Only useless idiots came to him. This was the thought swimming through the Sea Warlock's head as he watched the blubbering merman before him. A pathetic specimen in a line of other, equally pathetic creatures that sought him out as some kind of miracle worker. They saw him as what the humans called a "genie" of sorts; a contained all-powerful being capable of manifesting their deepest desires. What they didn't know was just how accurate a comparison it was. He smirked. That's precisely what landed his victims in the Garden.
"I just need more time! Please! I can pay!"
What would land his latest victim in the Garden.
The warlock chuckled deep in his chest, bringing the merman's pleas to a dead halt. He shifted his weight on the rim of the hanging shell where he reclined, tentacles swirling as the light of the open cauldron- the only real light in the chamber- played on his purple skin, "You poor, simple man. I've granted you a week to find me a sea blossom, and you couldn't even do that."
The merman flinched as if the taunt hurt him physically, "I tried," he cried, "I looked everywhere! There aren't any! "
"Yes," the warlock gave a catty shrug as he pretended to examine his nails. A slow grin crept up his face as he cast the merman a sidelong glance, "Pity they only grow in the Pacific."
At once the merman froze. Where his tail had been twitching back and forth in an erratic pattern it was now completely still, almost as if he required every ounce of energy to summon up enough courage to say, "You tricked me."
The grin grew larger. Darker, "Never enter a deal blindly. Especially with me."
It was then that it occurred to the merman to be angry, "This isn't right. This isn't fair!"
"That may be," the warlock said, "but you signed a contract," the document in question appeared with a flick of the warlock's wrist, "And as such, I own you."
The anger was turning back into panic, "No! You can't do this," the merman tried to turn and swim but with another flick of the wrist he was stopped by a golden stream of light. It cut the water in front of him, then turned and spun in a whirlpool of light. The man cried out in fear.
"Oh, you'll find that I can," the warlock watched as the contract consumed its victim. It was moving quickly, encasing the merman from head to fin. At last, the light slowed until it dissolved altogether. Where the merman once floated, only a sad-eyed little creature remained. The warlock leered down at the it, "And I did."
He snapped a finger. Not a moment later the creature disappeared then reappeared among a slew of other, similar creatures.
The Garden.
The warlock chuckled deep in his throat. His latest victory wouldn't be savored long, for he scarcely turned his back on the Garden that the raspy voice of his henchman echoed from the cauldron.
"Master Ursul."
The warlock scowled, "What?"
"There's something-"
"-you might want to see."
Ursul growled at the vagueness. All the same, he summoned a bubble from the depths of the cauldron. A dim light emanated from the center as he leaned in to look. A red-haired figure came into focus. Ursul hummed at the image before him, at first perplexed, then intrigued, then delighted.
"Nice work, boys," his grin was back with a vengeance, "keep an eye on this one. I feel she may be in need of my… services."
Only useless idiots came to him, Ursul knew. But the useful ones…
Those, he invited.