by Hannah Reed
“Alex,” April said.
“What you’re talking underwater? I’m talking underwater!” Alex shook his head.
April laughed and a stream of bubbles issued from her mouth.
“Did you think mer didn’t talk underwater? Right, now swim.”
Alex’s concentrating face returned. He looked just as he had while creating the access cards. He pushed back with his tail and was suddenly moving.
“This is insane. Where do I put my arms?”
April laughed again and followed him, “Anywhere you want!”
“Look at them go,” Megan said. Her eyes were transfixed on April and Alex swimming underwater. Their tails were extraordinary. The light glinted off them as they moved and turned. April was mesmerising to watch, she swam with far more confidence than she walked. Alex looked less graceful, but Megan could see after a few laps he was getting the hang of it.
“It’s so cool,” Megan said trying to get Connor to talk. “I wish I could join them.”
“I suppose so,” Connor said. He slowly moved to the sidewall to join Megan. April broke through the surface and slipped back onto her floating bubble. Alex followed and tried to join her. He swam towards the bubble and missed by about a metre. Megan laughed and waded over to help April hoist him up.
“That was amazing,” Alex said. He sat with a huge grin on his face. Megan stepped back smiling.
“This is so cool. You’re so lucky Alex. How does it feel being a mer?” Megan said.
“It’s surreal.” Alex continued smiling like an idiot. April beamed and lightly splashed him with water.
“Do you want another go Connor?” April said turning her attention to him. Connor was still stood pressed up against the wall.
“No thanks. We should get back to planning,” Connor said. He slowly unfolded his arms.
“Are you sure?” April said.
“It’s fine.”
“Connor.” April made to swim after him. He shrugged and turned towards the door.
“I’ll go and get us some towels and robes,” Connor walked out the door without looking back. April stared after him worried. His shoulders were tensed and his hands were deep in his trunk pockets. Megan and Alex seemed unfazed as they continued to discuss how fascinating the mer experience was. April stared after her friend; unfortunately, disappointment was not something Curo energy could heal.
CHAPTER 40
Titan and Tarzan dashed ahead of Nathaniel as he floated through the palace gardens. Clyde had taken his medallion away again. Without discussion, they came to the mutual decision not to talk about it. Nathaniel stopped and floated up within the willow coral. The smooth tendrils danced around him as he swam under their shade. The darkness soothed his headache. He proceeded on his swim to follow his seahorses along the path to the mother of pearl pavilion. Titan and Tarzan beat him there. They were rolling on the floor of the pavilion in raptures of joy as an old mer bowed down and rubbed their bellies. The man was an impressive figure with an emerald green tail. He wore a well-cut blazer and metallic wrist cuffs inlaid with pearls that flashed in the water. He looked up with a smile until he saw Nathaniel and his eyes clouded over.
Nathaniel swam up the slope into the pavilion and clasped hands with his Father-in-law.
“Good afternoon Perch, I’m terribly sorry for your loss. Where is Clarry?”
“My Nate, you never lost the formalities, did you? Come and sit, Clarry is on her way with some cakes from the kitchen.”
Nathaniel did as he was told and sat on the bench running along the edge of the pavilion’s inner wall. Titan swam over and rested his head on Nathaniel’s tail.
“How are you holding up without Freya?” Perch said. He was not a mer to wait for the tide. Nathaniel winced at her name. If Nathaniel struggled around Kayla because she reminded him of Freya, Perch was on another level. Freya shared so many of her Father’s mannerisms.
“I’m managing as best I can,” Nathaniel said tight-lipped. Perch opened his mouth seemingly to disagree when his wife interrupted him.
“Nate,” Clarry called as she swam into the pavilion. Floating a tray of cakes next to her she swooped down and embraced Nathaniel in a hug. As she came away Nathaniel could see unshed tears in her eyes. She straightened herself up and smoothed down her cardigan before reaching to her floating tray of cakes.
“Here, I asked the kitchen for your favourite,” she said holding the tray expectantly in front of him. Nathaniel took the cake and ate in silence. The Sebae cake was cooked to perfection, but he could barely taste it. Nathaniel rubbed his forehead as the headache from his Curo withdrawal started to flare up again. He had failed to read the memo about why his in-laws were visiting him and was only reminded of the engagement this lunchtime. Fortunately, his Father-in-law was guaranteed to take charge. That his daughter married the ruler of the seven seas never seemed to faze Perch.
“We’re here Nate to discuss two things. Freya’s Reflexus arrangements and April,” Perch started.
“Oh Perch, we don’t need to get straight down to business,” Clarry said reproachfully. Her facial expression displayed a calm façade but her eyes were flashing at her husband.
“It’s alright Clarry,” Nathaniel said.
“Where exactly is my Grand-daughter Nathaniel?” Perch said. A dark glimmer crossed over his grey eyes. April always said she got her colour changing eyes from her Grandfather. Perch had always had a particular fondness for April and her impulsiveness.
“I presume you mean April?” Nathaniel said.
“Yes, though we aren’t best pleased that you’re letting Kayla wander around leading the meritia,” Perch said.
“Now Perch.”
“No Clarry, this has gone on long enough. You are the King, you lost your wife but your mer and your daughters need you,” Perch said. Tarzan slunk away from him and came to rest at the fin of Clarry’s tail.
“You do not get the luxury of falling apart.”
Nathaniel sat in silence. Anger bristled through him. But, it was self-resentment. Perch was only reiterating what he knew. His Curo indulgence since Freya’s death needed to stop.
“I know,” he said quietly but so they both could hear him. “I know,” he swallowed his pride and admitted something he previously only admitted to his wife.
“I need help.”
Nathaniel spent the rest of the afternoon with his in-laws sorting through his mess. Perch was a former Prime Minister and was independently wealthy. His knowledge and influence was not something Nathaniel could afford to lose. Besides, working with him gave him a piece of his wife back. Clarry set to work planning the Reflexus. The date was set for two weeks’ time. Perch hoped that by then April would be found and she could perform the Reflexus ceremony.
“I can’t believe you let things go so long without looking for your own daughter,” Perch said. He managed to keep his tone of disappointment and frustration to a minimum.
Nathaniel glowered again, “Of course I looked for her. I stretched my Essentia powers to the limit trying to find her. But, it’s as if she is out of reach.”
“She must be separated from her pearls,” Clarry said. “There is no way someone could hold her against her will if she had them.”
“Yes, I will set up another search for her pearls as well,” Perch said tapping into his Iris pad.
“How come you aren’t more worried?” Clarry asked.
“Because April is a survivor. When Freya died I knew…I could feel her presence leave me. But, with April I know she is still there…just currently she is out of reach.”
“Your Majesty.” A timid porter appeared at the eastern entrance of the pavilion. Nathaniel nodded for him to continue.
“Your Jet Stream is waiting for you at the front gates. Your appointment with the PSOC is in forty minutes.”
“Thank you,” Nathaniel smiled kindly and nodded for the porter to leave.
“Right, then it looks like you best be off,” Perch said swimming in
to an upright position.
“Yes, thank you both for your help today,” Nathaniel said straightening his shoulders. Clarry gave him a final goodbye hug.
“We’ll make our way out after a swim around the palace beds.”
“I’ll keep you updated Nate,” Perch said as he clasped Nathaniel’s hand and stared into his eyes. Nathaniel nodded his thanks and averted his gaze. He quickly made his way through the archway and swam towards the palace’s main gates.
Without saying a word Clyde handed over Nathaniel’s medallion as the King smoothed his hair in the hall’s ostentatiously large mirror. A small school of yellow fish swam past him and made their way out through the opposite window. Oh, to be a single-minded fish he thought wistfully. He placed his medallion back over his neck and felt a rush of warmth. It was intoxicating. Ignoring the pull of his Curo pearl he swam out the door with Clyde in his wake.
They travelled in the Jet Stream in silence. The giant white orb moved swiftly through the ocean. It was a gentle form of transport and one that provided great luxury with its spongy seating. Nathaniel tried to dismiss the guilt Perch impressed upon him. It was two weeks since April went missing. He should have done more. It was amazing the press hadn’t caught wind of this. If April had been captured or if she was in danger he would never forgive himself. But, somehow, he just knew she was okay. He and April shared a connection. He couldn’t explain it but he knew that wherever April was she was being well looked after.
“Your Majesty,” Clyde said hesitantly breaking Nathaniel out of his reverie.
“I wanted to discuss something delicate with you,” Clyde hesitated before continuing. “We would like you to make a formal statement. I have a draft drawn up. Just something to show the mer that you’re in control.”
“Okay, do you have it on you?” Nathaniel said reaching out.
“Yes.” Clyde passed his Iris pad to Nathaniel to read. “I will send it to you too.”
Nathaniel started to read the speech. It was all very standard. He was offering protection, extra security and answers. He stopped reading when he noticed that Clyde was still bouncing his tail up and down.
“Clyde?” Nathaniel asked rubbing his forehead.
“Yes, well there is something else.”
Nathaniel stared at him pointedly.
“I have received word of a…well an uprising Your Majesty.”
“An uprising?”
“Yes, some feel you aren’t fit to lead. That you misread the signs of peace, that you were conned.”
“Who?”
“It appears Gregor is the leader.”
“That treasonous viper,” Nathaniel swore. He reigned in his temper to avoid unleashing a storm in the Jet Stream.
“How would you like to act?” Clyde asked tentatively.
“We do nothing. Keep me updated. For now, the best we can do is prove them wrong.”
CHAPTER 41
“Your Majesty we’ve arrived,” the Jet Stream steward informed them. Nathaniel nodded and swam towards the exit. He swam to the surface and entered the transformation bubble. He transformed quickly and changed into his legged clothes. He noted that the last time he used his Commutavi pearl he was fleeing a bombsite. Walking through the steamer he entered into PSOC. It was a private island facility. A huge glass dome covered the centre of the island; a tunnel connected it to the ocean. Inside were pools each replicating different seas and ocean cultures. Nathaniel walked his way past the many pools and inhaled their different scents. His current term in Hanaria was coming to an end. It would be refreshing to leave the palace that Freya loved so much. The unique scents of the different oceans brought up memories of his experiences in each sea. Each community was so lively and passionate about their specific eco-system. Nathaniel was proud to lead and support every one of them.
PSOC monitored the levels of different chemicals in each of the seas and oceans. They tested the waters daily, checked if any new diseases were spreading, and monitored the fluctuations in temperature and bacteria cultures. It was here the poisonous substance above the Hanarian Hospital was sent for tests to find or cultivate a cure. He was encouraged to send an informant to the PSOC. But, he wanted to know exactly what was plaguing the mer. And he felt that some time away from the sea might help him. The pearls’ pull was less intense on land.
“Your Majesty, pleasure to meet you.” A woman in a lab coat greeted Nathaniel and made a low sweeping bow before straightening up with her clipboard. Her poker straight brown hair hung just above her shoulders.
“Thank you, it’s a pleasure to meet you Professor Dophia. I read your research regarding starfish mating practices and it was absolutely fascinating.”
Professor Dophia blushed slightly but kept her composure.
“Thank you. Your Majesty, shall we head to the lab table and I can show you what we’re working with?”
Without waiting for a response Dophia moved further into the dome.
“I had everything prepared up here so you don’t need to go into the laboratories,” she explained.
Dophia stood at a large metallic table surrounded on all sides by different water cultures. She moved around to the left until she was standing in front of different petri dishes each containing what looked like skin samples. Nathaniel recoiled on approach as a noxious smell reached his nose. He stopped next to Dophia and leant over a small tank on the table. It was full of a dark purple liquid that looked thick to touch. The fumes coming from it made him wrinkle his nose.
“Sorry, Your Majesty.” Dophia hurried to cover the tank in front of them.
“Though that actually confirms one of our theories.” She reached around the tank and arranged her petri dishes in a line.
“You see these markings?” she said. She traced the hexagonal rashes burnt into the samples. Each petri dish contained a rash of a different colour ranging from pale pink to dark purple like the colour of the poison.
“Each of these synthetic skin samples were given the same dose of poison. But, as you can see they each reacted differently,” Dophia said.
Nathaniel leaned in closer to inspect them.
“At first we couldn’t identify a correlating genetic factor. But, then we looked into the skin samples backgrounds.” Dophia pressed a button and an Iris board rose out of the table. It showed the mer background data for each of the eight petri dishes.
“You see Your Majesty, this poison is attacking mer based on the strength of their pearl powers. The colour of the rash indicates how many pearls they can wield, and the strength of irritation indicates the power of the wielder.”
Nathaniel looked on in horrified fascination. This poison was sophisticated. It was designed to target the most powerful of the mer.
“Take petri dish two and seven.” She brought both dishes up on the Iris screen and tapped them.
“Look at their transformation. Both of these mer can control the Curo pearl, but number two’s power is far greater.”
Nathaniel watched the playback of the poison being dripped onto the samples. Both skin samples coloured the same pinkish colour but whereas number seven’s stayed in a relatively neat line, number two’s spread out across the skin creating a thicker hexagonal lined rash. It was mesmerizing to watch it grow.
“Could you smell the concentrated poison before?” Dophia asked.
Nathaniel nodded not taking his eyes off the screen.
“Fascinating, up until now, we thought it was odourless. But, then no one here has anywhere near your pearl range or power.”
“And have you created an antitoxin?” Nathaniel asked eagerly.
“We’ve run several tests and we think we’ve created one. It takes over an hour to disseminate through the water. Obviously, we haven’t had time yet to see if there are any adverse reactions. But, we are fairly certain that it should be safe.” She flicked the Iris Pad onto a different video clip, this time demonstrating a pool of water with the poison being poured in. The time frame sped up and Nathaniel could
see the poison in the water first fade then slowly recede until there was nothing left.
“And how do you plan on administering this to an ocean?’ Nathaniel asked.
“With the poison you isolated from the tubes we can easily administer a dose large enough to purify it. In cases like the Hanarian hospital, we would hope to quarantine the area with Factus wielders and then administer the antidote. Until it was deemed safe, the water would remain held in isolation.”
“Thank you very much Dophia, you and your team must have been hard pressed to turn this around so promptly,” Nathaniel said. He turned to her with one of the first genuine smiles he had given in weeks. It lifted his face so he no longer looked so drained.
“It’s no problem, Your Majesty. Is there anything else you’d like to know?” she asked returning his smile.
“Do you know how a poison like this would have been created?”
“It is certainly man-made. Our most likely guess is that test subjects would have been needed. This is a chemically engineered poison which would have taken lots of trial and error.’”
“Thank you,” Nathaniel nodded slowly. He looked down at his Iris cuff. He needed to move onto his next meeting.
“The poison is the same one that has poisoned the waters around different US government properties. So, presumably, it was created by them,” Dophia said. She refrained from naming who them was.
Nathaniel’s mouth set in a hard line. The evidence for who was the powerhouse behind the mer attacks was all pointing in one direction.
CHAPTER 42
Setha swam into her bedroom and took in all the clamcases around her.
“Mum,” Setha called. “What’s going on?” She moved into her room and floated above the mess. Roxana appeared behind her.
“I’m packing.”
“I can see that, but why?” Setha asked glaring at her.
“It’s time you moved back home,” Roxana said grabbing a bag and moving it into a pile.
“I am home,” Setha said her voice rising.
