EFFECTS OF OPENNESS / CH. 23:HATHELLAH'S REQUEST

HIGH COUNCIL OF ATLANTIS, MONDAY, 3RD DECEMBER

“Last night, Hathellah announced her betrothal,” Karella informed the Council, “and with it makes her traditional request that the flags be flown.”

“Such a request has not been made for centuries,”

“We have thought Hathellah was no more for centuries,” Karella pointed out.

“Sorry, I mean it was not made a century before that!”

“And we treat our Outer Mer brethren so much better for it,” Karella said sarcastically. “I was on this council when it heard that boy say 'it doesn't matter if I hurt her feelings, what matters is she named me shark.' And this council had me listening to his thoughts, as he thought 'she's not one of us, she should be grateful we let her live here'. Who did he learn such poison from, councillors? Was I allowed to investigate? No, because it was felt him making himself sharkfood was enough punishment. Who let our greatest scientist, Boris Gravitymaster grow up thinking he was practically an outcast? Us! I say let the flags be flown and let us see the cracks in our society. Yesterday, our ambassador to Mars learned that her uncle, Boris' father, had the feet of Outer Mer, that her own mother Emilia Knife-teacher, considered herself Outer Mer. Why has it become a shameful thing to be Outer Mer, when it once was a thing of pride? Such a shameful thing that they feel they cannot even tell their children? The death of Hathellah the younger should not have meant that prejudice could grow rampant!”

“I concur. Let the flags be flown,” one council member said.

“And the meaning taught in schools, and song be sung. Let all Mer sing that those who bully Outer Mer are sharks,” another council member said.

“Do we need this discussion? Hathellah's request has never been refused. We can all guess what could follow if it were.”

“Yes, because our queen is right. We should not have let this custom die simply because Hathellah died. Nor, I believe should we have let centuries pass without checking to see if Hathellah was no more. The law states there can be only Hathellah the older and younger, and that none may take the choice from Hathellah. But the law does not say only Hathellah can choose Hathellah. If tragedy befalls Hathellah, and no heir is named, then I believe this council should name Hathellah. I believe the continued existence of Hathellah is required for the health of our people.”

“A vote on this matter?”

“Should we not consult Hathellah?”

“No,” Karella said, earning surprised looks. “For the unity of the mer, Hathellah laid down her crown. She has ceded rule to this council, I believe she will be glad not to have this weighty decision to face, and indeed that it will be a relief to her, that the council takes such a decision for the good of her people, and removes from her any onerous sense that she must continue the bloodline in the face of good medical advice. May it never need to happen, but I urge the council, pass this into law, swear that as long as Mer children are born with webbed and webbless feet, the rights of Hathellah will not be lost to the Outer Mer.”

“And if the Outer Mer should somehow come to dominate?”

“Let us trust that Hathellah will know what to do if the council rules with prejudice. On either side.”

“Let it be sworn.”

“Amen!” the elder of the council said, “I propose the wording be thus: 'If there are still Outer Mer and Inner Mer, and if there is but one Hathellah, and she dies without making a choice and without an heir then the council will seek out a female babe, descended from an earlier Hathellah, (once they have verified that no instruction had been given, unknown to the council) and that babe will be given the name Hathellah, so that the line and powers of Hathellah may continue, and prejudice not grow among us.' Who will vow to this?”

All around the table, all hands were raised.

The head of the council declared “The council will vow in unity and the oath will be recorded in the annals of the Mer. The request of Hathellah will be honoured, wholeheartedly with sorrow that it has been so long. Let flags be flown and the song be sung.”

“Does anyone know the tune?”

“We could just relay to the people the message from Boris. I assume there are mer in Atlantis who know the tune if there are on Mars.”

“I think, councillors,” the elder chided, “we're forgetting things. Her majesty is a witness, we need one more, and then we have a vow to take, do we not?”

“Lara Knifetongue waits outside,” Karella said.

“Excellent! Does she know of her future sister in law's request?”

“She said nothing to me of it,” Karella said, “she only spoke of their engagement.”

“Please call her in to hear the council's oath. Perhaps she will also be willing to ring the great bell of our city to mark its swearing, and she might even know the tune.”

“I have heard it sung on the message,” Karella said, “I would be happy to play or sing with her.”

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COUNCIL TOWER, ATLANTIS, MONDAY 3RD DEC

In case people hadn't heard the chimes of the bell, Karella added her own call to all able to hear: [The great bell rings, merfolk of Atlantis. Stop your work and your play! Listen to the oath of the council!]

Silence followed the deep resonating note of the bell. And then loudspeakers across the city relayed Lara's voice.

“I, Lara Knifetongue, speak as witness to the oath of the council.”

“I, Karella Farspeaker, stand as witness to the binding oath of the council.”

Lara then read the words of the oath, repeating them so they could be remembered. Then Karella gave the explanation, that Hathellah's perceived passing had let prejudice grow.

“I also bring joyful news.” Lara continued, “My brother Boris Gravitymaster now has a new name. Boris has been given the name Hathellah-chosen, a name he claims with joy, for while he still feared to ask her what was on his heart — that she agree to be his wife — Hathellah declared by her own authority that she had chosen him as future husband. And he reminds us that this shows Hathellah is not afraid to make decisions others fear.”

Karella said, “And on this day when we celebrate Hathellah's choice of a husband, she makes the request tradition dictates: let flags be flown to show her if her people are governed without prejudice!”

Lara read of the tradition, as laid down in the archives. And while she was reading, Karella played softly, and as Lara finished reading, she thought once more to the Mer. [Let all who know the song 'Hathellah's choice', play and sing. It has been forgotten by many, but celebrates our three thousand years of unity.]

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EMBASSY OF THE RESTORED KINGDOM, ATLANTIS, MONDAY 3RD DEC

A deep booming sound resounded though the city “Anyone know what's that sound might be?” Harry asked, coming out of his office.

“My guess is great bell of Atlantis,” Sue replied, “Either the council's taken an oath or other big news.”

“Oh. Would Boris and Hathellah getting engaged count?” Harry asked.

“Pass. Oh! Karella says listen to the Council's oath. I wish I understood more Mer so we could.”

“Me too. Hey, that's Lara's voice!” Harry said.

“And Karella's,” Sue added.

“I'm hearing a lot about Hathellah,” Harry said.

“And the council, and lots of hypothetical stuff.”

“Is Atlantis under attack, Maam?” one of the sailors asked.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“No, but the High Council's taken a formal oath. Only happens a few times a century.”

“Lara's starting again.” Harry said.

“Right,” Sue said, looking around, “any Mer-speakers around who can tell us what's going on?

“Don't you speak Mer, Maam?”

“Not this formal mode stuff, no.” Her wrist unit buzzed with a message.

“Ah ha! Message from the council to all embassies: no panic, 'Hathellah, princess of the Outer Mer, has announced her choice of Boris Gravitymaster as her future husband, and the High Council has agreed to her traditional request that Outer Mer make themselves known and fly a red or blue flag depending on their experience of prejudice. The council has also vowed that, should Hathellah ever die without choosing an heir, it will choose an heir for Hathellah, so prejudice will not rise.' So there you have it.”

“I'm confused, Maam,” the sailor said, “'Should Hathellah ever die without choosing an heir?' Is that just bad English?”

“Not if you know Hathellah is a title,” Sue said. “Harry, I think I'd better go talk to some sailors before they get nervous.”

“Good idea.”

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YOUNG HOUSEHOLD, MARS, THURSOL 4TH DEC, 6PM

“Hathie, I'm not sure if you've heard their reply unofficially, but I present an official reply from the High Council of Atlantis,” Ruth said.

“I've not heard anything at all.”

“Oooh goody!” Ruth said, with a grin.

“Why is it good that I've been left not knowing at all what's happening?”

“Hathellah, princess,” Ruth said, “At your request on this happy occasion, yesterday the call was made for flags to be flown. Additionally, the song 'Hathellah's choice' was sung from the tower of the high council, by Lara Knifetongue and Karella Farspeaker, Queen of all Mer. All children will learn that song, and the council regrets the passing of its wise words from many memories. Furthermore, while none may take from Hathellah the right of naming her successor, it was pointed out that the law is silent on what should happen if Hathellah does not so name, and has no natural heir, and dies before her time. And as prejudice has increased in the time that Hathellah was thought gone from among us, the council has vowed this will not happen again, and that if Hathellah cannot name an heir, the council will, for as long as there are Outer Mer and Inner Mer. And should the time come when Inner Mer are at risk of prejudice, the council trusts that Hathellah will still fight for equality of all.”

“How could she not? Hasn't an oath been sworn?” Hathellah asked. “Oh, but you have not read the archive of Hathellah, so you do not know, and I suppose the council does not know either. So I'm gratified to learn the council feels like that.”

“An oath has been sworn? Who by?”

“Surprisingly enough, her name was Hathellah,” Hathie said.

“You amaze me,” Ruth laughed.

“She was Hathellah the nice of Hathellah the younger who died, whose little brother was born with webbed feet, and was called frog-boy and freak by his classmates. Thus, she wrote that she saw the potential for prejudice either way, and took a vow that Hathellah would always do what she could to combat racial prejudice against any Mer.”

“Does my father know?”

“He should. He's working his way through the archive, and that was one of the earliest entries.”

“Hmmm. OK, I'll ask him to confirm that he has seen it and ensure it is archived at Atlantis.”

“Not just archived, Ruth. I think it should be taught, when children learn about Hathellah. Hathellah may be princess of outer Mer, but I would not object to any Mer seeing an appeal to Hathellah as a possibility if no others will listen to accounts of racial discrimination. I do not see such a situation as likely but let the oath be known.”

“I will be proud to call you sister-in-law, Hathellah.”

“I'm happy to be getting you as a sister-in-law too, Ruth. But can I admit some curiosity about that secret little side pool where we found you two? Ursula seemed really excited, and your parents obviously recognised what it was for.”

“So they should,” Ruth said, “since Dad sent me the plan.”

“What is it?”

“It will eventually have a lockable water-proof door, to shut it off from the outside, a pump to drain it entirely, an air supply, and beams to support a floor above the water. If it has a walking-door, then that will connect to an airlock to the outside, for a midwife. Personally, I'd prefer to have a midwife come by boat, but I expect my mum will overrule me.”

“So it's a birthing pool, not a honeymoon-retreat?”

“A secluded spot, away from noise and hassle, for absolute privacy and no interruptions. Be that for giving birth or midwife-checkups or intimate discussions, but also for prayer meetings and loving and honeymoons. In other words, it's a place for escaping and concentrating on one thing. And yes, of course you and Boris may swim off there and lock the door behind you after your wedding, as long as you don't go planning anything stupid like a double wedding.”

“An inner sanctum.”

“Good description. In Mer it's called a sneaky side-tunnel. Oh, and I'm keeping Robert curious about it.”

“Any particular reason?”

“Not really. But it works.”

“It works?”

“You lot made a lot of noise when you came in, and I don't think you heard us talking, did you?”

“No. You were talking?”

“The shape of the walls means sound gets in, but not so much out.”

“So even without the door it makes a good spot for sneaky kisses and cuddles?”

“And that's one reason that I'm not telling Robert all about it.”

“I don't understand.”

“So far he knows that much. Think of it as... a gradual unwrapping of a mystery. I think we'll have a prayer meeting there next, once we've got the floor in. Oh, you were going to tell me about unconventional delivery techniques.”

“I hoped they were going to let Boris sit in a big pool, to avoid the pain, but I hadn't given him the mermaid's kiss before then. I didn't want him to go under and have to explain why he wasn't able to stay under for fifteen minutes. And he couldn't sit up to drink.”

“So you poured it down his nose?” Ruth asked.

“No! I just urm... kissed him with a full mouth.”

“Somehow, that seems rather gross,” Ruth said.

“I know. It does to me in retrospect. I meant to give him some more on the way home, just to make sure he'd had enough. But, urm, we got distracted.”

“Just like me, I've got a bit more of my message to tell you.”

“Oh! Go ahead,” Hathie said.

“Happily there are lots of blue pennons, but sadly, there were some red pennons too. The council is trying to prioritize them. A blue pennon also flies from the embassy of the Restored Kingdom, and there have been sightings in various land-folk cities also. Plus, of course, there are four flying on our embassy here on Mars.”

“Four?”

“Boris, Ursuala, my mother, and me.”

“Oh! Why do I keep forgetting you've decided you're Outer Mer?”

“Because you think it's a decision thing, maybe? Impetuous ought to be part of my name, and people kept asking me, when I was younger and did typical Ruth things, 'are you sure you don't have Outer Mer blood? You've got to be Outer Mer, surely?' And I replied that I didn't think I did. But I obviously never asked my parents.”

“Oh. I didn't think impetuous was that much of a marker.”

“No? You don't think it's a bit impetuous to give a man just out of anesthesia a dose of mermaid's kiss mouth to mouth?”

“Karella told me it wouldn't harm him.”

“So... how long did you think about it?”

“I didn't much.”

“Impetuous princess of an impetuous people, see?”

“Ruth, there's hardly any Mer blood in my veins.”

“How far away do you hear decisions?”

“OK, yes, I've got a range like someone with the pain, which I guess is Mer-like, isn't it?”

“If you've got that range and not got the pain, then yes, that's very Mer. And you like swimming.”

“Of course.”

“And from what I've seen, you can be as impetuous as most Outer Mer I know. How good is your memory?”

“For songs and stories? Great.”

“So, the only real issue is whether you can hear fish, isn't it? And that takes practice, and there have been Mer kids with a bit too much land-folk blood who've not been able to.

“Not to mention speaking Mer and swimming in scale,” Hathie said.

“Neither of those will make you Mer, Hathie. There have been land-folk given the name mer-friend over the years who could do those things.”

“Then what will?” Hathellah asked, plaintively.

“You are Mer, Hathellah granddaughter of Hathellah, granddaughter of Hathellah for three thousand years.”

“But I don't feel Mer. I can't do Mer things, I can't speak Mer. I constantly feel like I'm a fake.”

“Hathie, shut your eyes.”

“Why?”

“I want to try something.”

“Fine. What?”

“I've just taken a half-litre water bottle from my bag.”

“I believe you.”

“Good. Now, I want you to focus your ears on it. I'm bringing it closer, and taking it further away. Do you hear me doing that?”

“I hear you moving.”

“Good.”

“No, I mean I hear your feet.”

“Of course you do. Now, what I'm going to do is swing it slowly around and at some point I'm going to toss it past you onto your bed.”

“And you think I'm going to be able to judge its trajectory from your thoughts, or something?”

“No, because I'm going to have my thoughts hidden. All I want you to do is think to yourself how nice it would be to catch it. Don't try to work out how to catch it, just think, it's not going to hurt if I do catch it and Boris would be so happy if I tell him and those sort of positive thoughts about catching it, OK?”

“You want me to brain-wash myself that I can?”

“No, just think positive thoughts about how nice it would be to be an instinctive hunter of fish and small green plastic bottles.”

“Any reason for it to be green?”

“None at all, just that's its colour.” Ruth let the bottle sail over Hathie's head.

A second later, Hathie was looking at the bottle in her hand in shock. “How?”

“You don't think a bat catches bugs by thinking 'ok, well, I'm closing at ten metres a second and it's three meters away at ten degrees left,' and so on do you? We're talking low down, direct connections here. I tell you, do this enough and you'll find it's really hard to not grab at things that size, unless you've decided they're dangerous.”

“I'm Mer?”

“Ever spot a land-person able to do that?”

“It's impossible!”

“No it's not. You've got the range, woman. That means your hearing is well into the ultrasound frequencies. It might not be conscious, but you've probably been using your ears to help you catch things for years. It's part of what makes us Mer apex predators. Your hands were reacting every time I brought the bottle near, by the way.”

“How? How can I be this Mer after so many generations?”

“Why not? It's always been true that Mer genes are dominant. Be interesting to see if your father can do this.”

“Dad can't hear thoughts.”

“No, well, everyone knows that sometimes skips a generation or two. I presume you're feeling like a real mermaid now? Shall we tell Boris?”

“He might not think that's a good thing. Have you heard Boris' rant about mermaids abusing their knives?”

“Only about five times.”

“So... why do you whittle steel with your knife?”

“Because whittling steel impresses people and so prevents fights, I'm not ever going to be a surgeon, and I'm not convinced that having a knife that will cut the finger-tip off some child who accidentally touches the business end is actually that good a thing.”

“Ah. So there is a good reason,” Hathie said.

“I think so.”