Headed by a Snake

Sea Witch Mina grabbed hold of her head, making a mess of her slightly-wet purple hair.

"No... this cannot be. I already entrusted my heart to--"

"Ahem," Tycondrius cleared his throat to interrupt the mermaid girl, "Good afternoon, Second Lieutenant Mina. This is Princess Iyuri."

"Nya~hallo!" Iyuri waved.

"Don't do that," Tycon chided.

"Ssssssup?" The Princess hissed.

That... greeting was still awkward... but Tycon found it more acceptable than her previous.

"Oh," Mina's brows were still furrowed deeply in confusion, but she bowed at the waist as decorum dictated, "Good... good afternoon... Lady and Sir."

Tycon nodded and gestured to the mermaid, "Mina, report."

"Re... right. Report. I can do that. Just-- can we not tell Krysaos that we... that you--"

"The report, young lady," Tycon insisted.

"Um. Okay. But let's talk after, okay? Just-- okay. I..."

"Mina."

"Okay! Alright! So, when Captain Krysaos summoned me..."

...

Mina explained that Captain Krysaos had discovered the nature of Thorne Village's sacrifices, with the help of the Coral Boys.

Finding that it related to the sea god... and that it was 'nice', he placed his full efforts into destroying it.

Tycon appreciated the gentleman's decisiveness.

The notion, however, confirmed one of his deepest suspicions.

The sea god was allied to the lizard god-- or their goals aligned enough that Tycon felt safe in oversimplifying as such.

It remained in his best interests to continue supporting the good Captain Krysaos in dismantling the sea god's plans and towards that particular deity's eventual demise.

The crew of the Neptune's Revenge had raided two hatcheries, brutally murdered the complicit villager-breeders therein, and rescued one particularly inquisitive, human child.

Three hatcheries were destroyed, one dealt with by himself and Iyuri, with the crew demolishing the other two. Tycon was assured that the next generation of Thorne had been completely wiped out.

Afterward, he tasked Mina with reporting to Krysaos that they would convene at the village. Surely what awaited them there was a somewhat climactic showdown with Elder Thorne and whatever powers the corrupted sea god worshipper might have.

The mermaid protested-- feebly, as was expected of her. She tried to suggest, in terrifically UN-certain terms, that she and Tycon discuss the... nature of their meeting?

The young lady seemed convinced that her answering her summoning call was somehow treacherous or... immoral.

To combat that... from what Tycon pieced together, Mina wished to... collaborate a reasonable, but fabricated story-- in the case either of them were questioned.

The notion was asinine.

If Krysaos were to question her, he would not find offense if she answered truthfully.

Granted, that truth was: 'I delivered a report, as ordered.'

If Mina, however, was to splash around the topic, attempting to dodge the question... or worse, provide a formulated falsehood, Krysaos would surely become suspicious.

Tycon had summoned the Sea Witch for professional reasons... not to have inappropriate relations with her.

He forcibly dismissed Mina, having her return to her proper wielder with a spell circle boosted by Iyuri's high purity water mana.

"Are those two married?" The Sea Serpent Princess asked, "The mermaid and... that Krysaos person?"

"Not yet, why?"

"She seemed... really worried about what he thought about her? Like... she didn't wanna cheat?" Iyuri puffed her cheeks in thought... "Are you a cheater, Tycon?"

...Tycon raised an eyebrow, "Concerning?"

"Did you violate the sanctity of their marriage?"

Tycon pulled his head back. He found the young Princess' diction... oddly specific, "No, I did not."

"You'll stay faithful to me when we get married eventually, right?"

"Tss," Tycon scoffed lightly and poked the child's forehead, "That question is a cleverly crafted trap."

"Ehehe~" Iyuri stuck out her tongue.

"If we were to be wed, our contract would be subject to the Laws. In such a case, were I to be unfaithful, I would be severely debilitated by the mana backlash.

"But no, young Princess," Tycon smoothed out Iyuri's locks of dual-colored hair, "you're a hundred years too young for me to court you properly."

Iyuri's jaw hung open, "I'm gonna live to be over a hundred? Won't you be dead by then?"

Tycon furrowed his brows... "I sincerely hope not."

With the way his adventures had been going, fighting lizards and gods, it was far more likely that Iyuri was correct.

...

⟬ A few bells later... ⟭

"And thusly... THIS King has uncovered the nefarious plot of the foul, Elder Thorne."

The bronze-skinned, scarred and muscular elf sat arrogantly atop a headless corpse as he boasted, his eyes emitting a cool, golden light.

Beside him, at his feet, the twisted visage of what vaguely looked like the village elder laid severed.

Thorne Village was destroyed, the wood and thatch houses in smoldering ruins.

That was fine.

It meant that Tycon did not need to return the villagers their tools.

"You're... you're awesome, my King," Imperia gushed.

The dark elf with the thin silver braids had her hands folded in front of her chest, like an innocent maiden. Her eyes were... moist and sparkling-- for whatever reason...

To Tycon, it seemed a bit much.

"The villagers were sacrificing folks to the sea god and makin' super-eggs," Krysaos yawned, picking at his ear. "Wasn't hard."

"Hhhh-whaaat?!" King stood up, his eyes flaring to white, "Maedar! Does Captain Krysaos speak the truth?!"

Tycon smiled politely.

In his experience, elves-- especially Ancients, were very difficult to read. With the way King's overflowing mana seeped out of his eyes in colors, even Tycon could sense the fellow's incredulity.

"I can affirm that, Ancient," Tycon nodded. "It seems all of our parties have drawn the same conclusions."

"The Sea God, you say?" King's eyes cooled, his expression darkening, "That... cad. He hast crossed a line that should *never* have been crossed! Fear not, friends and allies... for I-- this King, shall seek out these... *eggs*... and I SHALT DELIVER my di-VINE jus--"

"--already done," Krysaos waved. "Me and the boys took care of it. And the girls."

He turned to Mina and Willow with a look of apology, "Sorry, not used to females bein' in the crew."

"Don't count me as one of yours," Imperia glared. "My loyalty remains with my Sovereign!"

...Tycon narrowed his eyes. Krysaos had directed his comment at the Sea Witch mermaid and the young human girl-- yet Imperia had answered for herself.

She was... a lonely, young lady.

The recently recovered Willow, seemed to be good at mollifying her Elven sister.

They held a small whispered conversation-- the details of which, Tycon did not discern to be important. It reduced Imperia to crossing her arms over her unarmored chest and appearing indignant... but she kept her peace.

Conversely, Willow's brother paid little attention to the going-ons. He and Barrel Boy were using sticks to make inappropriate drawings in a patch of pale dirt.

Tycon turned back to King. The elf's face was twisted with indecision... his mouth opening to speak-- yet closing again, without an utterance.

It was something he expected more from Barza Keith, the Lone Shadowdark, rather than 'King', the Forgotten Elven Sovereign.

"Allies of mine!" He yelled, "Gather 'round! Let us come together... and we shall SWEAR an oath. The Sea God WILL FALL! He shall RUE the day--"

"Already did," The Captain shrugged. "Me and the LT-- whole crew, too."

The elf looked to Tycon for confirmation.

...Tycon inclined his head.

It was... not quite a formal oath, but he and the rest of the crew were sworn to Krysaos' cause. The man was committed to achieving violent vengeance against a particular sea god.

"I..." King's pointed ears drooped... "Very... well. I shall not ask thee to swear a second oath... but... for thy quest, I shalt pursue justice and honor at thy side..."

"I appreciate it, big guy," Krysaos grinned, patting the elf on the shoulder.

It was somewhat brazen of him to do so. Unexpectedly, King did not react negatively... or violently, as Tycon expected. Instead, his face fell as if the friendly gesture emphasized his perceived defeat.

"I... appreciate thy sensibilities, Captain Krysaos," King sighed... "I sought the honor of being the first... but that honor belongs to thee, and it is beneath me to challenge what few merits thou hast accumulated over thy short, mortal lifetime."

"(Is he insulting me?)" Krysaos bubbled in Aquan. "(It sounds like he's insulting me.)"

"(I... don't believe he is?)" Tycon frowned.

"No matter..." King's eyes shone once again with renewed radiance, "Justice has been meted accordingly. I... will not tarry here, friend-human. I desire the comfort of my personal quarters."

With only so much warning, the elf turned and sprinted into the woods... leaping and bounding on mana-created footholds to appear as if he were gliding through the air.

Elves. Even their Ancients acted like immature whelplings when they did not get what they wished.

"W-wait! King!!" Imperia chased after him-- slowing after several steps. She turned to Krysaos with a petulant expression, "You!! How DARE you speak to MY King that way!"

"Whaaat?" Krysaos groaned, "I just told him the truth."

"I-- you... ARRRGH!!!" Imperia stamped her foot, "Disgusting human! Filth! Ignorant sow! I can't believe you!!"

"Sis..." Willow whispered, "What's wrong?"

"NNnnrgh!! Don't talk to me right now!!" Imperia spun around, "My King!! I will attend to you-- to thee!!"