Chapter Twenty

"You're up next, dad." Attina faced her father, trident in hand.

"Wait, your Majesty," Archimedes stepped forward. If Attina didn't know his true form was supposed to be a merman, she would believe him to be a natural human. Unlike the other trapped merpeople who were just wearing clothes just to keep themselves warm, Archimedes seemed at ease in the human suit. He even looked as if he were enjoying it. There were even polished shoes on his feet!

"This could be dangerous. What if Saleen willed it for something worse to happen if an attempt like this was made? Someone else should go first. Allow me."

"No, I am the king. If there is danger, I should be the one to take it."

Attina willed her father to return to being a merman again. The trident glowed and the tip touched the ocean's surface. A stream of light surged from the trident towards he father. The glowing water encircled him, the water bubbling as it glowed even brighter.

King Triton was still standing on two legs when the glow died down.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I'm doing something wrong."

"No. You were able to get Mr. Andersen in the book," Triton said. Attina knew her father was disappointed in the turn of events, even though he was hiding it well. Not an easy thing to do as the small audience on shore had looks of horror and pity. "You handle the trident just fine, Attina."

"Then I must find Saleen," Attina resolved. "Ask her to undo what she's done."

"Attina, no!" Her father barked. Attina smiled at the familiarity. This was the father she remembered; protective and stubborn. "That's too dangerous. We don't know what she'll do to you."

"I don't see how we have a choice."

"We might, your Majesty," Archimedes stepped forward. "Queen Ariel and I were talking with Mr. Andersen when Eric came with news of your arrival. He was on his way to the library and shared his plan with us."

"He didn't mention it to me." Eric sounded disappointed.

"I think he noticed how worried I looked."

"Mr. Andersen thought we might be able to find another Elemental and their magic might be able to cancel out Saleen's."

"Another Elemental?"

"Well, there are other elements besides water. I agree that it was a logical deduction."

"I'm sure they do exist, but I don't think our people are able to wait that long," Attina argued. "As beings of the water, we thought Saleen was nothing more than a myth for our entire lives. Who knows how long it would take to find another? We know for a fact that Saleen is somewhere nearby; she couldn't have gone far."

"Attina…" Triton warned.

"I must. For all of Atlantica."

Triton's shoulders came down as he realized his daughter was right. "Please, be careful," Triton relented.

Attina bid her farewells and vanished underneath the waves, in search of the Elemental Saleen.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Morgana prowled around Ursula's lair, scavenging for anything useful. The sea witch grit her teeth as she could still feel the trident in her hands. She was successful in avenging herself against Melody, who was imprisoned somewhere. And then her victory was snatched away!

Morgana had been so close!

But the rest would pay, soon enough.

When she realized where the trident had been heading, back to Atlantica, she slinked back to shore to find out what Saleen had done. Transforming Triton and most of Atlantica into humans was a delicious idea. Although a rather bland one that didn't involve enough pain for Morgana's liking.

Saleen made a dramatic exit. Where the elemental was now, Morgana had no idea. She herself went to Atlantica in the hopes of somehow getting the trident. Once more, she was too slow and someone else had it now.

All the swimming after two years of being frozen left the sea witch exhausted. Morgana went to Ursula's lair, only because it was closer than her own, for some much needed rest.

The serpentine skeleton had been reclaimed by algae, seaweed, and barnacles. But there was still a bed where Morgana could sleep. And Ursula had been gone for so long fish were no longer afraid to swim nearby, allowing her to get a quick and easy breakfast.

Rested and fed, Morgana was now able to turn her thoughts back to revenge. She had to find out who had the trident, how she might get it back, and, out of curiosity, where Melody had ended up. There was no point in gloating if the prison wasn't as miserable as the brat deserved.

To find that information out, Morgana needed a disguise.

Sadly, Ursula's cupboards were just as bare as her own. But her cauldron was still there.

Morgana went about gathering the ingredients she needed. Most of what she needed caused her to scavenge outside the lair. Thankfully, they were readily available and easy to find. What she had in mind wasn't that powerful, but it would be effective.

One by one the ingredients went into the pot. A whirlwind burst up from the cauldron, once the potion had been mixed. Morgana felt her body twist and burn as it took its new shape.