"What kind of magic is that?" Daphne asked.
"It's not magic. It's called a Pocket Fisherman. I bought it on the Internet," Uncle Jake cast his line. "Spaulding knew what he was doing. Giving the blade to the Little Mermaid was a great way to hide it."
Every time they mentioned the Little Mermaid's name, Daphne jumped up in excitement, nearly capsizing the boat several times. She had seen a movie about the character at a friend's house when she was five and spent entire weekends in the bathtub trying to grow fins. Of all the Everafters in the town, Daphne wanted to meet the undersea princess the most.
"I bet we'll become best friends," Daphne said. "She'll invite me over all the time."
"Sure, who wouldn't want to spend all their free time at the bottom of the Hudson River?" Sabrina said. "Did you ever think that all of this is a wild-goose chase? We can't exactly breathe underwater."
"Don't worry, 'Brina," Uncle Jake said as he reeled in his line's slack. "I know someone who can help us with that."
It was several minutes before Sabrina noticed a tugging on the line.
"Looks like I've got a bite," Uncle Jake said, slowly and cautiously reeling his catch in. Suddenly, he pulled back hard on the rod, and from the tension in it, it seemed as if he had hooked a big one. The fish was strong. A few times Sabrina was sure the fishing rod would be ripped out of Uncle Jake's hands and dragged underwater, but her uncle was strong and soon he was pulling the fish onboard.
It was huge, probably weighing twenty pounds, with a white belly, gray skin, and a series of purple stripes on either side of its back. It flopped around on the bottom of the boat, smacking against the girls with its tail, and then it did something so shocking Sabrina nearly fell overboard.
"Jake Grimm!" the fish said in a gurgling voice. "You dirty, filthy, no good, pain in my fin! I should have known when I saw that lure that it was either you or your lousy brother!"
"How are you doing, Anthony?" Uncle Jake said as he set his rod into the boat. "I wish this could have been avoided, bud, but we need a bit of your special talents."
"You're a talking fish," Daphne said.
"And you're a master of the obvious," Anthony said. "Are these your kids, Jake? If this brood is the future of the Grimms, I suspect your family is in deep trouble. So, what do you want?"
"We're going to see the Little Mermaid and we need to be able to breathe underwater," Uncle Jake explained.
"Not a good idea!" the fish warned.
"It can't be avoided," Uncle Jake replied. "The mermaid's got something we need."
"She's in a foul mood lately. She's been particularly abusive to her staff. Half of them have been turned into fish sticks. If she kills you, don't come crying to me. I tried to warn you."
"Kills us?" Daphne cried. "That's crazy talk! The Little Mermaid would never kill someone. I know, I saw the movie!"
"She's mean!" Anthony said as he flopped around the boat. "Mean, I tell you!"
"Shut your mouth," Daphne cried. "I don't believe a word you say."
"Your funeral," the fish gurgled. "All right, Jake. You know how this works. Make your wish."
"Wait a minute. You grant wishes?" Sabrina interrupted.
"I'm a fish that talks and you're having trouble with me granting wishes?"
"Why are we wishing to be able to breathe underwater? Why don't we just wish we had all the pieces of the Vorpal blade? Why not avoid the headache!" Sabrina asked her uncle.
"Sorry kid, one wish per customer. I can't grant multi-part wishes," the fish said.
"Well, then I wish I had the Little Mermaid's part of the Vorpal blade," Sabrina said.
Just then, a seaweed-covered piece of metal materialized in Sabrina's hands. She picked off the slimy plants and smiled. Its jagged end would fit perfectly with the other piece of the sword.
"All right, Jake," the fish said. "I did my part. Now put me back in the water."
"I really appreciate your help," Uncle Jake said as he scooped the fish up and released him into the river. Anthony drifted back up to the surface and squirted water into Uncle Jake's face.
"Next time, put a worm on that hook. If I'm going to be put out, the least you could do is feed me!"
The fish dove under the waves and was gone while the family eyed their treasure with awe.
"That was easy enough," Sabrina said.
"Magic makes everything easier," Uncle Jake said.
Daphne shrugged. "Granny says there is always a price for using magic."
"Your grandmother just likes to do things the hard way," Uncle Jake said.
Suddenly, there was a mighty splash and a figure sprang out of the water. He was strong, with a barrel chest and big arms. His skin was green-tinged and he had kelp in his hair. He yanked an orange starfish from a belt around his waist and smacked it onto the top of Daphne's head. He snatched her in his arms and dragged her under the water.