The Sea Witch’s Debt: Fairytales

By Aisha Urooj

Ursula would go to any lengths to gain power, no matter the cost. However, when a handsome general comes into her life, she finds herself behaving differently. Has Ursula truly changed her ways, or is she only fooling herself? When dark magic calls her name, would the sea witch be able to resist its powerful allure?

This is the prequel to 'The Stone Mermaid'. Read the story of Ursula, King Brutus, Vladimir, and others, set a thousand years before the sequel.
 

'The Sea Witch's Debt' and 'The Stone Mermaid' form a magical, mythical duology about mermaids and other legendary sea creatures and monsters.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aisha Urooj
• Release date: Mar 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9781778173516

Aisha Urooj

Aisha Urooj is a multi-genre writer who writes captivating coming of age fiction, and fantasy. Check out her writing journey at aishauroojbooks.wordpress.com

Book preview

The Sea Witch's Debt

A Prequel to The Stone Mermaid

Copyright © Aisha Urooj, 2024 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

Ursula would go to any lengths to gain power, no matter the cost. However, when a handsome general comes into her life, she finds herself behaving differently. Has Ursula truly changed her ways, or is she only fooling herself? When dark magic calls her name, would the Sea Witch be able to resist its powerful allure?

This is the prequel to 'The Stone Mermaid'. Read the story of Ursula, King Brutus, Vladimir, and others, set a thousand years before the sequel.

'The Sea Witch's Debt' and 'The Stone Mermaid' form a magical, mythical duology about mermaids and other legendary sea creatures and monsters.

Chapter One

The Siren Queen’s reign of destruction and power,

An unlikely alliance at the ultimate hour.

The Sea Witch decides on the final destination,

A thousand years of peace, or an eternity of devastation?

Ursula’s troubles began with the prophecy. The Sea Witch would have gladly waited for the world to end.

News of the wars and the rise of the Siren Queen had reached Ursula’s castle, but she hadn’t paid much attention to it. That is until the prophecy hit her.

‘Hit’ was the perfect word to describe the feeling, as the prophecy left her feeling struck by lightning and struggling to breathe. It created confusion and chaos in what would have otherwise been a calm morning. Now it consumed her thoughts completely.

Of all the witches in the sea, the prophecy had to fall on me! Ursula exclaimed. It isn’t even helpful! Who am I supposed to ally with? Why should I bother risking my life?

With her day already ruined by the prophecy, she saw no reason to salvage it. But now she was left wondering what steps to take next.

Life was brutal under the sea... and unforgiving, where new enemies rose and overthrew old queens and kings in the blink of an eye, but Ursula was safe in her castle... No, her sanctuary.

The Sea Witch hadn’t survived a thousand years by jumping into every battle or by making useless and weak alliances. She was patient and cunning—two traits that had saved her life countless times, and they would do so once again.

Ursula could watch the world burn, and emerge to trample upon whatever remained amidst the ashes. Why should she bother about the state of the seas?

It wasn’t her war... whatever the prophecy said.

Why would she care if there was an eternity of devastation? It would be for others.

No, she would watch where the tide turns... then she would strike. Nothing would change her mind.

Ursula would watch out for the only thing that mattered in the world. Her own life.

The Sea Witch was still deep in her thoughts and contemplating her next move when her scout abruptly rushed into the throne room.

My Empress! he cried and hastily gave a bow.

Ursula had given the title of Empress to herself. Within the castle walls, all of her servants addressed her as such, or else faced her wrath. If it were up to her, the entire ocean would know her as their empress... and they will. That fate was inevitable.

On any other day, addressing Ursula properly would have soothed her temper. Unfortunately for the scout, the prophecy had completely ruined her morning and her mood. What do you want? Ursula asked, irritated. It better be worth my time.

The scout eyed Ursula’s deadly expression, and the sea snakes circling around her arms with fright. He gulped.

The scout before him had made the mistake of delivering news to Ursula at an inopportune time, and in return, she had given him a life sentence as a stone statue in her dungeon. Another had committed the same error, only to be bitten by her poisonous sea snakes and dying a painful death.

This new scout was following the doomed footsteps of his predecessors, all of whom had met with tragically unfortunate outcomes.

Fully aware of this impending danger, he knew that any missteps on his part would lead to a horrendous fate. I have news from the ocean, the scout said, trembling. The Siren Queen has taken the selkie lord, Silkfur, as her prisoner!

Is that so? Ursula said. Silkfur is a fool, so it was bound to happen. Do you have any news from the siren court itself?

No, my empress, the scout replied. We haven’t heard anything of late.

Do you have any other news to report?

The scout slowly shook his head in response, more than terrified.

This was it. He was surely going to be doomed. He closed his eyes and held his breath, waiting for his punishment.

Fine, said Ursula, dismissively. She was unimpressed by his report, but luckily, she also appeared distracted. You can leave.

The scout sighed a breath of relief. He scrambled away from the throne room before Ursula’s mind or mood changed.

So Silkfur was caught? Ursula couldn’t help but feel elated. Their relationship hadn’t ended on the best of terms, and she worried about him spreading untruths, but now she wouldn’t have to worry about him at all. The Sea Witch smiled. Besides, there were more urgent matters that took priority over her former lover.

Why don’t I hear a single thing about the siren court? What is going on with them? Ursula wondered. The sirens are much more secretive than before. Their new queen must be the one to blame- she is controlling their every movement.

Ursula needed an insider in the siren court, so she could ultimately change the outcome in her favor. She didn’t like the game the Siren Queen was playing... It was a game she knew too well.

In power and politics, knowledge was power. The right information could help make powerful decisions and form ruthless strategies, and the Sea Witch could use it to destroy her enemies when they were at their weakest.

There cannot be two dangerous queens in the ocean. The siren needs to be taken out, Ursula spoke softly to her sea snakes. Her pets flicked their tongues back at her, listening intently to their master.

Perhaps I won’t have to lift a finger? She made a mistake in capturing the selkie lord... Silkfur is well-liked and far too popular for his own good. Most likely, she will end up killing him, and when she does, all the kingdoms will turn against her, particularly the Sea King, Brutus.

The Sea Witch wore a dangerous expression on her beautiful face. Her sea snakes coiled around her arm, and she petted them with fondness. Brutus deludes himself to be the protector of the oceans, Ursula said with disdain. Her pet snakes hissed at the mention of the Sea King. Hah! He is as much a protector as I am! We all know he is just as power-hungry as anyone, whatever label he hides it under.

Her sea snakes nuzzled against her face. Two can play that game, my pets, she said, smiling. And I can play it better–

Someone burst into her throne room, forcing her to pause her thoughts. A guard quickly bowed before her—this was an unwelcome interruption, marking the second within a mere five minutes.

What is the matter now? Ursula snarled, making her displeasure clear in her voice.

The guard casts an anxious glance from side to side, searching in the dark corners of the large throne room for any hidden creatures. He wanted to avoid accidentally being overheard. Lowering his voice to a hushed tone, as if he feared voicing it aloud, he said, My empress, it appears to be one of your ‘clients’.

I was not expecting anyone today. What do they want? Ursula asked, abruptly.

In the past, her guards would announce the names of the visitors, only to have her punish them for doing so. Ursula had no interest in knowing the names of the sea creatures she dealt with, not even the barest details. Behind her back, they were starting to be known as her victims.

The Sea Witch was not ignorant of what her servants said about her in secret; she was fully aware. Ursula even liked that they were afraid of her. She much preferred that the creatures serving her remained terrified of her and her powers.

The more they feared her, the sooner they understood not to expect mercy from her.

The guard spoke again. The merman says his payment is due tomorrow, but he came early to request an extension.

He expects leniency from me? Does he take me for a fool? Ursula scoffed. Where is he now?

He is just outside the room, waiting for your answer.

Send him in, Ursula said icily. He needs to understand who he is dealing with. The guard shudders at her words.

Ursula watched as the old merman swam into her throne room, a face full of wisdom and kindness and his eyes a vivid green. He looked better than the last time she had seen him, when he came pleading for her to save his daughter’s life.

The merman had appeared half-dead back then.

The Sea Witch addressed him haughtily. Have you come to make my payment?

No... I cannot give what you ask of me, the old merman replied, his voice frail.

You knew the price when you made the deal, Ursula said. Do you remember our terms?

Yes, I remember, he said, with sadness in his voice. A life for a life.

Your memory is not at fault, at least, Ursula said with a cruel smile. Where then is my payment?

Please... I was desperate to save my daughter, but I cannot take away who she loves, the old man pleaded.

Did her so-called love come to save her when the humans trapped her and rendered her helpless outside of the water? Or when she was desperate for a single breath? Ursula asked. When the old man stayed quiet, she answered for him. No, I didn’t think so.

My daughter will never forgive me, the old man said, trembling. I cannot do that to her. The boy wasn’t to blame. He is just a poor fisher, caught against the sea merchant’s men. They threatened to kill him and my daughter both.

Then he should have died, Ursula said coldly. Your daughter should never have gone to meet a human on the surface.

The merman pleads, Please... My daughter is all I have...

Then I hope she doesn’t forget what you did for her, the Sea Witch replies. Undeserving as she is, she thought viciously.

The old merman now had a wild, desperate look in his eyes. Will you spare my child and her love?

The Sea Witch was unmoved by his pleas. No! I demand payment, she said. Tell me now whose life should I take?

He lowered his head and became obstinately quiet.

Ursula was tired of waiting for an answer. Since you won’t take her lover’s life, I will take yours, she said with a wicked gleam in her eyes. A bargain is a bargain, after all.

Ursula waited for his resolve to crumble. The Sea Witch firmly believed that the old merman, with his life in jeopardy, would change his mind and plead for mercy. However, instead of doing so, he appeared relieved.

The old merman asked with a calm voice, Will they remain unharmed? My child and the human she loves?

Ursula was stunned speechless. When she nodded her head, the old merman heaved a sigh. Thank you, he said.

It is not too late to change your mind, the Sea Witch offered. You can save yourself.

It was a rare occurrence for her to show concern for any creature other than herself, but she couldn’t help but be moved by him.

Thank you for sparing their lives, he said with a smile. That is all I want.

Ursula was more than puzzled by the old merman’s decision. Why are you doing this to yourself? she asked, astonished.

When you have a child of your own, you will understand what I am doing is the only option, the old merman replied.

Unlikely, Ursula thought. I know myself well enough to know that will never happen.

She, however, was done trying to change the stubborn creature’s mind. Impatiently, she uttered the words of the incantation that would start the spell:

A father’s soul for a daughter’s vice

Life for a life is the price.

See that the spell is retained,

A deal is done; a bargain paid.

By the end of her chant, the throne room glowed momentarily with an ominous green color. Your payment has been made.

She had said the final words to complete the spell. Ursula watched as the merman’s body shuddered violently, and as it transformed from soft flesh into solid stone.

Ursula felt a surge of power as the old man’s life seeped into hers. Once his vibrant green eyes lost their luster and turned a lifeless shade of gray, she knew it was the end for him.

The Sea Witch had to avert her eyes away from him. She despised seeing the serene expression on the old man’s face and knew it would soon be haunting her nightmares. Nearly all of her stone statues had grotesque expressions, which made more sense. She much preferred the murderers over the martyrs.

Take him away and put him somewhere in the back, Ursula ordered her guard. He had been silently watching the entire interaction from the corner of the throne room. The guard startled at her command and could not hide the expression of horror that still lingered on his face.

Perhaps she went too far this time? A feeling akin to guilt pricked at her, but the Sea Witch forcefully suppressed it, burying it deep within herself, determined to never confront it again.

The guard quietly dragged the heavy stone statue of the old merman away from the throne room, the jarring scraping sound inflicting one last torment upon her.

That fool; Ursula thought. And that stupid, undeserving girl of his. Love truly makes a fool of the wise and a martyr of the selfless.

It is a good thing I am neither, Ursula thought grimly. I will never let anyone make a fool out of me.

That is a promise.

Ursula was not the only sea creature with immense power. Deep within the ocean’s depths, there existed another formidable force; a foil to her wild, dark magic. Like Ursula, he was feared, but unlike the Sea Witch, he refused to simply watch the seas succumb to the hands of the Siren Queen.

He was Brutus, the mighty Sea King, ruling his underwater kingdom with complete authority and power. Despite his brutal and merciless rise to the throne, he proved to be a fair and worthy ruler.

The Sea King lived in a floating crystal castle which, usually coral in color, would turn golden during times of celebration or black during times of war. The bedrock of Brutus’s kingdom was like a living creature that fortified itself during times of danger, protecting the citizens living in it.

It was a visible extension of his power. As long as the Sea King was well, his kingdom thrived on it.

Much like the Sea Witch, Brutus had spent the morning contemplating his next steps. There was only one path forward he could foresee. Having decided, the Sea King called on his most trusted general to his throne room.

Vladimir was a striking merman, with his mesmerizing eyes and hair as dark as midnight. He was certainly handsome, but he also possessed one