Creature: Mer
Grouping: Waterfolk
Gender: Male and Female
Physical Appearance: The Mer are a water race. They have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. They are extremely beautiful. Their human features usually consist of long hair in shades of dark browns, blacks or deep gingers. Their skin colour can range from pale to dark. Their eyes are usually coloured with tones of bronzes, golds and amber which is similar to the scales on their tales. It is thought their features are warm colours so that it is more welcoming to their prey. Humans especially will drift toward warmer colours than colder. They also stand out against the colours of the waters, drawing the eyes of their prey to them.  During the time they are feeding, the teeth sharpen and they take on a more monstrous appearance.
Magic: Mer use their beauty to draw in their prey. One look upon their beautiful faces, you find yourself immediately enchanted. You will do whatever they order you too just so you can continue to gaze at them.  What really hooks you are their eyes. It is easy to get lost in them.
Physical Abilities: Mer can breathe in the water and out of it. Their tails also make them incredibly fast and powerful swimmers. They can also transform into human form if fully out of the water. Though this doesn't make them any less dangerous. They can still use their beauty magic in this form.
Weakness: To hunt a Mer, it is vital that shaded glass is worn over the eyes. This filters out the enchanting beauty as it slightly distorts their appearance. Once the Mer is caught, the removal of one eye stops their magic working completely yet still keeps them beautiful. Especially if their missing eye is replaced by a fake one.
Other facts: Mer don't always want to kill. They can make someone their obedient slave and do their bidding. If a creature is exposed to their beauty for too long, they will forever serve the Mer who enchanted them, even if that Mer has their eye removed.

~The Creatures of Vivelle. Written by Scholar Dominic Frey, Head of Creature and Magical studies during the reign of the Mad Queen Orianna and her successor King Niklaus

I run straight back to my room. Fallon almost stabs me when I slam the door open and rush in.

"It's just me," I say as I just dodge the blade.

"Bloody hell Ana, you scared the shit out of me!" she gasps, putting the blade away. She takes a look at my expression and frowns.

"What?" she asks sceptically.  I burst out laughing.

"Wake up!" I shout at my sisters. I run and jump on the bed, shaking them awake.

"Illyana, what's going on?" Rayanna moans. I am still laughing. I am so overjoyed! I can save them.

"Calm down," Cordelia moans and I sit back on the end of the bed as the three of them sit up.

"Fallon, close the door and the windows. We don't want anyone hearing what I am about to tell you," I tell her. She sighs and heads to the door, shutting it softly behind her and then the windows.

"The walls are probably listening," she mutters.

I pull her onto my bed, which is four-poster, and pull the drapes around us completely. Then, I start to tell them.

"Are you okay?" Shaelyn asks as I get to the part about Kristoff attacking me.

"I am going to fucking kill him!" Fallon shouts and stands up. I drag her back onto the bed.

"I sorted it. He wasn't successful," I tell her. She frowns.

"What have you done to Kristoff?" Rayanna asks. I smile.

"Let's just say he isn't feeling too good," I shrug. "Now shut up and let me finish," I hush them. The next words tumble out of my mouth incredibly fast. When I finish telling them everything the Master Scholar showed and told me, their mouths are hanging open. Then Shaelyn starts to cry.

"Oh Shae," I whisper and scoop her up in my arms.

"There's a way we can all live?" she sobs.

"Yes, Shae. But one of us has to leave," I tell her. "It will be incredibly difficult. We'll have to convince thousands of people to go against our father and support us instead. They can't be human either, there have to be at least three different races supporting us. We basically have to come back with a huge army and we have less than a year to do it," I sigh.

"It has to be you Illyana," Fallon says. I gulp.

"Me?" I ask. She nods her head.

"Of course. You said the Master Scholar has already made a blood promise to you. You are the favoured daughter as well. Not only are you father's favoured, but the peoples favoured. Plus, you are the eldest, it should be you sitting on the throne," she tells me. It is a massive task.

"Do you all want me to do this?" I ask, suddenly unsure. "If I go, father will be so angry. He might hurt you," I say to them. "Plus, how do I escape? Father has massively increased guards and patrols around the castle. Even all the secret passages that lead out have at least got their exits guarded," I sigh.

"Illyana," Cordelia snaps. "Father is going to hurt us no matter what. This way we have hope. This way we have a chance of all living and being together," she tells me.

"You have to do it," Shaelyn whispers.

"Do you think I can?" I ask them.

"Yes," the four of them say at the same time. I nod my head and square my shoulders.

"Okay," I tell them, feeling nerves rise up within me. I've only ever been in this castle, the city or the Kings-wood, which is technically considered part of the city. I've never been out of the city borders before. I'm going to have to go into the big wide world and convince strangers and creatures who hate us to fight for me. Thinking about it now, it sounds impossible. Perhaps it is meant to be.

"So, how do I get out of here then?" I ask.

"We'll have to work together and plan all the smallest details," Fallon says.

"Tomorrow is the first part of the Trial," Cordelia starts. "We know it starts with the Marking ceremony," she continues. Ah, the marking ceremony. The ceremony where three Fae discover our mark. Our Mark is the image or pattern which represents us. It is the symbol of our souls. It is something that only the Dulavelle daughters can have as it all represents whatever part of The Gift is in us. The Fae are the only ones who can discover our mark. Three Fae will perform a ceremony in order to figure out our mark and then they will tattoo it on our bodies. Of course, I now know my mark as it is now on the skin of the Master Scholar.

"You need to act surprised. You're not supposed to know what it is," Shaelyn tells me. I nod my head.

"Of course," I reply.

"The first test is in the afternoon. You have to pass it," Cordelia carries on. "You have to pass all tests until you escape. Do anything to show yourself in a better light to the people because it will make it harder for father to tarnish your name," she explains.

"How many tests should I do before I leave?" I ask.

"A few, especially ones which involve showing the people how strong you are," Rayanna tells me.

"Yeah, and shows how mad you aren't," Fallon whispers under her breath. I nod my head.

"So, how am I going to get out?" I ask. "How are you going to stay safe?" There is silence as we all think.

We talked long into the night until we have come up with a plan. Now it is time for the games to begin. I leave my room whilst my sisters are sleeping. For the first part of this scheme, I need to not be seen with them. I am first into the dining hall where my father waits at the head of the table. I take a seat next to him and take a quick, shallow breath.

"Illyana," he says. "I trust you had a pleasant night?" he taunts. I look up at him through my hair and lick my lips nervously. Then, I nod my head.

"Yes, it was," I say with a dry voice. He chuckles darkly.

"Why do you cover your face with your hair?" he asks and leans over to sweep it out of the way. I flinch slightly and close my eyes as he moves my hair away. My face is partly bruised where Kristoff slapped me. A look of anger crosses my father's features.

"I told him nowhere visible," he mutters so low I am surprised I even hear it. My sisters all walk in then. They are expressionless as they take their seats.

"Illyana, what happened to your face?" Rayana asks. I gulp and take a small pastry from the plates in the centre of the table, letting my hands shake slightly.

"I fell, coming back from the party in the dark," I tell them. They nod and don't press any further.

"We'll get the Fae to cover it when they do their ceremony, they'll have something for that sort of thing," my father says. I nod my head.

"Thank you, father," I say. I reach for some berries and place them on my plate next to the pastry. I then take a spoonful of mixed nuts then mix them with some fruit flavoured yoghurt.

"Do you know the plan for today girls?" my father asks. We shake our heads.

"Well first, your betrothed will have to join us. Illyana, do you have any idea where he is?" my father taunts. I lick my lips nervously again.

"No, father. I've not seen him since the party," I tell him yet I know my father sees the bruise and my shaking hands. The doors of the hall open and Sir Jago comes walking in. He is the Lord Kristoff's second in command over the Red Guard. Behind him are other members of the Red guard. Wyatt looks at me and though his expression remains the same, I can see the slight twinkle in his eyes. I hide my own smile and look at the other members. My pulse rises just looking at them. Gone are their formal military attire. Instead, they now wear their practical uniform. Unlike regular soldiers, they do not wear armour. Instead, they wear clothes which blend in a little more. They wear red undershirts. Over top, they wear brown leather vests with slightly padded shoulders. Leather straps cross over their bodies and a brown leather coat covers any weapons that may be attached to said straps. The coats are long, falling to about knee length. It also has a thick hood to cover their faces. On their hands are brown leather gloves. The trousers are softer material and a slightly different shade of brown. Then their boots are made of yet more leather. Though they may be dressed in a similar way to most people of Vivelle, there is something scary about them. Perhaps it is the hoods which cover their faces completely and the way they hold themselves.

They bow upon reaching the area around my father.

"Your majesty," Sir Jago says. "We received word this morning. Lord Kristoff had to immediately leave for the borders of the Northlands," he says. "He has already gone with some of his men and we are to meet him there in a few days time."

"Whatever for?" my father asks with a hint of anger in his voice. "He is the next King Chosen and has to attend the trials," he growls.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but there have been multiple attacks from the Lupine on the borders and Lord Kristoff wanted to personally deal with it in order to show the people he is willing to fight for them," Sir Jago explains. My father frowns with suspicion. My eyes fall on Merissa and Wyatt again. Their expressions are blank and emotionless. It takes all my strength not to beam at them. They actually managed to do it. To trick some of the other members into leaving, thinking it was Kristoff's orders. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. Not with Merissa's ability to manipulate and get into places unseen...

"Why did he not take you with him?" he asks.

"My commander is very kind. He let me spend a few more hours with my wife and daughter before I left again."

My father still doesn't look convinced. "He gave you the order himself? I'm not sure I like the idea of all the Red Guard leaving at such a time."

"I received word from a messenger this morning. He has already gone with five men and the rest of us are leaving now," he says.

"How long will you be gone for?" My father asks.

"It depends. We need to find the rogue Lupine group attacking the villages and dispatch of them. We hope to be back in at least a month. Once we have it sorted, Lord Kristoff will come back more of a hero than he already is. He just thought it best he went himself to show that we still care for the people." It stays silent for a few seconds.

"Very well, go," my father sighs. Lord Jago bows and leaves the room. I watch them as they leave. They walk with an odd silence and hold themselves in a way that shows they are ready for an attack in any direction.

"How disappointing," my father mutters once they've left.

"It's a shame that Lord Kristoff won't see the beginning of the trial," Cordelia sighs.

"It is indeed, though he is right in his actions. I just wish he had come to me first," he sighs as he shoves his face full of food.

"Illyana, you're hardly eating," he says. "You need to be strong for the first day of the trials," he tells me. I nod my head and force some food into my mouth. "Are you upset, Ana?" He asks. "That you betrothed can't be here to watch you?"

"Very," I reply.

"Not to matter, I'm sure a part of him is with you now and I'm sure you'll work extra hard to succeed in these harder tests you have to partake in," he taunts. I nod my head and make sure my father sees my small hand gesture over my stomach.

"Yes, I will try my hardest," I reply and he looks pleased. The doors open again.

"Your majesty, the Fae have arrived," the messenger speaks.

"Excellent!" he shouts, standing up. "Let the ceremony begin!"