www.freeclassicebooks.com

you. I have not lived twenty-seven thousand years, Aquareine, without getting a

certain amount of wisdom, and I am more powerful than you suspect."

"You are a monster and a wicked magician," said the Mermaid Queen.

"I am," agreed Zog, "but I cannot help it. I was created part man, part bird, part

fish, part beast and part reptile, and such a monstrosity could not be otherwise

than wicked. Everybody hates me, and I hate everybody."

Why don't you kill yourself?" asked Trot.

I've tried that and failed," he answered. "Only one being in the world has power

to destroy me, and that is King Anko, the sea serpent."

Then you'd better let him do it," advised the little girl.

"No. Much as I long to die, I cannot allow King Anko the pleasure of killing me. He

has always been my worst enemy, and it would be such a joy to him to kill me

that I really cannot allow him. Indeed, I have always hoped to kill Anko. I have

now been three thousand six hundred and forty-two years, eleven months and

nine days figuring out a plan to destroy old Anko, and as yet I have not

discovered a way."

"I'd give it up, if I were you," advised Trot. "Don't you think you could get some

fun out of trying to be good?"

No!" cried Zog, and his voice was not so soft as before. "Listen, Aquareine, you

and your attendants shall be prisoners in this castle until I can manage to stop

you from living. Rooms will be placed at your disposal, and I wish you to go to

them at o nce, as I am tired of looking at you."

"You're no more tired than we are," remarked Trot. "It's lucky you can't see

yourself, Zog."

He turned his glowing eyes full upon her. "The worst of my queer body I keep

concealed," he said. "If ever you see it, you will scream with terror." He touched a

bell beside him, and the girl was surprised to find how clearly its tones rang out

through the water. In an instant the boy Sacho appeared and bowed low before

his dreadful master. "Take the mermaids and the child to the Rose Chamber,"

commanded Zog, "and take the old man-fish to the Peony Room."

Sacho turned to obey. "Are the outer passages well guarded?" asked the monster.

"Yes, as you have commanded," said the boy.

The Sea Fairies