Beginning of a Legend Chapter 8
Salazar woke the next morning after the best sleep he had ever had. It was strange that he slept so well sleeping on the hard floor, but he enjoyed being away from his father. He was getting even more excited about going to stay with Godric for a while. It would be nice to have a safe place to stay and he would be with a friend. Not to mention the fact that they were going to be learning some new magic with Rowena. It was almost like a dream come true. The only thing he wasn't looking forward to was going back to his house to pick up some things. Salazar was afraid of what his father would do when he showed up with his friends, but he was glad that he would not be doing it alone.
It appeared that Salazar was the first to wake up that morning. He got up quietly and heading outside. It was a beautiful place in the light. He was surprised to see that Rowena was also outside looking across the meadow.
"Hello," she said, without turning around.
"Do you always get up this early?" Salazar asked, walking up and standing next to her.
"Do you?" she replied, looking at him.
"I'm used to it," Salazar answered. "I like to get out of the house before my father wakes up."
"This is the time that I like to go to the lake," said Rowena. "Sometimes you can hear the mermaids singing below the water."
"Really?" Salazar asked, excited. "I have never seen a mermaid in person. Just in the books I have read."
"Do you want to head down to the lake?" Rowena asked. "I can't guarantee that you will be able to see the mermaids, but there are some other interesting creatures in there too."
"Yeah," Salazar answered.
"I have to warn you though," Rowena said, starting to walk. "You can't get too close to the water. Sometimes the Grindylows will try to pull you under."
"Alright," said Salazar, following her.
Salazar took in the surroundings. He could imagine how wonderful it would be to live in such a place. The grass was the brightest green he could imagine and there was such a large area to explore. The lake was a beautiful color of blue and Salazar could imagine seeing the mermaids swimming through the water. As Rowena and Salazar got closer to the water they could hear a faint voice coming from under the water. Salazar could see some things moving beneath the lake and the voice got louder as they approached.
"We have to be quiet," Rowena whispered. "If they realize someone is listening they stop and go back to the bottom of the lake."
Salazar nodded, walking closer and trying to see the mermaids under the water. He could get small glimpses of the mermaids tails as they swam and sung. Rowena sat on the grass next to the lake and Salazar sat next to her. The voices were more beautiful that Salazar had ever imagined. He listened intently getting lost in the music. After a few minutes the voices died away leaving the lake silent. Salazar continued to stare at the lake, lost in the color of the water.
"So what are you two up to?" came a voice behind them. They turned around to see Helga and Godric standing there.
"I see your both up," said Salazar.
"What are you doing out here?" Godric asked.
"Watching the mermaids," Rowena replied. "They often come out at this time of day."
"Really?" Helga asked, excited.
"Yes, but I think they have gone now," said Rowena. "They get startled quite easily."
"What all is in this lake?" Godric asked walking closer.
"There are many creatures and I would be careful if I were you," Rowena warned. "Grindylows like to grab people when they get to close."
"Grindylows live in this lake?" Godric asked. "I have always wanted to see one of those."
"Their not very friendly are they?" Helga asked.
"The one's in this lake are not," Rowena answered. "They don't like it when people get too close to the water. They believe it is their home and you are invading."
Godric suddenly screamed and Salazar grabbed his arms when he noticed a tentacle wrapped around his leg. Rowena and Helga ran over to help try to stop him from being dragged under the water. The grindylow that had him was quite strong and the three of them were having a hard time keeping Godric out of the water. Rowena suddenly let go and pulled out her wand, pointing it at the creature below the water.
"Lacarnum Inflamare," she said as fire shot from her wand at the creature. It squealed and let out of Godric swimming deeper into the lake.
"You just can't listen can you?" Salazar asked, out of breath.
Godric stood up nonchalantly.
It's not really in my nature, Salazar old buddy," Godric replied.
"You should start making it your nature," Salazar said. "If I end up getting myself killed one day, it had better not be because of you."
"Calm down, Salazar," said Godric. "I won't get anybody killed. I just cause a lot of trouble."
"More trouble than your worth," Salazar clarified.
"Alright, boys," said Helga. "There is no need to fight. We have to find out what we are going to tell our parents when we get back."
"I haven't really thought much about it," said Godric.
"Why don't you just say you slid down a mudslide and ended up in the forest where I found you," said Rowena.
"Will that work?" Salazar asked.
"Nobody goes deep into those woods," said Rowena. "I think people would believe that."
"Good," said Helga. "Then we have a plan."