I am told she is none other than Queen Aquareine. So I have a pretty
problem before me to invent some way to destroy the mermaids or put
them out of existence. And it will require some thought."

"Also, it will require some power you do not possess," suggested the
Queen.

"That may be," replied Zog softly. "But I am going to experiment,
and I believe I shall be able to cause you a lot of pain and sorrow
before I finally make an end of 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