"S-starf-fish," stuttered the frightened Serene.
"Starfish?" Hali echoed in confusion, "Serene, I don't understand?"
Merrick and Cricket had been engaged in some sort of petty argument, but it was dropped immediately, as Merrick swam over to see what was going on.
"Hali," Merrick began, "what's happening here?"
"I don't know," Hali admitted, "She had a vision, just now. I think she's in shock."
"S-starfish," Serene continued to whimper.
"What starfish, Serene?" Hali shook the girl by the shoulders, "Where?"
"A-adelaide..."
Hali gave a worried glance at Merrick for a split second, before returning her attention of Serene.
"Tell us about Adelaide, Serene," Hali begged, "what did you see?"
"The starf-fish," sniffed the mergirl, "it hurt her."
"What is she talking about, Hali?" Merrick questioned, "starfish are harmless."
"Quiet, Merrick," Hali warned, "Serene, can you even hear me?"
"B-blood... b-lood..."
Hali pulled the girl into her arms, "Merrick, I think Serene might still be having the vision. I'm not sure... she just isn't responding."
By now, Xavier, Cricket, Sebastian, Tip and Dash had all formed a crude semi-circle around Merrick and Hali, who still held Serene in her arms. The poor girl looked ashen, and her lip was quivering with fear. It scared the life right out of all of them to see Serene behaving in such a way. Then, all at once, Serene appeared to snap out of her trance with a single violent jerk. Hali and the others were beyond relieved to see the child in her normal state. That was, until Serene again opened her mouth to speak.
"The starfish..." Serene's voice trailed off, and Hali could read the fear in the girl's brown eyes.
The group had been holding their breath in anticipation, but when they heard the word 'starfish' escape Serene's lips, most were unable to hold back their sighs of distress.
"Here we go again," whined Merrick, running his fingers through his hair.
"Merrick, please!" Hali snapped in irritation, "please..."
Hali did not bother to finish her sentence, because Serene began an attempt to wriggle out of her grip.
"Serene?"
"The starfish... it cut Adelaide across her throat..." Serene's big brown eyes began to tear.
Hali winced at Serene's words. Just the mere thought of something that gruesome made her sick to her stomach. Luckily, her stomach was empty, from a lack of food. Everyone's stomach was empty for that matter.
"Blood... blood... dripping everywhere... and then..." Serene let out an audible gasp.
"And then what, Serene?" Hali asked again.
"And then..." there was another whimper from Serene, "and then...Tiamat."
As soon as the name of the ice queen, escaped Serene's tiny mouth, the girl fainted.
"Is she...okay?" fretted Cricket.
Hali brushed some blond hair away form Serene's face, and handed her over to Merrick.
"She's fine," relayed Hali.
The group gave a collective sigh, except for Hali, who frowned.
"Come on," ordered the Guardian, "we need to reach Murk immediately. I don't think we have much longer."
Lysander stormed towards his study. He needed to be alone at the moment. The emperor needed time to reflect, time to beseech the Ancients. Lysander needed guidance. The Blood Moon would rise the following evening, and Jira's fever was still rising. Even after his arguments about not condoning the spilling of innocent Murken blood, Ceto still wanted her dead. Ladon still wanted her dead. His head was pounding. The people didn't view her as Murken. They didn't view him as Murken either. Lysander angrily pushed open the door to his study, and flinched backwards. The emperor hadn't expected to see Ladon sitting at his desk, in his chair, pouring over his books.
"What business do you have here," Lysander growled with narrowing eyes.
"I was only reading up on the Blood Moon ceremony, gentle coz," Ladon smiled as he craftily closed the book.
Lysander certainly was in no mood for Ladon's little games.
"Get out," there was a dread calm about the emperor's voice.
"My, aren't we testy this evening," Ladon smirked, "but if you insist..."
Ladon tucked the book he had been reading under his arm, and made to leave Lysander's study.
"Stop, Ladon."
"Yes?" Ladon innocently raised an eyebrow.
"Leave the book," ordered Lysander.
"Surely, you wouldn't mind loaning it to me, Lysander," Ladon began, "after all, we are cousins."
"The book belongs to me," the emperor was stoic, "place it on my desk and go."
"As you wish," Ladon sighed with a wave of his hand.
Lysander watched as his cousin laid the book upon the desk, and leave the room without the customary bow. The emperor remained still, glaring at the closed door for several moments. Finally, Lysander flopped into his chair, aggressively pushed the book off his desk, and buried his face in the palms of his hands. After rubbing his temples with his fingertips, Lysander retrieved the book, laying sprawled open on the floor of the study. Picking up the book, the emperor read the title: Noslēpumi Asinis Mēness.
"Secrets of the Blood Moon," Lysander whispered to himself, sitting back down in his chair, "what could you be planning, Ladon."
Lysander flipped open the cover, and began to read the manuscript. Before he was even finished with the first page, the Murken was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter," grumbled Lysander.
Slowly, the door opened, and the emperor looked up to meet the gaze of Ceto.
"I am tired, Ceto," Lysander sighed, "what is it, now?"
The priestess offered a thin smile, "The child's fever has broken."
Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah
Wow. Who feels bad for Serene? No child should have to see things like that, even if they are only visions.
Hm, Lysander sure does cling tightly to the Ancients, doesn't he? I wonder if the Ancients ever really helped him, during his lifetime. Also, it seems young Lysander behaves older than he really is. How sad...
Thanks, Princess Cricket for answering my question. A blue banana eating chicken named Carl, huh? Incidently, Carl is also the name of my producer for The Fish Dish. HA!
Dragon Tales, DragonTtales. It's almsot time for Dragon Tales,
xJadeRainx
