Candifor and Corvinna
The following afternoon Ariel, Aquata, Vanora and Zale all woke up late. Swimming out of their rooms, Ariel and Vanora were the first down at the lunch table and began chatting to Arista and Alana. Swimming out of her room Aquata saw Zale up ahead of her.
"Aquata about last night, kissing you like that, you're a princess and we'd only just met."
"Zale it was alright I'm not angry with you, it was a nice. We had both been drinking, and got caught up in the moment."
"Yeh we had, I'd never had mer drinks before, must have been strong stuff."
"Exactly, if you're not used to it then it will affect you. I really enjoyed dancing with you."
"Me to, for a mermaid who cannot dance you dance well."
"Thank you, I guess I'm better then I though. You were good was well to say it was your first time with fins."
"I was just going with the flow, I had a really good time last night, I felt at home there."
"I could tell, come on we'd better do down or Ariel and Vanora will wonder what is keeping us."
After finishing their breakfast/lunch the four come swam up to the surface where they found Triton talking to Zether and a member of the Jewelled Council.
"Awake at last I see, how are you all feeling?" asked Triton.
"Just have a minor headache, we didn't drink that much, it was mostly chatting and dancing" replied Aquata.
"Our fins were killing us by the time we got in, Arista and the band was amazing" replied Ariel.
"It was Sire, the music was amazing, best night out I have had in a while" said Zale grinning.
"I am glad you enjoyed yourselves, what time was it when you swam in?"
"Er lets just say it was after midnight" replied Aquata hurriedly.
"Well as long as you had a good time I am happy" said Triton.
"Well you all sound like you enjoyed yourselves, all I wanted was for you to have a good time, you certainly had that. Now then onto the serious business, we have been discussing the storm, for the moment we have no answers" Zethar said.
"But there has to be a reason for it" said Zale.
"There will be but until the attacker strikes again there is nothing we can do. We know for a fact that the storm was caused by magic" said a member of the Jewelled Council called Aiden. "There are few with the power to create a storm with such intensity."
"We suspect it might have been done by Candifor, who was exiled thirty years ago for stealing the Stone and Circlet of Atlantis" replied Triton.
"Which is why contact between both races was banned stopped. As yet we have no proof of his involvement in these events" replied Zethar.
"However recent events would point in his direction, so we will have to proceed with caution" said Aiden. "I am Aiden, I am pleased to meet you Aquata and Ariel. For now all we can do is wait and see how things progress."
"Zale Vanora I want you both to come with me now" said Zethar.
Hearing this, the pair changed back into humans as Triton, Ariel and Aquata swam back home. Soon night drew in, as both humans and merpeople slept safe in their bed mischief began. Outside Amethyst Castle three people draped in black clothes crept in over the wall, silently disabling the wards that had put there as protection. Seeing the minor wards the leader grinned. Like shadows two crept up into the Records Office and began to search. The leader of the group made his way to the top floor of the towers, and into the office of one member of The Jewelled Council. A series of spells later and he was in, and after a brief search found what he was looking for.
"The old fool is getting careless, that will prove to be his undoing" the leader muttered as he left.
Back down he saw the others two were standing outside the Records Office.
"Do you have them?" he asked.
"Yes all those that are here, they were not heavily guarded" said one.
"They do not fear anything" said the second.
"That is because they are so sure of what happened, come let us away" said the leader, with that the three left as silently as they had come.
While this was going on, in Atlantica a man swam into the Palace Records Chamber. The guards that patrolled the palace that night had been put into an enchanted sleep. Swimming in, he searched the shelves till he found a small locked blue box. Grinning at his success the he swam away, vanishing once he had left Atlantica.
As this was going on, Candifor the exiled enchanter, was sat in his castle looking over accounts for the lands he controlled. For many year of his exile he had travelled and learned much. Then twenty years before, he had helped the land's people rid themselves of a tyrannical lord. Under him, the land had been in darkness, where hunger, famine and poverty stalked the land. Following the lord's death, the people had asked Candifor to lead them, all seeing a good leader in him. The King of the land, on hearing the news, officially gave Candifor the lordship. The land now flourished, in many ways it was heaven for outcasts or those misunderstood, but dark magic or unlawful actions were not tolerated.
Candifor himself had changed, his black hair was short, he beard neat and he was dressed and trouser and shirt of dark green. On his left hand was a jet ring inlaid with a silver raven, the ring had been given to him by his wife five years previously. No longer the misunderstood exile, he was now a highly respect lord, respected for good deeds and wise rule. In front of him were plans and books, along with the records for the villages. It was a weekly overview of what has happening in the lordship, and any plans he was working on with his advisers and colleagues.
"The repairs to the town library are going well" he though, as he felt a soft hand run through is hair.
Smiling he turned round to fined a beautiful enchantress standing behind him. With black hair and shining green eyes dressed in red, with a diamond ring on one hand and a necklace of jade, she looked stunning.
"You have to relax, they will get what you want. Then you just need to show Zethar, Triton and the other Council members" she said.
"Come here Corvinna (ravens friend) I have been so busy I have hardly spent any time with you. You are right I do need to relax, everything rest of this that is all, for both of us" he said.
"I understand, and I am nervous as well, if this goes right the truth of what was done to us will be shown" she replied.
"Still I should not let that take place of you, either of you for that matter," he said.
"Well then come upstairs, you are working for to hard, and it is gone midnight."
On impulse Candifor picked Corvinna up and carried her to their apartments, on the way upcrying started and both smiled. Reaching their sitting room Candior went over to a basked and picked up the baby within. Taking him over to the settee he handed the baby to Corvinna and watched as she fed him.
"Morven (sea bird) is the greatest thing you could have given me my love, I swear I will protect you both, you have known me all my life."
"He is what I wanted more then anything, thanks to you both I have a family at last. You had parents even for a little while, mine were executed when I was eight months old" Corvinna replied sadly.
"I know my love, add another reason for doing this, I hate that man more then anything."
"So do I, he could not see past the fact of who we were born to, just because our parents were evil. We are nothing like them yet we were persecuted" she said softly.
"Nothing at all like them at all. Soon this will end my love, then all three of us can live free" Candifor kissing her gently.
Then became a knock on the door and in entered a man cloaked in black, smiling when he saw his lord curled up with his wife and son.
"My Lord we have them, they are in your study, all of them. He has grown careless in recent years" said the man dressed in black.
"Excellent, I know you were the men for the job" replied Candifor.
"It was easy my Lord, the wards were weaker then you would expect from one of his standing. But then again they were advanced, only those of our power would be able to undo them."
"Not so careless, still I have enough to deal with Triton and Zethar, go now a rest" Candifor said as the man left.
"Triton and Zale will see what we have, and then they will help us once they know the truth."
"They saw us for who we were, they didn't judge us on our parent's actions but accepted us" Corvinna replied hugging her son.
At only two months Morven had changed things in the castle and had captivated both his parents. In their hearts, neither Candifor nor Corvinna were evil. Their parents had committed unspeakable acts of black magic and had been executed. Both had been toddlers or younger at the time, both had grown up in an orphanage. As adults, both had been exiled for stealing The Circlet and Stone of Atlantis. Suddenly lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, making Marven cry.
"Well looks like I must have over done that spell, we are not going to get any sleep tonight".
"Sleep is one thing you need, Marven has been through a storm before. He slept with me and he didn't cry as much".
Going up to their bed Candifor placed his son in between himself and Corvinna, by the time dawn came all were asleep.
The following morning, in both Atlantica and Amethyst City, there were cries of dismay when the break-ins were discovered. Looking at his office, Cato the Head of the Jewelled Council was aghast.
"How on earth did they get in? I put wards on my door" he said to other Council Members as they stood discussing the event.
"Ah but Cato my friend they are not overly complex," said another called Evander twisting his goatee.
"Not overly you mean, bit still they are far above the standards of any mere thief" said another called Beven.
"I have to agree with what both say, whoever the thief was will have to be a highly skilled Enchanter" said Cato.
"Strange timing all of this, Zethar returns, that business with Candifor a few weeks past, and now this" said a man with a white beard called Pavlos.
"Some would say coincidence" replied Cato looking nervous.
"And others would not. I for one can see both sides to this. Cato what was it the thief took?" asked Aiden.
"Personal documents, they were in a locked cabinet, they are of a sensitive nature."
"If they were to fall into the wrong hands, how much harm would they cause?" asked Pavlos.
"Only to harm myself that is all. We will find this thief before things get that far" replied Cato in a slightly shaky voice.
Meanwhile, down in Atlantica, King Triton and the Keeper of the Records, a merman called Hefin, were dealing with a theft themselves.
"This is strange Sire, we have not had a theft from here for forty years."
"What documents were stolen Hefin? You would not say earlier when the guards were here."
"Documents that relate to Candifor's parent's actions, as well as those relating to the actions off Corvinna's parent's. Those relating to their trial and exile and a box that Cato asked your father take care of."
"This is odd my friend, the timing for one thing, why now? Some of those actions took place over fifty years ago, why now after all this time?"
"You have said that Zethar had returned and that a storm came the night he returned. Candifor would have the power to do that, you and Zethar stood up for him, helped him and her for that matter."
"I see your thinking Hefin, this could all be his work, to try and undo the past. I do not know what he as been doing these past years, I fear for him."
"Yes he was troubled that one, but if this is his work take comfort from the fact that the guards live. An enchanted sleep was what happened to them, and they woke up. He has not killed or even hurt them to get the documents, he may be trying to prove something."
"That is right, no one has been hurt. I must go now and speak to Zethar, thank you my friend" Triton replied.
Swimming back to his throne room, Triton he found Ariel and Aquata waiting for him.
"I was not expecting to find you two waiting for me, I suspect you have heard?"
"Yes Daddy, Sebastian told us, is everything alright?" asked Ariel.
"No it is not, there have been documents stolen, important ones at that. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt. I am planning to swim up and see Zethar, would you both like to come with me?"
"Yes please" replied Ariel.
"I'd like that Dad" replied Aquata smiling.
"Excellent, then we had better be off" Triton replied with a smile.
Swimming out of the palace, they passed Alana and Pearl. Arriving at Amethyst Castle, they saw Zethar, Zale, and Vanora waiting for them.
"Triton thank the Goddess you have come" Zethar said running over to them.
"Has something happened?"
"Yes documents have been stolen form the Records Office and Cato's own office, all stolen seem to relate to Candifor and Corvinna. Cato refuses to tell us what he has been stolen."
"That is strange we have had a break-in as well, what was stolen also relate to Candifor and Corvinna" replied Triton.
"This doesn't add up, no offense intended King Triton, but this seems very fishy. Three thefts in the same night and all the documents relate to Candifor and or Corvinna. I wouldn't call that coincidence at all, I'd stay this is all linked" Zale said.
"I am thinking the same thing, all these events are to close together to be pure chance" said Aquata.
"I have to agree with both of you. I would say that Candifor may be behind it all" said Triton.
"I would say the same Triton, the timing is just too close to be anyone else. But if it is him, when why now, what is he trying to prove? I know little of what happened to him since his exile."
"Neither do I, the Ban has seen to that."
"I will try and find out what I can, would it be possible to meet here tomorrow?"
"That would be fine with me" Triton diving back under the sea.
That night all was quiet in the palace with Triton, Ariel and Aquata being the only ones in. Swimming into the sitting room, Triton found that Aquata was drawing Ariel as she lay on top of the piano. Sitting down Triton picked up a book and began to read, soon becoming lost in the story.
"Dad, can I ask you something?"
Looking up with a start Triton saw Aquata sitting next to him, then caught sight of the clock, seeing that and hour and a half had passed.
"Of course you can, what is?"
"You and Zethar have told us Candifor was exiled for stealing The Stone and the Circlet of Atlantis, but you haven't told us anything else about him. What did his parents do that meant he was never trusted?"
"What happened back then was terrible Aquata, were it not for the fact you were already involved, I would not tell you. Ariel, to bed with you, these events are not for your ears. Both Zethar and I agreed that you and Vanora are as yet too young to here in full what happened. I do is out of love for you. Not knowing them will not effect your envelopment in these matters, if anything it may be better for you."
"Alright Daddy, I don't really want to know, night" Ariel replied kissing his cheek and swimming off to bed.
"Are you sure you want to know these things?"
"Daddy I'm eighteen now, I'm not a little mermaid anymore, I have to understand what happened."
"Alright I will tell you, I suspect Zethar will have told Zale. Well both of Candifor's parents had long been involved in dark magic, and why they did these things was never discovered fully. What did they did was terrible by all accounts, murder and not just one" said Triton, as he explained the full and horrific details of what had taken place.
"What happened to them?"
"They were executed and Candifor was sent to live with specially chosen guardians. No matter how hard he tried to show who he was, few could see past his parents actions, and those that did worried about him" replied Triton, going on to explain the details of Candifor's early life.
"I cannot believe he would steal the Stone and Circlet, he seems like a good person. Could there are been a mistake? That maybe he was forced into doing it against his free will?" asked Aquata.
"That it what I said at the time Aquata, and a large part of me still thinks that. The evidence against him was overwhelming. Unless there is a way of proving what we think, it is likely he will remain in exile."
Unknown to both of them, another had been listening; a sleek silver otter swam away from the palace, thinking about what it had just heard. A few hours later, the otter arrived at a castle, climbing out of the water it changed into a man. Inside the castle Candifor and Corvinna was laid on their bed with Marven in-between them, who was trying to catch a silver chain that Corvinna was holding.
"He is so sweet isn't he?" Corvinna said grinning.
"He is, but he will be a terror when he starts to walk" replied Canifor as there was a knock on the door.
"Enter" both called sitting up.
"Good evening my Lord and Lady I bring news from Atlantica" said the man walking in, his silver hair still wet.
"Please tells us what you have found out" Corvinna said.
"Triton told your history to his child Aquata, I think she, her sister Riel, and Zethar's children could be the key. All seem to believe you are both innocent, or at least want to know the truth."
"That is perfect, the children have much more freedom then their parents in this case. They could be the ones that show their parents the truth, you may depart now" replied Candifor as the man bowed and left.
"They are they key Corvinna, the children."
"It would appear so, but we have to be careful here, if anything happened to those children" Corvinna said cuddling Marven.
"Yes that could damage things but they are still our best hope, but how to get them to come here is the thing" Candifor replied
"I think I know how we could do it" Corvinna replied.
"Really do tell" came the reply from her husband.