Driven

After her stepfather's death, Ari did not want to delay Marino any longer and the gypsy camp moved on, another desert to cross and within a week they were finally at merfolk kingdom.

They had no troubles with the guards as they made Marino and Eileen stay inside the caravan while they paid the tribute for crossing into the merfolk kingdom to peddle their wares.

They went to the nearest bar to ask around for any updates for Prince Juval. They were told that Prince had left for Gardenia around a week ago and he took Juri with him. Now rumors swirled that the King and Queen had left to go to Gardenia to stop a wedding.

"A wedding?" Marino repeated in shock.

"Yes, said the drunken merman.

He took another sip of beer then slammed the mug down on the counter. The liquid spilled over the rim but the merman ignored it. He laughed heartily, slapped his leg and said in a conspiratorial voice in which he lowered as if relaying a secret.