“Aiden Finn, I told you it’s not polite to pay attention to another girl when you dance with me! It seems I am forced to take you away to the deep and keep you as my very own.”
Aiden looked up and around, startled. On the other side of the fish, he could see Skay laughing and grinning, her eyes sparkling with mischief and life. Aiden himself didn’t feel comfortable enough to speak yet, barely managing to pull air into his lungs but he was struck by the moment and tried to smile back.
Suddenly, Skay hooted in a beautiful, warbling tone that caused the fish underneath them to slow, and then finally stop. It was a relief to go from choking waves to a relative stillness despite the crowds moving to and fro on the distant walkways. Around him, he could make out several other cutter fish sliding up alongside with Gavin, Chari, and Markam latched onto their flanks. Markam specifically didn’t look pleased, though his dance partner was laughing merrily as he sputtered with anger.
“Okay, land boy, climb up on Rooaloo here,” Skay said, patting the beautiful fish just behind its head. “She’ll get you to the docks without all the crying and spitting. Once you are up, just hold onto her horn and keep holding on. I promise she won’t do anything fancy.”
Aiden tried to follow her directions, slipping a few times until Rooaloo bobbed down in the water so he could float over and then rose back up under him. Once he got situated, Skay kneeled behind him, bracing her legs on Rooaloo’s back on either side of her sail and wrapping her arms around his chest. He wasn’t sure she was doing it on purpose, but having her so close was terribly distracting. Then the fish began to move again, much faster this time though it was obviously taking pains to make its passage smooth.
He was high enough out of the water now that the spray didn’t arch up and block his breathing, so he could enjoy it far more. Slowly, as Aiden became used to and trust Rooaloo, the experience became magical as he stared around in amazement at the waves and water passing them by. Grinning, he watched as Glowby kept pace with the fish, not unlike the cutter fish themselves when racing a schooner through the waves.
“This is how we live, Aiden Finn! This! Free of everything but the water and wind!” Skay laughed, lifting her hands up off of his shoulder and holding them above her head as Rooaloo sped through the water. She called out, holding her arms up high and cheering at nothing but life itself, loving the moment. Aiden raised his own voice, not trusting himself enough to let go of Rooaloo’s horn, but cheering wildly. The warm spray from Rooaloo’s breathing hole blasted out, joining their calls with her own soulful cry, making him laugh and cheer all the more.
It was a beautiful moment that Aiden would never forget. Despite the great places he would see and things he would do, this was one of his favorite memories that would stay with him forever. It taught him much, just in that moment that despite being surrounded by danger, chased by evil men, or surrounded by a mystery, there was always beauty.
Still, as all great moments are, this one was not to last as they came gliding up to the side of the large docks where the Skywitch was moored. Skay leaped, landing on the wood and turning towards him, holding her hand out and winking at him with her mischievous eyes, helping him off of Rooaloo and onto the rolling wood.
“I hope your carriage was adequate, m’lord?”
Rooaloo blew out a high, sharp sound in protest, making Skay bow to her. “Apologies. I mean your dragon savior, of course.
Aiden grinned, bowing next to Skay while Glowby circled them all, dancing happily. “Absolutely wonderful! I couldn’t have asked for a better dragon savior.” He saw Rooaloo wiggle, obviously pleased before she eased down into the water, off to another adventure. Aiden watched her sail and horn arch up out of the water for a ways, wondering if he’d ever get the chance to ride a cutter fish again.
Gavin and Chari were next to come onto the deck followed by a desperately gasping Markam. The former were both cheerful, chattering happily about their rides but the latter collapsed in a panting mess on the wood. His gorgeous dancing partner was giggling at him, holding her hand over her mouth but unable to keep her amusement from her voice.
“Poor boy. I don’t think he likes the water.”
For his part, Markam just lay there with his eyes closed and face pale, muttering, “So deep, so deep,” over and over again. Gavin leaned down, patting his arm.
“I don’t think he knows how to swim. I’m sorry, Markam. I didn’t know you disliked deep water.”
Markam just opened one glaring eye. He didn’t answer, but it looked like it was probably best he didn’t. At least he appeared to be recovering once he was on the solid planking of the dock.
Chari came over to Aiden, giggling happily and giving him a warm, wet hug. “Can you believe that just happened? I have no idea why, but I am so glad it did!”
Grinning, he enjoyed the hug while Gavin turned to Skay who was standing closest of the sea clan people. “That is a good question, though. Why did you do that? Not that I’m complaining because that’s more fun than I was expecting to have on this trip, but I am curious.”
Skay glanced down at Markam before answering, grinning at him. “Just so you know, there were men that were following you. We thought that they weren’t your friends since they had knives, ropes, and weren’t trying to buy you candy. Fortunately, Father said to keep an eye out and make sure you all stayed safe. I didn’t think we’d actually get some fun out of it.”
Markam looked up at her in waterlogged disbelief. “What? What do you mean, following? I didn’t see anyone.”
“Well, that was obvious,” Skay laughed her infectious laugh, “but yes, there were about five of them, at least those we could see.”
“And one of them was the man who tried to kidnap me,” Aiden said, his voice low.
“Are you sure?” Gavin Asked. “They were covered up pretty well, Aiden. At least when I saw them. Did you get a look at their faces later?”
Aiden shook his head, “No, but the man that had me had his hand cut off by… by the townspeople that freed me. And I recognized his eyes. I’m pretty sure it was him.”
“Why would they want to take you?” Skay poked Aiden in the ribs, letting her eyes roam up and down his body unabashedly as she pondered him, causing Chari to bristle slightly. “If anything, I would have thought it was the duke’s son they’d be after. Perhaps they’re after a bit of ransom work?”
“No, you’re probably right,” Chari said, stepping in front of Aiden while giving her friends a quick warning look. “It was probably Gavin they were after.”
“Oh, ho? Now it’s getting even more interesting,” Skay smirked, her eyes dancing. Aiden could tell that trying to hide the mystery was only making things worse with the Dawad clan’s people. “Now it’s lying to us after we saved you? And guarding the prize, hmm?”
Skay tilted her head and began to strut in a circle around Chari. As she drew closer to Aiden, her hand snaked out and caressed his arm as if testing him out for fitness. Even Aiden wasn’t too naive to miss that he was in real trouble, and Glowby didn’t help by floating there, glowing a warning red.
Not moving, Chari’s eyes narrowed and her dark hair almost bristled. “He is not a prize, especially not yours.” She reached out, taking his other arm and yanking him forcefully towards her, pulling him away from Skay. Aiden looked to Gavin for help, but the tall young man looked panicked himself and was clearly not interested in bailing him out.
Skay’s eyes narrowed back, the two young women staring at each other for a long few moments. The tension began to mount, making Aiden sweat and glad that he was soaked so no one could tell, but he was sure his face betrayed him. Finally, Skay let out a laugh before shrugging and sauntering up the steps. It caused Aiden’s cheeks to burn watching that too-interesting meander.
“Perhaps, but I’m sure you know we take what we know is ours.” Her eyes twinkled, flitting to his for a second before going back to Chari’s and holding out a hand, showing a pile of coins in it. “It was easy enough
to take his coins from under your nose. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to take his interest as well. When I want to, of course. Now, Father is waiting and you all look like wet rats. He’ll want to know what happened.”
Chari’s eyes were full of violence but she didn’t respond to the barb. Instead, she turned toward Aiden, daring him to say anything. Wisely, he stayed silent, bending down to help Gavin lift Markam up off of the deck. The three of them stood just in time to see Chari’s equally nice, but far-stiffer walk as she ascended the stairs. Glowby was not helping matters by circling her just about waist height, drawing his eyes.
“Wow, that was impressive,” Markam mumbled, with Gavin nodding and giving Aiden a wide-eyed look. “Yeah, maybe you should let those bad guys take you, Aiden. It would probably be safer, eh?”
Aiden could only agree as he mulled over the past few minutes. “Can either of you tell me what just happened?”
Markam and Gavin both laughed quietly, grinning at him but none of them were loud about it. Attracting either of the girls’ attention just now was deemed an unwise move. “Yeah, you stepped in it big time,” Gavin said in awe. “How I don’t know, but I’m not sure if I should cheer you on or dig you a grave. Whatever happens, hold on tight.”
Frowning, Aiden felt a strangely-excited dread filled him. “That’s what Skay told me before she pushed me into the water.”
Markam and Gavin answered in unison. “Good advice.” Then they followed the girls up onto the main docks, and into chaos.
“There you are, Gavin, thank the gods.” The duke bellowed loudly, waving towards them frantically as he headed over to the Skywitch. “Come quick. There’s been a trench serpent sighting off to the East. We’re heading up to see if we can help spot for Trelakor and his people.”
Sensing the urgency, they all hurried towards the Skywitch, crossing the plank quickly. They were the last on, and it wasn’t long before they began to rise smoothly into the air.
Aiden had to stand for a moment, getting used to the un-moving deck as opposed to the rolling dock. The ship itself was already in motion, but it felt like he was standing on solid ground. Something he appreciated immensely after their harrowing adventure.
“Gavin…wait, why are you wet? Scratch that, we don’t have time. Take your friends and go aft. That’s the back end of the Skywitch, for those of you that don’t know ship terms. Keep a lookout and report anything you see. I expect it’s just a few small ones that the clans will be able to handle, but you never know when one of the clever, older ones will show up. It’s not like those cursed things don’t know this doesn’t occur each year like clockwork.”
As they moved aft, Aiden could see the crew crawling into the four rounded half-globes inset into the decks. To his surprise they floated up out of the deck and moved toward the side of the ship, coming to rest a good three meters or so off of each side. They would be good to see below, but why two on each side? He wasn’t sure and pushed that back in his mind as they made their way to their assigned rail.
“Where’s Chari?” Aiden asked as they moved into place. From this height, several hundred meters up, he could see numerous huge red flags with four smaller white ones below them waving in the wind all throughout the floating chaos below. He also noted several ships having set sail, moving away from the large docks of people. Most of the merchant ships were moving west, though the clan ships were moving east.
He could also see huge shoals of diving and leaping Cutter fish, some with riders, racing in the same direction as the clan ships. There must have been thousands of them and he was amazed at the sight. He’d heard of trench serpents before and they were terrifying in every story he’d ever heard; huge creatures hundreds of meters long, able to swallow several tarfins with ease, and those were the young ones.
Very often, they swam in the dark trenches and hunted the lowest depths, a thought which made Aiden shudder as he imagined what they would eat down there. He had heard they only rarely hunted the seaweed fields where the tarfin were because it was difficult to move their enormous bulk through the tangled mass. The clans and cutter fish protecting them were just an added bonus with the thick hide of the trench serpents unable to withstand hundreds of viciously attacking cutter fish blades.
Because of this that Aiden was baffled why one would test the defenses of such a huge gathering. Yes, there were thousands upon thousands of tarfins ready to eat, but there were huge packs of the cutter fish in its way. A trench serpent couldn’t hope to live long enough to get to the herds, even the large ones.
“She’s below. I think she’s still upset…um…about earlier?” Gavin finished lamely, though Markam just gave a single chuckle in response, even as he stayed well away from the railing.
“Look there,” Gavin pointed suddenly. “You can see it, rising? Way out to the east. It’s not even close. What the hell is it doing?”
Aiden turned in that direction, but he’d have been blind not to see the huge, sprawling thing arch up out of the water, the tri-parted mouth wide and flailing before it crashed back into the ocean below. Aiden could tell there was a huge froth around it, even from this distance, and he could only imagine the fury of the cutter fish as they tore at the offensive serpent.
“Why have we faced away from it?”
Gavin didn’t take his gaze from the site of the trench serpent being attacked, his eyes rapt but he answered anyway. “Just in case. Honestly, they don’t usually attack the faire because it’s suicide. Even the younger ones know, having usually been assaulted when they’ve tried for a tarfin in the seaweed fields. So, it’s either a really stupid one that stumbled onto us and it’s maddened from the scent of the tarfin, or it could be a trap set up by the old ones. Sometimes they’ll drive a young one up to get attention.”
“A trap? You mean by the trench serpents?” Aiden continued to watch the trench serpent be cut apart, the sea turning red around the flailing thing. “Are they smart enough?”
“They’re clever, and the old ones have been around long enough to learn a trick or two.” Markam said, “If there’s one there, it will be slipping in under the distraction from a different direction. Probably not too far away, since it had to push the young one up but it will be hoping to grab some tarfin and swim away before too many of the cutter fish can be called back. The clans keep enough out of the fight to guard against that if it happens. It should be okay.”
Suddenly, there was a second breach that occurred to the Northwest. A much larger and closer trench serpent had risen up out of the water and dove at one edge of a herd of tarfin. Even as he watched Aiden could see it grab one of the huge fish in its prehensile mouth and pulled under with it. The serpent’s mouth was wider than the fish was long, so Aiden couldn’t imagine it escaping.
There was already froth forming around it from the cutter fish that had been held back. The disturbance was a bit smaller, but still deadly enough that the serpent was moving away at speed. Aiden saw a large red flag being waved from the deck of the Skywitch and pointing to the northwest, alerting the clans to the second interloper.
The friends watched in awe, both as the smaller trench serpent’s struggles became less and less obvious, and as the larger trench serpent made its escape, pursued by a second wave of cutter fish. They were faster than its huge shadow as it slid under the waves, but Aiden suspected it could get away and evade its chasers without too much damage. He tried to remember to breath, amazed at the fantastic display of such power.
As he was standing there, he caught a flash out of the corner of his eye. Glowby was circling quickly, just a half-meter away from him but glowing a bright, bright red. Aiden frowned, trying to understand why Glowby was so agitated when he finally looked through the circle that Glowby was making with his body. It was drifting slowly down, and he realized that Glowby was trying to make him see the long, thick shadow that was coming in from the east under the waves. It had been hard to see because the many merchant ships that were fleeing that direction were crowding
close but once Aiden saw it, it was shocking to him how much it dwarfed even the largest galleon that it passed under.
It was also terrifyingly close to the mass of bodies on the docks.
“By the gods!”
Gavin and Markam both turned at Aiden’s exclamation, confused that he was not watching where the other two serpents were being attacked. Aiden pointed then, frantically, even as the shape began to become more defined, darker as it began to breach underneath one of the unsuspecting merchant ships. The massive creature wasn’t even concerned with the ship, aiming instead for the tarfin around the Wilthorn’s milking docks.
Gavin saw it just before it surfaced and all of them watched in terrified fascination as the merchant ship it came up under slid off of its back, breaking in two as screaming figures dove for the water below.
Gavin quickly turned to Markam, screaming at him. “Markam, go tell my father! It’s a clever girl to the west! Just below us! There’s only a scattering of guard fish here since they all took off after the other two. They’ll never be able to drive it off.”
The Glimmer Steel Saga, Boxed Set, Books 1 - 4 Page 17