He is jeered and scoffed at for his usual dithering. Gunther advocates for killing the creature, as it has become a nuisance. He offers to perform the duty himself. For a fee, of course. He will boil the bones down so they can be hung here in the church next to their relic of our sacred sea monster. Surely, the two are related, he says. The blacksmith is against this plan, advising that they keep the creature as a pet. Let people pay to see it, he says. The curious will fill our pockets with silver. Everyone wins.

Ulric, as the oldest fisherman in the village, and the most respected, declares that plan to be foolish. The mermaid is unnatural, an abhorrence to both God and man, and keeping it will only bring misfortune. He insists the creature be set free immediately. It is already wreaking havoc, he adds, noting how every maiden in the village is shirking her duty to come gaze at the mer-maiden. They practically worship it, he huffs.

The remaining councilmen, Bjarni, Clovis, and Sligo, are spineless reeds who sway with each argument, unable to make up their minds. The discussion grows animated, until my father steps in to put it to a vote. He lays out the choices and five of the seven hands rise in favor of allowing Gunther to gut the creature.

Tomorrow, the harpoonist will perform his duty and the nuisance will be over. Prefect Cornelius is still prattling on about seeking counsel from the palace, but no one is listening.

The wise men of Torgrimsvær shake hands and leave.

***

I am sick to my stomach. The mermaid is sentenced to death and her blood will be on my hands. Why did I tell Father? Had I expected him to be merciful? I should have kept the secret to myself. I should have told only Agnet like I had planned. At least I know she can keep a secret. Now, it is too late.

The candle flickers from a draft in the wall. Both siblings are in bed when I return, and father withdraws into his room. I shake my sister awake and tell her of the council’s decision. She sits up in alarm.

“We can’t just let them kill it,” I say.

“What are we to do about it? The men have made up their minds.”

The tallow flutters again. Pip purrs loudly in his cot.

“We are going to set it free.”

My sister won’t hear of it. “You want to go against Father? And the council? They’d put us in irons.”

“We have to, Bryndis. I am going to set it free, and you are going to help me.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Kaspar. Go to sleep.”