Chapter 9

A World Below the Waves

As the magical current propelled Clay through the deep sea, his eyes widened in amazement at the sights flashing by. Schools of fish from spalshtails to devilfish to battlegills swarmed through the metropolis of coral reefs, forests of kelp and seagrass, and the occasional shipwreck lying on the seabed. Sharks glided lazily through all the activity, the hungry ones occasionally snapping up a fat fish or two to feast on. Scores of crabs and shrimp came scuttling out of nooks and crannies in the rocks to watch Clay go by, their claws waving in the water as though in greeting. A shadow passed over the boy, and he looked up to spot a sea turtle cruising above him.

Clay had been diving in the waters around his home since he was eight years old, but he never had the opportunity to observe such a grand natural spectacle as this. It was easy to believe how many people considered the ocean as a completely different world below the waves. Flocks of gulls and tropical birds became schools of fish. Trees and shrubbery became coral and kelp. Meanwhile, all this activity was conducted in absolute silence as though in the void of outer space.

Eventually, the current allowed the three humans to catch up with Oliver, and all four traveled in silence for a while.

Finally, Clay asked the merman a question. "Oliver, is the story about how the first sirens were banished from the merfolk kingdom true? I've heard many others say that the first sirens were merfolk who had contracted a disease called the Whispering Plague."

"There is some truth to both of those tales," Oliver admitted. "The rebellious merfolk were cast out of the kingdom by their new monarch as the stories say, but the truth that many have overlooked is that the Whispering Plague was the curse he cast upon them." The merman shivered slightly. "It is the worst fate merfolk could ever receive. Our songs hold everything of value to us: our history, culture, and art. If we lost those, we would lose our will to live. The sirens have been consumed with bitterness and jealousy that we still have a voice. Sometimes they will raid merfolk towns just in an attempt to spread the disease."

"What about you?" Wooly asked. "Those sirens scratched you up pretty badly. Aren't you worried that you will be afflicted with the plague?" He indicated the fresh scratches along Oliver's chest, arms, and back.

"Of course I am worried," Oliver replied. "Losing one's voice is a terrible thing, but I do have a hopeful alternative. I have taught myself how to paint."

"Paint?" Matt echoed. "How can you paint underwater?"

Oliver smiled. "It's quite simple, really. We merfolk usually carve pictures into rocks, but many years ago, some of our most revered artisans found how to use crushed shells and a touch of magic to make paint that was immune to water. I have managed to secure some of that paint for myself, and now I use them to create my artwork."

"What do you draw?" Wooly asked, now greatly intrigued.

"Right now I am painting a mural on a large rock that sits outside the monarchs' palace and surrounding city. I can show it to you once we arrive. I have also painted other smaller pictures in multiple towns throughout the sea." He chuckled. "You can probably believe how many strange looks I have received. Painting has become somewhat of a lost art for the merfolk, and I can imagine it would have been the first time for many witnesses."

At this point, Clay could definitely tell that the current was slowing down. The four of them rounded a patch of seaweed, and Oliver swept one arm in front of him in a grand gesture. "Behold! The Coral Palace!" The three humans gawked at the magnificent sight spread out before them.

They were looking down at an enormous merfolk town which sat in the bottom of a deep bowl in the seabed that was a mile in diameter. At the closest end of the town were the houses of the lower class. Behind these were the impressive and stately manners of the aristocrats. The Coral Palace occupied the far end of the town and towered a hundred times higher than the houses below. It seemed to be made from an underwater cliff that had been eroded over time, leaving an enormous pointed spire behind. There were dozens of round and rectangular windows carved into the face of the spire, many of which were made with windows and portholes from sunken ships.

Oliver led them around the great basin in which the citadel sat until he reached a large boulder sitting at the top of the western edge. The rock was about twenty feet across and smoothly curved all around except on the side facing away from the city. This face was almost completely flat, and the three humans could see that Oliver's painting was taking up one fourth of it already.

"This is what I've been able to come up with so far. It's not much, but I'm making good progress," the merman explained.

Clay was dazzled by his handiwork. Unlike most artwork he had seen, Oliver's style used no definite black lines for edges, and there were no shadows. In fact, it seemed as though he hadn't used any shades of black or gray anywhere in the scene. It was all vibrant colors like the coral that surrounded them: yellows, reds, blues, pinks, and greens. Clay could determine that the fine spray of cyan-colored spots were the houses surrounding the Coral Palace. Oliver had even integrated tiny flecks of multiple colors for the coral clinging to the houses and the schools of fish that swam overhead. The spire of the palace was the most discernible feature as its pointed shape with many windows soared much higher above the others. With all of its bright colors, the whole masterpiece seemed cheerful, and Clay couldn't help but smile.

"This is amazing work, Oliver!" he praised the merman.

"Indeed!" Matt agreed. "The style is very unique and captivating."

Oliver blushed. "You are all too kind," he protested.

"Nonsense!" Wooly asserted. "No one said that art has a standard. While this is not like what we humans draw, it's very special in its own way."

"Thank you," Oliver murmured. He held up one arm to study the deep scratches across it. "I believe that half of the transformation into a siren is in the mind. The merfolk who are infected with the Whispering Plague become so depressed and distraught at the loss of their voice that they simply give up, allowing the disease to corrupt them entirely. If I do succumb to the plague, I will use my art to paint what I can no longer sing of. That way, I can still remain happy and content. The plague may take my songs, but I won't allow it to change who I am."

"A wise woman I know said something along those same lines," Clay sighed, reminiscing of Madame Olwen.

"I will take you into the city now, if you wish," Oliver told them. "I will do my best to get you to the king and queen, but I cannot guarantee they will accept you."

"Lead on," Wooly told him. "We're right behind you."

Oliver led them down the side of the deep basin towards the main gate of the citadel. The walls surrounding the city were made of blocks of square stones, almost like a wall that humans would build. Coral festooned the smooth surfaces, making the wall look like a rainbow wrapping around the town. The gates were constructed from coral that branched in dozens of different directions to make an intricate, interlacing pattern.

Four sizable mermen were stationed at the gate. They wore human armor festooned with barnacles and carried thick, heavy staffs of coral embossed with tiny gems. The leader of the group swam out to stop the approaching party. "Halt! Identify!"

Oliver bowed respectfully, and the three humans followed suit. "These three sailors have come to request an audience with our monarchs."

The guard gave a dubious frown as he studied the visitors. "Humans have not visited the palace for years, but I will see what I can do. Follow me." He motioned to the other three guards, and they swung the gate open. The captain of guard began leading the four companions through the town toward the palace. The residents stopped their daily activities to stare and whisper to each other about the passing strangers. Some of the younger children even giggled about how silly they looked with legs instead of tails.

"My legs do not look silly," Clay heard Wooly huff under his breath. The boy couldn't help but chuckle a bit.

Soon the little procession reached the massive front doors of the palace. Dozens of guards could be seen patrolling the walls and keeping watch from the palace grounds. Clay and his friends followed the commander up the flight of ornate stone stairs to the main entrance where more guards demanded that they state their business.

"This merman," the commander explained, gesturing to Oliver, "has brought three humans who are seeking an audience with their majesties." The guards saluted and pulled the massive wooden doors open to reveal an enormous foyer beyond.

Above their heads hung a colossal chandelier made entirely from orange bioluminescent coral, casting a warm light in every corner of the room. A double staircase soared up from both sides of the foyer to create a central arch before merging to continue upward further into the castle. Beneath this arch was set a slightly smaller but more ornately carved set of doors: the entrance to the throne room.

The captain turned to address the visitors. "I will tell the king and queen of your arrival. Wait here." He disappeared through the double doors ahead, and two of the guards from outside positioned themselves at the bottom of each staircase to keep watch. Now there was nothing left to do but wait.

Five minutes passed, but to Clay it seemed like five hours. He was anxiously pacing the floor while Matt fiddled with a dice he had in his pocket. Wooly had rummaged around in his pockets and found a single coin. He tried to play heads or tails, but it was impossible to flip the coin in water, so he gave up and joined Clay in pacing the length of the room. Oliver just hovered nearby, looking anxious.

The guard poked his head through the double doors. "The king and queen will receive you now." He opened both doors to their widest extent and motioned them inside. The four companions stepped cautiously inside.

The throne room was at least seven times bigger than the foyer in which they had been waiting. The floor was composed of more chiseled stone bricks, and small stone pedestals lined the aisle up to the wide dais. Coral and barnacles stretched up the walls and across the ceilings to another massive chandelier of glowing purple coral. A balcony suspended thirty feet above their heads encircled the entire perimeter of the room, sporting banners with symbols of sharks, shells, and even turtles.

A great crowd of merfolk congregated on each side of the main aisle. There were lords and ladies, dukes and duchesses, and servants and soldiers of all shapes and sizes. Most of the aristocrats wore necklaces, rings, and bracelets adorned with sapphire mermaid gems. All were murmuring quietly to one another as the commander led the four visitors toward the dais. Clay couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable beneath all these questioning and surprised gazes.

Upon the dais sat two thrones made entirely of golden coral. In those thrones sat King Oceanus and Queen Amelia: the rulers of the merfolk. Both held scepters and wore crowns made from the same golden coral. The king's crown and scepter were set with dark ruby mermaid gems, while the queen's were set with dazzling emerald ones.

The captain bowed before the two monarchs, and the four visitors did the same. "The merman and three humans, my lieges," he declared before smartly saluting and leaving the room to return to his duties. Oceanus left his throne and floated down the stairs of the dais towards them.

"Welcome, land dwellers! It is a rare thing for humans to visit us here in the sunken kingdom. Why have you come?"

Oliver rose from his bow to face the monarch. "They have come to ask for an official alliance between the humans and the merfolk: an alliance against Captain Flameheart." Silence fell in the great hall as everyone leaned in to hear more.

"Flameheart?" the king repeated. "I thought that rogue had left the seas for good. What is he plotting now?"

"He is trying to find a way to summon the phoenix that lived in these seas centuries ago," Matt responded. "But we have a lead that he doesn't: the dagger that was used to lock the phoenix away." The murmurs of the crowd returned. Apparently the story had circulated among the merfolk as well as the humans.

King Oceanus looked thoughtful. "And what does this information have to do with forming an alliance with us?" he wanted to know.

"We believe the dagger lies within the Devil's Shroud. Perhaps you could help us find it," Wooly suggested. "We humans cannot travel safely through the shroud, but you merfolk can. Once we locate the dagger, we have a better chance of defeating Flameheart."

"Why have the humans sent you?" the king wondered aloud. "I would expect them to send some of the more renowned pirates to speak with me."

Clay tried not to appear offended. "We were not sent by our fellow humans. Most are blissfully unaware of the danger that looms over the sea." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I came because this mission is of great personal importance to me. I have been inflicted with the ashen curse." There was a collective gasp from the assembled merfolk of the court, and everyone except Oceanus took an instinctive step backwards. Even Oliver looked shocked at this confession. Clay continued. "I was told that the only way to lift the curse was to destroy or magically isolate Flameheart. That is why we need the dagger."

The surrounding murmurs rose to a steady babble of voices. Now the group was being cast expressions of fear and suspicion. The merfolk already suffered enough paranoia from the Whispering Plague, and suddenly another cursed individual was standing in their midst. Some were even making wary glances at Oliver's scratches, wondering if they could be from siren claws.

Oceanus lapsed into several moments of silence. The crowd, noticing that their leader was about to make his final verdict, fell quiet once more. Clay held his breath.

At last, the king shook his head. "I understand that this is an urgent matter, but I am afraid I must decline." Clay's heart dropped to the tips of his toes.

"But why?" demanded Matt indignantly. "The merfolk are the humans' only possible allies. Besides, once Flameheart has brought all humans under his control, you will be his next victims."

"That may be so," Oceanus agreed, "but I believe that it is unwise for the merfolk to meddle in human affairs more than necessary. We will still uphold our tradition of carrying you back to your ships and bringing up your underwater treasure, but that is as far as we are willing to go."

Wooly seemed ready to argue as well, but Clay signaled him to remain silent. "We respect your wishes, your majesty. We're sorry to have troubled you. We will show ourselves out." He motioned to Wooly, Matt, and Oliver, and all four of them began to walk dejectedly back toward the entrance.

Just as they were halfway down the aisle, however, a new voice called out behind them.

"Wait!" They turned. Queen Amelia had risen from her throne and was now at the king's side. She gave her husband a disapproving frown. "My lord, surely you do not mean to send them away in such a heartless manner. Why, it has been centuries since this palace has been graced with the presence of land dwellers. They have obviously traveled far and made much effort to bring this petition to us. It would be simply deplorable to turn them away with hardly any hospitality.

"Therefore, I suggest we have a banquet in their honor! Also, the day has passed, and night has just begun. I'm sure they are all quite tired and weary from their journey, so why don't we give them a comfortable place to sleep for the night? That way, they can return to their ship bright and early when morning comes."

Clay felt a rush of excitement. A merfolk banquet! He knew it was something that no normal sailor would ever have the fortune to partake in.

King Oceanus looked thoughtful again. Finally, he gave a resigned sigh. "You are right, my dear. Perhaps I was too hasty to send them away." He turned to address his visitors. "Please, do stay for our banquet, and we will prepare one of our most comfortable guest rooms for you to spend the night." He raised his voice so that the servants waiting at the back of the audience could hear. "Tell the cooks and waiters to prepare a grand feast for our honored guests, and have the maids prepare the largest guest room on the third floor."

The workers quickly left the room to do as they were commanded, and one of them escorted Clay, Wooly, Matt, and Oliver to the adjacent grand banqueting hall. The table was made from a single slab of stone that was eight feet wide, one hundred feet long, and four inches thick. Twenty-five stone chairs stood on each side, with the two most ornate chairs for the king and queen sitting at the opposite end. The four companions were led to the monarchs' end of the table and given seats on both sides. Clay and Matt were given chairs on the right side with Queen Amelia, while Oliver and Wooly sat on the left side beside King Oceanus. Only fifteen minutes after everyone was seated before silver plates, goblets, and cutlery, a horn was blown, and the food was brought out by waiters carrying covered platters.

As they had been waiting, Oliver had told his three friends that the merfolk used magic to prepare meats without fire. Clay found this almost impossible to believe, but as the meal was laid before him on the table, he could see that the fish, kraken meat, and megalodon meat were indeed well cooked. There was everything from crispy golden plentifins to roasted wreckers to finely seasoned stormfish. Clay and his friends tried to eat slowly and courteously, but the sight of all this food had driven their stomachs to growling like angry bears. They ate one trophy-sized and one normal sized fish each, along with a swig of an unusual but tasty wine crafted from sea kelp. Heaping platters of fruit were served for dessert.

As they ate, Oceanus and Amelia asked Clay, Matt, and Wooly for news about what was going on above the surface. The three of them related the last news they had heard of battles, shipwrecks, and major business deals between trading companies. In return, the king and queen shared news about their constant war against the sirens and all the treasure they had managed to recover from sunken ships.

Once dinner was over, all the courtiers left the palace to return to their estates. The three humans bade Oliver good-night, and the merman returned to his home in the lower city. Clay and his friends were led up to the guest room that had been prepared for them. The room consisted of four queen-sized beds and a large galleon window set into the wall overlooking one of the palace's courtyards. While the rest of the furniture in the room, such as the dressers, mirrors, chairs, and candlesticks, had all been built by humans, the beds were unusual. The frames were of human design, but instead of mattresses, the bottom of the beds were lined with living downy-soft sea fans. As Clay sat down on his claimed bed, he gave a deep sigh of pleasure. He imagined this was what sitting on a cloud felt like.

After their housemaid escorts had left, Wooly flopped full length onto his bed. "What a meal," he sighed, then belched. "I've never tasted a devilfish that good before!"

"I stuffed myself to the gills as well," Matt admitted, giving himself a good stretch. "It was quite kind of the king to feed us and let us stay the night, even if he didn't agree to the alliance with the humans."

"That's what still bothers me," sighed Clay. "There's something about this whole turn of events that has me uneasy."

"Relax," advised Wooly, making himself as comfortable as he could. Because of their water-breathing charm, they would all have to sleep without even being able to take off their boots. "You've just been a little high strung since we've been constantly on the run. We're safe in a castle now with friendly merfolk. There's nothing for us to worry about between now and morning."

Clay tried to settle himself for a good night's sleep. The sea fans were very comfortable, but it just reminded him that he wasn't sleeping in a familiar bed. He missed his room back at the Unicorn Tavern with all his trinkets and roughly hewn furniture. He missed his parents most of all.

I hope they aren't worrying too much about me, he thought as his eyelids began to droop. Have they started a search for me? Do they even know where to begin?

What felt like a few moments later, Clay awoke with a start. It was obviously very late into the night, for no sunlight was filtering through the water outside the glass window. He could see the prone forms of Wooly and Matt still sleeping soundly. What had awoken the boy was a hand that had been clamped over his mouth, rendering him unable to make a sound.

"Shhhhhhh…" came a hushed voice in his ear. "If you make too much noise, you probably will not leave this place alive."