The prompt of today: "There's something in the water."

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Small waves softly rolled against the wood of the boat. It slowly drifted over the lake bringing the town closer every second.

Many of your company had fallen asleep due to the late hour and the distance you had covered in one day. Some of them would complain in the morning but it was one of your smaller worries. 

They would be challenged the next day. Every single one of them would have to prove their loyalty to you in the fight against the orcs. 

An old friend of yours had send you a letter over a week ago. In this he warned you about an upcoming war. It hadn't started yet but he was sure it would take place.

He often proved to know things before they even happened. That is why you had wasted no time and put everything in place for your expedition. 

You would offer your help and wait for it to be accepted. When the dwarves, and especially the elves, would appreciate your help you would. But only then. No blood of your tribe would be wasted when your help wasn't necessary.

That is how you had survived so far and it would stay that way.

In time of war there was no need to feel hostile towards the people who were your allies. It could be your downfall. 

And you expected that it was one of the reasons the war between the races would escalate. They never got along and would surely prove that they weren't ready for it now either. 

"What a beautiful woman."

You turned around sharply when you heard the soft whisper. Not already... "Get away from there!" you yelled, jumping forward to pull one of your man back to the middle of the boat.

A pale hand reached up from the water, reaching for the sailor. It was slimy with green slime dripping of the arm and falling back into the dark, cold water.

The sailor fell on his back as you violently pulled on his collar. "Oi! What was that for? My love is calling out for me!" He tried to scramble back to his feet but you were quicker.

You grabbed a rope that was already attached to a steel ring in the middle of the boat, and tied it around his waist. "No one is going anywhere, not on my watch" you said. 

The hand slowly retreated into the water. That wouldn't be the end of it though. There were other ways to the Lonely Mountain but those would alert the other races about your coming. You still wanted it to be a surprise.

Though it was foolish to think the sirens wouldn't come out tonight, you had hoped that they wouldn't. Was hope so wrong?

"You!" you shouted, pointing at some of the stronger man in your company. "Tie everyone up with the ropes and then do it to yourself too."

"We won't fall for their call. We are stronger than him" one of them pointed out. He looked at the sailor at your feet with disdain in his eyes. 

You narrowed your eyes, straightening your back. "Now."

Reluctantly, your man went to work. It wasn't really fair that they all had to be tied up, you could give them that. But there was not enough money nor enough time to give them all the Döv pearl. 

The pearl hang on a necklace around your neck. For now it was enough. Only one had shown so far and you were just a little over halfway through the lake. If they would hold back a little you might make it to the shallower parts on time.

"Don't!" One of the stronger man was standing close to the railing of the boat. He was bending over, focused on something or rather someone in the water. 

Sure enough the screatching reached your ears soon after. The pearl made sure you heard an irritating sound instead of the singing that you would otherwise hear. 

Two other man dove forward to pull him back. "There are more on their way" one of them yelled, looking at you over his shoulder.

"Pull him back and tie him up. I'll do the rest" you replied. 

With a few quick strides you were in front of the wheel, taking it into your hands and steering wildly through the dark night.

The sirenes would have a harder time following you when they bomped their heads against the bottom of your boat. You couldn't take them for fools though, these were smart creatures you were dealing with.

Some of the man that were tied up pulled on the ropes that held them down. 

"I am coming for you my love!"

"Just a minute and I will be down with you!"

"Let me come to you!"

You rolled your eyes. It wasn't their fault but if you were the only one that was still sane... exhausting. 

Two sirenes emerged from the water. Only their upper bodies could be seen, the rest was hidden by the dark water. To you they were disgusting; slimey, white bodies with their skin barely covering their bones. Everything was sticking out.

You were sure that your man saw something else entirely. 

"My beauty!"

"There you are my love! Take me with you!"

"We're not going anywhere with them" you said to no one in particular. You steered the boat away from them. "Come on, just a little gust of wind and we will make it" you prayed out loud.

You threw one of your daggers at a hand that took hold of one of the railings. A loud hiss erupted followed by a splash. 

The shallower parts were coming closer and closer. 

Some of the sirenes started to disappear. Only now did you realize how many there were swimming at either side of the boat. You didn't even want to know if there were some beneath your boat as well.

All of the tied up man had glazed eyes. Their faces were turned up in pure bliss. 

"I am going to ruin your fun boys" you teased. More of the sirenes left the boat. They would swim into a lot of trouble if they continued the chase.

This round they had lost. "Live with it" you said to one as she narrowed her eyes at you before disappearing. 

Finally, the small boat reached the shallow part. You sighed, wiping your forehead. "Now that the fun is over, untie yourself. Grah, you are taking the wheel" you ordered.

Many of the man were a little wobbly on their feet, scratching their heads as the spell was wearing off. 

You didn't feel bad for them. There was still a war coming on and you needed to get there in time. The sirenes weren't their fault but they were fools. You would have them work hard to redeem themselves in your eyes. 

You smiled. But they were still your man. You would protect them with your life.