Dance of the Mermaids

Chapter 8 - Wounded

Fiorentina

The vision made me even more excited about rising to the surface. My heart hammered in my chest, and my mind raced. It was difficult to sleep that night. My sister made it worse by telling me stories of death only a few hours before bedtime.

"There was a shipwreck in the fishing village of Pisquea," she had said.

"What's new around here?" Mother asked. "The weather has always been terrible. It had been so for centuries."

"Word has it that we're being blamed for the wreck."

"We?" Mother laughed bitterly. "Did we get to complain much whenever they threw all that garbage into the sea? No. We're monsters to them. They have always hated us, looked at our scales in disdain."

"Do we have many details about the incident?" I asked, trying to be the voice of reason, which I rarely was.

"Two mermen said they witnessed it. They saw the fishing boat capsize because of the strong waves. Some of the men went underwater, drowning on the spot," Fiorea trembled as she recalled the story told to her.

"Were there any survivors?"

"Yes, Tina. I think there were at least two who survived it, according to Rul and Fig," Fiorea said. The two mermen were Tante Mercelle's usual go-to guys. They were the ones who often went on land to do the wise mermaid's bidding.

"Mm. Two? Did at least one of them see Rul and Fig?"

Fiorea narrowed her eyes at me as if trying to guess what I was getting at.

"Why do you ask? Yes, one of them might have seen our mermen."

Our mermen.

Hm.

Fiorea was right. She understood what I was thinking. If one of the fishermen saw the mermen – our own – they would think they were responsible for the wreck. It would also mean that we were guilty by association, nothing more than half-human and half-fish to them.

Monsters.

"You know why I asked, Fiorea. They are more likely blaming us now. They are probably saying that the damn mermaids did it!"

"Fiorentina! Language!" my mother warned.

"Language? All I said was, "damn," I protested, increasing my mother's ire.

Fiorea sighed dramatically, as if she was the damned one to have a younger sister like me.

"You are right, though, Tina. They might blame us for the wreck," Fiorea half-whispered.

Mother still sensed the fear and indignation that somehow mingled in her two daughters. She swam towards us and looked at both of us intently.

"It means that you should not be surfacing anytime soon, Fiorentina," she advised, but she looked like she did not trust me. I could not blame her. I was planning on rising to the surface the very next day. Nobody would be able to stop me. Okay, perhaps Tante Mercelle could if she decided not to leave a dress in the chest by the rocks.

"I’ll be careful, Mother,” I assured her. “I will shift into my human form much faster than last time. It did not take me long to start dancing on my new toes the first time it happened.”

“Dance? You mean you danced by the shore right after you turned? You did not rush to wherever you meant to go?” my sister asked incredulously. “Did you dance in your naked human form?”

“I have always wanted to dance, like a – a,” I stuttered because they were staring at me. Their arms were folded in front of their chests. “human. And yes, I danced naked in my human form. My hair covered most of my body if that’s what you’re concerned about.”

The confession surprised me. I had always wanted to dance, sway my tail and twist my body around as I swim and dive deep. There was no need for music, just the rhythm of the sea. Just beneath the surface, the sounds of waves, pounding rain, and whooshing of tales were enough to make me twirl.

It was why I wanted a ball. Surely, Radu could find a way to get more music and rhythm to the Cove.

My sister looked at me oddly, her eyes bulging as if she could not recognize me. And yet…there was a spark of recognition there, too. I bet she could remember how I used to dance when I was younger. She was a little speechless, not even able to scold me about dancing naked on land.

“She always loved to dance,” my mother admitted, a little resigned.

“Oh yes, I do. So, can I rise to the surface tomorrow morning, Mother?”

“You just said the fishermen suspected us of being responsible for the wreck, Fiorentina!”

“Well, I’m going to be quick. Would you rather I not tell you where I’m going, Mother?”

“Bring your sister with you, then.”

“I will not go with Fiorentina!” my sister huffed.

“Okay, then. I will go on my own. It will not take long. I need to walk on the sand with my bare feet.”

“Don’t go barefooted, Tina,” Fiorea advised. “Don’t you think people will wonder who you are – what you are – when you look like someone who has just lost her way?”

“You do have a point there,” I said. “But where do I get shoes?”

“Tante Mercelle will know what to do. But it means we must go to her early in the morning.”

I could barely sleep last night. Fear and excitement mingled, making me toss and turn in my giant clamshell bed. Nightmares came when I dozed off, of a man stabbing me in my chest several times. Then, I was back in the water, struggling to remain over the waves. I saw a boat swayed by the waves, growing too strong for the fishermen to control. Then, there was screaming. One of the men was screaming even more than the others. With nothing but a wreck left of their boat, I expected to see some of the drowned men floating on the sea. Yet, I saw something else. I saw the woman with my face floating dead like the first time I saw her, through the magical mirror.

***

Early in the morning, I sought Tante Mercelle’s help again. Instead of directing me to do the same thing as last time, she gave me a tiny chest.

“You seem eager to discover the wonders of the land. Hopefully, you will see that the sea is better. Soon, you will see that humans have nothing but hate for us.”

“What is this?” I asked in awe as I held the chest in my arms.

“Your clothes. Various gowns that mermaids before you had worn whenever they went on adventures on land.”

“Wouldn’t the others need these, as well?”

“In time, maybe. Right now, however, I don’t think anyone else will be as brave as you.”

“Is there a real threat to us?”

“Not yet, but soon. I feel danger, Fiorentina. You can still change your mind,” Tante Mercelle said kindly, looking into my eyes. She seemed to be looking for some sense in them.

“What would they do to me if they believed I’m human like them?”

“Nothing, I believe. However, humans have been cruel to fellow humans from the beginning of time.”

“And merfolks have always been good?” I pushed.

“Oh, you know we have our own evil, but we do not hold a candle to humans.”

I pondered that. I did not want to believe it. For some reason, I suddenly remembered the two princes and their ball. Prince Evan seemed like trouble, someone who gave his family a headache or more, but he did not seem evil. On the other hand, Prince Alexander seemed to have hidden depths, simmering anger trapped beneath the surface. Yet, he seemed to care about getting me home safely.

I wanted to see him again.

It was another admission that rocked me today. I wanted to see the sour prince and find out if he had seen me turn. How did one go about asking that question without revealing oneself?

Mm.

“Perhaps, Tante Mercelle. Thank you for the dresses. I will return them as soon as I am done with them.”

“Oh, you don’t have to. Be careful, though, my child. The world above is full of dangers. I gave you this chest so that you can be more discreet when you shift. You will also get a pair of shoes there.”

“Do we have human coin? How do I get some to buy some things on land?”

“Fiorentina!” my sister warned. “You have asked Tante Mercelle for so many things already. Be grateful and be done with it.”

“My apologies, Tante Mercelle,” I had the grace to be embarrassed. Fiorea was right. The wise, ancient mermaid had given me so much.

“Not a problem, dear. Our folks usually find work on land to earn some human coin. It is easier for mermen to find employment that helps them earn money for a few hours’ work. I’m afraid that there aren’t a lot of quick, honorable jobs for women up there.”

I could feel my cheeks flame. I had heard about the sort of jobs young women got into. It would only take them a few hours, or even mere minutes, but they had to give their honor and virtue in exchange.

“How about being a governess?” I asked. Then, I almost slapped my own forehead for my own silliness.

“Yeah, I believe you just realized that you need to stay with a family if you want to work as a governess,” my sister said, amused.

“It’s a sure death, then,” I murmured.

“Yes, dear,” Tante Mercelle agreed. “You may only be able to survive sleeping on land if you become fully human or if you -.”

She faltered. Then, her eyes glazed as she looked at nothing in particular.

“Fall in love?” I teased.

“Oh, I wish it was that easy, my love,” Tante Mercelle murmured. “Even true love between humans and merfolks could not break that rule. It will eventually catch up to them.”

“Even if the merfolk becomes human?”

“Well, that one is a challenge in itself, Fiorentina. It is also a dangerous thing to be preoccupied about. Why are you thinking of it? Did someone catch your eye on land?”

My cheeks felt hot, but I protested.

“Of course not. I have only gone on land once. I know nothing about love, but I know that’s not enough time.”

“There’s another kind of love that is swifter and could take you by surprise,” Tante Mercelle said.

“What is it?” I asked, wondering if it is the fever of this type of love that caught me.’”

“It is love for the land, my dear. I hope we don’t lose you to its call.”

***

Had I fallen in love with the land?

No. that could not be true. I loved my father, and it was the people from the land who killed him. It was not just any accidental death. It was brutal. Yet, I was not the sort of mermaid who gave up on a chance to have my questions answered.

Who was that woman who looked like me?

I remembered some merfolks who had been on land talking about books and newspapers. They were sources of information that humans used. Books could have wondrous stories that came alive once you opened and read them. Newspapers told of tales that had just happened. Fiorea and I were among the fortunate ones who knew human letters.

I swam up to the surface, heading towards the large rocks. One of them soared tall, its height three times the length of a merman like Radu. There were indentations on the rock formation that could serve as a shelf for the chest.

For a human, swimming with the bronze chest would be a struggle. For me, it was easy. I only had to hold it in my arms, and my strong tail propelled me and my new treasure forward. Mermaid bodies undulated with the waves, our curves riding the currents. I was stronger than most of the mermaids in my Fire Coral Cove. Soon, I was hiding behind the rock formation that straddled land and sea. There, I slipped a black dress on even before I turned. Then, I took the pair of black shoes and carried them in one hand. I closed the chest and left it in a hollow in the rock formation.

Soon, I had slithered my body onto land. As soon as I flicked my tail off the water, I started turning.

I was right.

The second shift was faster. The tingling feeling was also weaker, the transformation smoother.

Soon, I looked like a shipwrecked woman but with nary a boat in sight, crawling on the pliant white sand. I pushed the ground with my arm, wondering why I felt languorous. The shift was easier, but I felt somehow – weak.

It was noontime, and I could tell from the sun directly over my head where I stood.

Suddenly, I saw a man in the distance. He was standing still. My heart thudded at the familiarity of the scene, at the way his neck was slightly bent as if to hide his gaze, and the way his right hand held something that glinted under the sun.

I was still feeling heavy all over. I was standing on land, but my body felt weighed down by water. So, I could not do anything when he started running toward me. It was strange that the human man was barefooted while I wore shiny black leather shoes.

The dagger was about to jab into my chest, but I dodged it, hopping to my right. He struck again, slicing at my left arm. I howled in pain. I had never felt anything like it, even in my accident-prone childhood.

I forced my eyes to open to take a good look at my attacker. He seemed to have stopped attacking, gazing at the weapon in his right hand with wonder. With shock. It was as if he could not believe that he had done what he had just done.

He turned to me, and I was right. It was him. Prince Alexander. His black hair, the same color as mine, was damp with sweat and saltwater. His pale blue eyes, filled with a myriad of emotions, pierced through my soul.

“Why?” I asked, clutching my bleeding arm.

He strode towards me. His hand still gripped the dagger's hilt tightly as if ready to strike again, but his face told a different story. It was as if he wanted to comfort me. However, I would not be staying to find out which was true. Only a few feet away from the water's edge, I ran as fast as I could. Then, I dove into the water. If he had not seen me turn the last time, all pretenses were now gone.

Did it matter anymore?

He wanted me dead.