Prologue

Light shimmered in the undersea cave, casting all the colours of the rainbow across the walls and the surface of the huge still pool in the centre. On a rock couch draped with seaweed and decorated with hundreds of shells sat Taran, self-proclaimed mermaid Queen. She was very beautiful, but there was a cruel edge to her lovely face as she gazed at the golden circlet that she held in her hands. She turned her head and stared haughtily down at her servant.

‘Well?’ she said. ‘What news have you brought?’

The servant, whose name was Tullor, hissed, ‘Your Majesty, the rumour is true – Morvyr's long-lost daughter has returned!’

‘Ah!’ Taran clenched her fists and leaned towards him. ‘And where is she now?’

‘At this moment the girl is with her mother and brother in a cave not far from the place where the human fishermen live. But there's more, Your Majesty. The girl-child has the silver pearl. I saw it with my own eyes – and I heard it sing!’

Taran's cold green eyes lit up. ‘This is far better than I expected! Well done, Tullor – I shall reward you! But first you must watch the girl, and follow her whenever you can. Make sure no one realizes what you are doing – especially those interfering dolphins!’ Her face darkened in a scowl, then the scowl was replaced with a cunning smile. ‘I have been patient for eleven years. I can be patient for a little while longer.’ Her face twisted threateningly. ‘Don’t fail, Tullor. I want that pearl, I must have it – at any cost!’

When Tullor had gone, Taran looked again at the golden circlet in her hands. Seven pearls were set into the circlet, and the mermaid stroked them hungrily.

‘Only seven,’ she muttered to herself. ‘Only seven. But soon I will have the eighth. Then there is only the black pearl to find – and when I have all nine, my power will be complete!’