The army of Perseus came to the ebony woods. This led to a fight that had casualties on both sides. I had to show Drakov the problems that I will face if Tiamat dies. So he spared her life with a warning. She promised to be more careful and we left for Skull island. Zuni was preparing a defensive perimeter. I asked Runi a mermaid from the fountain of youth what the issue was. She showed me an elemental creature made of fire. I was looking for an answer when Arroyo chose to flap his wing. A cold gust of wind burst out. I shivered and I stared at him. He gave an apologetic look and I asked him not to turn this place into a winter island. Angharad jumped up shivering. She was previously preoccupied flipping through forbidden text I fished for her. She explained that the winter season hides our greatest ally called Barid. He is the one to defeat the fireball last time. So Tiamat and Zola walked through a portal and came back with him. He looked human but his skin was blue and his hair was covered in frost. He wore a thick fur coat and gloves and also heavy duty knee high boots held together with straps. A wooden mask made from golden bark covered his face. It has horizontal slits so he could see. The mask was made with expert hands so it looked like it had a smooth but glossy surface. I wondered where I could get one of them. There was a light chuckle and I walked over to see what help I could provide. I was told to keep an eye out for troublemakers.
There was a slight pause as I searched the surrounding area. I decided to go to the beach. I saw fairies and faeries both walking towards the forest. I am guessing they were looking for a safe haven. But their body language says reconnaissance. So I became a bunch of bats to follow them. I am linked with Tiamat whenever I am here so she was genuinely curious. I saw them open a portal and I saw a fireball float harmlessly into the island. Then it took the shape of a fox while retaining its fiery form. I screamed internally and everyone on the island converged including Barid. The two fought and fireball had to leave through the portal. The fairy and faery were nabbed and interrogated. They were here as a distraction so that the others can nab someone. They were low on the information chain so they had nothing else to offer. Tiamat and her babies ate them both and sent the bloodied bones to whoever sent them. I went back to roaming the island from the sandy shores all the way to the slippery and spiky caves. Then I watched everyone I didn't know with suspicion. Arroyo came with a blood bag and asked me to relax. I told him that there are those who are trying to hurt mermaids because someone figured out they can take these people to dragons island. They want to slaughter the young ones and blow up the islands so the dragons will have no sanctuary. He blinked three times and retorted with a smile, "You are making that up." I raised my hand, "Are you ready to take that bet?" He stared frozen before he placed a shaking hand on mine. What he saw made him so furious he had to excuse himself for the rest of the day. I can hear him yelling and seeing fifty foot flames. It was suggested that I avoid the north beach. A different dragon accompanied me every few minutes. Everyone of them had the same stern murderous look. So when I fished out the next traitor twelve very angry dragons surrounded him and he was ashes before he had a chance to defend himself. He had a two way mirror that he used to communicate with someone. Once he dropped the mirror the connection was severed. Angharad came to the rescue. She tossed it in her cauldron and did something.
I didn't wait to see what she was doing. I was more interested in the ceramic gnome that arrived. The moment it touched the sandy beach cracks began to appear and it started to smoke. I picked him up and carried him as far as possible and threw him away. Then I changed back to myself and dropped to the sea. I regretted nothing till I saw who was lurking beneath those waters. An entire school of great white sharks eating a whale. I screamed in terror and I felt a hand grab me. I was moved as far away as possible rag doll style and I was back on Skull island. I was hyperventilating as Zuni explained my fear of sharks. I finally got my bearings and got back on my feet. I was given a blood bag and told to rest. I was taken to Tiamat's personal quarters. It had a small pool that glowed blue. Seaweeds littered the floor and on one side was a pile of bones. Her tributes were all arranged in a hole in the cave wall. I lay down and got some sleep. I woke up to the smell of blood. I saw a person entering the cave with a knife. My sleep evaporated. My mind screamed loudly and the person raised the knife to stab me. The unknown person enveloped in shadows was engulfed in flames. The person's mouth was open but no sound escaped. Drakov came wanting answers. He wanted to know why I woke up so quickly and how the merpeople managed to mobilize so quickly. I explained how I am connected to them mentally. So they react accordingly. Drakov stared at me before he stormed off to find someone. I went back to sleep.
I woke up to the smell of smoke. It smelled similar to lasagna or something an Italian nonna would be cooking in her kitchen. I sniffed the air a few times and saw that Angharad was waving some sort of burning incense bundle over me. I coughed a few times and she apologized as the nearest Dragons snarled at her. She explained that she is trying to cleanse some sort of hex James had placed on me. It is the reason the others are able to sense me. They are going to keep coming unless she can neutralize the hex. The nearest grabbed her hand and asked me to bite it. She looked petrified. I calmly explained to her that her blood has information so she extended her hand willingly. I pricked her finger and licked the wound. She shivered I raised my hand so the others can have a sneak preview. Once they were satisfied she continued her work. After an hour she smiled with satisfaction. She asked me what I saw. I simply placed my hand over her head and gave her a sneak preview. She thought it was mesmerizing. To her knowledge the desperdu couldn't access memory. They are bloodthirsty beasts that show no restraints until the thirst is quenched. They can go for hours or maybe days. So far they have never mentioned memory extraction. She seemed genuinely impressed. She asked me if I was serious about learning. I told her about the library in Castle Dracula. I was hoping for some sort of instructions manual but so far I have none. Also I have met one distraction after another. What I learned was from basic observation. I still have much to learn.
Tiamat came over and pressed her hand against mine and asked me if I could sense anything out of place. I blinked twice and pointed her towards the east. Usually the birds will be screaming so much that I would go into the deepest part of the caves till it died out. I used sign language to explain and her frown deepened. She and the deadliest cannibal tribes went to add the intruders into their dinner menu. Angharad stared with stunned silence. She asked me how I had earned respect with the Tiamat of all the mermaids. She is ruthless and demands tribute for every visit. I am the only one permitted to stay without any offerings. I explained that I assist in any way possible. Also I am under her protection. I showed her my arm and waved my hand. Tiamat's monster form briefly appeared as a tattoo before disappearing. She blinked three times and declared that no one in known history has ever gotten this since its inception. The other mermaids offered seashells but never tattooed anyone. Tiamat is the highest rank in the mermaids rank. A tattoo of her image is an undeniable advantage. Many have tried to earn it. Since this signifies a level of trust. None received it since Tiamat had a reputation for being paranoid. I politely asked her not to insult my friend. She didn't get her facts straight. Tiamat is taking measured optimism. Because if she wasn't careful then there will be casualties. She stared with absolute awe. I explained how I had seen her foresight saving countless lives of the supernatural variety. I have on occasions incurred her wrath. I had only survived before she is linked with my mind so she sees no deception. Everyone else exploits her. I am the one helping her. People have ulterior motives. I ask nothing in return. Her friendship and the fact the children don't consider me food is enough. There is a difference. Veridian appeared as a ghostly figure beside me for a brief moment and she vanished. I humbly explained that I had either returned something or helped her destroy things. "The pearl of wisdom" she said absentmindedly. She explained that many have tried to go back in time to be the one who gets the pearl instead of me. But the moment I got the tattoo destiny made sure that something got in the way. The first tattoo from Tiamat was supposed to be epic. There will be some sort of interference so no one else will be able to change the timeline to get the advantage. Veridian came and used sign language to tell me that I am to go to the west beach and keep an eye out for trouble. I walked past an angry Arroyo who was still in flamethrower mode. He froze to let me pass but after that he went violent. I sat on the beach and stared. Angharad sat near me wanting to know what I was looking at. I mentioned the telescopic view that vampires possessed. She asked to see so I extended my hand. She saw what I saw and she was impressed. She saw the veins of everyone coursing through their bodies as it made its way towards the heart. I heard the heartbeats of everything as far as my eyes can see.