Page 80 of A Kingdom Restored

“The potency of your deception is almost suffocating,” the duke said, in the tone one might use on an erring child. “Who are you, and what is your true intention here?”

Heath was a little less restrained in his reaction. He released Merletta’s hand, stepping forward furiously. “You’re a despicable liar!” he spat at the Record Master. “Do you think I’ll let you kill Merletta to cover your crimes? I know everything—I know you’ve been trying to kill her for years, only because she dared to expose your corruption.”

“She has bewitched the boy with her magic,” the Record Master told the king, ignoring Heath completely. “Do not let yourself be similarly taken in.”

“You hypocrite!” Heath cried. “She has no magic you don’t have.”

“Enough!” the king said sternly, as the Record Master gave a pitying shake of the head. “You are hardly one to make accusations about hidden magic, Lord Heath.”

“If only we could show them the truth,” Sage muttered from beside Merletta. She sent a considering glance toward the lake. “There is water right there…”

Merletta shook her head. “Fresh water doesn’t work. I’ve tried it in the streams on Vazula. That lake wouldn’t reveal anything—it has to be the ocean.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but it sounds important.” The quiet words came from Heath’s cousin Brody, who was standing not far behind Sage. “So it seems like I should tell you—that’s not a lake. It’s a loch. It’s actually connected to the ocean by an underground inlet.”

“That’s seawater down there?” Merletta demanded sharply.

Brody nodded, and Merletta turned to Sage with determination. “That’s all the opportunity we need.”

Sage gave a curt nod. “You’re too visible. He’ll notice if you try anything. I’m going to see if I can get around. The guards only care about the king and the prince, right?”

Merletta shifted so she was blocking Sage from view, putting on a look of great concentration, as if she was listening to the argument still raging between the king and the power-wielders. She felt Sage move away from her, and a short time later, caught sight of her friend in her peripheral vision, inching around the edge of the courtyard.

“One of them is trying to escape, Your Majesty!” The Record Master’s pointing finger drew everyone’s attention to Sage’s progress, and two of the guards stepped toward her meaningfully.

“So much for stealth,” muttered Merletta.

Shoving past Heath and his father, who stood shoulder to shoulder in front of her, Merletta sprinted across the courtyard. One of the guards lunged forward with a shout, positioning himself in front of the king. Merletta dodged nimbly, giving him a wide berth as she streaked straight past King Matlock and his son.

She saw the moment the Record Master realized her intent. His hand shot out, reaching for his belt, but he was too late. Before he could withdraw whatever was hidden, Merletta collided bodily with him, sending him staggering back against the balustrade. For an instant it seemed he would regain his balance, but Merletta pushed her feet against the paving stones with all her might as she threw herself against him once more. He reached out instinctively, seizing her arms in a bruising grip, but all it achieved was to bring her with him as he toppled backward over the edge of the cliff.

There was a moment of suspension as they fell, limbs flailing. Air rushed past Merletta’s ears, and more than one startled scream sounded from above them. Then Merletta hit the water with a splash that felt as if Heath’s magically strong brother had slapped her back with all his might. She felt her legs turn smoothly into tail, and sucked in a reassuring mouthful of water. Brody hadn’t been wrong—it had worked.

Flicking her tail as best she could around her impractical gown, she dove deeper, then looped back upward, shifting instantly into a defensive position. Her eyes darted around, and she spotted the Record Master, still righting himself. Her skirts hid most of her tail, but he hadn’t fared so well. His human trousers had been torn apart by the formation of his tail, and his scales glinted in the dying light of the day.

The Record Master’s eyes found Merletta, narrowing in fury. He pulled a short, sharpened staff from the belt still tied around his waist, above his tattered pants. Of course he’d carry that instead of a sword, like the humans used. Merfolk always trained with spears.

Not giving him a chance to plan his attack, Merletta sped toward him. He raised his weapon, but at the last minute she flicked up and then plummeted downward, in a move Agner had perfected with her over many painful training sessions.

Her tail lashed out as she flipped, catching her opponent with full force right in the face. He let out an oath as his head jerked back.

“Your guards aren’t here to do your dirty work for you now, are they?” Merletta growled. “Where are they? Trapping innocent merpeople inside the barrier, or framing power-wielders up on land?”

The Record Master’s gray eyes showed nothing but hatred. “Putting the pieces together so cleverly,” he sneered. “But I don’t need guards to fight for me. You forget—I once passed the program myself. Which is more than anyone will ever be able to say of you.”

Merletta gave a hollow laugh. Could he possibly think she still cared about passing the program? Seeing that the Record Master was tensing for an attack, Merletta put on a spurt of speed, moving in a straight line as far from him as she could while she struggled to rip open the laces down the front of her gown. The fabric weighed her down dangerously, and she felt the Record Master’s hand close around the tip of her fin just as the laces finally came loose.

With a mighty flick, she dislodged his grip—leaving a tiny bit of fin behind, judging by the searing pain—and shot downward, straight out of the garment. Before the Record Master could process her change in direction, Merletta streaked up toward the air above.

Her head and shoulders—now bare—broke the surface with hardly a splash, her eyes already searching the courtyard far above.

“Merletta!” Heath’s cry held equal parts fear and relief at her appearance. She could see that he was itching to dive after her, but thankfully he had enough sense to realize that he’d be more hindrance than help to her in the water.

“Seize them both!” The order came from the king, but his guards hesitated, clearly unsure how best to obey.

A flurry of movement drew Merletta’s eye to Prince Lachlan, who was running toward a set of steps which led steeply down to the water, shedding his jacket as he went. Two of his guards sprinted after him, but the rest of the group were leaning half over the rail, staring in open astonishment at Merletta’s golden-tipped fins where they protruded from the water.

All this she noted in a moment, aware that the Record Master would be right behind her. Sure enough, Heath’s warning cry made her turn, and she surged out of the way just in time.

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