The Dominant Species -
19
I told my parents that I have been thinking about a certain topic and I will continue to think about it, but that I would like to know what they had to say about it.
“Caleb has a spell that could turn merpeople into humans and he wants us to use our magic along with that of the humans to fight off the creatures and save the human race,” I announced.
“Tell us about the creatures,” Dad said.
“They’re big, shaped like gorillas and they’re strong. They have good senses, but a very good sense of smell. They each feed on one human a day. But they usually avoid the desert.”
“Why?”
“Because they need lots of freshwater to live.”
“Couldn’t humans just live in the desert to stay away from them?” Mom asked. “Humans have thought of that, but they also need lots of freshwater. Since they can’t stay away from it, they wouldn’t be able to stay away from the creatures.”
My parents looked thoughtful for a minute.
“So, what do you want to do?” Mom asked me.
“I want to recruit as many merpeople as possible for this task. And I want to join them.”
Mom stared at me in horror.
“What?!” Dad exclaimed.
“You want to fight these creatures?” Mom asked.
“Yes.”
“Clara, don’t be unreasonable.”
“How am I being unreasonable?”
“Because you’re going to fight creatures that are clearly too dangerous. You could get killed.”
“I have magic. Besides, I won’t be the only one who will fight them.” “I still think it’s too dangerous.”
“I want to help humans.”
“Maybe you could help them some other way like giving them the land they want.” “But then they would be stuck there,” I argued.
“What do you mean?” Dad asked.
“They would have to stay on this land in order to remain safe. They wouldn’t be able to explore the world like we can. And I think in a few years there might be too many humans for all of them to fit in that one place.”
Mom thought again. Like me, she didn’t want another species to suffer so we could get what we wanted. But she still wanted to protect me, so she kept arguing.
“Maybe other merpeople could handle it,” Mom suggested.
“Like who?” I asked.
“Maybe we could find someone who has used their magic in combat and knows how to do it right.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Well, then let’s do that,” Dad said.
He also looked relieved.
“I will look for merpeople who fit that description, but I will also hire someone to teach me how to use my magic in combat.”
“Clara...,” Mom began, exasperated.
“Mom, I’m not stupid. I won’t go into a fight without knowing what to do.”
“You would have to study this for a long time before you go into battle.”
“I know.”
“You won’t rush into this?” Dad asked.
“I won’t.”
My parents still looked worried, but they didn’t say anything. I think it made them feel better knowing I would get some training before facing the creatures. Still, I thought they might argue with me about this again repeatedly later.
“And in the meantime, I’m giving the humans the space they want,” I said. “Why?” Dad asked.
“So they would have a place to be safe, while we learned how to use our magic against the creatures.”
“That’s a good idea,” Mom agreed.
“Luther was already on my side when I talked to my advisors about this. And yesterday we’ve managed to convince Brianna and Henry.”
“I’m glad,” Mom said, patting me on the arm.
“And I think humans should keep that land because it would be theirs, once they’ve lived in it.”
“Is there some way the humans could get rid of the creatures without us?” Mom pressed.
“No. Humans have been trying for centuries and the only way to eliminate the danger completely is to eliminate the creatures completely.”
“Don’t they have soldiers?”
“Yes, but not enough.”
Mom looked at me with love and worry.
“Why aren’t the other merpeople our allies?” I asked.
“This has been the case for thousands of years,” Mom reminded me. “When the merpeople became so many it was hard to stay friends with everyone.”
“I don’t like that,” I admitted. “If we’re going to have humans as our allies, then merpeople should also be our allies.”
“Are you planning on changing that?” Dad asked.
“I need to think about that too and discuss it with my advisors, but I’m thinking it’s a good idea.”
“Be careful,” Mom warned. “And think very well about your arguments because it won’t be easy to change something that has lasted for millennia.” “I think I’m up for it.”
“You absolutely are.”
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