Chapter Three- Bargain

Mahad breathed a sigh of relief as the ship stopped. He had spotted the pharaoh darting around the ship as it sailed. He truly was interested in humans. He saw him looking at the rudder before heading for the ship's port side. He heard a cry of alarm and swam toward it to see the pharaoh in a net that was rising! He gasped; it was likely merpeople couldn't breathe out of water, similar to the breathing spell he still had on him. Mahad frantically swam to the net and got there just as it left the water. He leaped out, grabbed the net, pulled a knife from his belt, and started cutting it. "Hang on, pharaoh," he said to the gasping merboy whose eyes were fixed dimly on him. He cut the last piece and the pharaoh fell into the water, Mahad joining him. He surfaced to see the young king breathing again, eyes closed. Before Mahad could inquire about his well-being, a voice called, "My pharaoh!" Mahad, in a panic, softly chanted a teleport spell he had studied but had never used. He vanished and appeared on the shore by his shirt by the time Atem opened his eyes and the guard came up to him.

"Pharaoh, get down quickly," the guard said before going down himself. Atem ducked under and the guard asked, "Are you all right?"

"I think so."

"Wait." The guard spotted pieces of net on Atem's fins and pulled them off. "Pharaoh, what happened?"

"Not sure, it all happened so fast. I remember getting caught in a net…someone saved me. I remember his lovely brown eyes, tanned face, and soothing voice." Atem sighed softly at the memory.

The guard gaped at Atem's description. "My pharaoh, are you head over fins in love with your rescuer?"

"I believe so, but I didn't get his name."

"Perhaps, he'll come back."

"In that case, let us set up camp under a dock. If he does not come around by noon tomorrow, then we head home and send out an announcement of the incident and urge the rescuer to come forward."

"Very well. Let us set up camp." The guard led the way with Atem behind, daydreaming of meeting his rescuer, getting his name, thanking him for saving him, and asking to marry him. Yes, Atem decided. I am in love with him and he will be my husband.

Mahad, shirt and shoes back on, sat on the sand, gazing at the ocean. He was in love with a merman pharaoh, but couldn't tell him as the guard would likely chase him off. He sighed. If only I had a tail, then I could approach and talk to him, get his name. He rose, headed for home, and scoured his books for a spell to get a tail. He went to bed, disappointed, and dreamt of being a merman, meeting the pharaoh, and eventually marrying him. Little did he know that Atem was likewise dreaming of marrying his rescuer.

Mahad rose early the next morning, dressed, went to the shore, sat, and resumed gazing at the ocean. He re-lived his time breathing underwater. It was such an amazing experience. He breathed automatically and though water flowed into his mouth, only air entered his lungs. He recalled the sea life he had seen and the depths he had gone in his swim. Then, there was the pharaoh, the most handsome creature he had ever seen. There was no doubt in his mind that he was in love and desired to let him know. I could use the breathing spell and search for him. Assure the guard that I mean no harm. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

"Hello…Mahad, isn't it?" a voice suddenly spoke up. Mahad startled as he looked over to see an elderly man standing nearby wearing the robes of a sorcerer. Mahad rose and bowed. "Yes. I am Mahad."

"Greetings. I am Aknadin. I have heard that you are an aspiring sorcerer. That is wonderful to hear. I would be willing to take you as my apprentice. I would love to know how many spells you have already mastered."

"I have learned a great deal but have not practiced most of them yet."

"Would you object if I read your mind to understand your magical knowledge?"

"Not at all."

Aknadin was a bit surprised to hear this response. Mahad is apparently a trusting soul. He put two fingers on Mahad's forehead and spoke a word. He quickly discerned Mahad's knowledge to be impressive for one so young. He probed Mahad's recent memories and learned of his love for the merman pharaoh. A grin broke out on his face. Oh, I can use this to my advantage.

He withdrew from his probe and said, "Your knowledge is impressive. Pardon my intrusion, but I learned that you are deeply in love with a merman."

Mahad nodded, his gaze on the water again. He didn't mind that Aknadin probed his memories; clearly he didn't go far as his love for the pharaoh was right on top. "I want to find him and tell him. You know, I learned a spell to breathe underwater. I can use the spell to find him."

"You could…or I could turn you into a merman."

Mahad's head snapped around. "You could?"

"Yes, but only for three days and I will have to insist on payment for my services."

"Of course. How much?"

"Oh, I don't want money. I would be willing to strike a bargain with you. Now, I will use a spell to turn you into a merman for three days. If you can get the pharaoh to kiss you before the third sunset, you will remain a merman. If he doesn't, you'll be human again."

"Sounds fair so far."

"There are some catches. I do want payment. What I want from you are your magic and your voice."

"What?"

"Listen. If he kisses you, you will get both back right away. If he doesn't, you'll get back your voice, but I'll keep your magic and I will switch bodies with you."

"Switch? I would have your body and you would have mine?"

"Oh, yes. I would be young again and you would be an old man." Aknadin held out a hand. "What do you say, Mahad? Do we have a deal?" He waited for Mahad's answer and to him, it seemed the young man was hesitating. He could be thinking of refusing. I cannot allow that. I want his body and his magic. Aknadin silently cast a spell to make Mahad accept the deal.

Mahad stared at the hand, his mind racing. The bargain was insane. Trade his voice and magic for three days as a merman? And if he didn't get kissed, he would live the rest of his life in Aknadin's body. No, I can't accept. I'll stick to my original plan. He looked up to tell Aknadin no, but paused and reconsidered his decision. I can get the pharaoh to kiss me, no problem. No magic and no voice for three days? Small price to pay for a lifetime under the sea.

"All right, Aknadin. We have a deal." He took Aknadin's hand.

"Wise decision, my friend." They released hands and Aknadin pointed at Mahad and chanted. Mahad gasped as light energy spiraled out of him and a glowing sphere emerged from his mouth. The energy and sphere went into Aknadin who smiled as he savored the feel of having more magic. Mahad's was indeed powerful and he would enjoy strengthening those powers. Without his voice, Mahad will fail and I will be young again and an even more powerful sorcerer.

Mahad didn't attempt to speak; he knew his voice and magic were gone. However, it was only temporary. It will be a long three days, but with much to see it could go quickly. Mahad then was aware that he was in a bubble and floating. He looked at Aknadin with a questioning look.

"I am going to put you to sleep as the transformation is painful, but not to worry. When you wake up, you will have a tail and be underwater." He spoke a single word Mahad recognized as a sleep spell before he lapsed into unconsciousness.

Aknadin gazed at the young man and relished the idea of having that body in three days. He then began chanting a lengthy spell, watching Mahad. His clothes vanished as the bones in his legs and feet melted away before the legs merged into a tail; royal purple that changed to white at the mid-point. His feet became a pair of white fins with a horizontal purple stripe in the middle of each one. The bubble descended into the water to deposit Mahad on the bottom.

Aknadin left the shore to start on strengthening his newly-acquired magic. Enjoy your tail and your youth, Mahad. You only have three days with both.