by LM Brown
He turned in the water and saw King Nereus sitting on a large sponge shaped into a throne. Prince Finn hovered beside him, an annoyed expression on his handsome face.
Ah, this must be the new colony Caspian mentioned.
At the thought of Caspian, he searched the room for the god, but he was nowhere to be seen. Has he just dumped me here without giving me any choice in the matter?
When the god failed to appear after a few minutes, it seemed that he had.
“Marin?” Finn spotted him and swam over with a wide smile on his face. “When did you get here?”
“Just a moment ago,” Marin replied. “Caspian sent me here—or at least I think he did. He didn’t say anything, but I was talking to him right before I ended up here.”
“He didn’t tell you before transporting you here?”
Marin shook his head then stopped. “He was saying something, but I guess I wasn’t listening. I was too angry with him to take any notice of what he was telling me.”
Finn took his arm and steered him into one of the side chambers. “Come on. Let’s go find some food and you can tell me what he’s done to upset you.”
Marin let Finn guide him through the caves. “So this is the home of the refugees from the sunken city.” It didn’t seem much compared to the luxurious buildings of Atlantis. He supposed this was going to be his home now. “Are there any empty caves here?”
“Oh yes, there are hundreds. The network is massive. We’ve not even explored it all yet. I’m sure I can find you a nice cozy cave to stay in. You can get a soft sponge to sleep on from Malka’s clan. If you want rejoin the guards, they’ll be happy to have you.”
“I doubt that,” Marin replied. “They all thought I was useless as a guard.”
“They’ll soon discover you aren’t,” Finn said. “You forget. I’ve seen you training back on land. You’ll do fine.”
Marin followed Finn into a cavern that seemed to be set out for a large feast. “Are we celebrating something?”
“No, the food is always set out like this,” Finn explained. “With so many people coming and going at different times, we have a buffet of sorts set up. Anyone can come and grab a bite to eat whenever they want. The gatherers are working on shifts to make sure there’s always plenty here.”
Marin recalled his own time doing that job during his life as Phoebus. He had enjoyed the work and the camaraderie of the gatherers. Maybe he should look at doing that again.
He ignored the little voice at the back of his head, reminding him that he could have been starting a life with Caspian.
“How are you doing?” Finn asked.
Marin shrugged. “Okay, I suppose. It’s just a bit of a shock to be here. An hour ago I was practicing with the trident, preparing to meet Urion. Now I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
“You still want to face Urion?” Finn asked.
“Yes, of course. Someone has to see Calder’s murderer brought to justice, and the god whose job it is certainly doesn’t seem to be bothered about doing it.”
Finn cringed. “I hope you didn’t say that to Caspian’s face.”
Marin shrugged. “I might have said words to that effect.”
“Oh, Marin.” Finn shook his head.
“What?”
“You do realize Caspian is hopelessly in love with you?”
“Yes, I’d noticed. How did you know?”
Finn snorted. “It was pretty obvious before we left England. He always asked after you and he came by far more frequently when you were staying with us. I saw it in his eyes every time he looked at you.”
“I didn’t realize.”
“When did you figure it out?” Finn asked.
“When his grandfather gave me the memory of my previous life,” Marin muttered. “Apparently, back then Caspian and I were a couple. He’s been waiting for me to be reborn so he can pick up things where he left off.”
“I take it you aren’t thrilled about that idea?”
“Not really. I remember my life as Phoebus—that was my name back then—but I was a different person. I’ve lived a different life this time around, and I’m not going to forget Calder so easily. Caspian just doesn’t seem to understand that.”
Finn patted Marin’s arm. “Calder wouldn’t want you to be lonely for the rest of your life.”
“I know that, but I can’t move on while his murderer walks free.”
“I understand,” Finn said. “Just don’t spend your whole life seeking vengeance instead of living.”
Marin privately considered that that was easier said than done.
“Why did Caspian send you here?” Finn asked. “It sounds like you had an argument.”
“He promised to help me with Urion, and now he says he can’t.”
“Did he say why?”
“Yes. He told me he won’t be a god after today. He’s going to be mortal and he won’t have any powers.”
“What?” Finn stared at him in shock. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. He’d have no reason to lie to me about it, unless he thought telling me so would deter me from fighting Urion.”
Finn shook his head. “I don’t know Caspian that well, but I don’t believe he’d lie to you about something like that.”
Marin considered the possibility. “No, you’re right.”
“Do you know why?” Finn asked. “Is it something he’s decided to do himself, or is there something happening to all the gods?”
“He said the pantheon had decided to strip him of his powers, but he didn’t say why.”
“That sounds like he’s being punished for something,” Finn said.
“Maybe not doing his job,” Marin suggested.
Finn didn’t say anything to that and Marin hoped he planned on dropping the subject.
They finished eating and went to explore the caverns. Finn found Marin a suitable corner to move into and they set about getting it furnished with sponges and crockery. Marin had forgotten how little the mer had in the way of furniture when compared to humans.
“I think I’m going to see about joining the gatherers,” he told Finn after he was set up in his new home. “Just until I figure out what to do about Urion, anyway.”
And what was he going to do about the sea dragon who aspired to become immortal? He truly had no idea.
* * * *
Caspian spent his last night taking advantage of the different time zones, working through the hours until his internal clock told him it was approaching dawn on the Isle of the Gods. He wondered whether he would still be able to sense the time there after he lost his powers. He supposed that was the least of his problems, all things considered.
He expected to find the council chamber filled with members of the pantheon, but it seemed not everyone was bothered about seeing his punishment carried out.
His parents were there, but of course they had to be. Andaman was also present, along with Medina and Tempest.
“You asked for me to come,” Tempest said.
Caspian walked over to her. “Yes, thank you. I was hoping you could set up a permanent weather system over the island I’m going to be living on, if it’s not too much trouble?”
“It doesn’t have one already?”
“No, the island was magically created to help protect the mer.”
Tempest nodded in understanding. “I see. I’ll go set it up right now, unless you need me here?”
“No,” Caspian said, “and thank you.”
Tempest vanished, leaving the five of them to wait for the dawn.
“Cari couldn’t make it,” Odessa said. “She’s been bombarded with visions the last few days.”
“Anything relating to Urion, or the mer?” Caspian asked.
“Not this time. More human disasters, storms and fires—things she has no control over and cannot change. You know how those drain her.”
“Can’t Tempest do anything about the storms?” Andaman asked. “That is her area of expertise, after all.�
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“She’s doing what she can, but she cannot prevent it all.”
Caspian had a feeling Cari wouldn’t have been here regardless of what was happening in the world. He wasn’t sure he’d want to witness her being stripped of her powers either.
He looked over at Medina. “And what are you doing here?” he asked, knowing he was being rude but unable to help himself.
Medina shrugged. “I can’t help feeling that a lot of this is my fault.”
Caspian snorted. “That would be because it is. If you hadn’t sent Phoebus to me, this whole chain of events wouldn’t have happened.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have slept with all my priests,” Medina retorted.
“And you should learn to handle rejection better.” Caspian’s lips twitched as they fell into the old habit of bickering. He burst out laughing and pulled her into a hug. “Oh, come here, you infuriating goddess.”
Medina stayed in his arms for only a few seconds before she pulled away. “What was that for?”
“For sending Phoebus to me,” Caspian replied. “Thank you.”
Medina sniffled and gave him a watery smile. “You’re welcome.”
“It is time,” Cynbel announced as the sun crept over the horizon. “Kneel, my son.”
Caspian knelt before his parents. They each placed a hand on his shoulders and a green light spread out from their palms, surrounding him until he had to close his eyes against the brightness.
“It is done,” Cynbel said.
Caspian opened his eyes and faced his mother. She had tears running down her face and he realized that this would be hard for her too. Immortals had never had to see their children age and die until now.
He stood and let her hold him for several long minutes.
“I’ll install the crystal today,” she said. “You have to visit at least once a month or I’ll want to know the reason why.”
“I promise.”
His father nodded but said nothing. Caspian acknowledged his gesture with one of his own.
Andaman and Medina hovered to one side. Caspian turned to them. Medina, like his mother, was crying. Andaman glanced at Medina and rolled his eyes before stepping forward.
“Caspian, I hope you will visit me too,” Andaman said. “I do not see that the loss of your powers should also result in the loss of our friendship.”
Andaman held out his hand and Caspian shook it.
“You will be welcome to visit me in my new home,” Caspian assured him. “Just don’t expect too much in the way of edible meals at first.”
Andaman laughed. “I won’t, and if it’s too bad, I’ll whip up something magically myself.”
“And on the bright side, at least I’ll be able to get intoxicated now.”
“Really, Caspian.” His mother sighed and shook her head. “Just don’t expect me to magic away your hangover the next morning.”
“I won’t.”
Medina seemed to have recovered herself and stepped closer. “As you know, I visit Jake quite frequently, so I’ll be able to check in with you whenever I’m on the island.”
“There’s no need to visit me that frequently,” Caspian assured her. “I wouldn’t wish to intrude on your time with your family.”
Privately he suspected Jake didn’t enjoy her popping in so frequently either, but he held his tongue. He hoped he was still shielding his thoughts from the gods but declined to say anything. The last thing he needed was to remind any of the immortals that it was probably easier to read his mind now than it had been before.
They all stood around awkwardly for a few minutes until Caspian figured out that they were waiting for him.
“You do remember I can’t get home without some assistance?” he asked.
Odessa recovered first. “Of course, but I thought you might wish to ask about Urion?”
“What about him?”
“Didn’t you hear the summons to all immortals to be here for the decision this morning?”
Caspian shook his head. “No, I must have missed it. I’ve been concentrating on those seeking justice since yesterday afternoon. I’ve been tuning out everything else.”
“I see. Well, we’ll be casting our votes this morning, so we can’t deliver you home just yet. You’ll only have to be brought back in an hour.”
“Why would I need to be here?” Caspian asked.
“To cast your vote, of course,” Cynbel replied, in a tone that said he thought Caspian’s question rather stupid.
“But I’m no longer a god.”
“You were immortal and the God of Justice when the petition was called. As such, you are entitled to vote this morning.”
“I thought my right to vote would be forfeit along with my powers.”
“On any future petitions, yes. However, I reminded Mariana and her allies that their votes to strip you of your powers might be considered a way of ensuring that her own petition passes.”
Caspian frowned. “I thought the vote to remove my powers was unanimous?”
“Not at all,” his father said.
Odessa stepped forward. “You thought we voted to remove your powers too?”
“Well, yes.” Caspian shrugged. “I did break the law.”
“Yes, but the method of punishment didn’t have to be as harsh as this. There were other options, but we were outvoted.”
Cynbel nodded. “Your mother is right.”
Medina also assured him that she too had voted against his punishment. “The vote to make Urion immortal is likely to be just as close. Mariana’s high priest has done little to endear himself to the gods and much to anger some of us.”
Caspian sat down in one of the chairs at the table. “I have no idea how to vote on this.”
Cynbel joined him and gave him a stern look. “I thought your intention would be to vote to allow it, then assist your lover in striking him in the interim between taking human form and drinking from the cup.”
“You knew about that?” Caspian cringed.
“Yes, of course. It is what I would have done, and you are, after all, my son.”
Caspian supposed he was. The God of War played a tactical game, and as his son, Caspian had picked up a few tips over the years.
“Unfortunately, that isn’t an option now.”
“No, it’s not. I must admit that I am unsure how to vote on the issue myself. If we vote no, he remains a sea dragon, terrorizing the oceans and causing trouble with the rest of the priests. If we vote yes, he becomes human…but immortal.”
“Immortality seems to be the less destructive of the options,” Odessa commented. “Not that it makes a great deal of difference as Mariana has other sea dragons to do her bidding.”
“Is there no way to force her to turn them all back?” Medina asked. “She did it to avoid the edict that they be banished. Surely that merits some form of punishment?”
The rest of the immortals made various noises of agreement.
“To undo her spell, she would have to be stripped of her powers or die,” Cynbel said. “I doubt any petition to remove her powers would pass. She has too many friends among the gods.”
“I would be reluctant to vote to remove my own sister’s powers,” Medina admitted. “No matter what she has done, she is my family.”
“I understand,” Odessa said. “Family is important to all of us.”
Caspian nodded. “She needs to be forced into a position where she has to turn them back into human form. Once that is done, she won’t be able to change them back again. None of us have the power we commanded when the Atlanteans worshipped us.”
“She won’t change them back while they give her such an advantage,” Medina said. “There are few mer left in the Atlantic, thanks to her priests, and it’s only a matter of time before she turns her attention to other bodies of water. It’s clear she wishes to drive the mer out of her domain entirely.”
Caspian banged his fist on the table. “She can’t be allowed to do that. The mer are creatures
of the sea. They cannot survive on land. Even Kyle and Finn, two mer with strong ties to humans, struggled and yearned for the sea. There is also the fact that any mer who lives on land risks exposure. The more who go to land, the greater the chance that one or more will be discovered and all the mer will be in danger.”
“Their numbers will also increase now that I’ve undone the magic that enabled them to be reborn in the manner of humans,” Odessa added.
“Does that mean the curse is broken?” Medina asked.
“Yes,” Caspian replied. “Not that it was a curse—or at least not in the purest sense. The falling numbers of the mer was an unfortunate side effect of the magic.”
“Um, has anyone told Cari and the Oracles?” Medina questioned. “When I spoke to her a few days ago, they were still searching for a solution to the decrease in the population.” “I’ll speak with her when she arrives for the vote,” Odessa said. “While it is not obvious yet, as time passes, the number of mer will increase again and they will no longer struggle to carry their young to term.”
Tempest returned, looking rather flushed and windswept. “Your weather system would appear to be working.” She magically dried and cleaned her gown with a grimace. Caspian just made out the muddy imprint of a paw on the hem before it vanished. He guessed she had met Treacle.
They sat around making small talk until the rest of the pantheon arrived.
Finally, everyone was assembled and they took their seats.
“And how are you this morning?” Mariana asked Caspian. “You look a little under the weather. Are you catching a cold?”
Caspian shot her a dirty look. Trust her to make some snide comment about his loss of powers, while at the same time appearing caring to everyone else. Though, looking around the table, most of the gods were ignoring her anyway.
Antar took control of the meeting this time and called everyone to order.
“Have we all decided how we are going to vote on the issue of Urion, High Priest of Mariana, being allowed to become immortal?” he asked.
Most of the gods nodded.
“I have a question before I make my decision,” Medina said.