by Unknown
‘Lizzy…’ Rose began in a tight, tiny voice.
Lizzy whirled round and stumbled away towards the stern. She heard Rose call after her but she took no notice, and clung to the rail, watching Tullor thrashing in the water. The trawler had slowed down, and Jack and Paul were at the winch.
‘What on earth is it?’ Paul yelled over the noise of the winch motor. ‘What’s going on?’
‘There’s no time to explain now!’ Jack shouted back. ‘Just make sure he can’t escape!’
They hauled in one end of the net so that it closed like a bag round Tullor. The giant eel was now trussed and powerless, and Paul stared at their prisoner in amazement. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it!’ he said. ‘And I thought I saw –’
He was interrupted by Mr Treleaven, who had hurried from the wheelhouse. ‘I’ve put the helm on automatic,’ he said. ‘Let’s have a look at him, then…’ He peered over the stern and whistled. ‘He’s enormous!’
‘Yes, and he’s far too big and dangerous to haul on board,’ said Jack breathlessly. ‘We’ll have to tow him back to port.’
‘Right!’ Mr Treleaven agreed. ‘Keep him well astern – we don’t want to risk fouling our propeller!’ He looked at Lizzy, and his expression was full of understanding. ‘Don’t worry, love,’ he added. ‘This brute won’t be troubling you again. I know just the place for him. Paul!’ Paul looked up, and Mr Treleaven continued, ‘Get on your mobile as soon as you can, and call the Sealife Centre. Tell ’em we’ve got the biggest snarlywig for them that they’ve ever seen!’
‘Right…’ Paul blinked and nodded, and Lizzy echoed, ‘Snarlywig?’
‘It’s what we call conger eels around here. Suits him, doesn’t it?’ He patted her shoulder. ‘You’d better go below, change that wetsuit for some dry clothes and have a hot drink. We’ll be home before you know it!’
Lizzy started to turn, and stopped as she saw that Rose was still standing motionless on the cabin stairway.
Jack had seen too. ‘Ah…’ he said. ‘She saw what happened, then?’
‘Yes…’ Lizzy looked helplessly up at him. ‘What am I going to do?’
Jack sighed. ‘You’d better tell her the truth, Lizzy.’ He hesitated, then smiled encouragingly. ‘You said you wanted to. And I think she’ll believe you now, won’t she?’
Lizzy’s heart was bumping under her ribs. But Jack was right. She had longed to share her secret with Rose. And she had promised that, as soon as she could, she would tell her sister everything.
She swallowed something that was trying to stick in her throat, and walked slowly along the deck to where Rose waited.
‘Lizzy…’ Rose’s eyes were wide with wonder and confusion. ‘That eel… and – and there were other people; they looked like… like… mermaids!’
‘Yes,’ said Lizzy quietly. ‘They were.’
Suddenly Rose’s paralysis snapped and she grabbed Lizzy’s arms, almost shaking her. ‘I wasn’t dreaming, was I? I saw them! And you were in the sea; you were with them! Lizzy, tell me what’s going on!’
Lizzy took a deep breath. ‘All right,’ she said. ‘But you might want to sit down…’
Rose leaned on the rail and stared out over the sea as the Regard chugged steadily homeward. She hadn’t said a word for several minutes, and Lizzy watched her uneasily, waiting for her to break the silence between them.
At last, Rose did. ‘I shouldn’t believe a word of what you’ve told me,’ she said in a quiet voice. ‘It’s totally nuts, totally insane, and I shouldn’t believe it. But I saw Kes and… and Morvyr. And I saw the other one; the one you said is the Queen. And you were swimming in the sea with them, just as if you lived in the water, and the dolphins were there too, and…’ She blinked, and shook her head vigorously as if to clear it. ‘I’ve got to believe, haven’t I?’
‘I didn’t at first,’ Lizzy told her. ‘I felt just the same as you. But when Kes showed me that I could breathe underwater…’
‘That must have been incredible.’ Rose managed a wan smile. ‘And it kind of… proves that magic is real, doesn’t it? It’s weird, but even at my age I sort of… hoped it was…’
There were tears in her eyes, and Lizzy knew why. Rose was thinking of her own real parents, who had died when she was too young to remember them.
‘I’m not jealous,’ Rose went on suddenly. ‘Honest, I’m not. You’ve found your real mum and dad, and that’s amazing. I just wish…’ She stopped again.
‘I wish it could happen for you as well,’ Lizzy told her gently. ‘Oh, Rose – if only it could come true for you the way it has for me!’ Suddenly, impulsively, she gave Rose a hug, putting all her strength into it.
‘Yeah, well.’ Embarrassed, Rose wriggled free and wiped her eyes with an impatient hand. Her fingers clenched and unclenched on the rail, and when she spoke again her voice was almost back to normal.
‘I’d really like to meet her. The mermaid. Your –’
‘Morvyr.’ Lizzy smiled. ‘I’d like that too, and I’m sure she would. I’ll ask her.’
Rose nodded. ‘Will she be OK? I mean, if the Queen’s that evil, she might try to do something to her and Kes.’
‘Jack says the dolphins will look after them,’ Lizzy told her. ‘And they’re going to stay closer to shore. Taran won’t come anywhere near the land in case humans see her.’
‘I’d probably feel the same, if I were in her shoes.’ Then Rose gave a funny little laugh. ‘That’s a crazy idea, isn’t it – a mermaid with shoes!’
Lizzy smiled. ‘And we’ve got Tullor,’ she added. ‘He’s the meanest of all Taran’s servants, so with him out of the way there isn’t so much danger.’
Rose glanced towards the stern where the great eel was being towed behind the boat. ‘What are they going to do with him?’ she asked.
‘I heard Mr Treleaven telling Paul to ring the Sealife Centre. I think they’ll take him there and keep him in a tank.’
‘I suppose that makes sense. Provided they’ve got a tank big enough!’ Then Rose seemed to rally her thoughts, and her uncertain expression changed to a smile as she suddenly became her usual brisk, breezy and slightly bossy self again. ‘Come on,’ she said. ‘Here we are in the middle of just about the coolest adventure anyone could imagine, and we’re standing here being all serious. Go and get changed, then let’s go to the front of the boat to see which one of us spots land first!’
There was a reception committee waiting on the quay when the Regard nosed into her berth at the harbour. Two people had driven over from the Sealife Centre on the north coast in response to Paul’s phone call, and Paul had texted just about everyone he could think of to spread the news of the astonishing catch. The local coastguards and several of the lifeboat crew were there too, together with a small crowd of holidaymakers who had seen all the activity and come to find out what was going on.
Tullor had given up trying to free himself and now lay quiet in the net, his cold eyes glaring furious hatred at everyone who came to stare at him. When he saw Lizzy he opened his mouth in a menacing snarl that showed his razor teeth. Lizzy looked quickly away.
The Sealife Centre people – a young woman and an older man – came aboard the trawler to see how best they could get Tullor out of the sea.
‘We’ve phoned for the water-tank truck, and it’s on its way,’ the young woman said. ‘I just hope it’ll be big enough! I’ve never seen a conger eel this size – he’s an absolute freak!’
‘He’ll be our prize exhibit,’ the man added. ‘Once the news gets around, people will be coming from all over the country to see him.’
‘It’ll be safe, won’t it?’ Lizzy asked anxiously. ‘I mean, if he broke out or anything…’
‘Don’t worry,’ said the woman cheerfully. ‘Our tanks are strong enough to stand up to anything he can do.’ She put her fists on her hips and stared around the deck. ‘Right, then. We’d better start thinking how we’re going to winch him up and get him in the truck!’
&nb
sp; Lizzy moved out of the way of the bustle of activity. Jack was by the wheelhouse, and he came over to her.
‘We can leave them to it. Kes is here – over by the lifeboat station.’
‘What?’ Lizzy spun round and looked across the harbour. There in the distance a small familiar figure was standing on the low wall that ran alongside the station building.
‘They’re safely back!’ Her face lit with relief. ‘Oh, thank goodness!’
‘Shall we slip away and join him?’ Jack suggested.
‘Yes!’ Then Lizzy saw Rose watching them from a few metres away. ‘Could we… I mean, do you think Rose could come too?’ she asked hesitantly.
Jack smiled. ‘I’m sure that’ll be all right. After all, she’s one of the family, isn’t she? Come on; let’s take her with us.’
Rose was very quiet as the three of them left the Regard and walked towards the lifeboat station. As they approached, Lizzy saw dismay in Kes’s expression, and she ran to him ahead of the others.
‘It’s all right, Kes – Rose knows about us!’
‘She knows?’ He looked horrified.
‘I had to tell her. She saw what happened.
Mother, and Taran – she saw everything. But I know we can trust her.’ She hesitated, then added, ‘She’s always been my sister, remember.’
‘Yes…’ Then a look of wonder flitted across his face. ‘I suppose, then, she’s sort of my sister too, isn’t she?’
‘Of course she is!’ Lizzy grabbed Kes’s hand as Jack and Rose reached them, and turned with a huge smile. Jack was beaming as well; he hugged Kes so hard that he was lifted off his feet, then said, ‘Is your mother safe too?’
Kes nodded. ‘She’s gone to one of the quiet little coves beyond the beach. Arhans is with her.’ He nodded towards the quay. ‘What’s all the fuss down there?’
Jack grinned. ‘We’ve got Tullor.’
‘What? You caught him?’
‘We certainly did.’ Jack told the story in a few sentences, and Kes heaved a thankful sigh. ‘That’s brilliant! Taran won’t be half so dangerous without him to do her dirty work for her!’ Then his expression changed. ‘Father, can you go to Mother now? She wants to see you as soon as she can.’
‘Of course! I’ll borrow Jeff Treleaven’s sailing-boat; he won’t mind.’
‘Can I come with you?’ Lizzy asked eagerly. Then she paused and glanced at her sister. ‘And Rose… she so much wants to meet Mother. Do you think –’
‘No!’ Kes interrupted quickly. The others all stared at him and Jack began, ‘Kes, she knows the truth about us all now. And Lizzy says we can trust her.’
Kes reddened. ‘It isn’t that. I’m sorry, Rose. I didn’t mean… but we ought to ask Mother first. You see, Father, there’s something else – something she found out when Taran was holding her prisoner.’
Jack frowned. ‘I remember – when we were out at sea she started to tell me there was another reason why Taran mustn’t get hold of the black pearl. But she didn’t have time to explain.’
‘She wouldn’t tell me about it,’ said Kes. ‘She says she has to talk to you. It’s really important – and it’s got to be kept secret.’
‘It’s OK,’ Rose said. ‘I understand. If you want to tell me later, fine. But I’m not going to be nosy.’
She shrugged carelessly as she spoke, but Lizzy knew she was unhappy. It was hardly surprising. So many exciting things were going on, and Rose wasn’t really part of it. She felt left out and hurt, and Lizzy was sorry for her.
Jack did too, but Kes’s news had to come first. ‘Look, Rose,’ he said, ‘I think we’d better go and see Morvyr on our own, Kes and Lizzy and me. Do you mind very much?’
‘Course not,’ said Rose lightly. ‘And don’t worry; I won’t say anything to anyone else, either.’
‘Thanks, Rose.’ Jack smiled warmly at her, then turned to the twins. ‘Come on, you two – we’d better get going. Kes, if you come in the boat with us, you can show us where the cove is.’
‘Cool,’ said Kes, then grinned. ‘I learned that word from Lizzy!’
He and Jack set off towards the marina where Mr Treleaven’s sailing-boat, Silvie, was moored. Lizzy hung back, though, and when they were out of earshot she turned to Rose.
‘We will tell you everything if we can,’ she promised, then added: ‘After all, like Kes said, you’re my sister, so you’re sort of his too.’
Rose looked startled. ‘Did he say that?’ Her face relaxed and a weak smile appeared. ‘I hadn’t looked at it in that way before, but I suppose it’s true…’ Then she punched Lizzy’s arm affectionately. ‘Go on, hurry up and follow them, or they’ll leave you behind!’
Lizzy flashed her a grateful look that said more than words, and ran after Kes and Jack.
Chapter Twelve
With her mainsail hoisted, Silvie sped with the wind across the bay and headed up the coast towards the cove where Morvyr was waiting. Kes was fascinated. He had never been in a boat before, and he wanted to know the proper names for everything on board. He was thrilled when he was allowed to take over the tiller for a while, and asked eagerly if Jack would teach him to sail.
‘Of course I will,’ said Jack happily. ‘Lizzy’s learning about living under the sea, so it’s about time you started learning about life on land!’
Lizzy looked at Jack. ‘You’re not going to go away again, are you?’ she asked.
He smiled reassuringly. ‘No. I’m home. And I mean to stay.’
They reached the cove in a little over half an hour. It was a tiny, sandy inlet, almost hidden between the folds of the cliffs. As they approached, Lizzy saw what looked like the wake of a speedboat heading towards them, then Arhans appeared beside the boat, whistling a greeting.
‘Arhans!’ Lizzy leaned over to stroke the dolphin. Then, a few metres behind her, Morvyr surfaced.
‘Jack! Oh, Jack!’ Morvyr raced to the boat, and Jack reached to help her in. She was breathless, and though she hugged him joyfully, it was obvious that she was very worried.
‘Kes says you’ve got some important news,’ Jack started to say, but Kes interrupted.
‘Mother, Father and Lizzy have got news too! They’ve caught Tullor! They brought him back to harbour, and he’s going to be put in a tank and kept there!’
‘Oh!’ Morvyr’s eyes lit. ‘That’s wonderful! Without him to threaten us – but, Jack, what I’ve discovered is even more important.’ She paused, drawing a deep breath. ‘Kara’s daughter, Karwynna, is alive!’
There was a stunned silence as all three of them stared at her. Then Jack said urgently, ‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m certain! When I was trapped behind the mirror I heard Taran talking about her to Tullor.’ Quickly she repeated everything Taran had said, finishing, ‘That’s why I was so upset when the children gave Taran the silver pearl in exchange for me! It’s more important than ever now that she doesn’t have all the pearls, because, if she does, she’ll kill Karwynna!’ She turned to Lizzy and Kes. ‘Karwynna’s safety is much more important than mine – oh, children, if only I could have warned you!’
‘It wouldn’t have made any difference,’ said Kes fiercely. ‘We’d still have given Taran the pearl if it was the only way to free you, wouldn’t we, Lizzy?’
‘Yes!’ Lizzy agreed. ‘Getting you back was the only thing that mattered!’
‘But –’
‘Morvyr, don’t be angry with them,’ said Jack. ‘You’re much more important to them than Karwynna is.’ He smiled. ‘And I feel exactly the same as they do.’ Then his face became grave. ‘But it’s vital that the black pearl is kept safe from Taran now. She knows I’ve come back, and she must realize that I’ve brought the pearl with me.’ He paused, thinking. ‘She said she would fetch Karwynna from her prison? But where is that prison? Where is Taran keeping her?’
‘There are so many possible places,’ said Morvyr unhappily.
‘I know. We need some kind of clue before we can even start s
earching.’
‘But we will search, won’t we?’ Morvyr asked passionately. ‘If we can find her and rescue her, all the merfolk will join us and we’ll have a real chance to defeat Taran once and for all!’
Jack nodded. ‘Yes, we’ll search. But we mustn’t tell anyone else what we’ve discovered yet, or Taran might find out that we know about Karwynna. It’s going to make the task harder, I know, but we have to do this on our own.’ He gazed around. ‘This cove should be a safe place for you and Kes to stay. The entrance is narrow, so the dolphins can easily guard it.’ Arhans whistled agreement, and Jack added, ‘Taran might try to kidnap you again, to make me give up the black pearl. So you must be very careful from now on.’
Again Arhans whistled, and slapped her tail down hard on the sea’s surface, splashing them all. Kes smiled at Lizzy, who was looking uneasy. ‘Don’t worry. Arhans says that she and her friends will guard us night and day. We’ll be all right.’
‘And Taran hasn’t got Tullor to help her now,’ Jack reminded them. ‘That’ll make it more difficult for her. She’ll be plotting and planning, but I don’t think she’ll do anything yet.’
‘So we just have to wait for her to make a move?’ Kes asked.
‘Yes. She will, we can be sure of it. But it’ll take time. And we can use that time to look for clues that could help us find Karwynna.’
Morvyr’s eyes met his. ‘Do you think we can find her?’
He took hold of her hands and squeezed them. ‘I believe it. And if you believe it too, and believe hard enough, then we will!’
Silvie, with Lizzy and Jack aboard, left soon afterwards. Two of the dolphins escorted them, and Kes and Morvyr waved from the cove until the boat was out of sight.
Lizzy was very quiet as they sailed back towards the bay. Her mind was filled with tumbling thoughts. Where was Karwynna? Could they find her? What would Taran do next? She wanted to ask a hundred questions, but she knew that Jack had no answers. As he had said, they would just have to wait.
They passed the little lighthouse and headed towards the harbour. Jack adjusted the sail to set a course for the marina and, as they approached, Lizzy saw someone standing by the pontoons.