” Take this. Take this. Morons. ”
Roe hit them hard, at their heads with the blunt end of her sword. As they fell one by one on the ground, Roe prepared to tie them up and drag them somewhere. She was engrossed in her work when two figures jumped at her from nowhere.
” Want some help? ”
She looked up.
Boshu and Lin.
” You? ”
She stood up immediately.
” What do you plan to do with them? ” Lin asked.
” Umm, nothing. Just take them back to our castle. ”
Roe felt nervous. ” Did they hear our conversation? ” Was what doing inside her head.
” Yeah! We heard it. We heard it all. ”
Lin confirmed.
” What? Why? I mean. Shit. No. ”
” Don’t worry. We won’t be reporting any of this. It’s all a matter of the past Roe. Though I know Mia ans your father would be hurt, apart from them, divulging their crime would not serve much purpose. If the queen is penalised at this time of crisis, your father will suffer emotional damage. Which we don’t want at the moment. We need to focus only one thing. That is how can we rid our planes off the curse and plague. You and Xie can handle these thugs. ”
Roe nodded. She was bowed and was about to leave.
” Wait a second. Boshu, put these somewhere aside. Roe can you come with me to the human King’s palace? There is something I need to make sure. ”
Lin instructed.
” Sure. ”
Lin grabbed her hand and was off immediately while Boshu was left behind to babysit the fugitives.
” What luck! ” He complained.
” What is it that we are exactly looking for? ”
Roe whispered as they tiptoed their way inside the main Hall, decorated with the big dome.
” Anything. Something. I don’t know. The king has been in league with themer- witches. We need to find out what exactly he has been doing. And why? I even heard the villagers talk about people who were going missing. ”
Lin whispered back. Roe nodded and they went inside further.
They heard some scuffles.
Lin motioned for her to keep walking.
” How long are we going to play victim between these immortals? ”
” Shut up. Are the more witches helping? ”
” Yeah sure. How? By taking us as human sacrifices? ”
“Sssshhhh! Even walls have ears. Don’t you know that. ”
” How long. For how long? It’s ultimately we that are going to be butchered no matter whoever gets victory. They are even closing their borders. The foxes and wolves. We are just mere toys in front of these immortal gods. ”
” Shut up. I said just shut up and stop crying. ”
” How can I? How can I? This one is a mere child whom you are sending this time. ”
” He meets their perfect criteria. The one they sent for this time. The mer-witches are our only hope. Only protectors if the curse happens to break loose. ”
There was a frenzy in that voice. It was so full of fear and grit that it seemed like it was desperately convincing itself.
” And what happens if they don’t. If they disown you. Us. At the Nick of time. What advantage do we have against them? ”
” None. We have none. That is why we are doing whatever can be and should be done. You too should stop being sentimental and stop interfering in state affairs. ”
” How can I? How can I. He is barely the age of my own child. After all, we are all just humans. ”
Lin could not have it anymore.
Bang. Boom.
” Who’s there? Who’s it? ”
” Tell me the whole story if you want to keep living. ”
Lin was pointing his Fox nails directly at the man’s throat. The human king. He was accompanied with a fine lady. Lin assumed it was his queen.
” F… Ff… Foxes in my castle… ”
” Stop shuttering and speak up. ”
Roe held the woman by her hand. She was attempting to slide away and may be ring the alarm, hoping for some help.
” And W… Wolves too. ”
” Come on. Tell us what you and the mer-witches have been upto. I can assure you that you will have a lot more reasons to get scared. ”
” I… We…. We don’t have anything to do with the mer-witches… ”
” Is that so. Then I might as well uproot and take with me those fake Water Breathers at the entrance. ”
” No. NO. Don’t do that please. But… B… But the queen will kill me if she get to know any… ”
” She won’t. I assure you. You can freely talk. ”
Lin sat beside him, retracting his hand.
” We had agreed on a pact with the mer-witches. Like more of a treaty. She demanded a human to be sent as sacrifice to the mer-world and promised to protect us in return from the wrath of the curse, when it comes. ”
” They have been taking humans to sacrifice… ”
Lin looked at Roe.
” It doesn’t sound right Are you telling us the truth? Is that all? Nothing else that we need tk know? ”
The human king intensely shool his head.
” STOP SENDING THE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY. ”
” What? ”
” I said stop sending your people to become fish food. Thick head. ”
” B.. But… The curse… The mer-witches.. ”
“Whoever made you a king? ”
Roe snorted.
” Our clans will take turn covering your lands too. We won’t leave you alone this time. ”
Lin stood up.
” Really? ” The Queen’s eye lit up.
” But… But… The mer-queen… ”
Roe gnarled. The human king immediately stopped stammering.
” Roe , I need to get this news across to Mia. She needs to keep her eyes and ears open. You take it from here. Get those Water Breathers away to your place and plant them somewhere secure. ”
” Sure. ” Roe replied as Lin vanished with his lighting stroke.