Page 58 of A Kingdom Restored

Surprise shot through Merletta at the sight of his companion. It was Elfin, looking tense and horrified as his eyes darted rapidly between Merletta and the Record Master floating above her.

“Record Holder Emil Waveracer of Skulssted,” the Record Master said calmly. “You have not been invited to speak at these proceedings.” His eyes passed coldly to Elfin. “And you are?”

Elfin bowed his head slightly. “I am Elfin of Hemssted, head of the El family line.”

“Is that so?” The Record Master gave no sign of recognition, but something in his eyes as they slid smoothly to Merletta convinced her that he knew exactly who the El family was to her. He’d probably always known. His gaze returned unhurriedly to Elfin. “Why have you interrupted these proceedings, Elfin of the El family line?”

Elfin hesitated, his eyes on Merletta and his face strained. She stared straight back at him, neither entreaty nor apology in her own eyes.

“It was not my intention to interrupt, sir,” Elfin said, dropping his gaze. “I am merely here as a witness.”

Merletta could sense Emil’s disappointment that the other merman hadn’t spoken in Merletta’s defense, and she couldn’t help the rush of pain that shot through her. She told herself it was foolish to be hurt. This merman barely knew her, and when he’d offered to recognize her, she’d refused. Could she really expect him to override that refusal now, when she’d just publicly been declared guilty of the worst crime against their kind?

She realized Emil was trying to catch her eye, and she threw him a reassuring smile. Elfin might not have done what Emil hoped, but that didn’t lessen her appreciation for her friend’s actions. Even here, at the end of her tumultuous current, she didn’t float alone. That meant everything to her.

“As I was saying.” The Record Master returned his attention to Merletta. “In light of the egregious nature of your crime, your sentence can only be—”

“You didn’t answer Emil’s question,” Andre interrupted loudly.

“That’s right,” Sage agreed, swimming forward. “Where’s the evidence against Merletta?”

“Sage!” The frantic murmur came from Rowena, Sage’s mother, who was swimming through the crowd toward her daughter.

Sage ignored her completely. “You can’t sentence her without evidence. Are there any witnesses to this so-called crime?”

“Of course such an accusation is backed by a credible witness account,” said the Record Master coolly.

Merletta felt a surge of satisfaction. If nothing else, her friends were going to make the Record Master implicate himself in the whole process. He would have to acknowledge that the accusation came from him personally, and that information would surely filter back to those inclined to take her side. Would it be enough to make them rebel in time to save themselves?

But the Record Master had outmaneuvered her once again.

“Witness, come forward,” he said curtly.

A familiar form emerged from the small crowd, a form Merletta had been hoping to spot for days.

“Tish!” she cried, both relieved and confused to see her friend moving freely rather than bound like she was. Tish didn’t respond, stealing only the briefest look in Merletta’s direction.

Merletta knew Tish—had known her all her life. She had no difficultly reading her friend’s face. There was enough sorrow and shame and desperate entreaty in Tish’s one glance to tell Merletta everything, even without the words that followed.

Waves of grief washed over Merletta, this betrayal so much more painful than Elfin’s silence. She barely heard it as the Record Master interrogated Tish, who confirmed to the crowd that she had heard Merletta speak of her interactions with dragons, even seen them from a distance. Tish’s voice was so halting, so miserable, Merletta felt sorry for her in spite of everything. Tish had bought her way back into the triple kingdoms, but she had paid a heavy price for it. And how could she think it would be worth it, knowing what was coming for them all?

“In light of the severity of the offense, I am left with no option but to sentence Merletta of Tilssted to execution. I do so with a heavy heart, as it is a sentence almost never applied in our history,” the Record Master said gravely.

Merletta didn’t even try to hold in her snort. “Tell that to the members of August’s patrol who you murdered,” she said boldly. “Like you’ve murdered so many others. You’ve tried to knock me off more than once.” She gestured. “You even tried to murder Tish!”

“You have forfeited your life with your conduct,” the Record Master told her blandly. “There is no need to forfeit your dignity as well. These feeble accusations will not deflect the blame you’ve brought on yourself.”

A glance around showed Merletta that he was reading the crowd correctly. With the exception of her friends, everyone looked more embarrassed by her claims than actually suspicious.

“Do you think I care about dignity in the face of what’s coming?” she demanded, her voice raised. “I could even forgive this farce—what does it really matter whether you murder me through the law or spear me outright like your guards did to my parents?” In her peripheral vision, she could see Elfin clenching and unclenching his hands, but she didn’t turn to look at him.

“The only thing that matters is that the dragons are coming! And if you don’t let everyone out through the barrier, they’re all going to be killed!”

The crowd responded this time, an uneasy shifting passing around the training yard.

“That is nonsense,” said the Record Master, and Merletta had to admit that his total calm made him seem credible. “The barrier that keeps us safe was designed to keep dragons out—they will not be able to penetrate it. But due to the accused’s actions, all those required to leave the barrier for legitimate purposes, such as harvesting and patrols, will now be in danger.”

“That’s a lie!” cried Merletta. “I don’t deny that I brought this danger on us—although I didn’t mean to do it, I still take the blame. But we can at least try to survive! Open the borders and let them out, or they’ll be slaughtered!”

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