The Mermaids Madness

Danielle had known. He beckoned her closer, putting an arm around her shoulders when she joined him. The gesture seemed to be as much for his comfort as hers.
    “ ‘Waister?’ ” Danielle whispered.
    Armand bent his head close. “He worked the deck at the foremast.”
    “Were there other survivors?” Danielle asked.
    “I don’t think so, Your Highness,” said James. “I was working to bring in the bowsprit when the wind tossed me overboard. The merfolk dragged me away almost before I hit the surface. They left me on the outer seawall. They promised safe passage if we paid proper tribute to their queen.”
    “Lirea asked for gold,” Armand said. “The undine have never used money before. They barter with other tribes for what they need.”
    “The undine aren’t known for this kind of magic.” The king waved a hand toward the clouds. “Could Lirea have allied herself with the fairy folk? The gold could be payment for their aid.”
    “Anything is possible, Your Majesty,” said Trittibar, but he sounded dubious. “But I believe I would recognize the magic of my people. It would be a serious violation of Malindar’s Treaty, and few of our kind would risk the wrath of our lord and lady. No, this is something else.”
    “You believe it’s coincidence that this storm assaults the palace the day we bring my mother home?” Armand asked. He spun away, moving so fast the water sprayed from his arms.
    A page hurried onto the wall, his jacket held over his head against the rain. The king waved for him to approach.
    “We’ve received a note from Lord Montgomery. He sends his sympathies to you and the prince and asks how you intend to protect Eastpointe from the undine. He requests twelve warships be diverted to escort trade ships to and from his docks.” The page bowed and took a step back.
    King Theodore simply shook his head. “Word spreads quickly. By this time tomorrow, I imagine half the lords will be demanding similar protection.” He dismissed the page, then rested his arms on the crenellations of the outer wall. “Who do you think Montgomery’s spies are, to alert him of the undine threat so quickly?”
    “Does it matter?” Armand asked. “He’s within his rights to ask the crown for help.”
    “He is,” Theodore acknowledged. “Just as I’m within my rights to call on Montgomery’s resources in a time of war. If he’s not careful, I’ll send him and his ships out to sea to hunt Lirea.”
    “Until this storm eases, what help does he expect us to give?” Hays asked. “The weather would cost us a quarter of our ships before we even left the docks. We’ve already had one cargo ship run aground.”
    “Order the hurricane bells rung,” Theodore said. “Any incoming ships should be diverted away from Whiteshore. Send them to Griffon’s Vale.”
    Admiral Hays bowed his head. “I’ll have hurricane warnings rung on the hour.”
    Armand shook his head. “We know they’ve attacked near Whiteshore. Let me take our ships out to search for Lirea. Warships sailing together will be better able to defend themselves, and they should lure the undine away from our civilians. If we could take prisoners, we might be able to find where Lirea is hiding.”
    Danielle’s throat tightened. He meant to draw the undine away by making himself a more obvious target. She looked at James, his eyes still haunted by the undine attack on his ship.
    “It’s a big ocean, Highness,” said Hays.
    “Would you prefer we huddle along our shores, waiting for the undine to attack at their leisure? We know where the Branwyn was attacked. Once this storm recedes, we can begin our search there.”
    Danielle cleared her throat. “Exactly how difficult would it be for a ship to sail through this storm?”
    “Anything’s possible,” said Admiral Hays. “I’d not want to try it if I had the choice.”
    “Why do you ask?” Suspicion sharpened Armand’s voice.
    “We’ve learned of someone who might be able to help the queen. I’m told the Phillipa is a fast ship. Would she survive these winds?”
    The king straightened. “Who have you found? Where is this person?”
    “The mermaid who created Lirea’s knife.” Danielle hesitated to say more in front of so many people. “If we can find her, she might be able to help us undo—”
    “You promised me you would be careful,” Armand said, pulling her aside. “Even if the winds don’t capsize you, Lirea and her undine are lurking out there. What makes