Page 44 of Entangled

“Where is she now?” Galene wanted to know.

“Mother is alive and at Macada Castle,” explained Merrow.

“She is?” her sisters said together.

“Yes. She is.”

“Why didn’t you tell us, Merrow?” Galene looked so disappointed in her.

“I want to see Mother,” whined Melite.

“It was Mother’s wish that no one knows about this. Especially not Father,” explained Merrow.

“Why not?” asked Medea.

“You don’t know our father,” said Merrow. “He would be so angry if he found out, that he would destroy all of Mura in retaliation.”

Rhys chuckled. “I don’t believe one man could do that much damage. Especially when there are so many of us in Mura who have magic.”

“One man couldn’t. You are right,” said Merrow. “Then again, our father is not a man, and he does have magic.”

“Is he a sea nymph. Like the three of you?” asked Medea. “Even so, what real powers do sea nymphs have?”

“Yes, he’s a sea nymph, in a way,” Merrow answered.

“Back home he is known to everyone as the Old Man of the Sea,” added Galene.

“Old? How old is he?” asked Rhys. “I can’t imagine an old man fighting against an entire army.” He chuckled again.

“Six thousand,” said Merrow.

“What?” asked Rhys.

“Our father is six thousand years old.” The people in the wagon all became silent.

“Finally, someone older than me,” the elf spoke up. “But I’m sure he’s not as fast as I am. Especially at his age.”

“He can swim at extreme speeds,” Merrow told him. “Plus, he can control the water.”

“And shapeshift,” added Melite. “Don’t forget about that.”

“He can do all those things?” asked Medea, sounding fascinated. “He’s not a witch like me, is he? I can shapeshift too.”

“Nay, of course, he is not a witch.” It was Merrow’s turn to chuckle now. “Our father is a god.”

“A god?” said Medea, Elric, and Rhys all together.

“Yes. A sea god,” answered Merrow. “And like I told you, it’s not a good thing if he comes through the portal and is angry.”

“We’ll just hope he never comes through the portal then,” Rhys answered. “Hopefully he’ll never find out about any of this.”

“Too late,” mumbled Merrow under her breath.

“Merrow? What does that mean?” asked Medea.

“Our only brother, Nerites was already here on Mura and knows everything about what happened. He has returned home to let our father know where we are.”

“Bug’s eyes, we’re doomed,” said Elric in his nasally voice. “There is no way we can fight off a god.”