Within an undesirable swamp, there was a warlock's tower. Currently, within its stonewalls, a heavy door groaned open. The Warlock's daughter, Isolde, had been the one to open it. She was alone again.
Her father had left for an unknown reason, leaving only a note on the desk. This was quite unfair but not unexpected. It had been like this for years. He and her, then mostly just her. Apart from the creatures on the lower floors, there would only be silence.
The tower's dungeon was not what one might expect. It was not dark or damp, filled with chains and madness. Instead, it was a vast and curving chamber, which was filled with welcoming torchlight and the soft smells of magic.
Isolde's presence was noted at once, though the captives here knew she was no threat. The small figure descended the curved staircase, her hand holding the cold wall for support. As expected, to fight the loneliness of the day, she would speak with her father's prisoners.
Sliver cages hung from the high ceiling, each one holding a tiny, glowing figure. The fairies' wings were beautiful when they allowed you to look. However, they mostly appear as sharp, high-pitched creatures, moving constantly within the rocking cages. As usual, their laughter was mockingly as Isolde walked under them.
"It's her!" one of them cried, the voice was like broken glass.
"Lonely, lonely girl!" sang another, darting between the bars of her cage.
"Good evening," Isolde greeted each cage, and in return, the little creatures acknowledged her.
"Fell on your arse!"
With a few steps, a great pond of water was easily found. It had been magically built into the stone some time ago. After approaching it, Isolde sank to her knees and dripped her fingers into the murky water.
"Undinia?" Her fingers splashed about. "Are you there?"
It took some time for the water to stir, but eventually, the mermaid rose slowly from the depths.
Her long, tangled hair cascaded around her like dark seaweed, swaying gently with each movement. It cloaked her, occasionally parting to reveal more of her wet, pointed features.
"Human," As the mermaid struggled to make sounds, the forced words revealed daggers for teeth. "Why must you long for me?"
"I've been hoping to see you," Isolde spoke as a faint smile was trapped on her pale lips. "Tell me, are you doing well?"
"Well?" Undinia laughed -- It was a horrible sound. "Here, far from the sea? Tell me, human, have you ever longed for something so badly that it felt as though your body might burst into seafoam?"
Isolde hesitated, making sure her fingers were no longer in the water. With a piercing wail, Undinia leapt into the shadowy depths of the water, her grey tail splashing dramatically as it broke the surface.
A slightly wet Isolde waited patiently for the mermaid to return. Every now and then, a solitary bubble would surface, which could only be seen as a good sign. It meant that Undinia wished to be noticed.
The mermaid resurfaced with another dramatic splash. Her face was only inches from the edge of the pond, her piercing, cold eyes fixing Isolde with a predatory intensity.
"What is it you want from me? Do you seek my tail? My voice? To steal me as well? Perhaps as my saviour?"
"Yes, I wish for your voice. Will you sing for me once more?"
For a long moment, Undinia said nothing. Her dark lips curled into something which could be mistaken as a smile.
"You're a strange creature, human. To think you would find solace in me, a thing dragged from the ocean and trapped for your father's pleasure."
"I am sure my father enjoys your voice as well. I know that I do. It is a pleasure, and no other sound can compare, not even the gods." Isolde's words were defiantly buttering the bread, causing Undinia to shriek.
"Yes, I sing. Beautiful, I sing." The mermaid dragged her body from the pond and onto the stone floor, leaving only the bottom haft of her grey tail in the water. Her wet skin shimmered in the torchlight, seemingly uncaring of the cold. She stopped mere inches from Isolde, who shrank back. The mermaid's nudity caused a hot discomfort.
"My voice is my only precious gift left." Undinia reached out and caressed Isolde's cheek, startling her. The mermaid leaned in close until their lips were almost touching.
"Do you understand what that means? To give something precious to others without a price?"
No, Isolde did not understand, but she nodded nevertheless. Then, without shame, Undinia pressed her chest against Isolde's, her nipples pointed against the cloth covering the human's breasts. Isolde felt the cold wetness of Undinia's skin seeping through the fabric as she began to sing.
The mermaid leapt back, allowing her voice to grow in volume. Each note seemed to vibrate against Isolde's skin, pulling her towards the melody. Not a single sound was understood by the human ear, but the feeling was there. Freedom.
Tears began to form as an unseen world was painted, hinting at a new start. The music wove around them like a cocoon until it faded away with the final note. Isolde wiped her eyes, embarrassed by the tears.
Her heart ached in a way that she didn't know was possible, yearning for something that she did not truly understand. Undinia sat before her, chest heaving from her performance.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft and emotional. "It was beautiful."
"This, I know." Undinia parted herself from the stone and returned lazily to the pond. She sank beneath the surface, and as she did so, Isolde believed this to be the end of their talk.
However, suddenly, Undinia burst forth from the water once more. She held her arms out in the most unexpected manner.
"Join me," The mermaid demanded.
"I'm sorry?" Isolde felt a tightness as she watched Undinia's arms reach out.
"In there," She gestured towards the pond with a splash of her hand. "You must swim with me."
"I can't,"
"Oh, but you must!" Undinia insisted; her dark eyes were bright and determined. "You simply must try!"
Isolde looked down at her dress. She could not swim in this heavy fabric. Frankly, the closest that she got to water was during her bathing.
