Read Online Eye of the Oracle by Bryan Davis - Free Book Online Page B

awake.
    “Patrolling?” she asked, stretching her legs and wings.
    Makaidos stayed out in the corridor and spoke softly. “It is difficult to sleep when my mind replays my father’s death.”
    Thigocia stepped to the stall’s entry and reached her wing over Makaidos’s neck. “I apologize for what I said about your sister.”
    “My sister? What did you say about her?”
    “I implied that she was a crybaby. I had forgotten that she would also die in the flood.”
    Makaidos cocked his head and let his voice grow a bit louder. “You said that months ago. Why do you bring it up now?”
    Thigocia lowered her gaze to the floor. “I was unable to think of any other reason you might be angry with me.”
    “I am not angry with you! I told you I do not know why I could not pass through the veil.”
    “Shhh!” Thigocia warned. “The humans are sleeping.”
    “I was sleeping!” Noah stepped out of his quarters and stretched his arms. “Is there a problem?”
    Makaidos grimaced. “Pardon me, Master Noah. I apologize for my outburst.”
    Noah walked slowly toward them, balancing against the rocking boat. “Think nothing of it, my friend. After so many months in close quarters, we are all on edge.”
    “Not just on edge. Thigocia and I are weak from lack of light. When we were adrift, we could absorb the rays that came in through the window, but now we are wedged at an angle that does not allow the sun to enter. The lanterns and vents in the rafters help, but we cannot survive much longer without direct sunlight.”
    Sympathy creased Noah’s brow. “The doors are sealed. By God’s command I cannot open ”
    “Yes, Master Noah. I know. I did not mean my explanation to be interpreted as a complaint against you.”
    Ham climbed up from the lower deck. “Father,” he said, bowing his head as he approached. “I overheard your conversation. May I suggest something?”
    Makaidos felt a twinge of warning again. This was the most respect Ham had shown his father the entire journey.
    Noah returned a head nod. “Certainly.”
    “Since mountaintops are visible in the distance, you suggested last week that there might be land close by in one of the directions we can’t see. Why not send out a bird to test that theory. If it comes back, there is likely no place to land.”
    “I have thought of that.” Noah pressed a finger to his cheek. “We have very few birds to spare, but I was thinking we could release one of the doves we brought for sacrifice.”
    Ham shook his head. “No need. We can send my raven out. She’s expendable, and she can let us know if there is dry land nearby.”
    Noah laughed. “I heard that raven grumbling about grapes the other day. I thought I was finally losing my mind.”
    Ham pointed at the black bird as it perched in the rafters. “I’ve been talking to her for months, and she’s learned quite a few words, so I trained her to fetch things, like crickets for the snakes or raisins for the monkeys. She could find something on land and bring it to us.”
    Makaidos gazed into Ham’s eyes, searching for a hint of a lie. He had seen him talking to the raven, so that part was true enough, but the raven spoke back to him. Would Ham mention that, too?
    Noah stroked his chin. “But there will be no crickets or raisins to find. Everything will be dead and washed away.”
    “True, but before the grapes dried out, I taught her the difference between the purple ones and the green ones. I’ll just ask her to bring us something green. Maybe new seedlings have sprouted by now.”
    “An interesting theory,” Noah said. “I think it’s worth a try. We’re all anxious to get our feet back on solid ground.” He shuffled into the anteroom, a noticeable stagger in his step. He opened the shutters, allowing a stiff breeze to sweep through the cabin.
    Ham whistled toward the rafters, and the raven fluttered down to his shoulder. “Go to my father,” Ham said. He then whispered something in the bird’s