Strangers in Atlantis

by Matt Myklusch

  “I’m off that ship because Verrick volunteered to take my place. We are not leaving him to die. Just so we’re clear.”

  “Who said anything about leaving him to die? I never said that!”

  “And we’re not helping Skinner raid that castle either,” Waverly said. “Gentleman’s Code or not, mountains of treasure or not . . . it doesn’t matter. Maybe you weren’t paying attention at your trial, but I was. People die in pirate raids, and if the stories about Aquatica are true, the most valuable thing behind its walls will be the guests. Skinner will take as many royal hostages as he can and put the rest to the sword. I don’t want any part of that.”

  “You think I do?” Dean asked.

  “I think you couldn’t leave your pirate life behind even if you wanted to.”

  “What do you mean if I wanted to?”

  Waverly didn’t answer. An icy quiet filled the air between her and Dean. They were standing only three feet apart, but she might as well have been miles away.

  “We’re nearly there,” Ronan said, breaking the silence. “The wind is with us, if nothing else.” The fortress grew larger with each passing wave. “The castle blends in because of its color. An easy enough thing to miss at a distance, but up close . . .”

  Dean, Ronan, and Waverly marveled at the sight of Aquatica—massive, foreboding—as the Tideturner closed in.

  A crescent-shaped bed of volcanic rock made up the foundation of the fortress-at-sea. The castle boasted a circular base and walls of blue-gray stone that angled up to form an open-air dome. Three towers grew out of the exterior, supported by iron beams rooted in the fortress’s stone footing. Each tower rose to a different height, but they all had the same sparkling headpiece: huge plates of sea glass, curled together like flower buds.

  Shiny brass cannons topped the ramparts, but Dean saw no gunners manning the weapons. Though Aquatica was big enough to hold a thousand people, the place was silent as a church. And from the looks of things, unguarded.

  “It’s quiet,” Waverly said. “Why’s it so quiet? And what are those?”

  A network of large metal spheres surrounded the castle, floating in the water. Sturdy chains appeared to hold the spheres in place. “Mines,” Dean said. “We touch one of those and we’re done for. Ronan, you’ll have to take her straight in.”

  “Aye,” Ronan said. The water leading up to the main gate appeared to be free of the mines. “I’ll steer clear, but a well-aimed cannonball will sink us just as easy. You’d better run up that—”

  The boom of cannon fire interrupted Ronan, and a geyser of flame erupted from the ocean. Waverly screamed, “What was that?”

  Dean spun around to look at the mast. There was nothing hanging off it but the sails. “The flag!” He ran to hoist their colors. He had been so busy arguing with Waverly that he had forgotten to run up the flag!

  “Did we hit a mine?” Waverly asked, looking over the side of the ship.

  “No, they did,” Ronan called back. “Triggered the blast with a cannonball. It was a warning shot.”

  “Some warning!”

  “Still think honesty is the best policy?” Dean asked. Working as fast as he could, he tied the flag to the line and pulled down, hand over hand, to send it up. The whole time, he was certain the next cannonball—the one to sink them—would be coming over any second. Two more shots were fired, and two more fiery explosions shook the water around their ship.

  He raised the flag Skinner gave them and turned around to look at the castle. A large circular gate dominated the fortress’s main wall. Dean held his breath as the Tideturner closed in on the front door.

  But the cannons remained silent. The next sound Dean heard came from a faint voice all the way up at the top of the wall. “Sorry about that!” the voice called down. “Welcome, travelers! Do come in!”

  Chapter 9

  Aquatica

  Dean exhaled in relief and slumped against the mast. After a heavy click-clack behind the fortress gate, a portion of the massive round door slid up, creating an opening the shape of a slice of pie, large enough to admit the Tideturner.

  The three friends looked at each other as Ronan took the ship in. No one spoke, but it was plain to see they were all thinking the same thing.

  That was too close.

  As they entered the castle, another thought took over:

  Where is everyone?

  The castle was bare on the inside. Once through the gate, Dean discovered that the imposing fortress walls were merely barriers built up around a lagoon. Wooden decking sat upon the rocky foundation and made up the castle floor. It ran around the interior walls, leaving a vast pool of open water in the center. Ronan brought the ship in close and dropped anchor. Dean jumped out to tie the ship off at a piling. His stomach tightened as he took in the vacant space before him. Heavy chains hung down from an iron ring that sat atop the open roof. Outside, the castle had looked extravagant and beautiful. Inside, it was as cold, functional, and silent as the grave.

  “What now?” Ronan asked. “Even if we did sneak Skinner in here, there’s nothing for him to steal.”

  “This is what I was afraid of,” Dean said. “Legends only tell you half the story.”

  “Maybe he can tell us the other half.” Waverly pointed at a lone figure on the ramparts across the water. The man started down a flight of stairs built into the wall.

  “I’m sure he can,” Dean said. “Let’s just be careful what we tell him in return.”

  The stranger hastened to join them. He was a stout gentleman with a shiny bald head, bags under his eyes, and round chubby cheeks. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but Dean thought the man’s coloring seemed a bit off. He didn’t look well.

  “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry about the shooting,” the man said upon reaching the group. “Is everyone all right?” he asked, huffing and wheezing. “Please tell me no one’s been injured!” The man spoke with an accent Dean had never heard before.

  “We’re alive,” Ronan said. “Even if you did scare us half to death.”

  “I didn’t know who you were! You can’t blame a man for being careful, can you? You might have been pirates. How should I know?”

  “Pirates!” Dean gave a nervous laugh. “What an idea.”

  “You’re supposed to fly the flag on approach,” the man said. “Did he not tell you that?”

  “He?” Dean probed.

  “Sir Fishback! Who else? You are the entertainers he hired, aren’t you?”

  “That’s right. Galen Fishback,” Dean confirmed. “He hired us to perform, but—”

  “Where have you been? It’s been weeks since I saw him. Everyone’s waiting!”

  Waverly looked around at the empty castle. “Everyone?”

  “Not here,” the man said. “There’s no one here. Well, not unless you count me. I suppose I should introduce myself, shouldn’t I? That would help. I am Mookergwog, Keeper of Aquatica. Welcome, my friends, welcome! I’m so glad I didn’t blow you up.” He breathed heavily, giving them all a hearty shake and then fanning himself.

  “Are you all right?” Waverly asked.

  “I’m fine. I don’t usually run all the way down these steps. I like to take my time.”

  “Of course, but I don’t mean that. It’s . . .” Waverly paused. She was trying to be delicate. “Are you sure you’re not sick?”

  Mookergwog tapped his chest. “Fit as a fiddle. Why do you ask?”

  Waverly, Ronan, and Dean looked at each other. Up close, there was no denying it. Mookergwog’s skin was green. Perhaps not a deep green like seaweed, but at least a pale jade. The man himself seemed oblivious to it.

  “I’m confused,” Ronan said, changing the subject. “If the castle is empty, why were you shooting at us? And who in blazes are we here to entertain?”

  “I think we’re all a little confused,” Dean agreed. “We were told this place was a holiday retreat for noble patrons.”

  “I’m afraid we haven’t been entirely honest with you,”
Mookergwog confessed.

  Dean touched a hand to his chest, feigning shock. “We’ve been lied to?”

  “You’ll forgive me once I tell you why,” Mookergwog said. “You might even be excited! Most men are. If I had my druthers, I’d be going with you.”

  “Going with us?” Dean said. “We’ve only just arrived.”

  Mookergwog shook his head. “This is not your true destination. You were hired to entertain royalty, and that you will surely do. But not here.”

  “What are you talking about?” Ronan asked. “Where are we going?”

  “Aquatica isn’t what you’ve been led to believe, friends. It’s merely a border station.”

  “A border station?” Dean said.

  “What exactly are we on the border of?” Waverly asked.

  Mookergwog smiled and waved a hand at the water. “The greatest kingdom in all the sea. Atlantis.”

  Chapter 10

  An Unexpected Journey

  “Atlantis?” Dean blurted.

  Ronan backed away from Mookergwog as if the man had a disease. “You’re mad.”

  Mookergwog laughed. “They all say that. But answer me this.” He raised a finger in the air. “If I’m such a nutter, where’d I get this lovely green suntan? That’s right, I saw you staring,” he added, looking at Waverly. “Or do you suppose my madness is contagious and the lot of you are seeing things?”

  Dean opened his mouth but didn’t speak. Mookergwog had a point.

  “It’s always this way. Sir Fishback’s talent scouts scour the globe, searching for the most amazing people the surface world has to offer. We invite world-class performers like yourselves to come take the stage at ‘Aquatica,’ but we must wait until the final moment to reveal the truth. It’s safer that way. No one shows up at my door believing in Atlantis, much less expecting to go there. I’m used to dealing with doubters.”

  Atlantis! Dean thought. Could it be?

  Instead of simply assuming that Mookergwog was trying to trick him, as per his natural instinct, he took a moment to rethink the situation from a different angle. An Atlantean angle, perhaps. The intense secrecy around the castle, coupled with its barren interior, made more sense from that perspective. So did the castle’s advanced defenses and the explosive welcome he and his mates had received—to say nothing of Mookergwog’s green skin.

  Unbelievable as it was, it wasn’t so hard to believe.

  “We can’t go to Atlantis!” Waverly said.

  Mookergwog snickered and rubbed his hands together. “There’s always one. In every group that turns up here, there’s always one worrywart. No disrespect intended.

  “Lots of people get cold feet at this point in the journey,” Mookergwog continued. “It’s perfectly natural. Not to worry, little lady, there’s air to breathe down there. Plenty of it. You have my word.”

  Waverly crossed her arms. “Little lady?”

  “We should introduce ourselves,” Dean said, trying to help Mookergwog extricate his foot from his mouth. “Her name is Waverly, I’m Dean, and this is Ronan.”

  “My honored guests,” Mookergwog said, bowing. “Again, welcome. Your presence breathes life into this empty castle.”

  “Speaking of breathing and life,” Ronan began, “you say there’s air to breathe down there? How’s that possible?”

  “It’s not! But it is! It’s extraordinary. Wait until you see it, lad. It’ll steal your breath away. Not literally, of course. Figure of speech . . .” He paused and cleared his throat. “Look. I understand you might have reservations. Some things in life have to be seen in order to be believed. For now, just trust that everything I’m telling you is true. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

  “I’m not afraid,” Waverly said. “The reason we can’t go is because—”

  Don’t do it, Dean told her with his eyes. Don’t tell him about Skinner . . .

  Mookergwog interrupted Waverly first: “Come now, this is Atlantis we’re talking about! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Not only is it capital of the Mer-World, it’s home to three of the Seven Great Wonders of the Sea. The Magic Mountains. The Water Tower. The Blood of Poseidon!”

  Dean, Ronan, and Waverly had no idea what Mookergwog was talking about, and he didn’t bother to explain.

  “Without question, it’s the greatest city ever built beneath the waves,” Mookergwog continued. “Nothing in the Clearwater Kingdoms or the Trenchlands even comes close.”

  “You mean to say there’s more than one underwater city?” Ronan asked.

  “There’s more than one city up on land, isn’t there? What makes you think it’s any different down below? But, mark me well, Atlantis is the best of them. Atlantis is special. I’m jealous of you three. If I had my druthers, I’d be going with you. And to think you’re getting paid to make the trip. Handsomely, I might add!”

  “Paid?” Dean’s ears perked up. “I’m sorry, say that last part again?”

  Mookergwog scoffed. “Did Fishback tell you nothing? Of course you’re getting paid. Queen Avenel is most generous. Win her favor and she’ll reward you with gold, rubies, pearls . . . whatever you fancy.”

  “Truly?” Dean said.

  “On my honor,” Mookergwog said, placing a hand over his heart. “If the audience loves you, so will she. The more heads you turn, the more coins you’ll count, if you get my meaning.”

  “I do,” Dean said, mulling over the possibilities. “Mookergwog, could my mates and I perhaps have a moment to discuss this privately?”

  “Take all the time you need,” Mookergwog replied. “And take this as well.” He produced a large leather-bound book and handed it to Ronan.

  “What’s this?” Ronan asked.

  “The Customs Ledger for Atlantis. Everyone who visits the city has to sign in and out. You three can add your names . . . once you realize you’d be mad not to go.” He threw the group a wink and backed away, granting them room to talk things over.

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think he might be right,” Dean told his friends. “We might have found the solution to our problem.”

  “What solution?” asked Waverly. “We can’t leave this place. We have to stay and help Verrick.”

  “We have to go so we can help Verrick,” Dean contended.

  “Seaborne’s right,” Ronan agreed. “If this is real, it’s the answer to our prayers. Especially yours, Waverly. We wouldn’t even have to steal anything. We can use what they pay us to buy Verrick’s life.” He tapped Dean’s shoulder. “What are ‘druthers,’ by the way?”

  “I don’t know, but it sounds like if you have them, you can do anything. Maybe we should ask for them as part of our payment.”

  Waverly sighed. “No one’s going to pay us anything. Not unless there’s some play you two have been rehearsing in secret. Tell me, Ronan, what’s your performance going to be about?”

  Ronan shrugged. “I didn’t say I’ve worked out all the details.”

  “You haven’t worked out any. Even if Atlantis is real and we manage to pull this off, what makes you think Skinner will be satisfied with our offer? You say we can pay him enough gold to buy our freedom. When it comes to gold, I doubt there’s a pirate living who knows the meaning of the word enough.”

  “You’re looking at two of them right now,” Dean said.

  “I nearly forgot, you trained at the feet of an honorable pirate. I heard all about it in court.”

  “Hold on,” Ronan said. “You can run down Seaborne all you like, but don’t you besmirch the good name of Gentleman Jim Harper.”

  Dean looked to Waverly. “What would you have us do?”

  “Tell Mookergwog the truth. With his help, we can ambush Skinner and free Verrick.”

  “How? Even if he agrees to help us, we’re still hopelessly outnumbered. Are you trying to get Verrick killed?”

  “Are you?” Waverly asked. “We don’t even know how far away Atlantis is. It could be a week’s journey from here. Skinner gave us two days.�
��

  “Mookergwog! How long does it take to reach Atlantis?” Ronan called out, leafing through the Customs Ledger.

  “Five minutes at most,” their green-skinned host called back.

  “Five minutes!” Dean and Waverly both said. Mookergwog’s answer wasn’t just surprising, it was impossible.

  “That settles it,” Ronan said. “We’re going.”

  Waverly’s mouth fell open. “What are you talking about? We haven’t settled anything.”

  “We’re going,” Ronan said again. “Look here.” He spun the ledger around so Dean and Waverly could read it. One entry stood out from all the others. Down at the bottom of the page, written in strong, artful letters, was the name James Harper.

  Chapter 11

  Atlantis Ho!

  “You see that? He signed in, but he never signed out. He must still be down there!”

  Ronan was practically floating on air. Dean tried to pull him back down to earth. “I don’t know, Ronan. I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high.”

  Waverly was more direct. “You said he was dead.”

  “I said he was lost at sea,” Ronan said. “Maybe he found his way here?”

  “That doesn’t sound very likely.”

  “Aye, Ronan.” Dean put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I hate to say it, but I’m not sure which idea I find harder to believe. Atlantis being real or Gentleman Jim being down there waiting for us.”

  “He’s got to be there,” Ronan said. “Look at the date he signed this. Just weeks after our ship went down.” He waved at Mookergwog, beckoning him to rejoin the group.

  “Mookergwog!” Ronan said, holding up the book. “What can you tell me about this man? Can you describe him at all?”

  Mookergwog squinted at the signature. “Who’s that, Harper? Let’s see . . . yes, I remember. He was a tall man. Strong build, brown hair, a beard . . . His mates had a special name for him.”

  “What did they call him?” asked Dean.

  Mookergwog rubbed his chin. “I couldn’t tell you why, but everyone called him The Gentleman.”