[hider=The pendant of Moiros - 1998 words]
“There is no way we can enter the castle with that bloody mermaid guarding the entrance.” Trevor slammed his mug on the table, some ale splashed out and would undoubtedly add some stains to the already stained wooden table. “Getting that audience with the sorceress will be impossible.”

“If we want to rid you of that curse we must. And if I can convince her to part with one of her rings…”

“I know, it will be a great wedding ring for lady Catheryn, one that will impress her father.” Trevor rubbed the green mark on his hand, that damned Blood Viper and its poison. They had to get to that sorceress. “What do you suggest?”

Mikhal gazed into his mug. “There is a story in which sailors put wax in their ears so they wouldn’t hear the mermaid’s song, but that would leave us unable to talk to the door. Maybe the Pendant of Moiros could work.”

“What is that?”

Mikhal looked up. “Long ago a warrior named Moiros set out to travel to a city ruled by a seductress, to avenge his brother who had fallen victim to her. His father, a skilled alchemist, created a pendant that would protect his heart. It is said the wearer of this pendant will not be seduced by any form of magic. That should include the song of the mermaids.”

“Should.”

An apologetic look appeared. “I have not tested it for myself nor have I heard a story where the pendant was used against mermaids, but the few stories I do know all say the wearer was protected against magical seduction. And mermaids have magic in their voice. Even the Stone Man was unable to resist them.”

“Yes, I know the story,” Trevor interrupted him. “The Pendant of Moiros then. Do you know where it is?”

Mikhal shook his head.

“Great,” Trevor grumbled and he drank from his ale.

“You found a magical artefact before,” Mikhal reminded him. “You found the lost Dagger of G’Narv. I’m certain we can find it.”
“It took me two years to locate that damned thing! I don’t have that long! Six months before I start to weaken and after another six months of agony, death will probably feel like it hadn’t come soon enough.”

They had helped the sorceress Meria bring a young sea dragon back to the sea, but when they had brought it close to a sanctuary for the water dragons, one of the Blood Vipers - a kind of magical sea snake - had sensed Trevor’s hostility towards dragons and had attacked. Meria had told them about a spirit sorceress who could cure the curse, but now they were unable to get into her castle. 

“This time I am at your disposal,” Mikhal said, “and with that comes both knowledge of myths and legends, and connections. I have a friend, a nobleman, who in turn is well connected, has an interest in magical artefacts, and spends a lot of time in the library of Arnheim. We will find the location of the Pendant and also investigate other ways to get past the mermaid.”

Trevor nodded once and with that the deal was made. The first thing Mikhal did was send a message to his friend in Arnheim requesting information about the whereabouts of the Pendant. Then they went onto the city once more, talking to local healers and scholars to learn more about mermaids and any protection against their song. They had methods to not hear the mermaid, but since the mermaid would continue to sing as long as the door remained locked, it wouldn’t help. No-one had heard of any other way to silence the mermaid except for killing her.

“I doubt the sorceress will want to listen to us if we kill her,” Mikhal sighed.

“I’m sure people have tried that too,” Trevor added. “A sorceress would not leave one of her main defences unprotected.” He glanced to Mikhal. “What now?”

“I have one more thing I want to try.” Mikhal caught Trevor’s questioning glance. “Rumours. I will talk with the people and see what we can learn from them. You can get supplies for the journey and we meet back at the inn.”

They parted ways and after Trevor had gotten the supplies he went to the inn and ordered an ale. It wasn’t long before Mikhal joined Trevor at his table.

“And?”

“Unfortunately nothing much. The mermaid was brought here by the sorceress, but the stories about how the mermaid ended up with her vary. Either the sorceress defeated her and this is her punishment…”

“You expect me to believe the mermaid won’t allow anyone near the sorceress if she is being held captive?”

“An addition to that legend is that the mermaid is under a spell to do the sorceress’s bidding.”

Trevor huffed.

 “Another local legend is that the sorceress saved the mermaid and that she came here as a way to show her gratitude.”

“She would agree to live eternally in a moat just to say: ‘thanks for saving me’?”

“One person suggested there could be love involved.”

Trevor rolled his eyes. “That’s not helpful.”

“Unfortunately not. If there was a single legend we could work with it. If it’s her punishment we could reason with her, if she’s under a spell we could try to break it.”

“If it’s out of gratitude or love we’re screwed.”

Mikhal nodded. “We’ll travel to Arnheim tomorrow. It’s the best place to learn about ways to deal with mermaids and get more information about the Pendant.”

[hr]

The next day they left as soon as the sun was up. It took them three days to travel to Arnheim and once they were there they went to the house of lord Artmer. A servant opened the door for them and when he recognised Mikhal he allowed them to enter, promising to get the young master for them. They were brought to a guest room, decorated in a way to show of wealth for the visitors.  

It didn’t take Lemitsa long to join them in the guest room and after greeting Mikhal he was introduced to Trevor. 

“I did not find any ways one can get past mermaids while hearing everything and not killing them, but I know where the Pendant of Moiros is,” Lemitsa said.

“That was quick.”

“It will not be an easy task to obtain it. It is in the possession of lady Trialcia.”

“I would have rather heard it was guarded by a horde of dragons,” Mikhal muttered.

“And where is this lady Trialcia now?” Trevor asked.

Lemitsa explained she was travelling, she would visit her father’s farms and then head to the port to cross the sea. If they wanted the pendant they had to reach her before she boarded the ship. But then Lemitsa brought up the payment, he doubted there was anything two commoners could offer that could make her part with her trinket. 

Trevor crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I will slit her throat and take it if I have to.”

“Now that is an interesting idea,” Lemitsa said, a sly smile appearing on his face. “I will give you her travel plan.”

“We’re not going to kill her!” Mikhal interjected.

Lemitsa turned to face Trevor directly. “Maybe you should travel alone.”

“You courted her,” Mikhal reminded him.

“There is a reason I am no longer with her.” Lemitsa stated coldly. “I will provide you with the information you need, her travel plan, her entourage, do with the information as you see fit. Trade with her, steal it from her, kill her. Do whatever you please, but you will not tell anyone I assisted in any way.”

“Deal,” Trevor said, holding out his hand. They shook on it and Lemitsa promised to have everything within the next hour. For the time being they were guests at his home and could clean up, eat, rest. 

Once Lemitsa provided the details they needed, Trevor and Mikhal set out to find lady Trialcia, get the Pendant, and then go to the sorceress for the cure for Trevor and a ring for Mikhal. 

[hr]

They travelled on horseback, determined to get the pendant. Nobility took their time travelling, Trevor was certain they would catch up with her. How they would get the pendant was undecided, but they would. If Mikhal would not be able to sweettalk her into giving it up, he would use force. 

The travel itself was without troubles, they made good time and even were aided in their search by a thief, who had heard the lady would make a stop at a village and offered to show them the way. 

When they found the village they made camp at a crossing, the thief who had brought them this far told them he couldn’t go into the village as he was wanted for theft, which came as no surprise.

The next day Mikhal and Trevor went into the village and managed to talk with lady Trialcia. Not only did she decline to part with the pendant, she managed to turn the villagers against them and then left. Trevor was about to draw his blade when their thief friend appeared on a roof.

"Did you miss me?" he cheerfully asked.

"It's the thief!" exclaimed one.

"What is that idiot doing now?" Trevor hissed.

"Helping us," replied Mikhal, who took Trevor by the arm and walked away from the crowd who were about to turn against them, but now had their attention on their companion. “Quick, Trialcia has left.”

They didn’t see if the thief had managed to escape, but they would check up on him later. The route they took was suitable for horses, but not for carriages. The shortcut allowed them to get ahead of the carriage and they waited for the lady to stop.

“You are in my way,” Trialcia said as she leaned out of the window.

“We need that pendant,” Trevor replied, his hand hovering close to his sword.

“Is this a robbery?”

“Of course not,” Mikhal quickly said. “You had not given us the opportunity, but we want to offer a trade.”

With a dismissive huff Trialcia wanted to retreat into the carriage.

“Please hear us out, my lady.”

“What can two commoners offer me?” she asked with disdain.

“You better not offer her my dagger,” Trevor whispered to him.

Mikhal nodded once while keeping his eyes on Trialcia. “Did you ever hear of the Tear of Nymphodia?”

“No…”

Mikhal began telling a grand tale about a queen whose baby daughter died after just three weeks. The tear that fell on the girl solidified, turned into pure gold, and brought her back to life. “It is said,” he concluded, showing a necklace with a translucent yellow oval on it, it brings good health and prosperity. I happen to know you are on your way to Rotswell. There is an infectious disease there, but this will protect you. A trade. My gold necklace for your silver one.”

“I can take it,” Trialcia mentioned, her lips curled into a sly smile.

“You can, but you will notice it will turn bloodred and have the opposite effect.”
Lady Trialcia thought about what she had heard and turned to her advisor. After a short conversation she looked at Mikhal. “Very well, bard. We will trade.” She gave the Pendant of Moiros to the advisor, who brought it to Mikhal. Mikhal gave him the necklace and took the pendant from him.

“May Donyar guide you on your journey, lady Trialcia,” Mikhal said with a bow.

Trialcia didn’t reply and gave an order to continue their journey.

When the carriage was out of sight, Trevor turned to Mikhal. “The Tear of Nymphodia?”

“I made that up. I got it from a dwarf, he said it was called amber, from that country where the people have feathers.”

“If she’ll find out…”

“Worries for later. Let’s go visit that sorceress now.”

[/hider]