A Knight's Lilies

“It is only in recent times that we’ve seen a rise in cases being reported of ‘feral’ lizardfolk. While many in the scientific community posit that this isn’t a new phenomenon but rather, that it had been underreported for decades. A few scholars argue that a more malicious causal factor for the rise in what we have termed as 'ferality', is due to the emergence of Traxian warships found half sunk and partially beached off the coasts of Verona. Those scholars suggest that the overly dramatic rise in recent cases could potentially be the result of biological or arcane warfare. While that remains to be seen and is unlikely, it is a concerning possibility that we cannot simply strike down without proper evidence.”

- Professor Kieran Boras, Arterian Academy of Science, “Lecture: Beastfolk and Lizardfolk”

This was meant to be a simple commission, how did it evolve so quickly? Sophie grumbled to herself as her eyes fluttered open once more. Her head was aching, but not from the pain of being smashed around. It was a more familiar ache, one that hinted at low quality sleep. Not that she was surprised. Sleeping bareback on a pile of trinkets in a cave wasn’t exactly what she would’ve chosen for accommodation if she had a choice.

The half human half sea creature had lulled her to sleep with some bizarre arcane magic. Sophie suspected it was less direct magic and one that ‘suggested’ the right scenarios to tilt in its favor and bring her low. After all, direct magical impacts have had less than stellar responses. Ugh. Sophie massaged her head and found no sign of the creature nearby. Only the former shrine offerings in a pile behind her, a now strangely fluorescent pool, and the torch whose flame had already run out.

Her movements however, were clumsy and far from graceful. The noise had garnered attention of her captor. From within the clear water, Sophie watched with a hushed sense of awe as the creature swam up at speeds beyond comprehension. With her eyes no longer foggy from the aftershock of half drowning. She saw not just a creature, but a maiden whose appearance alone could charm dozens.

Beyond the sleek fishy bottom half, the torso and above was of a comely woman, eye-catching and almost too perfectly proportioned. Beyond the slightly too round eyes and flattened ears, Sophie could fool herself into thinking this was just any other extraordinary beauty. But seeing the creature now, it finally hit her that she was in the presence of a mermaid or a siren. Supernatural demi-humans whose main concern to civilization was luring stray sailors off their ships and devouring them. Or so the stories go. Now at least, she could see why people could be so easily bewitched by appearance alone in legends, let alone lured by its songs. So why is this one so odd?

On cue, the creature surfaced with an excited trill. It found Sophie awake and peered at her with a child-like delight in its eye. It definitely thinks of me as property, Sophie sighed.

The creature that was likely a mermaid sniffed the air for a few seconds before dipping back under the water. Curious, Sophie unintentionally took a step forward and was greeted with a tremendous splash as it surfaced just as quickly. From somewhere under the water, it lifted, with some amount of effort, and threw onto the cave floor, a new lizard corpse.

A hundred thoughts crossed Sophie’s mind in an instant. But before she had time to give any of them due consideration, the mermaid thing slithered out of the water and stared at her. Its rounded eyes only enhanced the effect of its attempt at puppy-like eyes and Sophie died a little on the inside seeing such a sight. What if wanted was answered just as quickly when it looked to her, then down at the snuffed torch, and then at the lizard. Ah, it wants me to cook. But… how?

The sheer ridiculousness of the situation caught her off guard and she couldn’t help but nervously chuckle a little. Stuck in a cave with a mermaid. And it just wants me to cook. Hah.

Her laughter, unfortunately or fortunately for her, had been like a signal to the mermaid. Bobbing happily, the creature slithered using its back half and quickly coiled itself around Sophie once more. The cold water covering its body now stinging Sophie’s skin with every point of contact. Still a little groggy, Sophie froze up as the mermaid gleefully clicked its tongue and began petting her by grabbing at her body once more.

Amused, stunning, annoyed, and confused in equal measure. Sophie simply let it happen as she wondered how to turn things to her advantage. With the mermaid's return and the presence of a fresh corpse, it told her two things. It has access to the lizards in the caverns and the potential path back to the others. It also is no friend of theirs and considering it likely saw the other trying to kill me under the water before it saved me, it could be a useful ally albeit temporarily. Sophie just ignored the implications of the baubles in this cavern that indicated the mermaid was at least looting Euthymia’s shrine. Though that did raise another interesting question for her. Surely the Goddess of Water and the Oceans would know that one of its own is the one responsible for taking from its shrine? And if it’s still here, does the Goddess even… care?

“Urk.” Sophie grunted as the mermaid squeezed a little tighter, practically gnawing at the top of her head. At least in a friendly way, she hoped.

The mermaid cooed a little before finally unwinding itself from her. Its tail lightly tapping the side of her thigh as if to signal the beginning of her day. Still trying to come up with a plan to return to her comrades, Sophie absently began the arduous process of trying to reignite the torch. Only after taking a few moments trying to create sparks using two metallic trinkets that she realized, to her dismay, whatever wasn’t burnt ashes was soaked thoroughly by the lingering moisture in the air. Alarmed that she would disappoint her captor and sabotage her own chances of escaping, she desperately looked around for some other flammable material.

Her efforts in scrounging through the pile of trinkets did not escape the mermaid’s notice. The creature’s gaze seemed to follow her every move as she dug through the jewels, baubles, statuettes, ornaments and all manner of pretty if ultimately useless junk. Trying her best to ignore the hairs on her necks standing on their ends, she searched some more only to be suddenly halted, her arms restrained and pulled behind her with surprising strength. Stars!

The mermaid looked at her with an amused if somewhat pitying expression before releasing her. It then motioned for her to follow and slithered over to a different pile of baubles before rummaging through a different pile to reveal a handful of carved wooden statues. Sophie took one look at them and paled. These were carvings of the Goddess Euthymia and she understood the mermaid’s implication. Things to burn. But if we do… the wrath of the Godesss will be unceasing. How… should I discourage her?

Gently shaking her head, she noticed the mermaid’s expression turn into a small pout. For a brief moment, she saw the same childishness that she sometimes found in Ary and her heart softened a little this day. Offering the mermaid a small smile, Sophie’s thoughts then landed upon the lizard. Surely it’d have some fat right? If I remember basic biology… there’s uhhh, would the legs have fat? The fat? That’s burnable.

Believing that she had found a solution, she coaxed the creature to instead follow her. Grabbing some particularly sharp trinkets, she began the grim task of trying to sever the dead lizard’s limbs when she was once again restrained, though this time far gently likely due to the potential weapons she was holding. Cautiously, the mermaid pushed her away from the corpse and gripped the tail before letting out a small howl and ripping a chunk of it off. Ignoring the blood that splayed onto her, the mermaid turned to Sophie and beamed, proud of what it had done. Before she even had time to react, it severed the rest of it, leaving a bloody stump where the tail had once been connected. Turning to her again, it beamed with double the pride.

Sophie was equal parts horrified and impressed. The strength behind that feat was definitely beyond herself if not even comparable to the saintess. Or at least close to that. Sophie immediately thought back to the times that the mermaid had coiled itself around her and wondered just how easily it could’ve suffocated her if it really desired to. Breathing a small sigh of relief at the thought of having at least established some form of rapport with it, Sophie offered the creature the friendliest smile she could muster to congratulate it on the deed.

Having received the prerequisite ingredients, Sophie returned to trying to start a spark when she heard a small giggle. Looking up she found the mermaid making a mischievous expression before cold, slightly bloody hands patted her on the shoulder. Sophie just watched as it jumped back into the pool and disappeared under the surface, leaving her alone in the cave. A little intrigued, Sophie walked over and glanced down at the clear but somewhat bloody water.

What she saw was a shaft that seemed to stretch downwards before bending out of view. Bioluminescent rocks and small dots of light lit up the entirety of the passage, creating a blueish greenish glow that seemed both fantastical yet foreboding.The mermaid’s tail fluttered gracefully in the luminescent waters like something out of a fairytale. Sophie stood at the shore, mesmerized by the sight.

Even after the mermaid disappeared from view, she still stood for another moment. To think that when I first woke up this was pitch black save for the torch. How is the rest of the caverns? Where do the lizards reside? And what are Eva and the others up to? Stars, how long did I sleep? Are they even in the caves anymore? And high tide, what if…

So lost in her thoughts that when awareness of the world returned, she found herself almost nose to nose with the mermaid. Too startled to move, Sophie just stared dead ahead. In the mermaid’s eyes, she saw a deep, all encompassing blue like the ocean. A tenderness that she didn’t notice at first. Then she saw the reflection of her own eyes, the little gem-like sparkle that lay within them. The mermaid’s breath brushed against her chest, the warmth tickling her bare breasts even as little strands of hair poked against her forehead. What she found most remarkable of all was the almost complete lack of smell from the creature, only the slight saltiness of the sea water mixed with the cavern’s air.

It was the soft clink of something hitting a rock that finally broke the entrancing spell. Both human and mer turned to the object that had been accidentally dropped from the mermaid’s hands. Glowing ever so faintly bluish yellow, it was a magefire lantern. Sophie almost gawked at it. Magefire? Here? That means either a camp with mages, ancient arcane remnants, or the lizards have a mage of sorts. All of which includes less than willing procurement or theft. And so quickly! How did… how did it…who…

With the moment lost, the mermaid returned to its antics and nudged Sophie towards the lantern, pointing to it and the tail. At a loss for words, Sophie set about her task and eventually managed to set the few bits of fat in the tail alight. With the task accomplished, she was then joined by the mermaid as they butchered the lizard's corpse.

Still uneasy about consuming lizardfolk, crazed or not, Sophie tried to offer all the meat to the mermaid. She found herself betrayed however, as the scent of roast meat, questionable or not, elicited a growl from her stomach. The mermaid seemed to immediately sit upright as it investigated the sound, arriving at the logical conclusion that Sophie hadn’t eaten enough. It quickly pushed some food her way and slithered a little too close for comfort. Like an owner making sure their pet eats what it needs. Left with little other option, Sophie hesitantly began gnawing at the meat.

Yet, whatever it saw worried it. For the mermaid’s expression drooped and it hastily scrambled back into the water after a few clicks of its tongue. All Sophie could do was continue to gnaw on the meat as she waited, a little apprehensive about whatever the mermaid was planning next.

It surfaced not long afterwards, its hands and mouth both clutching a copious amount of green planet like things. What the? It carefully plopped its haul beside the fire and the meats and draped a few over the meat, letting them cook together. Is that… algae? Seaweed? Is it using that as… flavoring? To make it more palatable. By the time the first piece was done, it gently nudged the piece towards Sophie as it had before. With exaggerated motions, it then consumed a wrapped piece of lizard meat, prompting Sophie to do the same.

Sensing the mermaid’s moment of vulnerability, Sophie gritted her teeth and made her plea. She needed to press the advantage while she could.

“You now know how to cook. You’ve even figured out seasoning, hah. I… I need to get back to the others. Back to the cave where they’re fighting these… things.” Sophie gestured at the lizard, her eyes never once leaving the mermaid.

In the creature she spied a multitude of emotions. From initial confusion at Sophie suddenly speaking, to concern when she continued. As Sophie mimed going into the water and away, the mermaid’s expression dropped even further, a frown knitted across its brow. Sensing the sorrow radiating from the creature, Sophie felt a little guilty, but she continued nonetheless.

“I know it must be… uh… I guess it's weird to have someone like me around. But my friends, my people. They need my help. When I fell into the water I was afraid of dying. And for that I’m grateful for your aid. Yet I was also afraid of letting my companions down and I… I don’t even know how long I’ve been here. How they’re even doing. Do you understand?” Sophie tried to sound as gentle as she could.

Yet even she could tell the mermaid’s rising dissatisfaction. The creature’s expression turned into more of a scowl than anything else. Whatever soft if mostly neutral pleasantness that was being wafted into the air now turned into a more sulfuric bitterness that tickled her nose. She didn’t know if it was from the burning tail and meats or the mermaid somehow controlling its own scent pheromones. Only that it deepened the darker the mermaid’s mood got.

“And… and I really need your help. Please.” Sophie finally presented her plea, her gut churning with guilt and fear, “I… I know it’s rude to take advantage of your kindness and I thank you immensely for the care you’ve shown. But…” She paused, can it… even understand me?

Giving her no time to continue, a vicious expression flashed across the mermaid’s face, it’s immaculate and beautiful figuring contorting into one of rage and anger. Yet, as Sophie braced herself, the mermaid instead darted into the water with a terrific splash. Huh?

Lost in the moment, Sophie cautiously approached the water’s edge, only to see the mermaid’s figure shooting straight for her. She quickly jumped back, expecting an attack. When the onrush of water hit her, there was nothing else. The wave was hefty, cold, and monstrous, but that was it. It was just water.

At the edge of the pool, the mermaid’s head only half poked out of the water, the rest of its body remaining under the surface. Still moist and dripping with water, Sophie noticed something strange. It’s eyes had narrowed and seemed to be getting wetter. It took a few seconds before Sophie glanced into the water to find the mermaid’s mouth had pursed into a quivering frown. Is it… crying?

As if sensing Sophie’s discovery, the mermaid launched it’s back-half upwards, its sleek tail shooting into the air and crashing back down. It launched a terrific splash at Sophie that swept her off her feet. Slipping and slamming against the ground, Sophie let out an instinctive groan. Stars, that’s gonna bruise, she grumbled as she gently rubbed her hip.

Startled by her little groan, the mermaid’s demeanor instantly changed and practically flew out of the water, a sorrowful expression tinged with regret on its face. It clicked its mouth rapidly to indicate some sort of alarm and Sophie just calmly raised her palms once more and shook her head.

“I’m fine.” She stated.

Relief seemed to overtake the mermaid before a sudden realization brought its mood back now. It refused to look at her and merely sulked as it backed away. Watching this strange behaviour, Sophie’s heart tightened a little as she too, had an epiphany of her own. Ah… it clearly can understand me. And it’s lonely. Huh.

Sophie closed her eyes. Yeah… I guess it must be a shocker that I didn’t die, huh? Stars… her eyes opened once more, taking a better look at the cave around her. Alone and living here, it’s gotta suck, right? Her shoulders sagged as a new weight fell upon her, you think someone can finally stay and well… it just had to be me?

Sophie chuckled a little, deciding to at least try to understand the situation better now that she knew it could comprehend speech, or at least her gestures.

“Hey. Ummm, I’m sorry.” Sophie whispered.

Her voice carried in the cave.

A soft hissing came from the mermaid who still resolutely decided to look away from her.

“You… live here, right?”

A series of clicks echoed in response. I’ll assume that means yes.

“Alone?”

This time there was no response. Only a quiet shuffling as the mermaid retreated back to the water’s edge, its head remaining turned away from Sophie.

Remembering how she had first met Ary and the vulnerability they had both shared. Sophie slowly approached and reached her hands out besides the creature, making sure that it could see them clearly and react if it needed to. It did not move. Sensing acknowledgement, Sophie carefully wrapped her arms around the creature, only now feeling just how seductively soft the creature’s skin felt.

“Sorry.” Sophie repeated, giving the mermaid a hug, “It sucks being alone, huh?”

This time, instead of silence, she could make out a quiet coo coming from the mermaid.

“I… I know how it feels. But I need to get back to my people. They need my help. And those lizards don’t seem to be very friendly. So-”

Before she could continue, the mermaid let out a whine as its body shuddered. Sophie could feel her own throat tighten a little in response. Despite the creature not wailing out loud, she could almost sense every emotion that was currently flowing through it. And though it did not speak as she did, she could understand it all the same. The pain, the sorrow, the loneliness. All coalescing into an ever tightening noose as Sophie’s words only aggravated it further. How long has it been here all by itself? How long has it been since it could interact with someone the way it did with me? Stars above, it must be a miracle it hasn’t gone mad. Poor thing.

“Sorry.” Sophie whispered one last time, her own voice choking up a little.

Goddess above, I feel awful, but what else can I do? She prayed. I beseech you, Goddess Euthymia of the seas, please tell me how I can care for your children and still protect my own. For I too, feel their pain. And as you protected me travelling the seas, please allow me to do so for yours.