Page 112 of A Kingdom Restored

She turned her furious gaze on Agner. “Not two hours ago, you openly acknowledged that the plan was always to provoke war, to kill off most of Tilssted in boundary disputes so as to keep the population of the triple kingdoms under control.”

She shook her head, lengthening her strokes in her agitation. “Although I know it will be little comfort to their families, I have no doubt that those who died today are far fewer than those who would have died had the dragon attack not interrupted the Center’s scheduledcull.”

The last word came out laden with emotion, and there was a long moment of uncomfortable silence.

“Perhaps you have a point,” Wivell said softly. A wry smile curved his lips. “Perhaps they are even right with what they’re chanting outside.”

Merletta glanced at him in confusion, but she wasn’t in the mood to ask him for explanations. She put on another spurt of speed as she finally left the building, emerging into open water.

“Merletta!” a voice hailed her from some distance away.

“Sage!” The sound of her friend’s voice was so welcome, it almost brought tears to Merletta’s eyes. She watched eagerly as Sage streaked toward her, Emil by her side and Andre and Indigo following close behind.

But before they could reach her, another figure came into view, drawing to a stop just in front of Merletta.

“Elfin,” she said blankly. She’d seen no sign of the older merman during the fighting—in fact, the last she’d seen of him was when he declined to speak for her at her trial—but she was glad in a detached sort of way that he’d survived the melee.

“Merletta,” he said softly. His eyes searched her face. “I’m glad you survived this nightmare.” He bit his lip. “I know you have reason to resent me, but I won’t pretend to think I acted unwisely. Sharing your blood wasn’t enough to win me to your cause when I knew nothing of it. But…” He hesitated. “But I am glad you weren’t executed. And sharing your blood is certainly enough to make me wish to build a relationship with you. Me and my family.”

“Thank you,” said Merletta, her voice quiet as well. “And I don’t blame you for not leaping to my side. I never expected that of you. I would like to know more of you and your family, but I can make no promises to anyone about my future right now—too much is still uncertain.”

And with a polite nod, she glided past him, heading straight for her friends, who shared no blood with her, but had shared everything else—her victories, her fears, her dangers.

“Merletta.” Sage rammed into her so forcefully, Merletta flew backward through the water.

She made no complaint, half laughing and half crying as she returned her friend’s embrace.

“I’m so glad you’re alive,” Sage said, gripping Merletta like she’d never let go.

“Likewise,” said Merletta fervently, reaching out a hand to grasp first Andre’s arm, then Emil’s.

“Is it really over?” Sage demanded. “Are we really safe?”

“Yes,” Merletta told her. “The dragons aren’t coming back, and the Record Master is gone forever. I don’t think any of us are in immediate danger.”

“Well.” Andre flashed her a grin. “That will make life seem pretty dull, won’t it?”

Emil made a long-suffering noise in his throat, then his arm snaked out to tug gently on Sage’s shoulder. Responsive to the pressure, Sage released Merletta at last, settling her back against Emil’s chest with apparent contentment as he pulled her close.

Merletta raised an eyebrow, and Sage beamed back at her. Merletta felt her heart lighten—it was wonderful to think there were happy spots ahead in the debrief of all this chaos, alongside the inevitable grief and pain.

“Well,” Andre said brightly, giving no visible reaction to the display. “I’ll admit I didn’t think it was likely we’d have anything like this much success with our desperate attempts to avert disaster.”

“Those attempts aren’t done yet,” Emil cautioned him gravely. “I’m glad the Record Master is gone, but it isn’t as simple as just removing him. Someone has to take his place. And if we’re not careful, we might end up with someone just as bad as he was.”

“You’re a shaft of sunlight in cold waters, aren’t you?” Andre said.

Merletta shook her head. “No, Emil is right. This is the end of a very dark era for the triple kingdoms, but it’s only the beginning of whatever comes next. And we can’t know yet whether it will be any brighter than what’s come before. It all depends on whether anything actually changes.”

“Well, they seem to want it to change pretty drastically,” Sage pointed out.

“They?” Merletta asked, bemused.

Andre gave an incredulous laugh. “Are you really not hearing what they’re chanting?”

Merletta blinked, turning to look around her properly for the first time since exiting the spire. She’d tuned out the hubbub of the crowd, but she realized now that it wasn’t jumbled noise. It was a repeated chant, gaining momentum, and it seemed to be directed at her.

“I don’t understand,” she said stupidly. “Why are they sayingRecord Master?”

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