Nicholas

The fresh spatters of the sea splashed against my cheek as my men and I pulled in the last set of fish, pushing it to the floor.

"Hahaha!!" My men cheered, clapping victoriously at the bounty of fish and kill. It was a plentiful school of fish, the scales shiny and tremendous.

"Evey year" I smirked looking over at Charles as he hailed the net over his shoulder. He smirks and looks to the sea, nodding to the sailor to steer the ships back to the docks.

"It's starting to become predictable " he chuckled picking up a fish and throwing it into the sea. It was thé anniversary of my mother's death. Every year my brother Philip and I would come to the sea and try to catch as many fish before sunset. I was prosperous every year, but this year felt especially important.

Philip had insisted he hire his crew and voyage on a trip to catch fish. His efforts were futile of course since I always won.

I chuckled at the thought of Philip agreeing to my dare. Last year it was a horse gallivanting in the castle. I was even more excited for this year's feat.

——-

Philip

Never had I seen a sunset as breathtaking as this. The warm sun peeking through the heavy
white clouds, illuminating the sky in a dazzling orange glow, causing the outline of the boat to morph into the shadows of the sea.

It was quiet, other than the chorus of crashing waves.

"Pull it up men" I directed my small fishing crew. Carefully, they pulled up the tattered net and set it against the side of the vessel. I cursed the gods of Norse and sea as they gathered the net from the sea; its stark contrast of emptiness was on full display.

"Nothing" I cursed beneath a tired breath. The crisp sound of the church bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of the day: sunset.

"Okay men. Let's head back" I said, plopping to my seat in the middle of the boat. I wondered what crazy dare Nicholas was readying for this year. 

The frothy white saltwater crashed into the jagged floor reflected against the rays of the rocky sea. The relaxing rhythm of lapping waters was a gentle tune to my ears. Thick and wispy breezes gently swayed the boats anchored to the docks as another day on the sea came to a close.

——-

"You are just starting now Philip?! The sun is almost setting!" My older brother Nicholas shouted as he strolled along the dock. A few of his men carried buckets and barrels full of fish and trout. He and his crew of men had just docked at the seaport, pulling in from their latest fishing adventure.

"One last trip before the day comes to an end." I frowned, concentrating on tying the last line of bait to my spacious boat. Thick ropes of netting and small metal cups decorated the wooden seams.

"Maybe this time you will pull a worthy catch!" Nicholas chuckled heartily. He knew I had been fishing for 6 days to no avail. Every trip I had taken, I had come up empty. Maybe today my fate would change.

It was my mother's anniversary...
Something...anything... had to come.

"Come on Philip! Give it up. Father had prepared a wonderful feast in remembrance of mother. Come! Let's go home" he threw a lazy arm over my shoulder, roughing my hair.

Although Nicholas was older by three years, I was
just as tall as him, maybe even taller.
We had the same nose and curly hair but that is where the resemblance stopped. He had bright golden curls where I had brown. Sea blue eyes where I had green.

The people always praised my father, king of Sagard. He was a vibrant ruler.  Fair and just to the people. Nicholas had taken after him.

The people celebrated my mother's strength and intelligence. She was not shy to speak her mind, making sure every word was important. They said I had taken after her.

Phillip

Nicholas

"You save a plate for me" I grumbled, pushing him off before hopping into my boat. Nicholas let out a hearty chuckle before turning towards the castle.

—-

It was tradition that if I had at least caught one fish before sundown, my trip would be successful but if not..it would be perilous.

I gathered the wet trap and threw it out, further into the sea in an last effort to catch anything.

An hour passes, and then another, before I braved my ego to pull up the net; I had to brace myself. It was not so easy to accept defeat.

Just as I leaned forward to grab each end, my arms struggled to pull, heaving below its heaviness.
There was no mistaking I had caught something.

As I lifted the net over the side of my small boat, I frowned seeing a pile of soggy seaweed. Surely there was more to this catch than this?

I pulled away the damp seaweed and broken shells, desperate to unearth what laid beneath the pile.

I ran to the side, getting shears to cut away the netting, peeling away the knots of weed and fragments. Eagerly, my hands felt for its end but stopped as I felt the familiar texture of...

No...it couldn't be.
My eyes opened in surprise as pull the last piece of seaweed from the netting.

Lying before me was the figure of a young woman. A human of some sort? She shivered uncontrollably as the cold wind slapped against her skin; her wet and tattered clothing barely covered anything. Her dark curly hair stuck to her gentle face; her skin was the color of ebony; a dark brown to brown specific.

She was a beautiful creature, even when her eyes were closed I could pick her hallmarks.
But was she alive?

Just as I moved to set her free, she coughed with life, shooting up from the netting.

She looked around the boat violently, finally freezing once she saw my figure.

"Are you okay?" Those were the words I tried saying but my tongue was locked with fixation.

She squinted suspiciously, glaring into my eyes before looking down at her legs.

A tail? Her tail!

A mermaid.

Author Note:

Last update was Nov 20, 2020

Well...enjoy 💀