The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1)

by Jennifer W Smith

  Sorrow flooded her. She had crossed an ocean, a realm, to find him. As fate played its cruel hand, she’d have to give him up.

  Several days later, Harmony met with Finn in a private room within the library, hoping to convince him to return with her. Where would he ultimately feel at home? Before she could say all she wanted to, Calder appeared in the doorway.

  “Here you are. I’ve got something for you, Harmony.” He handed her a tin similar to the one she found in the wall at the Wentworth. “Whatever you can do to keep this land at peace is greatly appreciated, although I fear this may be in vain. We will pray to Suijin to help us if Nakoma decides to strike our villages.”

  Kodiak entered and looked at the tin she held. Tension filled in the air.

  “It’s ready. But I want to say good-bye to my family.” Harmony gulped, melancholy bubbling inside her.

  Calder added, “The council has agreed to establish negotiations with Nakoma’s council. We are preparing to send a messenger. Our citizens are organizing a tribute to appease Suijin. Prayers are already underway.” He turned to Finn. “What have you decided? Do you want to return with Harmony?”

  Cringing at the desperation in her voice, she had to ask, “Calder, are you sure only Linkers can cross? Has any regular clan person ever done so from this side of the realm?”

  Calder smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Harmony, but I have never read about a regular citizen crossing realms. I do not know if it’s possible.”

  Moved by Harmony’s disappointed face and her brokenhearted husband looming at her side, Finn said, “I’ll go with you Harmony. See what the other realm has to offer. I can always journey back here, right?”

  “These herbs do not burn away and can be used again, many times,” Calder confirmed.

  Harmony’s eyes grew round at this news. This left her options open, even if the crossing wasn’t something she ever wanted to experience again.

  Calder cautioned, “Traveling through the portal is dangerous. It shouldn’t be done too many times. I know from experience. I have gone through more times than anyone I know, and several times I suffered physically with massive headaches for weeks, to the point of being bedridden.”

  Although she hadn’t experience any physical symptoms as Calder described, her fear of deep water was enough to make her stomach cramp.

  “Well, I’ll gather the others to say good-bye, if you are ready.” At her solemn nod, Calder shuffled from the room.

  Finn, who was leaning against a table, straightened. He thumbed toward the exit. “I’ll wait for you out there.”

  Turmoil expanded within Kodiak as he tried to decipher his feelings. He pulled her into his arms and planted a soft kiss on her mouth, but like a knife twisting in his gut; it forced him to admit what he really felt. He didn’t want her to go, but it was out of his control.

  When he lied to Nakoma, pretending he was involved with Harmony, he thought, This is just a lie. When he’d gone through with the ceremony, he thought, This is just pretend. When he was overcome with passion for her, he thought, This is just desire. When she stood here before him, about to give him his freedom back, he thought, I love this woman.

  29

  In two weeks’ time, Nakoma efficiently moved an army of two hundred hunter-warriors east to the coast. They secretly trained in combat for years during their sequenced hunting excursions. She rotated the units into an underground facility up the falls, where they were instructed by one with knowledge of war: Gale the Linker. Although Gale never showed himself to the tribesmen who had ultimately banished him, he used hunters from southern villages to instruct them. The elite trained there, while many others trained in the south. Gale’s trusted warriors, Umiko and Taura, helped orchestrate the training and the correspondence between himself and the chieftain. They played a critical role. They were close friends with Finn—designed to spy on him.

  Once Finn revealed his ability to control the weather, Nakoma sought the old Linker. He’d been right; Finn turned out to be quite special and it was time to move forward with his old plans to give her ultimate rule over all the Aquapopuleans.

  Nakoma mindlessly stroked the neck of her giant lion as the advancing tribe made its way into the coastal town. She considered how Finn was instrumental in her future plans. Over the years, she became wise to what Gale had seen in this boy. He was smart, a fast learner, and capable of handling himself in a variety of situations. Taken from his home and brought into an unknown culture of big cats and water god worshipers, eventually, he found comradeship with tribesmen who taught him their trades and skills. Finn advanced, making and bettering hunting spears. He excelled in tracking and communal hunting. But it wasn’t until he reached manhood that his spectacular ability began to blossom. Finn was a force to be reckoned with, but she was confident she could control him. She couldn’t let him abandon the tribe. His control over the weather allowed them access to rain for crops and replenishing the lakes and pools, making their lives comfortable; he was essential. His ability alone was vital in convincing the people to desist worshipping the water god. And Harmony’s abilities to combat the god couldn’t be timed more perfect. If they leave this realm together, Nakoma thought with malice, I will be powerless to change anything. They are the tools we need to enact our vision of a new world.

  The coastal villagers watched in fear as Nakoma and her legion of tattooed warriors and big cats paraded into town. The men carried hunting weapons and rode on elks decorated with war paint. The elaborate head adornments worn by the tribal women gave them a mythical look as they sat astride their snarling felines.

  Upon seeing the invading Forest Tribe, villagers took their children into their boats and rowed a safe distance into the harbor. The clans had never seen a battle or experienced war, but read about them in human history lessons. Sensing danger from the trespassers, they gathered fishing spears and knives before escaping into the harbor.

  The occupants of the Wellness dashed inside for safety while Morie rushed out to defend her territory. Nakoma crossed the bridge to the island and her cat leaped up the hill to take a menacing stance in front of the grand vestibule. The tribe members fell in around her, filling the road and spilling into the grass.

  “I am Nakoma, chieftain of the Forest Tribe. I want to speak to Calder the Linker,” Nakoma demanded.

  “I am Morie, the keeper of Wellness. Would you like to come inside?” Morie’s posture was rigid and her voice sounded sharp, her fear barely hidden.

  Before Nakoma could respond, Calder stepped out with hands held up in peace, his face grim. Nakoma raised a dark brow. She hadn’t seen him in a very long time. He aged significantly since then. This old man held knowledge he kept from his own people about the human realm. Gale and Calder had served the same master—and her Linker enlightened her on many things. When she had told Gale about a human girl in her city with the ability to burn sirens with her touch, his wicked smile was followed by a master plan.

  Calder faced the chieftain. “Nakoma, there will be consequences for your actions. You’re responsible for the murder of my granddaughter Binda, the next-generation Linker for our clan. And Finn has informed us about your expectations for a high salt price and labor adjustment. I’ve spoken to our council and we will negotiate, but only after you’ve been punished.”

  “The time for negotiation is over. And as for crimes—I have the authority to decide what must be done. I demand Finn and Harmony are returned to me immediately. Turn them over, Linker, and your people will not suffer.” She swung her long, muscular leg over her lion’s back and sprang down. Her fur-clad knee-high boots crunched on the pebbles and broken shells that surfaced the road. Her narrowed gaze scanned the windows and she glared at the white faces, which all withdrew when her eyes probed them.

  Harmony stood with Finn and Kodiak at the window, watching Nakoma intimidate the gentle population.

  Finn growled, “If we leave she will destroy them. I can’t create a storm to ward them off without en
dangering the coastal families.”

  Finn’s handsome face darken with determination, his eyes narrowed, calculating. Indeed he looked the predator. Finn’s earlier words replayed in Harmony’s mind: “Run from here… You’ll lose your humanity.”

  “You need to go. Use the herbs. I want you to be safe.” Kodiak announced, catching Harmony’s attention. “I will go down and do what I can to help Calder.”

  It seemed Kodiak was prepared to let her go, but Harmony felt only panic at the thought of leaving him. Was this really it—was her time here over? She wouldn’t get to say good-bye to Rio, Nami, and Calder—another family lost?

  “Hold on,” Finn interrupted. “I will go down and agree to travel back with Nakoma—if she lets Harmony go and agrees to leave the clans alone. When the time is right—I will do what I have to. She needs to be taken down.”

  Finn’s unselfish words drew her to his side, yanking at his arm. “What? Finn, no! There must be another way.”

  He pulled her close and forced her to look up at him. “Go through the portal and do what you can.” His eyes rove over her face. “Harmony, the tribe is my family. I’m needed there. I will do what I have to do to protect everyone.”

  What did that mean for Finn’s humanity? How would these people be safe unless he eliminated Nakoma and her followers? He admitted his soul had darkened. But surely there would be no coming back from killing them all. She knew—she’d killed, and she still struggled with it. Harmony’s stomach churned. Had her coming here ended the peace and driven Nakoma to act? Although hating what Finn said, she understood. Slipping her arms around his waist, she hugged him fiercely. She felt him drop a kiss on the top of her head.

  “Be ready.” Finn pulled away and indicated the herbs safely tucked into her bag. And then he turned to Kodiak and said, “You should go with her. She needs you.” He left them alone.

  Harmony moved back to the window, tears in her eyes. Kodiak was behind her within a moment, his hands on her shoulders.

  Harmony was infuriated. “This was Finn’s chance to go home. Nakoma is taking his life away—again!”

  ***

  Finn noticed Calder’s surprise at his arrival, but Nakoma flashed a triumphant smile. Her smile faded as she waited for Harmony to appear. Finn strode toward her, waving to the others, hoping his relaxed approach would put them at ease.

  “I’m willing to stay and do as you bid, if you let Harmony return to the human realm and not cause these people harm.”

  Nakoma seemed to consider his words.

  “Finn, I did not see you as a hero, but I never did understand the human condition.” Nakoma lowered her voice so only he could hear. “I want to rule the Aquapopulo. I want the people to worship me, not the water god. I want you to help me secure a workforce in the salt mines.” She paused, narrowing her eyes. “If you do this, I will take you as a husband. You will be exclusively mine and in time you will rule with me.”

  His face was impassive. “Agreed.”

  “Ride with me,” she commanded.

  Finn read Nakoma easily. She was threatened by Harmony and ultimately willing to let her go. He, on the other hand, was respected and revered by the tribe, an asset. Agreeing to her demands reconciled their differences. He knew his willingness to return with her offered her hope.

  He turned to Calder and bellowed, “Send Harmony home. We will not disturb you further today. In the future we will negotiate on what Nakoma sees as essential to moving us into a new age.”

  Before they could mount, the ground began to rumble and then shook violently. Screams filled the air. Calder and many others yelled, “It’s an earthquake! Take cover!”

  They felt rumbles in the past, but none this powerful. The earth’s plates shifted, creating tremendous vibrations. The ground split open, spreading out like tree roots. Great beasts teetered on the edges, shifting their feet as they tried to escape being swallowed.. Warriors on foot scattered, heading toward the bridge, hoping to get off the island.

  Nakoma drew her lips back in a snarl and glared at Finn. “You’ve ruined everything, Finn—do something!”

  Finn’s atmospheric ability had no effect on an earthquake. “There is nothing I can do. You need to lead the tribe to higher ground—go now!” he commanded.

  He turned to lead other, but her shrill voice rose above the din and destruction around them. “Come with me!” Her distressed lion hunkered down, pawing at the grass while Nakoma mounted.

  Before Finn could reply, the ground beneath his feet cracked. There was no place to run when the earth tore open and he began to fall in. He jumped, scrambling to snatch the root of a bush. Hanging on tightly, his legs dangle above nothingness. Suddenly a lion yowled beneath him. Finn twisted. His eyes widened in shock when he saw Nakoma at the bottom of the jagged chasm below. He hauled himself over the broken edge and kneeled on the grass, sucking in a desperate breath. He looked down and watched the cat twitch once before going still. It sprawled, broken and dead, on top of the tribe’s chieftain. Nakoma was no longer a threat.

  He wasted no time hopping to his feet and assessing the damage. The water in the bay rapidly receded. Boaters frantically rowed farther out to sea, trying to outrun the approaching swell. The building behind him groaned. Nearby trees toppled over, loudly cracking before thudding to the ground.

  Above the shrieks of terrified beasts, the wails of trampled tribespeople, the screams of others racing for safety, the blast of the sea serpent’s warning drew the attention of every breathing thing. The serpent thrust its horned head from the retreating ocean. Terror-filled shouts from the boaters carried toward Finn on the wind.

  30

  Floor boards shifted beneath Harmony’s feet. “Oh no, Kodi! They must be destroying the Wentworth in my realm, disturbing the balance! I’m too late!” Harmony despaired, believing all their struggles, all the deaths, were now meaningless!

  Violent vibrations sent the pair toppling against a nearby table. Regaining their balance, preparing to make their escape, Harmony and Kodiak dodged books that bounced free from the shelves. They stumbled down the stairs, hanging on to each other and the railings. Another tremor sent her freefalling down the last flight. Kodiak called after her.

  Harmony landed in the Wellness’s lobby. Through her tears, she saw Calder on the floor, blood oozing from his temple. She crawled to the doorjamb.

  “Calder, you’re hurt!” Glancing around, she realized many were hurt. Strewn across the lawn, it appeared several more were dead, held in the arms of their loved ones. Beyond the decimated grassy slope, she saw the sea serpent thrust its head from the water. Its blast was deafening.

  Morie and others helped Calder move to safety.

  Kodiak reached the ground floor at last and lurched toward Harmony as the floor began to buckle. He pulled her up and dragged her away from the open doorway. He gripped her hand tight, keeping her steady and from running off into danger. She skidded and staggered, trying to break free.

  The sea serpent! I need to get out there and help them! She was too far from the sea serpent for her ability to work. She needed to get closer to the water. Through a window she saw the churning water now rushed toward the island.

  “Tidal wave!” She screamed. Kodiak grabbed her and dove behind the counter.

  The temple, even up on the bluff, was slammed by wall of water. The sounds—splintering, glass shattering, and then seawater bubbling, gurgling—lasted but a moment before a wave ripped her from Kodiak’s hand and dragged her underwater. Her shoulder thumped against something hard; something else struck her leg. The water carried her out through a broken window. She flailed and kicked until she resurfaced and took a huge gulp of air. The back side of the Wellness loomed before her—she was in the bay, drawn out by water’s force in moments.

  Suddenly, Harmony was yanked under the water. Pawing against the current, she fought to resurface, but hands grasped her just above her knees. She looked down through the roiled water—it was him!

  S
uijin, the water deity, trapped her!

  He appeared the same as when she was a child under the ice that fateful day in the river with her mother. She observed the handsome face, his dark hair flowing downward as he thrust upward until they were face to face under the water. His gaze caressing her, he smiled. He reached to touch the golden strands of her hair that haloed around her head. As he did, she drew back her elbows before shoving her hands as hard as she could underwater into his chest. His face contorted in pain. His bare skin blistered where her fingers touched.

  He moved swiftly. In a second she saw the flash of a blade and then felt her head yank. Suijin swam away with a lock of her hair in his hand. She struggled, but rose to the surface and drew a lifesaving breath.

  “Harmony!” Her heart sang at Kodiak’s voice. He was okay, and there he was, swimming toward her. His strong arms supported her head above the surface, and their lips met briefly.

  Relief overwhelmed her. The Aquapopulo could hold their breath and survive the flood! The tribespeople could not. But now the tribe was no longer the main threat.

  “Get me to the beach! I can drive the serpent away from the villagers. Their boats must have come ashore with the tidal wave,” she yelled above the loudly fizzing water around them. From what she could see, Wellness remained intact, although heavily damaged.

  “Please, Kodi, hurry!”

  She adjusted the satchel strap, assured the herbs were still safely tucked inside, and slung her arms over his shoulders. He swam under the bridge, toward the beach. His powerful arms towed her to shore. The water pushed far into the landscape, over the grasses, past the trees, into the fields beyond. Soon their feet touched solid ground.

  Boats driven ashore by the tidal wave, lay smashed on the beach. As the serpent closed in for the kill, families pulled their loved ones from the wreckage. Harmony ran to the water’s edge, arms stretched upward, feeling heat course through her hands.