Free Mervidia by J.K. Barber

admit that she was jealous of Uchenna’s ability to do so, despite the grogstack’s obvious physical presence. Perhaps it is that ostentatious purple kelp coat you insist on wearing, Uchenna? she wondered. Clothing of any kind on the torso of a merwin was unusual. It could interfere with movement or foul their lower gills. The fact that the Domo of House Chimaera was wearing such a large garment covering most of him from the top of his tentacles up to his neck was an obvious sign of his confidence in dealing with any threat that might come up. Kiva again felt a mixture of jealously and admiration for the octolaide.
    Kiva surreptitiously swam closer to the pair, hoping to discern what they were discussing in such hushed tones, but was quickly spotted by the perceptive Uchenna, who placed a hand on Quag’s shoulder before gesturing to the approaching faera.
    “Domo Kiva,” the octolaide said, his tone courteous and his voice deep and resonant. “How may I assist you this sad day?” Kiva knew Uchenna to be a devious and dangerous adversary, but she couldn’t help but be lulled by his words. The octolaide played the game of politics in Mervidia exceedingly well. She often wondered if he was the same in the privacy of his own house as he was in the assembly hall. Her spies had been unable to infiltrate House Chimaera, yet.
    “It is more how I can assist you, Domo Uchenna,” she responded. “And our stalwart ally here.” Kiva floated at a polite height between Uchenna and Quag, but found herself drifting closer to the octolaide. She enjoyed having a superior position to the Domo of House Chimaera, but she did not want to inadvertently insult Quag by looking down on him. She shied away from the grogstack’s tooth-filled maw though. The image of a shark sitting down at a dinner table popped into her head again.
    “How can you help me?” Quag said without preamble. Subtlety was not in the grogstack’s repertoire, but Kiva was once again surprised by his ability to speak as articulately as he did.
    Perhaps I have underestimated you, Quag, she thought before answering. “My sources tell me that a grogstack was spotted fleeing the palace shortly before the queen’s body was discovered.”
    Quag’s ta il twitched the barest amount, but it brought him quickly and dangerously close to the faera. Kiva fought down the urge to dart away from the hulking creature. When he opened his mouth to speak, she drifted backwards a little.
    “That is a bad rumor. You should not spread it, tiny faera,” Quag said, his milky white eyes eerily calm as he spoke.
    Uchenna raised a hand, placing it gingerly between the grogstack and Kiva. “Our faera friend means no harm, Quag,” he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. “If Kiva meant to harm you or your people with this information, she would have brought it up openly before the Assembly. But, she is telling us, and only us, in confidence. Isn’t that right, Kiva?” Uchenna turned his tentacled head to look at Kiva, his eyes holding an imploring look and a miniscule amount of amusement. He enjoyed having a shark like Quag on his leash. Kiva couldn’t blame him.
    “Of course,” she said, raising her hands in a placating gesture. “I bring you this information to help you, so that you and Domo Uchenna can have a plan in place to deal with this vile rumor.” Kiva knew that it wasn’t rumor. A grogstack had been seen swimming from the palace, by one of her own agents no less, but she didn’t think that Quag would appreciate the subtle difference. It wasn't a point she wanted to belabor this close to the beast either.
    “See, my friend,” Uchenna said, his rich, smooth voice gentle. “Kiva wants to help us. She knows many things that could help us.” The octolaide spared a moment to give her a meaningful glance. Uchenna wanted Kiva to give him more information, and he was using the threat of the grogstack to coerce her into it.
    A small bubble of anger rose from Kiva’s core,