Page 37 of A Kingdom Restored

I’ve brought this on everyone, Merletta murmured, not seeming to expect a response.

To Heath’s relief, Sage spoke up, voicing his own thoughts.You’re not responsible for the dragons’ reaction, Merletta. And nothing will be gained by beating yourself up.

You’re right about that part,Merletta said, her voice suddenly determined.What I’d really like to read is the story behind this statement—‘From the accounts of their ancestors, they expected an amicable response’. What amicable history is there between our ancestors and dragons? It must not have been with dragons from Rekavidur’s colony. It must have been the dragons on Vazula. Clearly they didn’t see our kind as offensive or dangerous. If only they were still on the island to speak for us to the rest of their kind.

The two mermaids spent a considerable period scouring the rest of the records, but they didn’t find any reference to friendly interactions between dragons and merpeople. Perhaps not surprising in a section markedDragon Aggression. Heath was dimly aware of Rekavidur setting him down, but he took no stock of his surroundings. He was fully immersed in the underwater room.

Well,Sage said with false cheer, when the pair finally gave up their search,perhaps August and the others will find something useful on the island.

We’ll probably never know,Merletta said glumly.Because we’ll be unlikely to see them—or anyone—again after the meeting in two days.

Two days? Heath felt panic stir inside him. It was only two days until Merletta was going to throw herself on the mercy of the Record Master? What could he possibly do in that short time to prevent her taking such drastic action? How could he warn her that someone in her world might know about their connection—might have already started trying to permanently end it?

“You have been watching Merletta, I take it?”

Reka’s calm voice grounded Heath, reminding him that he wasn’t actually underwater with Merletta. Blinking, he glanced around him, realizing that Reka had brought him to his own clifftop. Bexley Manor was visible a short distance away.

“Yes, I have,” he said grimly. “And she’s about to throw herself to the wolves.” He paused. “Or sharks, I guess.”

“I don’t know what you mean by that,” Reka complained.

Heath explained what he’d witnessed, hardly able to contain his agitation over Merletta’s intended course.

“It is a sensible plan,” Reka said with maddening unconcern. “Laudable, even. It would not be the path of honor to conceal the coming attack from those in power, however unsavory their behavior might have been.”

Heath scowled, irritated rather than softened by the knowledge that Reka was absolutely right. It was easy for the dragon to be so relaxed about it all—it made no significant difference to him whether Merletta lived or died. To Heath, it was everything.

“It is interesting what Merletta and her companion learned about the attempted settlement near Valoria,” Rekavidur commented thoughtfully. “Presumably that explains the ruins you and I once found.”

Heath nodded distractedly, not caring about the minor point. “I’d figured the same thing.”

“It might also explain something the elders said,” Reka mused.

Heath sent him a questioning look, and he continued.

“They said that the abominations in the deep started out as nothing more than enhanced fish, and the dragons thought they killed them all. But after some time, they reappeared, and they had advanced beyond recognition, bearing partial human appearance. The dragons who populated my colony at the time concluded that the abominations had retreated into the deeps, and during the period of their absence—which was apparently many generations—had developed far in excess of what any dragon would have expected.”

Heath frowned as he thought this tale over. “It sounds to me like the ‘abominations’ who reappeared bore no true connection to the ones who were initially wiped out,” he said. “As in, maybe the dragons really did get them all the first time, and the advanced ones who showed up later were actually merpeople, who’d come into existence through some unrelated process, and had the bad fortune to attempt to settle near a colony of dragons who mistook them for descendants of their own abominations.”

Reka nodded serenely. “That is my speculation as well.”

Heath let out a frustrated breath. “Merletta’s not wrong,” he muttered. “What we really need to know is the earlier history—the one about amicable relations between the Vazula dragons and merpeople. Surely that would tell us where Merletta’s kind really come from.”

“Presumably,” Reka agreed.

Heath ran a hand through his short hair. “If only I’d searched more diligently when I was on Vazula all those times. But I was completely distracted by Merletta’s presence.” He glanced at Reka. “Do you think we could go back there now? We could hunt for answers, and maybe get a message to Merletta.”

Reka did his rippling shrug, his yellow scales tinkling with the motion. “We can if you wish. But I consider it highly likely that such a course would precipitate the attack my colony is planning. Remember that if I set out on a journey, I must assume my flight will be followed through someone’s farsight. And from the island, it will not be hard for my kind to find the underwater kingdoms.”

Heath groaned. “Well, we can’t do that, then,” he said. He paced up and down across the clifftop, agitation building inside him. “But I can’t stand to do nothing!” he burst out.

“I could take this new information to my colony,” Reka offered. “I could present to them this alternative history for how the so-called abominations developed such astonishing capacities. I could tell them that I’ve come across credible evidence of former friendly relations between dragons and merpeople. I doubt they will place much value on the information without actual evidence, but I am willing to try if you wish it.”

“Thank you, Reka,” Heath said earnestly. “It’s asking too much of you, but we can’t leave any stone unturned. Not if we’re going to save Merletta.”

Reka nodded. “Very well. I will attempt to make them listen. Await my news.”

Heath barely held in another groan as the dragon took to the air with his usual abruptness. He was truly grateful to Reka for his assistance, but the idea of just waiting around, watching from afar as Merletta put herself once again into danger, was unendurable.

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