"Stop admiring everything, you can appreciate the architecture later." Niles said, following the two humanoids. The city was surrounded by a force field that did not allow the water to flood the city. As the mermaids left the water, their tails turned into legs, covered by a long skirt made of the same fabric as the top and they were walking bare-feet on polished stones. The Naiad city had a medieval-noble theme to it, with buildings made of white polished marbles, dark wood and glass.
Jack and Arthur could not hold themselves back, they were attracted to the beauty of the city. It was nothing like what they have seen before, it was as if this city was taken straight out of a fairy-tale. They were walking down a long avenue, surrounded by beautiful trees. The place was packed, with other humanoids staring at the three tourists with suspicion. Weirdly, they saw no men. Every Naiad they have encountered so far was female, ranging from children to elders.
The avenue led straight to a magnificent palace in the middle of the city, many miles away from their current location. "I'll let you know now quickly," Niles said as he faced them, "every Naiad in this city is female. We're going to that palace over there to meet the queen. We're most likely the first humans, or even men that these Naiads have seen so they're suspicious of us. Two rules, do not be rude and do not wander by yourselves without permission."
Jack and Arthur nodded. The warning was light, but the intention behind it felt threatening. They quivered, making sure not to forget the two rules that Niles gave them. Arthur travelled many countries and talked with many people of different cultures, so he knew how to respect others, but Jack was not the same. He never left England, or even his city before and he seldom engaged in conversations with foreigners, plus his shady upbringing made it hard for him to abide by the rules. He slowed down, unable to think what possible punishments there could be for breaking one of these two rules.
***
The palace did not show that it was made by humanoids. It seemed like it was built by humans, with pillars made of marble going all the way up to the ceiling. Niles and the others were in the throne room and ahead of them was the queen. She was sitting on a pearlescent white throne atop some steps. She addressed Niles in a commanding voice, "State your business here."
She spoke English with a broken accent, however her voice demanded respect. Jack and Arthur looked down, unable to even look at her. Naiads did not have a concept of kneeling, so they were all standing.
Arthur thought to himself, 'What is his business here?' Neither he nor Jack questioned Niles, they did not have a clue to what the ancient man was aiming for. They were too busy with the world and training that they forgot to ask Niles what he plans on doing. He was preparing for something, but what exactly, they did not know.
"I want nothing from the Naiads. When we passed through the gate from the mortal world we were dropped here. We plan on leaving soon anyways, do not fret." He responded in a respectful tone.
Murmur filled the throne room. The Naiads that were present seemed uneasy about something. "Silence!" The queen shouted, "You, human. We know of your identity. We will not trust your word, Warlord. I hope you do me the favour of allowing two of my subjects to follow you during your stay in my city."
"Of course, that is no problem."
"Let Hali and Dorea escort you to your rooms." She said as she extended her arm towards the two mermaids that led them here. Jack and Arthur raised their heads, and saw the queen returning a look of anger and worry.
They followed their escorts out the throne room. "I expected worse." Niles said. Arthur ignored his comment and asked, "What exactly are Warlords?"
The Warlord stopped in his tracks and looked back at Arthur, establishing eye contact with him. "You're too... green for me to tell you know. I'll just tell you this, they don't trust me because I was their enemy once." and with that he turned around and kept walking behind the mermaids.
"What the hell?" Jack whispered to Arthur. He answered, "I don't know, we'll know later I guess."
***
There was a knock at the door. Jack and Arthur stayed still as Niles got up to open the door. They have been in these chambers for the past two hours and have been waiting since for something to happen as Niles kept telling them to 'wait for a bit'. Niles opened the door, and the queen herself was waiting at the other side of the door. Niles gave way and invited her in. She went straight for a sofa chair and sat down. She sighed, "I need a favour."
"I know, what's up?" Niles responded. The queen did not seem as powerful as back in the throne room, but the way that Niles addressed the queen so informally got Arthur and Jack on guard.
"We have a... very special artefact that has been taken from our treasure room." She said, ignoring Niles' insolence. "We confirmed that one of the outer settlements have it so-"
"You want us to take it back. What do we get in return?" Niles interrupted her, leaving the other two in the room worried. They've never held a conversation with royalty before, but they surely would not have talked to one the way that Niles was talking with the Naiad queen.
"We will open up our pathways to you."
"Sounds good. Great doing business with you." He said as he extended his hand.
The mermaid queen looked at his hand for a couple of seconds and chuckled. She shook his hand and said, "You Warlords are as strange as legends say. When can you depart?"
"Right now if you wish. As I said," Niles smiled, "I do not plan on staying here for too long, your highness."
"Thank you. Hali will come to inform you of the quest soon." She said before closing the door behind her as she left.
"You heard. Get all your stuff ready. We won't come back here." Niles told them, and right after he went to a room that was connected to their chambers.
Jack and Arthur looked at each other in confusion, and shrugged. 'Whatever.'
***
Niles finished translating what Hali, the first Naiad they saw, said. Niles, Arthur and Jack were at the border of the city, ready to bypass the barrier in front of them.
"I wish you a safe journey." Hali said behind them in English. They nodded at her, and traversed the barrier. The journey they embarked on would not be a safe one.