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“Good morning trainees.”
Merletta pulled her attention to the merman in front of her with an effort. She’d been so distracted by her thoughts about the land and its impossible structures, she hadn’t even noticed him enter the small room. She straightened in her seat. This was her first day of real lessons, a day she’d been preparing for and dreaming about for a decade. It was no time to get lost in daydreams.
The merman glanced at the small group as they chorused a greeting.
“Oliver is still with Instructor Agner, preparing for his testing, is he?”
The mermaid with the coral-colored tail—Sage—spoke up. “Yes, sir.”
The merman nodded, his eyes gliding over to Merletta. “And we have a new trainee,” he said.
Merletta swallowed as she rose from her seat. “Yes, sir,” she said. “I’m Merletta.”
“It wasn’t a question,” he said shortly. “I know your name, and I know where you come from. I’m not sure what game you’re playing, but I won’t allow this program to be made into a mockery, understand?”
“Y-yes sir,” said Merletta, too stunned by the open hostility to feel angry.
“Then resume your seat, and do not interrupt my class,” said the merman.
Merletta sank back down to the stone bench, a flush creeping up her face. Ileana and Jacobi snickered at the other end of the bench, and the anger made its belated appearance. What right did this merman have to humiliate her in front of her peers, for no reason but which city she came from?
“I am Instructor Ibsen,” the merman said, his eyes still lingering on her with an expression colder than the deepest point of the Center. “I will teach you all you need to know of our history to be accepted into the ranks of the educators, and more.”
Merletta glanced at Ileana, remembering that as a third year, she was preparing to take her educator exam. Merletta was as determined as ever to pass all four years and join the elite record holders, but she thought that the educator role was the next most appealing. It would be a wonderful service to go throughout the triple kingdoms, educating the regular merpeople on those basic aspects of their history which were common knowledge. She only wished the home had been considered important enough to warrant a little more attention from the educators.
Ileana glanced over and saw her looking, the other mermaid’s eyes narrowing. Merletta met her gaze challengingly for a moment before looking away. Being an educator wasn’t appealing enough to pursue if it meant working with Ileana.
“Our new trainee will require the most basic of introductory lessons,” said Instructor Ibsen. “We will use it as an opportunity for you all to demonstrate how you would explain our history to a child.”
Merletta felt another flush rising, but she kept her expression unyielding. She had earned her place here, like any of them, and she would not allow herself to be intimidated out of claiming it.
“Jacobi,” Instructor Ibsen said, and Merletta’s fellow first year straightened. “How did the triple kingdoms come to be?”
“Three brothers traveled here from the deepest ocean,” responded Jacobi instantly, the words clearly copied directly from a lesson. “They founded the three cities of Skulssted, Hemssted, and Tilssted. They, with their wives, were the first monarchs of our kingdoms.”
“Good,” said Ibsen, turning to the next youngest trainee present. “Sage. Tell us about the establishment of the triple kingdoms.”
Sage shifted, her voice clear and confident as she answered. “The brothers ruled side by side in harmony, establishing the three cities, which at that time were spread apart. They had an ancient magic, and combining their power, they created a barrier around their cities. These wards are still in place, keeping dangerous creatures out, and protecting the merpeople from detection by any unwanted visitors, such as dragons.”
Sage paused, and Merletta fidgeted in her seat. She’d heard all this before, of course. Every merchild knew this much. But Sage wasn’t finished.
“Over time, the population grew such that the cities merged together, forming the triple kingdoms. The lines between the cities became less distinct.”
Merletta barely held in a snort. Tell that to every single merperson who’s sneered at me for daring to apply to the Center when I come from Tilssted.
“Now,” Sage continued, “the triple kingdoms operate largely as one people.”
Merletta could hold in her questions no longer. These simple explanations had never satisfied her, and here at last was her chance to find out more.
“But where did the brothers come from?” she asked. Everyone’s eyes turned to her, their expressions ranging from intense disapproval to mild surprise.
“I already said,” Jacobi answered, looking irritated. “From the deepest ocean.”
“Yes, I know,” said Merletta impatiently. “But where in ‘the deepest ocean’? Did they come from another merkingdom? And if so, is it still there? Do we have brethren out there somewhere?”
Instructor Ibsen cleared his throat, and she turned her attention to him, hoping for an answer to a question that had long made her curious.
She was disappointed.
