《Cidaris and Raine》


 Baited Breath

    Footsteps thunked up and down the deck of HMZS Fulmar as Tyrus and Quinn sparred. Sweat burned Quinn¡¯s eyes as he darted around the mast and thrust his sword at Tyrus. Tyrus blocked it with his buckler and returned the parry. The dance continued until Quinn put up his sword and with what little breath remained in his lungs called, ¡°Yield.¡±


    Tyrus¡¯s final blow bounced off of his buckler. ¡°Sorry mate, couldn¡¯t stop in time.¡±


    Quinn nodded as he sheathed his sword. ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    ¡°Think we¡¯ll see any?¡± Tyrus asked as he jabbed the air over the water with his sword, before he too admitted his body needed a brief reprieve and sheathed it.


    With his back against the mast, Quinn rested his hands on his knees and looked out over the water. The mound of land that marked the Kingdom of Razadak was barely visible on the horizon. In fact, Quinn wasn¡¯t entirely sure he could see it, or if he was looking at a mirage. ¡°Nah man. They know better than to mess with us.¡±


    One of the crew walked over to the two lords with cups and towels. Before taking a drink, Quinn mopped his face with the proffered towel. Straightening, he glanced over at Tyrus. A scowl darkened the other man¡¯s face and he stalked to the edge of the ship and rested his arms on the rail.


    Quinn thumbed the token dangling from his belt that marked him as one who had slain a merfolk and joined Tyrus. He too scowled as he recalled the battle that earned him that mark and the scars that went with it. ¡°Are you that eager to encounter those monsters?¡± he asked as he rested on the rail.


    Tyrus grunted, but out of the corner of his eye, Quinn noted that the other man¡¯s hand went to his belt where there was no token. ¡°Those beasts deserve no less than to be mounted on walls like the fish they are.¡±


    Quinn glanced passed his friend and looked aft. Dolphins played in the wake. He frowned. Two of the grey fins twirling in the waves lacked a dorsal fin. He clapped one hand on Tyrus¡¯s shoulder and pointed with the other. ¡°I hope you¡¯ve rested enough Tyrus. You might get your chance. Here come two of those creatures now.¡±


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    Tyrus paled as he snapped back away from the rail. Quinn drew his own sword and watched the other man. Tyrus breathed heavily and seemed to steel himself as he drew his own sword.


    ¡°You could still run and hide,¡± Quinn said flatly.


    Anger blazed in Tyrus¡¯s eyes. ¡°No. I will fight.¡± He looked like the caged panther the Rigel¡¯s had received as a gift as he prowled back to the rail. ¡°Let¡¯s let them start something. That way no one can get mad at us for engaging with them.¡±


    Quinn nodded. ¡°Walk with me to the stern. We¡¯ll let them know they¡¯ve been spotted and see what they do with that.¡±


    As they walked down the deck, Tyrus picked up a fishing net and smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s show them the net. See if they can be baited.¡±


    With a low chuckle, Quinn helped Tyrus casually drape the net over the back of the ship.


    The two mermen dove once more with the dolphins before flipping onto their backs to stare up at the men on the ship. ¡°Are you threatening us, fools?¡± asked the one on the right. Quinn noted that he had two blue stripes running down his otherwise black hair. The other had hair the colour of blood.


    ¡°Threatening you? We¡¯re just enjoying the sights and the sea breeze,¡± said Tyrus. He gestured to himself and Quinn. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll do a little fishing later.¡±


    ¡°Fishing! How dare you threaten us. This is our sea.¡±


    ¡°Your sea,¡± scoffed Quinn. ¡°The surface belongs to us.¡± He lifted up the token from his hip so that it flickered in the sunlight. ¡°Your kind is not welcome here anymore.¡±


    The two mermen snarled and produced thick conical pieces of stone from the pouches strung across their backs and stabbed them into the wood to climb up the side of the ship. Before Quinn and Tyrus had a chance to drop the net onto the merfolk a third merman jumped out of the water and grabbed his fellow creatures and yanked them below the surface.


    Boots thudded across the wood towards them. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± asked Garrick. He rested his harpoon on the side of the ship and leaned over the edge to stare at the water.


    Quinn glanced in the water. The three murky forms of the mermen were still visible beneath the surface. One of the merfolk¡¯s daggers was still embedded in the side of the ship.


    Garrick grinned. ¡°They attacked us. Well, what are you waiting for? Let¡¯s return the favor.¡± He picked up his harpoon and launched it at one of the blurry forms.

 Catch of the Day

    Water enveloped the trio. Baetica¡¯s ears burned as a shot of cold water rushed in before his flaps shut. He let go of Antalis and Vesicula and they spun to face him. Angry bubbles shot of their mouths.


    ¡°Antalis and Vesicula, you are both fools,¡± chided Baetica before either could get a word in edgewise. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Prince Setacea gave us specific instructions not to engage, and here I find you climbing up the side of the ship. What do you have to say for yourselves?¡± Bubbles created a white halo around him as he swished angrily through the sea.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t engage them,¡± spat Vesicula. ¡°We were just following along to make sure they didn¡¯t do anything, when they threatened us.¡±


    ¡°And then,¡± continued Antalis as he took up the story, ¡°Those beasts threatened to drop a net on us.¡± His red hair splayed out around his head like a startled school of fish as he jolted around through the water.


    ¡°A net, Baetica,¡± said Vesicula. ¡°We hadn¡¯t done anything.¡±


    ¡°Then you pull back out of reach.¡± Baetica crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°If you two can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    A harpoon sliced through the water and speared Vesicula near the tip of his tail. His agonized scream reverberated through the water until it was cut off as he broke the surface. Baetica raced after him, climbing spears out. Water streamed from his body as he climbed up the side of the ship and over the rail.


    Vesicula was already on the deck underneath a net. His climbing spears were out and he was slashing at the trio attacking him. Two of the men were unknown to Baetica, but the blond he recognized.


    Garrick looked over at him and sneered. ¡°Back for more, Baetica?¡± Smoothly, he traipsed around Vesicula¡¯s reach as he walked around the net.


    ¡°Let him go Garrick,¡± said Baetica. He schooled his voice to calm. That creature had the temperament of a barracuda¡ªliable to attack for no reason, and definitely going to attack if given the smallest excuse. ¡°I have no wish to fight with you.¡±


    Garrick laughed.


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    ¡°But,¡± continued Baetica, narrowing his eyes, ¡°he is coming with me even if I have to slice your throat.¡±


    ¡°Peace.¡± Garrick¡¯s face contorted with a mix of disgust and rage as he spat on the deck. ¡°I hate peace.¡± Drops of Vesicula¡¯s blue-grey blood splattered on the deck as Garrick yanked his harpoon from Vesicula¡¯s fin and charged Baetica.


    As Baetica coiled his tail beneath him so he could launch Garrick into the sea, he heard the screams of his people and the thuds of their climbing spears pecking up the hull. His knuckles whitened around the shafts of his spears as he knocked the first blow of Garrick¡¯s harpoon away.


    Baetica swung his spear out and caught Garrick¡¯s ankles, throwing him to the ground. He crawled forward to finish the monster off, but before he was able to drive his spear through Garrick¡¯s chest, another human tumbled backwards over him. They rolled across the deck together until Baetica was able to throw him into the ship¡¯s bulkhead. The man crumpled as his head cracked against the wood.


    Baetica howled as Garrick¡¯s harpoon pinned his tail to the ground. Ignoring the pain, he shot one of his climbing spears around and nicked Garrick¡¯s arm. He smiled with satisfaction as the man yelled in pain and let go of the harpoon. Baetica gripped both spears in one hand and ripped the harpoon from his tail.


    A horn called across the waters. Over the deck the merfolk disengaged with the humans and dove back into the sea. Baetica glanced towards the net and watched Vesicula crawl across the deck and pull himself over the rail. The net was still tangled on his fins. Growling, Baetica threw the harpoon at an approaching sailor and lunged over the rail.


    ¡°Coward!¡± Garrick¡¯s cry was the last thing he heard before the roar of the ocean waves swept him beneath the surface.


    Gadilidae met him beneath the waves and wrapped an arm around him. A thin stream of blue-grey blood wisped away from a cut jut below his left eye.


    Mytilidae swam beside him as they moved deeper beneath the surface. A necklace of shark¡¯s teeth outlined her throat and a belt of them encircled her waist. Without them, the shark¡¯s teeth club she held in her hand would look out of place against her strikingly beautiful features. With them, she looked terrifying, and Baetica was glad she fought for them. She attached her club to her belt and wrapped her arm around Baetica¡¯s waist, just above her husband¡¯s, to help him swim.


    ¡°Vesicula?¡± he asked.


    Mytilidae¡¯s gaze stared straight ahead as they swam towards the sound of the horn that was now calling from deeper beneath the waves. ¡°He will make it. Like you, his tail was wounded. But more than anything, his pride has been cut.¡±


    A crowd of merfolk parted before them as they approached. Prince Setacea saw them and shook his head with disappointment as his gaze travelled over Gadilidae, Mytilidae, and Baetica. ¡°When your wounds have been tended, we will have words in my palace Gadilidae.¡± He looked over the pod. ¡°The rest of you, go home. On pain of death, I will not hear of any of you rushing the surface again.¡± The royal guards parted the crowd as Setacea turned to leave.

 Blood and Water

    Gadilidae shook his head as he watched the rest of the merfolk race down below the surface behind their prince. ¡°Tell me Baetica, who started it this time,¡± Gadilidae asked as they began their descent.


    Baetica wondered if his uncle wanted to know because he truly cared, or if he only wanted to know enough to spin an acceptable tale before their prince. A fish swam into his wounded tail, and Baetica winced.


    Mytilidae hissed at the fish. It disappeared in a small cloud of bubbles as it raced to rejoin its school.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure who started it,¡± said Baetica in a strained voice. While the injury might not have been major, it did pierce his fin and even with Gadilidae and Mytilidae¡¯s help, it was hard to swim. ¡°I was swimming up to check on our forward scouts when I saw them pull out their climbing spears.¡±


    The dim, grey rock of the hospital loomed up in front of them. Baetica longed to swim faster so his tail could be covered in a soothing balm and wrapped, but the pain restrained him. To distract himself, he continued with his report. ¡°I jumped out of the water and pulled them both beneath the surface. But they managed to harpoon Vesicula and pull him on the deck.¡± He scowled as he remembered the sight of Vesicula in the net with the humans dancing around him like swordfish hunting a school. ¡°I climbed up to free him. That Garrick creature was there. He wouldn¡¯t let us get away without a fight. As we fought, more men and merfolk joined the battle until the prince sounded the horn of retreat.¡±


    They swam through the entrance and a nurse waved the trio into a private waiting room. Silence filled the room as Baetica rested on the smoothed rock. For the first time, he looked at the wound in his tail. Had Garrick stabbed him three fingers to the left, he might not have been able to swim at all. He gently ran his hand along his fin. His gaze seemed to be glued to the wound as his thoughts tumbled around over what he would have done had he lost it.


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    ¡°Have you seen Cidaris today?¡± asked Mytilidae breaking the spell.


    Baetica looked up at her and nodded. ¡°Before the watch began. He was near the underwater river on the westside of the city. I went to speak with him, but he saw me and swam away.¡± Baetica shrugged. ¡°I decided not to bother chasing after someone who clearly didn¡¯t want to speak to me.¡±


    Gadilidae sighed. ¡°He seems to be spending all of his time there these days. Just moping around, doing who¡ª¡± Gadilidae closed his mouth as a nurse swam in.


    Her dark eyes ran over Gadilidae¡¯s cheek quickly. ¡°Any other injuries¡± she asked briskly as she handed him a bandage. When he shook his head, she nodded and with a flick of her opal tail, she was by Baetica¡¯s side. She tisked irritably as she studied his wound. ¡°Honestly, all you Gadilidaes seem to like to make more work for me,¡± she muttered under her breath so quietly that Baetica wasn¡¯t sure she actually spoke. Deftly, she rubbed some silver-colored gel over the wound and sewed a patch of seaweed over both sides of his fin to cover the hole. ¡°There,¡± she said as she studied her work. ¡°If you don¡¯t rake it over rocks, or get into any other fights, you should be able to come back in three cycles to have the seaweed removed.¡± She looked around the room. ¡°Any questions?¡±


    Gadilidae shook his head. She nodded and swam out of the room.


    ¡°Come my love,¡± said Mytilidae, ¡°we have a meeting with the king.¡±


    Gadilidae frowned but nodded and turned to follow her out. Pausing, he looked back at Baetica. ¡°Can you find out what¡¯s wrong with Cidaris?¡±


    Baetica swam to his uncle¡¯s side and together they left the hospital. ¡°You don¡¯t know what¡¯s bothering him?¡±


    With a shake of his head, Gadilidae responded, ¡°No. And no matter how I¡¯ve tried to ask, he refuses to answer. But since you are not his father¡ªor mother,¡± he added looking over at Mytilidae, ¡°you might have a chance of learning the truth.¡±


    Mytilidae gripped her husband¡¯s hand and tilted her head towards the kelp forest on their right. ¡°He seems to have left his river. Now might be your chance.¡± She let go of her husband and cupped Baetica¡¯s chin with her hands. The tips of her fingers felt rough against his cheeks. ¡°We just want to help make it better.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do what I can,¡± said Baetica.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Gadilidae. He held out his arm to his wife. She linked her elbow through his, and together they swam towards the palace as Baetica swam towards the forest.

 A Wounded Heart

    Baetica watched his cousin as he approached the kelp forest. Cidaris was swimming listlessly around and slowly sinking to the sea floor. Then, as if he¡¯d brushed anemone, he¡¯d jolt straight and swim upwards before slowly slumping back down. But, as far as Baetica could tell, Cidaris wasn¡¯t injured.


    ¡°Hey cousin,¡± asked Baetica as he reached Cidaris¡¯ side, ¡°how¡¯s it going?¡±


    A volcano of bubbles shot towards the surface as Cidaris looked over at him and sighed.


    ¡°That bad, huh?¡±


    Cidaris nodded. With a graceful flick of his dark grey tail, Cidaris swam down the length of kelp. ¡°These days feel like an eternity. I¡ª¡± He shook his head and reached for one of the purple urchins eating the base of the kelp.


    If Cidaris was any younger, Baetica would have reminded him to leave the spiny creatures alone. Since his cousin was nearly an adult, Baetica decided he was old enough to choose to get stabbed in the hand.


    Carefully, Cidaris picked up the urchin by one of its points and lobbed it away from the kelp. Silently, the two of them watched as the orb slowly fell back to the seafloor. Cidaris sighed and swam along the base of the kelp.


    With a longing look towards the city, Baetica bit back a sigh of his own and followed his cousin through the water taking care not to scratch his tail along the ground. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Cidaris shrugged and chucked another urchin.


    Baetica flicked his tail irritably and winced. If he hadn¡¯t promised Gadilidae and Mytilidae he would try and find out what was wrong; he would have left his cousin to his taciturn ways. He inhaled a mouthful of water and shot it at a couple of kelp leaves to suppress the urge to smack his cousin. ¡°Look, I can¡¯t help you if you don¡¯t tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±


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    ¡°You can¡¯t fix it anyway.¡±


    Baetica balled his fists and slowly unclenched them, willing his frustration to flow out of his body as he did so. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to speak to me or your parents, what about talking to¡­¡± he swished his fingers before him as he tried to remember the mermaid¡¯s name, ¡°Kellia?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Cidaris snapped.


    Baetica flashed backwards from the ferocity of Cidaris¡¯ reply. Swiftly he reassessed his cousin, ¡°Are you in love?¡± he asked cautiously.


    Cidaris nodded and slumped back onto the ocean floor. ¡°Not that it matters.¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s not in love with you¡­¡±


    Cidaris shook his head. ¡°She loves me,¡± he let forth a fresh slew of bubbles as he threw another urchin, ¡°but she doesn¡¯t like me right now.¡±


    Swooping down, Baetica patted Cidaris on the back. ¡°Ah, I see.¡± He didn¡¯t, but figured it was probably best not to say that. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°I asked her to¡­ you know.¡± Cidaris¡¯ cheeks flushed. He looked away and very earnestly began combing the ground for more urchins.


    ¡°And she said no, I take it.¡±


    Cidaris nodded miserably and tossed another urchin without looking. ¡°We went to the cave that overlooks the coral reef because she loves to watch the fish playing there. I brought her a dish of red algae that I made myself. And I thought¡­ you know, this is perfect. There¡¯s no one here. We¡¯re in love¡­¡± his voice trailed off and his whole body wilted over a rock outcropping. His voice took on a snide tone as he continued, ¡°But she¡¯s not ready for that. She¡¯d much rather wait. For what? I don¡¯t know.¡± He sighed again. ¡°Now she won¡¯t even speak to me.¡±


    Baetica lightly punched Cidaris¡¯ shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry cousin. There is a cure.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Cidaris looked up hopefully.


    Baetica nodded. ¡°Yep. Pretty easy one too.¡±


    A small cloud of silt rose up and surrounded the merfolk as Cidaris pushed himself up off the rock. ¡°Well, what is it? Don¡¯t just leave me hanging like this Baetica.¡±


    Baetica placed both hands on Cidaris¡¯ shoulders and made his face as serious as he could manage it. ¡°The cure for what ails you is¡­¡± He paused and watched the hope flicker to annoyance. As Cidaris raised his arms to push Baetica¡¯s hands off of him, Baetica continued, ¡°The cure is to find a new mermaid.¡± He shrugged at Cidaris¡¯ shocked face.


    ¡°You expect me to just, forget her?¡± Cidaris snapped. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful. The way the sunlight flickers off her hair. The smooth curve of her silver fins¡­¡± He shook his head. ¡°Even if I were blind, I¡¯d never be able to forget her beauty.¡± He threw another urchin away from the kelp as he shook his head again. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I¡¯ll never be able to move on.¡±


    Baetica tussled Cidaris¡¯ head and grinned. ¡°Trust me. We can fix this.¡±

 A Moon Jelly on Your Belly

    Rigel knocked sharply on the ships window as he looked out over the waters. The merfolk were gone. For now, anyway. They could still be hidden beneath the grey waters swirling under his vessel waiting for him and his men to relax. ¡°This was supposed to be an easy trip from Razadak.¡± He said it mostly to himself, but as he smoothed out his coat, he glanced over at Derrin to see how the other man would react to the situation.


    Derrin shrugged and turned to study one of the paintings hanging on the cabin¡¯s wall. ¡°It¡¯s crooked.¡±


    The servant waiting on them scampered over and righted the picture.


    The painting depicted Rigel¡¯s token ceremony. Rigel resisted the urge to thumb the token on his belt. The small blue-grey scale was etched with the date from twenty years prior, but he still remembered it. He presented the corpse to his future father-in-law as a promise to tame the seas, keep up the family trade, and take care of his daughter. His father-in-law presented him the etched coin at their wedding.


    Derrin tapped on the frame. ¡°Perhaps if your men stopped antagonizing the merfolk your sails would be safer.¡±


    Of course, that would be his response. Rigel¡¯s hand flexed, but he once again chose not to touch the coin. Derrin was a Razadakite and important to their trade routes. Even if Derrin had interesting ideas at times, Rigel would not antagonize the man, because, despite the interference of the merfolk, he would keep up the family trade.


    ¡°Razadakites rarely have any issues with the sea creatures,¡± continued Derrin. ¡°I would say our way is better.¡±


    With a half nod of acceptance¡ªit was true that a Razadakite ship was almost never attacked¡ªRigel looked out the window once more and swallowed back his anger at the beasts before turning towards Derrin once more. ¡°Perhaps you can teach us your way while you stay with us.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t why I¡¯ve come,¡± Derrin said.


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    The man was absolutely sure of himself and his request. It was infuriating.


    Rigel wasn¡¯t so sure. ¡°Maybe it will be part of the terms of whatever other agreement we come to.¡± In the reflection off of the window pane, Rigel saw Derrin smile.


    ¡°Ah, does this mean you¡¯re agreeing to my proposal?¡±


    Rigel rapped his knuckles on the window one last time. The sunlight still shimmered off of the ripples let in their wake. But the white froth was unbroken by the fins of merfolk or dolphins. He turned and walked to the ornate desk on the opposite side of the room and picked up a stack of papers that outlined the start of a new trade agreement. An alliance sealed with a marriage. ¡°I¡¯m not saying yes to your proposal. My daughter¡­¡± he paused. Raine was the light of his life. No matter what storms he weathered crossing the water, her unbridled joy at seeing him return home always made it worth it. ¡°My daughter is too young. She¡¯s still a child. She needs to grow up a little more before I¡¯m going to even consider marrying her off.¡±


    Derrin leaned against the wall beside Rigel and idly spun the globe on the desk. ¡°In Razadak, women younger than her are mothers. They go around happily bouncing their babes on their hips and showing them off to the others in court.¡±


    ¡°True. But I would also say those women were married too soon. So no, I¡¯m not going to let you marry my daughter, yet.¡± He looked over at the young man beside him. Derrin would be a good match for Raine when she was older. Their union would help solidify the trade between Zandenaume and Razadak. Derrin was much calmer than some of the other men who expressed interest in Raine. And there was that secret he knew to crossing the waters unscathed.


    Rigel turned towards the paper before him and jotted down a few names. ¡°But,¡± he continued, ¡°you do have my permission to try and woo her. If she falls in love with you, then, when the time comes, I will gladly hand her over as your wife. Come, the crossing must be nearly over. Shall we watch the ship dock from the upper decks.¡±


    Derrin grinned widely and gave the globe one final vigorous spin, before strutting to the door.


    ¡°Here,¡± Rigel handed the paper to the servant who was waiting on them. ¡°When we arrive, find these individuals and invite them to a banquet at my manor. We shall celebrate the arrival of Derrin in style.¡±


    The servant nodded as he took the paper. Then he opened the door and let Rigel and Derrin onto the docks. He put the paper in his pocket and wandered over to the crew to help secure the boat to the dock. But as he did so, he didn¡¯t realize there was a hole in his pocket from the earlier scuffle, so the note slipped right through and fluttered down to the waters below.

 Drowning in Sorrow

    ¡°Oh, come on Cidaris,¡± said Baetica as he followed his cousin¡¯s swishing tail and bubble flourish. The murky waters around them grew brighter and shallower as they swam closer to the shore. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you need to forget her, but if we swim around town¡ªor even go visit some other villages¡ªyou might find a different mermaid who¡¯s even prettier than her, and then once you have her being rejected won¡¯t hurt so much.¡±


    Without looking back, Cidaris snorted. ¡°Yeah, like you can just go off and visit other villages. What about your patrol?¡±


    Baetica laughed ruefully. ¡°I don¡¯t have a patrol right now. The Hubmaiers are taking over for a while.¡± Cidaris didn¡¯t even slow his pace. Baetica glared at his cousin and wondered if the other merman would have asked why if he wasn¡¯t so absorbed in his own foolish pain, or if he really was so selfish to not care. He hadn¡¯t even asked him if his fin was alright.


    Wincing with the pressure it put on his wounded tail, he swam fast enough to go in front of Cidaris and put his hands on his cousin¡¯s shoulders to stop him. ¡°Trust me. It¡¯s like the saying goes: If you¡¯ve been stung by a jelly, go pet a dogfish shark and you¡¯ll forget the pain from the jelly.¡±


    ¡°Does that work for your fin?¡± Cidaris snapped and swatted at Baetica¡¯s tail.


    Baetica barely dodged in time. ¡°Are you crazy?¡± If he had been any younger he might have punched Cidaris for that, but one of his previous encounters with Garrick had shown him that violence wasn¡¯t always the best response. His hand brushed the jagged scar that ran just below his waist along his finline.


    ¡°No.¡± Cidaris spun out of Baetica¡¯s grasp and darted away. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯m sick of this okay. I don¡¯t need to fall in love with someone else to forget that she abandoned me.¡± He stopped and faced Baetica with both hands raised to forestall any comments. ¡°That¡¯s not going to help. Stop trying to convince me it will.¡± Sighing, he turned and swam away once more.


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    Baetica huffed and swam after his cousin. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to help,¡± he snapped. He loved his cousin, but this was ridiculous. And to try and smack his wounded fin¡ªa fin that was aching more because he had been using it for hours to try and keep up with his melancholic cousin. If he hadn¡¯t promised his aunt and uncle to try and help, he would have left Cidaris to drown in his tears hours ago.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Baetica glanced over and saw Cidaris delicately reach out and catch a soggy white square. Baetica glanced over his cousin¡¯s shoulder. It was a note written by the hand of a human. Most merfolk couldn¡¯t read it, but a few had learned in case the human dropped a military missive in the sea. Baetica read out loud: ¡°Lord Rigel is pleased to invite Lord Antal along with his wife and daughters, Count Isai and his sisters, my uncle¡­¡±


    ¡°Blah, blah, blah,¡± Cidaris whined and dropped the sodden paper.


    Darting around him, Baetica caught it, and continued reading silently. ¡°Here we go,¡± he remarked when he made it through the list of names. ¡°Lord Rigel is pleased to invite all of those humans to his house tonight to welcome Count Derrin to Zaundename.¡±


    ¡°Derrin,¡± mumbled Cidaris. ¡°Why does that name sound familiar?¡±


    Baetica frowned. ¡°He¡¯s from Razadak. We have no quarrel with his people.¡± He looked towards the surface. ¡°What is he doing with Rigel and Garrick?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think he could be plotting to join them?¡±


    Baetica ran his webbed fingers through his blue-grey hair and swished his tail nervously closer to the shore. He remembered hearing rumors of a potential proposal. But he didn¡¯t realize it was between these two families. Would it mean that Rigel would take up Derrin¡¯s stance, or would they find themselves attacked by Razadak also? He couldn¡¯t picture Garrick ever changing his ways. ¡°We should check it out.¡±


    Briefly, Baetica considered their prince¡¯s decree about interfering with the humans as he glanced back towards their underwater city. ¡°We don¡¯t have time to go back and find a Hubmaiers to let them investigate. Who knows if they¡¯ve even arrived yet.¡± A shock of bubbles spiraled outwards as he spun around and faced Cidaris. ¡°Alright, you don¡¯t think a new mermaid can save you from despair, how about a chance to stir up some trouble at Rigel¡¯s feast?¡±


    Cidaris stared at the surface for a few moments before he cracked his knuckles and darted towards it. Baetica caught his fin and pulled him up short. ¡°We can¡¯t get caught,¡± he warned his cousin.


    Cidaris nodded and the two of them swam slowly upwards to where the dark hulls of the ships floated above them.

 Ocean鈥檚 Apart

    Lady Aurora walked briskly with her husband and Count Derrin up from the ship¡¯s dock. Her heart swelled and a grin stretched across her cheeks when she had greeted her husband and learned that Derrin had expressed an interest in her daughter. My beautiful child. All grown up, and married.


    As they entered into the house, she pecked her husband on the cheek and went to look for Raine. She¡¯ll make such a pretty bride. ¡°Nurse,¡± she called out to the woman who was coming down the stairs.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s my daughter? Bring her to my chambers for me.¡±


    With a curtsy, the nurse turned and climbed back up the stairs. Her skirts swishing about her rhythmically as she dashed away to do Lady Aurora¡¯s bidding.


    Lady Aurora entered her room and looked around. Soon her daughter could have a chamber like this all her own. She wandered over to the window and looked out over the sea. She knew her husband wasn¡¯t thrilled at the idea of their child marrying so young, but Derrin was a Razadakite. They married young over there, and if they wanted to secure this trade partnership, it would be worth it to bend their rules a little.


    The door opened and the woman bustled in. ¡°Here she is, my lady.¡± Hazel flourished behind her as though to present someone, but no one else arrived. ¡°Oh good grief, where is that girl.¡± Aurora half-smiled as her daughter¡¯s nurse stepped halfway into the hall and looked back the way she had presumably come from. ¡°Raine!¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± answered Raine from the hall. ¡°You said my mother was looking for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes.¡± Hazel waved her hand towards the door. ¡°Come quick.¡±


    The pattering of footsteps beyond the door quickened, and soon Raine stepped into the room. ¡°I¡¯m here mother. What do you need?¡±


    Lady Aurora walked over and cupped her daughter¡¯s cheeks between her hands. ¡°To speak with you, my child. Nurse, please leave us. I wish to speak in private.¡±


    Hazel¡¯s eyes widened and she gave a small indignant squeak. Her skirts slapped the wall as she spun to leave.


    ¡°Wait,¡± called Lady Aurora. ¡°You may stay.¡± For all of her years, Nurse was a flighty woman. Prone to romanticising every action. Her presence might be useful should Raine hold her father¡¯s apprehensions. She brushed a few strands of Raine¡¯s hair from her face. ¡°You are such a beautiful girl, my child.¡± Over Raine¡¯s shoulder, Aurora saw Hazel beaming.


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    ¡°That she is, my lady. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s almost sixteen.¡±


    ¡°Two weeks,¡± murmured Aurora as she smiled down at Raine. Sighing, she pulled her in for a brief hug pushing her back to arm¡¯s length.


    ¡°I remember when she was a wee thing,¡± she chuckled and looked at Lady Aurora. ¡°It was time for her to stop nursing, but¡ªthe stubborn sweet thing¡ªshe didn¡¯t think she was ready. But, well, time is time. So I put wormwood on my chest. You should have seen her face, my lady.¡± She wiped her damp eyes with her apron. ¡°Poor thing waddled away as fast as her little legs could take her, but her legs got away from her and the wee thing fell on her face. My husband¡ª¡± Laughter spilled out of her uncontrollably and she gripped her stomach as she tried to catch her breath. ¡°My husband¡ª¡± she attempted again before dissolving into laughter once more.


    ¡°Enough of this,¡± said Lady Aurora.


    ¡°Yes madam,¡± said the nurse with another hiccough. ¡°I just can¡¯t help laughing. It was so funny. There she was with this big bump on her forehead. And my husband just saying, ¡®When you¡¯re older you¡¯ll remember to fall backwards,¡¯ and this dear sweet child agreed with him.¡±


    ¡°Please,¡± said Raine, a hint of embarrassment bubbled up in her voice. ¡°Enough of this nurse.¡±


    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± The nurse patted her on the back. ¡°I¡¯m done. It¡¯s just that you¡¯re the prettiest child I ever nursed, and I would love to see you married before I die.¡±


    Lady Aurora beamed. Yes, keeping Nurse was the right choice. ¡°Yes, marriage. That¡¯s why I wanted to speak to you, my child.¡± She cupped Raine¡¯s chin. The top of her daughter¡¯s head was level with her nose. She tilted her daughter¡¯s chin up and looked into her eyes. ¡°What would you think of being married?¡±


    ¡°Married?¡± Raine stepped back. ¡°I haven¡¯t given any thought to being married.¡±


    Lady Aurora saw the nurse clasp her hands together excitedly over Raine¡¯s head. ¡°Well think of it now my love. In Razadak, women get married even younger than you are now. And now Count Derrin has sailed over the treacherous waters to let it be known that he has taken a particular interest in you.¡±


    ¡°Derrin,¡± gasped Nurse. ¡°I saw that man walk up from the docks. He¡¯s impossibly handsome.¡±


    Raine stepped back so she could see the nurse too.


    Lady Aurora nodded her agreement. ¡°You will not find someone better looking here.¡±


    Nurse nodded vigorously. ¡°It¡¯s true. It¡¯s true. There¡¯s no one here like him.¡±


    ¡°This evening at the feast, spend some time looking at him. See if his face is one you can imagine waking up beside for the rest of your life.¡± She brushed her daughter¡¯s hair back again. Raine shied away from her mother¡¯s touch. ¡°I promise you my love, you won¡¯t lose yourself to marriage.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true,¡± interjected Nurse. ¡°Women find themselves in marriage.¡±


    ¡°So, my child,¡± said Lady Aurora. ¡°What do you say? Can you look on Derrin and consider marrying him? Consider being loved by him and loving him?¡±


    Raine sighed. ¡°I will look at him. If he is as handsome as you say¡­¡± she shook her head listlessly, ¡°well, we¡¯ll see.¡±


    A knock on the door interrupted the conversation as a servant walked in. ¡°The guests are arriving my Lady.¡±


    ¡°Let us finish getting ready then and be down.¡± Lady Aurora ushered everyone out of the room save for the new servant. With a smile she acknowledged that Hazel would ensure Raine looked her absolute best. Yes, this marriage was a good idea. And what child could refuse a man like Derrin who was doting upon them? His looks alone would sway anyone.

 In the Shallows

    Water gently lapped the logs and rocks by the docks as Baetica, and Cidaris broke the surface between the boats.


    Someone tapped his fin from under the surface. Pushing Cidaris beneath the waves, Baetica braced himself for a lecture on violating the prince¡¯s order and bringing an untrained child this close to shore.


    Nucello bobbed below the surface. His hands on his hips¡ªa stark contrast to the excited grin on his face. ¡°Now just what are you doing in these waters? I do believe my cousin told you to stay far away from here.¡±


    Baetica crossed his arms and glared at the merman.


    ¡°Fine. I want in. Now what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°We found a note in the water about Count Derrin being here,¡± blurted Cidaris, before checking himself and glancing over at Baetica. When Baetica nodded slightly, Cidaris grinned. ¡°We thought it was worth checking out.¡±


    ¡°Ah, and we figured this would be a good time to get his fins wet?¡± Nucello tilted his head in Cidaris¡¯ direction.


    Baetica nodded again and swam for the surface. Cidaris and Nucello surfaced beside him.


    ¡°What do we say if they spot us?¡± asked Cidaris. ¡°Or do we just swim away without a word?¡±


    Baetica arched his eyebrow at Cidaris. ¡°We are here to measure this threat,¡± he waved the sodden page in Cidaris¡¯ face. ¡°Once we determine whether or not there is a risk to us and our peace with the humans of Razadak, we will be off and they will be none the wiser.¡± He dipped below the surface and swam closer to the shore before popping up again. Looking around, he spotted no nearby humans, so he waved Cidaris closer.


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    He watched as his cousin slipped below the surface and winced at the sudden splash when his cousin¡¯s tail broke the waters. When his cousin reached him, he put his hand down to hold Cidaris under the water while he scanned for any passing Zandenites. He noted Nucello doing the same from where he was waiting to be called from where Cidaris had been. The commotion seemed to have been overlooked.


    Slowly he raised his hand out of the water and Cidaris¡¯ head popped up beneath his palm. He was quiet, but not as quiet as Baetica could have managed and not nearly as quietly as Baetica would have liked. Suppressing a groan at his cousin¡¯s inexperience, he signaled that they should both go beneath the surface together. Nucello would keep watch. At least he knew how to travel near humans without being spotted.


    Once they were under the water, he leaned his head closer and whispered into Cidaris¡¯ ear¡ªnot that it was strictly necessary, as far as he was aware the humans couldn¡¯t hear under water, but more because he hoped to impress the seriousness of their situation upon his cousin. ¡°If we are seen, we will swim away without any remark. Let them come to their own conclusions about why we were here and what we have done.¡±


    The young merman nodded solemnly. ¡°Alright, give me a spear then. Just to be on the safe side.¡±


    Baetica suppressed a laugh and responded with as much composure as he could manage, ¡°No. A weapon may cause you to linger when you should leave.¡± His aunt and uncle would never forgive him if Cidaris was mounted on a fisherman¡¯s wall.


    ¡°Oh, come on,¡± whined Cidaris. ¡°You said we were here to cause trouble. How am I supposed to do that if you won¡¯t even let me hold a spear?¡±


    ¡°You are not a warrior,¡± called Nucello from the surface.


    Baetica glanced up and noticed that the other merman was low enough in the water that his mouth and one ear were below the surface, but his other ear and both eyes were above the waves to keep watch.


    ¡°Should you be spotted,¡± continued Nucello, ¡°dance like a seahorse impressing its mate. They may be too stunned to do anything but watch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more likely to sink than impress anyone.¡±


    The sound of Nucello¡¯s chuckles filled their ears. ¡°That works even better.¡±


    ¡°Come,¡± said Baetica before Cidaris could get offended. ¡°Let us be off to the manor to learn what we may.¡±

 Making Merry in Murky Waters

    Rigel walked out onto the balcony overlooking the water. He took a deep breath in of the salty sea air. In spite of his angry aquatic neighbors, he loved this view and the smell of the water on the wind.


    The door behind him creaked opened. ¡°Father?¡±


    With a smile, Rigel turned around and opened his arms to embrace Raine.


    ¡°The guests are arriving.¡±


    ¡°Tell the musicians to strike up a tune, and let¡¯s go and welcome our visitors.¡±


    Raine nodded and walked back through the door. As Rigel followed her into the house, the band struck up a song. His daughter and Lady Aurora joined him as he walked to the front door. ¡°Welcome! Welcome everyone.¡± He shook hands with the individuals who passed by. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you Lucio and Helena. I¡¯m so glad that you were able to make it this evening. How are the little ones?¡±


    He barely listened to their responses as he made his way through the pleasantries by rote. ¡°Ah, Dahlia, how are you this evening? Raine has already been swept off onto the dance floor, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be thrilled to see you.¡± At last, the line dwindled. ¡°Welcome Garrick. Have you fully recovered from our adventures at sea?¡±


    ¡°Well enough to join the dance.¡±


    Rigel clapped the younger man on the back as he wove through the crowd to the dance floor. Rigel peaked in to the ballroom. Derrin and Raine were dancing. His daughter¡¯s cheeks were flushed already, though from the heat or from Derrin affection he couldn¡¯t say. Frowning, he beckoned a servant over. ¡°It¡¯s getting quite hot in here. Douse the flames before we all over heat.¡±


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    With a nod, the man darted over to the fireplace and grabbed a poker to spread out the logs.


    Satisfied that the heat would dissipate slowly, Rigel turned and followed his uncle out onto the balcony. ¡°Let¡¯s leave the dancing to those with younger legs.¡± He stretched his arms and breathed deep of the cool air. ¡°How long has it been since you and I have danced at a ball?¡±


    His uncle leaned against the railing and laughed. ¡°Danced? I¡¯d say twenty years.¡±


    ¡°Twenty? No, it can¡¯t be that long.¡± He racked his brain for the last time he saw his uncle dance. ¡°It was when Lucio and Helena married.¡± He looked up as he thought back. ¡°That was only fifteen years ago.¡±


    His uncle shook his head. ¡°You weren¡¯t married yet, and certainly not expecting to be a father anytime soon.¡±


    The water splashed down below them and his uncle walked back into the ballroom. Rigel watched him go back through the open door and waved as Garrick stepped out to join him at the rail. They studied the water for a moment before Garrick pointed. ¡°There¡¯s a fin. Those beasts can¡¯t even leave alone on shore.¡± He snarled. ¡°Let me go find something to teach them a lesson they won¡¯t forget. On boats they might have the upper hand but here¡­¡± his voice trailed off as he walked away from the edge.


    ¡°Leave them be,¡± said Rigel.


    Garrick spun and faced him. His mouth hung open. ¡°Leave them?¡±


    Rigel nodded. ¡°We are attempting to woo Derrin into the fold, he¡¯ll not like it if our finned spies are harmed.¡±


    Garrick crossed his arms.


    ¡°Come Garrick, that scowl has no place at a ball.¡±


    With a huff, Garrick threw his hands up in the air and stalked back into the building.


    Rigel followed him in. But in the chaos of the swirling dresses and noise of chatter, he lost sight of the younger man almost immediately.

 A Diamond of the Shore

    Cidaris glanced up at the top of the wall. The two men disappeared. ¡°That was close,¡± he said grinning foolishly and dove under the water.


    Baetica followed him under and grunted. ¡°You need to learn to be quiet. While Rigel is apparently trying to impress Derrin, under different circumstances he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to launch a harpoon at you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but he didn¡¯t.¡±


    Nucello swam up beside them. ¡°Perhaps it was a mistake to bring him.¡± He tilted his head in Cidaris¡¯ direction drawing a scowl. ¡°Better to have sent him home.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m the one who found the note. We wouldn¡¯t know about this party if it wasn¡¯t for me.¡±


    ¡°Nucello is right,¡± said Baetica. ¡°Go home Cidaris. You¡¯re done here.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± snapped Cidaris and swam off. He didn¡¯t need them anyway. Those two thought they were better than him, but they were wrong. He glanced behind him, but the two mermen were lost in the onyx waters. He¡¯d show them. There was a cave around here that went into Rigel¡¯s grounds. He doubted Baetica or Nucello would think of it, if they even knew it was there.


    And since Rigel knew they were in the waters below, he likely wouldn¡¯t discuss something private on the balcony anymore. Perhaps he would by the mouth of the cave. Maybe I can learn what Derrin decides. That would teach them to underestimate me. He flicked his tail and swam back towards the shore letting the current pull him southwards.


    It was difficult finding the cave in the dark, but after scraping his fin on the rocky shore and the barnacles and clams that lived there, he finally found the entrance. It was smaller than he remembered. In fact, he doubted Nucello or Baetica would even be able to fit in here anymore even if they did know about the cave. He scratched up his fin and chest further as he swam through the narrow passage. This will all be worth it if I learn something they don¡¯t.


    Quietly enough to even impress Baetica, Cidaris broke the surface of the water. The sound of water droplets splashing on the surface and the rocks echoed throughout the place. The only other sound was the quick patter of angry feet and a woman huffing in annoyance every few seconds. He glanced around and saw her dark silhouette near the mouth of the cave.


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    Cidaris slipped closer to hear what she was saying. He opened his mouth in awe as the moon broke from behind a cloud and highlighted her dark form. She was the most beautiful creature his eyes had ever beheld. Kellia paled in comparison. Transfixed, he swam closer.


    She wandered further into the cave and stepped out of her shoes. Her toes splashed the water and she sighed. Impulsively, he reached out and touched the sole of her foot as she swished it through the water.


    The girl fell down as she backed away. He jumped halfway out of the water to cover her mouth before she could scream. ¡°Please, I mean you no harm. It¡¯s just, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld, and I thought that if I could just touch your feet, I¡¯d be happy.¡±


    She gripped his hand and gently pulled it from her face. Her wide eyes stared at him with wonder as he slipped back into the pool. ¡°Don¡¯t go.¡±


    Cidaris turned to face her. Her voice was like the musical tones of a blue whale¡¯s song. She was holding out her hand to him. He placed his webbed palm against her smooth one. She gasped slightly. ¡°Sorry. My hands aren¡¯t as smooth as yours. But, if I¡¯ve wounded you, I¡¯ve heard humans say before that a kiss can make it better.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°I¡¯m not injured.¡± She kneeled down on the rocky shore. ¡°I¡¯ve just never touched a merman before. You¡¯re so cold.¡± She traced her fingers down his cheek. Warmth radiated through his body from her touch. Then she quickly pulled he hand back. She bit her lip and looked down at her hand. ¡°Sorry. Now it¡¯s my hands that are getting away from me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I¡¯m Cidaris.¡± He pulled himself further out of the water so his eyes were level with hers. A sweet scent he couldn¡¯t name filled his nostrils. He breathed it in deeply.


    Her hand touched his cheek again. He leaned forwards till her face filled his vision. She smiled and leaned into him. Her lips touched his with a jolt like an electric eel. He felt nearly drunk from the smell of her.


    Slowly she pulled away. He gently traced her lips with his fingers. He wouldn¡¯t mind doing that again.


    ¡°Raine!¡± A voice called from just outside the cave.


    Cidaris pushed off the shore as Raine stumbled to her feet. ¡°Yes nurse?¡±


    ¡°Your father is looking for you. Good gracious child, what happened to you? You¡¯re all wet?¡±


    ¡°I slipped.¡±


    Cidaris didn¡¯t wait to hear the rest of the conversation and he sank beneath the surface and left the cave. Raine. Her name was a beautiful as she was.

 Bothering the Bristle Worm

    Baetica and Nucello swam along the base of the wall, but though several humans wandered out to the balcony for fresh air, neither Rigel or Derrin appeared. Sighing, Baetica motioned to Nucello to follow him away. ¡°We¡¯re not likely to learn anything tonight.¡±


    Nucello scoffed. ¡°Not with Cidaris having¡ª¡±


    Nucello stopped speaking as they watched Cidaris squeeze out of the tunnel beneath Rigel¡¯s wall. The younger merman languorously swam back towards deeper waters swimming in large graceful spirals.


    Baetica¡¯s jaw dropped open. The boy hadn¡¯t even listened and returned home. But before he could find his voice to lecture Cidaris, the younger merman stopped suddenly and with a flurry of bubbles darted back into the tunnel.


    Nucello and Baetica looked at each other horror stricken and swam towards the tunnel. Neither one was slender enough to fit. ¡°Cidaris!¡± Baetica hollered into the gap. The tide pressed him into the rocks and scratched his fin. He pulled away, but his cousin did not appear. ¡°You try calling him.¡±


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    Nucello nodded. ¡°Best keep that fin away from the clams. That nurse at the clinic is barely gentle the first time she deals with a cut. You do not want to meet her if you have to have a wound redressed.¡± With a grin Nucello swam up to the entrance. ¡°Hey Cidaris, guess who I just saw swimming in the deep. Your beautiful mermaid Kellia.¡±


    ¡°Kellia?¡± Baetica hissed.


    Nucello looked back at him and shrugged. ¡°I mean, she is pretty attractive.¡± He leaned towards the opening again. ¡°Her eyes that shimmer like crystal jellies. Her lips as red as coral. Her fin¡ª¡±


    ¡°Stop. He has been moping for days because of her. This is just going to make him miserable.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re no longer interested, maybe I¡¯ll just swim over there and say hello.¡±


    ¡°Nucello.¡±


    Nucello leaned away from the entrance. ¡°Relax Baetica. If anything, it¡¯ll make him mad and he¡¯ll come out to try and stop me.¡±


    But Cidaris did not appear.


    Baetica swam closer. ¡°Cidaris come out of there now. It isn¡¯t safe. The prince has ordered us to stay away from them. Imagine what this would do to your parents if you¡¯re caught.¡±


    ¡°Has he been caught?¡± asked Nucello. ¡°He hasn¡¯t answered anything we¡¯ve said.¡±


    ¡°Cidaris, can you hear us?¡±

 Testing the Waters

    Cidaris looked back at the entrance. Nucello could go and have Kellia for all he cared. She was nothing compared to Raine. Still, he should say something or else he¡¯d be caught and then never able to see her again. Sighing, he swam closer to the tunnel. ¡°I¡¯m fine. But if you keep hollering, someone is bound to notice and come looking. So shut up.¡±


    ¡°Come out now,¡± Baetica¡¯s voice ordered him.


    ¡°Not until I learn something. If you want that to happen without me being discovered, stop talking. Someone¡¯s coming.¡± He left the entrance to the tunnel and swished closer to the opening. Raine was walking back towards him.


    He felt his heart leap in his chest. The moon shimmered softly off of her sand-colored hair. He wondered if it would glow in the sunlight. Please don¡¯t let that other woman be with her. He shuddered. That creature¡¯s voice was sharp and whiny at the same time. He would much rather gaze at Raine again. Maybe she¡¯d come close enough for them to speak once more. He held his breath as she picked her way down to the entrance. Occasionally she¡¯d stop and glance behind her, but whether she was hoping to see someone or hoping there would be no one behind her he didn¡¯t know. Either way she kept coming down.


    His cousin¡¯s warnings about the viciousness of the humans echoed through his mind. He slipped a little further into the cave. She wouldn¡¯t be able to see him right away. And if she was bringing others to capture him¡ªthough he doubted someone as lovely as her could be that cruel¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t be able to see or catch him before he escaped.


    She sat down on the rocks just beyond the mouth of the cave and sighed heavily. ¡°This sucks.¡±


    Cidaris felt his heart leap at the sound of her words. He pushed himself along the small rocks and sand at the bottom of the pool so he could get closer to her.


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    Her face turned towards the shadows of the cave that hid him, but he could not see her. And he, though he wanted to, could not risk moving closer. The shore trapped him.


    ¡°I wish we could be together,¡± she whispered. Her voice low and gentle, like waves lapping at a tide pool in low tide. ¡°But you¡­¡± she laughed sadly, ¡°you¡¯re a mermaid, and well me, I¡¯m not.¡± Standing, she walked closer to the entrance and leaned on it. ¡°I can see that you¡¯re not my enemy.¡± She looked over her shoulder towards the manor behind her. ¡°I¡¯d run away with you. My family¡­¡± she glanced behind her again, ¡°My family could never understand. But I love you. I¡¯d love you in the shallows. Hold you as the tide comes in. Trust you as it leaves again.¡±


    He lowered himself in the water to breathe deeply as she pulled the shawl more tightly around her shoulders and shuddered. ¡°But¡­ would you leave your family for me? Oh Cidaris. Only say the words and I¡¯m yours. I¡¯ll leave here and I¡¯ll never look back.¡±


    Cidaris couldn¡¯t contain himself any longer. ¡°I¡¯m here Raine.¡±


    She jumped and clapped a hand over her mouth to suppress a shout. ¡°Have you been listening to me the whole time.¡± Furtively she looked around behind her, ¡°If my family sees you or even hears you, they will kill you.¡±


    The look of panic in her eyes, sent tingles of fear down his fin, but he refused to cower and deny himself the opportunity to see her, to hear her, and maybe to touch her warm skin once more. ¡°The darkness of the cave can hide me. Their eyes won¡¯t find me here. But please don¡¯t send me away.¡± His chest burned from the lack of oxygen in his air sac, but he couldn¡¯t leave her. ¡°It would be better for me to die than to spend another day away from you.¡±


    She bit back a smile as she turned away. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t dark, you¡¯d know that you are making me blush.¡±


    ¡°Blush?¡±


    She giggled and looked at him. ¡°It means my cheeks are turning red and warm because blood is rushing to them, since you said something sweet.¡± She entered the cave and leaned in close so he could run his fingers over her perfect, warm skin again. ¡°Do you really love me?¡±


    Her scent filled his nostrils. But he could bare the pain in his chest no longer and pushed off of the shallows into the deeper water to breathe.

 Fishing for Love

    He heard her sigh as she surfaced. ¡°Please don¡¯t make a fool of me Cidaris. If you do love me, say it.¡± He watched as she rubbed the wet mark of his hand print on her cheek. ¡°I know in some places they think that women shouldn¡¯t or can¡¯t make up their own minds about things like this, because they think women fall in love too fast. If¡­¡± she stepped into the water and shuddered as it reached her knees, ¡°If that¡¯s true of merfolk, when you say you love me, I can pretend to frown and say don¡¯t be ridiculous Cidaris. It¡¯s far too soon for declarations like that, and then we can keep meeting in secret like this. To talk¡­¡± she shuddered and knelt down in the cool water and ran her hand down the side of his head to his chest, ¡°¡­and learn more about each other.¡±


    ¡°My lady,¡± he said, speaking words he¡¯d overheard men whisper to women on the balconies whenever he snuck close, ¡°I swear on the moon that turns the tree tops silver¡­¡±


    She giggled again, and his heart danced within him. ¡°Don¡¯t swear by the moon, it¡¯s constantly changing. And sometimes it isn¡¯t even here at all. I don¡¯t want your love to be like that.¡±


    ¡°I thought ladies liked when men swore by things.¡± He cocked his head to the side as he looked at her in confusion. ¡°If not the moon, what should I swear by?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to swear on anything. Just say the words and I will believe you.¡±


    Cidaris pushed himself further out of the water and gently cupped her chin. Her breath tickled his nose as he closed the space between them. ¡°Very well, I won¡¯t swear on anything. Raine,¡± he looked deeply into her brown eyes, drinking in the adoration he saw within them. ¡°I love¡ª¡±


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    ¡°Wait,¡± she pulled back suddenly and sat in the pool before him. Picking up her skirts, she stumbled out of his grip and out of the water. ¡°Don¡¯t say it. It¡¯s too sudden. It¡¯s too rash. This is all the things that my parents say I shouldn¡¯t trust about love.¡± She paused and reached back towards him. ¡°But maybe, if you keep coming back, this¡­ this potential love will grow like the flowers in my father¡¯s garden. Good night. I¡¯m sorry. I have to go.¡±


    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re just going to leave me like this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. What can I say to fix it.¡±


    ¡°Say you love me and let me say it back.¡±


    Her postures melted and she began to sink back down to the ground. ¡°I already have said it. I wish I hadn¡¯t so I could say it all over again.¡±


    ¡°Raine!¡±


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s my nurse. I must go.¡± She hurried to the entrance. ¡°I¡¯m coming!¡± she called up to the manor. Turning back to the waters she licked her lips. ¡°Please stay. I¡¯ll try to come back out soon.¡±


    He watched as she scurried up through the gardens to the glowing rooms above.


    Flopping on his back he lay in the gentle waters lapping over his body. ¡°This is a dream. I¡¯m going to wake in the morning, and this will all have been a wonderful dream.¡±


    The pattering of feet drew closer. Flipping over he pushed himself farther into the shadows as Raine reappeared at the entrance.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay, but if you do wish to be with me forever, come back at hightide tomorrow. I will leave with you and be your bride forever.¡±


    ¡°Raine!¡± The annoyance in the older woman¡¯s voice cracked through the night and drowned out whatever words Cidaris might have said in reply


    ¡°I¡¯m coming,¡± a harsh bite of anger-tinged Raine¡¯s words, but they vanished as she turned towards him again. ¡°Good night. Goodnight. A thousand times good night.¡± She vanished into the garden once more.


    Cidaris sighed and turned towards the exit of the cave. The water was shallower now than when he first came in. Before he dove beneath the surface he looked back towards the manor once more. ¡°I love you Raine, he whispered to the birds and trees. ¡°I will be here tomorrow.¡±

 A Cure in the Sea

    Cidaris swam through the night to a grotto far from the shores and his home. As the sun¡¯s rays shimmered through the water he entered the cave that led to the coral reef within. Wearily, he swam around the rocks and plants until he heard Lewisil muttering to himself far below. Flicking his tail, Cidaris dove.


    Lewisil hummed to himself as he plucked various sea flowers, bits of coral. ¡°Ah yes,¡± he murmured as he caught a small worm-like fish and squeezed it gently so it spat out a green ooze that Lewisil quickly scooped up in an empty shell and stoppered with a bit of coral. Smiling he sloshed it before his face. ¡°You hold both poison and medicine now. If someone smells you, they¡¯ll be fine. If they were asleep, they¡¯ll be awake in no time. But should someone stupidly take a taste, they will forever be gone from this place.¡±


    Harrumphing, he looked up as Cidaris swam through the sunlight and covered him in shadow.


    ¡°Good morning, Lewisil.¡± He leaned against the edge of the dead volcano¡¯s inner rim and rubbed his eyes.


    ¡°My goodness, I¡¯d say you were up early, but you look as if you haven¡¯t slept.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Cidaris laughed. ¡°I have not slept, but it was worth it.¡±


    Lewisil leaned back. His expression was as stony as the volcanic rock behind him. ¡°Oh really? Were you with Kellia then?¡±


    ¡°Kellia?¡± Cidaris snorted, sending a stream of bubbles shooting through the water before him. ¡°No. Kellia means nothing to me anymore. That mermaid.¡± He scoffed. ¡°All she¡¯s good for is causing pain to those who think they love her.¡±


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    Lewisil nodded slowly, as he returned to collecting his medicinal plants and herbs. ¡°Well, I suppose that¡¯s good at least. So tell me, Cidaris, where were you then?¡±


    Cidaris swam up and quickly sliced through the water as he ensured that the two of them were truly alone. Satisfied, he darted back down to Lewisil¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°I was speaking with the enemy.¡± He sighed and sank deeper in the water, a smile upon his face. ¡°She wounded me Lewisil. But,¡± snapping out of his languor, he darted back up to where Lewisil waited, ¡°I know you have the cure.¡±


    Lewisil¡¯s brow furrowed as he swam all around Cidaris. ¡°You seem fine. What wound do you speak of?¡±


    ¡°I wish to be with Raine.¡± His cheeks grew warm as he recalled her smile, her voice, her touch. ¡°I want you to make me human so I can be with her today.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Lewisil dropped the coral he was holding. Diving down he grabbed it as it drifted to the bottom of the lagoon.


    Cidaris followed him down, swimming in swirls and loops.


    ¡°Was it not just yesterday that you were moping about Kellia? Do you expect me to believe that you have fallen in love with a new girl, a human no less, in a day?¡±


    Cidaris scoffed. ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who kept telling me to stop loving Kellia.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. I wanted you to stop doting on a mermaid who gave you nothing in return, not even a promise of love.¡±


    ¡°You said I was like a remora on a great white. Needed, but unequal to her splendor.¡±


    Bubbles buried Lewisil¡¯s face as he sighed. ¡°You are equal to her splendor, though she did not see it yet.¡±


    ¡°Please Lewisil. Raine sees my splendor. Together we will be equals.¡±


    Lewisil flicked his fin and shot towards the deepest areas of the lagoon as Cidaris followed. ¡°Yes dear child, I will help you.¡± He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Cidaris. ¡°But, know the path ahead will not be easy. Though perhaps, if you and Raine are truly equal you can make the seas safer for both of our kinds. Maybe the war will end with you.¡±


    Cidaris¡¯ smile split his face. ¡°Hurry Lewisil. Hurry. I don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    Lewisil laughed. ¡°It¡¯ll have to be slow. If you swim too fast, you¡¯re likely to crash.¡±

 Never Give a Sword to a Merman Who Can鈥檛 Dance

    Baetica and Nucello swam through the village towards the shore. ¡°Where¡¯s Cidaris?¡± asked Nucello. ¡°You sure he never went home last night?¡±


    Baetica shook his head. ¡°I spoke to his father. He never went home.¡± They darted by the last building and raced towards the human lands and the cave they left Cidaris at the night before.


    ¡°This is Kellia¡¯s fault,¡± Nucello snapped. ¡°The way she treats him even though he adores her¡­ It¡¯s driving him mad.¡±


    A dark shadow drifted over their heads. The two merfolk looked up at the small ship gliding above them. Something landed in the water with a muted plunk and began to sink towards the bottom of the sea.


    Baetica scowled. ¡°Those fools have no care for anything that is not theirs.¡± He swam upwards to grab the item and toss it back on the ship. But as he approached the object his heart froze. A shimmering scale from Cidaris¡¯ fin was tied to a small stone and a piece of bark with words scratched into it. ¡°Garrick.¡± His fist closed around the bundle before it sank lower.


    ¡°He¡¯s challenging Cidaris.¡± He laughed derisively. ¡°Must have found that in the cave Cidaris explored. Least we know that fool is still alive.¡±


    Baetica looked at the items in his hand. ¡°We must find Cidaris and give this to him.¡±


    ¡°Cidaris?¡± Nucello choked on the water as he laughed. ¡°Anyone can answer that challenge.¡± He pointed to the shadow that was still sailing in large circles around them. Garrick had dropped more scales into the sea as he looped the boat around.


    With a flick of his fin, Baetica swooped around and gathered the others. ¡°No. Cidaris will answer this. Whether or not he answers to Garrick or Prince Setacea is his choice. But he will be the one who answers.¡±


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    ¡°You want Cidaris to answer the challenge? The boy who only yesterday was mooning over Kellia so badly that his parents sent you to find him. The boy who couldn¡¯t listen when we went to the shore to spy on the humans so we sent him home. The boy who decided to slip into a cave in the high intertidal zone and refused to come out when we called him. You want that boy to answer Garrick¡¯s challenge? You¡¯re sending him to his death. You know that right?¡±


    Baetica expressed a long stream of bubbles as he studied the collection of scales, rocks, and bark bits in his hands. ¡°Cidaris does know how to fight.¡±


    ¡°Garrick is better.¡± Nucello swam in front of Baetica and crossed his arms. ¡°He fights like it is a dance, and you know it. Cidaris¡­¡± he let the words trail off, but Baetica didn¡¯t need him to finish the sentence.


    Groaning, he flicked his fin and swam towards the kelp forest.


    ¡°Where you going now?¡±


    ¡°The kelp forest. Cidaris was moping in there yesterday. If he¡¯s not still by the shore risking his life, he¡¯s probably sulking there again.¡±


    ¡°You still intend to give him the challenge?¡±


    Before Baetica could answer, he spied a merman swimming out of the gloom towards them. ¡°Well, well, well. If it isn¡¯t Cidaris, himself.¡±


    ¡°Oi, Cidaris!¡± called Nucello. ¡°What was that last night? Did you ever consider what could have happened to those of us who were with you if you didn¡¯t come back?¡±


    ¡°Morning guys. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Nucello gaped at Cidaris. ¡°What¡¯s wrong is you didn¡¯t listen. You swam into a cave last night and nearly got yourself killed.¡±


    Baetica dropped the handful of scales in Cidaris¡¯ hands to emphasize Nucello¡¯s point.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Cidaris¡¯ expression took on a poor example of shame as he stared at the two others, before he hid it with an angry bluster. ¡°Well I¡¯m sorry. But it was important, and at such times things of this importance can be more important than listening to orders.¡±


    Nucello snorted. ¡°Ah yes. So important.¡± He flicked his tail and swam around Cidaris and shook his shoulders teasingly. ¡°See Baetica, this boy here is far too important to listen to simple fools like us. It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve trained him, or outrank him. Can¡¯t even offer us the simple curtesy of saying what was so important.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Cidaris rolled his eyes and swam towards the shore, dropping the pebbles and scales behind him. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what was so important.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t fit in the tunnel.¡±


    Cidaris glanced over his shoulder at the two of them and smiled. ¡°With any luck, you won¡¯t have to.¡±

 Message in a Bottle

    The trio swam back to the Rigel¡¯s manor, and surfaced under the docks once more. Cidaris arched his brows when Nucello pointed at a boat. Baetica leaned over and whispered, ¡°Garrick was out this morning dropping off those scales and stones. That¡¯s his boat, which means he¡¯s back.¡±


    Cidaris rolled his eyes. ¡°Of course his boat means he¡¯s back. I¡¯m not a moron.¡±


    Nucello blew out a raspberry as he tried not to laugh. ¡°Could have fooled us,¡± he said as he hit Cidaris on the back of his head. ¡°Maybe you just intended to lose the scales. Thought it might be nice to have a chat with Garrick.¡±


    Baetica splashed them and ducked under water. Nucello and Cidaris followed. ¡°Quiet you two, someone is coming.¡±


    Slowly, so as not to splash the water around them, the three mermen resurfaced.


    ¡°Peter!¡± called out the same elderly female who heckled Raine the night before.


    Cidaris lifted his body further out of the water, to see if he could spot Raine somewhere on the shore, but both Nucello and Baetica put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. Glaring at them, he swatted their hands off and swam closer to the edge of the dock.


    ¡°Coming,¡± called out a young boy as he skipped over the rocks along the base of the wharf. Scrambling, he climbed up the steep slope and thumped onto the wooden planks in front of Raine¡¯s nurse.


    ¡°Here. Take this. Take this. That¡¯s a good boy. Now toss it over there, where no one will see it.¡± Cidaris glanced above him as the boy thumped to the end of the pier and launched something into the water.


    Nucello snarled and swam after the glass bottle. Grabbing it, he tossed it back. The glass shattered on the rocks beside the docks. The nurse screamed and Peter tried to run before the nurse grabbed him and held him in front of her as some sort of shield or tribute, as Nucello pulled himself up out of the water and glared at them.


    ¡°And you said I¡¯m stupid,¡± Cidaris hissed at Baetica as the two of them dashed to Nucello¡¯s fin, to pull him back in.


    ¡°Keep your junk out of our waters, you old hag.¡±


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    Cidaris pulled himself half way out of the water and tried to push Nucello back in.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± The old woman stammered. Tears streamed down her cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ my mistress had a message for one of¡­ well one of you.¡± The woman wiped her cheeks as she hiccupped.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the message for?¡± asked Cidaris as he sat on the pier and shoved Nucello backwards. The older merman let go and fell on top of Baetica with a giant splash.


    ¡°A young man, er¡­ merman, by the name of Cidaris.¡±


    ¡°I am Cidaris.¡± He felt Baetica or Nucello swat his fin as he spoke. Glancing down, he saw the two older mermen glaring at him. Nucello in annoyance, and Baetica in disbelief.


    ¡°Oh, well then, in that case.¡± She pushed Peter towards the rocks where the remains of the jar littered the shore. ¡°Get that and bring it to me.¡±


    Peter glanced askance at the trio of merfolk at the end of the pier, and hesitated until the nurse swatted him. Shooting her an angry glare, he carefully hopped down to the shore and picked up the now damp paper before scrambling back up to the top of the wharf. The boy thrust the paper towards the nurse who took it and held it out with two fingers.


    The nurse looked at Cidaris and sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you could come closer?¡±


    Cidaris looked at the wooden planks he was resting his elbows on, as he tried to think of a polite way to say no.


    ¡°Do not go up there,¡± Baetica hissed. ¡°We don¡¯t know where Garrick is, and in spite of her message for you, it might be a trap from him.¡±


    Cidaris glanced down at Baetica and Nucello and shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s not from him. Relax.¡±


    Nucello threw his hands in the air. ¡°I give up Baetica. I¡¯m not trying to keep this kid alive any longer. We¡¯ve been exposed for too long already.¡±


    ¡°Go,¡± Cidaris said. ¡°I¡¯ll follow you shortly. But Nucello is right, we¡¯ll be harder to spot if it¡¯s just me.¡±


    Baetica shook his head, but disappeared beneath the surface. Nucello did the same and Cidaris watched the dark outlines of their bodies move towards deeper waters before turning his attention back to the nurse who was nervously shuffling forward. Every few feet she stood up straighter and strained her neck upwards as though she was trying to see the water beneath him and determine if any dangers lurked for her closer to the edge.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone?¡± she asked timidly.


    ¡°They¡¯re gone.¡±


    ¡°Good. Well, good.¡± She wiped her free hand on her dress and tottered closer still before thrusting the note towards Cidaris. ¡°Here. You can read can¡¯t you?¡± Her arm withdrew and she held the letter up to her face. ¡°No, I suppose that¡¯s too much to ask of someone like yourself.¡±


    ¡°Please tell me what the letter says? I assume it¡¯s from Raine.¡± His whole face lit up as he breathed her name.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The woman¡¯s gaze darted around the pier, and Cidaris got the idea that this whole situation of speaking with him about Raine was rather distasteful for her. ¡°She wishes you to know that she has figured out a way for your plan to succeed. Someone who will marry the two of you, for what that¡¯s worth.¡±


    ¡°Please tell her I will be there.¡±


    ¡°Be there as soon as the tide is high.¡±


    ¡°Tell her I love her,¡± said Cidaris as he dropped to the waters below.


    ¡°Yes, yes. I will. Come Peter, let¡¯s be off.¡±

 Apples and Urchins

    Raine paced back and forth under the apple trees as she waited for her nurse to return. Her gaze alternated between staring at the gateway in the stonewall that led towards the harbour, and the balcony by her father¡¯s office.


    ¡°Gah!¡± She kicked a fallen apple and watched it skitter over the roots, before it splattered into the base of the tree and released a sickly-sweet smell. ¡°It was nine in the morning when I gave her the bottle and asked her to deliver it to him.¡±


    Scrunching her nose at the smashed apple, she flounced over to the bench on the opposite side of the garden and flopped onto it. Her cheeks prickled as she imagined her mother lecturing her about presenting the image of a lady, so she adjusted herself to exuded some semblance of grace.


    The bell rang the quarter of the hour and then the half hour. Moaning, she gave up on pretending to be graceful and draped her head over the back of the bench. ¡°It¡¯s been three hours since she left. Three long hours. Where is she? Did she die?¡± Raine stood abruptly and began stalking around the green space. ¡°She¡¯s old enough, that I wouldn¡¯t put it past her.¡± With her hands on her hips, Raine glared at the door. ¡°If she only knew what it was like to be in love, she would move with a bit more urgency. But no, she¡¯s as old and pale as the grave she belongs in. So naturally, she has to move as swift as the worms she should be feeding.¡±


    The gateway¡¯s hinge creaked as the heavy wooden door was pushed inwards. ¡°She¡¯s here. Finally!¡± Raine clapped her hands together and picked up her skirts as she rushed towards the door. Skidding to a stop, she pulled the door the rest of the way open and threw open her arms to welcome the nurse back. ¡°Well, what happened?¡±


    Her nurse tottered into the garden, and wiped her brow with a cloth. Behind her, Raine spotted Peter as he stepped into the cool space. Shaking her head she pointed at the young boy. ¡°Send him away. I want to speak with you in private, not in front of a child.¡±


    The nurse panted and waved Peter away. ¡°Stay at the gate boy. I¡¯ll call for you later.¡±


    With a bow, Peter stepped back out of the garden and pulled the heavy door shut.


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    Raine stared at the shut door for a few more minutes before pouncing on her nurse. ¡°Oh dear nurse, why do you look so sad? Can you pretend to be happy for a few moments while you tell me what happened¡ªeven if the news is sad? Because,¡± she leaned forward hopefully, ¡°if it is good news, you¡¯re going to spoil it by looking so miserable.¡±


    Her nurse waved her away as she stumbled to the bench and sat down heavily. ¡°Bah, away with you girl. Let me sit a while.¡± Sighing, the older woman crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes.


    ¡°Oh come on,¡± Raine flopped down beside her. ¡°Please. Please tell me.¡±


    The nurse opened one eye. ¡°What¡¯s the rush girl? Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m out of breath?¡±


    Raine¡¯s eyebrows kissed her forehead as she swivelled to look at the other woman. ¡°Out of breath? You saying you¡¯re out of breath? How can you possibly be out of breath, when you still have enough breath to tell me that?¡± Her hair bounced around her shoulders as she shook her head in disbelief. ¡°If you¡¯re really out of breath, the least you could do is tell me what I want to know instead of complaining that you have no breath with which to speak. So now, tell me what I want to know. Is your news good news or bad news?¡±


    Raine resisted the unladylike urge to shake her nurse as the other woman gulped in several large breaths of air before opening her eyes and facing Raine. ¡°Well I can tell you one thing; you do not know how to choose a man.¡± The woman smiled before continuing. ¡°He is pretty attractive, but knowing all of the men you¡¯ve met, that doesn¡¯t say much. He¡¯s a bit rude, but I think if you can get by that, he¡¯ll be quite gentle.¡±


    Raine groaned and rolled her eyes. ¡°I already know that. What I want to know is,¡± she dropped her voice low, ¡°what did he say about our marriage?¡±


    ¡°Oh my body aches so.¡± The nurse moan dramatically before she massaged her arms and legs. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you, sending me down along the rocks to the wharf. I could have slipped and fallen to my death with all of this traipsing about I¡¯ve done today.¡±


    Suppressing a sigh, Raine patted her nurse¡¯s knee in what she hoped was a soothing and placating manner. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you¡¯re not feeling well. Now please, please tell me what he said.¡±


    The nurse harrumphed. ¡°From now on you can pass along your own messages.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to, but I¡¯m sure someone would notice if I went down to the docks. And it¡¯s not like I can always be here during high tide.¡±


    ¡°Are you able to be here during high tide today?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Raine sat up a little straighter as she smiled excitedly.


    ¡°Then you should do that. Because he will be there and the two of you can become husband and wife. No go, get yourself ready. It is going to be an interesting night.¡±

 A Sea of Love and Happiness

    Cidaris dashed by Nucello and Baetica with barely a wave as he headed for Lewisil¡¯s lagoon. A streak of bubbles lined his path as he dove down to the cave¡¯s entrance and burst into the ring reef. ¡°Lewisil!¡± he hollered as he dashed around the lagoon.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Came the older merman¡¯s response from his place near the surface. Long ago the merfolk has secured the flat rock that jutted into the ring and formed his roof to the edge of the reef. Now, it looked as if it had always been there.


    ¡°This afternoon she¡¯s going to marry me.¡± He threw himself dramatically on the man¡¯s kelp cushion and a school of juvenile rabbitfish darted out of the seaweed.


    ¡°Lovely.¡±


    ¡°Will the potion be ready in time?¡±


    The old merman shook his head. ¡°No, I was missing a few ingredients. I have them now, but it will take time to prepare. Come, let us go find your bride and you can marry her as a man and as a merman, and then all of these needless battles and deaths can die as you say ¡®I do¡¯.¡± Waving, he ushered Cidaris back out of the lagoon and towards Raine¡¯s manor once again.


    When they got to the stone wall, Cidaris darted through the hole in the rock wall. Behind him he heard Lewisil muttering about how it was a good thing he shrank in his old age or else he¡¯d never fit. ¡°Ah,¡± exclaimed Lewisil as they surfaced inside the pool, ¡°here she comes.¡±


    Raine jumped back in surprise when she saw Lewisil, but Cidaris pulled himself onto a rock and held out his hand towards her. ¡°It¡¯s okay. This is Lewisil. He¡¯s going to help us be together forever.¡±


    She grabbed Cidaris¡¯ hand and smiled shyly. ¡°Good evening Lewisil.¡±


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    Cidaris ran his fingers down the side of Raine cheeks. He felt her shiver with excitement and it sent the same tingles down his own body. ¡°I think we are already ready, Lewisil.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps, it would be best if you were married in the human sense first. She might grow cold in the water.¡±


    Cidaris sighed, and slipped back under the surface. Soon he too would grow cold in the water, but as he resurfaced and looked at his bride, he knew it would be worth it.


    Soft footsteps padded into the cave. Cidaris and Lewisil silently slipped into the darkness, until Raine called out. ¡°It¡¯s alright. He¡¯s here to marry us.¡±


    Water splashed on the rocks as Cidaris pulled himself out of the water again and sat on a stone by Raine¡¯s feet. Painfully slowly, the old man recited the words that would make Cidaris and Raine husband and wife. Cidaris tried to focus, but his mind drifted towards the woman beside him and her beauty, before drifting towards the water lapping at his tail. Except for Raine, the human world seemed incredibly dull.


    ¡°Man and wife,¡± the man finally breathed. ¡°You may kiss your bride.¡±


    Raine knelt down and Cidaris straightened his arms to give him the height needed to press his lips to hers once more. ¡°Come,¡± he whispered. ¡°Join me in the water and we¡¯ll dance and wed as merfolk do.¡±


    She gasped and then giggled as she slipped out of her shoes and stepped onto the algae-covered rocks. When the water was up to her waist, she stopped and shivered. ¡°W-what now?¡±


    Cidaris put his hands on hers and pulled her lower into the water. ¡°Just watch. I¡¯ll let you know when it¡¯s you¡¯re turn to join in.¡± With that, he began an elaborate dance worthy of a rainbow fish. Flicking his fin, he swished one way and then another, circling Raine and sweeping by her feet. Normally, this dance would be done in waters deep enough to dance all around her, but as it was, he struggled to keep his movements mostly horizontal in the shallow pool. When he noticed Raine¡¯s lips grow blue, he darted over. ¡°Ready¡± he said and pulled her into the water with him. Twirling, they splashed around in the water together. Until he stopped with his arms around her waist and her gown wrapped around his fin. Panting, he kissed her again. It wasn¡¯t the way that merfolk did things, but with her, it was right.


    She shivered against him. Sighing, he flicked his tail once more and brought her back to the rocky shore. ¡°You should go and get warm,¡± he whispered with a final kiss. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon.¡±


    Nodding, she grabbed hold of the man who wed them and stumbled out of the cave towards her father¡¯s manor.

 Tempers Churn

    Baetica and Nucello watched overhead as boats skittered along the surface of the water. ¡°Come on Nucello,¡± said Baetica with a wave. ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the village. The humans seem to be raring for a fight today.


    Nucello laughed. ¡°They¡¯re not the only ones. Look at you, you¡¯d draw your weapons before anything was happening.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, I can see it now. You¡¯d kill a man, or even a merman, if you thought they looked at you the wrong way. Or you thought their hair flowed better than yours. You have more scars on your body and you go through more blades than the rest of us combined, and you think to tell me to come away before a fight breaks out.¡± He punched Baetica in the shoulder. ¡°Yeah, that sounds about right.¡± Laughing he swam closer to the surface.


    Baetica darted after him and yanked on his tail. ¡°If I fought as much as you do, I¡¯d be dead before dawn.¡±


    ¡°Pfft. I¡¯m not dead yet.¡±


    ¡°Nucello, come back. The humans are up there.¡±


    Nucello looked back down at Baetica. ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± With that, he flicked his tail once more and broke the surface of the water.


    With eyes like thermal vents, Beatica followed his friend to the surface. As his ears broke through the waves he heard the sound of men yelling to turn the boat around. Turning to glare at Nucello, he saw the boat coming towards them.


    ¡°Slow down men, I wish to speak with them,¡± yelled a voice Baetica knew all to well. Garrick.


    ¡°A word with us?¡± said Nucello irreverently. ¡°Let¡¯s make it more fun than that. Why don¡¯t you jump in the water with that harpoon of yours and try to make it a word and wallop.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Oh believe me,¡± said Garrick hefting his spear to alter his grip on it, ¡°I am more than willing to toss this down at you. And I guarantee you¡¯re going to give me the opportunity I need to do it.¡±


    ¡°Do we have to give you something? Couldn¡¯t you just take it?¡±


    Garrick snarled. ¡°First things first. Do you know the cretin who belongs to these?¡± He held up more of Cidaris¡¯ scales plus a few white ones that could only belong to Lewisil.


    Baetica felt his muscles tense with rage and annoyance. How many more scales did Cidaris have on his fin to lose? And what had he gotten himself into that he was able to convince Lewisil to partake in his stupidity.


    ¡°Cretin?¡±


    The snap in Nucello¡¯s voice jolted Baetica. He reached out and grabbed the merman¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Easy. You were the one who chose to surface. Either answer the man¡¯s questions with some sort of grace, or withdraw to the depths until you¡¯ve cooled down.¡±


    Nucello snorted as he turned to glare at Baetica. ¡°Cool down? I¡¯m cold enough already. If anyone of us needs to cool down it¡¯s that holothurian on the deck.¡±


    Baetica ran his fingers through his hair and dislodged a snail that had snuck along for a ride as he tamped down his desire to throttle Nucello. Bubbles lightened the sea behind Nucello and drew Baetica''s gaze moments before Cidaris surfaced and lazily splashed his fin.


    "Well, well, well, if it isn''t the fish I''m looking for." He leaned over the edge of the boat and hurled Cidaris¡¯ scales at him. A few pinged off Cidaris'' hair but most plopped listlessly into the water around him. "You monster," he snarled.


    Cidaris crossed his arms and cocked his head in a very human-like manner as he looked up at Garrick. "If my feelings towards humans hadn''t changed, I would be furious about what you just said. But as it stands, I shan''t be bothered. You don''t know me at all. If you did, you''d know I''m not a monster." Turning Cidaris motioned for Baetica and Nucello to dive. "Good bye."


    "Good bye? You invade our home and think you can just walk away?" His free hand smacked the wooden rail between them. "Screw you. Draw your weapon, you miserable sea slug."


    ¡°No,¡± responded Cidaris much to Baetica¡¯s continued surprise. What had happened to his cousin over the last arrival and dispersal of the sun that had calmed him from wanting to fight to wanting to avoid it? ¡°I could never hurt you. I can¡¯t tell you why not yet, but know that I mean you no harm. Perhaps someday we will see each other as kin.¡±


    ¡°Kin?¡± roared Nucello. ¡°How dare you suggest something so disgustingly vile.¡± The sun glinted off his fin as he drew his blade and rushed the boat. ¡°If he shan¡¯t fight. I will.¡±

 Breakwater Surge

    Garrick sneered. ¡°You¡¯ll fight me?¡±


    ¡°Aye,¡± snapped Nucello. ¡°I¡¯ll fight you, you feline slayer of sea fowl and I¡¯ll take everyone of your lives.¡± He spun his weapons in his hands before slamming them into the wooden side of the vessel to climb. ¡°I¡¯d hurry up and get your weapon ready fool, lest I finish you off before you¡¯ve had a chance to stand up.¡±


    Cidaris dove onto Nucello¡¯s tail fin and tried to pull him off the side of the ship. ¡°Nucello, let go. Stop this madness.¡±


    ¡°Madness? You think I¡¯ve succumbed to madness?¡± He scoffed and slapped his fin into the side of the ship, slamming Cidaris¡¯ fingers beneath it.


    As Cidaris head splashed below the surface, he watched in horror as Nucello flipped over the edge and yelled. ¡°Baetica,¡± he hollered as he darted for the surface, ¡°we need to stop them. Come on.¡± Pulling out his tusks, he scampered up the side of the ship with Baetica beside him. Launching himself over the edge he saw Garrick and Nucello sparring with each other. ¡°Stop Garrick! Stop Nucello!¡± As Baetica crawled towards Nucello, Cidaris pushed himself towards Garrick and tried to toss him towards the rest of his crew.


    Garrick squirmed underneath Cidaris¡¯ hold and reached out with his lance. As Baetica pulled the other merman away Cidaris heard him scream as the blade connected. Tossing Garrick towards the other humans, Cidaris scrambled back to the edge of the vessel and dove into the sea with Baetica and Nucello.


    Nucello moaned and clutched his chest. Dark blood spread out between his fingers. ¡°He got me,¡± he snarled. ¡°What about him? Did either of you hurt him? Because I didn¡¯t.¡± He moaned again. ¡°I should go and see the healers.¡±


    Baetica glanced at Nucello¡¯s wound and winced. ¡°Aye, perhaps it¡¯ll be best if they meet us halfway.¡± Releasing Nucello with one arm, he lifted a small shell to his lips and blew through it to alert the healers that he was coming and that they would need immediate help.


    ¡°It can¡¯t be that bad,¡± murmured Cidaris.


    As Baetica carried Nucello away, Nucello looked over his shoulder and shook his head at Cidaris. ¡°Why did you have to get in between us? I¡¯m going to die and it¡¯s your fault. If you hadn¡¯t of been in the way I would have seen the blow and blocked it. But now¡­ now the sharks will feed well on my fins tonight.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I¡­ I thought it was for the best to stop you,¡± said Cidaris. Shock froze him to the spot. ¡°Please stop being so dramatic Nucello. You¡¯re not going to die.¡±


    Nucello snorted and bubbles streamed from his nostrils. ¡°You¡¯ll have to drag me Baetica, or I will faint. I can not swim that far. You¡¯ve made shark bait out of me, I swear. I hope you both dine with a hagfish for this.¡± He coughed and waved weakly for Baetica to hurry.


    A dark stream of blood billowed behind them as Baetica dove. Cidaris watched and listened in horror as Baetica blew the horn again before the pool of blood blocked them both from view. ¡°No,¡± whispered Cidaris as he hovered in the water just beneath the surface. ¡°Nucello can¡¯t die. He¡¯s my friend.¡± He glanced above him to where the boat still drifted, and shook his head in heartbreak. ¡°And by Garrick. The man I¡¯ve been related to for a quarter turn of the sun.¡± His fists bunched beside him as he glared at the vessel above him. ¡°Oh Raine, your beauty has bewitched me. You¡¯ve made me forget that I¡¯m a warrior. I¡¯ve been raised to fight.¡±


    A sound echoed through the gloom and Cidaris turned away from the ship to see Baetica rising through the plume to join him. His cousin sighed as he leveled with him and put his hands on Cidaris¡¯ shoulders. ¡°Nucello is dead.¡±


    Cidaris felt his blood boil as he swam for the surface. ¡°How dare he stand there on the safety of his deck, while Nucello drifts to the bottom of the sea to swim no more. I tried to be kind, to say that we could leave each other in peace, but if it wasn¡¯t for Nucello¡¯s memory, I would believe that still.¡± With all of his might Cidaris launched himself onto the side the ship and climbed up.


    Garrick laughed. ¡°Back for more?¡±


    ¡°You killed him,¡± Cidaris screamed.


    ¡°Garrick laughed even harder as he drew his blade again. ¡°Well then, in that case, I can help you join him.¡±


    Cidaris roared and lunged at Garrick, swiping his legs out from beneath him with his tail. As Garrick scrambled to right himself and stab Cidaris through the tail, Cidaris grabbed him and rolled to the edge of the ship before diving over. Garrick screamed for the moment they were in the air and spears rained down around them as his crew tried to save their leader. But Cidaris cared not for the scrapes the near misses caused as he dove deeper and deeper. Garrick flailed and scrambled as the pressure rose around him.


    Baetica touched Cidaris arms. ¡°Let him go, Cidaris. I hear the sound of the prince¡¯s horn. We¡¯ve been forbidden to battle. You need to flee. If he finds you here, the prince will condemn you to death. Go! Go now!¡±


    Eyes wide, Cidaris shoved Garrick away from him. The drowning man clawed for the surface, but as Cidaris disappeared into the ocean depths he knew Nucello¡¯s murderer would never wake to walk under the sun again.

 Exiled in the Ocean

    A merman wearing the prince¡¯s symbol swam up to Baetica. ¡°Where did the man who killed Nucello go?¡±


    Frowning, and resisting the urge to even peek in the direction of Cidaris¡¯ disappearing bubbles, Baetica pointed to where Garrick¡¯s body drifted in the ocean currents. ¡°There he is.¡±


    The merman¡¯s head jerked back as he took in Garrick¡¯s lifeless form. Composing himself with dubious results, he turned to face Baetica once more. ¡°In the name of our holy prince, you must come with me.¡± His hand drifted towards his blade in case Baetica should resist, but Baetica had seen enough bloodshed for one day and swam in the direction of the prince¡¯s palace.


    As the guard followed behind him, Baetica heard him trill a few notes on a pipe. Soon a second and third guard wearing the same sigil swam by them. Baetica listened as the first guard directed them to where Garrick drifted in the waves.


    Shells, polished bone, and pearls decorated the outside of the coral building. Tiny fish darted in and out of the openings, a few moray eels lurked in the darker alcoves ready to lunge out at any of the fish that drifted too close. Baetica briefly wondered if he was like the small fish that was caught in the eel¡¯s jaws as he and the guard swam through one of the larger openings and wound their way to the throne room.


    The prince sat on the rim of a giant clam shell. The inside had since been filled with sand to avoid any royals flailing and sliding backwards into the empty shell, but most royals opted to remain on the rim anyway.


    In front of him were Nucello¡¯s parents, cradling their deceased boy¡¯s body, Gadilidae, Mytilidae and a few other nobles from the sea, including the one who had brokered the deal with the Zaudemnites.


    The guard following him sped up suddenly and put his arm out to stop Baetica from moving forward. As the two mermen flicked their tails and moved towards the side, the two guards from earlier swam by carrying Garrick¡¯s lifeless body between them.


    The Prince looked from Nucello to Garrick and shook his head disappointedly. ¡°Who are the ones who started this fight?¡± His voice was as icy as a polar cap, with the same vicious bite of a stingray¡¯s tail.


    The guard shoved Baetica forward. ¡°He is the one who brought us Nucello, and then I found him with that man.¡±


    The Prince¡¯s shark-like gaze zeroed in on Baetica. In spite of himself, Baetica found himself shivering and his tongue felt too swollen to speak.


    ¡°Well?¡± prompted the Prince. ¡°What did you see happen?¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    His chest felt like a lump of cobalt pressed down by the entire ocean as it rested in its bed at the bottom of the ocean, but he found his voice. ¡°Oh Prince, I was there for the entire thing. I saw each fatal blow.¡± He pointed to Garrick. ¡°This man, who was drowned by Cidaris, is the one who killed Nucello.¡±


    The noble who brokered the deal with the Zaudemnites gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. ¡°Oh Garrick. He¡¯s the nephew of the leader of the Rauzandites. They will mourn him deeply and they will look to you for compensation. Oh dear Prince, you must give them blood for blood. You must show them that you will not stand for this viciousness if we are ever to live in peace.¡±


    When the mermaid finished speaking, the prince turned his gaze towards Baetica again. ¡°Who started the fight?¡±


    Baetica saw the noble roll her eyes behind the prince, and he presumed it was because she didn¡¯t think it mattered who started. She only cared about the end. Inwardly, he shook off his annoyance and pointed to Garrick. ¡°He started it. We found him dropping threats to Cidaris in the water. At first, Cidaris wasn¡¯t with us, but Nucello and I went to investigate. When Cidaris joined us, he asked Garrick to calm down and to look upon us as kin.¡± His gaze darted towards the mermaid and saw her scowl and roll her eyes again. ¡°But Garrick would hear none of it. He refused to be satisfied until he killed someone. And, while Cidaris and I tried to pull the two apart, Garrick stabbed Nucello.¡±


    Baetica sighed and shook his head sadly. ¡°We tried to get Nucello to the healer, but when Cidaris learned the Nucello would never feel the ocean currents again, he became blind with rage and attacked his friend¡¯s killer, pulling him into the sea. When he realized what he had done, Cidaris fled. That¡¯s the truth. I swear it.¡±


    The mediator scoffed. ¡°He and Cidaris are kin. There¡¯s no way that he speaks the full truth. What of the other men on the ship? Surely Garrick was not on his own? And why was he seeking Cidaris to begin with?¡± Her face scrunched with disgust. ¡°No my Prince, I do not believe Baetica, and I do not believe you should either. The humans will call for blood for this, and you must deliver them Cidaris. That merman must not live.¡±


    The prince studied her for a moment and then left his chair. Slowly, he swam around Nucello and then Garrick¡¯s bodies. Examining them from different angles while the others in the room waited in a tense patience. He gestured towards Garrick. ¡°Cidaris killed him,¡± he flicked his fin and pointed to Nucello, ¡°after he killed Nucello. Who should pay the blood debt now?¡±


    ¡°Not Cidaris,¡± cried Gadilidae. ¡°He and Nucello were friends. His fault is that he took the law, and,¡± he looked pointedly at the mediator, ¡°it is the law, into his own hands and killed Garrick before the man could escape or be condemned by your own words.¡±


    The prince nodded. ¡°You are correct. Cidaris did take the law into his own hands. More than that, he broke the law that forbade you and your kin from interacting with the humans at all. For that reason, he will be exiled.¡± His hand flew up to stop any arguments from Cidaris¡¯ parents. ¡°Nucello was my kin. He was my cousin. Your love of battle has cost me my cousin. And I promise, I will make you regret that. You will not find sympathy from me. Yes, your son will live, but he will live alone for the rest of his days. You may not go with him. You may only find him to tell him to leave. Once he is found, he is to be out of these waters before the sun darkens the sea floor. I will not pardon a murderer in this village, that is all it would take for more killers to try their luck at a human¡¯s life. Now leave.¡±

 Dead in the Water

    Raine sat in the gardens. As a bird sang a song, she jumped up and paced around the bench before plopping herself down again. ¡°Come on night,¡± she chastised the sky. ¡°Come on sun, the day should be done already. Surely you can move faster through the sky and set so night can be here now.¡±


    Glancing over to the wall that separated her from the sea, she huffed and walked towards it. As she ran her fingers along the cool stone, she slipped her feet out of her slippers and walked along the grass towards the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°Oh moon and stars, please show yourselves. I long to see you because with you will come my husband, my love, my Cidaris. I can¡¯t see him during the day. Not yet anyway, but I would love to see him now. To hold him now. To be with him now.¡± She hugged herself close and remembered his fingers as they caressed her body. The cool chill that sent tingles through her and drove her breath from her lips. The warmth that filled her when their lips touched in spite of the water¡¯s chill. She licked her lips and shivered.


    ¡°Come, night; come Cidaris. Come to me the one who makes my night as warm as day and as bright as though the very sun was above me. Ugh!¡± She grunted and spun around, marching back to her shoes. As she bent down and snatched them up she groaned and berated herself. ¡°I¡¯m like an impatient child waiting for a gift to celebrate the day of my birth.¡± She stalked back to the bench and flopped down on it to brush the tiny pebbles and stray bits of grass from her toes before she put her slippers back on.


    As she did so, she heard the gate open. ¡°Nurse!¡± Laughter bubbled out of her as her nurse firmly shut the gate behind her. Forgetting her shoes, she ran towards the gateway. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re here. You always have such nice things to say about Cidaris. I can¡¯t wait to hear them.¡± It¡¯ll certainly make night come quicker. At least I hope that will be the case. ¡°Are those the things Cidaris asked for?¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The nurse nodded and tossed them down on the ground beside her. Tears filled her eyes as she wrang her hands. ¡°Yes,¡± she sobbed.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? What happened? Is he okay?¡±


    The nurse stumbled over to the bench and sat down, heaving deep sobs wracked her body. ¡°Oh, he¡¯s dead.¡± She hiccupped. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. Such a wonderful boy, and now he¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°Dead? Cidaris is dead?¡±


    The nurse shook her head. ¡°Oh I wouldn¡¯t have thought him capable of it. But now¡­ now¡­¡± She broke down. Inconsolable sobs burst out of her as she buried her face in her hands.


    Raine hugged her tightly. ¡°What do you mean you couldn¡¯t have thought him capable of it? Did he kill himself?¡±


    Her nurse sobbed even louder.


    Raine shook her. ¡°Tell me nurse. If you can¡¯t say words, say ¡®I.¡¯ Did Cidaris kill himself? Say ¡®I¡¯ if he did. If he¡¯s not dead, say ¡®no.¡¯ Surely you can manage to make such brief sounds.


    Her nurse wiped her eyes away. ¡°I spoke to the men. They said he disappeared beneath the waves, and he¡¯ll never surface again.¡± She hiccupped again and held out her hands before him. ¡°He¡¯s gone Raine. I collapsed on the beach when they told me, and then¡­ and then I came here.¡± Her voice broke down into more tears.


    Raine wailed alongside her. ¡°Oh my heart, I shall never love again. How can I be expected to go on, when my love, my Cidaris will never be beside me again.¡± Buring her face in her nurse¡¯s shoulder, she sobbed even harder.


    ¡°Oh Garrick,¡± moaned the nurse. ¡°He was so good to me, one of the best friends I ever had. We laughed and joked. And now, now I shall never see him smile again. I shall never hear him laugh once more.¡±


    ¡°Garrick?¡± Raine choked. ¡°Is Garrick dead too? My dear cousin is also dead? Now I must mourn my husband and my cousin?¡± She wiped her eyes and gasped for air as she stared at her nurse through the blurry haze.


    ¡°No, Cidaris is not dead. Garrick is dead and Cidaris has been banished because he killed him.¡±


    ¡°Cidaris killed Garrick?¡±


    The nurse sniffed and nodded. ¡°Aye. Cidaris killed your cousin.¡±

 Shock Waves

    Raine felt a weight settle into her chest where her heart once rested. Her jaw dropped open as she stared at the ground in shock. ¡°No,¡± she breathed as fresh tears started to pool in her eyes. ¡°How could you? He tricked me. He¡¯s looks hid a horrible monster. I was so swept up by his touch, his eyes, his lips, that I never saw the shadows within him.¡± She looked over at the nurse as the tears spilled over. ¡°How could someone who seems so kind, be so merciless?¡±


    The nurse wiped her eyes and wrapped her arms around her charge as Raine sobbed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Raine. Men can¡¯t be trusted. They¡¯re all liars and deceivers. As soon as they give you a promise they¡¯ll break it.¡± She hiccupped through her own tears. ¡°Oh my sweet, sweet girl. These sorrows and horrible tidings, they¡¯re what make me old. I hope Cidaris gets what he deserves.¡±


    ¡°Shut your mouth, woman. How dare you say such a thing about Cidaris.¡± She shoved the nurse back and stood in front of her with her arms crossed. ¡°He¡¯s wonderful. He doesn¡¯t deserve banishment. He¡¯s kind and considerate. Ugh.¡± Swallowing hard, she wiped the tears from her cheeks. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I said all those horrid things about him.¡±


    ¡°You have good things to say about the creature who killed your cousin?¡±


    Her gaze drifted skywards as she took a deep breath. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not going to speak poorly of my husband. We¡¯ve been married for all of three hours, and I¡¯m already blowing it. How can I be a good wife, when I accuse him so harshly? But, why oh why did you have to kill Garrick? Would he have killed you?¡± She ran her fingers along the lace edgings of her sleeves, before wiping her eyes again. ¡°Gah! Stop crying. I need to stop crying. Yes, Garrick is dead, but my husband is not. Cidaris must have only killed Garrick, because Garrick was going to kill him.¡± She wiped her face ferociously. ¡°This should be comforting.¡± Her voice raised as she glared at the nurse between her flailing hands. Though she was careful not to get too loud lest it carry to the manor behind them, and before she continued, she dropped it again. ¡°This should be comforting. My husband is not dead, but still I cry.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    She sniffed. ¡°I think, I think it¡¯s because when you told me of Garrick¡¯s death, you also mentioned that Cidaris has been banished.¡± She sank to her knees on the stone path. Her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s been banished. It would have been bad enough to just hear that Garrick has died. But grief apparently needs a friend and so come cruel fate has decided to not only share with me the death of my cousin, but the banishment of my new husband. It would have been easier to hear that my parents were also dead, than to hear that my love will be gone forever.¡± Hair drifted across her cheeks and clung to the damp spots as she lifted her head to look at her nurse. ¡°Where are my parents, nurse?¡±


    ¡°Oh dear girl, your parents are in the house weeping over the loss of Garrick. Shall I bring you to them? You can find comfort in their grieving?¡±


    Raine shook her head. ¡°No, they only care about Garrick¡¯s death. And it would be too hard for me to be there and weep with people who only care for half my pain. They¡¯ll probably be rejoicing through their tears at Cidaris¡¯ banishment. So no, I do not wish to go to them. I wish to see Cidaris. I would like¡­¡± she shuddered and pulled herself to her feet. ¡°I am newly married, and I feel like I¡¯m about to die, I would rather not die still a virgin. I wish to see my husband.¡±


    Sighing softly, the nurse brushed the stuck strands of hair from Raine¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Go to your room dear girl and make yourself presentable. I¡¯m sure your husband will come and see you before he goes. I¡¯ll come and help you sneak down to the gardens when the tide and moon are high.¡±


    Nodding, Raine removed one of her rings and folded the nurse¡¯s fingers around it. ¡°Please, try to find him and give him this. Tell him I wish to see him one last time.¡±


    Blinking back her own tears, the nurse stood and ambled out of the garden gate once more.

 Fathoms of Despair

    Lewisil sighed heavily as he approached his grotto and ducked through the entrance. ¡°Cidaris?¡± His voice bounced off the coral and sank to the depths of the reef. ¡°Cidaris, we need to speak. It won¡¯t be an easy discussion, but you must be brave.¡± The weight of his message pulled his frame lower and lower, towards the blacker waters away from the stray rays of sun. In the deep he spied Cidaris swimming towards him. His face was twisted in worry and his fingers darted through his hair like fish through kelp.


    ¡°What is it Lewisil? What did the Prince have to say about me? Am I¡­¡± he swallowed and shook his body. ¡°What do you know?¡±


    Lewisil brought himself level with Cidaris and squeezed his shoulders. His head dropped as he fought to find the strength to speak. ¡°My dear boy, I¡¯m so sorry. My news is not good.¡±


    Cidaris body quaked as he pulled away. Lewisil watched as Cidaris pulled his shoulders back and readied himself. ¡°What is the punishment to be? Am I to be killed?¡±


    Lewisil shook his head. ¡°That would have been kinder, but no.¡± He sighed heavily. ¡°You will live, but you will not live with us anymore. The prince has banished you from our home.¡±


    ¡°Banished?¡± Cidaris¡¯ hair drifted slowly back and forth defying the quick motions of his head as he shook it. ¡°No, don¡¯t say banishment. Please, tell me he had some mercy and demanded my death.¡± He swam over to Lewisil and shook him. ¡°Please tell me you made a mistake, and that I¡¯m not going to live. I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t live on my own. That¡¯s worse. Death would be so much better. Please tell me, I¡¯m not going to be alone.¡± Releasing him, Cidaris darted away and faced the coral on the wall.


    Lewisil swam over to where Cidaris slowly sank to the seabed and patted him on the shoulder. ¡°You must leave your home Cidaris, but that doesn¡¯t mean you will be alone. The ocean is deep and wide. We are not the only ones who dwell in the deep.¡±


    Cidaris choked out a laugh and a sob. ¡°There is no other world away from here. To leave is to enter the abyss.¡± He sank down and rested on the sand floor of the reef as seaweed and polyps caressed and stung his body with each ferocity. ¡°Being banished is just them saying that I¡¯m to be killed. But instead of being the one who has to harpoon me, they get to smile and say that ¡®it¡¯s only banishment¡¯ and act like it¡¯s not death itself.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Lewisil flicked his tail to sweep aside some of the plants and animals so he could sit beside Cidaris without being perpetually attacked by anemone hungering for a smaller snack. Coiling his tail, he set himself down beside Cidaris. ¡°I know you killed him because he killed one of us. But, the prince has been trying to broker a deal of peace with the surface dwellers. So, our laws call for death. However, the prince has chosen to be kind, and in spite of what the others wanted, he put aside the law he created and chose to give you a new chance at life. This is a mercy whether or not you see it as so.¡±


    Cidaris rolled his eyes as he looked over at Lewisil. ¡°Here is where Raine is. How can being anywhere where she is not be anything other than abyssal? Forever I will be left remembering the warmth of her touch. The ocean and the pebbles she walks across in the cave can feel the tenderness of her touch and the light of her smile, but I don¡¯t get to do that.¡± Pushing himself up with a cloud of sand he hovered above Lewisil. ¡°How can you know that and tell me that exile isn¡¯t death?¡±


    Grunting, Lewisil pushed himself off the sand and followed Cidaris skywards. ¡°Listen to me Cidaris.¡±


    Cidaris scoffed. ¡°Why? So you can tell me about the joys of banishment again?¡±


    Lewisil reached up and yanked on Cidaris tail, shocking the younger merman by pulling him downwards with a burst of unexpected strength. ¡°Let me help you. I can make it so that banishment isn¡¯t the worst thing for you.¡±


    As Cidaris glared at Lewisil, his arms crossed over his chest and he nodded with a sarcastic disbelief. ¡°How? Are you going to magically undo the Prince¡¯s ruling, move this city to where I am living once I leave, or create a Raine that I can bring with me?¡± His shoulders sank as he turned away. ¡°How Lewisil? Nothing you can say or do will make this better.¡±


    ¡°I see the despairing have lost the use of their ears then?¡±


    ¡°Why would they, when no one else can see the pain they¡¯re in? You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to be in love. To have been married and then to have been banished before the sun sets. If you did, you¡¯d understand the way I feel.¡±


    ¡°Hide here longer Cidaris, I will make you see how I can help you.¡±

 Pearl of Hope

    Lewisil left his grotto and swam towards the shore to see if he could find the items he needed for the spell. As he got to the shallows he saw a small paddle boat swirling in circles above him. Shaking his head, he rose to the surface to see if he could guide the wayward vessel back to shore.


    ¡°Come on, come on, come on,¡± he heard the woman sob. After a moment, he recognized it as the voice of Raine¡¯s nurse. ¡°Please go the right way.¡±


    He cleared his throat as she continued her circle. She screamed and the boat tipped perilously before he grabbed the side and righted it, with the nurse still in the boat. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you, ma¡¯am. Remember me? We met at the wedding.¡±


    Her hand clutched her chest as her wide eyes took him in. Tears streaked her cheeks, as she gasped for breath. ¡°I have a message for Cidaris from Raine,¡± she squeaked. ¡°Where is he?¡±


    Lewisil sighed. ¡°He is back that way, drowning in his tears.¡±


    The nurse wiped her eyes and nodded. ¡°Raine too. She can barely speak for the tears. We¡¯ve heard that he¡¯s been banished, but Raine would like to see him before he leaves.¡±


    Lewisil dipped his eyes and looked around for other merfolk. Seeing none, he looked up at the nurse. ¡°I¡¯ll tow you to where he is. Perhaps you can give him some hope.¡±


    The nurse sniffled and wiped her nose with a napkin none-to-daintily, before she nodded her assent. Lewisil ducked under the boat and swam to the stern to push her towards the lagoon. As his body splashed in and out of the water, he watched as her tanned skin became whiter and whiter the further behind they left the shore. When they reached the coral reef, he pushed the boat up against the rocks and motioned for her to meet him on the other side of the thin island. Then he dove beneath the rocks and surfaced in front of her once more. This time, with a weeping Cidaris propped up in his arms.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she chittered when she saw him. ¡°He¡¯s just as bad as Raine.¡±


    Cidaris perked up at the sound of the nurse¡¯s voice and pushed himself out of Lewisil¡¯s grasp. ¡°Nurse!¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°Yes it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°Oh nurse, does she hate me? Does she think I¡¯m nothing but a murderer?¡± He flinched and ducked beneath the waves before surfacing once more. ¡°Is she okay? Does she regret marrying me because of this?¡±


    ¡°Poor girl is heartbroken. She weeps for Garrick. She weeps for you.¡± The nurse fanned herself with her damp handkerchief. ¡°Oh she¡¯s such a mess.¡±


    ¡°This is my fault,¡± snapped Cidaris. ¡°I did this to her.¡± Frantically he searched the shoals for a thin piece of staghorn coral, before turning to the nurse and Lewisil. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t hurt her anymore.¡±


    Lewisil reached over and grabbed Cidaris¡¯ arm as he tried to stab himself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so stupid, Cidaris,¡± cried Lewisil. ¡°I really thought that you had better self-control than this. But first you killed Garrick. And now you want to kill yourself and finish off the heart of the woman who resides in you. How do you think Raine will feel when she hears that you are not only banished but now dead because you killed yourself?¡± He ripped the staghorn from Cidaris hand. Blood pooled before them as the rough coral sliced through the skin on the younger merman¡¯s palm. ¡°Garrick would have killed you. Garrick wanted to kill you. Garrick would still want to kill you if you hadn¡¯t of killed him first. Not only that, given the new law that the prince has put in place, you should be dead because of that crime. But the prince decided to take into account the situation and decreed that you should only be banished instead. But instead of seeing that for the gift it is, you mope around like a blobfish on the bottom of the ocean.¡±


    Cidaris pulled away from Lewisil and glared at him, but Lewisil waved him towards the grotto¡¯s entrance.


    ¡°Go to your lady. Comfort her. Be with her. But leave before the tide traps you and sentences you to a death for tardiness. Once you¡¯re gone we can wait for the right time to ask the prince for a pardon so we can reunite you with your bride.¡± He glanced towards the nurse who was timidly standing on the narrow shore holding up her skirts as the water kissed the edge of her little boat. ¡°My lady, you might as well embark on your ship. Cidaris will pull you in to shore so you can warn his wife that he will meet her where he met her before.¡±


    ¡°Be quick though. It¡¯s getting very late,¡± she said as she nodded and wobbled her way to the boat as Lewisil and Cidaris dove beneath the surface.


    For the first time since he heard about Nucello¡¯s death, a smile erupted on Cidaris¡¯ face. ¡°Thank you Lewisil. You¡¯re right. This isn¡¯t the end.¡±


    Lewisil patted him on the shoulder and then waved him through the tunnel ¡°Good night boy, and good luck. Once you leave head to Balaenoptera Bay. I will find you there when the time is right.¡±


    Cidaris beamed as he darted out of the tunnel. ¡°Thanks again Lewisil. I will miss you, but I can¡¯t be sad about that right now, because Raine is waiting for me.¡±

 Turbid Tides

    Rigel sat by the window with an empty wine glass dangling from his hands. He rubbed his forehead and glanced towards the parlour door and the stairs beyond it once more. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you happened to come at such a rotten time,¡± he remarked to Derrin.


    The other man shrugged noncommittally and place his own empty glass on the tray beside him.


    He sighed. ¡°She loved Garrick very much. We¡­¡± he shook his head, ¡°we all did. But, as you know, we are all born to die someday. Though, usually we assume the older ones will go first.¡± Standing, he covered the distance between himself and Derrin and put his own cup down before holding out his hand. ¡°She won¡¯t come down anymore. Honestly man, if it wasn¡¯t for you, I too would have been in bed ages ago.¡±


    ¡°Mmm¡­¡± murmured Lady Aurora in agreement from her chair by the fire.


    Derrin frowned and nodded. ¡°Yes. It makes sense that when something like that happens, people are not in the mood to find love and happiness elsewhere. I shall retire and allow you to do the same.¡± He bowed towards Lady Aurora. ¡°Please put in a good word to your daughter for me.¡±


    ¡°I will,¡± she susurrated and waved towards the stairs. ¡°Tomorrow morning, she and I will speak. But tonight, I will leave her to her sadness.¡±


    Rigel ran his fingers through his normally well-kept hair as he watched Derrin, slowly turn to walk out the door. Something in the man¡¯s posture broke him almost as much as finding out that the monsters in the water murdered Garrick. ¡°Wait.¡± He glanced over to his wife who was looking at him in confusion. ¡°I know Raine is young and sometimes grief can cloud a young girl¡¯s emotions, but I think that I as her father understand her. I also think that she will listen to what I say, because she knows I love her and I want what¡¯s best for her.¡± He watched as his wife perked up more from where she had been reclining. ¡°My dear, instead of speaking with Raine tomorrow, please speak with her tonight. Tell her that Derrin loves her, that he came all the way across the waters from Zaundiname to be with her, and to marry her. Let her know that you and I have decided that the two of them will be married on Wednesday¡­¡± his voice trailed off as he mentally calculated what day it was. Unsuccessful, he turned to Derrin, ¡°What day is it?¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Monday,¡± the man said with a breathless sort of anticipation.


    ¡°Not Wednesday then. Wednesday is too soon.¡± Mentally he cursed his sluggish mind as he tired to pick a better date. ¡°We¡¯ll say Thursday then. It won¡¯t be a big affair. People would think that we didn¡¯t care for Garrick at all if your wedding was a large ceremony. Say, half a dozen friends to witness your union.¡± Satisfied, he smiled and held out his hand to Derrin. ¡°How do you feel about a wedding on Thursday?¡±


    Derrin beamed and shook Rigel¡¯s hand heartily. ¡°I wish it was Thursday already Rigel.¡±


    ¡°Well, the best way to make that happen is to head to bed so the new day can begin in earnest.¡± As Derrin practically danced out of the room, Rigel rang for the servants to clear the dishes and pecked his wife on her cheek. ¡°Do go tell Raine about her wedding before you go to bed. Perhaps her dreams will be merry instead of forlorn. Good night. What¡¯s left of it anyway. I for one am going to sleep.¡±


    As the sun began to climb over the treetops behind him, Rigel stumbled up to his room as his yawning wife turned down the hallway towards Raine¡¯s quarters.

 Lovers Ebb

    Raine lounged against the sodden cushion she had carried to the cavern¡¯s entrance and lazily caressed Cidaris¡¯ cheek. ¡°Do you have to go?¡± She closed her eyes and leaned against his shoulder as a bird sang in the gardens. ¡°I promise you, that¡¯s still the nightingale and not a lark. Trust me, you don¡¯t know birds as well as I do.¡±


    She felt his cool fingers trace her jawline, before his lips followed them down. ¡°I might not know birds, but I do know the sound off the tide as it ebbs and flows.


    She opened her eyes and tried to memorize him as he pointed to the remains of the candles that were melted to the rocks around them.


    ¡°Besides,¡± he continued, ¡°the flickering lights you brought to help us keep track of time have all but gone out.¡± He leaned over and kissed her lips as he gently wove his fingers through her tangled locks. ¡°I have to go now if I want to live. If I stay any longer, I¡¯ll be trapped in here when the tide is all gone or if I manage to escape the confines of this cave, I¡¯ll be a dead man as I swim through the waters that are no longer mine to call home.¡±


    Raine¡¯s bottom lip pouted outwards as she snuggled even tighter against him. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. The candles must have gotten splashed. It can¡¯t be daylight yet.¡± She traced his jaw with her kisses until he pulled back and kissed her lips. ¡°Please don¡¯t go yet,¡± she pleaded.


    He sighed and cupped her cheek. ¡°Let me be taken then. I don¡¯t want to leave either. Let me stay here until someone finds me, or let me leave when the tide returns and my kin kill me. Death will be worth it to spend more time with you.¡±


    Her heart skipped a beat as his words sank in and she pulled away from as though he had zapped her as firmly as an electric eel might. ¡°No, please don¡¯t die. You¡¯re right.¡± Tears began to bloom in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s the day and you must go.¡± Her hands fluttered to her mouth and eyes as she scrambled up the rocks towards the cavern entrance. Pausing, she turned and ran back towards him, throwing herself on him. He caught her in an embrace and they kissed once more.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I wish I didn¡¯t have to go.¡±


    ¡°Raine!¡± The nurse¡¯s shrill and panicked voice hissed from the entrance of the cave as the older woman waddled inside. ¡°Raine!¡±


    ¡°What is it nurse?¡±


    ¡°Your mother is coming to your rooms to speak with you. I¡¯ll try to slow her down. But be careful, everyone is starting to wake up.¡±


    The woman grunted as she walked back up the rocky ground towards the manor. As her body disappeared from sight, Raine turned back towards Cidaris. ¡°I guess that¡¯s it then. We can¡¯t pretend anymore.¡±


    ¡°Goodbye my love.¡± Cidaris leaned up and gave her one last longing kiss before he pushed himself off into the waters below. The water in the cave was so far gone, that he had to scramble across the rocks towards the deeper pool. As he disappeared under the dark surface, Raine half-turned and slowly walked towards the entrance.


    As her vision blurred, Raine turned and focused on the steps before her. ¡°Oh Cidaris,¡± she mumbled. ¡°My love. My friend. I wish I could hear from you once more. I can¡¯t imagine how long time will pass before I see you again, Cidaris.¡±


    She heard a splash and turned around. In the dim morning light, she saw Cidaris against the far wall near a black hole. ¡°Goodbye. I will find a way to speak with you again. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Do you think we will ever see each other again?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes I do. And then, when we are together at last, all the things that have happened in the mean time, will just make it that much sweeter to see you.¡±


    She wiped her eyes and smiled. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m just¡­¡± she laughed self-deprecatingly, ¡°I¡¯m just being stupidly depressing. You¡¯re right. We will see each other again.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, love, I will be back. Goodbye.¡± Turning, he slipped into the tunnel and disappeared into it with a final flick of his tail.


    Sighing heavily, Raine lifted her soggy skirts and ran through the garden to the servants¡¯ entrance. Slowly she opened it and peered inside. Seeing no one, she raced through the halls to her room. The main door was still shut as she came in the back way. ¡°Whatever gods may be listening, I pray that you will bring him back soon.¡±


    In the hall she heard her mother¡¯s footsteps approach. Frantically, she grabbed a sleeping cap and threw the covers over her as the latch turned.

 Tides of Wedlock and Woe

    ¡°Raine?¡±


    Raine¡¯s heart pounded as she peeked over the covers at her mother¡¯s face as the other woman walked in the room.


    ¡°Are you awake dear?¡±


    Raine¡¯s eyes snapped shut. Maybe she would leave and Raine could sleep, or put on dry clothes. What would the servants think about the sodden mess she was making? She felt the mattress dip as her mother sat beside her.


    ¡°Raine. Sweetie. We need to talk.¡±


    Raine blinked her eyes open in what she hoped was a sleepy manner and gazed up at her mother. ¡°Mmm¡­¡± she moaned. ¡°Is it morning already?¡±


    ¡°Oh Raine, are you feeling alright?¡±


    Raine felt her damp hair sliding around and presumably knotting inside her nightcap as she sluggishly shook her head and silently pleaded for her mother to leave.


    Her mother rubbed Raine¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡¯re so cold,¡± she sighed. ¡°Still weeping over your cousin? I know you might wish that your tears might pull him from the grave and bring him back, but it can¡¯t be done.¡± She gave a small smile and stood up. She moved to the window and pulled open the curtains. ¡°I know your grief shows how much you loved your cousin, but too many tears makes it seem like you¡¯re too emotional and without any logic to rule your mind.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± Raine whined as she snuggled further into the damp sheets. ¡°I just want to cry for a bit. I¡¯ve lost so much. Leave me be.¡±


    Her mother moved around the room, occasionally picking up the dolls, books, and other trinkets that were carefully displayed on her shelves. ¡°You can feel the loss.¡± Her tone turned cruel as she squeezed one of Raine¡¯s dolls. ¡°But don¡¯t mourn for Garrick, mourn for the lack of justice to the villain who killed him.¡±


    ¡°Who was that?¡± Raine sniffed and hoped her voice remained the clueless innocent her mother thought she was.


    ¡°A merman by the name of Cidaris.¡± Tossing the doll aside, she stormed back to Raine¡¯s bed. ¡°That monster still lives.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Raine wiped her eyes, and said a silent prayer for Cidaris¡¯ safety and one asking for forgiveness for the words she was about to utter. ¡°I wish I was stronger, then I would kill him myself for what he did to Garrick.¡±


    Her mother smiled and gently rubbed her head. ¡°Don¡¯t worry child, we will have vengeance. I¡¯ve heard where he is going to be living for his exile. I¡¯ll send someone to poison the waters there. Fear not, he¡¯ll keep Garrick company soon enough. Perhaps then you¡¯ll dry your tears.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever dry my tears until I see Cidaris myself.¡± Dramatically, she wiped her eyes again. ¡°Mother, if you can find someone to create such a poison, I¡¯d like to be the one to deliver it. So I can show that monster the love I felt for my cousin.¡±


    Her mother laughed. ¡°If you can find a way to get to him, I will find a man to create the poison child. But now, let¡¯s leave this talk of murder and revenge alone. I did not come here before I went to bed to talk of death, but of new life and love.¡±


    ¡°What new life or love can there be at a time like this?¡± Raine sighed and glanced around her mother to the open window. The blue sky reminded her of the ocean and her love within it.


    ¡°Well,¡± her mother began slowly, ¡°as you know, your father loves you very much.¡±


    Raine nodded suspiciously.


    ¡°And he is concerned by all of these tears and terrible times that have befallen you. So, he¡¯s found a way to pull you from your misery. A special celebration for you, though perhaps not the kind of celebration you or I had thought of, but a good one nonetheless.¡± She smiled and tugged at the covers, but Raine held tight.


    ¡°I¡¯m not ready to get up yet, mother. What celebration?¡±


    ¡°Marriage, my dear Raine.¡± Standing, she danced a few steps from a waltz.


    As she did so, Raine bolted upright in the bed, before remembering her sodden clothes and pulling the blankets up around her.


    Lady Aurora, finished her dance and turned to face her wide-eyed daughter again. ¡°Next Thursday you and that lovely young nobleman Derrin will be wed. I can¡¯t think of a better way to bring you joy.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you think, this will not make me happy. I will never be a happy bride if you force me to marry that man.¡± She balled her hands into fists in the soft blankets. ¡°Why does he think I should get married or even want to get married this quickly. I beg you, tell father that I will not marry that man.¡± Her voice raised higher as she glared at her mother. ¡°I will not marry, and when I do, I promise you, the man I marry will be Cidaris. I know you hate him, but he¡¯s the one who holds my heart.¡±


    Her mother¡¯s mouth dropped open before she recovered and spun on her heel. ¡°You can tell him yourself child. We will be back.¡± The door slammed shut behind her and Raine flew out of the bed to put on dry clothes and make herself look presentable.


    ¡°What have I done?¡± she said to herself in the mirror as she yanked a brush through her matted hair.