you see. You have nothing you can offer me. This sleeping infant will not suffer greatly. It is easier this way, I promise you, Little Human.” “I will carry the child!” Audra shouted in her last effort of desperation. The king had her. This is exactly what he needed. “Audra, NO!” Galeo shouted with his last ounce of energy. He fainted and hung limply in the chains. “Galeo!” Audra pleaded. “Audra, please...you don’t know…” Codon held up his hand and Eleas was silenced. His entire body began to shake and he was turning bright red as if an invisible hand constricted his lungs. “You? You are not a zavingas. We would have known if you carried magical properties.” Codon said. “And yet I broke your entire throne room. I know Acathien prophecies, and I can sing like a cursed siren. So...I am obviously something different. I don’t know what I am, I don’t think you know either. But I bet that I can carry an Acathien child.” “Little Human, we have very strict laws in Acathia. Binding contracts that cannot be broken. You must submit yourself willingly and accept all consequences of what happens.” Codon chide. Audra gulped and knew she would have to be smart about this. “I submit myself willingly to be a carrier of an Acathien child.” A roar erupted through the crowd and the king clapped his hands. “Very well...preparations will be made…” “I have conditions and want a new contract.” Audra said. The cheers stopped and Codon raised his brow. This human was smarter then she looked. “Pray tell, what are these conditions?” “First…” “First?” Codon laughed. “There is more then one? My, my, what a spoiled thing you are.” “First! The infant you hold in your arms will never face unnatural harm from you or any Acathien. Including Enchel and his disgusting familiar. He will live as any Acathien and grow naturally like any other child. He is your future and will be treated as such.” “And who will take on this responsibility? My Acathiens are few and have far too many responsibilities to take on this infant?” “Delphine.” A whoosh of water slammed into Audra as Delphine instantly few over to her. “Audra.” Delphine hissed. Her hair a fiery red as she pulled Audra to get her to stop. “Delphine was never able to have children. This will be her child in completeness. You will not acknowledge the child as your own ever. He will be Delphines.” Codon stroked his chin. “Delphine. You let this human speak for you?” Delphines hair paled as she turned towards the king. “Ye..yes sir. It is true I have, I have always wished for a child.” “Very well. He is yours and I will never make a claim to him.” The tiny infant was given to Delphine and he instantly snuggled closer. Wrapping his tiny hands around Delphines warm pink hair. Audra saw a tiny tear form in Delphines eyes as she kissed the little babies head. Audra felt a tiny bit of relief knowing she had saved this infant. “What else do you have for our...contract, Little Human?” The king had slide directly in front of Audra staring deep into her eyes. Audra gulped. The king was unbearably handsome and she could feel an invisible force tickling over her body. Audra shook her head and pushed away. “You will not kill Galeo or Eleas.” Many still present in the throne room booed and yelled their displeasure. “My girl. My sons have committed treason. They must be punished.” “Then punish them. However, their punishments cannot result in them dying at all.” Audra could feel Eleas eyes baring into her but she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. She shook her head and continued. “My last request for this contract, Enchel will not do that, spell, that he did on…” Audra couldn’t finish the sentence as Paisleys dead eyes came back into her memory. “You will allow me to have a natural Acathien/human birth.” Codon thought for a while. He studiedCodon thought for a while. He studied his sons and back to Audra. “Very well, Little Human, I will meet all conditions to this contract. You will carry the next Acathien child. It must be sealed.” “Sealed? How do we do that?” “Like this.” The king grabbed Audra wrapping his arms tightly around her body and pulled her to him. His lips smashed into hers. Audra twisted and turned trying to get out of his grasp. Codon was too strong. A burning sickening feeling filtered into Audras veins. It stung and filled her body. The king tasted of poison and rotten fish. She whithered and kicked and suddenly the king dropped Audra. Her lips swollen and stung spit out the disgusting unwanted flavor of Codon from her mouth. She could hear Eleas pulling and snarling against his chains, trying to break free and attack his father. “The contract is complete. We are in agreance. I have willingly submitted to you. I will be unable to command or break any of your conditions.” He smiled wickedly at Audra. Audra’s stomach twisted in knots. She had just sold herself to the devil.