"I bring them to you because you are stupid and stubborn." Varya's chin lifted in defiance. "And you will hear what the Triton has to say if you value the lives of our people."

Varya's father bared his fangs. "You bring them because you know we forbid violence this sacred night. I will not forgive this betrayal."

From behind her, Bastian could see Varya's tail tremble. It was slight, but definite. In their entire journey, Bastian had never seen Varya afraid before. Even when Arsenius had been on the verge of striking her, she had been calm and collected. It bothered Bastian to see her afraid of her own father.

He took a deep breath, and rose above Varya in the water. Bastian ignored the pack leaders stopping motion and swam until he was only five hands from him. Up close, Rodion was even bigger and tougher looking. Scars, old and new, crisscrossed his flesh from his neck down to his tail. Corded muscles rippled whenever he moved, and his eyes were full of violence.

Bastian wanted to fold in on himself when he looked into the Selachs eyes. Instead, he remembered the pain of losing his mother. He would not let her die for nothing. "My name is Bastian. I am the Triton of the Naiads, and you will hear what I have to say." Despite his misgivings, his voice was strong and loud. He could feel the other Selachs leaning closer to hear him.

"And if I ignore you?"

"Then you will face my wrath." Bastian's eyes lit with silver light. He may have lost the Ocean's pearl in Atlantis, but he still carried Selene's grace within himself. A hush fell over the Selachs, and they looked to their leader.

Rodion suddenly looked interested. "What is it that you have come all this way for?"

Bastian gritted his teeth. "My people. I came here to forge peace between our clans, so that no more blood should be shed among us."

"Peace?" Rodion snarled. "Why should we do such a thing?"

"Have you not lost people to this war?" Bastian knew the answer, but he needed to prove a point.

"Those people died glorious deaths, and are now honored in our sagas. A warrior's death is celebrated, if they die honorably."

Barbaric. Bastian resisted the urge to look away from Rodion. He wracked his brain for everything Varya had said about her people and snagged on an idea. "Then you will cease this war between us for a simpler reason. I am stronger than you."

A ripple of unease spread through the Selachs. Rodion looked murderous.

"You? You are a mere guppy. Not even full grown."

"I am the Triton. I carry the power of our goddess within me. You will submit to my demands, or I will unleash a power like none you have ever seen before." Bastian hoped desperately that Rodion would not demand more of a display of power.

Rodion glared at Bastian, but he did not immediately decline Bastian's offer. Instead, he actually looked like he was thinking it over. Tension filled the water. Bastian felt like a million years had passed. Finally, Rodion spoke.

"What is to be gained from this for us? You will not demand something for nothing."

Bastian tried not to do a victory wiggle. "Your people will have access to Naiad lands for trading. We grow food and farm fish aplenty, and the Selkies and Undine trade us items of their own making as well."

Rodion stayed silent.

"And you will have the same protections that we offer to those clans. If your tribe is ever attacked, you will have our forces at your side. You will have safety from my power, and all those of my line, unless you break our peace."

Rodion wrinkled his nose.

"And you will have access to our weapons smiths as well."

Finally, Rodion held out a claw to Bastian. "For all this, we will offer peace with your people. Unless you break your word."

Bastian took Rodion's offered hand. Silver light flared from around Bastian, and the statue of Selene beneath him reflected the glorious light.

Suddenly, the ocean erupted with magical power. 

It rocked the water and shoved at all of the merfolk with sheer force. A pillar of light appeared from the East. Nereus was alight with power that could only be one thing. Bastian felt his heart sink.

Uncle Arsenius, what have you done?