"Lady of Fury 1" by Karen L. Crumley

A Mermaid is the most delectible delicacy that a dragon like herself could ever dream of dining on. “AAAAAAAh” The Dorndin sorceress let out “What a treat.” She rubbed her greenish-yellow tummy, and licked her chops again.

The pristine green-tailed girl brushed her long, brown hair as she sat on a rock. She was totally oblivious to the danger that was afoot. She sang, dreaming of the human man she had a crush on. Jaryd D’Marcius. The King OF Corithia. A man whose heart, though easily swayed, belonged to a golden-tressed duchess. However, His destiny lay in the hands of Beliah of Fury, herself. And, once the Dordina realized whom the Mermaid was mooning over, She let out a vulgar, hissing snicker. “SSSS-ssss-heee...Foolish child of the ocean.” The dordin shook her lizard-like head. “Don’t know who you’re dealing with, do you. You are the very ...ssssssssss....the very thing his fiance cravessss mossssssst.” She climbed over the cliff, like a gecko on all fours. Her tounge darting out past her lips in anticipation of a lovely feast. “Mermaidssssss” Beliah hissed.

A perfect feast she was...Chubbier than most mermaids or mermen she’s seen. Slower, naturally. Very young, and simplistic. Not quite um . . . Smart as most of them. The air-headed mer spotted the lizardine coming down the cliff and smiled at the creature. “SSSSssssimple minded mermaid. Don’t you know to sssswim of when you spot a Dorndin? he he heeee.”

Imagine that you had lived for years on bread and water...mere scraps throne at you by those who dined, like kings. Suddenly, somebody serves you a feast of Maine lobster, with shrimp and potatoes. Such was the case for our lady Dorndin. After living on minnows, catfish, and trout...she finally found a mermaid. Not just the Maine Lobster and shrimp, but filet minion as well!!! Plump and hearty little feast she was. And, easy prey. Beliah licked her teeth, as she moved in for the kill.

“Ah, sssssurf and turf.” Beliah hissed, as another figure came into her view.

The mermaid frowned, like a sick puppy as she spotted a beautiful, golden haired maiden in a rose tafeta gown. The rightful owner of King Jaryd’s heart...The Grande Duchess of Medalia, Morgana D’Laiec. Nobody’s beauty could compare to hers. Neither the mer of the ocean, or the fairies of air. Especially not the Velociraptorian Dordina Beliah. But, the Lady of Fury was a high sorceress . . . and had an easy remedy for that.

And, though the mermaid presented to the Lady Lizard a delectable feast, Her Grande Scheme could not be neglected. Though she had planned on devouring the flesh of the Mermaid, She also planned to devour the heart of the Fair Duchess. Surely, Beliah’s attempt to win over the affections of Jaryd would cause him to completely alienate his Dearest Lady. But, Beliah didn’t care. Morgana was that little fly, that buzzed around Beliah’s picnic lunch. A distraction, a pain in her hind-leg. No more, no less... She hissed again, contemplating what to do. Sneak over the hillside in her natural form and eat the Mermaid, or Metamorphasize into her new human alter-ego Belissa. “Hmmmm....what to do? what to do?” She mumbled. “SSSSurely I cannot let the Duchessssss see me au naturele. No Corithian citizen mussst now of our return.” She looked at the mer who began to cry salty tears, as she slithered behind the rock so that the Duchess couldn’t see her. “Oh, a little enviousssss are you, my treat?” Beliah hissed. “Hmm...kill two birds with one stone, shall I? Well, that would be marveloussssss.” A grin crossed her lizard-like face. Another one of her little schemes crossed her mind.

Moments later, the gorgeous sable-haired maiden Belissa emerged from a cleft in the rocks. A tiny hiss passed her full, red lips. Silken black hair framed her heart-shaped face, stopping bluntly at her chin. Bright, fiery dark eyes shone against a rosy complexion. A low cut peasant blouse, and corset emphasized her ample bossom. A floral print skirt hung from her tiny waist, down to her calves. She sauntered up to the still far-lovelier blonde female, whose indigo eyes stared at a rock to her left.

“Hello, Belissa.” The duchess said, reluctantly.

“Greetings, My lady D’Laiec. what brings you to this side of the beach? Doesn’t your castle reside on the northern shoreline?”

“Why, yes it does.” Morgana said. “I...I was just visiting Jaryd.”

“Of course,” Belissa said, with a smirk.

“So was I,” Belissa heard a tiny voice whisper from behind her. “I was visiting him too, you blonde human.” Belissa knew it was the voice of her dinner. She snickered to herself.

“Well, How...How quaint.” Belissa said. “And, how did the little ‘visit’ go?”

Morgana looked at her rather puzzled. “Well, he wasn’t there. He was nowhere to be found actually. I . . . I sent Shane, His Paige, out to look for him.” She nodded her noble head, shaking it lightly. “Nowhere to be found.” she whispered.

“Hmmm...Well, that’s rather odd. I had spent all morning and afternoon with his highness. And, he never mentioned going anywhere.” The snide creature shook her now-lovely head. “That’s very strange.” Then, she grinned. “Did mention to me that he’d be in his bedroom chamber, for the rest of the evening. Just incase I wanted to join him.” Belissa snickered wickedly, as an injured look crossed the duchess’ lovely face. Despair, and sorrow filled her deep blue eyes.

“Whell!!” the duchess sighed, regaining her dignity. “If what you’re saying is true, he would surely have came downstairs to meet with me. Obviously, You are lying, Belissa!”

“And, can you prove that I am?” Belissa said, “How do you know that he did not give his servants orders to send him away? To leave him undisturbed, as he awaits my company. he he he.”

“Why, you’re disgraceful, you...you tramp!” Tears filled the beautiful blonde’s eyes, as she clutched the skirt of her gown in her hand, and headed away from the shore. The incognito Dorndin watched her scamper out of sight, behind the cliffs. She hissed, as she turned to face the boulders just behind her.

“You can come out now, sssssweet mermaid.” She cooed, with feigned sweetness. “It’s ssssssafer, now.” The sad mermaid peered with warm brown eyes, at the lovely woman before her. A sultry peasant, with sable hair. Belissa appeared to be from the Isle of Sirenia, with her sable hair and deep, dark eyes. The brightly colored clothing were a token of that Kingdom. Merfolk were familiar with sirenians, and vowed to always protect that Kingdom. The crafty Dorndin was no stranger to that alliegance.

“Hello, Siren Lady” the mermaid cooed. Her brown hair, drifting over her chubby upper body, to the waist where human-like flesh met a teal green tail. “Is that...that blonde woman gone?”

“Yes, little mermaid.” She said, with a coy smile. “The Duchesssssss has left.” Belissa eyed the mermaid, fighting the urge to morph back into her lizard-like self and devour the mermaid whole. No, she enjoyed being crafty, devulging in plots and schemes...even if they didn’t work out, completely... They were fun, without a doubt. And, this mermaid was too simple-minded. It would be a sin if she didn’t have a little fun with her first...

“SSSo, you are in love with the King, I’m guessing?” The mermaid nodded. A sad look in her wide, brown eyes. “Are you?”

“Oh, child. I have feeeeelings for the king, feeeeeelings. But not love.” She snickered. “No, far from it. I . . . I only wisssssssh. I ...” Belissa held her toungue, not revealing to the childlike merwoman her grandiose plans of queendom. “I only wish to keep him away from that snotty duchessssss!” she hissed. “Such a pristine, self-absorbed little thing she is. Not right for Jaryd at all, wouln’t you agree.”

Unwisely, the mermaid came out of hiding, and sat next to her on the rocks. “Why of course not! Jaryd is a King. He should marry someone who loves him, forever. Someone who’s pined for him for ages.” The mermaid pointed a finer to herself, indicatively. “Like me!”

“Why, exactly my dear.” The Maiden said, grinning. “And, I’ll tell you a secret. I know for a fact Jaryd’s heart doesn’t belong to a human. He comes here, every day seeking a mermaid. I bet.” Belissa portrayed amazement, and revelation. “Why, I bet it’s you! Do you swim here often?”

“Oh, yes. Every day. I’ve seen him here often. And, he always stares at the sea, with those sad eyes, looking for something. Perhaps...do you think it’s me?”

“Why, yes, my Mermaid. In fact, I’d bet money on it.” Belissa’s eyes widened. The poor naieve fool was not only falling for Belissa’s plan, but was diving head first into it.

The Mermaid giggled, and smiled. The Dorndin licked her chops, slyly.

“In fact, little Mermaid, I’ll tell you where the king is right now. He’s in a cavern just east of here, waiting for the love of his life. Perhapssssss...perhaps, it’s you? Why, my little prisssssss, If I were you, I’d head there right now. I wouldn’t disappoint him.”

“Well,” A smile crossed the mermaids face. She whispered to herself the word “shift” and, her green tail became two human-like legs. The mergirl eyed herself, as if she was a dish. This made Belissa snicker. Even in Dorndin form, she had it all over this girl. “Aha!” the mermaid giggled.

“Now, my ssssweet little thing. head off to your left for a little bit. You’ll find a cavern that is warm, and moissst inside. It looks a little like a dragonhead. But, remember to morph back into mermaid form. Else, the king may not recognize you. He’ll mistake you for someone elsssssse.”

A puzzled look crossed the mermaid’s chubby face. “Huh??”

“Well, dear,” Belissa began, now fully aware of the mergirl’s stupidity. “Don’t you see, the King can have any human he wants. They throw themselves at his feet, but he ignoressssss them.” She looked the mermaid straight in the eye, and stared right through to her soul. Her words even more convincing than they were before. The eyes of a Dorndin are hypnotic, and sometimes even lethal. “He could have any human he wants. But, he doesn’t want a human. He wants a Mermaid. He loves you because you are a Mermaid.”

“AAAAAaaah,” the Mermaid let out a deep, lazy sigh. Beliah smiled at her. Now off dear, before your love Jaryd gets impatient.

***

The Mer, in human form, scampered off toward the cave she was instructed to go to. There she saw it. A strange-looking cave at the edge of the beach. The rocky walls bore a green appearance, obviously covered with moss. It was shaped like a dragon-head, indeed, as two dark indentations near the top almost resembled eyes. Shadows draped over the cave, from the palm trees above, almost resemling long strands of hair. Just as the Sirenian Lady said it would be. Dark and ominous, but she didn’t care as long as King Jaryd of Corithia was inside. The prized trophy of every woman on earth, he was. And, Hers alone, as far as she was concerned.

She entered the cave, boldly. It was dark and warm inside, just as the Maiden said it would be. She shifted back into Mer form, and sat on the floor of the cave. Strangely soft,as if covered from moss entirely. Or, perhaps some carpet. A strange, very hot carpet. A carpet that seemed to move.

Looking toward the back of the cave, she saw a fire burning. It glowed feircly, and burned the poor mermaid’s eyes. She began to struggle for breath, as the hot sulfuric air threatened to drown her. She breathed in painful gasps, as the bizarre carpet curled around her. “Jaryd!” the Mermaid called out, “King Jaryd, are you here?”

***

*GULP!* The entrance of the cavern slowly closed. Not from an avalance, or rockslide, but just as a drawbridge would be raised up in the castle of Jaryd, himself. Not a crumble of rock broke off, as it did so. Which would appear strange to most. But, looking closer it seems as if the rocky walls were all connected, and moved as one unified being. Which, of course, they were. The cavern closed completely, with the appearance of a cruel smile. and, Then all at once the entire cliffside rose to it’s feet. It stood at once towering over the entire Corithian Isle, A gargantuan beast. Then Chomping, and gulping again. And uttering some sacred incantation of old, The Gigantic Dorndin shrank down to her normal stature. Looking much like the Velociraptors of prehistoric times, she licked her green lips, in satisfaction. “Yum!”