Chapter 37: Back Into Shadow

The scent of passing rain came with each breath Melody took as she followed Lara through Seahaven's streets. The air was as thick with the lingering smell of cloudburst and a trace of dust kicked up by the infinite water droplets that pelted the earth earlier. She heard wet grit crunching under their shoes with each step, her own falling in rhythm with the bouncing of the satchel at her hip, the letters stowed within. Lara's sword jangled in time to her own steps. The air held a lingering damp chill to it, prompting her to pull her cloak tighter as a wisp of it snuck through and caused her to shiver. Everywhere and everything shone with the tiny glares of sun on rain-drenched surfaces, creating thousands of specks of light.

For all its ferocity the storm had been brief, and Seahaven was no stranger to hurricanes. People were already back to business as usual, anticipating the clear skies fast approaching as the clouds broke overhead, the storm center making its way inland. Children were running about splashing in the puddles despite the protests of their parents. Birds sought out new perches to preen and dry their feathers from. The only damage the storm had caused the town was the loosening of roof tiles here and there. Already men were bringing out ladders and carts of new tiles to replace those broken by the storm.

A pair of men carrying a palate of tiles off a cart nodded in deference as Melody and Lara walked past. "Good morning, your highness! And you too, Lara!"

"Good morning," replied Melody, giving them a smile and a nod in return.

"Morning!" said Lara.

"Where you off to on this soppin' morning?" asked one of the men.

"The trove," replied Lara. "We're looking for Big Teddy. Seen him around?"

"Not this morning," answered the other man as they set the palate down, careful not to catch their fingers. "But if you're going to the trove then you're looking in the right spot!"

"That's what we're hoping," said Lara as they walked off, giving the men a wave before turning her attention back to navigating the streets.

"Lara, I've been meaning to ask…" said Melody as she stepped around a puddle Lara hopped over moments before. "This friend of yours…what does he do exactly?"

"We all call him Big Teddy, but his real name's Theodore," said Lara as she turned onto another street then stepped back as a horse came trotting past. "He's a banker."

"A banker? How's a banker going to help us?"

"You can ask him yourself in a minute," said Lara as she pointed ahead. "We're here."

Melody looked to the rather plain structure Lara was indicating. Its whitewashed walls were the same as all the other buildings, although the brown shingle roof stood out among the terra cotta tiles around it. The windows were darkly tinted, but she could see the dim light of lanterns and movements of shadows inside. A sign reading "The Mermaid's Trove" hung above the stout oak door, a slim blonde mermaid with sapphire blue fins and a coy smile lounging on her side beneath the letters. Melody could hear voices and music from inside. The sounds brought back memories of the times she had sailed with her father's crew.

"Well, what'cha think?" asked Lara as they started towards it.

"It's, uh…well, it's…one of a kind." Melody scratched behind her head, unsure how to phrase her thoughts without risking offense. "I don't mean to be rude, but is this really 'the best tavern in all of Seahaven?'"

"By a hundred miles!" said Lara, a detectable amount of pride in her voice and wide smile.

"Uh-huh. According to who, exactly?" asked Melody.

The pride slipped from Lara's smile as she reached for the door handle. "…Okay, I think it's the best tavern in Seahaven by a hundred miles. But it's still pretty nice…ish."

"Nice-ish? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means this is where Big Teddy gets his lunch every Thursday." Lara pulled the door open and walked in. "Come on. We're not gonna find him standing out here."

The first thing Melody noticed as she followed Lara through the door was the smell. The tavern had an odd mix of the crew's quarters of a ship after two months at sea and a swirling concoction of delicious food scents. She could smell roast lamb, thick pork gravy, boiled vegetables, baked potatoes, pan-cooked fish, and even freshly baked breads. It was both familiar, mouth watering, homely and mildly nose turning all at once.

The next thing she took notice of was the tavern itself. It was dark compared to the well-lit dining hall of the palace, though the lack of enormous crystal clear windows appeared to be the culprit. Lanterns and candles hung throughout, bathing the room in a warm ambiance. All manner of maritime relics lined the walls and ceiling. The tables were filled save a few vacant seats, and waitresses bustled between kitchen, bar and customers with food, drinks and empty plates and cups. An accordion and flute were playing off in the back, accompanied by a man singing some manner of sailor's song in a mildly drunken slur.

"Still think it's not the best?" asked Lara.

"If it is then I'd hate to see the worst," confessed Melody, waving a puff of pipe smoke out of her face.

Lara laughed. "It'll grow on you."

"Lara!"

Melody flinched at the loud voice calling her guardian's name. Her question as to who called it was answered when she saw an old and vaguely familiar bartender make his way towards them.

"Lara Anclagon, as I live n' breathe!" he said, his accent at thick as Melody remembered it. "Ye sprightly dev'l! Get o'er 'ere n' give yer ol' boss a 'ug, lassie!"

"Nice to see you too, John!" said Lara as the two embraced, Lara having to bend over slightly to accommodate John's height.

John broke the embrace and clasped Lara by the shoulders, giving her a quick look over. "Well, ye're cert'nly not lookin' any worse fer th' weather!"

"You should've seen me earlier." Melody stifled a snicker at the reference.

John's eyes shifted to Melody, widening as he realized just who was before him. "Bless me soul! Princess Melody! Welcome, yer 'ighness, t' me humble abode! Anythin' ye need, just let me know n' it'll be done! Yer wish is me command!"

"Thank you," said Melody politely as John bowed to her. "You're too kind."

"So what brings ye two lovelies t' me tavern on this soggy mornin'?" asked John. "Can I interest ye both in a spot o' lunch?"

"I'm up for it, but we're here on palace business first," said Lara, peering out over the tavern. "We need to see Big Teddy. Is he in?"

John's mustache curled with his lips as he smiled. "Ye're in luck! He walked in not 'alf a drink ago!"

He turned around and cupped his hands. "Oi, Teddy! Get yer lardy self o'er 'ere! Someone t' see ye 'bout a job!"

"Tell them to come by my office in an hour!" called back a voice. "I'm at lunch!"

"Ye'll want t' make an exception fer this one!" said John.

"I don't do business while my business is eating!"

"And what about helping a friend over a drink, ya tubby old money-grubber?" Lara called back.

"Lara!" exclaimed the voice. "John, is that Lara?"

"What other woman'd talk t' ye like that?" replied John, placing a hand over his mouth before leaning towards Melody and adding, "Other than 'is wife, that is."

"Why didn't you say so in the first place!?" There was a sound of a chair sliding out at the back of the tavern as Big Teddy rose from his seat.

Melody quickly realized "Big Teddy" had been given his nickname as a joke, for the only thing big about the man who approached was his waistline. He was well under four feet tall and built like an egg with his wide middle and bald shiny head. He seemed to wobble as he walked, his chin all but disappearing into his neck. He was clearly a man of some prosperity, though certainly not as wealthy as a noble. He wore a dark blue jacket and rather tight-fitting pants, his shoes modestly kept and crisp against the floor.

"Lara!" he exclaimed as he caught sight of her, his face splitting in a wide smile as he tottered his way over. "Good to see you again! It's been far too long!"

"Same to you, Big Teddy!" said Lara as she took a knee, the two embracing briefly. "You're looking good! You lost weight?"

"Ha ha! You noticed, did you?" He patted his robust stomach. "Just walking from home to work, I tell you! No more carriage every day! I'm down a full stone!"

Lara gave a low whistle before she rose and gestured to Melody. "Big Teddy, this is—."

"Princess Melody! As though I could ever mistake her!" interjected Big Teddy as he bowed to her. "And may I say, your majesty, what a pleasure it is to have you grace us with your presence!"

Melody gave a small curtsy in return. "And it pleases me to hear that, Mister…uh…"

"Theodore MacMallon at your service, your majesty. Though my friends call me Big Teddy. I hope you will grant me the honor of considering me as such!"

"Then I'll make sure to, Big Teddy," said Melody, giving him a smile.

Big Teddy positively beamed at her words, clasping the lapels of his jacket. "So, what can I do for you both today?"

Lara gestured to a table. "Something only you can do. We'll tell you over lunch."

"Was everythin' t' yer likin', yer 'ighness?"

Melody was not sure what to think of the meal John had given her. He called it roast mutton with gravy, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables and bread, though it was not like anything Melody had eaten at the palace by the same name. The meat was slightly greasy and dripped with juice. The vegetables were soft and lacking on pepper, and the mashed potatoes were heavy. She had to surrender her mug of ale to Lara, wary of what effect something stronger than wine could have on her discretion.

"Absolutely—." Melody paused to cover her mouth, preventing an undignified burp from making itself known. "Delicious! Thank you!"

Melody meant every word of it. She had not left so much as a bite on her plate. Halfway through she had deftly reached under her cloak and loosened the ties on the back of her dress, giving her middle room to accommodate the rest of the meal. The only one who seemed to be enjoying the food more was Lara, who amazingly was on her fourth plate!

"Oh man! This *omf* is even better than I remember!" said Lara as she started on yet another helping of mashed potatoes. "Sooooo good!"

She took another mouthful, shimmying delightedly in her seat as her eyes closed in pleasure. "Mmm! I could eat this for weeks!"

"I take it ye don't 'ave mash taters at th' palace, yer 'ighness?" asked John as he took Melody's plate from her.

"We don't have mashed anything!" said Melody.

"I c'n tell!" laughed the bartender as Lara ate a spoonful of the fluffy potatoes. "Makes ye wonder where she be puttin' it all?"

"Beats me," said Melody. "One of my aunts is eating for two right now, and even she doesn't eat that much!"

"You know I'm stuffing my face and not my ears, right?" said Lara before she scarfed down another mouthful.

"Is tha' so!? Well give me congratulations to 'er n' th' father! An' feel free t' bring 'eir majesties 'round 'ere sometime! I'd be 'onored t' 'ave ye eat wit' us again!"

"I'll be sure to tell them, and thank you," said Melody, giving John a warm smile before he left.

She glanced over at Big Teddy, who was standing in his seat rather than sitting due to his size. He was hunched over the letters spread out before him, a magnifying glass in his hand and a lantern close by for additional light. His brow was scrunched in thought as he scrutinized each line of ink, mumbling to himself as he went.

"Hmm…another one. And there as well…perhaps here too? And yet not here…definitely odd. Curiouser and curiouser…"

"Lara, are you sure about this?" whispered Melody as she leaned towards Lara.

"Big Teddy knows what he's doing," said Lara. "He was my go-to for all things document when I was gathering dirt on Richard. If anyone in Seahaven can spot a fake or a swindler, it's him!"

"But we've been here an hour already," said Melody.

"Reading handwriting is a delicate art, your majesty," said Big Teddy without looking up. "It takes a eagle's eye and a serpent's patience, if you'll pardon the metaphor. Comes with being a banker. You'd be surprised what people will do to fake their wealth, among other things."

"Tell me about it," said Melody, shooting a glance at Lara. The woman put a hand over her heart in fake offense.

"And speaking of fakes…" Big Teddy set his magnifying glass down, rubbing his eyes briefly. "You were right to be suspicious, Lara. These are a most peculiar set of forgeries."

Melody sat up straighter in her seat. "So they are forgeries?"

"Well, yes and no."

Melody's initial astonishment was replaced by confusion. "Huh?"

"But you just said they were fakes," said Lara.

"Oh, to be certain!" assured Big Teddy. "These were definitely not written by her highness's friends! On that I would stake my reputation! But they are not true forgeries! Whoever wrote these was using the original's handwriting as a template!"

"Mind elaborating on that for us?" asked Lara.

Big Teddy pointed to the letters. "There are two common ways to forge writing. The first is a freehand approach. It gives the forger more freedom in what they write, but it's a less employed tactic because of the volume of time and practice involved to become proficient. Judging by what I'm seeing here, whoever wrote these did not have either of those. Instead they used the second and more common method."

"Which is…?" pressed Lara.

"They traced this off something else the princess's friends wrote."

"How can you tell?" asked Melody.

"There are clues in the writing, your highness." Big Teddy handed the magnifying glass to Melody and slid a pair of letters before her, pointing to specific spots as he spoke. "See here the unevenness in the crest of the capitol 'J,' and the lower 'k' and 'p' as compared to the original. Note the exaggerated body of the lower 'l' and 'b.' Curves are not terribly difficult to write out, but tracing is another matter. Note the general thickness of the letters as well. Tracing requires a steady hand, which requires greater time in writing. This gives more time for the ink to run, and thus thickens the lettering."

The banker picked up one of the letters and folded it in half. "There is also the path of their words. When we write, our words fall within a predetermined boundary that is continuous across the page. But the words in these letters are not following any such path. There are very subtle deviations in the positioning of the words. This here is a most evident example."

Melody leaned closer, squinting at the word Big Teddy was pointing to. Perhaps it was the light of the lantern, but it did appear skewed upwards compared to the rest of the sentence.

"Any idea who wrote them?" asked Melody, hope layered thick onto her question. Lara leaned forward slightly as well.

Big Teddy shook his head. "I'm afraid not, your highness. Not without a sample of the forger's own writing, and even then it would be a difficult task since these were traced."

"Is there anything you can tell us for certain?" asked Lara. "Besides the fake part?"

Big Teddy rubbed his nonexistent chin, eyes darting between the pages. For a long minute he continued like that, screening the writing as he searched for anything overlooked.

"This is only a theory," continued Big Teddy. "But I believe the person who wrote these is keeping your friends' original letters for themselves."

"What makes you say that?" asked Lara.

"These earliest forgeries are noticeably shorter than the newest ones," said Big Teddy. "The word diversity also increases from old to new. Mind you this is all still theory, but I believe the reason for this is that the forger is using the newest letters to write his, or her, new fakes. Rumor is a thief in Strihaven employed a similar tactic a few years ago to swindle a countess out of a very rare black pearl necklace."

"Is there anything else you can tell us?" asked Melody. "Anything at all?"

Big Teddy shook his head. "I'm sorry, your highness. There's nothing more I can tell you. Not with any real certainty, that is. What I can tell you for certain is that it was not your friends who wrote these."

"I see…" Melody slumped back in her chair, eyes cast down at the table.

"I wish I could be of more help," said Big Teddy as he hopped down from the chair. "I really do."

"It's all right," said Lara. "You've given us plenty. Thanks again for doing this. I owe you."

Big Teddy shook his head. "Please think nothing of it, Lara. For what you've done for this town, it's I who owes you."

Melody was silent as she and Lara made their way back to the palace. A tumult of emotions tumbled inside her already filled stomach. She followed in Lara's steps, eyes half-watching her path as her mind wandered with the information Big Teddy had given them.

The letters were fakes. The words in them were no more her friends than if Melody had written them herself. However, that fact raised more questions than it answered. She was relieved to know her friends were not deliberately avoiding her, but distressed that someone was going to such efforts to make it seem that way. If it was not her friends she had been corresponding with all this time, then who? How were they getting ahold of her letters? If the forgeries really were tracings, where did they get the originals to copy? And how—?

"Watch out!"

Melody was so absorbed in her thoughts she did not realize she had walked right past Lara till she tripped on the edge of the plaza fountain. Her momentum was already carrying her towards the water, and she would have fallen in had Lara not snatched her flailing arm and pulled her back. The two stumbled, catching themselves before they could fall.

"I already had two dips in the water today!" said Lara. "Let's not get you started as well!"

"Sorry," said Melody.

"Did you hear what I said?" asked Lara.

Melody shook her head. "Said what?"

"Wow, you really went off to Wonderland. I said, 'what now?'"

Melody cocked her head a bit. "What do you mean 'what now?'"

"As in what do you wanna do now?" repeated Lara. "We know your friends didn't write those letters. And if someone's doing tracings then they've probably got the real ones your friends are writing. Add it all up and someone's definitely up to something. So what do you wanna do next?"

"I…" Melody paused. "I think…I think we should…"

"Yes…?"

Melody opened her mouth to speak, but the words would not come to her. She walked to the edge of the fountain and sat down, looking down at her wavering reflection in the water. She let her fingertips trace over the surface, sending tiny ripples across it.

What did she want to do next? She knew exactly what she wanted from all this—to have her friends back. However, when it came to making that happen she was drawing a blank. She tried to create a single concrete idea to act on, but she had so many questions and doubts it seemed impossible for one to take form. She wished she had a coin to toss in so she could wish for an idea, or even just a thought to put her in the right direction.

"I wish I knew what to do," said Melody, withdrawing her fingers from the water. The ripples stilled, revealing Melody and Lara's reflections.

At that moment an idea came to Melody. "I wish I knew what to do!"

"Yeah, you said that already," said Lara.

Melody turned to face Lara. "What would you do?"

Lara's eyes widened. "Wait, me?"

"If you were in my place, and it was your friends you were trying to get back in touch with, and you found out their letters are fakes, what would you do?" asked Melody.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because…" Melody paused, taking a moment to form her answer. "Because I don't know what to do. I know I want to do something about this, but I don't know what I can do."

Lara arched an eyebrow. "Maybe it's my imagination, but it sounds a lot like you're asking for my help."

"I…yes. Yes, I am," admitted Melody.

"Well, if you want help…" Lara fished into her pocket and pulled out a copper coin. "Make a wish first."

Melody looked at the coin and then at Lara. "What's that for?"

"For making a wish. You do know how to make a wish in a fountain, right?"

"Yes, but…what's that got to do with this?"

"Say 'I wish Lara would help me,' toss the coin, and see if it comes true."

"Again, what does this—?"

"Humor me, would you?"

Melody sighed and stood, taking the coin from Lara. She faced the fountain, ready to simply toss the coin in till she paused. She closed her eyes, holding the coin sincerely in her hand.

"I wish Lara would help me," she whispered, and then tossed the coin in with a single ploop.

She opened her eyes right as Lara dropped out of the air in front of her, landing on the wall of the fountain. Melody gave a startled yelp and stepped back.

"Ta-da!" said Lara. "Your wish has been granted!"

Melody gaped at Lara. "Wait, really? You'll help me?"

"Lara Anclagon, swordswoman and mage extraordinaire, at your service!" said Lara, sweeping her goggles off and giving a dramatized bow. "So, you want to know what I would do?"

Melody only nodded.

"Hmm…" Lara tongued her lip stud in thought as she started walking the edge of the fountain, hands laced behind her head. "What would Ido? What would I do?"

Melody followed Lara from the ground, watching her face as the gears turned in the brunette's head. She went a complete circle of the fountain before she suddenly stepped off.

"For starters," said Lara as she started walking back to the palace. "If I were you, I'd wanna talk to these friends in person."

"But they've turned down all my offers to visit," said Melody. "And they never invited me."

"Who said anything about invitations?" said Lara. "I'd drop in when they're least expecting it. I wouldn't want them to know I was coming. I'd catch them off guard so they can't hide anything or make some excuse to not see me. And I'd do it at some random time of the day as well."

"This almost sounds like you've got a plan," said Melody.

Lara grinned lopsidedly. "It's more of an idea."

"ROOOOAAAAHHHH!"

The demon roared as he drove his fist into another boulder. His arm and the stone blew apart in a shower of sparks and rock shards before the rest of him crumbled away. The sparks flew up and collected on the crumbling rubble and flashed, reforming the raven. Fires blazed on his body as the air turned hot and dry, responding in kind to his anger. The sand bore several molten footprints of his monstrous form, the heat turning the silicate grains to crude glass.

Tip and Dash cowered behind a nearby boulder, eyes peeking over at the raven. He had not taken the news about Abyssum or Eel Ectric City well. They barely finished when the raven burst into his demon form with a spew of fire and ancient curses, unleashing a wrath on several innocent boulders that would put Triton to shame.

The raven puffed and heaved, his eyes aglow as the flames diminished and then died.

"Were there survivors?" he asked, ruffling his feathers back into place.

"J-just three," answered Tip cautiously. "C-c-captain Urchin a-and a g-guard at Abyssum."

"Who is the third?"

"Sh-she's a mermaid," said Dash. "I-I think she's named Ga-Gabriella. She's a fr—a friend of Ariel's."

"Are any of them speaking?" asked the raven.

"N-n-no."

The raven glanced at Tip and Dash, his black slit and ring pupil piercing through them sharp enough to make goosebumps. "Why not?"

"They—they—they—," stammered Dash and Tip together.

"Stop your blubbering and speak up!" barked the raven.

"They can't!" squeaked Tip. "Urchin and the guard haven't woken up!"

"And Garbriella's a mute!" added Dash. "She's been in a daze ever since they found her!"

The raven's clawed feet melted the rock as they dug into it. "Are there no others?"

Tip and Dash hung their heads.

"I see. And Triton?"

Tip and Dash looked nervously at each other but did not answer. The raven turned around to face them, detecting their worry in the silence. "And Triton?"

"He's…" Tip moved his mouth to speak but uttered nothing.

"He's what?" pressed the raven.

"He's been bedridden since he returned to Atlantica," said Dash. "He's barely said a word to anyone."

The raven narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"The doc said it was sudden fatigue," said Tip. "The stress finally got to him."

"He looked exhausted," added Dash. "Like he hadn't slept in days."

"Days? Try weeks!" said Tip. "And something cut his face! I tell you, I've seen the king on some rough days, but I've never seen him that worn down."

"For what he did, consider yourselves fortunate to see Triton alive," said the raven.

"What he did? Just what did he do?" asked Dash.

"Something you will be better off not knowing of." The raven glided down to the sand. "What of this sorcerer? What did Triton say of him?"

"He…he only said he spoke with him," said Dash.

"And this cut to his face you spoke of? Did 'speaking' do that?"

"He won't say."

The raven scowled, his feet clenching and unclenching. "What orders has he given?"

"He's called all the search parties back to Atlantica," said Tip. "The city's on alert till he says otherwise."

"A lot of fish and merfolk are heading there, too," added Dash. "They say it's safer near the king. Everyone's scared."

"As they should be," said the raven. He flapped his wings and bounded towards the water, stopping just out of the waves' reach. "Only a fool would lack fear after this."

This news was worse than the raven feared. He knew the enemy had dealt a heavy blow to the Alliance. He knew a great many lives had been lost. He knew his intervention in saving Captain Philipe from the jaws of death was a meager victory among such losses, but it was the only victory he could manage in his state. He knew Atlantica, if not the entire Alliance, would be shaken to its core by this.

The raven knew Triton was lying. He knew enough from what he felt to know what happened in the depths of the ocean. The sorcerer did more than speak with Triton. He baited him. He turned Triton's volatile temper against him and it worked. Atlantica's king was alive by this dark sorcerer's whim alone. A cut face was a small price for keeping his life when confronted with such a clever and powerful foe. No doubt it was the king's pride that suffered the deepest cut.

If there was to be any silver lining to that wretched day, it was that the enemy suffered an even more devastating blow than the Alliance. The Hive Queen and her brood made good on their promise of vengeance, and carried it out with impunity. Thousands of lives disappeared from the Alliance in the span of hours. The people of three kingdoms awoke this morning unaware of the slaughter that had taken place while they slept. No one would report them missing, for they no longer had memories of anyone to miss. Whatever presence the enemy had on land was gone, devoured by the shadows without so much as a whisper. A truly damaging blow to any army.

Looming over all other concerns in the raven's mind, however, was what Triton had awoken. He knew what happened down in the deep. He knew of only one power in the world like what Triton unwittingly tapped into. It was old, powerful, and dangerous in the most extreme. Empires went to war for it. Entire races were destroyed for it. Lands were scarred by it. Angels feared it. Demons fled from it. Countless were slain by it. It was a power no mortal, deity, or being between was meant to have. And now that it was awake it would not return to slumber so easily.

The raven grit his beak harshly. "Are you watching, Poseidon? Are you witnessing all this? Do you still believe I was wrong?"

The raven turned back to Tip and Dash as he pulled a feather from his wing. "I have a task for the both of you."

Melody could feel Tempest's chest swell and deflate like a bellows as he ran through the forest, carrying them to their destination. The cooling air whistled in Melody's ears as she clung tight to Lara, relying on her for balance in the absence of a saddle. Lara's pack jostled against Melody's spine, bouncing with each pounding beat of hooves against earth. The stallion's speed was blisteringly fast, yet it was not jarring or heavy. He seemed to glide rather than run.

A tree appeared out of the dim of the forest understory in their path. Melody squeezed Lara tighter as she waited for them to run into it, but suddenly Tempest swept left and away from it. How he or Lara were navigating in this night was beyond Melody. It was dark enough even with the sky clear and the half moon overhead, and those were obscured by the trees. Several times already a fallen log or a thick tree had appeared directly in their path, only for Tempest to quickly steer them away before they could collide.

"There's lights out to the left!" said Lara as Tempest deftly avoided another tree. "Is this it?"

Melody looked out and saw patches of lantern light slip between the tree trunks with glimpses of a large white mansion beyond. She knew the building well, and the people who lived there.

"That's it!" said Melody.

"You sure?"

"I'm positive!"

Lara drew Tempest to a walk. His billowing chest slowed as Lara guided him through the trees, stopping well short of the forest edge. She swung a leg over and hopped off before helping Melody down.

"Thanks for the lift," said Lara, giving Tempest a rub on his neck. "Stay here till we get back."

The horse gave a long contented sigh and shook.

"How do you do that without a saddle?" asked Melody as she handed Lara the pack, rubbing where she fully anticipated some not too light bruising tomorrow morning.

"Cause the only way he'll let me ride him is without one," said Lara.

"I'm surprised he let Ariel ride him with one."

"You and me both." Lara shouldered the pack. "Follow me, and stay quiet."

Melody followed Lara, mimicking her crouched posture and quick steps as she went. How Lara was so quiet Melody could only wonder. She could not hear her steps even right in front of her. The absence of her sword no doubt helped. The weapon had been left out on Melody's balcony, Lara stating it was somewhere she could call it if needed. Figuring it had something to do with magic Melody had not pressed the issue further.

The edge of the forest quickly came into view. Lara hid herself behind the trunk of a thick oak, Melody joining her. The two cautiously inched forward, their eyes just peeping around the edge.

"That's your idea of a house?" whispered Lara.

The "house" in question was a three-story mansion. The walls were painted a creamy white, making it stand out in the light of the stars and moon. Tall fluted columns rose between square windows, reaching towards a triangular roof. A carefully manicured and maintained garden lay between a grassy field at the forest edge and the mansion, filled with roses, irises, butterfly bush, tulips and orchids. Trellises bore entangled twining limbs of wisteria, the boughs so heavy with purple flowers Melody could smell them from her hiding spot. Lanterns hung from sconces along the walls, casting flickering light out over the garden.

"It's not a palace," said Melody. "What else would I call it?"

"It's a lot bigger than any house I ever stayed in," said Lara.

"Or broke into." Melody ran a hand through her hair. "You do know this technically a crime, right?"

"We're not breaking in," said Lara. "Just visiting when they least expect it."

"How is that any different from breaking in?"

"Because we're not planning on stealing anything."

Four specks of moving light appeared from opposite ends of the mansion as two pairs of uniformed men rounded the corners, carrying a spear in one hand and a lantern in another.

"Guards," said Lara, pointing to another four men that appeared from behind a tall topiary. "You didn't mention they have guards!"

"Because they never had guards before!" said Melody. "How are we gonna get in now?"

"Same as before," said Lara as she swung off the pack and pulled out the shadowsilk cloak, handing the pack to Melody. "Nervous?"

Melody nodded as she put the pack on. "Aren't you?"

"I've done scarier things." Lara swung the cloak around Melody, tying it off before pulling the hood up over her. "Any thoughts about backing out?"

"A few."

"Do you want to?"

Melody shook her head. "No. Not really."

"Good, 'cause I wasn't gonna let you anyway."

Lara knelt down and Melody looped her arms around Lara's neck. She felt small like this, as though she were made of paper compared to Lara's raw strength. As though sensing a shift in its wearer's form the shadowsilk grew longer and wider, encompassing Melody and Lara entirely. Melody looked down and saw the ground where their feet should be, the cloak's properties of invisibility on full display. The front laced itself together, forming a seamless covering of invisible black.

"Whoa…didn't know it could do that," said Lara as she hooked her arms around Melody's legs. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," said Melody.

"Then hang on tight and stay quiet."

The next thing Melody knew she was flying through the grass as Lara sprinted for the mansion. The cloak billowed around them but did not open. In seconds Lara reached the edge of the garden, leaping over one topiary and then another before darting for a wisteria arch. She remained there as a guard turned and headed off down a stone pathway. Lara skirted along the shadow of a row of rose bushes, keeping low and quiet. She stopped suddenly and dropped as a guard appeared around a corner. Melody held her breath as he walked across their path. Surely he would see them. He was less than a stone's throw away. Yet he walked right by without paying them the slightest attention.

Lara waited till the guard was out of sight before continuing, carrying Melody to another wisteria arch. She remained till the perimeter guards were to the edge of the mansion before bolting for a nearby window, using her hands to keep from smacking into the wall beside it.

"Still with me?" asked Lara.

"I…yeah," said Melody as she slipped off Lara, the cloak shrinking to match her frame. She held a hand to her chest, feeling her heart beating frantically.

Lara looked up at the second story window. "You're sure those ones will open?"

Melody nodded as she took off the pack. "They were open every time I came in the summer."

"Let's hope they'll open in this season."

Lara shouldered the pack again and backed away from the wall. She crouched low and then leapt, rising high above Melody's head and snagging the window ledge with her fingers. She started to pull herself up till her fingers slipped, but she was quick to increase her grip. She pulled herself up again and pressed herself to the glass. Drawing a knife she slipped the blade between the panes and undid the latch, swinging one outward and then the other before hopping inside and out of view. A minute later a rope came down, a loop tied in the end.

"Foot goes in the loop," said Lara from above.

Melody stuck one foot in the loop and then held onto the rope. "Okay."

No sooner did she say it then Lara started pulling her up. Melody watched the ground quickly shrink away as she rose. Lara made it seem so effortless. She took Lara's outstretched hand near the top and sat on the sill before swinging her legs in.

"Thanks for the lift," she said as Lara started coiling the rope up.

Lara looked at her in surprise. "Was that a joke?"

"Maybe." Melody pulled off the cloak and handed it to Lara, but she shook her head.

"It'll help you more than me," said Lara as she shoved the rope into her pack. "Just remember it makes you invisible, not silent. You'll be quieter if you lose the shoes."

Lara stowed her pack under the bed and went to the door, opening it as quietly as she could. Melody pulled off her last shoe and squeezed herself under to look out into the hall. It was dark except for what little light made its way from outside.

"Any idea where we are?" asked Lara as she drew back and started taking of her boots.

Melody shook her head. "Sorry. Everything looks different at night. But we are on the right floor."

"Guess we'll have to go till we find her." Lara slowly opened the door, clenching when it made a small squeak. Silently they stepped out into the hall, carefully closing the door behind them.

They spent the next half hour opening door after door, keeping their senses peeled for the first sign of trouble. Melody could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Her breath sounded too loud. It was both exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. Any moment she expected a guard with a lantern to appear and catch them, but no such thing happened. Door by door they went down the halls. They found a study, a storage closet, a music room, a bath, another bath, and half a dozen guest rooms. But no Elaine.

"Anything?" whispered Melody as she shut the door on another empty bedroom.

"Nothing here but a library," said Lara. She moved to the next door and pressed her ear to it. "Wait…there's someone in this one."

Melody perked immediately. "Is it her?"

"No. There's two people. Older, so probably her parents. Sounds like—wait…"

Even in the dark Melody saw Lara's eyes widen and her face blush red as a rose. She quickly drew away from the door.

"What? Sounds like what?" pressed Melody.

"Uh…nothing. Sounded like nothing."

"No, you heard something. What was it?"

"You don't wanna know."

"Tell me."

Lara's fingers fidgeted as her blush worsened. "Well, it…it sounded like…um…it sounded like…let's just say Elaine might not be an only child much longer."

Melody took a moment to process the implication of Lara's words, but when she did she blushed as crimson as her mother's hair. "You mean—!?"

"Shhh!" hissed Lara as she clapped a hand over Melody's mouth, alarmed at how loud she spoke. "You want them to hear you!?"

"Sorry," whispered Melody as Lara lowered her hand.

"Just keep going," said Lara, shivering as she went to the next door. "Bleugh! I just know I'm gonna have nightmares about that!"

They continued checking doors for another ten minutes before Lara whispered, "Pst! Melody!"

Melody abandoned the door she was about to open and went to Lara, who made room for her to look. It was dark inside, but with the curtains parted the moonlight gave enough illumination for her to see an unmistakable head of blonde hair lying on the pillows of a large bed, the blankets rising and falling slowly. The outline of the room was familiar, as was the smell of a particular set of perfumes.

"That's her!" whispered Melody. "This is Elaine's room!"

Lara inched the door open for Melody to squeeze in before following, shutting the door soundlessly behind them and turning the lock.

Melody started to approach Elaine but stopped. The plan sounded straightforward enough when they planned it out, but now that she was here she was having doubts. Was this really the right thing to do? She had just broken into Elaine's house in the dead of night on the basis of some fake letters. Would Elaine even be glad to see her?

"So that's Elaine, huh?" said Lara as she came beside Melody.

"Yeah. That's her."

"Then I guess we should wake her up." Lara brushed past Melody, gesturing for her to follow behind. They went around the bed to where Elaine was facing. She looked peaceful, blissfully unaware of the intruders that just entered her room. Lara slowly eased herself onto the bed with one knee. "Lose the cloak."

Melody undid the cloak, draping it over the end of Elaine's bed. "What are you going to do?"

"Wake her up, in a sense."

Lara slowly inched her hand towards Elaine's face. She paused as she drew in a breath and then quickly pressed her hand over Elaine's mouth as she straddled her, trapping one arm under her leg as her free hand controlled the other. Elaine's eyes snapped open and she started to struggle, her voice muffled by Lara's hand. Her eyes bulged when she saw Lara's face, no doubt unnerved by the golden eyes.

"I could use some help here!" hissed Lara as Elaine started thrashing even more.

"Elaine, stop!" whispered Melody as she moved onto the bed, making sure Elaine could see her. "It's me!"

Elaine's eyes fixed on Melody, widening as her struggling lessened.

"I'm really sorry about this, but you've got to be quiet!" whispered Melody. "She's—we're not here to hurt you, I swear! So please don't scream! Please! I just want to talk!"

"As though she'd expect anything else after waking up with someone holding her down," said Lara sarcastically.

"Not helping. Elaine, Lara's going to let you go now. And I know I might be asking the impossible but please, please don't make a sound!"

Elaine stared at her for a moment and then nodded.

"Not a sound, got it?" repeated Lara. Elaine nodded again. "Okay."

Slowly Lara eased off Elaine, cautiously releasing her arms before finally freeing her mouth. Elaine stared at her but made no sound, rubbing her wrists.

Melody swallowed nervously. "Elaine? Are you—?"

She was cut off when Elaine leapt forward and threw her arms around Melody, pulling her into a tight hug. Melody was stunned stiff for a moment before she returned the embrace, holding her friend close.

"Is it really you, Mel!? Please tell me I'm not dreaming!" whispered Elaine.

"It's really me," assured Melody. Elaine squeezed her tighter. They stayed like that for a full minute before Elaine finally pulled away, wiping at the corner of her eyes with her thumb.

"What are you doing here?" asked Elaine.

"I'm sorry, but I had to come see you," said Melody.

Elaine rubbed sleeping sand out of her eyes. "In the middle of the night?"

"It was important," said Lara.

Elaine turned to Lara, looking her over from head to toe. "Who're you?"

"Elaine, this is Lara," said Melody. "She's my…protector."

Elaine's eyes widened. "As in Lara Anclagon? The Lara Anclagon? The winner of the tournament?"

Lara touched a finger to her brow in a feint salute. "The only. Surprised the princess here didn't mention me in her letters."

Elaine looked back to Melody. "Letters? What letters?"

"The ones I sent you," said Melody.

Elaine's brow furrowed slightly. "I haven't gotten any letters from you."

Now Melody's brow furrowed. "Huh? What do you mean you haven't gotten any? I've written to you almost once a week."

"I haven't heard anything from you since the party. No one has."

Melody's eyes widened. "What? What about Christopher?"

"Nothing."

"Maria? Christine? Rupert?"

"Melody, no one's seen or heard from you! We're the ones that have been writing trying to get a response out of you! Twice a week sometimes!"

"I know! I have one here!" Melody reached into her pocket and pulled out one of the letters. She handed it to Elaine, who took it over to the moonlit window to read. Her expression clearly transitioned from confusion to incredulity as she read.

"I didn't write this!" said Elaine. "I mean, that's my handwriting! But I wasn't sick last week! I wrote to you asking if I could visit the palace! So did Rupert!"

"But Rupert said he would be out of town!"

"Out of town? He was here when he wrote it! I saw him do it!" Elaine drew a hand over her face. "Just what is going on here!? What's this all about?"

"Mind if I jump in here?" asked Lara. "I have a theory, but I need to ask something first. Elaine, you said you've been writing Melody regularly?"

"Yes!"

"And you're sure you sent it to the palace?"

"No, I sent it to Corona—of course I sent it to the palace!" she whispered harshly.

"Did you take it there yourself?"

"No, I gave it to my—."

Elaine froze, the letter slipping from her hands as they went limp and then clenched tight moments later.

What had been the start of a very pleasant night for Elaine's parents was brought to a screeching halt when the doors to their bedroom flew open with a bang like a gunshot and then a second and third as they slammed against the wall. They scrambled to cover themselves as a fuming Elaine stormed in, a piece of paper clutched tightly in one hand and a lantern in another.

"You!" she fumed, halting with a hard stomp at the foot of the bed.

"Elaine!" exclaimed her mother. "Have you lost your mind!?"

"It was you!" shouted Elaine, shaking the crumpled paper at them. "You did this!"

"What the blazes are you rambling on about!?" yelled her father. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Quarter past two," said a voice from the hall before Princess Melody and a scantily dressed brunette wearing pants walked in.

"Princess Melody!" Elaine's parents scooted back to the headboard, the sheet leaving only their heads exposed.

"Any idea where they'd keep them?" asked the brunette.

"The desk. Top middle drawer," said Elaine.

"Got it." The brunette walked over to the desk and crouched down.

"You! Get away from there!" exclaimed Elaine's father, almost getting out of bed till he remembered his lack of garb.

"You'll need a key to get in!" said Elaine.

"No problem." The brunette cracked a finger and placed it to the keyhole. "Plodin."

There was a small flash and a dull pop, followed by a puff of smoke from the desk and the sound of a drawer being opened.

Elaine's eyes widened. "Was that—!?"

"Turns out she's a sorceress, too," said Melody.

"Well, well, well! Look what we have here!" said the brunette as she held up a handful of letters. She pulled one out and turned it over. "Hey princess! How many people seal their letters with this kind of wax?"

The brunette tossed the letter to Melody, who amazingly caught it in midair. Her face quickly fell into a harsh scowl. "Just three. My mom, my dad, and me."

Melody flipped the letter around, displaying the white and blue wax used by Seahaven's royal family on top and her own signature at the bottom.

Elaine's mother gulped as the color drained from her face. "We…it's not what it looks like! We can explain!"

"Oh, you better!" seethed Elaine. "Now start talking!"

The gloom of the Master's lair was even darker than usual. The glowshells and fires strained to cast their light against the shadows. The air was heavy and thick, weighed down with his roiling anger and frustrations. The light of his eyes flickered and flared, not steady as they usually were. The faintest of tremors shook his hands as he sat in his throne, clutching the arms tight enough to crack the bones it was built from.

It was for this reason Morgana, Ursula, Remora and Riptide remained silent and still as a sharkanian reported to them from the water, a scroll clutched in his visibly shaking hands. The ocean dweller was as aware of the hair-trigger the Master was on as his superiors, all wary to do nothing that may provoke his wrath. An ironic effort given the sharkanian's report offered nothing that might diffuse his ire.

"And there's been no word from the north either," finished the sharkanian, swallowing nervously as he closed the scroll.

"Get out," said the Master, his tone causing everyone to flinch.

The sharkanian needed no further incentive. He threw a hasty salute and dove below the water, eager to get as far away from the Master as possible.

The only sounds in the chamber were the lapping of water against the platform and the crick-crack of the Master's throne as the bones cracked more. The magical pressure he gave off was slowly increasing. He was beyond angry. He was so furious he crossed over raging tantrums and mayhem to terrible stoicism.

Morgana was the one to break the silence. "It's a mistake. One hundred disappearing I'll believe. Two hundred disappearing I'll still believe. But every minion we had on land gone in a single night? No. I won't believe it. It's impossible."

"It doesn't matter what you believe, witch," hissed Riptide. "Fact is we've been attacked."

"It better not be a fact, fish breath!" snapped Mogana. "Because if it is we've got nothing on land anymore! No raiders! No slavers! No werewolves! No monsters! No spies! Nothing! We're down to zilch out of water!"

"Try telling us something we don't know instead of running your mouth!" said Ursula. "Or how about you use that brain you're so proud of and stitch your plan back together? Wait, wait, don't tell me—little Morgie had a contingency for every last possible problem except this one!"

"This is not a problem!" said Morgana. "This is a disaster! The plan's sunk! We'd need at least a third of what we lost to keep it going! And as I recall, you're one to talk about a lack of troops! So unless you and the Grimy Reaper over there can conjure up a couple thousand replacements I highly recommend shutting your—!"

"Silence!"

The magical pressure that erupted from the Master was matched only by the darkness spewing forth like water through a fractured dam. Shadows flared off him like fire as his throne was crushed to splinters and dust, a long crack appearing in the stone floor. The lights went out as the dark swallowed them, plunging the chamber into blackest of pitch. Morgana and Ursula struggled to even breathe as the magic weighed down on them with oppressive force, bringing them to the floor. Even Remora sunk to her hands and knees, unable to stand under the crushing burden as Riptide's head was forced towards the water. The Master stood out again the black purely by the light of his eyes, glowing like a pair of brilliant stars.

"Enough of your blathering!" he bellowed, his voice not one but several at once. "The next one to speak without my consent will have their insides turned into outsides! Am I understood!?"

As quickly as it came the Master withdrew his power, light returning to the chamber. His shoulders rose and fell as he panted, the shadows slithering and sinuating over him like tar snakes.

"Ursula, what are our remaining forces?" he demanded.

Ursula cautiously picked herself up, rubbing at her raw burning throat. "We *cough cough* we still have all our ocean forces. The only pirates we lost were those on land."

"And my soldiers?"

"They're coming along, but it's a complex process. It's going to take time to make the amount you want."

"How long?"

Ursula gulped. "Four months."

The Master narrowed his eyes at her. "Four months?"

"T-This isn't like building ships! You can't slap together different species like pieces of wood!" she pleaded. "I'm pushing the process fast as I can! Any more and they'll degenerate in a week!"

"Then you have four months to meet my quota. Get started, or you'll be the one who degenerates."

"As you wish," said Ursula.

"As in now!" barked the Master, a whip of shadow lashing out and flinging Ursula off the platform. The witch shrieked as she sailed through the air, coming down with a loud splash.

The Master turned his attention to Remora. "Was the Factory struck?"

"No, Master," she said. "Far as I can tell we didn't lose any—well, any more than usual. I'm keeping output steady and crews working round the clock."

"What of the new slaves?"

"The last of the merfolk will be processed tomorrow."

"And your experiments?"

Remora shifted a fraction. "I've completed testing on the partials and started full-body trials. The first subjects were short-lived but promising. Once I stabilize them it'll move to production. At peak it should turn out no fewer than two hundred a week."

"And Richard?" asked the Master.

Remora spat through her mask. "The mutt's still holed up in his room clutching a lantern. Physically he's fine. Mentally he's more messed up than the last test subject. Can I put him out of his misery?"

"Leave him to me. Continue your work as planned. Morgana."

"Yes, Master?" she said, hoping she had not inadvertently drawn his wrath somehow.

"How long would it take to rebuild our land forces?"

Morgana relaxed slightly, one of her tentacles wiping lazily over the floor as she thought. "At this point I'd say rebuilding them isn't worth the effort."

"And why would that be?" demanded Riptide.

"Because this is the Alliance. These kingdoms never had much in the way of criminals to begin with, in or out of the water. We've already conscripted the ones we wanted and killed off the rest. At this point we'd be scraping at the bottom of the barrel—provided you and Remora left anything for us to scrape."

"How about I scrape the meat off your bones?" growled Remora as she stalked towards Morgana, only to be stopped when a ray of shadow crossed her path.

"Only on my orders," said the Master. Remora growled but stepped back, her eyes locked on Morgana. "I assume you have an alternative in mind then?"

Morgana cleared her throat. "May I speak freely, Master?"

"Only if you want your throat pulled out," said Remora, a pair of sharp metal gauntlets forming on her hands.

"You may," said the Master flatly. "And carefully if you know what's good for you."

"Then I ask you all this…" Morgana went to the edge of the dark pool and dipped her tentacle in, freezing it solid.

"What have we accomplished? What have we actually gained since I came back to life? Captured slaves. Dead humans and merfolk. Pillaged ships. Raided towns. Stolen wealth and goods. Conscripted pirates and monsters and common criminals. Years and years of work before you brought my sister and I back and what's it amounted to? A dead prince, a wrecked prison and marina, a sacked city, and every spy, assassin, bandit and beast we had on land wiped out."

"Lemme gut her!" seethed Remora, her hands trembling with bloodlust. "Lemme split her head open!"

"Stay where you are," ordered the Master.

"If our goal is wiping out the Alliance then we've got nothing to show for it," continued Morgana. "Nothing substantive at least. All we've been doing amounts to flinging stones while they hide in their castles. The only thing we're killing is anyone caught off guard or dumb enough to stick their head up."

"Then what would you do?" asked Riptide as he swam around behind her.

"We change the game," said Morgana. "No, I take it back—we get rid of the game! We withdraw completely. No raids. No attacks. No kidnappings. No assassinations. We call back every asset at our disposal and put all our effort into building. These humans and merfolk want their peace so bad they'd fight for it? Fine! Let them have it! Let them have their days in the sun! Let them have the land! Let them think we've gone away! While they're lowering their guard we'll be readying for war. We'll grow our forces and our power till we can flatten them twice over, and still we'll keep growing. We'll build till we're bursting at the seams. And then—!"

Morgana drew a tentacle back and slapped it down hard on the platform. A surge of ice spikes erupted forth, streaming onto the stone and out over the water before colliding with a column. Large shards of ice sprang forth as the stone cracked, the water's surface turning solid and jagged.

"We hit them with everything we've got!" shouted Morgana. "We don't beat them! We don't crush them! We pulverize them to less than dust! They don't have our strength! They don't have our weapons! They don't have our magic! We bring every advantage we have to its zenith and send it crashing down on them in one strike! We attack them so hard they'll never even think of standing up again!"

The Master looked over the jagged line of ice stretching across the platform as Morgana stood panting. He walked over to it, running a finger over one of the dagger points. It was cold and sharp, as though eager to cut anything in its path. He brought it to his face, seeing the fine layer of frost on his glove.

"Morgana."

"Sir."

"How long will it take?" asked the Master.

"Assuming Ursula and Remora follow through on your orders, eight months," answered Morgana. "Seven, maybe six if we're lucky."

The Master flicked the ice, drawing a clear note from it. "Then we best get started."

A/N: Did you miss me?

As the light rises on land, darkness falls in the oceans. As Lara Anclagon and Melody face the light of a new day and the revelation of the princess's absent companions, the enemy returns to the shadows to lick its wounds, intent on emerging once the scars have vanished. Now a new clock begins to turn, counting down the hours till their resurrection.

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Little Mermaid" franchise, Disney, or any of its associated characters and intellectual property. Everything else, however, is mine =)