Aoide's last duty to Liriope was to lead her to the surface and show her how to transform into a human; to become mystikos. It was a powerful spell, and could only be used by one Wren at a time. Its power lay within a topaz amulet, embroidered with the same diamonds and crystals that provided energy to their coral reef sanctuary. It had never been used or worn by a new Wren, and never one as young as Liriope.
Aoide had used it several times over her years as Wren, but King Glaucus eventually forbade its use as the world above grew more dangerous and uninviting. It had been decades since it was last worn. Aoide had forgotten how long she had been serving her King. She still felt as young and strong as she did on her imprinting day. Though things were different back then. Hosts were more abundant and King Glaucus more kind and generous to his family. It seemed the more his colony was threatened, the more vicious and unforgiving he became.
Aoide had been the first Wren to know Scylla for who she truly was. Liriope would be too frightened; she was still innocent and did not yet need to know how her community thrived. Yet deep down, Aoide wanted Liriope to know the truth. Looking down at her unconscious student, she was reminded of how betrayed she felt when she found out the truth. That all they had was each other, and to survive meant returning with a sacrifice; a host to keep the colony thriving, to add to their numbers.
Liriope's eyes fluttered open and she began to instinctively stretch and wiggle her tail. She floated up and out of Aoide's reach. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She breathed in deeply to stretch and her hair curled up and scrunched up to her scalp until she released it. Then she noticed Aoide patiently waiting for her. That was a first.
"Mistress, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
"Nonsense, child. I would not have let you if I didn't think you needed it. Besides, you're now a Wren, and my baby sister." Aoide felt proud. She had prepared this young mer in no time at all. She reached out and motioned for Liriope to take her hand. "Come, it's time to leave. We'll go say goodbye to all your things."
"But I'll be back, right Mistress? Wren's always return."
"You may. You may not. But if you do, you'll stay with us now. Your room will be given to someone else. But you can give me anything you wish to save and I'll keep it safe."
They swam together to her old cave, where she'd spent most of her life, when not out learning with her classmates. She didn't have many belongings. The things she did have, she had made. A pearl necklace, four or five seaweed wraps, all woven in different styles. She had a coral comb and a small collection of rock carvings, but otherwise, her room was bare, besides the rich vegetation and her anemone bed, both of which she could not claim to own.
She picked the pearl necklace. It was the only thing she felt she could not part with. She gave it to Aoide who put it on for safekeeping.
"Now I have something for you." Aoide pulled off a small green pouch she had been wearing, small enough Liriope hadn't noticed. But what she pulled from it was breathtaking. It was an aquamarine stone that glowed and danced in the light of its setting, inlaid with the diamonds that lit their reef.
"Mistress! No, I can't wear that, I'll be too afraid to lose it."
"Wear it you must. Lose it on the surface, and it will be your death." She fastened the necklace around Liriope's throat. "You'll wear it now while we swim to the surface. It will take some time to recover from its effect. When you leave the deep blue, this necklace will help transform you into a human. It will help keep air in your lungs and toes on your feet. Without it, you'll revert to a mer and suffocate without our waters."
"I understand." Liriope pressed the necklace into her chest as if holding it there would keep it chained to her forever. A feeling of anxiety grew inside her and her heart skipped a beat. She thought of her Queen and her beautiful red hair, who had hugged her and wished her a safe journey. She felt something unusual; a yearning to swim. She felt she could turn and swim up to the surface in an instant and never look back. Her eyes widened. That was exactly what she was going to do, and it terrified her.
"It's ok. I wear its twin amulet. I'll be able to feel if you're in trouble. It's time to leave. Follow me." Aoide darted out of the room and headed straight up towards the surface. They swam as fast as they could, faster than the fastest dolphin. Aoide remembered how uncomfortable the pull of the host could be, so she wanted to get Liriope's mind off it. Better she felt it near the surface and let it guide her. Better she didn't ask too many questions about what it meant. At least when she got to the surface, she'd be too preoccupied with her transformation to worry about the magic brewing within her.
They swam until they could see the clouds, then Aoide had Liriope lead them. She was compelled in a westerly direction, towards Britannia. They flew like man's torpedoes, sea life passing them by in blurs of color.
A few leagues later, Aoide caught her breath as she realized where they were headed. A place known to the Wren's where one of the original curses was made. The Lutey curse, the one that Scylla had imprinted on Liriope just that morning. They were headed directly towards Cornwall and Lizard's Point.