by Brandon Witt
He sent us a vision of the three of us following him. Glancing over, I saw Therin and Lelas begin the path toward the queen, Nalu stuck like glue to her side. I followed their example.
If Wrell was a dragon, I was a Hydra. At least, I might as well have had seven heads as I followed my companions. While all of us looked different from the Scarus tribe, at least the others had tails and the grace of dancers. Not to mention they didn’t have their junk hanging out for all to see.
As we traveled forward, I glanced around at the crowd of mers that surrounded us. Sure enough, every eye was on me, staring at my legs. I couldn’t tell if it was in wonder at seeing a human alive for so long under the water or if it was in fear. If they had experienced any of their tribe being captured, I’m sure humans were the fabled bogeyman for mer children.
Uncomfortable meeting their stares, I inspected the rest of the space, careful to not let my eyes meet any of the mers staring at me. The contrast between how the Scarus and the Chromis lived was glaringly obvious. When the Chromis had to move the tribe to a new location, it took all of ten minutes to get everyone ready. All that had to be done was cut some seaweed ties that held the huts together and spread out the tall stalks to blend back into the kelp forest. The only thing for the tribe to gather up was its few weapons used for hunting. That was it—there were no other belongings. Not even jewelry or some sort of family mementos.
The Scarus people could almost pass for a different species, the difference was so great. The room was laden with so many things that it was hard to settle on one item or even one section. Several candelabras were spread throughout the room, ropes of gold and pearls hanging from their arms. Furniture was scattered here and there—most were metal, but a few were wood. A heavily carved armoire lay on its back to the left of where we stood. It took a moment to recognize what it was, as the doors had either been torn off or disintegrated. A merman who looked in his late teens stretched out in the gaping storage area, arms resting behind him on either side of the wardrobe, his tail snaking out from a hole in its side that had rotted through.
With so much stuff, it appeared cluttered and haphazard, but the more I looked, the more sense I found in how it was laid out. Very few of the items were used how they had been intended in the human world, and most things seemed decorative instead of serving a purpose. I couldn’t imagine how many shipwrecks were represented in this one space or how much the treasure would be worth. I was also fairly certain a curved piece of metal that had been strapped to the wall and had layers of sea life growing on it was part of an airplane, and given we were inside of one of the Hawaiian islands, it didn’t take much imagination to guess which war had helped it find its watery home.
The closer we got to the queen, the more I averted my eyes from the Scarus mers, and in so doing noticed I could see higher up into the cavernous room than I’d previously thought. There seemed to be spirals of ledges along the ceiling, almost like the inside of a giant conch shell. There were even items on those ledges. I could make out the glints of more precious metals. I don’t know why I was surprised. It would be no harder for a mer to place things at the top of the ceiling than on the ground—no harder for me either, for that matter. As I narrowed my eyes, I could make out reflective surfaces to such an extent that it led me to believe the room went up a couple of hundred yards.
We stopped a few feet away from the bed-frame throne. It had appeared rather cluttered from afar, like what it might look like if a hoarder designed a mermaid’s throne. However, up close, the effect was rather breathtaking—the mesmerizing kaleidoscope of corals intermingled with the most dazzling stones the ocean had to offer, highlighted with gems, gold, and silver.
Wrell imparted a vision of the young, beautiful mermaid he had shown us before—her hair long and dark, the epitome of a Scarus female.
The queen smiled, her hand traveling self-consciously over the upper scales of her tail, which were in the same thickened condition as Laban’s. Her words held an ironic laugh. “Yes, Wrell. It is I. Queen Akamaii. While the years have altered me greatly, you appear to not have changed in the slightest—save for some more battle markings than I recall.” Her eyes left him and traveled over the rest of us, coming to rest on the merman holding Lelas’s hands. “And, if I hear correctly, a mating has transpired?”
Nalu bent in a small bow. “Yes, Queen Akamaii. It was as the stories have been passed down. Upon looking into her eyes, everything changed, felt right.” He glanced around the space behind her, apparently trying to find the appropriate words. “I cannot explain it. I don’t understand it myself yet.”
Queen Akamaii turned her attention to Lelas. “The same is true for you?”
Lelas nodded, and she sounded nervous as she said, “Yes, Queen of the Scarus. While I have never met another who has had the experience, it is as the old tales say. A part of me I was not aware was missing has been restored.”
For a moment the Queen inspected them both, then addressed Wrell. “I know you are no longer a part of the Volitan tribe and therefore may not live by their… standards. Is this female in possession of her own volition?”
Wrell flinched and then gave a curt nod.
The queen smiled. “I expected as much. I meant no offense, old friend, but the years change many things.” She glanced at Therin and Lelas, then back once again. “You returned to regain your place in the Chromis tribe, it seems.”
An image emerged of Wrell and our entire tribe, seeming smaller than ever, surrounded by the multitude of Scarus.
“I am glad to hear it, my friend. When you left us, I was not certain of the choice you would make. I hoped you would abandon the search for your birth tribe and accept the family that raised you. I mean no disrespect, but you struck me as a much better creature than the stories I hear of other Volitans.”
Another image flashed, this one of a different queen—quills and fins flourished like spears around her body.
“So you did locate your mother’s tribe.” A sour expression clouded her face, making her look even older. “I blame my transparency of thought on my days coming to an end, but so be it. I have no respect for a queen who denies the rights of females, save her own.”
Wrell gave no response, but knowing the Volitan tribe was responsible for his mother’s death, I was certain he agreed with the queen.
Queen Akamaii lifted her hand and two young mermaids swam over on either side, slipped their hands under the queen’s arms, and lifted her off the throne. They hovered there, holding her steady until she was lengthened out to as straight a position as her bent body could manage. When they finally let go, I expected the old queen to crumple to the ground. She managed by herself, her tail flicking in small jerks. Laban arrived at her side and placed a spotted hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him, a small, sad smile playing on her lips. I was willing to bet they were mated. There didn’t seem to be another throne, and no one had addressed him as king. Maybe this tribe didn’t have such a thing, only a queen. Sonia would have liked that idea.
She turned back to us after a few more moments. “I apologize. We were just commenting on how the world is changing. To my recollection, I have never heard of other mer tribes entering our territory, at least not into our dwelling. And here we have a Volitan and two Chromis, one of whom is mated to one of our own. Beyond that, there is a human in our midst, which I can promise has never occurred. At least not one alive and seeing.” She waved Therin off as he started to swim forward. “I have been informed already of his position here. That he is your son. Again, I repeat that the world is changing. I have heard legends of mers reproducing with humans but never having that offspring return to the sea. Though my time in the sea is limited, I will claim that it has never occurred. I know not if the omen is of good portent or a forecast of doom. Either way, it is here. I cannot help but wonder if the outcome will be determined before I exit this life.” Throughout it all, her eyes never even wandered to me. I had no way of knowing if it was a sign of fear, res
pect, or if I just disgusted her.
That was the second time the queen had made reference to dying. Obviously the Scarus tribe was not immortal like the Chromis or Volitans. I’d thought all mers were immortal. The notion had given me some comfort, knowing I’d found those who might spend eternity with me—if my assumption of my indestructible immortality was correct and the mers were able to avoid catastrophic misfortune. Looking around the room, I found the nursing mother I’d noticed before. By now, the baby was asleep in her arms, his tiny teal tail curled around her arm. As far as the Scarus were concerned, I would outlive every mer in this room. How long was a Scarus’s life expectancy? At the thought, I looked over at Lelas and Nalu. Mated? Lelas was immortal and Nalu seemingly not. She would always look young and beautiful and spend eternity with me, if I could keep her safe. He would grow old and die. How long did they have? How would she survive if this mating thing was real? How was she going to react when she started making connections to what the queen was saying? Right now she was caught up in the rush of emotions, but she was too smart for that to deny the truth for long, though.
Queen Akamaii broke through my thoughts, but my heart continued to race. Fear for Lelas made me feel trapped inside the island.
“I am certain you did not journey all this way to say your final good-byes to an old friend you met once a long, long time ago.” She smiled at Lelas and Nalu. “Nor did you come for a mate, my dear, though find one you did. I cannot help but believe, with all the changes I have witnessed today, that your motivations may be to change the world further.”
In an image that by now felt as familiar as if I’d witnessed it myself, I saw the redheaded Chromis boy entangled in nets and pulled aboard a small boat.
The queen’s hand rose to her lips, and her eyes grew wide under the folds of skin at her brow.
“Wrell, would it offend if I speak for us?” Therin spoke up for the first time since entering the Scarus’s dwelling.
Wrell gave a small shake of his head.
“It may come to naught, Queen Akamaii, but we believe the disappearances of some of the members of our tribe over the centuries are not random accidents and may be stopped if the source of such atrocities is identified.” Therin paused, as if considering how forthright to be all at once. In true Therin fashion, he was honest and blunt to a fault. “While not all members of our tribe share our assumption, we have hopes that by speaking to other tribes, we might combine our knowledge and locate the cause.”
For the first time, the queen’s expression was no longer friendly and welcoming. “What part do you expect the Scarus tribe to play in this? Why come to us?” Her eyes narrowed at Wrell in accusation.
Wrell balked at the reproach, but Therin interceded. “In all transparency, my queen, it was a matter of position. We know of but two tribes that remain in one constant location. The Scarus tribe and the Synchi. When the time arrived that we were able to embark on this quest, we were considerably closer to your tribe than the Synchi.”
Akamaii glanced briefly at Therin but kept her eyes trained on Wrell, even as she spoke to Therin. Probably trying to see truth from Wrell if Therin was lying. “And why seek out either we Scarus or the Synchi first? There are other tribes that may be able to offer their experience. I would go so far as to say they would have more experience with what you are describing, as they are out in the open sea, as is the Chromis tribe. Both we Scarus and the Synchi are protected to a greater degree.”
Therin glanced over at Nalu, then back. “I was under the impression that your tribe may have suffered the same tragedies that we have.”
The queen abandoned staring at Wrell to glare at Nalu. She paused for long enough that she was obviously debating what to say next. Whether she was doing that in her own mind or conferring with her mate or Nalu, I couldn’t tell.
“Even if that is so, it does not answer my inquiry. Why do you begin your search with the Synchi or us?” She finally looked Therin fully in the face. “I will confess, your presence here, knowing your purpose and that you bring a new type of creature”—for the first time, she looked at me, though not in the eye—“brings me fear. I cannot say I trust that your intentions do not hold harm for my tribe.”
“I assure you, there are no harmful intentions. No intentions at all, with the exception of saving our people by stopping whatever is causing the disappearances.” Therin looked over at Wrell, Lelas, and me, as if we could corroborate his story. “We are beginning our inquiry with the Scarus and the Synchi because we knew where to find you. As I said before, your tribe just happened to be closer to us than the Synchi. Indeed, we were aware that both tribes may have less information for the very reasons you claim, but it still seems the most logical place to begin. There is a chance we may encounter other tribes on our journey to the Synchi. We had no such fortune while traveling to you, but as there is a vast increase in distance to reach the Synchi, the chances increase, if Moheetla wills it.”
The queen seemed to relax somewhat at Moheetla’s name. It seemed the Scarus tribe had the same god as the Chromis. Maybe he was the god of all mers. I hadn’t really cared to learn much more about Moheetla on the shark hunt than I already had. I’d had my fill of religion on land. I didn’t need more of it under the water. Now I wished I’d taken the time to ask. It might prove vital in our interactions with other tribes. If we were even allowed to leave this one to find the others.
Again, it looked like the queen and Laban were speaking. From the corner of my eye, Nalu shook his head. Apparently he was included in the decision as well. Maybe the entire Scarus tribe was discussing it now, only the four outsiders excluded.
The longer the silence, the more certain I was that we were going to have to fight our way out of here. I went back and forth in my head, debating the benefits and drawbacks of my powers and which would be the most useful. I was more confident with my fire, I could control it better, but one wrong move and I could just as easily kill those I loved instead of those trying to hurt us, especially in such a confined space. Controlling the water seemed a safer option, less lethal—however, I had little chance of controlling it at all. I cursed myself for my lack of preparation. Maybe if I’d spent more time in the practice with Wrell focusing on whatever I was trying to move—instead of on his body—I’d be able to help protect us now.
Would Lelas even leave with us, now that she was mated? As I looked over at her, she seemed as nervous as I felt, but her fingers were still intertwined with Nalu’s. Beside me, I saw Wrell’s quills tremble. I knew he wasn’t afraid, so I could only assume he was getting ready to fight if needed. His pledge to offer his life for mine, in payment for saving him during the shark hunt, came back to me. Please don’t let him do something stupid trying to save me.
“Let me offer this solution. Not so much a solution as a temporary reprieve.”
I was so caught up in my fears and plans I flinched when the queen spoke. So much so that she looked at me, startled. She must have been as ready for me to attack as I was prepared for the whole Scarus tribe to descend on us. When she was certain I wasn’t an immediate threat, she directed her words back to Wrell.
“I confess that I feel the weight of your arrival. As I have already said, I cannot discern if your presence is salvation or destruction. While I consider you a friend, Wrell, our interaction was brief, and it seems lifetimes ago. I want to trust you, but I cannot let my emotions put my tribe in peril. However, there is no choice or deception in a mating like the one that has transpired.” She inspected Lelas and Nalu, as if hoping to pick up on some evidence of deceit. “Such a mating is the work of Moheetla. It is not for me to question.”
Akamaii paused again, taking the time to look each of us in the eye. Even me. “While I do not want to classify you as prisoners, I request that you remain in our residence. Insist, actually. Give me the night to consider and see the will of my people and our God.” She addressed her next words to Nalu. “They shall stay with you. You are to be with them at all times.
Regardless of your mating, you are to tell me if there is any action of deceit or concern.”
Nalu nodded but never let go of Lelas’s hand.
The queen returned to Wrell. “We will meet again at the birth of the new light. I do hope we can continue to call each other friend at that time.”
Eleven
BRETT WRIGHT
A billion-and-a-half tunnels later, we followed Nalu into a smaller offshoot that led into a wide saucer-shaped room. We’d traveled quickly enough and it had been such a maze that I soon realized I couldn’t look at much more than Lelas’s tail in front of me if I didn’t want to get lost. The only thing I was certain of was there were enough passageways that it was a miracle the island wasn’t collapsing in on itself. I was also fairly confident I’d figured out how the mers were getting light into this world cut off from the sun.
Lelas turned as she reached the opposite side of the disc-room. “This is where Nalu resides.” She turned back to him, apparently listening to whatever he was saying. “It is where we will stay while we are with the Scarus.”
I gave the space a quick once-over. Even here, I saw stuff. Not to the same proportion as in the large chamber, but enough to make it look like a teenage boy’s room. Not so much in the half-naked-girl-posters way, but more in the sense he needed a mother to tell him to clean his room. I nearly laughed when I spotted a tarnished bowling trophy leaning against the wall, mixed in with several stones and pieces of coral. At any other time, I would have loved to ask him what he thought it was, ask them what they thought all this stuff from the human world was supposed to do. Strangely, it brought my grandfather to mind. How he would have loved me to have earned a trophy of some kind, even a bowling trophy. Of course, knowing all I know now of why he kept his distance, maybe being a sports prodigy wouldn’t have made a difference.
A white eel darted its head out of one of the holes in the side of the wall. I jerked back, a rush of bubbles zipping up from my hands’ flailing motion. The eel stretched out its jaws, exposing small sharp teeth and pink flesh inside its mouth. A few more swishes with my arms, and I was safely halfway across the room. From the new perspective and realizing the thing wasn’t chasing me, the animal was rather beautiful—snowy white with small black dots covering its face.
