Page 109 of A Kingdom Restored

Seeing the cold fury in Ileana’s form, Merletta remembered the other mermaid’s declaration that she wanted to help bring the Center down as retribution for the way they’d cast her aside. The memory made Merletta shudder for some reason.

Ileana reached the Record Master, spear extended, and everyone around scattered like minnows. His loyal guards were nowhere to be seen, and it seemed that the events of the day had eroded anyone else’s willingness to float by him in the face of the dragons’ ire.

Before Ileana could do anything, and before the Record Master had the chance to do more than reach for the satchel around his back, one of the dragons reached out his talons and plucked the older merman from the seabed.

“Are you the Record Master?” he asked gravely, as if admonishing a child.

“I am not responsible for the events of this day!” the Record Master cried. His face was pale, and the bandage around his injured arm was frayed and tattered in the water. “The responsibility rests solely on the shoulders of that traitorous trainee.”

He pointed an accusing finger at Merletta, but none of the dragons even followed its trajectory. Collectively, they drew back, their faces twisting as if they’d smelled something foul.

“Do you not know that dragons can detect deception?” Elddreki asked coldly. “If we needed further proof that your origins are human, the shamelessness of your lies provides it.”

A slight stirring went through the crowd, like kelp fronds waving in the current. But no one spoke, no one put themselves forward.

“We have seen the true history of your kind, and we know the solemn duty entrusted to you,” said the dragon still holding the Record Master. “You are the keeper of your civilization’s history, and had you stewarded it well, it would have become known by the humans as soon as there was contact between your kinds. In such a situation, it is most unlikely that we would have come to believe your people to be abominations. Your deceptions have involved more races than your own in shameful deeds this day. We do not forgive such a crime lightly.”

The Record Master was trembling, apparently unable to find words. Merletta would have expected to feel triumph at this end to his reign of surreptitious fear and violence, but instead she felt sick at the display. She turned her face away, to see Ileana watching avidly, a hungry gleam in her eyes.

“And who will pass judgment on me for these so-called crimes?” the Record Master said, attempting to sound lofty and not achieving it. “There is no authority in the triple kingdoms higher than mine.”

“We are not interested in the politics of your kingdoms,” said the dragon simply. “Or in how you may have wronged your people. We take offense at your crimes against us, and we will deal with you accordingly.”

With that, the dragon streaked toward the surface far above. With a cry, Merletta followed, and she wasn’t the only one. Many of the merpeople seemed intent on witnessing what was going to happen, in spite of the potential danger.

None of them could keep up with the dragon, however, so it was from beneath the water that they watched as the beast cleared the surface and tossed the Record Master in the air. Something fell into the water with a soft splash, and Merletta moved to the side, not wanting her view to be obstructed.

A moment later, blazing orange flame lit the sky, and Merletta half wished she hadn’t seen it. The Record Master’s cry was cut off abruptly, and his form fell heavily into the water. One quick glance was enough to make Merletta look away. No one would be rushing to his aid. It was very clear that there was no longer any point.

The first item that had fallen drifted down past Merletta and Ileana, and Merletta reached out instinctively to grab it. Her mind could hardly process the abrupt end to the Record Master’s schemes, and she was relieved to have something else to focus on, even if only for a moment.

She realized as soon as she touched it that it was the satchel the Record Master had been wearing. Flipping it open, she revealed a long tube, sealed with what looked like wax. It was a method of waterproofing Heath had told her about, and her curiosity was instantly raised.

She propelled herself up to the surface, popping open the tube as soon as it was in air rather than water. Handling the parchments within carefully in light of her wet hands, she scanned the words, her brow growing steadily darker.

“What is it?” Ileana asked, emerging beside her.

“Records—real records—about the first king of the triple kingdoms, among other things.” She clenched her teeth as she slid them back into the tube. “It’s entirely possible these could have saved the people who died today.” She sighed. “Well, if the dragons accepted them, which they may well have refused to do.”

Securing the tube again, she dove back under, propelling herself downward as quickly as she could, afraid of missing something else crucial.

She reached the seabed to find all the dragons watching her descent, as though they’d been waiting for her. When she pulled up warily, one of the larger ones inclined its head to her.

“We acknowledge the role you have played in exposing the deceptions that led to this day’s events, Merletta of the Sea People. We trust that under your auspices, the full truth will be known by future generations.”

Merletta floated, stunned at being personally addressed, and unsure how to answer. But they didn’t wait for an answer. As one, the whole group shot upward, ascending through the water and presumably taking to the air far above Merletta’s head.

“Is that it?” Ileana demanded, outraged. “They’re just leaving? Is there no accountability for the fact that they slaughtered some of us for no valid reason whatsoever?”

“It seems not,” Merletta said heavily. She felt too weary for anger, although she was sure it would come again as she looked back on the work of this day. “They’re just too powerful. No one can exercise control over them, so they act with impunity. I suppose we should be grateful they’re not prone to violence more often.”

Ileana’s mutinous face didn’t show any such gratitude, and Merletta didn’t blame her. She was far from feeling as calm as she sounded. But there was nothing to be gained from raging against the dragons in that moment.

Merletta turned, her eyes falling on the central spire. Dozens of forms were weaving in and out through the damaged building. A clump of waxy green caught her eye, and she looked down to see writing leaves strewn across the seabed. The outer wall of the restricted records room had been smashed open, and the records were spilling out. Merletta saw many merpeople picking through them, only some of them wearing the markers of Center employees.

“Someone should really collect those records before they’re lost,” Merletta said dully. “Not that we want to stop anyone from reading them, of course. Just to make sure they don’t get destroyed in the chaos.”

Ileana nodded. “I see a senior record holder over there. I’ll speak to her about it.”

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