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Forever(28)

By:Ashley L. Knight


“I’m nothing like you,” she said respectfully, averting her eyes to the sea floor.

The entire crowd had bowed their heads in honor and respect to me. It was eerie and though I understood what they were doing, it made me uncomfortable.

I let go of the lady’s hand. These merfolk didn’t know me and I didn’t know them, but we were connected and their reverence was touching. Announcing ‘thank you’ somehow didn’t seem enough to convey how I felt. So I did what I had done to Sharlie all those months ago in the McCall Payette Lake.

Gathering The Love, I pushed it to the max and threw it into the crowd, showering everyone with burgundy and gold light. The array of beautiful faces before me made me think of the gorgeous, colorful rainbows that regularly graced Stanley’s indigo blue skies. The memory of the small gift to my people burned brightly into my mind; this was a moment that would be written into our histories.

“You’re certainly going to win them over if you continue to do that.” Thayde’s voice whispered in my ear. Twisting, I allowed the current to help me face him.

“I want them to know how grateful I am for their loyalty,” I uttered, unsure if what I did was acceptable. “I hope no one sees it as me trying to win their affection!”

A few bubbles escaped Thayde’s mouth as he tried to hide a smile. They floated up his face and popping above his head. “There’s a big difference between sincerity and being disingenuous. I think they know the difference, Morgan.”

His dark eyes searched the dispersing crowd. “I’m not letting you to face the Elders on your own.”

“Why?”

He took my hand in his. “Let’s just say they aren’t the kind old men you read about in fairy tales.” With that, he led me through the giant oval hallway leading into the main part of the largest building in Neridia.

Familiar, tall white columns rose out of the sandy, sea floor. We followed the hallway as it snaked its way deep into the earth. Eventually, it opened into a circular room, the columns joining together to create a circle. Exactly as I remembered, a single row carved from mother of pearl wrapped around the columns and from behind the row, sat the Elders.

The room echoed in silence as we entered the room. Anxiety filled me like water fills a glass. I had no clue what to say, do, or where to go. In response, Thayde released my hand and hovered behind me.

This is your floor. You have the first say. Be strong. I’m here for you. He thought.

Glancing about the room, I took in the twenty men and women sitting before me. Most of them looked over a hundred years old. They waited, not moving a muscle.

“My name is Morgan James,” I began. “I called this meeting because I need your help.”

A murmur rumbled through the room as they voiced their disapproval. I listened closely, realizing they all spoke Sanserian.

“I would not have asked you to meet with me if it weren’t important.” I pressed and their voices rose.

A tall, thin merman with long white hair and a black beard rose. In his hand, he held a trident fashioned from bone. The others stopped speaking when he moved and focused on him. His voice echoed off the walls.

“Ilana nat weat! Isla ratik sanoro.”

The Elders nodded in agreement. He had just announced that I was nothing but a child. He continued.

“Erenit fara olona sik a ferra. A ferra il nat vara.”

My blood wanted to boil. I held my breath in case I screamed so loud the room shattered. He had just announced that if I was not strong enough to be able to handle problems on my own, I should not be The Link.

“Tali verit nak sela nat vara.” He concluded and I closed my eyes, feeling the water around me vibrate. The elders are not here to help The Link, he said.

I searched his mind, pushing myself unseen through the wall he built decades ago to keep others out. His name was Xerin. At two hundred and thirteen years old, he was not the oldest, but he was the most outgoing and outspoken Elder. His power was the ability to transform bones – he could change into anything with a skeleton or cartilage. Overly emotional at times, I wondered why he was an Elder at all until digging deeper – he had recently replaced his grandfather.

The silence in the room was my cue to answer and instead of English, I opted for Sanserian.

“You were chosen to be Elders for your wisdom and your life experience. If you sit on this wisdom and choose not to share it with the younger generation, your wisdom will die with you. I have asked for your help because I respect you. Your selfish decision has made me question your loyalty to merpeople as well as to The Link. Xerin states that I am a child,” I directed my gaze in his direction. “In comparison to his age, that is true. However, if you are comparing memories, it is he who is the child.” Xerin’s nostril’s flared in anger. “As far as my strength is concerned, if he wishes to test it, he is more than welcome.”