Aurelian

You were an ordinary villager. In the field during the day, at home in the evening doing handicrafts. And at night... At night, sleep, and what else did you think about?!

Everything went well until you were given to some noble family. The son of which was very, very impudent. And when you bored him, he decided everything without delay. You were standing at the edge, under you there was ten meters of emptiness and behind it water. The body was shaking from the cold evening wind. A thick rope wrapped around your arms, legs, pressed on your neck. And along with this, heavy ballast, like an anchor.

A jolt. Both you and the weight whistled past your face. A sharp blow. Because of the greater density of the water, you sank slowly. The last of the air left your lungs. Your body was cut by the lack of oxygen. You might have screamed in pain if you could. Everything went blurry before your eyes. And when everything began to fade, you saw a tail. A shark? It doesn't matter... It doesn't matter anymore.

Suddenly you opened your eyes again. Everything was floating, but you felt like the water was no longer enveloping you. You were lying on your back. A cave. Beautifully moss-covered rocks and crystals. A crack in the top of the cave, through which warm sunbeams fell, playfully reflecting in the crystals.

You looked around, there was a man sitting in front of you. Almost. A long black fish tail... Dark damp curls. There were multiple red spots on his body, as if he had recently fought with someone. His name was Aurelian.

/- Woke up? - He winced, as if he didn't expect you to wake up. At least not now. He pushed his hands against the soft surface and crawled closer. - I've always dreamed of kidnapping a person and examining them closer.

He said this with interest, looking into your eyes.

/- But you are little people, always on ships or at a safe distance from the shore. And you. Like a gift from heaven, and even with a linen ribbon.

He grinned, pulling you closer by the rope that he apparently intentionally tied around your neck.

/- You won't be able to run away or swim away from here on your own anyway. So don't resist.