Music Recommendation: Ships are Coming-Trevor Morris

Early in the morning, away from the towns and in the forest of Weswalls, which was located near the sea, two men carried a wooden pole on each of their shoulders. In between the two sides of the pole was a thick net that held a mermaid, who had been captured a few weeks ago.

The mermaid they were carrying had a yellow tail, her matted black hair stuck on her face. She made incoherent noises, where no words spilt out from her lips as a cloth had been tied around her face, stopping her from screaming or shouting for help.

"Why did you think she has been kept here in utmost secrecy, instead of being sold until now? I thought mermaids were in demand," stated one of the men walking in the front.

"Mr. Walker has been waiting for a buyer who is ready to pay the true price of this rare thing," stated the second man at the back as they walked in the forest path. "It seems like he's finally found one who is willing to pay an enormous amount. I cannot wait to get my share once we deliver this thing."

The first man turned his head, looking over his shoulder where his eyes fell on the frightened mermaid, who had stopped struggling after being beaten twice and realising there was no hope for her to escape. He said,

"The little bitch sure likes to bite. You sure this one isn't a siren?"

He turned back to look at the front to see where they were walking while also bringing his other hand in front of his face to have a look at it. His eyes fell on his wounded hand, where this creature had bit him the first time when he was trying to bind her hands and mouth.

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"Sirens are different, and harder to catch. This one swam right into the trap, and her teeth aren't jagged, else you wouldn't have your limb attached to your hand right now," the second man laughed at the end, while imagining it.

The poor mermaid tried to release her tied hands, but she was trapped and away from her family. A few days ago, she had only been curious to have a look at the creatures of the land when she had swam a little closer and was caught in the net before being dragged out of water. The rim of her eyes had turned red, and she looked scared of where she was being taken now.

When she again tried to make incoherent noises, it gained the men's attention, and the man at the front said, "Did you ever think to sell her off by yourself, Garry? The money we could make without the middleman," his mouth watered at the thought. "This one looks even beautiful, enough to enjoy ourselves and use, don't you think?"

"Mr. Walker might not be a pureblooded vampire, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to track us down and kill us for trying to cheat him," warned the second man named Garry. He added, "Even if we were to capture and try to sell another one in the future, it would be hard to get the buyers without coming across the middleman like Mr. Walker. Worse, we will only end up dead."

Soon they reached a carriage which was built in a way to carry many things, which were of heavier objects. The two men pushed the mermaid through the already opened doors of the carriage to get her in there.

"You take the horses and I will make sure she doesn't slip out from here," said Garry, but the first one clicked his tongue with displeasure.

"Why don't I look after her? I am sure she will need some company before we reach the destination."

Garry frowned before he ordered, "Mr. Walker wants his goods to be untouched and undamaged. Get on the seat, Wyatt. We need to deliver her quickly because Mr. Walker has to hand her over to the buyer and present her this evening."

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Wyatt huffed before he leaned towards the mermaid and said, "A shame that I won't be able to get to enjoy you better, but others will today," he smiled at her with a cunningness in his eyes. Closing the carriage doors, he walked around and sat in the driver seat before holding the reins of the horses in his hands.

In the Moriarty mansion, when it was noon, Eve was still helping Allie to perfect the music sheet and was intending to play this evening on the pianoforte when Alfie appeared with a knock on the door.

"Ms. Barlow, Lady Annalise told you to pause your lessons for the day. She has summoned Miss Allie next to her side. She has told you to go home and be here on time before the ball starts," the butler of the Moriarty mansion passed the message to the governess.

Eve nodded and looked at Allie, who looked back at her. She said, "I will see you in the evening, Miss Allie. Do not worry, you will play the song better than anyone I have known."

The little girl gave her a nod, and bowed at Eve before going to where the butler was.

"What hour am I supposed to be here, Alfie?" Inquired Eve because she didn't know how much sooner she was supposed to get back here.

"I would say before seven, Miss," Alfie answered. He offered a slight bow and then left the room with the little Miss to take her to where her mother was waiting for her.

Eve closed the books that she had been using earlier that day, putting them back in their original place where they belonged. She closed the keys of the pianoforte with the wooden lid. Pulling out the pocket watch from her dress pocket, she flipped it open and saw it was past two in the noon. It was enough time to get back home and get ready before coming back here, thought Eve.

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As she made her way through the corridors and down the stairs of the mansion, she noticed the servants were busy in decorating the place with white flowers, mostly a mix of lilies and peonies. The chandeliers that were hanging in the ceilings had been loosened and brought down to replace previous days candles with newer ones so that they could burn during the entire evening and until the whole night.

"No, no. Like I said earlier, I am looking for a more grande and serene atmosphere. Remove those and have it replaced with white ribbons," ordered a stout-looking man, who stood next to Lady Marceline, who was watching the servants do their work.

Lady Marceline said, "I hope you can give us the dewy look that you promised, Mr. Jenkins."

"Of course, milady! Only the best to you and your family. This place would look nothing less to heaven when the time of evening arrives. Please look forward to it," replied the man in charge of decorating the place.

Marceline was staring at the chandelier when she noticed Eve reaching the last of the stairs. She called, "Ms. Barlow, I see you have finished your classes. I was worried that you planned to hold Allie and yourself in the piano room until your usual working hours and would be late in attending the ball."

Eve offered a bow and replied, "Miss Allie needs to get ready, and I was dismissed from work for the day. This place looks beautiful now," she praised the decorator.

"It does, doesn't it?" Asked Marceline, sparing a look at Eve before looking at the beautiful setting prepared for this evening's ball. "I wanted to have roses, red and peach coloured ones, but we are going with a change of theme this year. How about you, Ms. Barlow? What flowers do you like the best?"

"I don't think I have any particular preference so far, milady," Eve replied because she found most flowers to be pretty.

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"You need to find a specific flower," said Lady Marceline before adding, "I think you will like the peach coloured roses along with the red, after all you don't have a specific preference."

"They are your favourites," said Eve, and Lady Marceline smiled, pleased that the human was listening to her words.

Marceline waved her hand for Mr. Jenkins to leave them alone and said to Eve, "I know that, which is why I said it will also suit your tastes. To have the same flowers together. Have you seen the ball room?"