Rikki slept almost all-day Sunday before heading back to school on Monday. Neither Emma nor Cleo brought up the events of Saturday night other than that Cleo's dad had apparently not noticed her absence. However, that could not disguise the palpable tension and even mild excitement over returning to the temple. It left her on edge the entire day. They made plans to meet up with Ash and Zane at the northeastern shore of Mako as soon as school let out. Rikki swam over quickly with Emma, Cleo, and Lewis.
It wasn't until all six were standing on the beach below the cliffs that Zane asked. "So, we all agree, we're doing this."
Heads nodded all around, and they made the climb up to the temple above. It was strange that in the daylight the building was even harder to see. However, they managed to make it up the stairs through the heavy double-door entrance.
The lights came on quickly this time, and they looked over to see Arethusa in the fountain apparently waiting for them.
"Sons of Land! Ocean's Daughters! You have returned!" She spoke excitedly as though somewhat surprised they had chosen to come back. She quickly stepped from the water and stood before them as solid as she had been before. "Come," She said moving once again in the direction of the library, "We have much to do and little time."
They followed her back to the library. Rikki found herself still curious of all the rooms in the palace.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Emma asked from beside her.
"There is so much that I need to teach you. However, with my physical restrictions, I cannot cover everything and finish preparations to the temple before the next moon."
"What are we doing for the full moon?" Cleo asked a little uneasy.
"This temple has been idle far too long," Arethusa spoke passionately, though not really answering Cleo's question, "I am determined it will not see another cycle unused." Arethusa spoke as she once again pushed open the library door heading for the stack she had left there.
"I was thinking," Lewis piped up, "Wouldn't it be easier if we could read the books ourselves? We wouldn't have to rely on you being away from the fountain."
"These books are written in Marinian, a language I doubt you speak Son of Land…er Lewis." Arethusa spoke smiling sadly at Lewis. "I can teach it to you, but it would take more than the few days we have."
"Yeah, but maybe there's a magical way to speed it up?" Rikki suggested.
Arethusa pointed grinning, then hurried to the back of the library. She came back with, a brown book with a delicate silver script on the cover and opened it up, frantically turning pages clearly looking for something.
"You are brilliant Ocean's Daughter!" Arethusa exclaimed excitedly.
"My name is Rikki," she pointed out though Arethusa didn't seem to hear her.
Arethusa stopped when she seemed to find the page she was looking for. "Here we are. This spell is relatively simple and should work with minor adjustment." She looked up at the group that were staring with rapt interest. "King Adrenas required all of his children to understand human languages. His son Kurava was not so interested in study. He composed this spell to have immediate comprehension." Arethusa explained. "It does not say how long it lasts, but it should be enough to start with."
"So, can you do it? My name's Zane by the way."
"No, I cannot… Zane. And I am afraid that neither can you."
"Then what was the point of all this?" Ash asked.
"I am not mer, thus, I am unable to perform this magic. You, Sons of Land, do not have the power yet…"
"Newborns?" Lewis asked suspecting the answer.
"Correct. However, your mates should be able to."
Rikki pushed Arethusa's use of the word 'mates' out of her mind focusing for once on the task at hand.
"We've only tried magic once," Cleo pointed out, "it didn't work out so well remember."
"I will be here to walk you through it. Now, one of you three must perform the spell."
"I'll do it." Rikki offered, surprising even herself.
"Rikki maybe I should…"
"I've got this Em." Rikki assured only slightly annoyed by her friend's lack of confidence.
"Alright then, Rikki" Arethusa turned toward her trying her best to display confidence and support. "I will give a much longer in-depth lesson on proper spell structure later. For this spell, know that there are three parts: first the asking of blessings, second the calling on your own magic, and third stating what you want in the spell." Arethusa explained calmly before placing a basin on the table in front of them.
Rikki nodded in basic understanding.
Arethusa then put her hand on the bowl, and it magically began to fill with water. She then lifted her head up to the group, "Water is an agent of change. It is commonly used in spells requiring some sort of transformation. It is also the reason why water is the trigger for your own transformations. The spell will be cast on the water, then you all will drink it."
They all nodded, and Rikki began feeling a bit nervous with all eyes on her.
Zane took a moment to grab her hand and give her a quick peck on the cheek before whispering: "I believe in you. You've got this!"
She took a deep breath then nodded in resolution, extremely thankful for her boyfriend's vote of confidence.
"The spell itself is in Marinian, so I will speak the pronunciation and you will repeat exactly as I have, understood?"
"I'm ready." Rikki said, now only slightly unconvinced.
"Place your palms up and repeat after me:" Arethusa nodded, slowly and clearly pronouncing each word.
Rikki focused on each phrase, slowly working through the first line: 'Benedes A Luan. Benillo ay lo Marinian. Besse evan lo phyell loane maje.'
"Good! Now put your hands beside the basin as you say the next part."
Rikki obeyed and with Arethusa's help spoke the next line: 'Benedes A Akan. Benillo ay lo Marinian. Trabe evan lo phyell loane maje.'
"You're doing great. Now hold your arms to yourself. Say these next words with intention."
Rikki practically shouted her way through the next line: 'Lo ta Marinian! Lo venis evan loane maje!'
"Now stick your hands in the water for the last part."
"Wait, but what about my tail?" Rikki asked confused.
"Trust me?" Arethusa asked a bit pleadingly.
Rikki sighed then hesitantly placed her hands in the water. Everyone but Arethusa was a little shocked when Rikki did not collapse to the floor, and instead was able to finish: 'Konavenillo ay lova. Lenevas evan Marinian. Palevas evan Marinian.'
Arethusa nodded and Rikki took a step back absently wiping her wet hands on her shorts.
"Is that it?" Asked Zane extremely curious.
"That is it," responded the water spirit. "The water is now enchanted and anyone who drinks it should be able to read, speak, and understand the Marinian language."
"Shouldn't we have somebody test it, before we all go drinking it?" Emma asked, Rikki correctly guessing her hesitance to drink the now suspect water.
Slowly five pairs of eyes turned to Lewis, who, upon realizing this, made a choking noise. "No, no, no! No way!"