Chapter 19

Nineteen

“ M y king,” called out Hitch later that night, running across the great hall. Sebastian sat in front of the fire with Farrimond and Jocet. He’d been anxiously awaiting the return of his squire for the past few hours now.

“Hitch, did you find out anything?” Sebastian sat with his legs draped over the arm of his chair. He still cradled his tankard of ale on his lap.

“I did, and you won’t believe what I discovered.”

Sebastian slowly put his feet on the floor. “Jocet, tell the servants and others to leave. I only want you, Hitch and Farrimond to be privy to this information.”

“Aye, my king.” Jocet got up and started instructing everyone to move far away from them while they talked.

Sebastian thought that something was troubling Merrow more than just being pregnant. He felt as if she were changing her mind about marrying him, even though he hoped that was not true. It made him very uncomfortable. Even though he felt deceitful doing it, he had ordered his squire to stay back at Evandorm and try to find out what Merrow and her mother and sisters were talking about. It was the only way to find out what Merrow really thought about him.

“All right, my king. Everyone but us has moved out of hearing range.” Jocet came back to join the group.

“My king, what is this all about?” asked Farrimond, settling himself atop a bench.

“That’s what we’re about to find out. Go ahead, Hitch.” Sebastian nodded and took a swallow of ale.

“It seems you were right, my lord.” Hitch pressed his hands together, looking down at his feet. For some reason, he couldn’t meet Sebastian’s gaze. “The sea nymph is having second thoughts about marrying you, my king.”

“Really?” asked Sebastian, not wanting this to be true. “Are you certain?”

Hitch continued. “I was able to get the guard outside their chamber door to tell me this information.”

“The guard told you that?” asked Farrimond in disbelief. “So Hitch was spying on them and the guard volunteered this information? That doesn’t sound believable to me.”

“Oh, all right, so it’s not exactly true.” Hitch threw his hands in the air. “What really happened was that I got the guard drunk, then listened at the keyhole myself, although I am not proud to admit it.”

“Hitch, that wasn’t wise to get the guard drunk,” Sebastian warned him. “If you were caught, you could have been punished. We just made an alliance with them, and it wouldn’t look good for me either.”

“Well, my lord, you seemed adamant about knowing what was going on and I could think of no other way to find out,” said Hitch in his defense. “The only other thing I could have possibly done is to knock on the door and ask them myself. However, I didn’t think they’d really tell me. Plus, it would only look to Merrow as if you didn’t trust her.”

“You’re right, you’re right.” Sebastian put his feet on the floor and downed the rest of his ale. Then he thunked the tankard atop the table and stood up. “Did she…say anything else?” He was hoping to hear how Merrow felt about carrying his child, but didn’t want to come right out and say it.

“Let me think.” Hitch rubbed his chin. “I’m parched, my lord and it is hard to talk when I am too dry to swallow.” The squire’s tongue flicked out to wet his lips. Then he opened his mouth wide and wrinkled his nose, looking like a landbound fish gasping for water.

“Jocet, pour Hitch some of my whisky.” Sebastian knew it was what his squire really wanted. Hitch liked whisky more than ale. He liked it twice as much as the rest of them put together.

“Are you sure, my king?” Jocet raised a brow. “Last time he ended up so far in his cups that he stripped naked and climbed the flagpole atop the battlement. We had a hard time getting him down.”

“Just give it to him.” Sebastian waved his hand in the air, needing this information and willing to do anything it took to obtain it.

“All right.” Jocet left and came back with a bottle of whisky and a cup.

“Thanks.” Hitch grabbed the bottle, pulled the cork out with his teeth and started drinking right from the bottle, not bothering with the cup.

“That’s enough,” said Sebastian, pulling the bottle away. “If you stall any longer, I’ll throw you in the dungeon for the way you’re acting. Now speak. And leave nothing out.”

“All right, all right.” Hitch let out a belch, made a face and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “I heard Merrow say she didn’t want to give up being a sea nymph.”

“Are you sure?” Sebastian’s heart stilled.

“Positive.”

Sebastian groaned. “It’s over. I knew it.” He raised the bottle of whisky to his mouth and took a good long draw. Then, with the bottle still in his grip, he sank back down atop his dais chair. “She’ll disappear through that damned portal now with her family during the night and I’ll never see her again.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t do that, my lord,” Jocet tried to calm him. “After all, she seems to love you.”

“Yes, she does,” said Hitch holding up a finger. “That reminds me of something else she said.”

“What?” asked Sebastian, slowly raising his head.

“Hold on. I think better when I’m not so thirsty.” He reached out and took the bottle from Sebastian, not shy about taking another swig of whisky. His eyes closed partially and he seemed to be getting very relaxed. He lowered his body atop a bench, a silly smile spread across his face.

“Come on, come on. I don’t have all night. Tell me,” commanded Sebastian.

“Merrow said she wished she could marry you but still stay a sea nymph.” Hitch took one more gulp of whisky. “Aaaah,” he said smacking his lips together.

“Why? Why would she say such a thing?” Sebastian was up again and pacing the floor, dragging a hand through his long hair.

“I think it is because that way, she can raise her child as a nymph and her sisters won’t take the baby away from her.” Hitch looked up as if thinking, and then nodded his head forcefully. “Yes, that was it.”

“No one is going to take our child away from us.” Sebastian had never considered how they would raise a sea nymph as humans. Mayhap it wasn’t even allowed, he had no idea. He couldn’t know what kind of silly rules the God of the Sea might have concocted. “Damn, I don’t want that. There has to be a way to make this work.”

“That’s exactly what she said. I think. The guard was snoring loudly, so it was a little hard to hear through the door.” Hitch raised his finger in the air again, looking as if he were about to pass out. “There was something else too. Something important. I think. I can’t quite remember.”

Sebastian stopped pacing in front of his squire, bending over to look right into the boy’s eyes. “You’d better remember. If you don’t, I swear I will shake the information out of you. Upside down.”

Hitch swallowed forcefully, pressing his lips together. “Ah, I remember now. Yes. I have it.” He raised the bottle again, but Sebastian quickly took it from him.

“Talk,” commanded Sebastian. “And you’d better not forget a thing.”

“Merrow is going to see the sage in the morning. Before you get there.”

“The sage? Elric? The elf?” asked Sebastian, standing up straight, wondering what was going on. The bottle of whisky dangled from his fingers. “Why? What for? What can he possibly do?”

“I don’t really know,” said Hitch. “But I heard them say he’s got magic that’s really strong.”

“It’s not that strong,” said Sebastian with a puff of air from his mouth.

“Yes, it is,” answered Hitch. “After all, it was strong enough that he was able to call Merrow’s entire family here using just his mind.”

Sebastian’s head jerked around. “No, he didn’t. I did that. I was the one to contact them on the other side of the portal.”

“Are you sure, my lord?” asked Farrimond. “After all, you are a human. Isn’t that a skill that only those with magic can do?”

This got Sebastian thinking. “I admit it didn’t work at first, but as soon as Elric suggested I go into the water—damn it!” What he came up with was something that didn’t make him happy in the least. “The stupid elf tricked me!”

Hitch reached for the bottle of whisky Sebastian was holding, but in anger Sebastian threw it across the room. The bottle smashed against the wall.

“Naaaaay,” groaned Hitch, watching the liquid drip down to the floor. He covered his face with his hands.

“Elric made a fool out of me,” spat Sebastian. “I am sure right now everyone back at Evandorm is laughing at me. Dammit, why didn’t I realize this before?”

“Laughing,” repeated Hitch, sounding semi-drunk. His hands slid from his face. His eyes were closed.

“I’m going to find that damned elf tonight and give him a piece of my mind!” There was no quenching the fires of anger that burned within Sebastian now.

“How are you going to do that, my lord?” asked Jocet.

“Perhaps you should just call to him using your mind,” mumbled Farrimond, doing his best to hold back a chuckle. Jocet couldn’t help from smiling as well.

“Shut up! I am king and demand respect from both of you.” Sebastian was ready to throw both of them in the dungeon right now. Plus, his squire would follow for telling him these things, even though it was crucial that he know.

“Sorry, my lord.” Jocet lowered his head.

“We didn’t mean anything by it,” said Farrimond, holding up his palms. “I was just breaking the tension with a jest, that’s all.”

“Breaking tension? Breaking tension?” Sebastian repeated, each time getting louder. “Do it again, and it’ll be your neck that is breaking instead, and with my hands clasped around it.”

“Aye, my lord,” said his captain of the guard in not more than a whisper.

“Farrimond, make yourself useful.” Sebastian pointed at the door. “Get to the stable and ready my horse.”

“Aye, my lord.” Farrimond took a few steps and then stopped, looking back over his shoulder. “You aren’t really going out to find the elf at this hour, are you, my good king?”

“I sure am. I need to talk to him before Merrow does. And when I find him, I promise you, he is going to pay for making me look like a fool.”

“Keep up, squire,” Sebastian called over his shoulder as they rode their horses in the dark over the steep incline of the Picajord Mountains. They’d been traveling all night, trying to make it to Elric’s home which was on a pinnacle mountain just outside of Glint Castle.

“This is crazy, my lord.” Hitch yawned, nearly falling off his horse, still feeling the effects of drinking too much whisky. “Why didn’t you bring Farrimond instead of me with you? You know I’m no good if I don’t get my sleep.”

“You’re no good even with sleep,” grumbled Sebastian. “Besides, I don’t want Farrimond anywhere near me right now.”

“Because he laughed at you?”

Sebastian hadn’t thought Hitch even knew about that since he’d seemed to be sleeping at the time it happened. It was exactly the reason, but he didn’t want to admit it to the boy.

“You were the one at Evandorm spying, and who also knows the most about what is going on. Therefore, you should be with me,” was all he said.

“Well, I don’t know where to find the sage.” Hitch yawned again.

“You didn’t see him at the castle, did you?”

“No.”

“Then he must have gone home. So, that is where we will look for him.” Sebastian led the way.

“My good king, the last time we crossed the Picajord Mountains and entered into the land of magic, a war broke out, if I must remind you. It might not be a good idea to come here alone, and in the middle of the night. The elves or the fae folk might consider that a direct threat.”

“We’ve made alliances with them all, so don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.” Sebastian honestly hadn’t thought this over much before leaving his castle in a fit of rage. His squire might be right. It was dangerous at any time for humans to show their faces in the land of magic. Still, it was a chance he had to take. If he was going to be in an alliance with the other kings and queens, he couldn’t have the damned elf making a fool out of him at every turn. “We’re just about there. I can see the pinnacle mountain with Elric’s home atop it from here.”

“Another mountain,” complained Hitch, looking like he was about to fall fast asleep right atop his horse.

Thankfully, they’d managed to avoid any elves and fae and made it to the foot of the pinnacle mountain just as the sun started to rise.

“All that’s left to do is to go up there and knock on his door and confront him.” Sebastian looked upward, realizing it was too steep of a climb to bring the horses. “We’ll have to go on foot.”

“On foot?” gasped Hitch. “All the way up there? I’m not sure I’ll make it.” The squire dismounted and collapsed atop a rock. His eyes closed but he jerked awake at the sound of Sebastian’s voice.

“I can see you are only going to slow me down. Stay here then and guard the horses. Try to keep your eyes open if that’s not too much to ask.” Sebastian handed him the reins of his horse. “It’ll be faster if I go alone.”

“Aye, my lord.” Hitch yawned again and leaned back, stretching out his legs.

“If Merrow or anyone from Evandorm shows up, keep them from going to the elf’s door until I am done with him.”

“Done with him,” repeated Hitch, nodding off.

Sebastian hurried up the pinnacle mountain, feeling the burning in his legs by the time he made it all the way to the top. Who in their right mind would purposely live all the way up here? The man must be some kind of hermit. Or addled. Probably both.

Out of breath and feeling exhausted, Sebastian took a look at his surroundings. A bridge led over a crag, leading to a small wooden house with a blue roof directly ahead. The house perched like a bird atop the highest peak, watching down over the Queendom of Glint as well as the Whispering Dale, land of the fae. Sebastian started across the bridge, stopping for a moment to take in the beauty all around him.

To his left, far below, he saw the elegance of Castle Glint. It was a tall castle with balconies and turrets and a bright green roof that couldn’t be missed. It was constructed in the shape of a cross, reminding Sebastian of a church. Outside the ornate golden gates of Glint lay the village. Each home of the elves was encircled by tall hedges, almost making a privacy barrier, or perhaps a protective natural setting. When he fought the elves in the past, under the command of his uncle, he never realized how beautiful and green their land had been. Now he felt bad for the past lives he’d taken. This elven homeland seemed so peaceful and serene.

He looked to his right and could see down upon the colorful little dainty cottages that made up the Whispering Dale, land of the fae. From his position, he could tell the fae lived in a beautiful paradise of tall colorful flowers and crystal clear lakes. The scent of Lippenbur Lilies drifted all the way up the mountain, smelling sweet and magical, making his senses tingle. He tried not to breathe in the aroma of these flowers, having heard that the lilies contained an aphrodisiac that made anyone and everyone lustful, wanting to mate.

He could see lots of butterflies, dragonflies, and all the brightly colored roofs dotting the landscape. Just beyond the fae village was a lake with the pyramids of the gods. Near the shore were the Quamm Caves inhabited by those pesky gnomes they’d had to fight when King Sethor met his demise. But as dangerous as all these places were, his attention was drawn to the most dangerous of all. Across the water was the Isle of Denwop, inhabited by giants. He shivered, remembering the battle against these beasts that had occurred in the near past. It was something he never wanted to experience again.

Having made his way to Elric’s front door, Sebastian raised his fist to knock. He stopped himself when he was sure he heard voices coming from inside. Putting his ear to the door, he listened, the same way Hitch had done in Evandorm when he first found out all this disturbing information. Sebastian heard female voices from within. He recognized Merrow’s voice immediately. Frustration swept through him. He had wanted to set the elf straight before she showed up. Now he wouldn’t have a chance to do that because he didn’t want her watching as he strangled the life out of the irritating little man.

He barged into the room, stopping in his tracks when he saw Merrow, Medea, Lira, and Dee. He knew immediately how they’d gotten here so fast. Medea had used her witchy powers to transport them here. His trek over the mountains and traveling most the night was done in vain. He knew that now. Sometimes it was daunting to be a mere human.

“Sebastian?” Merrow blinked twice. “What are you doing here?”

“Surprised to see me, are you?”

“Yes,” she answered. “I didn’t expect you to show up here of all places.”

“Why not? What are you keeping from me?” he asked, wanting to give her a chance to come clean with him.

“Nothing.” She looked down and kicked at the floor.

“Elric, I’ll have a word with you.” Sebastian tried to control his anger, not wanting to come across as an ogre in front of the women.

“Why is everyone pestering me so damned early in the morning? Why are you even bothering me at all?” complained Elric, his hands waving in the air dramatically as he spoke. “Can’t a man have a little privacy? After all, I’m living on the top of a mountain. Why is this place so busy? What is wrong with all of you for even coming here at all?”

“Elric,” Sebastian spoke up. “It’s been brought to my attention that you’ve tricked me, and I don’t like it in the least.” He said it in front of everyone, no longer caring since they obviously already knew.

“Tricked you?” Merrow looked over at the elf. “Elric, what exactly did you do to Sebastian?”

“Nothing.” This time, Elric looked down and kicked at the floor.

“Father, tell us the truth,” Lira said, giving him a stern look. “You’ve been up to your old tricks again, haven’t you?”

“He made a fool out of me,” Sebastian blurted out. “I am a king of Mura and deserve some respect.”

“Sebastian, calm down,” said Merrow. “I am sure whatever this is all about, it was just a misunderstanding.”

Sebastian could no longer hold his tongue. “The stupid sage tricked me to get in the water, knowing damned well I was human and couldn’t call to sea nymphs with my mind.”

“Oh, that.” Merrow flashed him a sympathetic smile.

Sebastian wasn’t done yet, and kept on talking. “Then, he called your family himself, Merrow. It wasn’t me who contacted them, but you know that already, don’t you? Yet, everyone let me believe that I had done a great thing on my own.”

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I didn’t know about it until after you left Evandorm,” Merrow told him.

“It was amusing and really livened up my day.” Elric had the nerve to laugh.

“Nay, it was embarrassing, and I don’t like the feeling.” Sebastian reached out for him, but Elric was too fast. He sped away. Sebastian knocked over a chair trying to get him, but once again the little man zipped away in a blur and ended up at the opposite side of the room.

“Damn you! Stay still so I can strangle you.” Sebastian dove over the table, landing hard, once again missing Elric completely.

“I’m bored with this game.” Elric sat in the open window biting at a hang nail. “Are we done yet?”

“Nay, I am far from finished. You will pay for what you did,” Sebastian warned him. He was so mad at him that he wanted to push the elf out the window. But before he could even try, Merrow grabbed him by the arm.

“Sebastian, stop it. This isn’t like you. No one is laughing at you and never was.”

“I was,” said Elric, laughing aloud again.

“Please,” Merrow said in a half-whisper. “You are better than this, Sebastian. Don’t let him upset you. It’s not worth it.”

Merrow’s words brought Sebastian back to his senses. He took a deep breath and released it, trying to regain his composure. Part of him was glad Merrow had stopped him from killing the sage. The elf probably would have moved aside so fast that Sebastian would be the one falling out the window instead.

“I was only trying to help.” Elric patted his mouth as he yawned.

“Elric, we are here to ask you for more help,” said Dee.

“You are? Why? What about?” asked Sebastian, not knowing exactly what they were up to, and fearing it had something to do with their wedding. He hoped Merrow wasn’t going to back out now.

“Yes, Elric, we need your help,” agreed Merrow, her gaze drifting over to Sebastian. “Sebastian, I’m sorry that I didn’t talk to you about this first, but you should know that I have had second thoughts about getting married.”

“I know,” he said softly. “I’ve heard.”

“You know? How?”

Now, he’d done it. He’d have to tell her the truth. If he didn’t, and she found out he’d sent a spy, she’d be furious that he’d lied. That isn’t what he wanted at all. A marriage based on lies was never going to work.

“I have to admit Merrow, I figured you didn’t want to marry me and I wondered why. That is why I had Hitch spy on you.”

“You did?” all the women said at once.

“Oh, boy. You are in trouble now, you fool.” Elric hopped off the table laughing. He zipped over to the stove. “Who wants tea? Mayhap a little pazzleberry pie too? We need some refreshments because this is about to get entertaining.”

“Sebastian? You were spying on me?” Merrow looked hurt.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should have just come out and asked you. I guess deep down I was afraid to hear your answer and that is why I was hesitant to even know.”

“You were deceitful,” said Merrow, her eyes narrowing. She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Merrow, you weren’t honest with Sebastian either,” her mother pointed out. “If you had been, he would be included in trying to figure out how you can still marry him and stay a sea nymph.”

“What? Is that what this is all about?” asked Sebastian.

Merrow let out a long, deep sigh. “Mother is right. I should have come to you with my concerns. Can you ever forgive me for going behind your back?”

“Only if you can forgive me.” Sebastian took her hand and kissed it.

“I’m going to retch if you two keep that up. Now do any of you want tea or not?” The elf held a kettle of hot water.

“No, thank you,” said each of the women in turn.

“Nay,” answered Sebastian, his eyes still fixed on Merrow.

“Fine!” Elric slammed down the tea kettle and his arms were waving above his head again. He was a strange little man who seemed to fly off the handle with tangents for no reason at all. “I get woken up at the crack of dawn and can’t even have a cup of tea before I’m being bothered by fools and big oafs. What do you all want from me?”

“Elric, I was hoping you’d know a way for me to marry Sebastian and still stay a sea nymph instead of turning human,” Merrow explained.

“Why in the name of Belcoum would you want to do that?” Elric cursed, using the name of Mura’s god of the underworld.

“Because I like being an undine.” Merrow shrugged. “I also want to be able to raise my child as a sea nymph. Is that so bad?”

“Will you for sure become human as soon as we’re married?” asked Sebastian, just to make sure he understood this and how it worked.

“Yes,” said Merrow. “I’ll give up my tail and my life as a water nymph and be landbound and human forever from then on. There is no reversing my decision.”

“You said you’d gain a soul,” Sebastian pointed out. “Sweetheart, would it really be so bad to be human and have a soul? Your mother is human now, yet she is still living with all the sea nymphs, although she’s on land.”

“I’d like to make something clear,” Dee spoke up. “I only tolerated being human because I did not have a choice when I was forced to marry an evil man I hated. However, this time it will be my daughter’s choice to become human. It is her life. She is right to question it and think things through before making such an important decision.”

“Sea nymph, I don’t know how you’d be able to do what you are asking me about,” said Elric. “Sorry, I can’t help.”

“Oh. All right, then.” Merrow’s sad eyes turned downward. “Thank you, anyway, Elric. I had to ask.” She turned and started walking to the door.

“Wait a minute,” said Sebastian, not wanting Merrow to have to give up all she loved just for him. “Elric, you said you are a messenger of the gods of Mura.”

“Yep. That’s right. What of it?” Elric zipped over to the door. “Do you need a message delivered to them? It’s not common or usual to have a human request the audience of a god and not advised at all.”

“I understand that,” answered Sebastian. “But can’t you ask your gods if they can use their powers to let Merrow be able to marry me but stay an undine?”

“Can you? Can you do that, Elric?” Merrow looked to the elf with wide eyes.

“Nope. I can’t bother them with silly nonsense like that. Sorry. Time for you all to leave now.”

“Father!” scolded Lira. “These people came here seeking your help since you are the wise sage of Mura.”

“Wise ass is more like it,” said Sebastian, covering his words with a fake cough.

“You can’t turn these people away,” Lira continued. “Besides, you know as well as I that you can so ask the gods. So, ask them to do this small favor.”

“So you…lied to us? Really, Elric?” Sebastian raised a brow, not at all surprised to hear this. He said it only to point the finger at someone besides himself or Merrow.

“You don’t want to help me.” Merrow blinked away a few tears.

“Please, help my daughter, Elric,” begged Dee. “I lived for years being so unhappy and will not let that happen to my daughter as well. Merrow doesn’t deserve to be sad just because she fell in love with a human.”

“Elric?” Medea stared at him.

“Father?” said Lira, glaring at him as well.

The elf crossed his arms over his chest and scrunched up his nose. Then he lowered his head and looked up at them, showing the whites of his eyes. “Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll do it. However, I can’t promise they’ll want to help someone from beyond the portal, so don’t get your hopes up. The gods are not known to be gracious or even fair.”

“Merrow is one of us now, Father,” Lira reminded him. “She’s going to stay in Mura, so this is not a request for someone beyond the portal. This is her home now. Why wouldn’t they want to help her?”

“Especially since Sebastian has made an alliance with the rest of the kingdoms, and queendoms,” Medea pointed out.

“I said fine,” the elf answered through his clenched teeth. “What else do you want from me? Now everyone, out! Leave me alone. Gooooo!” He ripped open the door. Hitch was right outside with his ear pressed up against the door. He had fallen asleep in a standing position. He immediately began to fall.

“Arrrgh!” yelled Elric, just managing to dash out of the way before Hitch hit the floor with a loud thump. The squire’s eyes popped open and he sprang to his feet.

“My king, I heard something you should know about,” said Hitch, looking only at Sebastian. “They’re going to send Elric to the gods to ask them…something.” He scratched his head. “I might have missed part of it since I was soooo tired. Wait a minute. You’re here.” He seemed to be trying to make sense of everything and where he was.

Everyone laughed, and Hitch spun around in surprise, his hand going to his heart.

“It’s all right, squire, I already know all that,” said Sebastian. “Now, let’s get you back to the castle and off to bed before you fall right off this mountain.”