The name of the last country finally penetrated the SeaGod’s anger. He paused, waves lapping against His hips. Zacatlan? What are you doing here?
“Guinheld has joined forces with Withea and Arvintor,” Meleda called, looking every inch a warrior-priestess. She waved an arm to include those around her. “Ocean’s Glory, Seagem, and Zacatlan working together have set You free.”
My thanks to y people and y allies. The SeaGod inclined His head to them. Now brace yourselves. My enemies must be punished! His voice thundered in Sadie’s mind. I will destroy everyone but those with the blood of Seagem, Ocean’s Glory, or Zacatlan!
Sadie heard the pain and rage in the SeaGod’s voice, and wondered if a Deity could suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Hang on, my people. You’ll get wet.
With relief, Sadie heard a trace of Yadarius’s characteristic sense of humor in His order.
“We already are wet, Yadarius,” Philan yelled, laughter in his voice. “Our ship went down, and we had to swim. I’d rather not do so again.”
A slight smile softened the SeaGod’s face. I hear you son of Arsis, son of Micfal. He waved the arm holding the broken trident. Yadarius didn’t move, but the displaced water continued to surge away from the shore and deepened around Him.
Sadie shaded her eyes. In the distance she could see the same phenomenon happening at the other two islands.
Water rose until the level came to the SeaGod’s chin. Yadarius lifted the hand holding the trident and brought His arm down, smacking the water.
An enormous wave, six stories high flowed away from Him in three directions, racing toward each island.
Thaddis pulled Sadie tight against him. She bent her knees and braced herself.
The tsunami headed in their direction, looking so big and powerful like a scene from a horror movie, that Sadie shook in fear. The knowledge Yadarius would protect them couldn’t overcome her primitive terror at the sight of the tidal wave. From far away, she heard the screams of the pirates.
With a crash that made her ears ring, the wave pounded the island, covering two-thirds of the surface and splashing thirty feet into the air, setting the ground rocking like an earthquake. The water lingered, as if Yadarius held the mass there, pressing against the land. Then as quickly as the tsunami hit, the water receded, leaving nothing but black rock in its wake.
~ ~ ~
Arvintor’s othersense yell of jubilation penetrated their minds and woke everyone in the Che-da-wah camp. Yadarius arises!
“Yes!” In the darkness of the grupta, Indaran kicked off his bedding and catapulted to his feet. He heard the echo of happy yells from the Seagem fighters. Leaning over, he pulled up his mate, who was slower to react to the news. He hugged Jasmine in an embrace that lifted her off the ground.
As her breath squeezed out, she let out a happy squeak.
Indaran set Jasmine down, careful not to put her on Shareef who frisked around their feet, and held onto her arm. He threw open the flap of the tent, and, in his excitement, practically carried her out the door.
A fireburst of light illuminated the night with golden sparkles, followed by a second one, and a third.
Daria charged out of the grupta next to theirs, dragging Khan by the hand. She shrieked like the little girl he remembered and let go of her husband to throw herself into Indaran’s arms.
He barely had time to release his wife in order to catch his sister.
“He’s returned!” she cried, half-laughing, half-crying. “Yadarius, our SeaGod!” She gave Indaran a hard hug, before backing off, although she kept hold of his hand.
Archpriestess Anza’s voice rang through the night. “Join with me, people of Seagem, as we reunite with our God.”
Indaran grabbed Jasmine’s hand, and Daria did the same with her husband. Connected, the four of them ran in Anza’s direction. The Archpriestess had moved to the open plain, where there space existed for them to all come together. Seagem’s people—the former prisoners of Ontarem—raced toward each other hugging and weeping. Bunched into a human ball, they channeled their energy to Anza.
Through their link, Indaran could feel the Archpriestess throw their adoration and energy across the sea. The bond to Yadarius was faint from the distance, but their joy powered the connection.
The SeaGod acknowledged them with a burst of love in return. He gathered their energy into the waves around Him.
The familiar feel of Yadarius, one Indaran hadn’t experienced for all the years of his captivity, hit him so hard, that if he wasn’t in the middle of a cluster of people, held tight by various arms, the emotion geysering inside would have dropped him to his knees. From the empty place deep inside his soul, one that no other Deity could fill, a sob burst out, too intense to hold back behind a manly shield. He couldn’t even feel ashamed of his tears, for around him many strong men wept.
The soldiers of Ocean’s Glory and the Che-da-wah, young and old, joined their circle and contributed their power. While the others didn’t throw themselves into the cluster, they respectfully and reverently touched arms and backs and shoulders and legs. The flavor of the energy channeling to the SeaGod changed, became more exotic.
Arvintor stepped into the link, saluting His Brother God, and gave Yadarius a torrent of information, too fast for human minds to comprehend. Then He gently disengaged the channel from the SeaGod and brought their energy into Himself. For long moments, He swelled with their power, then reversed the flow back to the people. He concentrated on fueling the fighters and healers, preparing for them for the battle that would come with the dawn.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Wenda lowered her hands and gripped the stone rail of the lookout. Seeing the wall of water rushing toward the island filled her with fear, but also a strange sort of awe and exaltation. Her God was free and making His will known!
Quickly, she focused on Gar, the other priest from Seagem, traveling with the fleet on the flagship of Ocean’s Glory. Using her othersense, her power augmented by the energy of Yadarius sizzling through the air, she quickly sketched the details to him.
After absorbing his burst of happiness at the news, she warned Gar of the tidal wave, urging him to link with Withea’s and Guinheld’s priests and priestesses on the other ships and use their power to communicate with the SeaGod. Hopefully Yadarius would send waves or whirlpools to wreck havoc on the seadogs and not the ships of His ally. She also told Gar to communicate with the commander of the fleet and send a ship to pick them up from the islands.
Gar agreed, and Wenda cut the communication, eager to return to her God.
But as she began the shift of energy, a stream of joy and thanksgiving—faint, but still tangible—made of Seagem’s people and…other energy signatures she didn’t recognize, coursed across the water to Yadarius.
With a jolt, Wenda tried to sort through the power strands, searching for her husband’s familiar force. The origins of the stream were too far away to discern Min. But the very presence of Seagem’s people, coming from the direction of Louat, gave her hope. Perhaps she and Min would soon be reunited. She could only pray for such a wonderful outcome.
She turned her attention to Yadarius. Just seeing Him filled her heart, barren of His presence for so long. Not even Guinheld or Withea had filled the emptiness left by the absence of Yadarius. She pressed her hands to her chest and gave thanks. No matter what happened in the coming battle with Ontarem, she embraced the joy of her reunion with the SeaGod.
~ ~ ~
The minute Pasinae saw the light beam fail, the Trine Priestess knew all was lost. She gasped, ran to the ledge, climbed down, and hurried along the path, as fast as she could go without falling. A branch tried to snag her arm. She knocked it away, but not before getting a nose full of bitter pollen.
The dawn grew brighter, making it easier to see her footing. “Hurry, hurry,” she chanted over and over as if the words would make her feet move faster.
As she raced down the mountain, her b
reathing came in shallow gasps. Her chest constricted, and her legs grew heavy. But she forced herself to keep going. For she knew, to stop was to die.
Finally, Pasinae made her way off the mountain and into the town. The people moved about their business, unaware of anything being wrong. She paused only a moment to catch her breath and take stock of her options. Two ships rode at anchor in the harbor. She selected the biggest one with the most masts as her choice to escape. As if in answer to her decision, the crew of that vessel climbed into a longboat and began to lower the craft to the water.
Touching the pearl at her forehead, she drew on Ontarem’s energy to strengthen herself and trotted down the road to the harbor. Some of the seadogs recognized her and jumped out of her way, unfortunately leaving the smell of unwashed bodies behind. Their actions made everyone else follow to the side of the street.
With the road cleared of human obstacles, Pasinae picked up her speed. The soles of her boots smacked against the street’s stone surface. Her breath wheezed. She didn’t stop running until she reached the edge of the harbor. She ran across the sand to meet the longboat as the bow slid onto the beach, the sailors laughing and joking, obviously glad to be home.
One of the men in the front wore more gold around his neck than the others, and Pasinae directed her orders at him. “Move over and let me in.” She raised her voice to be heard over the talking men and pointed. “Then pull for the ship with all your strength.”
The captain sent her a lazy glance, heavy with sexuality. “And who might you be, my pretty, to be orderin’ me back to my own ship.”
She narrowed her eyes and threw her othersense power at him. The strike hit the man in the chest so hard, he toppled into the water, landing ten feet way on his back with a splash.
The men hushed, looking at her with wary expressions.
For a second, her strength amazed her. Then Pasinae remembered she now possessed Kokam’s power as well as her own, and for the first time didn’t feel guilty about that fact. She climbed over the side of the longboat and took the captain’s place. “Back to the ship! Yadarius rises! Row, or we’re dead!”
Galvanized, two men jumped into the knee-deep water to push the boat off the shore.
The drenched captain staggered to his feet and bellowed.
Pasinae ignored him, pointing to the ship in an unmistakable command.
The two sailors turned the boat and jumped back in, settling oars into the locks.
“Come back here,” the captain yelled and began to splash after them.
The sailors pulled for the ship. Some of the men cast concerned looks at the former captain, but then they’d glance at her and keep rowing.
The water around them churned. Yadarius’s struggles to free Himself were setting the ocean waving. A white-tipped breaker formed.
Pasinae held her breath until they crested the rising water. She heard the wave break behind them.
The longboat reached the ship, and someone on deck tossed the rope ladder over the side, Pasinae stood and grabbed for a rung. She missed, and one of the sailors caught the bottom, steadying the end for her. Grateful she wasn’t wearing a dress, she scrambled up, appreciating the endurance she’d built up. At the top, strong hands grabbed her and hefted her over the rail.
A tall thin-faced man stood waiting. He too wore gold, but not as much as the captain. “What the—”
“Yadarius frees Himself,” she snapped. “Ready the ship to leave, now!”
“But the captain—”
“You are the captain now. Recover your wits, man, or the ship will be lost!”
Understanding sparked in his eyes. He spun on his heel and began to yell commands.
She heard the sounds of the anchor rising, the snapping of the sails as they unfurled.
The ship shuddered with the power of the wind.
Pasinae turned to see the sailors preparing to hoist the longboat on board. “Leave that, fool.” She commanded the nearest one. “We depart now.”
“But the men…” he protested, gesturing toward the ship’s side.
“Only whoever can scramble up that ladder. The rest we leave behind.”
The man leaned over the rail and shouted commands at the sailors below
By slow degrees, the ship ponderously began to turn.
The new captain ran to her. “Where to, lady?”
“I’m the Trine Priestess, fool!” She pointed to the open water. “Away from here. When we’re safe, head for Penutar.”
The sails filled, and the vessel leapt forward.
The waves around them grew higher and surged.
Pasinae could feel the chains around the SeaGod wear away. We’re not going to make it! As she ran to the bow, she passed sailors rushing about their tasks, fear radiating from their movements.
Once she reached the bow, Pasinae crowded against the rail and touched her pearl. With her othersense she shouted to Ontarem. Using quick mental pictures, she made her need known.
In her mind’s eye, she saw Ontarem’s expression turned stormy. The God reached out and grabbed the ship, towing the vessel toward Penutar.
~ ~ ~
Once his initial gladness at the SeaGod’s release passed, Thaddis realized that he could very well be the next target of the wrath of Yadarius. He released Sadie’s hand, avoiding her curious glance, and eased out of the crowd of rejoicing people.
Wenda climbed down from the lookout. “I’ve communed with Gar on the flagship,” she told him. “Some of your ships will sail to pick us up. We should go down to the harbor.”
“There may still be fighting,” he warned. “Some seadogs are descended from captives taken from our countries. Yadarius may have sensed their mixed blood and spared them.”
“Before we can move, there are those who need healing,” the priestess said. “With Yadarius restored to His power, He can fuel me to do so.”
“Good. Start with Philan.” Thaddis walked away from everyone, needing space in case Yadarius wanted to throw a thunderbolt or something else lethal his way. He didn’t want harm to come to anyone, especially not Sadie. He hurried down the steps and paused on the path.
Yadarius stood hip-deep in the water with a piece of His trident in each hand. He raised His arms in front of Him, aligning the ends of the handle, His forehead knitted in concentration.
Thaddis had a sense of the Goddesses joining with the SeaGod. With a ping like a spoon striking a crystal glass, except far louder—the sound rang across the ocean—the two sections of the trident fused into one.
The SeaGod glowed with power. His eyes turned to Thaddis.
Thaddis dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “I have wronged You and Your people, Ruler of the Sea.”
A gentle breeze ruffled his hair.
Rise, Thaddis of Ocean’s Glory. You have not wronged me, nor my people. On the contrary, you sought only to save Indaran, my prince. The SeaGod’s shoulders sagged as if weighted by grief.
Thaddis stood.
My own neglect that is the cause of what has happened. I knew Ontarem was displeased with me for accepting His people as my own. I did not think His feelings would turn to enmity against me and mine. I should have refused my permission for Indaran to make the journey to Louat. When Indaran fell into Ontarem’s hands, the God had the first of His tools to use against me. For that oversight, my people have suffered. Would that I could undo time. But even we Gods lack that particular power.
Thaddis glanced up at the people on the ledge. From their expressions, he could tell they, too, heard the SeaGod’s words.
On each side of the path, his soldiers straggled back from the fighting.
Boerk, a bloody slash across his arm, bowed. “The seadogs are no more, my Lord Commander. Those we didn’t kill ran down the pathway and were caught in the tidal wave.”
“Well, done.” Thaddis raised his voice so everyone could hear his praise.
Yadarius waved His trident. I will work with my priestess to heal all who are injured.
Bring all the wounded to this area. The SeaGod pointed to where Thaddis stood.
I will also visit those who reside in my hall and welcome their spirits, as should have been done when they passed. Give any who have died into my hands and I will carry them home to My hall.
Some of the walking wounded, helped by their companions, began moving in his direction.
The SeaGod straightened, His expression lightening. There are more of my people, Seagem’s citizens, held captive over there.” He pointed to one of the other islands. I sensed their presence and spared them from the tidal wave. When the ships come, they must be transported home. I will ensure their safety.
Thaddis exchanged glances with Philan, who’d joined them. “You and your men have a choice to make. You can go to the captives and sail home with your people. Soldiers from Ocean’s Glory are on the ships. They can take your place. Or you can continue on with me. I advise you to go.” He thought of Adama, and his throat tightened. “Stay safe. Rebuild.”
Philan, a hand clapped over his shoulder wound, shook his head. “As much as my heart longs to go to the captives, to see if any of my family or friends live, I want…need to be part of taking down Ontarem. I will have my revenge.”
I know the feeling. But the next stage of their plan called for them to sail into the heart of Ontarem’s territory. Revenge, if we achieve it, will come at the cost of more bloodshed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
With Ontarem’s tow pulling the ship swiftly toward Penutar, Pasinae should have relaxed. Instead, she paced the deck, uncertain of how far the power of Yadarius would extend. After all, He was God of the ocean, but the waves that came were as violent as those during a storm. But they failed to capsize a vessel held in Ontarem’s hands.
After several hours, the water smoothed. She’d just started to relax, when the lookout called, “sail,” and pointed behind them.
Pasinae whirled. The speed of the ship, the canted deck, prevented her from running to see their pursuers. Instead, she had to scuttle, soft-kneed and bow-legged, to keep her balance, grabbing the rail or a mast when her feet slipped.
Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Page 33