When Tero's turn came, he dived into the hole in the wooden floor eagerly. Water rushed in his ears and he felt the membrane slide across his eyes. He swam swiftly through the tunnel, towards the open seas, eager to see how far the constructions were coming along. The tunnel ended abruptly at a coral reef some distance off shore and even from where he was he could see the improvements on the construction. It was almost like a second palace for the royal family except it started underwater and summiting above. The king had ordered the old ruins—what once had been the palace of their royal ancestors—to be improved and rebuilt to its former glory. A hope for the merfolk to returnlife to the water, like they used to live thousands of years ago, spending the majority of their time under sea rather than walking like the land lopers. The city itself was near completion and the integration between the land buildings and the sea buildings was complete.

However, as much as the possibility of living under water held the excitement of living like their folklore heroes and kings and queens of old, Tero couldn't see it happening. Feeling this way still did not stop him from obeying orders, or accepting work for that matter. The job paid reasonably well, but it was tiresome and toilsome. He flicked his fins back and sped towards his work base. He and a few other mermen his age were working on what would be the banquet hall; a large space with a domed ceiling made of glass. The others were already at work when he arrived. He could see Yurdon's red tail flashing across the room ordering the younger mermen around. He would shout at Tero for his lateness and absence for the last few days. Tero braced himself for it and swam into the room.

"Well, look what the sharks spat out," a bright haired merman said, smiling at Tero. "Where have you been, buddy?"

"Busy," Tero replied, picking up a tool floating around. "I was needed at home, you know, family stuff."

"Oh yeah, I know all about that." The youth said no more as he noticed Yurdon approach,

"Terossi, thank you for joining our humble workforce again. Have you had enough rest?"

"It was not rest, sir," Tero stuttered. "I had to help out at home."

"Then I hope you have finished cooking and baby sitting, now get back to work before my goodwill runs out. Both of you! " The old merman swam off to shout at someone else.

"That did not go too bad."

"Oh shut up Lato!" The voice belonged to a broad light haired youth who swam up behind the two and jovially punched Tero on the arm. "Good to see you again. Where have you been lately? Lato and I thought you had been swallowed by Nixaura herself."

"My mom was sick again," Tero said dully. The two other Mermen looked concerned but Tero shook his head. "She's fine now. I was just needed at the house to help out with Rina."

"How is that pretty, little princess?" Lato teased.

"You would think old Lato here has an eye for the young ones, eh?" Zack said cheekily.

"And Zack has his for the old wrinkly ones," Lato retaliated and received a soft punch from the other.

"Well you can have your eyes on any maiden except my sister. And my mother for that matter, Zack." A few more jokes were thrown amongst the trio, but one glare from Yurden set them back to work.

"So has anything new happened since we last saw you?" Zack asked when Yurdon swam out of sight.

"Not really," Tero replied. It was the truth on the most part. There was little he had to hide in his life. He was no one important amongst his community and ilk and yet he did hold one secret. A secret he intended to keep in the dark for as long as possible, if not forever. Who knows what punishment awaited him if anyonew knew he had unlocked dream talking to an outsider who had yet to prove herself worthy of the gift.

He still spoke with the Keeper on occasion, their discussions always fascinating and enjoyable, but not suitable for public knowledge. She was a bridge to a world so foreign and unlike his own that he missed the frequentness of their chats and wished she had more time and energy to share with him. Once or twice she had visited Analopol, but had been unable to see him on all occasions. He understood her reasoning. If she had been seen with him it would start rumours and speculations. What was the Keeper of the Elements doing with a poor merman of no importance?

"Come on, Tero. There must be something? A maiden maybe?"

Zack nudged his friend gently. "He is just asking that because he found himself a lass the other day. Has yet to say a word to her face though, ain't that right Lattie?"

"I will speak to her!" Lato said defiantly.

Tero grinned. During his isolation these past few days he had grown lonely and was only now realizing it. It felt good to be back with his friend, earning coin and joking about small nothings that only his friends would understand.