" Welcome. Welcome. Welcome. "
The Wolf King could not believe that the Fox King had come to meet him in person.
They had never talked face to face except for in battles
It was an overwhelming situation for both of them.
In fact it was overwhelming for both the tribes .
" Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we will get to meet in circumstances like these. "
The Wolf King was unsure if he was supposed to hug or shake hands with the Fox King.
The Fox King smiled at his hesitation.
Then embraced him into a bear hug.
" There is no more need for any formalities. We are in-laws now. Our ties have been sealed with . "
The Wolf King laughed.
" Ha Ha !
How have the times changed.Wasn't this the very reason why it had all begun. "
The statement made both a little uneasy.
Lin and Xie came forward to fill in the awkward moment.
" How are we planning our defense against the onslaught? "
Xie dared to immediately bring up the question. Afraid that the discussion might trigger from the past.
" Mia's child, I mean Mia and Lin's child is due within a month. We need to find a way out before so we can bring her home for the delivery. "
He looked like a proud brother .
" Yeah! We need Xie. We need to bring her home. "
The Wolf King heaved a deep sigh.
" My father here has a suggestion to hold it down for the time being. "
Lin stepped forward with the proposal.
" Let us know about it. "
The Wolf King asked eagerly.
" He suggested that we shift both our capitals and settle in between. "
The statement was met with total silence and staring.
" Is that even possible? "
The expression on the face of the Wolf King was hard to read.
" Possible but difficult. "
The Fox King put in.
" This is our only chance at strengthening the barrier. If the two tribes work together . Only then we be able to extend our field of protection. "
Xie spoke for the motion. Especially trying to coax his father.
" It will let Nana work . In finding a way out of all this along with the help of the Wolf Spirits. "
Lin told the Wolf King.
" You do not need to persuade me. I am willing to take the step. But... "
" But what father? "
Xie asked the Wolf King.
" What worries me is the process of resettlement. "
He had a lot going on in his mind.
" I know what you are worried about but we will need to think about the mortals in the human as well.
They have always been at the receiving end of the struggles between both our tribes. "
Lin's words made everybody pay attention.
" I have visited the king personally. He is a total mess.
He had made some secret deal with the mer-queen. He had been sending people to the mer- as human sacrifices. In exchange for security.
Which in itself is such an absurd idea. How were the ones in the ocean going to protect the living on land?
Moreover, it throws a whole new level of shade over the mer-Queen's intentions. Which makes want to head straight down there and bring my Mia back home, here. But that is not possible the situation on the ground is worse than the ocean. At Least we know she is safe there. Safe from the grudge that's plaguing our lands. "
" Humans need to be protected as well. We will only be able to do that if we join forces and our kingdoms. "
Xie turned his attention towards the Wolf King and his men.
" We might have to go through the process of childbirth, to usher in a new beginning.It will hurt.
It will be painful. But at the end we will have something better. Just like my nephew or niece, is about to be born. A living example of consolidation. Born from a Fox Prince and a wolf who is part mer-witch. Conceived in the human world where the two first met. "
Even Lin had never thought about it in that light. It was true. His child was going to be a living of unification. A true heir to all the four kingdoms.
" It seems like they have already settled and sorted everything, " the Wolf King smiled at his Fox .
" Ahhhhh!
How these kids have grown up, " He sighed and walked the Fox king." Let's give them a to sort these things out. With all these white hairs on our head, we deserve a little break.
What do you say? Care to take a little walk with me and share a few drinks. "
The Fox King smiled back.
" Sounds like a wonderful temptation. I believe our lands are on perfect shoulders.
Children, we believe you will be able to see our people through the difficult process of re- . Keep their safety and best interest in mind as well. "
Lin bowed in front of his father.
" Yes, father. I... "
He looked at Xie, " We will do our best. "
Xie followed suit.
He bowed in front of his father and the Fox king.
" This is a mission with scope for zero mistakes. We will make sure not to disappoint you. We strive our best to live in your trust. "
The Kings went to their recreational chamber. Talking. Probably about old times and events.
Lin and Xie turned towards their respective soldiers.
" We need to inform all the princes and officials about the task at hand. Disperse immediately collect them for an urgent meeting. We cannot afford to slack off. Or lay back at all. Is that ?"
" Yes, sir "
The entire place echoed with their resonance.
********
Departure
The next morning Mia called her aunts.
" Aunt Jade.Aunt Ruby . Will it be possible for you two to take my baby for a tour of the outside?
Show him around the mer-word? I feel too tired all of a sudden. I would like to get some sleep. "
" Of course we can. "
Ruby patted Mia's head.
" It's natural to feel exhausted. You had such a difficult childbirth. Don't worry. We'll take good of him. You can take some rest. "
Jade kissed Mia on her head.
" You promise ? "
Mia implied a promise that was deeper. But none of them understood.
" Of course, silly girl.
We will. Why do I need to be so dramatic? " Ruby tapped her head with her hand. Mia smiled.
She pretended to go to sleep as they went away with her child.
Mia stayed like that for some time, before quickly getting up and heading for the stream that was the ridge. The ridge where Lin had hidden her inside a barrier. Mia sighed. Those days so long ago. Back then she was hopeless. Back then also she was alone.
Hiding, scared. She was against the world. She and her Lin.
But now she had everyone supporting her. Nobody ever made her feel like she was a criminal.
They worried about her. Her family. They all knew that they were victims. Now she had a family .
Mia immersed out of the water. She carefully peeped before getting out of it.
As soon as she came out, a pair of hands grabbed Mia from the back.
Mia let out a scream. Scared. Frightened. Petrified.
Had she landed straight into the hand of the Fridge? Was all their efforts in waste. Her lips were with another hand. Her eyes closed in reflex. Horrors from the last encounter with that was tearing Mia from within. Was it going to repeat itself?
Mia could not even breathe. She felt like she was choking.
As the grip around her loosened, Mia realized this was not what she was fearing.
She turned to see a very familiar face.
Anjana.
Her special friend. And now that she knew about his real identity, he was more like a friend of mother. Her mother's betrothed. The one , to save whom, she had left her crown, throne home. Whom she refused to marry so that he could have an opportunity at life. But in the ended up losing her own life.
" Anjana! "
Mia hugged him like an old friend.
He laughed his little wild, childish laugh.
" I missed the little girl too. "
He scuffled her hair.
He suddenly looked at her belly.
" Baby? Where is your baby? "
He asked with a worried voice. His sound was deep and husky this time.
Mia smiled.
" He is fine. He is safe in the mer-world. I gave birth to a boy yesterday. "
She watched a frown appear on his forehead.
" Mer-world? Boy? "
Anjana uttered the words so distinctively as if they were poles apart. Which was actually true.
Mia smiled.
" Hhhmmmm, yeah. You and I seem to share a lot in common. Do you remember Crystal? "
She asked him.
It made him reciprocate with shudders
" Crystal... Crystal..... Crystal "
He broke down into tears just at the mere mention of the name.
" Sssshhhh! Don't cry. Please don't cry. "
Mia felt really sorry seeing him in that state.
" She would not have wanted to see you like this. Would she? "
Mia asked, wiping the tears away from his eyes.
" She was the reason I could see and touch you. Nobody else could because she had cloaked in a veiling spell. To protect you. To keep you safe. I could break through the veil because I her daughter. We share the same blood. "
Anajana moved away from Mia after her last sentence, as if she gave out electric jolts.
"Anjana... "
Mia called out, alarmed.
" You. Crystal's daughter? "
He asked to confirm.
Mia nodded.
" Don't worry. I am not here to take you away. I am not from the mer-world.
My father is a king of the land. I am part wolf from my father's side. "
Her words seemed to have a little calming effect. It must have been too much for his simple to take. All at the same time.
"Mia... ", he called her name with worry this time.
" Yes. "
Mia turned attentively to his direction.
" Bad wolf is looking for Mia everywhere. Big bad wolf. Mia is not safe here. "
His eyes became round and big. They seemed horrid.
Mia understood he might have met with Jin's grudge. The creature must have come to these as well in her search.
Mia heaved a sigh. She needed to get out of there as soon as possible.
" I know what you are talking about. I know why you are worried. I am not here to stay. I am on way to find a way to stop all these. "
She sighed again.
" This is probably my last journey. "
She hugged him with a smile. " I am here looking for that little mer-boy.Have you seen him? Or where he is? "
Anjana looked at her face.
" Mer-boy? "
He shook his head.
Mia stood up and went towards the water. She looked here and there. It wasn't like she him to hang around there all the time. But she was in a dire state. She needed to find before the grudge noticed that she had emerged out of the oceans.
Mia was running out of time. She jumped again in the water. Dived deep, deep inside.
Luck seemed to be on her side.
She spied something sparkly and shiny from the corner of her eye.
Mia smiled.
A smile of satisfaction, mixed with relief.