Page 149 of Ice Kingdom
Ben hefted his son higher as though offering him to the leviathan’s jaws. Spencer opened his mouth and clapped his hands over his cheeks in a pretend scream. Fern took a few pictures and shook her head in exasperation. The boys laughed.
“Listen to this,” said Ben, reading the plaque. “‘The leviathan was said to play host to the soul of Eriana, goddess and discoverer of this island thousands of years ago. The chasm in the middle of the island formed when the earth split to release this ancient monster. Only by killing the monster could the soul of Eriana be freed, permitting the island to return to peace once more.”
“Who killed it?” said Spencer, eyes wide.
“Why don’t we keep looking and find out?” said Ben.
The family pushed through the crowd to see each exhibit, learning about the leviathan’s birth, reawakening, and death. They agreed to hike to Skaaw Beach later to explore the famous lava swells.
Though Spencer pretended not to care about mermaids, Ben caught a glint of awe in his eyes at the mention of pretty girls turning into sea demons.
Fern covered Spencer’s ears. “Ben, you’re going to give him a complex.”
Ben waved a hand. “It’ll give him a healthy respect for women.”
They left the museum and headed for the beach, where Blacktail and Tanuu were due to meet them with a picnic.
Spencer watched the kids playing in the water with open envy.
“I want to do that,” he shouted, pointing at a young couple parasailing.
Fern laughed. “One day.”
Ben couldn’t help thinking of the fishing trips he’d get to take his son on in a few years’ time.
Fern found a clear patch of beach and set up the blanket and umbrella while Spencer pulled out his toys.
As Ben wandered the shoreline, he watched the families swim in the cool Pacific water. Something caught his eye in the distance, and he stopped. Far across the waves, he swore he saw two women surface—one blonde, one dark. The faint sound of laughter carried towards him on the wind. But when he raised a hand and squinted out at them, he saw only waves.
Ben liked to believe in legends more often these days. He believed everything about this one. He believed a girl and a mermaid, through a stubbornness to believe anything but what their hearts told them, had made all of this happen.
Looking around at the smiling families, Ben decided he would live by their example. Because of them, the ocean was again free and pure, a place of innocent wonder. Eriana Kwai, this Pacific Northwest paradise, finally had the peace it deserved.
