Arms waving, Meleda jumped.
“Swim away from the ship,” she yelled to the group of Zacatlanders around her. “When it goes down, the water will suck you under.”
Where’s Thaddis? Frantically she spun to search for him.
Around her, people clambered over the rail and dove into the water.
She saw Thaddis in the wheelhouse next to Philan, spyglass at his eye, studying the island. Hurry, she pleaded to them.
Philan jerked Thaddis toward the ladder, and the two unbalanced. They slipped out of sight.
A soldier grabbed Sadie’s arm, dragging her attention away from the two men. She shook her head, no, and motioned him to leap overboard.
Thaddis was at the edge of the crowd, Philan’s arm around his shoulder. He supported the Seagem man who looked dazed. He allowed everyone to pass him in the rush to the side.
Another man reached to grab her.
“No,” Sadie yelled. “Go first. I’ll be right behind you.”
He nodded his understanding, climbed over the rail, and leaped into the dark water.
The ship groaned and tilted. Thaddis and Philan slid into her.
“Sadie, get out of here,” Thaddis ordered. “Help Philan when he lands in the water. I have to get the others.”
These might be our last seconds together! She grabbed Thaddis’s neck and pulled him toward her to press a quick kiss on his mouth, then pushed away from him.
He gave her a reassuring smile and helped her clamber over the rail.
She searched for a place empty of people and jumped into the sea. The impact smacked her body. Around her, the water pressed dark. For a panicked moment, she lost her direction. Then she saw bubbles rise and followed them upward. The sword weighed her down, but she couldn’t stop paddling to unbuckle the belt.
Gasping, she broke the surface, spit, gasped, and treaded water. The water tasted far saltier than the oceans on Earth, more like the Dead Sea in Israel, making it easier for her to float.
Her eyes stung. Frantic to see, Sadie had to blink several times and push her hair out of her face to view the ship. The light from the lasers illuminated the night.
Thaddis, propping up Philan, leaned over the rail, his face tight with worry. Around him, people continued to struggle over the side and jump into the water. Seeing her appear, his expression eased.
The Wave Rider tilted, too many people still on board.
We have to get out of here before the ship sinks completely and sucks everyone under. Even as she thought the words, her throat tightened with the knowledge they didn’t have time.
The ship dropped several feet and lay on its port beam, longboats still tethered and swinging. Men shouted and scrambled over the side.
“Swim for shore! Thaddis bellowed. “Help one another!”
Farther down the deck, the captain heaved the last man into the water, then he skidded over to help Thaddis, until only the two remained on board. After a quick exchange of words, with a shake of his head, the captain leaned forward to make sure the water below was clear of people, then he vaulted over the side.
He lifted Philan, his face strained from the effort, and rolled the man over the edge. Then he turned to help the victims still clinging to the rails, loosen their death grips and jump.
Philan dropped the ten feet into the ocean, disappearing from sight.
As soon as the Seagem man hit the water, Sadie swam toward where he’d landed and dove. She grasped his hand and pulled, kicking for the surface. The weight of Philan’s body dragged her down. Panicked, her chest heavy, Sadie realized she was about to run out of air. She had to release Philan, or they would both drown. She tightened her grip and kicked harder.
Something swam beneath her, bumping into her feet.
Shark was all Sadie had time to think before the creature surfaced between her legs like a seahorse and propelled her and Philan out of the ocean. She choked and spat salty water, collapsing against a scaly neck. Neck? With a clutch of fear, she leaned back to see better.
Moonlight glistened off the silvery scales of the creature beneath her. A neck as long as a giraffe rose into the night. A monster head turned and looked at her. Eyes the size of dinner plates glowed milky white. But instead of the look of a predator, these eyes appeared old and wise.
Sadie gasped. The seadragon! Her othersense vibrated, and she could almost imagine the seadragon purred.
She turned to look for Thaddis and glimpsed him in the sea, gathering stragglers and commanding them to swim. Be safe, my love.
In the water around them, people cried out as they too were lifted or pulled to safety by various species of big fish. Some reminded her of dolphins, but the glimpses she caught of the rest showed exotic sea creatures. She hoped none of them were Kimtair’s equivalent of sharks.
Cheta paddled to the side of the seadragon.
Relieved to see her dog, Sadie leaned over. “Come on, girl.” She patted the scaly side. The dog swam closer.
Sadie hooked her fingers under the dog’s collar. The seadragon obliged by sinking lower into the water, making it easy for Cheta to scramble onto Sadie’s lap.
Cheta wiggled and licked Sadie’s face.
Sadie hugged the sopping animal.
Behind her, Philan groaned.
Gripping the seadragon’s side with her legs, Sadie turned.
Philan lay facedown, his arms and legs on either side of the dragon. The Seagem man moved his head, so she knew he was alive.
With long, smooth strokes, the seadragon paddled away from the ship.
Holding tight to the neck of the seadragon and to Cheta, Sadie wanted to scream at Thaddis to come to her, but knew he wouldn’t leave until every person was headed toward shore.
A huge seadragon, bigger than the one Sadie rode, and gleaming gold in the light of the lasers, glided to Thaddis, an unmistakable invitation for him to mount.
He lost no time, scrambling onto the seadragon’s back.
As soon as Thaddis grabbed the creature’s neck, the seadragon put on a burst of speed away from the Wave Rider.
The ship seemed to pause, shudder, and groan. Then to Sadie’s disbelieving eyes, instead of slipping beneath the waves, the vessel slowly began to rise. Chills of awe raced through her, and her arms and legs broke out in goosebumps.
Some others noticed the rising ship, and shouts went up. The various sea creatures towed their humans toward shore.
Philan let out another moan and struggled to sit. Catching sight of the huge dragon face, he let out a yell and grabbed for his sword.
“Stop!” Sadie commanded, smacking his hand away from the hilt. “You’re safe. The seadragon’s not going to eat you, even though it should for being stupid enough to encourage Thaddis to sail into a laser beam!”
Philan blinked several times, as if trying to focus. His eyes grew clearer. He straightened and gave a small bow toward the seadragon. “My pardon, my Lord.”
Sadie sensed amusement and a definite sense of femininity from the beast. “Lady,” she corrected Philan. A name popped into her head. “Lady Archelos.”
The seadragon swam toward the island, leading the other big fish that towed people to shore. Sadie kept twisting to look behind her, watching the ship lift above the surface, continuing to block the ray from Yadarius.
Maybe we’ll free the SeaGod, after all.
The bigger seadragon caught up with them, gliding a foot away. On its back, Thaddis gripped the neck of the creature, his jaw tight. He leaned over and touched Sadie’s knee, obviously needing the connection just as much as she did. “When you landed in the water, I realized I didn’t even know if you could swim.”
“Yes.” She waved her arm to indicate the people in the water. “Seems like everyone can.”
“We learn from the time we are small.” Thaddis searched the survivors for those from Zacatlan, relaxed at the sight of so many present or close by. “Apparently so do those who belong to Guinheld.” He glanced up at his seadragon, then at
hers. “I guess this means we’re about to be very lucky!”
Sadie couldn’t help but laugh. “Considering we’ve just been very unlucky, I can’t help but hope our luck will improve.” She glanced up at the island, gleaming dark and ominous in the light of the two moons, and shivered.
~ ~ ~
Thaddis looked around him, using the moonlight and illumination of the rays to get a head count of his people. He’d started out with ninety-six members of his small force and twenty-seven sailors from the ship. From what he could see in a rough tally almost everyone seemed to be alive, and he gave thanks to all the good Deities that he hadn’t yet again caused more deaths.
I should have listened to Sadie. One more regret to add to the pile he already carried. Thaddis set aside the thought and peered at the island, wishing for his spyglass, lost with the ship. But at least his sword rested in the scabbard at his side, and he still wore his boots. If he’d had to swim, he’d have divested himself of both.
The creature turned to look at him, big eyes gleaming in the unnatural light. I’m Archalonder, landman.
Thaddis, he sent back to Archalonder, marveling at their newly-formed bond. The creature had the most powerful othersense he’d ever experienced aside from Sadie. Although he’d only possessed his developed powers for a short time, maybe this was common among large denizens of the deep.
The landwoman rides my mate.
My thanks for the rescue.
We work with the landpeople to free our God. Even now Qwetaret keeps your ship afloat to give the landpeople time to reach the shore.
Qwetaret?
Qwetaret, the mother snail. She alone of the water dwellers has withheld herself from our God. The landpeople worship her almost as much as they do the Evil One. Every day, the landwomen row out to feed her. The landpeople also take care of her many offspring when the small shells must live the first stage of their lives on land. But the Evil One’s priestess broke the ancient covenant and angered Qwetaret, who now sides with Yadarius where she belongs.
Pasinae probably squashed a snail. Thaddis could almost have enjoyed the irony, but he was too worried for his people’s safety and the outcome of their mission. He turned his attention to the enemy stronghold.
The island loomed large, the sides jagged into the water. Waves crashed against stark cliffs. From his perch, the source of the light looked impossibly high up the mountain. They’d have an arduous climb and probably a fight as well. He hoped his army had retained their swords. The arrows and other weaponry had gone down with the ship.
He glanced at Sadie, reassured to see she still carried Ganawen.
Archalonder angled to the island, heading between rocky reefs.
Thaddis turned so he could see behind him. As far as he could tell, all the seacreatures ferrying his people to safety followed the seadragons.
You can climb the mountain here. But you must make haste. I sense the landmen you call seadogs scurrying in their puny boats to catch you.
The distaste in Archalonder’s “voice” when he said seadogs made Thaddis lift his eyebrows. “Don’t like them, do you?”
For generations, they’ve tried to capture us. The dragon made a sound that from a person would have been a sniff. They imprisoned our God. We have tried and failed to free Yadarius. So we have kept watch, waiting for help from the God’s landmen. We have given Yadarius energy so He can continue to fight His bonds. The struggle drains much from the Evil One.
Thaddis heard the satisfaction in Archalonder’s mental tone. He patted the long neck, like he would have his horse. Do you know how they captured Yadarius?
When first the landmen used the sun rays set into the mountains, they killed many of us. The SeaGod heard our distress and came to investigate, only to fall into the Evil One’s trap.
The seadragon glided forward to the shore. Prevail, landman Thaddis!
Thaddis slid off the side of the seadragon onto a rocky beach and saluted Archalonder. “My thanks for the rescue.”
Archalonder’s mate, carrying Sadie and Philan, reached the shore and took several thudding steps onto the beach.
Thaddis sensed that touching the land required great effort on the part of the seadragon. He hurried to Sadie and reached up to the help her off the creature’s back.
Instead, she leaned over and handed him Cheta.
He took the dog, feeling grateful the animal had survived the sinking ship, and set her down.
Cheta proceeded to shake herself, sending water droplets flying.
Relieved to have her within reach, Thaddis grasped Sadie’s waist.
She gave him a half smile and placed her hands on his shoulders.
Thaddis lifted her down and hugged her to him, so very thankful that his stupidity hadn’t gotten her killed. He remembered the kiss she’d given him and dared hope if they survived this…
She leaned into him, slipping her arms around his waist and squeezing.
Thaddis kissed the top of her head, then reluctantly released her. He reached up an arm for Philan.
The Seagem man grasped Thaddis’s hand, pulled his leg over, and jumped down. He slipped on a rock, teetering before regaining his footing.
The seadragons backed away.
“Thank you, Archalos,” Sadie called and waved good-bye.
Archalos dipped her long, graceful neck and continued backpedaling, managing to avoid running into any of the people being towed by the other seacreatures toward land.
“You were right,” Philan said to Sadie, a haunted look on his face. “I was wrong.”
“We were wrong,” Thaddis corrected.
Philan shot him an annoyed glance. “You have much more experience in being wrong than I do.”
“Humbling, isn’t it.” Thaddis gestured toward the peak. “When we start the climb, Sadie, I want you to say safe in the middle of everyone. Even though you’re one of the best fighters here, you haven’t fought to kill before.”
She flinched and nodded her agreement.
“We need to help them out.” Thaddis pointed toward the water. “Check each one for injuries. The seadragon told me the reavers approach. We’ll need to gain the high ground before they land.”
Philan gripped his sword.
Thaddis strode to the water, where a sailfish deposited a soldier into the shallows. He bent and assisted the man to his feet, recognizing him as the son of a noble who’d followed him into the original battle with Seagem. “You all right?”
The soldier nodded and brushed water out of his eyes.
“Good man.” Thaddis patted him on his shoulder and reached down to pull the next person to his feet. Sadie and Philan did the same. As soon as the new arrivals caught their breaths, they too started to help the others.
Before long, everyone had straggled from the sea.
Thaddis climbed on a boulder. He looked out over the water, checking that no one was left behind. Although the sea teemed with the big fish, he couldn’t see any more humans in the ocean. The remains of the ship, held up by the giant seasnail, continued to block the ray from Yadarius, but even as he watched, the bow of the boat, sliced clean by the beam, toppled into the water and sank from sight.
He turned back to his people, feeling relieved they’d made it this far.
Everyone stood before him, a sodden, bedraggled group. Shock still showed on their faces.
Good thing the night’s warm. He searched for Wenda, and saw her standing over several people who’d collapsed against the rocks, exhaustion evident in their slumped postures. She touched shoulders and cupped cheeks or chins, obviously sharing her othersense energy. He wondered if she drew upon Yadarius, if the imprisoned SeaGod could aid them. We were supposed to send Him our energy, not take from Him.
He glanced up the steep mountain at the light. We have to stop the source of that ray! Just looking at the mountain made him feel discouraged. The journey seemed too difficult to manage. But we have no choice.
Thaddis called for everyone’s attention, re
lieved to note their immediate response. He stretched out an arm and pointed upward. “We must climb as fast as we can before the reavers get here. If any needs aid, the person next to him or her must help out.” Obeying an othersense prompt, he added, “Everyone pick up a fist-sized rock and bring it with you. If you’ve lost your sword, bring two.”
People stooped and felt around for a rock. A few stood there, dazed.
Thaddis wished he could let the ones still in shock rest and recover, but knew they wouldn’t be any safer remaining on the beach than trekking up the mountain.
Trey, one of Ocean’s Glory’s best archers, trotted over to him. “My King…uh, my Lord Commander.”
Thaddis gestured for him to speak.
Trey slipped a bow and the strap of a quiver of arrows from his shoulder. “I had my quiver specially made to be waterproof. He pulled a cap off the container. “I have twelve arrows.”
Feeling a spurt of hope, Thaddis clapped a hand on the archer’s shoulder. “Good man. Those arrows are worth their weight in gold.” He sobered, knowing the order he must give. “I’ll need you at the end of the line, Trey, picking off the seadogs. Wait until they climb a ways, perhaps you’ll topple a few more when the bodies fall into them. You’ll buy us needed time….”
The knowledge of his end showed in Trey’s eyes. “I’ll have a good death, my Lord Commander. I have much to atone for.”
Sadness wrenched at him. Thaddis pressed his lips together to hold back the pain. He’d led so many astray. “As do I.” He forced out the words. “Today, we both will atone. The Goddess Withea be with you.”
“And with you, my Lord Commander.”
Thaddis turned and searched for a way up the cliff. A pathway curved between two rocks, continuing upward. Squinting, he could see steps carved into the cliff about five feet wide. He leaped off his boulder and jogged to the stairs.
Cheta barked and raced after him.
With the dog beside him, Thaddis began to climb.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
In the darkness, the light of the giant beam cast eerie shadows. A breeze from the sea kicked up, stirring the humid air. The faces of the soldiers around Sadie showed strain from the trauma they’d just experienced. Water dripped from their hair and sodden uniforms.
Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Page 30