Cidaris swam through the night to a grotto far from the shores and his home. As the sun’s rays shimmered through the water he entered the cave that led to the coral reef within. Wearily, he swam around the rocks and plants until he heard Lewisil muttering to himself far below. Flicking his tail, Cidaris dove.
Lewisil hummed to himself as he plucked various sea flowers, bits of coral. “Ah yes,” he murmured as he caught a small worm-like fish and squeezed it gently so it spat out a green ooze that Lewisil quickly scooped up in an empty shell and stoppered with a bit of coral. Smiling he sloshed it before his face. “You hold both poison and medicine now. If someone smells you, they’ll be fine. If they were asleep, they’ll be awake in no time. But should someone stupidly take a taste, they will forever be gone from this place.”
Harrumphing, he looked up as Cidaris swam through the sunlight and covered him in shadow.
“Good morning, Lewisil.” He leaned against the edge of the dead volcano’s inner rim and rubbed his eyes.
“My goodness, I’d say you were up early, but you look as if you haven’t slept.”
“No.” Cidaris laughed. “I have not slept, but it was worth it.”
Lewisil leaned back. His expression was as stony as the volcanic rock behind him. “Oh really? Were you with Kellia then?”
“Kellia?” Cidaris snorted, sending a stream of bubbles shooting through the water before him. “No. Kellia means nothing to me anymore. That mermaid.” He scoffed. “All she’s good for is causing pain to those who think they love her.”
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Lewisil nodded slowly, as he returned to collecting his medicinal plants and herbs. “Well, I suppose that’s good at least. So tell me, Cidaris, where were you then?”
Cidaris swam up and quickly sliced through the water as he ensured that the two of them were truly alone. Satisfied, he darted back down to Lewisil’s side and whispered, “I was speaking with the enemy.” He sighed and sank deeper in the water, a smile upon his face. “She wounded me Lewisil. But,” snapping out of his languor, he darted back up to where Lewisil waited, “I know you have the cure.”
Lewisil’s brow furrowed as he swam all around Cidaris. “You seem fine. What wound do you speak of?”
“I wish to be with Raine.” His cheeks grew warm as he recalled her smile, her voice, her touch. “I want you to make me human so I can be with her today.”
“What?” Lewisil dropped the coral he was holding. Diving down he grabbed it as it drifted to the bottom of the lagoon.
Cidaris followed him down, swimming in swirls and loops.
“Was it not just yesterday that you were moping about Kellia? Do you expect me to believe that you have fallen in love with a new girl, a human no less, in a day?”
Cidaris scoffed. “Wasn’t it you who kept telling me to stop loving Kellia.”
“That’s not what I meant. I wanted you to stop doting on a mermaid who gave you nothing in return, not even a promise of love.”
“You said I was like a remora on a great white. Needed, but unequal to her splendor.”
Bubbles buried Lewisil’s face as he sighed. “You are equal to her splendor, though she did not see it yet.”
“Please Lewisil. Raine sees my splendor. Together we will be equals.”
Lewisil flicked his fin and shot towards the deepest areas of the lagoon as Cidaris followed. “Yes dear child, I will help you.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Cidaris. “But, know the path ahead will not be easy. Though perhaps, if you and Raine are truly equal you can make the seas safer for both of our kinds. Maybe the war will end with you.”
Cidaris’ smile split his face. “Hurry Lewisil. Hurry. I don’t have much time.”
Lewisil laughed. “It’ll have to be slow. If you swim too fast, you’re likely to crash.”