ELEMENTS: Acquiesce

by Kathryn Andrews

  All was quiet as Cordelia walked along the tunnels. She locked herself away in her chamber and lay on her bed soaking wet, thinking about the night’s events. Hugging her pillow, she closed her eyes tightly to stop the burning tears. It occurred to her that even if she were allowed to stay, a relationship with Breck could never work. He wasn’t a merman. He knew nothing of her world. He could never swim by her side for hours under water. Wade said she needed protecting and she was sure he was talking about Breck. Cordelia didn’t believe for one minute that she needed protecting from Breck but she did believe that even if she won the diving competition, The Kingdom of Meren would never allow her to take Breck to the ball. Cordelia breathed out heavily and held the bedcovers tight in her fists. The realisation that their relationship was doomed before it had even begun was simply too much to bare.

  “Moping about in here won’t help,” said Nixie. “You should be out there practising your skills.”

  Cordelia sat up to find Nixie standing by the fireplace. She wiped her tears. “There’s no point now.”

  “Don’t give up. Fight for what you believe in.”

  “How can I? Every time my life starts to improve something terrible happens. I don’t belong here. Nobody wants me here. I’ve ruined everything.”

  “You don’t know that. Besides, you’re stronger than you think.”

  Cordelia hesitated before responding. “You know, don’t you?”

  Nixie smiled. “You’ll be the best mermaid they’ve ever seen.”

  “They’ll all hate me when they realize what I’ve done.”

  “And what’s wrong with falling in love?”

  “I fell in love with the wrong kind,” said Cordelia, pacing the chamber. “They’re right, he’s not like us. It’ll never work. His cousin has probably told the whole town by now and it’s all my fault.”

  “You’re soaking wet,” said Nixie. “At least put some dry clothes on.”

  Cordelia had just finished changing when they heard a lot of commotion in the tunnel outside. Nixie popped her head through the wall to see what was going on. Triton and Mazu had returned and had called for a meeting in the dining hall. Then came a knock at the door. Cordelia reluctantly opened it to find Mr Seymour standing there.

  “All students to the dining hall,” he said.

  “I’m not feeling so good,” fibbed Cordelia.

  “Everyone must attend. Triton’s orders. It won’t take long.”

  Cordelia turned to look at Nixie but she had gone.

  “Come on Cordelia, I’m sure Lana will have saved you a seat.” Mr Seymour waited in the doorway until Cordelia vacated her chamber.

  Cordelia followed the crowd, head low with her hands in her pockets. She didn’t want to see anyone, not yet. She certainly didn’t want anyone to see her. She felt like a dead girl walking, a prisoner on her way to the gallows. She wondered how long it would be until everyone knew what she had done. How long it would be until she was ousted. ‘Perhaps that’s what this meeting’s about,’ she thought. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Cordelia wanted to leave but Mr Seymour was walking behind her. There was no escape.

  They entered the dining chamber. It was standing room only and speculative chatter filled the air. Cordelia stood near the door and Mr Seymour squeezed past to join the other teachers. She wondered if anyone would notice if she left. She caught Lana’s eye from across the room. Lana stared at her wide-eyed then turned to Masika and Nerissa who glanced over briefly before looking away. Cordelia wanted the ground to swallow her up. The palms of her hands felt clammy and beads of sweat trickled from her forehead. The world could have ended at that precise moment for all she cared. There was no getting over this.

  A loud boom echoed around the chamber and the voices fell silent. All eyes were fixed on Triton who looked incredibly serious despite his green hair.

  “I thought my return would have been under better circumstances,” he began.

  Cordelia felt a lump in her throat. She waited on tenterhooks, wondering what he was going to say next. Triton’s eyes scanned the crowd of students.

  ‘Don’t look at me, please don’t look at me,’ thought Cordelia, attempting to hide behind another student.

  It was no use, Triton’s eyes met with Cordelia’s and she stared back at him anxiously.

  “As you all know, Morwen Vanora has gone missing. We will of course do our utmost to find her but for the foreseeable future, myself and Mazu will reinstate our residency here and will be leading the school. If any of you have information on the whereabouts of Morwen, no matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, please come and speak to us in confidence. Mazu, do you have anything to add?”

  “To echo what Triton said, I would have liked to return under better circumstances, but, it’s good to be back. While we hope to find Morwen safe and well, we mustn’t dwell on negative thoughts. We must stay positive. The diving championships are fast approaching so I hope those of you who plan to compete are training hard. The chance to win a ticket to the Kingdom of Meren Ball really is a magnificent opportunity. It’s the biggest event in the calendar year.”

  “Yes, if you’re competing, good luck,” said Triton. “I’ll be asking Mr Seymour to keep me updated with your progress. Now, if you’ll excuse us we have work to do.”

  Realising that Triton and Mazu were about to walk right past her, Cordelia left and made her way to Amatheia’s medical chamber.

  Cordelia bit her nails and paced back and forth while she waited outside the room for Amatheia to return. After a few minutes she heard footsteps approaching, she stood still, unwittingly holding her breath. Then she saw Amatheia’s shadow on the wall and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Cordelia,” she said smiling, “what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?”

  “I was hoping we could talk.”

  “Of course,” said Amatheia, turning the key in the lock, “come in.”

  Cordelia was just as intrigued by the variety of coloured bottles and jars lining the shelves as she had been the last time she was there.

  “Please, take a seat,” said Amatheia. “What is it you’d like to talk about?”

  Cordelia hesitated for a moment before speaking. There was so much she wanted to talk about but she decided to keep it brief.

  “I seem to have developed early.”

  The two seconds it took for Amatheia to respond seemed like forever.

  “In what way?”

  “I’ve grown my tail. I didn’t think it was supposed to happen until my sixteenth birthday.”

  “I see,” said Amatheia, peering over her reading glasses. “When do you turn sixteen?”

  “Not until May.”

  “Well that’s only a few weeks away,” said Amatheia, leaning back in her chair.

  Cordelia paused. “So there’s nothing to worry about? It’s just that everyone says it doesn’t happen until you turn sixteen.”

  “That’s true, I’ve never heard of it happening before then, but we’re only a few weeks off so I wouldn’t worry. Was there anything else you’d like to talk about?”

  “Um, well, I’m just curious about the colour.”

  Amatheia raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  “Are merfolk tails supposed to be brightly coloured?”

  “Usually they are. Colours often run in families. Why do you ask?”

  “Mine is silver, well, mostly silver.”

  “Mostly silver?”

  “Yes, well, silver and black with a thin blue stripe on each side. I just thought it should be brighter, pink or blue or green. Prettier I suppose.”

  Amatheia retrieved a book from the shelf above her desk. The title read, ‘The Book of Tails’. Amatheia ran her finger along the contents page and then flicked through the book.

  “Does it look like this?” she asked, showing Cordelia a picture.

  Cordelia looked at the coloured illustration and nodded.

  “Will this give me a clue about w
ho my parents might be?”

  Amatheia nodded and looked at Cordelia with astonishment.

  “I need to speak with Triton,” said Amatheia, rising from her chair.

  “Why? What is it? Have I done something wrong?”

  “No dear, not at all. Growing your tail can be a big change to get used to. Why don’t you take the day off from lessons? Nurses orders.”

  Amatheia held the door open and Cordelia left feeling more confused than before she went in, although she was relieved to be excused from lessons considering she wasn’t on speaking terms with her friends.

  Cordelia rushed to the library.

  “Wade? Are you here?” she called breathlessly.

  Wade emerged from a back room, his hair perfectly coifed as usual.

  “Cordelia, what a pleasure. What can I help you with today?”

  “Do you have a copy of The Book of Tails?” she asked, her eyes filled with hope.

  Wade smiled. “This way.”

  “This one isn’t off limits then?” asked Cordelia as she followed him along the aisle.

  Wade retrieved The Book of Tails from the shelf. “Books are only restricted for novices, Cordelia, which you are no longer.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Wade winked. “Now, will you be reading this book in or out?”

  “Out, please.”

  Wade took the book to the desk and stamped it before handing it over to Cordelia who looked like she’d received something very important indeed. She grasped the book with both hands and held it close to her chest.

  “Thank you,” she said, backing out of the library.

  Cordelia didn’t dare open the book until she was alone in her chamber. Finding out where she was from suddenly seemed more important than ever before and not knowing what to expect, she slowly lifted the cover. The contents page listed different families of merfolk but Cordelia had no idea which family she belonged to and she wasn’t sure how Amatheia had turned to the correct page so quickly. Her only hope was to flick through the pages until she found the image that matched her own tail. Cordelia flicked through the book three times and couldn’t find the image that Amatheia had shown her earlier. It was only on the fourth attempt that she scanned the book more slowly and noticed that page one hundred and forty six was missing. Cordelia had just turned back to the contents page when Nixie reappeared.

  “Whatever happens, you’ll always have Flynn.”

  Taken aback, Cordelia asked, “Will I? Do you know where he is? You have to tell me.”

  “I just meant that you shouldn’t forget the person who raised you, no matter who your real parents are.”

  “I would never forget Flynn, but something tells me you know where he is.”

  “I was just trying to comfort you. To tell you that if things don’t work out, you have Flynn.”

  “But I don’t have Flynn, do I?”

  Nixie didn’t respond.

  “I saw a vision of him in the mirror pool,” said Cordelia. “He’s alive isn’t he?”

  Nixie nodded.

  “Where is he?” Cordelia asked, sternly.

  “It’s too dangerous,” replied Nixie.

  “Tell me!” ordered Cordelia, jumping up from the bed.

  “You’re not ready.”

  “Tell me!” Cordelia charged at Nixie with her arms raised, ready to grab her but she fell right through Nixie who watched as Cordelia sat sobbing on the floor.

  Nixie crouched down beside Cordelia and reached out her hand. “Don’t touch me!” snapped Cordelia.

  “I want to help you but you’re not ready,” said Nixie.

  A loud rumble interrupted their argument and rain started to pour inside the chamber. So heavy was the rain that the chamber began to flood. Rising to their feet, the girls looked down at the water swirling around their legs. Cordelia stepped back, pressing her hands against the wet, bumpy wall. Soaked to the skin, her breathing quickened and water trickled over the contours of her face. Cordelia didn’t know why the rain had started. She didn’t understand any of it. Another rumble came, louder this time and lightening followed. Nixie had never witnessed a storm inside a mermaid’s chamber before. Worried that Cordelia might do something dangerous, she decided to stay. When the water was waist high, the few items of furniture that Cordelia was able to call her own were swept around the chamber. Explosions of fire burst from the candles, burning Cordelia’s hair as water mixed with fire and wax. Nixie watched in horror as Cordelia submerged herself beneath the water.

  “Cordelia, you need to stop this!” shouted Nixie when Cordelia resurfaced.

  “Where is he?!” cried Cordelia, wiping water from her face.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” shouted Cordelia, slamming her hands down on the water’s surface.

  “It isn’t safe.”

  “Where is he Nixie?!”

  Explosions of fire continued to spew from the burning candles. Nixie darted around the chamber in a frenzy, wondering what to do for the best.

  “Slate Island!” she shouted.

  Without delay, the storm left as quickly as it arrived and all the water disappeared. Cordelia opened the door and hurried along the tunnel, leaving behind The Book of Tails.

  “Wait!” cried Nixie. “It’s not safe. You’re putting yourself in grave danger!”

  Cordelia carried on running and as she turned a corner she bumped straight into Lana and the twins.

  “Whoa, wait there,” said Lana, unable to ignore her friend’s distress.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” asked Nerissa.

  “Oh, so you care about me now do you?”

  “Of course we care.”

  “I have to go,” said Cordelia, trying to squeeze past.

  “Stop her!” said Nixie. “She’s going to Slate Island.

  “Why would you want to go there?” asked Lana.

  “That’s where Flynn is,” explained Nixie. “The ravens have him.”

  The mermaids heard footsteps coming towards them, it was Mr Seymour. Cordelia turned her face towards the wall so he wouldn’t see that she’d been crying.

  “Everything alright girls?”

  “Couldn’t be better,” said Lana.

  “Good, well get a move on. Don’t you have a lesson to get to?”

  The girls slowly walked in the opposite direction to Mr Seymour whose footsteps soon faded to nothing.

  “It’s too dangerous,” said Nerissa.

  “I don’t care, I can’t leave him,” said Cordelia with a look of unwavering determination.

  Masika gasped, raising a hand to her mouth.

  “What is it?” asked Lana.

  “She’s grown her tail,” said Masika, wide eyed.

  Cordelia subconsciously held her breath as she waited for her friends’ reactions to the news.

  “Are you serious?” asked Lana excitedly.

  Cordelia smiled and nodded.

  “That’s brilliant, but we weren’t expecting it yet, were we?” said Lana.

  “No. Look, I need to get going,” said Cordelia, impatiently, “Flynn needs me.”

  “If you’re set on going, at least let us help you,” said Lana.

  Nixie looked surprised by Lana’s suggestion and darted around worriedly.

  “Nixie, calm down,” said Nerissa.

  “What about Breck? Aren’t you still mad about that?” enquired Cordelia.

  “Sometimes it’s best to move on,” said Lana.

  Cordelia studied each of her friends, who all looked sincere enough. “Okay.”

  “We’ll wait until dark,” said Masika, “we’ll have a better chance then.”

  “The island goes strangely quiet after sunset,” said Nerissa.

  “We need to get to class,” said Lana.

  “Amatheia’s excused me from classes for the day,” said Cordelia, “time to get used to the tail I suppose.”

  “Well that wouldn’t be a bad idea,” said Masika.


  “Promise you won’t leave without us,” pleaded Nerissa.

  “Cross my heart,” smiled Cordelia, crossing her heart with her finger.

  “We’ll meet you at the cove after lessons,” said Lana. “Nixie, look after her while we’re gone.”

  “I don’t like this,” said Nixie, when the others had gone.

  “It’ll be fine,” said Cordelia, “the islands aren’t even that far from the mainland.”

  “The distance may be short Cordelia, but it’s still a dangerous journey.”

  “It doesn’t matter. If I don’t try I’ll never forgive myself.”

  Cordelia began to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” asked Nixie.

  “To the reef,” said Cordelia, “I need all the practise I can get.”

  “The reef?” questioned Nixie.

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “What about Breck? What if Keeva’s told the whole town about you?”

  “Don’t you think they’d be out looking for us by now if she had? I refuse to hide away and live in fear of something that may never happen.”

  “But…”

  “No buts Nixie, the only people who go anywhere near the reef are Breck and Keeva and they already know about me. At least if I go there I’ll be able to see Flynn in the mirror pool.”

  The tide was fairly high when Cordelia reached the rock pools and the rocks surrounding the first pool were only just beginning to show. There was no sign of Breck or his horse. She willed the sea to show her Flynn but the water continued to ripple across the rocks. Feeling impatient, Cordelia used her powers to control the tide, exposing all three pools. Standing on the edge of the mirror pool she tried again. As expected, white sea mist crawled across the rocks and rose up high around her.

  Meanwhile, Breck was at the tavern trying to persuade Connal and William not to join him at the peat bog.

  “I swear you’ll be wasting your time,” he said, “I’ve dug that bog a thousand times over and never found anything worth writing home about. You’d be better off sticking with the relief work, at least you’ll get paid for that.”