The Glimmering Sea

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The Grotto was filled with mermaids but no mermen. So unnatural. The absences had slashed across Marea and were conspicuous in the gathering. It was perhaps more startling to Armida than to the others who had witnessed the decline over the slow months while she was gone. It was harder to accept than the changing water.

Isabetta had risen to prominence as First Revealer on the Tribunale, while Laurenza had shifted to a new role as Magister after Torquato vanished. Isabetta had also taken on aspects of the Custodian role to ease the burdens on Celestina. In the crowd, faces turned to Isabetta for guidance. Even at her young age, she fit this role as the sand fits the shore. A new generation was coming to fruition.

≈Thank you for coming. The last twenty-four hours have shaken us. The past few years have challenged us. We are on the brink of a disastrous ending. Faro, the last merman in Marea is ill.≈

The agitation was unmistakable in the water turbulence created by their frantic movements. The merwidows among them pressed toward Isabetta. They were the ones injured most directly by whatever malevolent force was in play.

Serafina, the earliest to endure a loss, pushed forward. She faced the crowd. ≈We must do something. We must avenge them.≈

Isabetta stationed herself on the rimstone where Torquato had often led meetings and teachings. Her confidence radiated from deep within. ≈Revenge is tempting, but we have no information to guide us. Recklessness puts our mermen at risk.≈

Armida flinched with the words though she knew they hadn't been directed at her. No one knew that danger of rash decisions better than Armida.

Serafina put her face in her hands. ≈They may all be dead.≈

Shock took mindpaths quiet.

Isabetta shook her head and thrust out her arms. ≈We have to believe they are alive, at least some of them. We must first confirm who the perpetrators are. Then we will know how to swim ahead.≈

Something stirred in Armida. Her long journey and the state of her father's health had shifted her world. She could see he would not be there for her forever. She was no longer the mermaid she'd been before she left for Thalassa.

Armida had to still herself long enough for her path to become apparent. When it did, she stated her beliefs. ≈Based on my conversations in Thalassa, I believe Terrans are responsible.≈

Isabetta looked at her in the crowd. ≈I think you are correct. But we remain in the murk. Now that you have returned, have you more guidance to offer?≈

Armida had forgotten something important, something so vital to the situation, that when she remembered, the weight nearly sank her. ≈Have we heard nothing from Rinaldo? He left before the disappearances. He is already in Venice, is he not?≈

Isabetta's expression remained firm. ≈We've heard nothing.≈

A sharp current surged through the Grotto.

≈Where is Armida? I must find her.≈

Armida glanced up, startled to hear and see Erastus.

He scanned the Grotto. His gaze settled on Isabetta, who pointed into the crowd.

Erastus stared at Armida as if frozen. For Armida, his presence triggered an unrolling of memory and regret. There had been so little time to resolve her feelings about her interactions with him. She thought it was behind her and that she'd never see him again.

Armida approached Erastus. ≈What brings you here just days behind me? Do you require rest or food?≈

Erastus shook himself out of his immobile state. ≈You should delay the assembly.≈