A Tale of Skeptical Sailors and Mischievous Mermaids

Epilogue

George walked down the rain-soaked cobblestone streets and adjusted his hat low on his brow, trying to keep his features hidden. He ducked into a rowdy, smoke-filled tavern and he made his way to a table in the back. The man he was looking for was right where he had last seen him, surrounded by empty glasses and a very attentive barkeep counting gold coins.

The other man looked up at him and a slow smile spread over his face. "Well, well, well... if it isn't the esteemed Admiral Washington. What's her majesty's favorite little sailor doing in a den of ill repute? And dressed like a common beggar. Hoping for a night of incognito indiscretion?" He chuckled and took a long drag from his pipe.

George took a seat across from him, signaling for a whiskey and keeping his tone hushed. "I am here looking for an old friend. I was worried I wouldn't find you. Thought for sure you'd be in jail or dead by now. But I suppose it's hard to keep Edmund Hewlett down for very long."

"Friend?" He chuckled. "I thought we ceased being friends when you left me out to dry like everyone else."

"Hewlett." He frowned at the accusation. "You were ranting about dragons and sea monsters. The entire navy thought you had gone mad."

"I'm still ranting about sea monsters and dragons. Sorry to disappoint you if you thought I had changed."

"No, actually. It's precisely why I'm here." Hewlett scoffed and downed another shot. George looked around the bar and continued. "No one on earth has spent more time at sea than you. If I had a question about something, something... mysterious. No one would know better than you."

"Is this about those officers who died while under your command?" George's eyes widened and Edmund slumped forward. "Oh, don't look so surprised. I still have ears all over the navy." He coughed into a handkerchief. "Well if I were you, I wouldn't beat myself up over it. Not even the great Washington can prevent every misfortune. Men lose their lives all the time. It's dangerous business every time you climb aboard one of those grand vessels. Those men knew that when they signed up."

"But they didn't die. At least, I don't think so. That is what is weighing so heavy on my mind. I didn't lose them to scurvy or cannon fire. "

"Then what was it? Madness? In fighting?"

"No. I think... I think they were taken by mermaids."

Hewlett sprang to his feet, knocking over the table. "Fuck you."

Washington stood up quickly and Hewlett pushed him back against the wall and ran out of the tavern.

"Wait! Hewlett wait!" Washington ran after him, throwing a few shillings on the table.

He caught up to him about a block away and Hewlett turned around quickly with fire in his eyes. "You came all this way, just to MOCK ME?!"

"What? No! Edmund, please." He pleaded until Hewlett calmed down a bit. "I'm not here to insult you. I am here because I believe you. You're the only hope I have of finding those men again."

Hewlett narrowed his eyes. "What makes you think they want to be found? What makes you think they want to leave wherever they are?"

Washington shook his head. "Oh, now you sound like Hamilton."

"Hamilton?"

"Yes. The young lieutenant. Although he was just a midshipman when you were Captain. He's been droning on and on. More than usual. He keeps talking about how he wants to go back. How we must go back."

"So why do you believe him? Why are you asking me? You're not the sort of man to give in to sailor's rantings and myths of the deep."

Washington sighed. "Because I think I saw one too." He said softly. "But I don't know." He shook his head. "When I try to remember, it gets hazy. Like looking at something through gauze." He looked at Hewlett, a desperate expression on his face. "You think it's possible?"

"I think there are a great many things in the damned ocean. Both known and unknown. It's man's great egotism and stupidity that allows him to think he knows what is and isn't possible in such a mysterious landscape. We accept elephants but not dragons. We find a bunch of giant bones and instantly believe massive lizards roamed our planet but scoff at the idea of a kraken living in our oceans."

"But some of the men said these... merfolk looked like them. But I saw a woman. I mean, I think I did. It definitely didn't look like me. How is it that possible?"

Hewlett glanced around and pulled George into an alley. "They mess with your head. That is how they get you to do what they want. They look however you want them to look. Whatever it will take to get you to give them a second glance and not dismiss it as some trick of the light. For some people, it's a beautiful woman or man. For others, an idealized version of themselves. That's why you have to be careful. On guard around them."

George looked at him, searching his eyes. "So, will you help?"

Hewlett shook his head. "Those men are gone. Maybe dead. Maybe captured. Hard to say. But they're not part of this world anymore. You'd be best leaving them be."

"I have to try-"

"Why? For them or for you? You want to save them, or you want to see your beautiful maiden again? Because if it's the latter, it's a fool's task. They'll only show themselves to you if they want to be seen. Only if they want something from you. And they already got what they were after."

George lowered his head. "I have to know what happened."

Hewlett let out a long, low laugh. "Oh Georgie... you've succumbed to the siren's call all the way on land. Ignore it before it consumes you. Take it from someone who knows."

"I'm going back." George looked down at him and his eyes shone with a cold stubbornness. "But I can't go alone."

Hewlett let out a long sigh. "How? How would you even manage such a journey?"

"I plan on asking the queen for a post ship, something small, only 20 guns or so. Tell her I'm going on an exploration mission to claim some land in the name of her majesty."

"And your crew?"

"Only a bare minimum of hands. A few knowledgeable lads that I can trust. I need the ones loyal to me, not the crown."

Hewlett looked down and smiled to himself. "Brewster."

"Aye. Him and a small group of his mates. I don't want to run the risk of anyone too smart figuring out this is not exactly a sanctioned assignment."

"So your plan is to lie to the queen, go on a secret mission, assemble a crew of only seaman, no officers, sail for a destination that you're not exactly sure where it is, and search for mermaids, all to find a group of men who do not wish to be found?"

Washington took a moment. "Yes. That sums it up fairly well."

Hewlett smiled. "When do we leave?"