Page 42 of Bewitched

“We swear it,” said Zann, shrugging.

“Rhys, behind you!” shouted Medea.

Rhys turned to see the large mouth of the serpent with all its sharp teeth, lowering over all of them now. He jumped out of the way, swinging his sword at it, but the sea serpent managed to bite him on the shoulder. His abrupt action caused him to knock into his brothers who stumbled and fell into the water.

“Sorry about that,” Rhys called out, once again grabbing the monster’s neck, making sure to keep his head as far from it as possible. “Medea, can you move now?” he asked, wondering if removing the ring from her finger helped anything.

“Aye,” she said, getting to her feet.

“Good. Now run to shore and don’t stop until you get there. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold back this damned thing.”

“I’m going!” Medea ran over the bridge and didn’t look back. Rhys saw both his brothers swimming for the shore. When he was sure they were all a safe distance away, he lifted the sea serpent over his head and tossed it once more into the lake. This time, it grew in size, and came after him with twice the vengeance. Its eyes glowed orange and fire shot out of its nostrils.

“Uh oh. This can’t be good,” he muttered to himself. “What does it want?” Then a thought hit him that he hoped was the answer. He still clutched the ring in his hand that he had removed from Medea’s finger. Mayhap they didn’t like the fact that Medea had taken back his offering to the gods. Mayhap he was supposed to return it. He wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but figured it was worth a try. He threw it hard up into the air. The sea serpent shot up high, opened its mouth, and caught the ring. Then it settled back into the lake, disappearing under the water. The chaos was over, the waters were calm, and everything was silent once again.

“Amazing,” he said, shaking his head, surprised but thankful that it worked. Rhys turned and headed over the bridge, being met by Medea running to him, throwing herself into his arms. She wept bitterly, her tears dampening the front of his tunic. He truly felt sorry for her. While she seemed fearless and reckless when she had her powers, without them she was vulnerable and scared. Rhys scooped her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the shore.

Darium and Zann were both wringing out the water from their clothes and hair when he got there. Rapunzel and his mother rushed over to meet him.

“Rhys, what happened out there?” asked his mother.

“Is everyone all right?” asked Rapunzel in concern.

“We had a little setback, but it’s all taken care of now.” Rhys’ arm hurt like a demon. He put Medea on her feet, his hand going to his bloody shoulder.

“Rhys, you’re injured!” gasped Rapunzel.

“He was bitten by the sea serpent,” said Medea. “He’s bleeding.”

“Calm down, everyone.” Rhys put his palm over his bloody wound, using his healing powers to close the gap and stop the flow of blood. “I’m just glad it was only me and not any of you who were hurt.” He inspected the wound. It was already healed.

“Did you find the crystal key to open the portal?” asked Rapunzel.

“Yes. I’ve got it.” Rhys nodded to the crystal pendant hanging from the chain around his neck.

“Oh, can I hold it?” asked Medea, reaching out for it.

“Nay.” Rhys’ hand covered her wrist. The god’s warning about Medea echoed in his head. “I’ll hold on to it for now. Zoroct doesn’t seem to like strangers. He told me I will be able to use this to open the portal whenever I see the stone glowing.”

“Well, at least we have a way to get home now,” said Rapunzel, hugging Medea. “Sister, I’m so happy that you weren’t hurt. I was terrified that something was going to happen to you.”

“You were?” Medea looked up at Rapunzel, sounding stunned that her sister should even care.

“The both of us are fine as well. Thanks for asking, everyone,” Zann called out motioning to himself and Darium, trying to dry off his sword on his wet breeches.

“Sorry about that, guys,” said Rhys with a grin. “But think of it this way. At least now you two won’t need to bathe for a while.”

“It is getting cooler now that the sun has set, and you boys need some dry clothes,” Alaina told her sons. “Gather your horses. We’ll spend the night in the Whispering Dale.”

“The Whispering Dale?” Darium looked up. “I thought only the fae were allowed to stay there.”

Alaina calmly answered. “Boys, you’re forgetting that you all have fae blood in you, even if you don’t possess the powers of a fae or an elemental.”

“Hey, that’s not true about me anymore,” Darium reminded her.

“Well, I’m not going to complain, because I don’t want to have to go hunt down a dragon tonight,” said Zann. “I’m tired and just want to sleep.”

“We’re also hungry,” added Rhys. “Warding off sea serpents really works up a hunger.”