Chapter 19: Water

“You know, My Lord,” Riley muttered, “there are ways to wake humans that don’t involve breaking down the door. Like knocking gently. Or sending a hot mug of coffee to go?”

Kael didn’t even glance at him.

Riley sighed and hurried to keep up. “Fine. No ranting. But can you at least tell me where we are going?”

“Thalassyn,” Kael glared. Told you this morning. We need to speak with the merfolk…”

“Sorry, my Lord, I meant who exactly are we going to ask for?” he apologized.

“For I believe I didn’t set up an appointment with anyone. Or are we looking to see Lady Stella?”

Kael stopped at the levitator and fixed him with a cool look.

And Riley knew that look. In reality, they were just going to look for whoever wasn’t welcoming enough.

The merfolk were unique in a way that his boss finds annoying. Unlike the other beings, Kael would usually have to deal with them himself, mainly because of the merfolk’s ability to control water.

Sending grunt workers like usual wouldn’t work with them when they insist on saying they only care about the waters but insist on meddling with the affairs of the land and air beings.

They were hypocritical like that.

Then whoever they sent would end up with water-related issues. And if you send anyone capable of resisting their abilities, you get a complaint about the Ministry wanting to start a war or some imaginary subjugation.

It was headache-inducing.

And with the issues mostly escalating up to Kael, it’s no wonder he just decided to deal with issues related to them.

Because who wouldn’t be annoyed with that?

And that time he ended up looking like a wet dog after being graciously turned away when he came over some years ago?

He still remembered that little “accident.”

So yes, Riley wasn’t thrilled to be dealing with the merfolk.

But how many beings could even protect themselves from water-related attacks?

Not a lot, and obviously, one could count the humans out.

Earlier, it was a charm, though it was really closer to a poison at this rate. And while that required the blood of the controller, other poisons wouldn’t.

So who’s to say they couldn’t do worse?

Riley glanced over at his boss, who just looked like a statue as he sat there, maybe thinking about world domination or something as simple as how he didn’t like the sun’s glare.

Or maybe he was thinking about eating fish today. Or even a few of those beings in the Merfolk Council Hall who clearly expected the visit.

Hopefully, Kael is alright with aged fish because these elders seem to be asking for it.

Inside Thalassyn’s council hall, the merfolk elders were already waiting. They were even in their human forms. Clearly prepared.

And there, of course, was Lady Stella.

Riley saw her the moment they entered. Who wouldn’t see such beauty in bright blue and silver at this time of day? Her sea-green eyes were fixed on Kael alone, as if saying, “You see, you will come to me.”

She smiled sweetly.

“Lord Dravaryn,” she purred. “What an unexpected… pleasure.”

Kael didn’t so much as blink. “Lady Stella.”

Riley quickly stepped forward, “Thank you for receiving us on such short notice,” he said briskly. “We won’t take much of your time.”

Lady Stella’s gaze slid to Riley, and her smile widened slightly.

“Of course,” she said. “Anything for Lord Dravaryn… and his charming little aide.”

Riley flushed. Charming. Right. Little, I don’t know about that. He thought as he voiced, “Thank you.”

Riley and Kael stood before the Merfolk elders, the air thick with polite tension.

The Ministry had deemed it necessary to “inquire” about the merfolk’s possible involvement in the incident during the banquet. Not because anyone expected the elders to betray their own kind—after all, that only happened when there was something in it for them—but because it was important to make one thing clear.

The Ministry knew.

And what better way to deliver that message than in person, under the guise of asking for official “cooperation”?

Riley wasted no time once the obligatory pleasantries were exchanged.

“The Ministry has reason to believe that last night’s incident may have involved a merfolk,” he began crisply. “We are here to ask for your cooperation in identifying any possible culprits and sharing any intelligence you may already have obtained.”

The elders didn’t even glance at each other, and for humans, it would’ve been a sign that they already knew something. But these were merfolk, and that was basically expected.

They were so involved with their kind that one could say it’s always a group effort.

Sigh.

Therefore, as expected, Riley received the usual dismissive response: a rogue likely acting alone, and someone who probably had no ties with the respectable, law-abiding merfolk community.

Still the same line.

And Riley just gave the same polite nod as though genuinely relieved.

“Well, that is certainly reassuring,” he said, his tone smooth. “We appreciate your continued emphasis on being law-abiding citizens, and the Ministry is certainly pleased. If so, would it be possible to start with our investigations today? We’re thankful for the official access to the underwater communities as part of your commitment to upholding the law.

He kept his professional smile in place, ignoring the way several pairs of eyes narrowed at him from their seats.

If anyone here thought to make him into fish bait, they’d do well to remember that they could be brittle fishbones in the hands of the vicious lizard next to him.

Kael, for his part, hadn’t bothered saying anything beyond the formal greeting.

There was really no need to, since his strength lies in how he just stares at them uncomfortably.

The elders reluctantly agreed to grant the Ministry official access. Riley thanked them graciously, as if their cooperation hadn’t been wrestled out of them inch by inch.

They were just about to leave when Kael finally spoke.

He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t even look up from the spot he’d been fixed on.

“Your census report,” he said evenly, “was thorough this time. Excellent work.”

The faintest chill swept through the chamber.

“We in the ministry are glad that everyone has been properly accounted for.”

The elders smiled as they murmured their thanks, but none of those smiles reached their eyes.

“Yes, we are similarly thrilled,” one of them said carefully.

It was impossible to miss the awkward tension.

And so, as if practiced, Riley said, “On behalf of the Ministry, thank you again for your cooperation. Should you hear anything further regarding the incident, the Ministry would of course appreciate being informed immediately.”

Lady Stella’s gaze followed him. For just a moment, her smile softened, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Of course,” she said. “Anything… for you.”

As they made their way down the slippery steps of the Council Hall, Riley stopped midway.

“My Lord,” he said, lowering his voice. “Did you see that?”

Kael did not break his stride. “See what?”

“That,” Riley pressed, nodding toward the far corner of the hall.

At the base of the fountain, the water moved unnaturally—not flowing but coiling upward like a thin column of mist. At its crest, faint droplets formed into sharp letters that dissolved seconds after appearing.

Seek below.

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