Triton's Destiny

Part Fifteen

Strolling down the boardwalk the next morning, Tristan headed straight for the dock office, leaning on the customer window sill with a smile once he saw that Owain was situated behind the desk. "Do you have some time to talk?"

The foreman cocked an eyebrow at him, then glanced up and down the docks. "Do you see me doing anything important at the moment?"

"No, but that doesn't mean–"

Owain scoffed and rolled his eyes. Then he got up from his stool and opened the office door. "Just get in here, MacHale." Shutting out the world once more, he stuck a sign in the window telling customers to come back later and pulled the shade down. "All right. You've got my undivided attention."

Tristan's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You're just allowed to do that? Tell people to go away whenever you want?"

"It's a perk of being my own boss." Owain gestured to the table and brought a jug and two glasses over. "Cider?"

Tristan nodded and chuckled. "And drinking on the job?"

Pouring a hefty amount into each glass, Owain lifted his to Tristan in a toast and then took a swig. "It's good to be the boss."

With another laugh, Tristan lifted his glass too and sipped at the tart liquid. The alcohol warmed him all the way to his stomach and he smiled with contentment. It was good. "Thanks, Owain."

"Anytime, mate. What'd you want to talk about?"

Tristan leaned his elbows on the table. "You're a superstitious guy, right?"

Snorting a laugh, Owain sipped at his cider again. "Show me a sailor who's not."

Tristan smirked and nodded. "You believe in myths and legends. Seen some things. Been some places."

Owain chuckled. "What're you getting at, mate?"

"What do you know about tritons?" Tristan smiled shrewdly as his eyes narrowed.

"Tritons?" Owain's eyebrows shot toward his hairline, then immediately descended in a wary glare. "Why do you ask?"

Shrugging, Tristan feigned nonchalance. "Just heard about them recently and don't know much. I'm curious. And I figured you might know something."

"I might." Owain drained his glass and grabbed the jug, pouring another round for himself.

"What can you tell me?"

Owain settled back in his chair, making the wooden frame creak, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Tritons are a species of mer. Some might even consider them the most advanced of the merfolk."

"Really? Why's that?"

"Tritons are believed to be the only species of mer who can use supernatural powers."

Tristan's eyes widened. "What kind of powers?"

"Things like healing and mental abilities. Some even claim that tritons can shapeshift."

"Whoa..." Tristan was genuinely fascinated by the lore surrounding Maki's people. Even if it was exaggerated hearsay, the details fired his imagination. "Into what?"

Owain's shoulder twitched in a shrug. "Whatever sea creature they feel like." With an indulgent smile, he leaned forward, his grey eyes gleaming. "But I've also heard they can look human if they want to. Just imagine, Tristan. You could be sitting right in front of a triton in its human disguise and never know it."

"Owain..." Tristan leaned in. "Are you a triton?"

The foreman tipped his head back and laughed loudly. "I like you, mate. You don't take yourself too seriously."