Mer Tales 01 - Everblue

back at me, sorrow in her eyes. “I’m sorry. You’re right. The promise changes everything. Go while you can.”
    I gulped down my emotion, unable to accept my defeat. “I won’t leave you here. I have to defend the honor Azor’s stolen.”
    “ No, Fin. I’ll be fine. I can’t explain it, but I have to be with him.”
    “ You won’t get far.” Azor’s laughter burned in my ears as I turned to escape with my parents. “Maybe I’ll ask the King to pardon you when they drag your sorry ass back, since you’re my extended family now.”
    I clenched my fists as Dad yelled for me to hurry again. It took all my self-control to let Azor have the last word and to leave Tatch behind. Next time he wouldn’t be so lucky.
    I swam to the doorway through the bloodied water. Now I could see why Dad insisted we leave. The soldiers blocked the door and he had to fight to keep the royal guards at bay long enough for me to escape.
    Mom squeezed my neck as the three of us swam from the palace with a group of rebel mers behind us. Dad headed directly towards the Tahoe gate. I remained quiet, stunned he’d leave my sister so easily until her piercing scream came from behind us. I turned. Two rebel mers had her within their grasp, writhing and thrashing her tail, as she demanded they let her go.
    “ Tatiana,” Dad said as they approached. “This is ridiculous. You’re coming with us, so settle down.”
    “ No! I want to stay!”
    One of her handlers attempted to pass her off when she sunk her teeth into his flesh, ripping out a huge hunk. The rebel mer yelped, releasing her. Free, she bolted away from us.
    “ Sorry, Dad. I can’t go with you,” she called out.
    Dad’s shoulders sunk as he watched her swim out of sight. He turned and pulled a grouping of kelp fronds out of the sand, yelling something inaudible.
    “ I’m sorry, Captain,” the rebel mer said as he applied pressure to his wound with his other hand. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let her escape.”
    “ No, Jacob,” Dad turned, his composure collected, “it’s my fault. Please, go see Sandy. She’ll tend to your wounds.”
    Jacob bowed before he swam away.
    “ The rest of you can go as well,” Dad said to the rebel mers scattered among us.
    One by one, they shed their black garb and wiped away their make-up, each giving Dad a quick bow, calling him Captain. I recognized them all—volunteers in Azor’s army. They quickly swam away and blended back into society as if nothing happened.
    I looked at Dad, stunned.
    Mom put her hand on his arm. “Jack. We should go while there’s still time. Once we’ve regrouped, we’ll return for Tatiana. She’ll be okay for the time being. Besides, you’re injured too.”
    He looked down at the huge gash across his torso. “It’s just a flesh wound. But we need the antidote first.”
    “ No, Dad,” I argued as rage flooded my body. “We can’t leave her here. I know how to fight. Badger taught me. We need to get her back. Summon your men.”
    Dad’s eyes met mine and glazed over. “I can’t sacrifice any more lives. We have to put together a plan.”
    Mom kneaded her hands as she and Dad watched the palace off in the horizon, too far to see any activity. Dad put his arm over her shoulder. “He’ll be here soon.”
    She sighed.
    “ Dad,” I begged again. “We can’t leave Tatch!”
    Dad looked at me with pain in his eyes, but something over my shoulder made his face relax. “There he is.”
    I turned to see a rebel mer swimming in our direction.
    “ Aye, Captain,” the rebel said and he embraced Dad. “There be no one followin’ and I brought ya the ‘lixer. Fin will be needin’ it after ya cross the gate. Give it to him right away, or he’ll have one nasty headache after he wakes up.”
    “ Badger?” I asked.
    He smiled at me under the black make-up. “You best be leavin’. I need to be gettin’ back to the palace and figure who needs wounds attended. The girls have already doused the place with octopus ink, so they can pull out the victims. Don’t want anyone dyin’ on us or gettin’ captured.” He bowed his head.
    “ Please keep an eye on Tatiana.” Dad put both hands on Badge’s shoulders.
    “ Aye, Captain,” Badge said somberly. “I’ll guard her with me life.”
    Dad let out a huge exhale. “Thank you. Until we meet again old friend.” They embraced.
    “ Stop it before I start blubberin’,” Badge said with a chuckle and swam back toward the