by V. M. Sang
The clamour ceased and the assembled merfolk swam back to their food. Then they heard a familiar, mocking voice. Tonip.
_So, you've returned. We thought you dead. In fact, we hoped you were dead then we could have had an election, which my father would have won._ He turned to Stannia. _Then I could have forced you to marry me, Stannia. Your mother was going to stand too, I believe. Something about `Carrying on Henye's work,' or some nonsense like that. I don't suppose you found the culprit? No? Thought not._
With that, he swam away, followed by his friends.
Kinne fumed. _That…that…jellyfish. About as much brains as a jellyfish. No. That's insulting to jellyfish!_
He made to go after Tonip, but Stannia put a restraining hand on his arm.
_That's what he wants, Kinne. Don't give him that pleasure._
_Do you think he had anything to do with the theft?_ Kinne asked.
_Perhaps. He seems keen enough for his father to become leader. I don't believe his father would have anything to do with it though._
The next afternoon, all the city gathered in the Assembly Cave. Henye managed to swim there, carrying the trident. It took longer than it would a fit merman, because although Henye was recovering quickly, he was still weak and could only swim slowly.
However, Pettic was surprised at how much he had recovered in just a day. His hair had definitely recovered some of its colour and he had lost some of the wrinkles from his skin.
Henye took his seat on the throne and held the trident up for all to see. Pettic heard a cheer in his head. The people were glad their leader was recovering, it seemed.
Then Nodi, Tonip's father and deputy leader, swam forward and smiled. He turned to the crowd.
_I'm pleased to say that our leader, Henye, is on the way to full health again._ He turned to the throne. _Henye, I'm delighted to see you well enough to sit once more on the leader's throne and to hold the trident in your hand. We were once rivals for that position, but I can truly say, without any falsehood, that you are the better man and I'm proud to serve under you. We welcome you back and hope it won't be long before the culprit is brought to justice._
With that, he swam from the dais and Henye spoke.
_I hope you'll forgive me for remaining seated, my people. Although I'm recovering quickly, I'm still weak. We have the trident back in the City now and I hope things will soon return to normal. My son and the stranger called Pettic have had many adventures in finding it and they will now tell you their story. I'm sure we'll re-tell these tales well into the future, and that they will enter our folklore._
Henye sat down to cries of _Henye, Henye,_ until he called for silence. Then it was Pettic and Kinne's turn.
After the tale had been told, the merfolk dispersed. Pettic knew they would all be talking about the search for the trident and debating who might be the culprit. He had no ideas himself, but decided to think hard on what he had observed since arriving . He made his way to one of the sleeping niches and dropped the seaweed curtain for privacy.
Everything seemed to point to Nodi and/or Tonip. Or maybe one of Tonip's friends stole it, hoping to gain favour. If it were to gain favour, then perhaps someone who wanted to be in Tonip's inner circle. There were enough merfolk on the periphery of his group.
Somehow, though, Pettic did not favour that idea. Kinne said Tonip had the brains of a jellyfish, but Pettic knew he was an intelligent young man, if a bully. No, he would have to think harder.
His mind went to the Still Pool. It had to be someone who knew of the pool, although that was probably most of the population of the city. Not everyone knew of the cave though. He did not think he could easily find out who knew about that. The thief would surely lie.
He pictured the pool in his mind, and saw Yossil sitting there looking into the water. He remembered the movements she made, passing her fingers over her face and eyes. Then he remembered her pulling something from her hair. She said it was lice, but Pettic remembered three grey hairs floating on the water. Yossil had pulled three grey hairs from her head.
He puzzled for a while, then realised the mermaid was worried about ageing. She had been looking for wrinkles on her face and pulling out grey hairs.
This was simply a woman worried about signs of ageing, not about stealing a trident to gain power.
Henye said he would question everyone in the City, starting tomorrow. Pettic thought that a big job for a man just recovering from near death. How many people lived here? It was not a city as he knew, with many thousands of people, but there were certainly hundreds.
With these thoughts swirling round his head, Pettic fell asleep.
Chapter 14
Pettic woke and sat up, He rubbed his eyes and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. Today Henye was going to begin questioning the people.
He made his way to the dining room where he helped himself to clams and a green seaweed. He was beginning to get used to this diet. In fact, some of the things he actually enjoyed and vowed to try to find some of the shellfish and other fish when he returned to Fusionem.
_Pettic, you're up._ Stannia swam up to him. _Father wants you to come and help with the questioning. He thinks you might have some pertinent questions. You have been to the cave, after all._
Pettic finished his clams and followed Stannia to a part of the cave system he had not been to before. Stannia explained that the area was not used very much as it was where criminals were kept and people interviewed if a crime had been committed. Very few of those existed in the merfolk world, though.
As they swam on, they passed some barred caves. These were barred with stone that had small holes cut in them. This was so they could see what the occupants were doing and to pass food through. Some of the said occupants were banging themselves against the doors in an effort to escape.
_We have no criminals here at the moment,_ Stannia said. _Those are younglings brought in at the last hunt. They'll be fed and taught here until they become civilised enough to be allowed out. Even then, they'll be rowdy and rather rough, but they soon learn and settle down._
_Were you and Kinne like them then? I can hardly believe you could be so wild._
_Oh, yes. The younglings have had no one to tell them what to do and what not to do. They are selfish and amoral. They need to be taught. Any who can't learn are put out of the city._
They arrived at a large cave where they saw Henye sitting on a chair. His hair had definitely lost nearly all its grey now showing itself to be a dark brown. He looked much stronger as well. Almost all the wrinkles that had covered his face and hands had disappeared. Even his tail looked stronger and a clearer silver.
_There you are,_ he said. _I expect Kinne'll be along in a few minutes. I've asked the first people to come just as the sun gets midway up the sky. I'm going to question Nodi and his family first. Not that I really suspect them,_ He shrugged. _But then, I have no suspects._
Stannia swam in front of her father and ran her hand through her hair.
_Father, Tonip has been bragging about how if you died, his father would be sure to win the election. I think he at least is capable of stealing the trident, with or without his father's knowledge._
Just then, Kinne arrived along with Nodi.
The deputy leader smiled at the three gathered there.
_Let's get this over, shall we. I know you have to question me and my family. I'd like to start now._
_Henye picked up the trident and began to ask questions of Nodi. The other merman answered firmly and confidently. Then Pettic and Kinne asked some questions about the Still Pool and the cave. Nodi said he knew nothing of the cave.
Then Henye nodded and dismissed his deputy.
_He's innocent,_ he declared. _He had nothing to do with the theft._
_How can you be so sure, father?_ Kinne asked.
_I don't know if I can tell you, Kinne, but rest assured, I know categorically that he had nothing to do with it._
Next they questioned Tonip, and although t
he young man was not very forthcoming, and seemed to object to the questioning, Henye declared him innocent of all wrongdoing.
Thus it went on. After each person questioned, Henye declared them innocent.
The noon meal-time came and so they all went to the dining area to eat. Stannia seemed restless. She spoke to Kinne and Pettic privately.
_You've questioned all the most likely candidates, and you tell me father has declared each one innocent. Do you think he's well enough yet? Perhaps he doesn't want to see and his physical weakness is not the only thing affected. Maybe his mind is still a little weak._
_Don't let him hear you say that, or you'll be for it._ Kinne replied smiling at his sister. _Mind you, I thought that myself once or twice._
Henye called to them to return to the questioning room and the afternoon passed in much the same manner with Henye declaring each person innocent of all knowledge of the theft.
The next day was the same. Everyone had now been questioned except for Henye's immediate family.
_Perhaps it was someone from outside who stole it._ Pettic suggested when night was falling.
_That's possible, I suppose, but I find it hard to believe a stranger could get in and out without someone seeing. Anyway. what would a stranger have to gain? The trident is made for the leader of this City._
Kinne looked at his father.
_Could someone from outside become leader? Suppose he, or she, has no city of their own, or even if they do, know they'd never get power there. They come here, beg for a place, hear about the theft of the trident and miraculously go and find it. You, of course are dead, and a grateful populace elects them leader._
_Mmm. I suppose it's just possible. but I think it far-fetched._
Just then, Stannia entered.
_Father, you've forgotten some people. You've not interviewed Kinne, mother and me._
_Don't be ridiculous, Stannia. You aren't suspects Why would you steal…_
_Father, you must be seen to be doing right. Everyone else has been questioned. You must question us too._
Henye sighed and picked up the trident again. The questions they had asked everyone in the city now came to mind without any thought and soon Henye declared Stannia innocent. Then it was the turn of Kinne. Exactly the same. He was innocent.
Henye called for Yossil. His wife swam into the cave.
_Have you found the thief?_ she asked.
_No. I'm beginning to think it must have been an outsider. You need to answer some questions, though, Yossil._
_Me? You're not serious. I'm you wife. Why would I steal the trident?_
Kinne interrupted. _Father has to be seen to be impartial, mother. Stannia and I have been questioned too. He can't question the whole population and not his own family._
Henye began.
_You like to visit the Still Pool. Do you know of the cave the boys found there?_
_No, I don't._
_Why do you go to the pool?_
_I like the quiet. There are no ripples on the water. I can see my reflection and I can make myself look beautiful for you._
Pettic then spoke. _When we saw you there, you were looking at yourself in the water. You said you thought you'd picked up some parasites and were trying to get rid of them._
-Yes, of course. I picked them out. It's easier when you can see what you're doing._
_I saw you pull out some grey hairs._
_Perhaps._ she shrugged. _They probably came out with the parasites. The little blighters cling tightly to the hairs._
_Do you know anything about the theft of the trident,_ Henye asked.
_Don't be ridiculous. Of course not._
Henye spoke again, his voice filled with sadness. _That's a lie, Yossil. Why did you steal it? Did you really want to kill me?_
_I told you, I know nothing about it._
_Yossil,_ Henye's voice broke. _One little known magic on this staff, as well as prolonging life and strength, is an ability it gives to the leader to determine truth from lies. You lied when you said you know nothing of the theft. Why, Yossil? Why?_
The leader of the city of merfolk bowed his head. Yossil tried to escape. but Pettic and Kinne grabbed her arms.
_Mother, please tell us why you did this._ Kinne said.
Pettic had been thinking of all he had seen. He then spoke quietly to Yossil.
_You're afraid of getting old, aren't you? There were no parasites. You were pulling out grey hairs. I saw you feeling your face as well. I think you were feeling for wrinkles._
Kinne frowned. _How would stealing the staff help?_
Henye roused himself. _The trident increases life span. You know that. In order to do so, it increases youth._
Pettic interrupted. He turned to Yossil.
_You were planning to stand as leader when Henye died, weren't you. Tonip told Stannia. You would have had a good chance I would have thought as the widow of Henye. Then the trident would have been rightfully yours and you would have gained all of its powers._
Henye raised himself out of his seat and called for guards. They took Yossil away and put her into a cell until she could be tried properly.
_I don't suppose there's anything left for you to do here, now,_ he said to Pettic. _Although it's been painful, I thank you for your help. If not for your bravery I would now be dead._
He turned to Kinne.
_Tell Stannia to get the black pearl necklace that was her mother's and give it to Pettic. No, I want no protests._ Pettic had begun to refuse the gift. _I insist. The other pieces of Yossil's jewelry will now belong to Stannia._
He then swam slowly out of the question cave and back to the leader's quarters leaving the two young men watching after him.
_He'll take a while, but he'll recover,_ Kinne said. _The staff will help him. Poor Stannia will find it hard._
_What about you?_
_My mother turns out to be a traitor. I, too, find that hard, but I have strength. I'll need it for Stannia and father._
Pettic smiled. _I suspect Stannia is stronger than you think. Kinne. But, yes, she'll need your support. What will happen to Yossil?_
_Most likely she'll be turned out of the city. That's hard. I told you about those younglings who didn't make it being turned out? I don't like to think of my mother out there alone._
Now Pettic had everything he needed, he was anxious to go home. Henye and his family were in mourning. It was as if Yossil had died, In fact, if she were turned out, that is precisely what would be likely to happen to her. There were a lot of dangers in the open ocean, as Pettic had discovered. A lone mermaid was unlikely to survive very long.
In spite of their sorrow, Stannia and Kinne swam with Pettic to the beach where they first met. The merfolk sat on the rocks while Pettic put on the clothes he had left in the cave where he arrived. He took the aquamarine out of his nose and handed it to Stannia.
`Thank you for the loan of this,' he said. `It's a marvelous thing.'
`Keep it,' Stannia replied. `Then if you find time to visit us, you'll be able to swim with us under the sea once again.'
Thanks having been said on both sides, Pettic put the string of black pearls into his pocket and pulled the buckler over his forearm. With a last wave, he entered the cave and passed through the wall at the back.
Chapter 15
It was bright daylight when Pettic emerged from between the standing stones. The sun had just passed the zenith and he was surprised at the heat he felt. He had not felt much sun all the time he had been away on Aqua. How long had it been, he wondered. He looked around to try to guess the season. The trees were bare, so perhaps it was winter again. A full year since he began his journeys. Well, at least a year. Maybe it had been a longer time. Maybe two years.
He walked down the hill to the city. He passed through the gates where the guards recognised him and saluted. Not too long then. The guards still recognised him.
He looked up to the palace. No flags flew. That was most unusual. He quickened his s
teps as he passed the shops and noticed there were few people around and many of the shops were closed. What was going on?
As he walked through the doors of the palace, the king's steward saw him and came rushing over.
`Oh, My Lord,' he said. `You've arrived in time for the funeral. The Princess Lucenra was hoping you'd get here in time. She said if we saw you we were to send you to her apartment immediately.'
Funeral? Who had died? Not Lucenra if she had issued the message. There were many sicknesses that could take the life of anyone of any age. Perhaps there had been an outbreak of one of these and that was why the town was so quiet. Maybe one of the younger princes or Princess Icerra.
He hurried to Lucenra's apartment and knocked on the door. The princess herself opened it. No ladies in waiting were in attendance. As soon as she saw him, Lucenra burst into tears and threw her arms round him.
`Oh, Pettic, I'm so pleased you're here.' she exclaimed.
Pettic gently took her by the hand and led her into her sitting room. There he sat her down in front of a blazing fire and stroked the hair from off her face, where it had stuck to her tears.
`Now, Luce,' he said, `tell me what's going on. The steward told me of a funeral and the town's unnaturally quiet. Who's died? Is it an epidemic?'
Lucenra sobbed some more and then drew a deep breath.
`It's father. He died two nights ago. It was very sudden. He seemed fine at dinner, but by midnight he was dead.' She buried her face in her hands.
Pettic closed his eyes. this was not what he expected. The king had not had a day's illness in all the years Pettic had known him.
`Has anyone else been ill?'
`N…No. That's what's so odd. It didn't seem like a heart attack nor a stroke or anything like that. Those things can act fast. It was more like cholera, but no one else has shown any symptoms. Not in the palace, not in the city. He seemed fine. Mother said he complained of stomach pains and then had diarrhea. She put him to bed, but he died before morning.'