Page 7 of The Noble's Merman

“Kent.” Mo’s eyes glistened. “I like it. Kent. Sounds easy to say underwater.”

“Easy to say…” A thought—a sudden realization sprung into Kent’s mind with that comment. He took a step closer, ankles now wading in the water, and only a few feet away from the merman. “Wait a moment. You’re speaking to me in English. How is that possible? Are all merfolk fluent in English?”

Another handsome smile graced Mo’s face. “Yes, and all human languages, actually. It’s magic; communication magic. Merfolk are able to use that magic to converse with other creatures similar to us. That of course means humans, but also other similar sea creatures like dolphins and whales.”

Kent took in an excited gasp. “Dolphins? Really?”

“Why yes!” Mo chuckled. “But not common fish like mackerels, however. I think it’s because their kind lays eggs, and ours does not.”

Kent could feel his cheeks boiling at that comment. He remembered something about merfolk reproduction in one of his books back home… perhaps he would look at that later. Right now, the thought just made him shake his head, incredibly flustered to even be thinking of that.

“What was the song you were singing?” asked Mo, interrupting Kent’s thoughts. “I quite enjoyed your words.”

“Ah, it was a song I’d learnt to sing when I was younger. With songs like that, I’m never sure if the tales they tell are true, but it is encouraging to believe. ‘Love Conquers All.’”

“That is an agreeable belief. It’s nice to hear songs spread with that message, even in the human realm.”

“Do merfolk have songs like that as well?”

“Yes, of course.” Mo beamed. “Plenty of tales of how the cities undersea used to war amongst each other, but love between royals brought them together in harmony.”

“You’ll have to sing me one, then,” said Kent with a smirk. “I sang for you, so it’s only proper for me to ask you to return the favor. I have some pamphlets on merfolk, and in one of them, it told of how beautiful merfolk’s voices were. ‘The most beautiful voices of all,’ it said. I wonder if that’s true…?”

“Oh, I’d love to sing for you! That is, if you have the time. It is starting to get dark out, and I’m unsure of your obligations…” the merman asked with a tinge of playfulness, and something else Kent couldn’t place, but he did note how Mo’s cheeks looked a bit redder than before.

He’s asking so he has an excuse to see me again.

Here was a real merman, acting so friendly and casual with him. A merman who enjoyed his song, and wanted to speak more with him. He couldn’t get over that, how one simple encounter changed his worldview in the blink of an eye. Oh, how he never wanted to stop talking with him, how he wanted to keep asking questions about merfolk life. In truth, Kent barely had anyone he could honestly call a friend aside from his sister, and now a merman was offering his friendship so easily? How could Kent say no?

Especially when he said my voice is beautiful. I don’t believe anyone has ever told me that…

But Mo was right—Kent couldn’t stay out for much longer; the sun was touching the horizon, the eastern sky was turning dark blue, and he couldn’t leave Biscuit tied to that tree all night. His valet would be wondering where he’d be, too, and might alert his father that something was amiss.

“I will need to head back home,” he said reluctantly. “So you’ll have to promise me that you’ll sing for me next time we meet.”

“Of course.” Mo nodded. “It’s a promise.”

But then, Kent had a very particular question he wanted to ask while he could, an idea that sprung suddenly, one he wasn’t sure even Mo could answer.

“I wonder… is it possible for you to become human? For merfolk to rid their tail, and have human legs? That way you could come onto land with me, and perhaps we could talk more someplace else.”

That made the laughter dissipate, and Mo’s face softened at the thought. He took a deep sigh, and looked down toward the water. “No, at least no methods that I know of that are true. There are legends and lore of it, yet I haven’t known of any merfolk to become human personally.” Kent sighed as well, sensing a deep longing in the way Mo said it, the tone of his voice. “However, even if I don’t know how, I do believe it’s possible. I’d always wished to find out.”

As Mo looked back up, Kent found he was now close enough to see the color of his eyes. Azure blue, the same shade of his tail, the same color as the sea.

“Perhaps there is a way.” Kent smiled. “I could bring one of my merfolk books, and we can see if there’s something about gaining legs in there.”

That brought the smile back to Mo’s face, and Kent realized what was so strange about the merman’s teeth. He has fangs. “Oh, would you? I would love that!”

“Of course.” Kent nodded. “Though… I rather should be heading back.” Mo’s grin faltered at that statement, and a small twinge of guilt poked Kent’s stomach. “I will be back soon, however. I’ll bring the book! You needn’t worry.”

“When would be best for you to come back?”

Kent would be busy tomorrow evening; he had an invitation to a party that his father would be disappointed at him if he didn’t attend. “How is two days from now? Same place, and same time of day again.”

“Two days from now is good. Any time is good for me, that all is great.” Mo tilted his head, his face showing another incredibly infectious smile. How silly it was, the real-life fish-man kept smiling at him. And now, he made a commitment to see him here on this beach again. What was he getting himself into?

“I shall see you then, Mo. It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”

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