Chapter Four- Sea Transition

Atem stretched as he awoke, his guard still asleep. He gazed out at the open waters before him. He just couldn't get his rescuer out of his head. He knew next to nothing about him and yet had fallen hard for him. Could he be…human? I did neglect to mention I was out of the water and no merperson can breathe or talk out of water…unless he was a warlock. Atem's lips parted at the realization. My rescuer could be a warlock. Wow, that would be so…cool.

"Pharaoh, what's wrong?"

Atem shook his head. "Nothing; just imaging what my rescuer could be like."

"Well, let's see if we can find him."

Atem rose and the two started a systematic search of the known area. They swam back and forth through the water starting around the docks and moving down in the direction of home. They were approaching the water that gradually became dry land when Atem saw a pair of unusual colors on the sandy bottom. He swam down to it and gasped. It was a merman, fast asleep. He had short brown hair and a two-toned colored tail. It started out royal purple that gave way to white. His fins were white with a horizontal purple strip on each one. Atem kneeled by the sleeping form. He sure is good-looking. I wonder if he's my rescuer. The guard and I haven't found any other merpeople around here. He gently shook a shoulder. "Wake up." The merman stirred and blinked brown eyes as they focused on Atem who felt his breath catch. Those eyes look familiar. Could it be…?

"Have we met?" He got a nod and he grew excited. "Then you're the one who saved me! What's your name?"

The merman's mouth moved but no sound came out. A hand went to his throat and a crestfallen expression came to his face.

Atem, too, felt disappointed. "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. As you can't speak, you can't be my rescuer. Not that I'm not pleased to meet you," he added quickly. "I am Pharaoh Atem." He watched as the merman kneeled before him. "Where do you live?" Atem asked.

Mahad was tempted to lie, but when he could talk again, Atem may be upset that the brunette had lied. He pointed up in the direction of land.

Atem blinked and followed the finger. "That's not possible. We can't live out of the water." He looked at Mahad. "Are you a warlock by chance?"

Warlock? Mahad thought. That must be the merpeoples' term for sorcerer. He nodded then tapped his throat and shook his head.

Atem nodded. "Well, yes, with no voice you can't use your powers."

"My pharaoh, we should head home," the guard spoke up.

"Of course." He looked at Mahad. "Would you like to come with us? You will be my guest until your voice returns."

Mahad bowed his head before rising and following behind the two mermen, his eyes on Atem. How lucky am I? he wondered. The pharaoh found me and I learned his name. He even invited me to stay with him. He looked back at the tail that moved up and down easily behind him. This is amazing. I'm actually a merman. And the colors are cool. They really suit me. I hope Atem falls for me and kisses me. I would love to stay a merman.

Mahad stared at the small city laid out below him and the gleaming castle that loomed in the distance. It was larger than his town and couldn't imagine how busy it must be to rule over it. He followed his guides through the marketplace and looked around discreetly. All around him were merpeople, some with single color tails others with two colors like him. He blended in with the populace aside from the fact that no one knew him. Merpeople gave his curious looks or smiled at him in a friendly manner. He would return those smiles with his own.

Atem, Mahad, and the guard entered the castle, the latter leaving them once inside while the other two continued to the Throne Room. Atem swam in to see Isis in her usual place while Seto sat on the throne. The moment he came in, they swam up to him. "Pharaoh, we did not expect you home so soon," Isis said.

"I hadn't planned to return soon either, however I did make a new friend." He gestured to Mahad. "These are my advisors Isis and Seto. I recently named Seto my successor; someone to rule in my stead while on trips or am unable to rule."

Mahad bowed to them and Atem added, "I'm afraid I don't know his name. He can't speak but has conveyed to me that he's a warlock."

"A warlock?" Isis said. "How interesting. Our kingdom doesn't have a warlock as they are rare."

"Indeed," Seto agreed. "However our friend needs a name until he can speak again." There was silence as they ran through countless names. Finally, Seto suggested, "What about Heka? In our ancient language it means 'magic'."

Mahad liked the suggestion and nodded when the others looked at him. Atem smiled. "It is agreed. Heka it is."

Mahad beamed at having such a cool name for the time being. The fact that warlocks were rare and that merpeople had an ancient language was intriguing to him. I would love to learn their modern language, but that will take time and I only have three days.

"Seto, continue watching things for the rest of the day. I want to show Heka to a guest room and give him a tour of the kingdom," Atem said.

"Yes, my pharaoh." Seto resumed his seat as Atem and newly-dubbed Heka left the room. He glanced sideways to see Isis staring after them. "Isis?"

She turned to him. "Seto?" she replied.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you interested in Heka?"

"Well…he is handsome and he's a warlock."

"I don't deny any of that, but I think Heka has eyes only for the pharaoh."

"Ah. Do you think the pharaoh's interested in Heka?"

"I don't know. We don't know much about him and we probably won't until his voice returns."

Atem led Heka to a guest room near where he and the advisors sleep. "I hope you like it. The window provides a view of the castle garden." Upon hearing that, Heka swam over to the window. Atem floated by the door, admiring the young merman. He guessed Heka was actually a young adult. His tail's colors really suited him: Royal purple and white. It's interesting. I have blue and then purple while he has purple and then white. It's his face that really intrigues me. It looks like the face I vaguely recall. I also remember the voice that spoke to me. He addressed me as pharaoh. But, only my advisors and subjects call me by title, so how could my rescuer have known my title unless he was nearby?

Heka gazed at the lush garden below. He felt he could concoct a few potions, ones that didn't require a fire. I probably could make those potions that require a fire too. I did study a spell to make fire, even underwater. But right now, I can't talk and my magic is gone so that will have to wait. Heka didn't doubt that he would succeed, thanks to Aknadin's spell. He didn't consider the possibility that he could end up being an old man.

"Heka."

Heka turned to find Atem had come up behind him. "I had been in trouble yesterday. I had gotten trapped in a human's net and I was actually out of the water. I was set free by someone I only vaguely recall. I remember his voice and the general look of his face as well as his eyes. I believe he's a warlock as we can't breathe or speak out of the water unless at least part of our tail is in the water. It's likely my rescuer's a warlock and saved my life. I promised myself that if I find him, I will ask for his name, thank him for saving me, and then ask for his hand in marriage as I have fallen in love with him."

Heka couldn't believe his ears and suddenly wished he could talk. Atem loved him and wished to marry the one who saved him. That's exactly what I dreamed about! Actually part of my dream has already come true. I'm a merman and I've met Atem. All that's left is to marry him. But first I have to win his heart and get a kiss within three days.

"Come Heka. Let me show you the kingdom." Atem took Heka's hand and they swam out of the room.