I took

Another glance

Before bidding the kingdom

Farewell.

It was time to head

West,

To the outskirts

Of the great city.

Making this journey

Always brings me back

To the time

When I first became King Tsunarius’

Daughter.

He taught me about the world

Personally

Instead of hiring one of those

Scholarly folk.

And one of the things

He warned me about

Was what lied

In the outskirts.

      “Doll my love, if you can help it, please do not travel outside of our realm.” he pressed his hand on my shoulder.

      “Why not?” I asked.

      “The things that lie out there are not mermen but something else. And some of them are completely harmless while others are evil. If you do become curious and want to travel outside of Hydtin, then please, if you spot evil, run away as far as you can!” he warned.

      “But Dad...what would be considered evil? How would I know?”

      “Well, an example could be the evil mermaid you always see in your dreams. But it could also be something you heard in one of the stories. Has Emerald ever told you a story?”

I shook my head.

He looked at me

And smiled.

He seemed

Kinder back then.

      “Well, here’s a story then. At the edge of the sea, where darkness lies, there lives an evil Sea Witch who will consume your eyes…”