Sarcos offered his shoulder to Sienna from her other side. She walked to the arena clenched into Sarcos's and Marco's arms. The others followed. Sharchan was still angry. He did not like Marco at all and was getting jealous. Sharchan was also a bit worried about Tyrell, he felt something was wrong with him and it made him restless. He did send his snakes to watch him, but he did not have any news yet.
In the arena, the scorpions greeted their king with a loud cheer. Sarcos welcomed his people and they all sat and listen to the Nefari, the singing mermaid. Her singing was mesmerizing and Sienna felt so happy to see her friend. She watched her with big happy eyes. When Nefari finished, Sienna noticed, the kings are staring at her. "What is wrong? Why are you staring at me? Should you not look at the singer?"Sienna asked.
Sarcos shooked his head."You are just more beautiful than that mermaid, so we prefer to stare at you." he said seriously. He was acting like a teenager sometimes and joked a lot when he was around Ramse. Everyone nodded anyway.
"Well, she is my friend and I like her. Don't say that anymore."She shook her head.
"We can say what we want!"Sharchan hissed. He was getting impatient.
"Of course, you can."Sienna rolled her eyes." I'm happy you love me that much then." she tried to calm him down.
"Can we invite Nefari over to have dinner on the terrace together?"Sienna asked Sarcos.
"I already did."Sarcos nodded."But she is going to Crystal City tomorrow, so she would be not able to stay long.
"Why she has to rush?"Sienna asked curiously.
"She already announced the dates for her concerts, so she is not very flexible with it. She already stayed longer here, waiting for you to get better."Sarcos smiled gently.
"OK, then, at least she will come to visit. But maybe I can go to Crystal City with her!"Sienna's eyes lit up.
Sharchan's lips curled."That will be great, you can see her sing again!" he said hopefully. He wanted to keep Sienna for himself.
Sarcos shook his head."When Tyrell is back."
Sienna bit her lips."As you say, my love." she leaned on Sarcos's shoulder like a cat. She felt Sarcos had his reasons, so was always better to take his advice.
Meanwhile, in deep wetlands, Tyrell sat in the stony dark ditch. He felt hungry, thirsty and really stupid. He did not understand how he could get trapped so easily and why crocodiles hold him there. He was already stuck in the darkness for two days and no one even came to see him. The ditch walls were from crystals and their smooth edges were impossible to climb.
Tyrell figured out that the dark mage Crodius was holding him there for some wicked purpose and is waiting till he became weaker. Tyrell just came peacefully to talk to him, when the floor suddenly opened under his feet and he fell into a deep ditch.
The time was passing slowly in the darkness, Tyrell got frustrated and started to roar like a tiger. Clashing his strong body into hard crystals.
At last, he heard a noise and a small ray of light peeked from the opening at the top. Tyrell leapt but could not get to it. He kept sliding down at the smooth crystal walls.
"Poor tiggy-wiggy, " the cruel mage laughed at the big white tiger trapped in the narrow crystal ditch deep under him.
"Why did you trap me here?" asked Tyrell, "I just came to ask you about one older female. I came in peace."
Crodius laughed. "Peace, no peace! I don't care. You tigers are not so good at fighting in my wetlands anyway. I have no older female for you, but I'm interested in your pretty queen. I might have a use for her."
"I rather die, than deliver her to your hands," Tyrell called angrily and leapt high to try to get out. He fell down with a loud thumb.
"Well, I hope she will not let you die, so I just wrote her a letter to Sand City to come to pick you up. Because, if she will not come, I will have some tiger bones for my magic talismans and a new tiger skin on my wall. Either way, I will get something!" he chuckled.
Tyrell was getting crazy down there. "What do you want with my queen? Why are you doing this?"
"I will tell it to your queen. Rest little tiger. Don't lose your strength fast. Maybe I will let you say goodbye to your queen. Unfortunately, we do not provide food or water for prisoners, so let's hope she will come early."He nodded seriously and closed the opening.
Tyrell got upset. He go tricked. He could see well in the dark, so he tried to dent the crystal walls with his claws, not even a scratch. It was a hard diamond. Luckily for him, wetlands were really moist and the crystals condensed watery droplets on them during the freezing cold nights. Tyrell had to lick them as a tiger or he would die of dehydration in a few days. His only hope was that Sienna would really come and bring his blood brothers with her. He hoped for invincible Sarcos, but his heart wanted to see Sharchan more. He missed his snake brother.
Nefari and Sienna had dinner on her terrace together, they sat on the soft cushions, nibbled delicious food, chuckled and chit chat. Sienna was so happy to spend time with her again.
"Nefari, are you happy now?"Sienna asked her friend gently.
"Immensely," Nefari nodded."Finally, I feel so free." she lifted her hands into the air as if flying and stretched her back backwards.
"I'm so happy to hear that."Sienna smiled."I'm just a bit sorry I can't see you sing again in Crystal City. I need to stay here."She sighed.
"Well, it is lovely here, and all people you love are here too, no?"Nefari asked.
"Yes, you are right. Apart from Tyrell, he is still travelling. Looking for the truth. I just hope he is well. I do miss him."Sienna sighed again.
Nefari touched her hand gently. "He will return to you, just be patient."
Sienna nodded."You are right, my worries will not help anyone. Let's be happy then."She smiled."How about king Hector? How is he?"
"He is still my friend. He treats me very nice."Nefari said."But I feel somehow empty when I talk to him. I feel like growing wings and flying far away from his reach." she bit her lips.
"So, you do not love him yet."Sienna nodded thinking."You love your freedom most."
"Is that a bad thing?"Nefari asked quietly.
"No, "Sienna shook her head."You have a talent and you want to share it with people. Just do what makes you happy and don't force yourself. Just because you are a female, it doesn't mean you need to start a family and live as everyone else."
"Is it not too selfish?"Nefari looked a bit guilty.
Sienna shook her head." Your singing makes people happy. You bring happiness to others. You are not selfish fish." she chuckled a bit.
"Thank you."Nefari nodded and twisted her seahorse bracelet on her wrist."You are my real friend."
"I will always be."Sienna smiled gently."We understand each other." her heart felt warm.
Merfolk's king Hector had a meeting with Sarcos in his laboratory."King Sarcos, will you take me to see your father?"Hector asked a bit impatiently.
Sarcos nodded, "We will go tomorrow early morning. Be ready!"
Sarcos sent Hector off and called Marco and Sharchan." Marco, you come with me, to see my father with prince Hector. Sharchan will take care of Sienna here. Make sure to watch Ramse and Xander." he looked at Sharchan."Make them tired with training. I will be out for a day. Rem will take care of the city. "
Marco and Sharchan nodded.
Sharchan's lips curled up."I will take great care of them. And Lord Ziran as well!" he said unusually politely. One would say he is overjoyed by his assignment for his own reasons.
The next day, early morning Sarcos took Hector to the castle ruins of Silver-tailed Lizards. Marco flew with Sarcos and Voltoire flew with Hector. As they arrived at the ruined place the big white scorpion appeared from the cold morning mist.
"New merking Hector, father," Sarcos announced as he jumped off Marco's back. Voltoire let Hector down and flew up again, he did not like the white scorpion at all. Marco changed to his human form and leaned on the ancient walls with his hands folded on his chest. He was watching.
"King Marco, my brother."Said Sarcos.
"A hero!" the big scorpion lashed at Marco with his silver pincers. Marco dodged the attack quite easily. He picked the enormous white scorpion by his tail and smashed him on the rock coldly. The white scorpion had revenge flames in his eyes. He wanted to fight.
"Stop father, I'm here for king Hector, he has some questions for you," Sarcos called. His father had a bit difficult temper. He hated eagles.
"Ok, then!" the white scorpion growled in dissatisfaction. "You youngsters rush all the time and don't let me have any fun!" the scorpion changed to a charming older man with long luscious silver hair and flicked eyes." I like to talk to him in private." he looked at Sarcos seriously.
"You have secrets from me father?"Sarcos lifted his eyebrow curiously.
"Only the ones that are not mine to tell."Said the old scorpion.
"It is your choice," said Sarcos."I will be waiting outside then."
"Go to my laboratory with king Marco and make me some medicine for my joints and armour polish. I need to look good for your mother. "The old scorpion said.
Sarcos nodded"As you wish father." He called Marco and went down into the ruins with him. His father had a huge laboratory underground sealed with a magic lock. It was invisible to others. Only his own blood could open it and Sarcos's as he was his son.
The white scorpion took Hector to talk in the private inside of the ruined Throne Room. Hector stared into his face and flicked dark eyes. He tried to be brave." Thank you for trying to save my mother."Said Hector politely.
"Call me Cosimo, that is my name."Said the old scorpion." I did not try to save your mother."He looked at him seriously.
"Your son said you did! I heard him talking to king Marco! He would not lie!"Hector called with a loudly beating heart.
"I told my son the story as a tale when he was a kid. He does not know the whole truth. I saved your mother, she lives." Cosimo smiled cheekily.
" How is that so? " Hector called excitedly."Everyone saw her being devoured by that monster."
"The people believe what they see." Cosimo smiled." Do you think I will let her be killed needlessly? I was a strong Scorpion King, I really liked her back then." he sighed.
"So how did you do it?"Hector asked.
"I followed your father. The king had a few sacrificial dresses in his secret chamber, so I took one and add a mild sleeping potion to it. Then I ambushed the servants with the poisonous orange dress on the way to your mother. I made them give it to me and I ordered them to take the sleeping dress instead.
The orange dresses looked the same, so they did not hesitate much. The servants were scared to death as they gave it to your mother, I told them I will skin them alive slowly if they don't do as I say.
Your mother put on the dress and fell asleep, the king thought it was the poison. He even took me to see her sleeping body, telling me she is dead already. I pretend to be heartbroken and left. The king was happy his plan was working and had the rituals going.
I went ashore and killed a few dears. I made it look like a woman's body. I sew it, tie it and carved it, then I dressed it up in the king's poisonous dress. It was a lot of work."Cosimo chuckled.
"I exchanged the mock-up body for the queen as the Kraken get out of the water, at that moment everyone was staring at the monster. I took the queen to hide in the forest and woke her up the next day.
Your mother was grateful I saved her, but she refused to go with me. She was upset that she has to leave you behind and said she will never accept me. I did not feel right to take the heir from the king, so I told her, I will bring you to her when you grow up, and then she calmed down.
I helped her to go into the Dark Sea and she gave me a necklace for you. I promised to keep her existence a secret from everyone apart from you when you grow up, that is why even Sarcos did not know the whole story." Cosimo explained.
"Why did you not take me with her?"Hector sighed. He felt cheated of his mother's love.
"Your father will remarry and have another son, kill another queen. You will lose your throne. Your mother was sweet and kind. I hoped you have a piece of her goodness in you and became a good king." Cosimo said.
"Do you know where she is now?"Hector asked quietly.
"Still in the Dark Sea. She accepted a Sting-Ray King. Go to her!" Cosimo opened his hand and gave him a small seashell necklace with a single pearl.
Hector felt his heart beating loudly. "Will you come with me, please?"
Cosimo nodded. He liked to keep his promise and bring the beautiful mermaid her son back!