Page 86 of A Kingdom Restored

“What should we do?” Percival asked doubtfully. “I could knock him out, of course. But it seems like a bad idea.”

“A very bad idea,” agreed Laura. “And entirely unnecessary.”

She traipsed past Heath, a cheerful smile on her face. After only a minute’s conversation with the guard, she waved for the others to join her. Uncertainly, they all moved forward, but the guard just smiled them through.

“I thought you could change people’s emotions, not their minds,” Percival muttered to his sister as they entered the small dungeon.

“The two are very interconnected,” she informed him cheerfully. “Grandmother and I have chatted about it many times.”

“It could be dangerous in the wrong hands, couldn’t it?” Percival commented.

Heath and Laura exchanged a long-suffering look at this shocking revelation.

“Heath isn’t the only one who’s held back on his powers to avoid causing tension, or even doing wrong to those around him, Percival,” Laura said shortly. “In fact, you’re probably the only one whohasn’t. Uncle Aaron had to move his family halfway across the kingdom to avoid people like Lord Niel finding out he can create fear, and turning on him.”

Percival said nothing, looking uncharacteristically chastened. It seemed many long weeks in a dungeon would do that to a person.

“You.” Merletta’s icy voice brought everyone’s attention to the man laid out in a tiny cell. “Finally getting what you deserve.”

The Record Master sat up, the motion slow and apparently painful. His gray eyes were dark with hatred as they rested on Merletta.

“Your turn will come,” he told her. “Do you think the dragons will overlook the most flagrant example of our kind?”

“Maybe so,” Merletta told him. “But rest assured I’ll live long enough to see you exposed first.”

“What you think you can do to me now, I can’t imagine,” he said simply.

Heath stepped up beside Merletta. “We have some questions for you,” he said confidently.

The silver-haired man raised his eyebrows. “Why would I tell you anything at all?”

“Because,” Heath told him evenly, “as much as it pains me to say it, we might be willing to spring you out of here.”

“You expect me to believe that?” laughed the merman.

“If you think you can escape the wrath of the entire civilization you’ve wronged, think again,” Merletta told him. “I’m taking you back to the triple kingdoms to face the justice you deserve.”

This time the Record Master actually threw his head back in laughter. “Good luck with that, Trainee. Your optimism has never failed to entertain me.” But there was a gleam of eagerness in his eyes as he turned back to Heath. “Very well, ask your questions.”

“Did you personally carry out the attacks against Percival, me, and the king?” Heath asked.

The Record Master shook his head. “My associates took care of those matters for me.”

“He means his two personal guards,” Merletta said. “They follow him around like seal pups.”

“But you orchestrated them,” Heath pressed.

The Record Master nodded.

“Why? Was the aim to stir up tension between the king and the power-wielders?”

“With the exception of my apparently poorly planned attempt to kill you,” the Record Master said casually. “I just wanted to get rid of you, after my informant in the palace told one of my associates that you were putting the pieces together about our role in the first attack.” He paused. “Not that she knew that’s what her information meant, of course.”

“The maid!” Heath realized. “One of the castle maids heard me telling Grandmother that I sensed power at the attack on Percival.” He frowned. “So you were worried I’d figure out it was a merperson?”

“If you want to know the true culprit behind the attacks, find a looking glass,” the Record Master said, by way of answer. “You are entirely responsible.”

“Me?” Heath demanded.

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