Marina Snaptail's Arc

Chapter 2 of 7

The morning after Marina got her provisional badge, three visitors turned away at the welcome arch before she could greet them. The fourth told her why. A merlizard in a black dress had stopped them on the coral road and warned them that the new Voice was a liar who sent guests into cursed waters. Marina thanked the visitor and swam behind the arch so no one would see her hands shake. She had one month to prove the badge belonged to her, and someone was burning her days down to hours. She went to Sister Liera Jura first, because the nun always told the truth and always knew who was lying. Marina found her feeding small fish outside the old chapel with the red spires. Marina told her about the whispers. Sister Liera listened, then folded her hands. "Nerilith has been near the chapel every night this week," she said softly. "She watches the door. I did not know why. Now I think I do." Marina understood then. Nerilith was not attacking her for sport. Nerilith was afraid Marina had learned something inside the chapel. Something about the world above. Marina had not, but Nerilith did not know that. Marina asked Sister Liera for one favor. She asked her to stand as witness. Then Marina swam to the pink obelisk on the coral road, the one visitors passed on their way in. Beside it stood a slim watch post shaped like a scaled eye on a pale stem. Guards used it to record complaints against guides. Marina pressed her badge to the base and waited. Nerilith arrived within the hour. She always did, when someone touched the eye. Nerilith came slow, careful, her dark tail cutting the current. "You called a guard post on me," she hissed. "That is a serious thing." Marina kept her voice level. "I know you are spreading lies. I also know why. You think I saw something in the chapel. I did not. Sister Liera answered the scholar. I only listened. If you keep talking, I will file the complaint, and the guards will ask what you are protecting. Then everyone will look at the chapel. Is that what you want?" Nerilith's eyes went very still. For a long moment the only sound was the soft murmur from a shallow pool of pink water nearby, its anemones swaying. Then Nerilith bowed her head one careful inch. "The whispers stop today," she said. "But you will stay away from the western door. That is my price." Marina nodded. Sister Liera watched, and said nothing, and that was enough to seal it. Marina swam back to the arch before noon. Two visitors waited. Neither had heard a bad word about her. She led them east, toward the safe districts, and kept her smile bright. The badge still sat on her chest. She had bought quiet. She had also promised, in front of a witness, to leave the chapel alone.