[mark12_30]

Gamba stared, mouth open and holding his breath, and strained his eyes in the dim twilight. The voice was deep and resonant like a man; he had never heard of a man swimming up this river. But the guards had all been changed, and who was to know what strange habits they had-- or new assignments? Was this some sort of trap? Panic rose in his stomach and he fought it down, trying to buy time.

"Why-- thank you," he replied. "I-- I can't remember the other two verses, " he confessed, feeling sheepish in the midst of his panic. "I'm sorry." And I wouldn't sing them for you until I knew who you really were, he thought, and added awkwardly, "I didn't expect anyone to be here."

Wafting down the tunnel, a small voice was heard saying "Loremaster is gone. Come on, one more round! It's not that dark yet." Another replied, "I can hardly see! I don't want to bash into the walls." And a third: "It's not your turn anyway. It's my turn!"

Gamba desperately searched his mind for small talk, fearful for the children, wondering if this was a guard, what he would do. Why hadn't the children left yet? It was late, and they should be in bed. He fidgeted and studied the dripping face in front of him, and opened his mouth. "What's your name, sir?"

"Levanto," languidly replied the melodious voice. "And may I have the pleasure of your name, young sir?"

"Gamba. You can't really be Levanto," Gamba replied.

"Oh? And why not?"

"You're no merman. You have feet," Gamba replied. "And that was years and years ago."

Levanto studied Gamba. Much time had passed. What did these little folk remember? A lot, perhaps, he reflected, thinking of the many songs that Kali knew. But there were more important matters at hand. "Time is less of an impediment than one of your tender years might think, little Gamba. And although I may be like you in some ways, perhaps in many ways, let me assure you with the gravest sincerity, that as a matter of verifiable fact, I do not have feet."

With a luxuriating stretch that rolled along the length of his spine and continued through to his fins, Levanto casually flicked his flipper-tail up to the right, waved it a little, and then gave the water a playful smack, sending dark droplets all over Gamba. "There, you see. No feet. Now, do you have any other reasons to question that my name is indeed Levanto?"

Levanto was temporarily gratified by Gamba's stunned silence as the boy rose to his feet gaping. Several issues, incuding several of his dreams, pressed into the boy's mind clamoring for attention, but one, driven by weeks of daydreaming and desire for escape from the death and darkness, came to the top, and the boy thrust the rest aside. Levanto was quite unprepared for the next question that came in a quavering, emotion-packed voice. "Then-- then--- tell me. Was she really as beautiful as they say? In the starlight? Was she? Tell me. Tell me all about her."

And suddenly a chorus of voices began.

"Levanto, Levanto,
Silly, sorry merman, He!
Pursuing Piosenniel
Away across the sea."

There was enough light for Gamba to see the merman's jaw drop open.

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]