Treacherous Seas

by LM Brown

  “Aunt Medi, what are you suggesting?”

  Medina smiled. “I believe the priests will head to the colony on their own, but I don’t think any of us need the stress of a prolonged wait for them to swim all this way. I can have them all brought here in the blink of an eye.”

  Caspian was well aware that she had the power to do that. He would have been able to do the same himself before his powers were taken.

  Fabian nodded thoughtfully. “I have an idea.”

  “Yes?” Caspian asked. He was open to any suggestions that would keep Marin safe from harm.

  “Urion is Atlantean, and as such, he should respect the traditions of our people. Whether it is justice or vengeance Marin wants, he could get both if he challenged Urion to single combat.”

  Caspian wasn’t sure he liked the idea of Marin fighting Urion at all, but the Atlantean tradition would at least impose some rules on them.

  “If Marin challenges, Urion would get the choice of weapons,” Medina said. “What do you think he would pick?”

  “Tridents,” Fabian replied. “His aim with any type of throwing weapon was never very good. His talents lie with swords and tridents, and he will prefer the trident for its ability to produce sea-fire.”

  Caspian nodded. “Marin did improve his skills with a trident a great deal, but he hasn’t been practicing recently.”

  “He’ll need to,” Fabian said. “Urion was a great fighter, and while he won’t be at his best after all these years, he shouldn’t be underestimated. If he does intend to continue driving the mer from the sea, he’ll be refreshing his skills every day.”

  Caspian nodded as he mulled over the various possibilities in his mind. Where would Marin wish the fight to take place? As a merman, he was more comfortable in the water, but he had been doing most of his training on land. If he chose to fight in the water, Caspian would be able to do nothing except pace on the beach and wait for the outcome.

  Urion hadn’t been on land or in human form for years. Marin might have a slight advantage there, even if he was more at home underwater the rest of the time.

  “I have to talk to Marin before we decide anything,” Caspian said.

  “You would let him challenge Urion?” Jake asked.

  “I wouldn’t like it, but I’d rather he face him in a ruled fight that he’s prepared for than be ambushed somewhere.”

  Caspian didn’t want Marin to fight Urion, but he couldn’t stand in his way either. Marin deserved his support and nothing less.

  * * * *

  Marin stored the sea fruits he’d brought home in the fridge. The fact that he was starting to think of Caspian’s house as his home wasn’t lost on him. Caspian sat at the table, looking as though he wanted to say something but seemed hesitant to do so.

  “What is it?” Marin asked. “Does it have something to do with the meeting this morning?”

  “Yes.”

  Marin closed the fridge, hung up his net on the wall hook and slid into Caspian’s arms. “How about we don’t worry about the gods and just pick things up where we left off this morning?”

  Caspian chuckled. “It’s tempting, but I have something to tell you and it probably shouldn’t wait.”

  Marin sighed. “Is this something that’s going to kill my erection?”

  “Probably.”

  Marin rubbed up against Caspian’s leg, humping him gently. “Then I guess I’d better hurry up with this before you ruin the mood.”

  “I’m serious,” Caspian said as he tried to slip out of Marin’s range. “It’s about Urion.”

  Marin glanced down at his wilting cock. “Yeah, that’ll do it. What about him?”

  “He’s human again.”

  Marin stumbled and gripped the edge of the table. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve not seen him with my own eyes, but yes, I’m as sure as I can be. Mariana was stripped of her powers this morning, and as such, her magic has been undone.”

  “She’s mortal?”

  “Yes. Her parents are going to be relocating her somewhere on land, just as I have done. Unlike me, she didn’t agree to her punishment, so she had no time to prepare or build her home in advance.”

  “And her priests can’t turn back into sea dragons on their own?”

  “No. The power came from their goddess and now she no longer has it.”

  “Are you sure? I mean, you created this island and home magically, but it’s still here after you’ve lost your powers.”

  “That’s because the pantheon had no objection to this use of my powers and my mother has ensured the continuation of my spells here.”

  “Where’s Urion now?”

  “Somewhere in the Pacific, headed toward the colony, the last we heard.”

  “Do you think they’ll still come here, now that they’re human again?”

  “I don’t know. They may decide to go to the nearest stretch of land. Only time will tell what their plans are.”

  Marin wondered what he would do if he were in their position. “They’ll try to contact their goddess.”

  “Maybe, but they won’t get very far. She won’t hear their prayers any more than I can now hear those who call out to me.”

  Caspian took hold of Marin’s hands, and Marin realized he was shaking. “Marin, you know you don’t have to see him, not ever, if you don’t want to.”

  Marin didn’t know what to say, but Caspian wasn’t finished.

  “If you do still intend to face him, we’ve been talking about it.”

  “Who’s we?”

  “Me, Fabian, Jake and Medina.”

  “And?” Marin prompted. “Oh, let me guess. What’s the best way to stop me from killing him?”

  Caspian shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t do that to you. I know how much you want to see him pay. What we thought was that you might challenge Urion to single combat. That way the other priests can’t interfere in the fight and there will be rules you’ll both have to follow.”

  “What sort of rules?”

  “Well, if you challenge Urion, you get to pick the location of the fight, but he chooses the weapons. Fabian thinks he’ll pick tridents, and I have to say that I agree with him.”

  “Would I be allowed to kill him?” Marin asked. “Or is one of the rules that if the loser concedes defeat, the victor has to allow him to walk away?”

  “You get to decide whether you fight to the death or to first blood. But be warned, you cannot change your mind partway through. If you say it is to the death, that is what you fight to.”

  Marin nodded. “And how would I find him to issue the challenge?”

  “Medina could bring him here, though I think we should do a little more training before you fight him.”

  “I should have been practicing daily,” Marin scolded himself. “Instead I’ve been—”

  “Getting on with your life?” Caspian suggested.

  Marin walked over to the wall and took down the trident that hung there. “Can we practice now?”

  Caspian grabbed a second trident and gestured to the front door. “Not in here. I can’t magically fix the damage now.”

  Marin nodded and they headed outside. The sun was still high. They could get a few hours practice in before the light was gone.

  They worked on balance and footwork, conjuring and aiming sea-fire and combat that was both up close and from a distance.

  Marin could tell Caspian was tiring, but he didn’t ask to stop.

  Finally, Marin brought things to a halt and the two of them collapsed onto the grass of the clearing.

  “Am I good enough to take him on?” Marin asked. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

  Caspian didn’t answer straight away, and when he did, it wasn’t the answer Marin wanted to hear. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen Urion fight. I don’t know his strengths or weaknesses.”

  “At least his strength is no longer being a sea dragon,” Marin offered.

  “Good point.” Caspian sat up and rubbed
at his arms.

  “Cold?”

  “A little.”

  “Sorry. I tend to forget that the mer don’t feel the cold as much as humans do.”

  “I’ll soon warm up once we’re back inside,” Caspian assured him. “Come on. Let’s call it a night, and tomorrow I’ll ask Fabian to come over and join our practice. I might not have seen Urion fight, but he has. He might have some tips to offer.”

  Marin nodded and they went home together. There was no longer any question of Marin returning to the colony at night. Even though the Atlanteans wouldn’t reach the area for some considerable time, Caspian didn’t want to risk him running into Urion before he was ready.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Marin stood between his trainers as they each gave him their expert opinion on his ability and chance of survival.

  “Are you sure you’re ready?” Caspian asked. “Remember… While you pick the location, Urion chooses the weapons and the time. He could say he wants to battle you then and there.”

  “It’s not likely,” Fabian said. “In the two weeks since he’s been in human form, he hasn’t had time to reach any land. He’ll need some time to get his land legs.”

  “The time he picks has to be no longer than the date of the full moon after the next one,” Caspian added. “The next full moon is in two days.”

  “Which is why I should challenge him now,” Marin explained. “If I wait until after, it will give him two months on land to prepare, if he chooses to put off the battle as long as possible. I’d rather challenge him right before the full moon and limit his time on land as much as I can.”

  Caspian nodded. “Very well. And you’re sure you remember all the rules? Once the battle begins, a barrier will rise over a ten-meter-diameter area. It will remain there, trapping you both within until one of you draws first blood or dies, depending on what you decide.”

  “To the death,” Marin interrupted. “I’m not going to change my mind on that.”

  “I know. I’m just warning you. The barrier is powered by the God of War, my father. It’s unlikely he’ll show himself in person, but he will be monitoring the battle and making sure the rules are followed. If either of you breaks a rule, he will strike the culprit down.”

  “I won’t. I promise,” Marin assured him. Even though he hadn’t said it outright, Marin knew Caspian wanted him to fight to first blood, but he simply couldn’t. Calder hadn’t stood a chance against Urion in his sea dragon form. He was dead, and Marin intended to see Urion join him.

  “And you’re definitely decided on land for the location?” Fabian asked. “I mean, you are mer.”

  Marin nodded. “I’ve done most of my practicing on land, and besides, I don’t think Caspian could bear to wait here on land while I’m fighting underwater.”

  Caspian snorted. “Like it’ll be any easier to watch.”

  “Where would you prefer me to fight then?”

  “Wherever you think you have the best chance of winning,” Caspian replied.

  “On land,” Marin decided. “I’ve just not done enough work in the water with a human opponent. I don’t know your moves or capabilities as well as I do the mer.”

  “As long as you’re sure?” Caspian asked.

  “I am.”

  “Then I guess we should summon Medina, so she can go and bring him here.” Caspian turned to Fabian. “If you don’t mind?”

  Fabian nodded. “Aunt Medi, can you come down here?”

  The Goddess of Love appeared a moment later. She frowned at her nephew. “Please?” she prompted. “I’m sure I did teach you manners.”

  Fabian gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m sorry, Aunt Medi.”

  “That’s better,” Medina replied. “Now, what can I do for you?”

  “We’re ready for Marin to challenge Urion,” Caspian explained. “Can you bring him here?”

  Medina frowned at Marin. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait a few more years? You really haven’t lived that long. You could just as easily challenge him in fifty or sixty years’ time.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Marin mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, darling.” Medina patted his arm. “It’s just that I’m quite fond of you, and I do hate to see you throw your life away.”

  “You’re not helping,” Fabian said. “Can you just bring Urion here? Please?”

  Medina sighed, but a moment later Urion appeared, along with the rest of the former sea dragons.

  One of the priests spotted Medina and he went to his knees before her. “Great Goddess of Love, sister of our own beloved deity, thank you for hearing our prayers.”

  Medina nodded but didn’t smile.

  “Can you tell us what has happened to our goddess?” the priest continued. “We have called for her, but she no longer answers us.”

  A brief flash of panic crossed her face. Clearly no one had told the priests what had happened to Mariana.

  Medina coughed. “I’m afraid I am the bearer of bad news. Your goddess has been stripped of her powers by democratic vote of the pantheon. That is why you have returned to human form and why my sister no longer answers you. She cannot hear your calls.”

  The priest rose and returned to where Urion and the others were congregating. There followed a lot of whispering and black looks sent in the direction of Marin and the others.

  Medina raised her eyebrows and gestured to Marin to go over to the priests.

  “You don’t have to do this,” Caspian whispered.

  Marin took his hand and squeezed it tight. “Yes, I do.”

  He let go of Caspian and approached the priests. He realized he actually had no idea which of them was Urion, having only ever seen him in sea dragon form. “Urion?”

  He supposed he wasn’t surprised to see the man who responded was the largest and most muscular of the priests. It was just typical of his luck.

  “You wish to speak to me?” Urion asked, in a tone that made it clear he thought Marin far beneath his attention.

  Marin nodded and stepped closer. “I, Marin of the mer, hereby challenge you in single combat to a fight to the death.”

  Urion stared at him for several seconds before bursting out laughing. “You’re not serious?”

  Marin glared at him and gripped his trident tight. “You murdered my mate.”

  “Yes, I know.” Urion sneered. “The leader of the guards, wasn’t he?”

  Marin hadn’t thought he would remember one mer amongst the many he had attacked and killed. “Yes, he was.”

  “He was also a fool,” Urion said, “as are you.”

  Marin bristled at the insult to Calder, though the one directed at himself didn’t bother him in the slightest. “Choose the time and method of your death.”

  Urion chuckled again. “You mean the time and method of your death. I remember you from my time as a prisoner of the mer. The worst guard the city has ever seen, in any century since its inauguration. The only reason you were even accepted into the ranks is because you were spreading your legs for Calder.”

  “Choose!” Marin shouted.

  Urion rolled his eyes. “Very well, if you insist on this foolishness, I’ll be happy to send you to meet your lover. Dawn tomorrow, where?”

  “Here in this clearing,” Marin replied.

  Urion appeared surprised. “You’re mer, but you don’t choose to fight in water?”

  “No.”

  Urion studied him for a few moments. “Ah, I see. You think I will be unsteady on land after so many years in the ocean. An interesting tactic, but doomed to failure.”

  “Weapons?” Marin asked.

  Urion went over to confer with his priests for several minutes. When he returned he had that same annoying sneer on his face. “I see you hold a trident, which would tell me you’ve been practicing with such a weapon. I therefore choose something different. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the mer fight with long and short swords, so that is the weapon I choose.”

  �
�Fuck!” Caspian swore behind him, loud enough for both Marin and Urion to hear.

  Marin tried to stop the rising panic in his chest, but it only receded when Caspian touched him.

  Medina stepped into the circle and gestured to Urion and the priests. “I will take you all to the Isle of the Gods until tomorrow. You may use your rooms in your former goddess’ palace for the night.” She turned to Marin and the others. “Be here in the clearing at dawn. Don’t be late.”

  “I won’t,” Marin assured her.

  The goddess and the priests vanished, leaving Marin to wonder how he was going to learn everything he needed to know about long and short swords in a single night.

  “It’ll be okay,” Caspian said as he wrapped his arms around him.

  “I don’t even have those weapons to practice with,” Marin whispered. “I’m going to die tomorrow and Calder won’t be avenged at all.”

  He let Caspian hold him until he stopped shaking.

  Fabian stood to the side. “I’ll go to the Isle of Gods and get the swords from Andaman. I’m sure he’ll have some in his stores.”

  “Thank you,” Caspian said. “We’ll be back at my place.”

  “Shouldn’t we stay here?” Marin suggested. “There’s not enough room to practice inside the house.”

  Caspian gave him a stern glare. “You are not practicing all night out here.”

  “But I—”

  “No. You will need to be wide-awake and alert tomorrow. That means a good night’s sleep is in order.”

  “I’m not going to be able to sleep. I’m too worked up.”

  “I know you are, but you’re still not going to be training all night. I’ll carry you back to the house over my shoulder if I have to.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Do you really want to test me?”

  Marin sighed and shook his head. Caspian would carry out his threat. There was no question about that.

  “We train until the light goes, then we go home,” Caspian said.

  “But it’s already mid-afternoon.”

  “Then we go home, have dinner and go to bed.”