Forbid the Sea is a short story written by Seanan McGuire, originally published for free on her website in 2013. It is the second story in the Tybalt Shorts.
"Forbid the Sea" is best read after "Rat-Catcher," although it can be considered a standalone. It does not contain direct spoilers for the main series, but will have the most emotional impact if you have read through at least book five.
| “ | ...you may as well forbid the sea for to obey the moon... | ” |
Author's Summary[]
For ten years, the young King of Cats known throughout the Kingdom of Londinium as Tybalt—once known to family and friends as "Rand," a gentle Prince who had never aspired to the throne—had ruled his Kingdom alone, refusing to let any other of his kind enter the city while it is in his care. But even a King can get lonely...
When Tybalt meets a Selkie stranger named Dylan, it seems almost inevitable that they should become entangled with each other—the lonely King and the man without friends or family in London were virtually designed to be together. But sadly, designs can only hold for as long as they are left alone, and when the Undersea inevitably arrives looking for their missing son, Tybalt will have to choose. His Kingdom, or Dylan?
Either way, he loses.
Plot[]
Ten years into a solitary kingship of the Court of Fogbound Cats, Tybalt charms a dockworker for an easy dinner, then overpays a frightened barmaid for more human food. He meets Dylan, a newly made Selkie, and they recognize their mutual attraction. Tybalt brings Dylan back to London where they spend several months enjoying each other's company, though Tybalt lets Dylan think that he is just plain Rand. Then, messengers from the Kingdom of Londinium summon Dylan to court and Tybalt learns that Dylan stole the Selkie-skin he wears, ignoring its expected line of possession. Dylan tricks Tybalt into leaving him alone with his accusers, who drown him and reclaim his pelt as punishment. One of the accusers, Dylan's own mother, passes on Dylan's final apology to Tybalt.
Characters[]
- Tybalt, also called Rand: King of Fogbound Cats; rules with no subjects
- Dylan, also called Bradwr: a newly-made Selkie
- Molly: a human serving girl
- King Heydon and Queen Lettice of Londinium
- Four Cambrian Selkie guards
- Russell: a sailor
Mentioned[]
Places[]
- London
- Kingdom of Londinium
- Court of Fogbound Cats
- The docks
- Fishing village
Mentioned[]
- Cambria
Quotes[]
- "That is the true difficulty of the line where Faerie meets the mortal world: so often, the stronger side treats unfairly with the weaker, and then cannot understand it when the weaker side grows restless and resentful."
External References[]
| Tybalt Shorts |
|---|
| A King Without a Court |
| Remembering to Rule |
| Caring for Cailin |
| September |
| Hero's Quest |
| Court of Silver |