21: The Price for Prince Arnold's Love

The following day was the 4th day after Underland. Amber woke up to her duties in Isis’s home. She went from early morning coffee serving to cleaning and cooking and dish-washing at the river. When she was done, she moved close to the bank of the river, her thoughts on Mermaid.

“Where are you?” she murmured. “I don’t think I have any friends. Maybe Arnold but he yelled at me. I feel so alone. I need to free my mother. She is innocent.”

The water didn’t twirl as Amber was hoping. Maybe she was hoping too much. After all, Mermaid was done with her and they had parted on good terms. Amber found she could not bring herself to accept that fact.

“Mermaid,” she called out several times in a louder voice but with silence, she gave up, carried her basin of washed dishes, and returned to Isis’s house. She was surprised to find Arnold leaving on his horse. He paused when he saw her at the gate and dropped from the horse. Amber paused and watched him approach her.

“They told me you were at th