“…I’ve got you.”
Darion coughed, spitting out a mouthful of salt water. The storm had been brief, but too fierce for the ship to withstand, reducing it to shattered wood and tattered cloth in mere moments. For a short while he’d clung to a plank, but the waves were too rough and he’d lost his grip. As he sank below the surface he was sure it would be the end of him until a pair of strong arms wrapped around his body and hauled him back up, letting him get a much-needed gasp of air.
It was then that he got a good look at his savior, and couldn’t help but stare when he did. The girl holding him above the waves was the loveliest he’d ever seen. Her long hair was all the colors of water, gradually shading from pale green to dark blue. Large, deep-green eyes graced an elflike face, and behind her he caught a glimpse of opalescent fins.
A mermaid. A real, live mermaid. He’d only heard stories of merry, playful merfolk in taverns and from his older crewmates, but never thought he’d meet one in person.
“Oh thank you, miss! You’ve saved me! Thank you! I don’t know how but I’m gonna make this up to you some way, I promise!”
Yvera didn’t respond. She only smiled a shark-toothed smile.
Then she dove.
Keeping a death-grip on the young sailor, she began swimming further and further downward, away from the surface. He fought, trying to win free of the mermaid’s grasp but only wasted precious air. Even if he did somehow manage to get away from her, they were far enough below the surface already that he’d never make it back up again. Besides, she’d just catch him. She’d always been the strongest swimmer of her family. None of her sisters could outpace her, and if they couldn’t, there was no way a human ever would.
The water grew darker and colder, and Darion’s struggles grew feebler and feebler until finally he was still. In the gloom Yvera could see the silhouette of another mermaid heading towards the lantern-lit grotto she called home. Seemed one of her sisters was bringing back a catch as well.
Their family would eat well tonight.