The Glimmering Sea

CHAPTER THIRTY

They made their way back to the Grotto. Isabetta stopped at a side tunnel.

≈Erastus, can I have Rosamunda join us briefly? We need everyone to observe the two of you on friendly terms if we can make that possible.≈

He nodded, and after a few minutes, she rejoined Erastus and Armida. Rosamunda trailed behind her.

Isabetta took Rosamunda's hand in her right. Then she took Erastus's hand in her left.

Pride in Isabetta for the leader she had become welled up in Armida. Isabetta was a glimmer of hope; she was someone to guide Marea out of the darkness.

≈Rosamunda, Erastus has something he wants to say to you.≈

Erastus dipped his head and looked up with a resigned expression, without the arrogant conceit from his first visit to Marea. ≈My—Thalassa's—desperation should not have become yours. I regret Delfina went with me unwillingly. We would never have harmed her, yet I understand harm was done. If you can find a means to accept what has happened, she has found happiness with her future bond-mate. And that future is honorable, for she will be part of Thalassa's recovery.≈

Rosamunda had remained rigid through his words. She tried to pull away when he finished, but Isabetta did not allow it. ≈Rosamunda, your turn.≈

The splashes of outrage in Rosamunda's eyes could not be mistaken. ≈You speak of harm as though it is being tumbled roughly in the surf. What you did was rip my daughter from me. You harmed me as well as her. I never said goodbye. And the harm still exists—I may never hug her again.≈

≈You will always be welc—≈

≈Don't. Neither of us can predict what the future will bring. Both Marea and Thalassa could fall and we both might die. Do not tell me of harms not intended.≈

Rosamunda flinched away as Erastus reached his free hand to her. After a curt nod from Isabetta, Rosamunda accepted the gesture, and the three formed a circle. Among merfolk, the closed circle was conciliatory. The small action might be the best Erastus could hope for.

They returned to the grotto, but the assembly had yet to disperse. Isabetta was again at the helm. Armida had not stopped marveling at the respect and place of honor Isabetta had earned in her absence. Armida had endured a harsh physical journey, but Isabetta's undertaking was no less dramatic.

Isabetta's confidence seemed effortless in front of the crowd. ≈I began earlier with less knowledge and therefore had less direction to offer. But I can advise you that whoever—whatever—is the source of the Marean crisis, its origin is in Venice among the Terrans.≈

Isabetta's gills opened and closed rapidly with tension. ≈Armida, you have done much for Marea, but here arrives the next portion, the Terran part, of your service. I ask you to go to Venice. You must find the cause of what has happened—is happening—to Marea.≈

Muck. Muckety-muck-muck.

Armida stared around the Grotto at the faces, their eyes riveted on her, waiting for her reaction. She saw the anticipation, the hope, the dismay.

It was a clever tactic. Isabetta had put her in this position without discussing her intentions first. Saying no privately would have been much easier than refusing in front of those Armida cared for and who needed a savior. But she wasn't a savior. She couldn't be. But Terra kept clutching at her and dragging her up when Armida's desire was a simple life below in Marea.

Erastus put his hand on her shoulder. With his words sent privately, he offered his support. ≈You can do this. I have marked what you are capable of. Terrans would quake if they knew you were coming, if they knew what a force you are. But they do not and their ignorance favors your success.≈

≈Without Torquato to guide me and train me further, how will I accomplish anything other than getting myself killed? Which is no help to anyone. Here at least I can help with defenses. And with a migration, if it is the option we are left with.≈

The mermaids grew agitated. Isabetta would be challenged to keep them calm. It wasn't only Marea that needed her; it was also her dear friend Isabetta. Perhaps it was as her Initiate revelation had prophesied. She had experienced the strange sea of the Aegeano and was now presented with Terra. It gave Armida hope. The last phase of the revelation had been in Marea.

Armida joined Isabetta at the rimstone. ≈I will go. Tomorrow I shall find a way to enter Venice and discover its secrets.≈ She swam through the crowd back toward Erastus.

The softening in the crowd was obvious. The previous tension in bodies eased, individuals began private conversations, and they no longer stared at Armida.

Isabetta was a force. ≈On behalf of Marea, I thank you.≈

Armida gazed intently at Erastus. ≈I need a favor.≈ She hoped she hadn't misjudged him.

≈Of course. If I am capable of what you ask, I will do it.≈

≈Marea is in a weakened state, most mermen missing, my father ill, and Isabetta new to her role. My mother can be difficult but she will need help to shape the Marean response. They will need ideas from someone who comes from a different perspective. Will you consider remaining here until I return?≈

≈It will be my honor to remain in Marea if she allows it.≈

Isabetta approached. ≈Armida, have you ideas on how you might locate Rinaldo once you're in Venice?≈

✧✧✧

To avoid her mother's opinion of her Venice mission, Armida invited Isabetta and Erastus to join them for dinner. Her mother excelled at disguising her attacks, an advantageous skill for a Custodian, but it would be more complicated with witnesses.

≈We're glad to have you here, Erastus. As we were last time.≈

Armida nearly choked. As glad as last time, so not glad at all. Such comments were a matter of course for her mother, whose snide remarks were for the benefit of insiders. Armida's sidelong glance at Isabetta confirmed she also perceived the slight.

There was no one better than Isabetta. Not Delfina, who had been her merpup friend. Not Rinaldo, who had been a sort of brother, but not exactly, not since the kiss anyhow. No, she wouldn't name what he was or wasn't.

Erastus plucked a shrimp from the basket to his right. ≈Celestina, have you thought of extending the boundaries of the Watcher Station?≈

Celestina pulled her eyebrows together. ≈We have, but we lack the resources to support an extended border.≈

≈Indeed, that is reasonable.≈ He took a bite of the shrimp.

Armida took advantage of a moment when her mother was distracted. ≈Do not be too accommodating. She needs an advisor with backbone. You are substituting for me, remember?≈

Erastus's shocked face made Armida smile.

Celestina shot Armida a questioning look. ≈What are you two plotting?≈

≈We were discussing the differences in shrimp. Thalassan shrimp are larger but ours are sweeter.≈ Erastus's laugh teased Armida's mindpath.

Celestina frowned. ≈Let us not discuss Thalassa.≈

≈Why not, mother? With Delfina in Thalassa, our relations with them are familial, not just political.≈

≈We should discuss Marea and our concerns. Let Thalassa manage its own problems.≈ Celestina's hands fluttered to her mouth.

The awkwardness lasted sufficiently long that Celestina would agonize over her breach of etiquette and protocol. That was delicious, better than the sweet kelp balls being served as the last course. It created an opportunity for Armida to exit before Celestina recovered.

She cut short the never-ending goodbyes she hated. ≈I must prepare. Thank you, mother, for hosting a fine dinner. I will do what I can to find answers, but I cannot foresee how long it will take. Farewell, my friends.≈ She stopped by her father to kiss him goodbye but only nodded at her mother.

Armida feared she could not erase the image of her father's tortured expression. Nor that of Erastus.