In the dying light of Melody’s staff, he became aware of the movement of something more sinister than the aquacats within the cavern.
Underneath the ice, a shadow detached itself from the inky depths and rose toward the surface.
Silurian had no idea how big the rising leviathan was, but in the scant light piercing the water, its gaping maw appeared large enough to accommodate a horse.
The aquacats’ clamour rose to a shriek. They too, sensed their impending doom.
Olmar’s Tale
Olmar wiped his brow. Sweat soaked his clothing and gnats buzzed around his head. Travelling to Ghost Island aboard the ships made more sense than riding around the southern coast of Zephyr on horseback, sweltering in the sun.
“What’s the matter, Midge? You look like you jumped into a lake.” Sadyra trotted her horse past his and gave him an innocent smile. “Be good for your poor animal if you lost a few buckets.”
Olmar pinched his brows together, too tired to respond.
Pollard rode behind her, shaking his head as he came level with Olmar. “Don’t mind her. She’s bored.”
Once past him, Pollard manoeuvred his horse alongside Sadyra and spoke to her under his breath. Olmar couldn’t make out their conversation, but knowing good old Pollard, he was lecturing her on curbing her tongue.
Yesterday, they had slipped through the empty seaport of Ember Breath without incident. Fearing the Kraidic army might reach the southern port before them, they were relieved to see no sign of the barbaric army. It had been eerie clopping along the deserted streets.
There were signs of people still inhabiting the city but no one showed themselves. Olmar put it down to thieves and their ilk remaining behind to pillage the abandoned buildings. Whoever they were, they were good at what they did. None of his companions were able to locate them. Not even Sadyra or Larina who he considered more feline than female.
They travelled northwest along the Ocean Way toward Treacher’s Gorge. Even with the horses, they had many days ahead of them before they reached Gritian. Once the Ocean Way slipped into The Spine up near the Gulch, their pace would drop off dramatically.
Olmar thought about their route. He’d never seen the Gulch before. He’d heard horror stories about the region but being a sailor for most of his life, he never had the occasion to venture far inland. He had no reason to. His only family sailed the high seas.
“Whatcha thinking, Lunkhead?”
Olmar winced. If it wasn’t Sadyra poking fun at him, her best friend Larina was there to pick up the slack. He gave her a half-hearted smile. “Nothin’ really. Just be thinkin’ I miss me mates.”
Larina appeared poised on the verge of saying something sarcastic, but she tilted her head. If Olmar didn’t know better, he would say a touch of compassion crossed her face. Her words nearly toppled him from his saddle. “Olmar, we’re your mates now.”
He didn’t know how to respond. He wasn’t used to genuine kindness directed his way. Sure, he had come to know the original members of Silurian’s quest to the Under Realm quite well, but he thought of them as companions brought together in a time of need.
He gazed past Pollard and Sadyra to the back of Alhena’s white stubbled head. He smiled. Of all the people he had met on this bizarre journey, he’d come to love Pops the most. He was like the grandfather Olmar never had.
His eyes misted up watching Sadyra’s hair bob beneath her slate grey archer’s cap. Dear Sadie, bless her mischievous heart, had endeared herself to him more than he dared admit.
“What is it?” Larina’s voice carried real concern.
He looked the other way. “Och, tis nothin’. Just bein’ sentimental like is all. Nothin’ to concern yerself with.”
A silence settled between them until Larina asked, “When’s the last time you saw your real family?”
He didn’t know what to say. Afraid to look her in the eye, he stared at his saddle pommel and spoke so quietly his last words were barely more than a croak. “I’ve never seen me real family.”
“Say that again. You haven’t what?”
He swallowed and chanced a glance at Larina. He wasn’t much good at getting close to people. A big, surly giant who struck fear and loathing into enemies and allies alike, but it seemed the archer with long brown hair and sweet voice truly worried about his feelings. A pair of tears slipped down his cheeks. “I never ‘ad a family.”
He thought he noticed Larina’s eyes moistening so he looked away—ashamed he’d brought sadness to such a pretty face.
“What do you mean, you never had a family? What happened to them?”
He didn’t wish to speak any more on the subject. He wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand. “It ain’t important.”
Heeling his horse and clicking his tongue, he passed by Pollard and settled in behind Alhena who was deep in conversation with Rook.
The path ahead narrowed to a single track. That suited him just fine. As he rode along in silence, he felt Larina’s eyes burning into his back.
The sun fell behind the Spine looming up on their left. Pollard led them to a sheltered copse safely off the path—the Songsbirthian had obviously travelled this route before.
Everyone pitched in to gather firewood and Alhena had it burning in short order with the aid of his staff.
Olmar smiled to himself. Pops the wizard. What a great feeling it must be to conjure magic. If you needed fire, you simply said the right words and you made flames. If you needed light, just say a different word. Someone attacked? Burn them from afar. Olmar wished he had his own kind of special ability.
As darkness settled over the land, he assessed the people chatting around the campfire from his perch atop a large boulder. Rook, a natural leader and good looking—in his estimation at least. Pollard, dashing and muscular, proficient with all sorts of weapons and a valued tracker. Pops, wise beyond his advanced years and blessed with words both magical and intellectual. Sadyra and Larina, both prettier than a bouquet of wild blossoms. Both more agile and deadlier than a mountain cat.
He sighed. And then there was good ol’ Lunkhead. Dumb as a stump and uglier than a troll. The only thing he knew how to do was bash things.
And steer Gerrymander. That put a smile on his face. Place a boat beneath his deformed legs, one that would bear his mountainous girth, and he was in his element. He didn’t need charts to navigate the oceans—he made them.
Larina leaned in front of Pollard and whispered to Sadyra.
Sadyra cast a quick glance his way and turned back to Larina. They got to their feet and came toward him. Immediately his senses heightened. Two of them at once meant trouble.
Before he had a chance to slip off the boulder, Sadyra climbed up one side and Larina mounted the other. To his surprise, they plunked themselves down cross-legged facing him, each one grabbing a hold of an arm.
He was aware of everyone else watching. Whatever the mischievous women were up to, Olmar fretted it would be at his expense.
Sadyra’s dainty hands were barely large enough to cover the underside of his arm. “Rina tells me you’re not doing well. What’s the matter, Midge?”
He grimaced. This had to do with his earlier conversation. He should have kept his mouth shut.
“Out with it Olmar,” Larina pulled on his other arm. “We’re worried about you.”
“Worried about me?” Why would anyone worry about him? He was big enough to hold his own against anyone who came at him. He was a man. He was supposed to deal with his problems on his own. “Bah, ‘tis nothin’ to concern yer pretty ‘eads over. Olmar’s a big boy.”
As slim and demure as Sadyra appeared, her strength was incredible. She lifted his massive arm and hugged it to her chest, pulling herself to a kneeling position and brought her freckled face close to his. “Rina says you don’t have any family left, is that true?”
Olmar swallowed, trying to pull away.
Sadyra yanked on his arm, her slender fingers digging into his meaty biceps,
forcing him to pay attention to her. “Well, is it?”
Olmar faked a smile. What could he say to avert her attention? He knew the answer. Nothing. That’s what made Sadyra so endearing. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She had no inhibitions about speaking her mind and could be very persuasive if given the chance. If she asked someone a question, she expected an answer. An honest one.
Larina’s soft voice broke the tension. “You told me you never had a family. What did you mean by that, exactly?”
He was afraid to look toward the campfire. Alhena, Rook and Pollard had stopped what they were doing and watched on with interest. He hated being the centre of attention, but he knew the women wouldn’t leave him alone until he satisfied their curiosity.
“Just like I says to ya. I never knew me kin. I was abandoned on a beach as soon as I were borned.”
Sadyra’s face scrunched up. “Abandoned? Why?”
He smirked at that. “Seriously? Look at me. If’n ya think I’m hard to look on now, ya shoulda seen me growin’ up. I weren’t pretty, I assure ya o’ that. The locals made sure to let me know.”
Sadyra ran her fingers along his face in a way no one had ever done before—lovingly. He blushed.
“Why would anyone think that?” Sadyra asked, her voice sincere. “You’re a big, cuddly bear.”
He shrugged, the movement almost throwing the women from the rock.
Larina removed his worn leather sailor’s cap and leaned back, her eyes searching his face.
He smiled shyly, unable to meet her stare. “See? Ain’t much to be lookin’ at.”
“You were abandoned because your parents didn’t like how you looked?” Larina sounded indignant. “You were just born. I’m sure I looked pretty awful when I popped out, myself.”
“Och, Rina. I cannae imagine you anythin’ but pretty.”
“There must be more to it than that.” Sadyra ruffled the damp strands of matted red-grey hair threatening to cover the top of his head. “People don’t just leave a baby to die.”
He sighed. There was no putting them off. The sooner he told them, the sooner they’d stop making a scene and leave him be. “Me mam were spoilt by an invadin’ Kraidic army.”
Larina nodded. “That explains your size. I guess that might explain why you were abandoned, too. You probably reminded her of the man who violated her.” She glanced at Sadyra. “I can’t say for certain how I’d feel. I’d like to believe I wouldn’t forsake my baby, but I guess that’s just me. You’d still be half of me, if not more.”
Olmar swallowed. “Me thinks it’s more like she didnae ‘ave time to worry about a babe. She ‘ad more important things to tend.”
“What could be more important than one’s babe?” Larina frowned.
Olmar felt his cheeks redden further. He fought the urge to shake their grip and storm away. There was no use. They’d just hound him again later.
“Me mam weren’t what ye’d call yer typical mam. She ‘ad a soft spot for the men that came a-callin’. She made ‘er livin’ that way. I was takin’ in by the Father Cloth an’ lived in an orphanage until I was a wee lad.”
Sadyra spit out a laugh.
Olmar and Larina cast her an odd look.
“Sorry Midge. I didn’t mean to laugh. I can’t imagine you ever being wee.”
Her explanation did little to mollify Larina’s glare but Olmar smiled. “Aye. As wee as one can be when they are born this way. Anyway, the village folk always made sport o’ me. You may ‘ave noticed I ain’t smart like most o’ ye. I don’t speak well, I can nary read a lick and ain’t good with me sums. The kids at the orphanage took great pleasure in teasin’ an’ playin’ pranks on the ‘big dummy’.”
A look passed between the two women.
Larina rose to her knees and replaced his cap, adjusting it just so. “Oh, Olmar. You’re smarter than most people I know. Fancy words and fine clothes don’t weigh on a person’s character.” She brought her hands together above her heart. “It’s what’s in here that defines a person. From the short time we’ve been together, I can honestly say I’ve come across few people as intelligent and upstanding as you. Your actions speak volumes. If people were half as genuine as you, my friend, our world would be a better place.”
“Half as genuine as a lunkhead?” He looked up from beneath heavy brows.
“Oh, Olmar. I’m so sorry. Sadie and I are just having fun with…” Larina’s eyes brimmed with tears. She released his arm and looked away.
Sadyra placed a slender hand on his chin and turned him to face her. “Look Midge. What Larina is trying to say is this. We call you names and have fun at your expense, not because we think you’re stupid, or ugly, or anything else that may be rattling around in that thick skull of yours. We do it because we’re fond of you.” She nodded at his skeptical look. “Aye. Don’t kid yourself. If we didn’t think you were top branch, we wouldn’t spare an ounce of energy on you. Don’t ever let me catch you thinking you’re anything less or I’ll stick an arrow up your arse!”
He stared at the warning finger held before his eyes. There was something about the intense look on her face that struck him as funny. A huge smile lifted the pudgy dimples on his cheeks.
Sadyra smiled back and wiped a tear from his face. “You may be big, but I’m ferocious. You’d best not forget it.”
He snorted.
Larina’s voice interrupted. “So, you grew up in an orphanage? Where?”
His smile fell. He looked at his hands folded in his lap. “Thunderhead.”
“Thunderhead. That’s a rough town.” Larina nodded.
“Aye. That’s one way o’ puttin’ it.”
“How long were you in the orphanage?”
“There’s another tale.” He didn’t want to say any more.
Sadyra punched him in the shoulder. “You been hanging around Pops too long. If you have something to say, spit it out.”
Olmar swallowed. “I don’t like to remember it.”
Larina rubbed his forearm. “Come on. It’ll make you feel better, trust me.”
He gazed into her large brown eyes, unable to resist that face. Abashed at the thoughts in his head whenever she paid attention to him, he grimaced. She was right. He was a lunkhead.
“Alright, but I’m fearin’ you’ll think the worse o’ me after I tells ya.”
“Ha! We can’t think any worse of you than we do now,” Sadyra smiled.
Larina cast her a dirty look.
Sadyra held up her hands. “Sorry, that was a joke. Probably not the best timing.”
Larina rolled her eyes. “Come on, Olmar. Give us a bit of credit.”
“Okay, but I needs ya to promise you’ll never repeat it.” He stole a glance at the men watching from around the fire. “That means you too.”
Alhena, Pollard and Rook all nodded, their faces unreadable.
“The Father Cloth saw the effect the others ‘ad on me, so ‘e found me a family to live with, out in the woods. The baron no less.”
“Then you do have a family.” Sadyra’s face beamed.
His face darkened. “The baron ‘ad two sons older than me an’ a daughter around me age. His wife never took to me. Said I was hideous and claimed she ‘ad enough chores to attend to and too many mouths to feed. She worried they would never be able to feed me.”
“But if he was a baron, surely he had money and resources to feed one more,” Larina said.
He raised his eyebrows. “Aye, ye would think. ‘e was tight with ‘is money, that one. Didn’t spread it to ‘is family. ‘e ‘ad other things ‘e liked to do with it. The local tavern often remained open until the dawn caterin’ to men of ‘is ilk. He liked to play at them games men do to pass the time in ‘opes of makin’ a profit. And then there were the lasses.” He trailed off, unsure whether he should carry on.
Feeling Sadyra’s grip tighten on his arm he continued, “Of the lasses, ‘is favourite was me mam.”
He sniffed noisily and wiped at his brimming e
yes. “Anyway, so as not to bore ye, it came to my attention one night that me mam ‘ad been kilt by a drunken patron. Though I never really knew ‘er, I knew of ‘er. The pain wasn’t any less. She was the only family I ‘ad. Sure she spawned others, their Pops never the wiser, but I never knew who they were. As far as I know, I ‘ave lots a half brothers and sisters. Probably ‘alf the kids at the orphanage. The ones who be ridiculin’ me mercilessly most like.
“A few days later I overheard the baron explainin’ to ‘is wife ‘e’d taken care of the trollop what vexed her so.” He nodded, chewing on his lips to stop them from quivering. “To spare ye the gory details, the baron an’ ‘is wife never made it out of the manor that day. I fled to Storms End and was ‘ired on by a friend of Captain Thorr to clean the slop from the bilge of an ocean-going brig an’ I’ve never looked back.”
No one said anything. The fire crackled and popped and a night owl declared its presence.
“I guess ye’ll be thinkin’ less of me now you know ‘ow ungrateful I was to the baron and his wife for shelterin’ me. I assure you I live with the shame every night when I close me eyes. I lay awake listenin’ to ‘ow the world carries on as it does, the regular folk unthinkin’ of the lost souls livin’ upon it.”
He tried to get up and walk away. He needed time to compose himself. He had outed himself in front of the only people he had any feelings for, other than his Gerrymander mates.
Sadyra and Larina buried themselves into his sides, wrapping their arms around his girth the best they could.
Sadyra snuggled her head against his chest. “Oh, Midge, you silly lunkhead. We will never stop loving you. In fact, I love you more now than I did before.” She lifted her watery storm-greys to peer up at him. “I know the others here agree with me when I tell you, if there ever comes a time, I will lay down my life for you.”
Olmar’s skin broke out in goosebumps. No one had ever told him they loved him. Not once. In fact, he couldn’t recall a time anyone ever hugged him except for the day a few months back at Madrigail Bay when he’d said good-bye to Captain Thorr, and then again at The Forke a week or so later.
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