Love Beyond Tides

The Shifting Currents

As they entered the Goldsmiths, Diana found herself transported into a world of craftsmanship. The air was filled with a faint scent of metal and the soft tinkling of delicate creations. The shop had a familiar charm. The furnishings looked wooden but Diana could tell they weren’t. Ornate gold, pearl and other such decorations adorned every corner, from delicately carved trinkets to elaborate frames showcasing dazzling gemstones. Shelves lined with meticulously crafted jewellery sparkled in the ambient light.

“Good evening,” the Marea greeted first.

"Good evening, oh? What do we have here?" The woman at the front of the store eyed Diana with a curious gaze.

Feeling self-conscious, Diana instinctively hid her face in the knight's chest. Her leg suddenly seized up, and the Marquess, understanding it was a muscle contraction, ordered a knight to carry her. Diana felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Which merfolk would need to be carried because of a muscle contraction? It was painfully obvious now that she was an outsider.

"My cousin gets sick easily, Aunty," Lila spoke up with a smile, coming to Diana's defence. "Even though she got tired, she didn't want to go back to the house yet. It's her first time in Aetheroceanis, you see."

"Oh, where's your cousin from, my lady?" the shopkeeper inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Tholosiridia," Lila replied with a smile, gesturing to Diana's hair. "Look at her hair."

The shopkeeper examined Diana's hair with newfound appreciation. "I didn't notice she had such a lovely colour," she remarked, her admiration evident.

"Right! I keep telling her it's so pretty."

Diana listened as the conversation unfolded, understanding that her friend was trying to ease her discomfort. Grateful for Lila's support, she did her best too. "Aunty," Diana weakly called out to the shopkeeper, " I'd like to make matching bracelets for my cousin and me."

“You kids are good to each other,” she smiled. Diana just realised that this store clerk was the only merfolk in town she’d heard use English.

“I’m proud of them as well,” Merea smiled widely. “Come, Diana tell her what you’d like.”

“You can look at some things we already have to give you an idea,” the shopkeeper suggested.

The knight swam closer. As Diana perused the displays, she marvelled at the skill and artistry behind each creation. Necklaces adorned with pearls and shells, bracelets woven with seaweed and precious metals, and rings that mirrored the delicate patterns found in coral reefs. Diana's gaze settled on a particularly charming bracelet, its delicate design capturing her attention with its intricate details and shimmering pearls.

"Excuse me," Diana began, "I was wondering if the goldsmith could create a similar bracelet to this one, but using these pearls I have?" She gently retrieved the pearls from her pouch, presenting them to the shopkeeper.

The mermaid examined the pearls with a keen eye, nodding in understanding. "Of course, my dear. We can certainly craft a matching pair of bracelets for you and your friend," she replied warmly.

“Thank you,” Diana smiled.

Merea looked at Diana then started whistling and clicking, the shopkeeper followed suit. The human watched them closely, clearly, Merea was hiding something from her. “When can we pick them up?” The Marquess asked after.

“Is this time next week agreeable?”

“Very much. Then I will return next week.”

They exited the goldsmith’s shop and then headed further into town. Diana's curiosity was piqued as they wandered through the bustling streets of the shopping centre. She couldn't help but notice the array of establishments lining their path, each offering a glimpse into the unique culture and commerce of the underwater world. Passing by a shop filled with vials of all shapes and sizes, containing peculiar coloured and glowing liquids. As curious as she was, Diana suppressed her intrigue feeling the weight of the store’s clerk. She refrained from asking about anything, instead making a mental note to inquire about the mysterious establishment another time.

Continuing their journey, they eventually arrived at another store. They crossed the threshold and were immediately enveloped by the scent of paper and ink. The shop had a cosy ambience, with shelves stretching high and filled with books of varying thickness and colour. Some covers are intricately patterned with shimmering designs reminiscent of underwater motifs. Some were adorned with intricate sea creatures, while others featured abstract patterns that seemed to dance in the shifting light.

Curiosity piqued, Diana ran her fingers along the spines of the books, noting the unique texture of the material. It wasn't seaweed or leather, but something entirely different. "These tomes be captivatin', aye?" Diana remarked, flipping through the pages of one that caught her eye. "I ponder what materials they be fashionin' them from."

“Carp hide,” Lila, always knowledgeable about the underwater world, explained. “Other kingdoms may use sea snakes but we use carp.”

“And what be the pages of?"

“These are made from a special kind of algae. It's a tradition among our people to record our histories and stories in these algae books.”

“Diana can choose any blank book she wants. We only need books and ink. We have abundant texts at home,” Merea announced as she approached them.

"Be any of them up for grabs, then?" Diana's eyes widened with excitement. She tugged on the knight's sleeve, and he gently lowered her to the ground. Crouching in front of the displayed books, she scanned her options. Among them, she spotted a pale white book, almost iridescent in its appearance. “This one,” she declared, reaching for the medium-sized book.

“Are you sure?” Lila tilted her head inquisitively.

“I'm certain,” Diana affirmed with a nod.

The book's ethereal appearance reminded her of Thessa's hair, and she found herself drawn to it. It held a certain allure that resonated with her, and she knew it was the perfect choice for her. With a sense of satisfaction, Diana hugged the book close, feeling a connection to it that went beyond its physical form. The mother and daughter exchanged a look and then nodded.

After their eventful trip around town, it was finally time to return home. As they entered the kitchen, a savoury aroma greeted them, enticing Diana's senses. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of confusion.

Lila noticed the furrow on her brow. "Fire can exist underwater, you know," she chimed in, her tone light.

"Truly?" Diana looked at her incredulously. "It's not sorcery?"

"Well, our kitchens do use magic, but it can happen naturally too," Lila explained, defending her stance with a hint of pride in her voice. "It just needs the right conditions, like a volcano."

"Aye, be there truly volcanoes beneath the waves!?" Diana's world felt like it was being shaken. She never saw that in books.

"Indeed, they do," Lila laughed.

Dinner was served. At the centre of the feast was a grand platter of what Diana assumed to be a salad, a vibrant medley of seaweed, and sea grapes, and sparkled with the iridescence of tiny, edible pearls. To the side, stuffed squid tentacles stood proudly. The tentacles glistened in a tantalizing glaze, making Dian curious as to what spices were used. Finally on the last platter, marinated fish fillets.

"Sit, children," Merea urged them.

Diana followed suit, feeling a bit nervous as she approached the dining area. The array of dishes laid out before she looked appetizing, each one adorned with the vibrant colours and textures of the underwater world. Despite their visual appeal, she couldn't shake the uncertainty about how her human palate would react to these unfamiliar flavours.

Once the Marquess was seated, the maid began portioning the food, each dish carefully presented with precision and elegance. Diana hesitated for a moment, her stomach growling in anticipation. Unable to resist any longer, she took a tentative bite. Her eyes lit up.

The salad was refreshing and those pearls may have just been rock salts, they melt in her mouth with every bite. Each meticulously filled tentacle had a succulent blend of sea urchin roe, diced crab, and something foreign. The fillet was even better than what Thessa gave her.

Diana can't remember the last time she ate this well!

The rest of the room released a breath Diana hadn't noticed they'd been holding. As she was eating, a maid placed a vial by her. Diana recognized it as one of the bottles bought by Merea and looked up at the merfolk curiously.

"You can have that after dinner," Merea spoke once she had Diana's attention.

"What be it?" She picked up the bottle anyway.

"It's a potion to make you a mermaid," Merea hummed. Diana paused, her gaze locking onto the Marquess. "It's only temporary. You won't just get a tail; your entire body will be changed to reflect a merfolk's."

A mixture of surprise and curiosity flickered in Diana's eyes. "How long be it set to endure?" she asked.

Merea held up two fingers, her expression grave. "You get two months. This also means that you only have two months before the trials start."

Diana's eyes widened in realization, the weight of the revelation settling heavily upon her. Then, her eyes drooped, and her lashes trembled with a mix of emotions. "I be havin' a mere two moons?"

"It's all the time that potion can allot you," Merea confirmed with a solemn nod, the gravity of their situation sinking in as they confronted the limitations of time.

Diana was startled when she felt someone grab her hand. "You've got this!" Lila grinned at her.

Weakly, the human managed to smile back. "I've got this."

Summoning her courage, Diana took a deep breath and then proceeded to chug the vial. Lila erupted into cheers, a maid hurriedly provided Diana with a beverage to help clear the unfortunate taste of the potion. Meanwhile, Lila couldn't contain her laughter at Diana's disgusted expression. Diana couldn't help but laugh with Lila's infectious enthusiasm filling the room.

The marquess watched with a small smile.

After dinner, Merea's study was filled with the soft glow of underwater lamps as she diligently worked on her reports. The rhythmic sound of her quill against parchment filled the room until it was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

"Mom?"

"Come in," Merea said, swiftly putting away her papers as Lila entered. Lila took a seat, her expression carrying a mix of concern and curiosity. "How is she?" she inquired once settled.

"She's asleep, there's no sign of transformation yet," Lila answered. Then, a more sombre note entered the conversation. "But, Mom?"

Merea looked at her daughter, her motherly instincts alert. "Yes?"

"We saw a mer-shark today, and Dia seemed really scared. Do you think it was the Lustridians?"

Merea's expression grew serious. "I'll have to ask his Highness from which direction they came," she mused, contemplating the implications. As Lila fidgeted with her fingers, Merea reached out, gently holding her daughter's hand. "Everything will be fine. Now, hurry to bed. Alright?" Merea reassured her.

Lila nodded, "Alright, good night."

"Good night, sweetie," Merea replied with a warm smile as her daughter left the room. Once alone, Merea's smile faded, replaced by a contemplative expression. If the mer-shark sighting was indeed linked to the Lustridians, it posed a concerning threat to their borders. Covering her face with her hands, she sighed, "This seems like trouble."