The Dragon's Lair

  "Just to let you know, Ven, if you ever jump on me like that again and cover my mouth, I'm going to bite you," Amariel said.

  "I wouldn't blame you," Ven admitted. "But I was just trying to keep you safe."

  "Hmmph," said the merrow.

  The cat did not emerge before the wagon came in sight of the crossroads. Ven rose up on one knee and saw that Char and the others were waiting in front of the Inn, their belongings tied up in small cloth bundles. They were hiding in the shade of an enormous rosebush that Ven did not remember seeing before. He waved to the merrow to come next to him.

  "See those people?" he said, pointing. Amariel nodded. "Those are my other friends. See? There's nothing to be worried about. The tiny little girl over by the flowerbed is Saeli. She's a Gwadd, not human at all. Gwadd are an old race of people who love the earth and live in hilly fields, I think. Saeli's very nice, and she's also very shy. She can talk, but she has a very odd voice, so she prefers to speak in flowers."

  Amariel looked puzzled. "Flowers?"

  "Those anemones you saw in the windowboxes in Kingston, the pretty ones? Those were probably flowers." Ven pointed to wildflowers growing in the fields along the road. "Like those."

  "How can somebody speak in flowers?" asked the merrow.

  "It's hard to explain. Sometimes when she wants to say something, flowers appear at your feet, or a vine gets long and tangly, or a bush grows bigger."

  "Never mind," said the merrow. "You're making my head hurt."

  "Saeli is so gentle that you can't possibly be afraid of her," Ven went on. "She's—"

  "There you go again, telling me what I can and cannot feel," Amariel interrupted. "You should really stop that. Wait 'til you come under the sea with me. We'll see if you can keep from being afraid of stuff that doesn't scare me. I, for instance, have a good many friends who are sharks. I can't wait for you to meet them."

  "You have a point," Ven admitted. "Sorry. Anyway, the tall girl with the dark brown skin—that's Clem. Her real name's Clemency. She's human, but she is the curate-in-training for the Spice Folk who live in the Inn." He stopped at the look of confusion on the merrow's face. "This isn't making any sense to you at all, is it?"

  "Not a bit."

  "All right, then, I'll stop trying to explain and you can just meet them," Ven said. "I know they're going to be excited to meet you."

  The merrow let loose an exasperated shriek. "See, there you go again, Ven," she said. "You don't know anything about how they are going to feel. Who do you think you are, King of the Sea?"

  "Definitely not," said Ven.

  "I know you are trying to make me less nervous, and that you want to help. Just stop trying to make everything all right and maybe it will be."

  "Good enough," said Ven. "We're almost there."

  The wagon slowed as it approached the Inn. Ven could see Ida and Clem sorting through a large canvas bag, and Saeli finishing her daily maintenance of the flowerbeds. Char had come out from behind the rosebush and was standing at the edge of the road, his hand shielding his eyes, and was waving excitedly.

  Amariel tugged at his sleeve.

  "That's the boy who was fishing for birds," she said.

  "Yes! His name is Char," Ven said. "He's the one I told you about—my roommate."

  "Roommate?"

  "We share the same bedroom at the Inn."

  "Bedroom?"

  "A room where you sleep."

  "Well, sleep I know. What's a room?"

  "Oh boy," said Ven. "This really is going to be a challenge for both of us to keep anyone from finding out you're a merrow." Amariel looked even more nervous. "Tell you what—if there's something that you don't understand, just grab my elbow, and I'll explain it to you when no one is listening."

  "Great," said the merrow. "Then they'll all think I'm stupid."

  "No, they won't," Ven said. "No one who meets you could ever think you're stupid. You're very smart, and that's obvious."

  "How diplomatic you are," said Amariel. "Now, quiet down. I want to hear what everyone is saying." She leaned up over the wagon boards and looked around at the Inn and the wide green fields leading off to woods, her eyes still glowing with wonder.

  The wagon came to a halt outside the Inn. Amariel grabbed Ven's elbow and pointed to the golden griffin that was painted on the door. Ven explained quietly what it was.

  "Yo! Ven! Hoay!" Char called as he ran alongside the wagon.

  "Shhh," Ven said in return. "We're trying to leave without everyone in the world knowing we're gone."

  "Well, the Inn is empty of guests. Cadwalder's asleep. And the other kids are takin' stock of supplies and cleanin' the basement, so 'til someone comes along on the road, no one's here to see us."

  "Are you sure Cadwalder's asleep? We had a close call with Mr. Whiting when we passed the White Fern."

  "Quite sure," Char said. "Or in bed, at least. The Spice Folk are watchin' him."

  "Good. Is Nick coming with us?"

  Char shook his head. "No. He's got to work. He didn't come inside the Inner Market anyway, so the Thief Queen never saw him. He says he'll be careful, and good luck."

  "All right," Ven said. "Char, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Amariel."

  Char blinked. Ven glanced to his right where the merrow had been sitting, looking out over the fields.

  She was gone.

  Ven turned around. The merrow was crouched behind a large barrel.

  The back of the wagon rattled as Char opened the gate.

  "Don't worry," Ven whispered.

  "Shut up," the merrow whispered back.

  Char's thin face and dark, straight hair appeared over the back of the wagon, along with the rest of him a moment later. He looked at the merrow, then his eyebrows drew together in surprise.

  "Hi," he said.

  Amariel just stared at him.

  "Ven, what's goin' on?" Char asked. "What's she doin' here?"

  "She's coming with us," Ven said. He stepped over a sack of beans and tried to get to the merrow. Amariel slapped at him.

  "You sure?" Char asked doubtfully. "She don't look like she partic'ly wants to. And where did she come from?"

  "She's just a little nervous," Ven said as the merrow slapped at him again. "She came from town—and I've known her for a long time."

  "What are you talkin' about?" Char demanded.

  Ven turned around. "Look, Char, I don't have time to explain now. This is all you have to know—her name's Amariel. She's my friend, and she's coming with us. Now go get the others and let's get out of here."

  Char shrugged. "You're the boss, I guess. Or at least the biggest target." He whistled for the girls. "Come on, step lively. We need ta get underway."

  Saeli wiped her hands on the grass and scurried over to the road. She picked up a tiny gingham bundle and came over to the wagon. Char boosted her up, and Ven helped her aboard. She sat down in the back next to a bushel of apples. Then she caught sight of Amariel.

  "Saeli, this is Amariel," Ven said quickly. "She's my friend, and she's coming with us."

  Saeli blinked, then nodded. She reached into the apple bushel and pulled out a twig. In her hand it stretched and opened into a stem of pink blossoms. Saeli held it out toward the trembling merrow.

  When Amariel didn't move, Ven took the twig and gave it to her.

  "Thanks," Amariel mumbled.

  Saeli nodded again, then settled down next to the apples. Her head turned, and Ven saw the long, caramel-colored braid of her hair jiggle. Amariel's eyes opened wide as a tiny face peeped out. It looked like it belonged to a puffy brown monkey.

  "Dear ocean, she's picked up a barnacle," she whispered to Ven.

  "No—that's the keekee," Ven whispered back. "It's an odd little animal she rescued from the Gated City. It hides in her hair."

  Amariel's hand went quickly over her mouth.

  "Ambergris?" Ven inquired.

  The merrow nodded.

  "It won't hurt you—it's as
shy as Saeli. But it can be brave and smart like her, too. They make a good pair."

  Over the side of the wagon Clemency's voice could be heard.

  "Nope—this is Ciara's. Is this yours? Are you sure? Now, I know this is Bridgette's, this is Emma's—Ida, for goodness sake, did you pack anything that actually belongs to you?"

  He looked over the side of the wagon as Mrs. Snodgrass came out of the Inn, carrying a huge basket and a small plate. Clem was still rummaging in Ida's bundle, pulling out handkerchiefs and underwear, hair ribbons, combs, and other items that she tucked under her arm as she walked. Ida sauntered after her, a smirk on her face, her colorless hair desperately in need of brushing. The two girls climbed onto the back of the wagon and stopped. They stared at the merrow. Then Clemency looked at Ven.

  "Who's that?" she asked.

  "Ven's friend," Char said. "Name's Amariel. Get in."

  Clemency looked at Ven. "What? What's—"

  "Get in, Clem," Ven said tersely. "You too, Ida."

  Ida's eyes narrowed but she obeyed. She picked her way around the supplies and sat down right next to Amariel, staring at her. She looked her up and down, and then a grimace of disgust came over her face.

  "That's the strangest dress I've ever seen," she said. "Did you just come from the king's ball? And—Ven, she's wet! Ugh. She's not even housebroken. Eeeuww—the whole floor of the wagon around her is wet, too. Bleah. I'm moving."

  "Shut up, Ida," Ven snapped. He looked at the merrow. Amariel's expression went from nervous to black with anger just as Mrs. Snodgrass's face appeared over the side right next to her.

  "You children ready?" the innkeeper asked. She caught sight of the merrow, and her eyes opened wide in surprise. "Oh! Sorry, dearie, didn't know you were there." She looked more carefully, and a gentle look came over her face. "Ven, who's this, now?"

  "Amariel," Ven said shortly, glaring at Ida. "My friend."

  Mrs. Snodgrass's expression changed again to one of understanding. "Well, good day to you, Amariel. 'Tis a pretty name you have there. You're traveling with Ven and the others?" The merrow nodded timidly. "Very good. Do you have enough clothes for the journey?"

  Amariel squeezed Ven's elbow so hard that it hurt. Ven touched the collar of his shirt to indicate what clothes were.

  "No," the merrow said. "I don't have anything."

  "Ah. Well, not a problem. Come with me, dearie, and I'll see if I can't roust you up some nice things," said Mrs. Snodgrass. "Ven, why don't you help her out of there? She looks like she's been sitting a while, and her legs are probably cramped." She pointed to the corner of the wagon. "You, Ida, move away."

  Ven reached down and helped Amariel stand up. The tattered edges of what had once been her tail were still dripping slightly as he walked her through the wagon to the back gate. Mrs. Snodgrass handed the basket and plate to Char, then helped her down. She turned to the children in the wagon.

  "We'll be right back," she said. Her words were clipped, spoken in the tone she used in the Inn when she was not pleased. "Once you're underway, there's supper for you all in the basket. Don't you be eating those cookies, however—those are for the trolls at the bridge."

  "Yes, ma'am," said Char.

  "Make certain you're ready—I assume you've all been to the privy?" A chorus of bored voices answered yeeessss. "Good. You need to be on your way. Stay together, now, and behave yourselves."

  "How—how did you know about our journey?" Ven stammered.

  Mrs. Snodgrass looked surprised.

  "Well, Saeli told me she was taking you to see her people past the river," she said. "Is there some reason I shouldn't know about that?"

  Ven looked down at Saeli, who nodded quickly.

  "No, not at all," he said, relieved.

  "Just mind your manners while you're there," Mrs. Snodgrass said. "Now, I'm going to get young Amariel here a change of clothes, and we'll be right back."

  When the innkeeper and the merrow had gone into the Inn, Ven turned to the others.

  "Who told Mrs. Snodgrass?"

  Shyly Saeli raised her hand.

  "Actually, we all sorta did, Ven," said Char. "You don't think she deserves ta know when a lot of her kitchen staff and residents are just pickin' up and leavin'? Don't ya think she's had enough worry about us recently?"

  "You're right, I'm sorry. What did you tell her?"

  "Saeli offered to take us to visit her family in the Wide Meadows past the river," Clemency said. "She hasn't been home for a long time, and wants to see her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Char said we were headed that way anyway. As I understand it, we're supposed to be hiding from the Raven's Guild, yes?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, the Gwadd are especially good at hiding. People travel through their lands all the time and never even know the Gwadd are there. Saeli is still very frightened of the Thief Queen. So the Gwadd lands seemed to Char and me like a good place to start hiding, at least for a little while. We figured Saeli could see her family, and we could all hide out for a while. We told Mrs. Snodgrass truthfully that was where we are headed."

  Ven scratched his head.

  "That's actually a very good idea," he said. "I'm sorry I jumped down all of your throats. It's important to me that all my friends get along—you are very important to me, and so is Amariel. I don't like the way you are treating her, Ida."

  Ida shrugged. "I'm being as friendly to her as I am to anyone."

  "Well, that may be true, but I would appreciate it if you don't go out of your way to make her feel badly. She's new here, and a little bit nervous, so please try to make her feel welcome."

  "It might have been nice to have told us up front that she was coming, Ven," said Clemency in a reproachful tone. "That way it wouldn't have been a surprise. You can't blame us for being rude if you don't give us fair warning."

  "I don't get it, Ven," Char said, tucking his small pack inside a coil of rope and sitting down on it. "Here we are, tryin' to sneak away in secret before Felonia's spies find us, an' you're bringin' a stranger along with us. Do you really think that's wise, mate?"

  Ven's hands grew clammy with sweat. The introduction of Amariel to the group was not going at all as he had expected. His friends were staring at her oddly, which only made the merrow more nervous. "I've told you already, she's not a stranger to me. I've actually known her longer than I've known any of you."

  "How's that possible?" Char asked. "Is she from Vaarn?"

  Ven swallowed. "Uh—no."

  "Then how could you know her longer than me? I've been with you every minute since the Serelinda found you in the middle of the ocean—well, except when you were in the dungeon and we was in jail, right, Ida?" Char turned to the Thief Queen's daughter, and she smirked. "So what is goin' on here, Ven?"

  "She's from a place near Vaarn," Ven said. "But that doesn't matter. Please just try to be friendly to her. For my sake."

  "We've been doin' an awful lot of things for your sake lately, Polywog," said Ida.

  "Well, the main thing we're about to do is for your sake as much as mine, Ida," Ven retorted. "It's your bloody mother who's looking for us. Especially for you."

  Just as the words were spoken, a harsh caw was heard overhead.

  The children looked up.

  A score of ravens was circling above them, their black feathers glinting blue in the sun.

  8

  The Dash to the River

  GREAT," VEN SAID. "JUST WONDERFUL."

  "Well, so much for gettin' out of here unnoticed," Char added.

  "Get down, children," Tuck said quietly.

  Mrs. Snodgrass was returning to the wagon as the children took cover. She had her arm around Amariel's shoulders.

  The merrow was now dressed in clean brown trousers and a flowing blue shirt. She was carrying a cloth bundle like those the other children had. Murphy was following her, rubbing at her ankles, and making her look very uncomfortable. Every now and then she would sneeze.

  "Look," she said softly t
o Ven, opening the cloth bundle. "I think Mrs. Snodgrass is worried my tail is going to suddenly grow back—it has no leg holes."

  Ven shook his head. "That's a dress. Girls wear those too sometimes."

  "Ugh," said the merrow. "Humans are so complicated."

  The innkeeper looked up into the sky, shielding her eyes with her hand.

  "Shoo!" she called. "Nasty things! Get away from my Inn." She helped Amariel into the back of the wagon through the gate, then pulled Ven aside.

  "Master Polypheme," she said under her breath, "what on earth do you think you're doing, bringing a merrow on land like that?"

  Ven blinked in astonishment. "She told you?"

  "She didn't have to tell me," Mrs. Snodgrass said in his ear. "I'm a sea captain's wife. You think I don't know a merrow when I see one? I hope you know what you're doing."

  Ven could barely speak. "I—I—"

  "There's no time to talk about it now. I assume you have her cap?" Ven nodded. "Well, make sure you keep it safe. Don't let anyone else get hold of it. Keep it on you at all times. She should be all right until you get back from the Wide Meadows as long as you keep the cap safe. I've known a few sailors who have married merrows. It's not usually 'til the husband buries the cap, hoping to keep the wife away from the sea, that she starts to lose her merrow nature. It happens very quickly, in about one turn of the moon. Once that happens, I'm not sure she can get it back. At least I've never seen it happen."

  "Thank you," Ven said. "And thank you for not telling anyone."

  "You're not planning to marry this girl, are you?"

  "Of course not," said Ven, horrified. "She's a friend. And I'm only fifty years old."

  "Good. Faith, I hope you know what you're doing." Mrs. Snodgrass shook her head. "Remember, Ven, when they get mad, merrows have a tendency to spit." She looked at the children crouching in the wagon. "Goodbye, dearies, and have a good time. Goodbye, Saeli. Give my best your family." The little Gwadd girl smiled.

  "Goodbye, Clemency, Ida," the innkeeper continued. "Goodbye, Char."

  From the grass at the roadway's edge, the sound of sniffing and sniffling could suddenly be heard.