Page 12 of A Kingdom Restored

Merletta was quiet throughout lunch, enough so that Andre commented on it from where he sat beside her. Sage and Emil were nearby, at a table with other record holders. There was no longer space for them to sit with the trainees, as Emil had often done previously. There were simply too many first years for that to be possible.

“I’m sorry,” Merletta told Andre. “I’m not very good company. I’m just worried about Tilssted.”

Andre sobered. “From what my father says, things are getting pretty bad there.”

Merletta looked up, remembering that Andre’s father was a Skulssted guard. “Has your father been doing patrols there, too? I thought it was just Center guards.”

Andre shook his head. “No, there are Skulssted squads as well, and Hemssted ones. Apparently the Tilssted guards have been more or less disbanded. I mean,” he shrugged, “I suppose they’re still there somewhere. But they’re not allowed to do any patrols outside their own city anymore, and they’re not numerous enough, or well enough trained, to take on the other guards. Father told me that the regent of Tilssted told them to stop operations and await further orders.”

“That sounds about right,” growled Merletta.

Tilssted’s regent was unpopular in the city, notorious for being the compliant puppet of his wealthier and more influential counterparts in the other cities. She played with her squid rings for a minute, deep in thought.

“I’m going there,” she announced. “After lunch. I want to see it for myself.”

“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Andre asked.

Merletta just shrugged.

“I’ll come with you,” her friend declared loyally. “If Agner’s going to rake you down for skipping training, he may as well expand the performance for two.”

“Andre, I don’t want to get you in trouble or put you in danger,” Merletta started.

“Save it, Merletta,” the young merman said shortly. “We’re past that, remember?”

For the next few minutes they watched Ileana across the dining hall, noting when she slipped out after shoveling down a quick meal. Merletta intended to follow Ileana’s patrol, and to that end she trailed the other mermaid back to the training yard, at an inconspicuous distance.

The patrol didn’t take long to get themselves organized and take off toward the drop off. Merletta and Andre followed, much too far back to hear any conversation. No one stopped them as they left the Center and swam through the northern part of Skulssted. When they approached Tilssted, however, it was a different matter.

“How long has the boundary between the two cities been monitored like this?” Merletta asked Andre, as they watched the patrol being cleared for entry by a Center guard.

“I don’t know,” said Andre grimly. “I’ve never seen it this way.”

They swam forward once the patrol had passed, Merletta trying her best to look confident.

“What’s your business?” the guard asked.

“We’re with that patrol,” Merletta told him, gesturing after them.

“Doesn’t look that way to me,” he grunted.

“It’s all right, I’ve got this.” The familiar voice made Merletta turn, her heart lurching a little as Freja swam into view. “Isn’t your shift finished now?”

“Not for another half an hour,” the merman told her.

“Well, I’ll start a little early if you like,” said the older mermaid calmly.

The guard gave a shrug, clearly not caring enough to argue about it, then swam away, back the way Merletta and Andre had come.

“What are you up to, Merletta?” Freja asked.

Merletta opened her mouth, not sure how to express her remorse over Freja’s demotion. But before she could speak, the other mermaid gave a sudden, flickering smile.

“Never mind, I don’t really want to know. I’ve got your back, anyway. Go on through.”

Merletta closed her mouth foolishly, gratitude rushing over her. “Thanks, Freja,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry for—”

“No, no, none of that,” the other mermaid said gruffly. “Now get on with you.”

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