Stolen Dream

Chapter Four

Keyvon stared balefully down into the chasm where the woman who had disappeared had lived. The small community was in mourning and he didn't want to be anywhere near them while they grieved. He was to investigate on his father's behest and he wasn't at all pleased at the idea. He was supposed to be learning the ropes of rulership, not sorting out something as mundane as looking into the disappearance of a single mermaid.

He sighed his displeasure and swam down the chasm known as the Tongue of the Ocean. There were a dozen homes carefully concealed into the rock walls of the chasm. They were well-hidden. Camouflage was an artform that the merfolk excelled at. They'd learned from the best. They'd even found ways to counter some of the human technology that had been sent into the depths in hopes of discovering hidden creatures like them.

Keyvon went first to the home of the missing mermaid's parents. They would have done the most delving into the issue of their daughter's disappearance. The door opened shortly after his knock and the wave of grief hit him like a punch to the stomach. He kept his features stoic and breathed through it.

"May I help you?" Sven asked cordially.

"My name is Keyvon. I am here on behalf of the Sovereign. I'm here to look into the disappearance of your daughter. If you would be kind enough to answer a few questions for me?"

Fear curled in Sven's gut, but he knew better than to deny hospitality to someone working for the Sovereign. But it could be very bad if Keyvon found out what might have happened to Rave.

Nonetheless, he couldn't lie.

"Please come in," he invited. "We will help in any way possible, of course."

Keyvon mentally sorted through the array of emotions Sven was feeling. Fear. Suspicion. Grief. Anger. The fear and anger were the most interesting. Chances were good that Sven knew, or at least had a good idea, what happened to his daughter. "Your wife?"

"Sleeping in the other room." He glanced towards the bedroom doorway and sighed. "She hasn't been getting much, so I'd be loathe to wake her."

Concern on his wife's behalf. Love. "I'll let you know if it becomes necessary. For now we'll let her rest while we chat."

"Thank you. Would you like to sit?"

Keyvon sat on the shaped boulder with a nod of gratitude. Waited until Sven had gotten comfortable as well before beginning his interrogation. "What happened?"

Sven sighed. "She had just gone home after her friend's wedding. She was tired, so she slept until a friend came to visit. They went out together to get something to eat. They were heading back when something hit the water above them. They took off, racing home, but Rave was too tired to keep up. She waved her friend on, saying she'd hide, and hasn't been seen since."

It was an honest accounting. "The friend who was with her?"

"Emilio."

"The friend who just got married?"

"Moira."

Keyvon nodded. "Thank you. Any idea what hit the water?"

Sven closed his eyes briefly. "I think it might've been a diver."

Regret. A huge wave of grief. More anger. It made sense now. The fear and anger he'd felt from Sven originally. A father grieving for a daughter that might not be dead, but might as well be. "Thank you for your candor. I don't think we'll need to disturb your wife." He got up and moved towards the door. "If I learn anything of value to you, I'll be in touch." He paused with his hand on the door. Turned back with sympathy in his eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss."