Chapter 17 - The Gossip

Lord Martin swiftly retreated to his chamber, slamming the door with such force that it sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. It was the midnight hour on a Saturday, yet sleep eluded him. Restlessly, he tossed and turned in his bed, unable to fathom the possibility of a profound connection with a mere mortal. Though he had ventured into the human world on numerous occasions, this encounter felt inexplicably different.

Disguised as an ordinary man, Lord Martin had dedicated himself to aiding the impoverished and destitute, intervening in unexpected situations with various guises. But this encounter defied all expectations.

The girl from his dreams had materialised before him, surpassing the boundaries of his magic, power, and even his tribe's laws. Initially, he believed it to be nothing more than a dream until he noticed Nano's furious gaze through the window. Martin and Amelia were entwined on the couch, visible to anyone peering through the glass panes.

Nano burst into the room, freezing time with his outstretched arms aimed at Amelia. In a panic, Martin leaped from the couch, snatched a thick white blanket from its side, and swiftly covered Amelia's body before hastily pulling up his pants.

With eyes ablaze, Nano uttered words that seared through the air, "Martin, what on earth do you think you're doing? I speak not as your servant, but as your brother this time. Who is this human? This must end. Are you oblivious to the fact that our kind observes your actions and gossips about them? Have you forgotten your true identity?"

"I understand, Nano. I am fully aware of my actions," Martin responded, attempting to persuade Nano to see his point of view. "But can't you see? We have finally met. The girl from my dreams. It's her."

"And who is this human? Do you even know her? Have you bothered to learn her name? This will bring immense shame upon our clan. This is your problem, Martin. You are not considering the consequences. There is still time to rectify this. I will return her to her world as if nothing ever happened," Nano declared sternly, casting spells that caused Amelia to vanish in an instant.

Martin stood there, dumbfounded. He had not even had the chance to engage in a proper conversation with her, to understand how she had entered his domain. He desperately wanted to intervene, but Nano's actions were swift and unexpected.

Slowly, Martin found himself sinking back onto the couch where Amelia had been moments before. "I never anticipated that this would transpire. I am the lord, yet I failed to foresee this outcome. Nano, I yearn to see her again. The realization of this unfolding before my eyes has left me feeling utterly powerless. It seems as though our destinies have intertwined, guided by the divine. Our gods have granted my wish to witness this human in the flesh. I must see her again, Nano."

"Our gods are enraged, Martin, due to your actions. It was not the alignment of stars that brought you together, but rather a sinister trap. Can't you see? You must have fallen under a spell. Before we know it, this human could be nothing more than a pawn of our rival clan, and our tribe will fall into their clutches because of your weakness, your love for a human..."

Lord Martin's mind raced as he contemplated his next move. He knew he had to find a way to reach Amelia's world and make amends for his impulsive actions. With a heavy heart, he turned to Nano, his loyal brother and advisor.

"Nano, I beg of you, help me find a way to her world," Martin pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. "I cannot bear the thought of losing her without even knowing her name. I must make things right."

Nano, though still visibly frustrated, softened at Martin's plea. "Martin, you must understand the risks involved," he cautioned. "Our tribe's laws and the wrath of our gods are not to be taken lightly. But if your heart truly desires to make amends and seek her out, then I will assist you. But you know that this will send victory to the beasts."

Martin's eyes burn with determination as he shakes his head, "Absolutely not. We must devise a strategy that compels them to submit to us, all while preserving my love for this girl and avoiding unnecessary bloodshed."

However, unbeknownst to Martin and Nano, Enya had been overhearing their conversations and entered his house. Consumed by jealousy and a desire for power, she saw an opportunity to use Martin's love affair against him.

Enya approached Martin with a sly smile, reminding him of the tribe's strict laws and the consequences of defying them. "Martin," she sneered, "you are weak. Your emotional attachment to a human will be your downfall. I deserve your position as Lord far more than you do."

Martin felt a surge of anger and frustration rise within him, but he knew he had to remain composed. "Enya," he replied firmly, "love is not weakness. It is a strength that can bridge gaps and create understanding. I will not let fear dictate my actions or my position as Lord."

Enya scoffed, her eyes gleaming with malice. "We shall see, Martin. I will ensure that your precious love affair crumbles to dust, leaving you broken and alone." She left immediately with a wave from her golden cape. 

Enya plotted in the shadows, weaving her dark magic to create obstacles and challenges for Martin and Amelia. She plans to manipulate the elements that will be causing storms and natural disasters in an attempt to keep them apart.

Sabina noticed Enya struggling to untangle an old, twisted rope while gasping for breath under the shade of a tree. Concerned, she approached her mermaid friend. "Is something wrong?"

Without looking up, Enya blurted out, "Martin has finally met the girl from his dreams and wants to see her again. But in doing so, he has exposed his weakness to the law-breaking lord of this kingdom. Now he faces two opponents: the beasts and me."

"You? What do you mean, Enya?" Sabina caught a glimpse of Larry discreetly listening in on their conversation by the stream.

"I believe I should have the throne before this tribe crumbles. I possess the power of the beasts and I have been loyal to the tribe. I will do whatever it takes to defeat them and ensure our reign lasts forever. The land should decide who they should follow: a king who breaks his ancestors' laws for a human or me, who upholds our traditions."

Sabina's mind raced as she processed Enya's words. Her eyes widened as she saw Larry abruptly leave, suspecting that he would report this incident to Victoria.

Intrigued by the potential chaos this revelation could cause, Sabina sought out Larry once again. "I fear, Larry, that this tribe will be torn apart. My heart is torn between loyalty and love for a friend. Enya desires power and wishes to protect our tribe's laws, but we have all been loyal to Martin for centuries."

Larry embraced her from behind and spoke honestly, "I'm sorry, but if loyalty is put to the test, mine will never waver. That's why, despite the consequences, I couldn't resist sharing this juicy gossip with Victoria."

Sabina was frozen by Larry's honesty but chose to face him, kissing his lips fiercely, displaying a mix of madness and desire.

They both knew that Victoria, always one to exploit weakness, would see this as an opportunity to undermine Martin's position as Lord. She would undoubtedly devise a plan to use this information against him, knowing it would shake the tribe's faith in his leadership.