Voice

The hot afternoon sun beats down on my companions and me as we walk up Sherwood Way. I lead the horse to which Princess Blanche is tied. I feel a pang in my heart to see the pretty child gagged, but it's the only way to prevent her from attacking us with her poison-breath. Isobel Hansom, farmer and werewolf-barbarian, leads another horse; Marion Fletcher, general store owner and ranger, leads the third.

"We need to rest," says Eliza Rivers, apothecary and druid. "We can't make it all the way to the evil Fairy Godmother's palace tonight. Even if we did, we wouldn't exactly be at our strongest."

(Catch up to the first and second installments.)

"The Midway Inn is ahead," says Fredericia Forestay, taverner and bard. "Just about three miles up the road, where Sherwood Way crosses the Caerleon River. You can sort of see it from here."

"We couldn't all go there, though," says Alice Cross, blacksmith and paladin.

"Why not?" Fredericia asks. "I know the proprietor."

Isobel laughs. "Sure, we'll just show up and ask for three stables, six bedrooms, and one secure cell for Snow White."

"Octavia and I go way back!" Fredericia insists. "We grew up in Portsburg together. I even worked at the Midway until I came to Sherwood to open my own tavern. We salty lasses look out for one another."

Alice turns to me with a grave expression. "Red, you aren't seriously considering this, are you?"

"Absolutely not," I answer.

"But--" Fredericia holds her objections when she sees my hand gesture.

I explain, "We'll get off the main road soon. Set up camp in the shelter of that copse of trees over there. Fredericia, Alice, you're both pretty charming. The three of us will go on to the Midway and get provisions. And let's see if we can give our guest a less conspicuous dress, all right?"

Marion groans. "You're splitting the party?"

I answer, "We can't accomplish everything with all six of us tied to each other's apron strings."

Eliza agrees. "Besides, this will give me a chance to brew up more antidotes."

I pat Marion's shoulder. "Get some rest. Odds are, we'll be back before it's even your turn to keep watch."

We set up camp together. I ensure Princess Blanche has as comfortable a spot as possible on my bedroll. Then Fredericia, Alice, and I mount up and ride the last mile and a half to Midway Inn.

It's an improbably large structure, topped with a longboat at least ninety feet in length, which Fredericia says is called a skeid. The floor below the ship houses a busy tavern and a mass of bedchambers. The ground floor has a bathhouse on one side and stables on the other.

Just past the inn, I see the large, sturdy stone structure of Merlin Bridge spanning the Caerleon River. Deep, swift waters reflect the oncoming sunset. It's altogether a beautiful sight, but I feel tension in my gut.

Maybe I'm just tired.

Fredericia leads us into the stables and greets the stablemaster, a burly man named Hans, like an old friend.

Hans eyes her warily. "Yer always a right pretty sight, Fred," he says, "but showin' up bareback on carriage horses with the Fairy Godmother's tack? It makes a man wonder if you're goin' to cause trouble."

Alice clasps Hans' hand respectfully. "Sir, it is always a true pleasure to meet a master of any trade. I'm genuinely impressed. May I…?" She leans in confidentially. "May I ask for your advice?"

Hans smiles proudly. "Let's hear it, Miss," he says.

"My friends and I would prefer a cart with one horse, rather than three horses," Alice explains.

The stablemaster asks questions about our expected load and distance. He even helps Alice barter with a rancher. In the end, we are completely relieved of the Fairy Godmother's horses. Instead, we have a fine young draft horse and a sturdy cart waiting for us, plus a bag of silver coins. Alice tips the stablemaster handsomely. He even returns Fredericia's hug.

Fredericia hums cheerfully as she leads the way upstairs to the tavern. The space is crowded, with patrons chattering happily while they enjoy bowls of hearty stew, platters of roasted vegetables, and flagons of bittersweet lager. A bard sits on a corner stage, playing a dulcimer and smiling as patrons toss coins into his basket. As I survey the scene, I notice a series of posters pinned to the walls.

Over the pleasant din, I hear a delighted squeal and, "It's the little barmaid!"

"Octavia!" Fredericia exclaims. She races into the arms of the Midway Inn's proprietor, a tall, stout woman with a simple pink dress and frilly white apron. The two embrace, rocking back and forth and shooting rapid enquiries at each other.

"See what you can do about provisions," I tell Alice. She nods and walks towards the bar.

I casually stroll around edges of the tavern. As I feared, the posters each have the word "Wanted" at the top, with crude woodcut pictures of various Enchantment Liberation Front faces. Little John's bounty is up to two hundred gold pieces. Isobel's, five hundred. I pull down each one I see.

I can't help but stare at my own. The portrait isn't very like. The text reads: "Wanted: Robin Wood, alias 'Red.' Consider armed and dangerous. Known to wear a red riding hood. Reward: 2000gp alive, 500gp dead, 50gp for substantiated report brought to Nottingham."

A movement in the corner catches my eye. I look, but only see the dulcimer-playing bard, apparently intent on his instrument.

I pull down my poster, and all the rest with my E.L.F. friends' names and faces.

Fredericia catches my eye and waves. She follows her friend Octavia upstairs to the longboat, gesturing for Alice and me to follow. The dulcimer-playing bard and a barmaid with a tray of drinks come up after us.

The dark, cool air carries the fresh scent of the river. It really has been too long since I last slept.

Fredericia excitedly introduces us to Octavia Jibsheet, who grins and insists we enjoy some lager "on the house."

Fredericia laughs. "We're literally on top of the building!"

Octavia, Alice, Fredericia, and I all raise our cups together.

"To old friends and new," Octavia toasts.

"To old--" Fredericia and I start repeating the toast, but Alice takes a sip and immediately falls to the deck with a groan.

Fredericia gasps but I lose no time. I drop my cup, draw my daggers, and close in on Octavia.

The barmaid strikes me on the back with her tray. I stumble but regain my balance.

The dulcimer-playing bard starts a sea shanty, and Octavia's grin widens. She pushed her palm into my chest and unleashes a blast of boiling blue energy at me. Pain courses through my body.

Alice moans and pulls herself up to her unsteady feet.

Fredericia knocks the barmaid unconscious with the hilt of her shortsword.

I attack Octavia. She dodges well, but I still manage to slice her arm. She retaliated with another magical burst of pain.

I hear a cracking sound. The music stops. Alice stands over the unconscious bard and broken dulcimer.

"Octavia, how could you?" Fredericia demands. "We're friends. I trusted you!"

Octavia scoffs. "What did you expect? You threw in your lot with a band of merry criminals. The Fairy Godmother's bounties on the three of you add up to three thousand gold pieces!"

Fredericia's words take on the sharp edges of emotional weapons. "You've been twisted by greed, and you're a less worthy person for it."

Octavia's lip quivers.

I sidestep the confrontation and flank Octavia. She remains focused on Fredericia. Then I strike again. Octavia twists just in time to avoid the worst of the damage; my daggers rip her sleeves and leave her with superficial cuts.

"Evildoer, beware!" Alice proclaims. "Surrender, or in the name of the White Rabbit, I will smite you!"

Octavia raises her arms in a gesture of surrender. "Fine. Three thousand gold isn't enough to tempt me to die."

Tears slide down Fredericia's cheeks.

Alice gives me a questioning look.

"How did you fare?" I ask the paladin.

Alice answers, "Our cart is loaded and ready for us. I even got the outfit you asked for."

I nod. "Let's tie Octavia to the mast. That should give us enough time to get out of sight."

"Gladly," Fredericia says with a grim expression. She grasps Octavia's shoulder and steps towards the center of the ship.

Octavia whirls on Fredericia, her hands dancing in a strange spell. A glowing golden orb floats out of Fredericia's mouth. Octavia snatches it, stashes it in her apron pocket, and sprints to the edge of the longboat. She jumps.

I just barely notice Octavia's legs transform into strange, undulating octopus-arms as she disappears into the river.

Fredericia jumps next, her legs transforming into her scaled, iridescent fin as she dives.

I am no sea creature, but I can swim. I hurl myself over the edge of the longboat and plunge into the surprisingly cold river.

I can't keep up with my mermaid friend, but I make my way steadily upstream nonetheless. Fredericia catches up to Octavia and pulls on one of her sucker-covered arms. Their tussle slows them down enough for me to join the fray.

I can only manage one dagger while swimming. I draw and slash at Octavia. She dodges and hits me with one more blast of bright blue energy. Pain locks my limbs and I drop underwater.

Comforting hands pull me up the river bank. Fredericia slaps my back and water gushes out of my lungs. I cough and sputter.

"Did you get it back?" I ask.

She shakes her head.

"Oh no," I moan. "Fredericia. I'm so sorry. If you didn't have to save me, you could have--"

Fredericia places a finger gently on my lips to stop me from talking. Then she squeezes my shoulders affectionately and nods her head, as if to reassure me.

Guilt feels heavier than sinking into the river did.

"We'll get your voice back," I promise Fredericia.

She nods.

Hooves clop against the ground. accompanied by the sound of wooden wheels. Alice drives our cart up to us.

"Any luck?" she asks. "Sorry I couldn't come with you. The armor is a bit heavy for swimming."

Fredericia transforms her tail back into legs. We stand, our clothes dripping wet. She gestures at her throat, then up the river. Her hands move in an attempt to communicate something, but neither Alice nor I can determine her meaning. Eventually, she gives up. She sits heavily in the cart.

"I don't know if this is helpful. but…" Alice produces a small metal rectangle. "I found this in that dulcimer player's pocket. What do you think, Fred? Is it better than silence?"

Fredericia accepts the object and blows into it. It plays several pitches at once.

Fredericia rolls her eyes chuffs voicelessly. She nods and places a hand over her heart in a gesture of gratitude. It's clear to me that she is frustrated, but glad of Alice's services.

"Is that a 'harmonica?'" Alice asks. "I'd heard of them before, but never seen one or heard it played."

Fredericia nods. She sighs.

I climb into the cart. "Let's get back to camp," I suggest.

Alice drives.

We find Isobel, Marion, and Princess Blanche sleeping soundly by the fire. A nearby tree frog chirps in a welcoming way. I loom overhead and see Eliza shift from frog form to woman.

"I only just stayed my watch," the druid says. "Go ahead and get some rest."

Fredericia and I change into dry clothes. She throws herself down on her bedroll, sobbing soundlessly. I hang up our clothes to dry and sit with my back to a tree, unsure of how I could ever relax enough to sleep.

I quickly lose consciousness.

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To learn more about Mermaid Lulu, featured in the image at the top of this story, check out her page at https://www.facebook.com/TheMermaidLulu/

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