Loss
The lake. Mist enveloped the water and everything around. It was hard to make out much, yet some things could still be seen. Near the lake stood a forest-vast, but not dense.
A man sat on a large stone covered with moss. He wore a shirt with an open collar and sturdy trousers tucked into boots. His pale gray eyes gazed anxiously at the water-at the greatly agitated fish, and at the dead ones that had washed ashore.
-Something’s not right,- he said to himself, to no one in particular.
The water began to shiver with a fine tremor. Someone was swimming up from beneath.
-Vlas! Vlas! Vlas!- called the mermaid Melava. -Vlas!
-What happened?- he asked, studying her closely. -Your two braids are standing on end.
-That’s not important,- she said, slapping her red tail-across which thin silver lines ran like tiny ribbons. -I’m getting married.
-That’s great,- he cut in.
-Don’t interrupt,- she said, looking at him with a frown. -I’m supposed to be getting married, but the pearl is gone.- Her gaze dropped, and the corners of her mouth sagged.
-Gone? But without it the wedding can’t take place,- Vlas shook his head. He knew that the pearl helped maintain the balance of the world and was also essential for the ceremony.
-Exactly-it can’t,- she said, lowering her head and staring at the water. -Go and tell the Queen. Inform her of the situation. We have to find the pearl.- She looked at him pleadingly, almost beseechingly.
-All right, all right. Swim back, and I’ll go now.
He stood up with a groan, adjusted his wide leather belt, and walked off, limping-his age no longer allowed him to run.
Vlas headed toward the castle, but a heaviness settled on his heart. The pearl couldn’t have simply vanished. Someone had taken it.
