Ursula's Beginning

19. Just a token really, a trifle

The first thing Ursula did upon returning home, even in her shaky state, was write down a phonetic rendering of Siddikah's incantation. No longer bewildered by the process of transformation, Ursula had listened carefully to the wailing song the second time around.

Ursula began to practice the incantation in the privacy of her home each day: first thing in the morning and last thing before bed. She knew she would ultimately need a translation. If she didn't know what she was saying, she'd never be able to connect her will to the words. They'd fall flat, even if she memorized every crescendo, every enunciation as sung by the Squid Witch. Yet she was off to an excellent start, and her practice was keeping her occupied.

She had to stay busy, lest dread of the next Transformation seize her. Nine hours to return to self! Nine! Ursula still suspected the sorceress was pushing her, testing her, punishing her, even. But why?

The books on domestic spellcraft and animal training got lugged back to the library and exchanged for volumes about life on land. It didn't take long to identify the colorful winged creatures Siddikah had used: butterflies. Ursula was fascinated by their life cycle and immediately understood why their metamorphosis made them perfect aids to a Transformation spell. But her heart sank as she read that these animals preferred not to fly over oceans. How would she get one, much less the dozens she would need to practice and perfect the spell? It was almost as if she needed to transform into something else in order to get the ingredients for a Transformation—a most unfair trap. Siddikah was lucky to have Planete.

Days later, Ursula was helping an injured mermaid in the temple when a flash of insight nearly made her shout aloud. Butterflies weren't the only animals that undergo metamorphosis! Frogs do, and some fish, and even certain mollusks and crustaceans. Perhaps the butterflies could be substituted! After all, spells were both art and science, leaving room for a degree of tweaking.

In between long working hours, Ursula studied feverishly. She looked up languages, pored over books about metamorphosis, and struck up an acquaintanceship with a male cecaelia named Cosmos that had come to Atlantica from the Caribbean years ago.

Cosmos was happy to tell her about the customs of his previous home, and from these conversations, Ursula concluded that the envoy Sebastian might be lingering in Atlantica out of hope or expectation that he be given a tour of the kingdom. It would be too forward to request a private tour, and inappropriate to go wandering around unsupervised. Surely Sebastian knew the royals were busy and thus, Ursula believed, the crab was waiting patiently for an invitation.

***

The day had arrived, and Ursula realized that much of her dread regarding the imminent Transformation had faded. It was not unlike what she had heard her elders say about childbirth: the memory of the pain fades to enable the next pregnancy. While birthing, one swears "never again"...only to find oneself not only willing, but eager to have another baby.

Changing for Triton was Ursula's labor of love, and it operated the same way.

There was only one thing left to do, then: figure out a gift for Siddikah. Ursula needed to stay in her good graces, and a gift would hopefully set a better tone this time around.

***

"I hope you like it. My Uncle Dismas and I make a batch every year."

Siddikah was studying the red, gel-like cordial that Ursula had just given her. The substance shimmered as the witch swirled it around inside its decorative bottle.

"I'm sure I will, pet. Thank you."

"Thank you for your continued help, Siddikah." Ursula made a slight bow. "Perhaps next time I could bring a treat for Planete?"