Read Online Sea Queen by Michael James Ploof - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael James Ploof
Tags: Fantasy
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as well just kill me yourself then. I ain’t got no magic wolf or glowing ring. I’m as good as dead!”
Talon stopped and let out a long sigh. A part of him said to keep going, but another spoke of compassion, trust. He realized that he didn’t want to be alone any more than Tyson did. He turned and faced his fellow Skomm. “You should travel south as fast as you can. McGillus has most likely figured out that I’m traveling west.”
“I’ll take my chances,” said Tyson.
“I’m searching the coast until I find what I’m looking for, and I won’t be slowed.”
“Agreed.”
Talon let out a sigh. “Come on.”
Chapter 6
The Keipr
With his amma so close to me I see more clearly Talon’s journey. He has spilled the blood of many men—the echo of my actions has begun to ripple through time. Some who would have been born now will not, and many who would not have lived will come into the world. Many elves will call me a hypocrite, a meddler, and I will stand for judgment proud of my actions. The elders have ever preached nonintervention, and I among them. I understand the possible ramifications of interfering with the human culture. However, I now see the benefits as well. It is true that I have taken the decision upon myself, and for that I may have been wrong, but my heart tells me what I have done is good and just. I shall listen to my heart and let the shadows of doubt fly from my mind. – Azzeal of Elladrindellia, Keeper of the Windwalker Archive, 4997
Chief found them a few hours later as they traveled west along the rocky coast. The rain had returned, and a gloom to match Talon’s heart spread across the land. They walked in silence most of the day, and Talon began to realize how selfish he’d been acting. Tyson had been friends with Marcus back on Volnoss, and Talon knew he must be hurting inside.
“Did you find anything, boy?” Talon asked.
Chief gave a small whine.
“That’s okay. You did real good.” Talon held out the trinket. “Back to the spirit world, Chief. Rest now.”
Chief swirled up into the trinket as his howl echoed across the beach.
“What are you doing? We need him for a lookout,” Tyson protested.
“He needs to rest. I’ve had him out for days.”
“How long does he need to rest?”
Talon shrugged. “I’m not sure how long he can last in the realm of the living, but my amma told me that he needed to return to the spirit world once in a while to rest, and the longer the better. I’ll call him back after nightfall.”
They walked on for a time, and Talon searched the coast with growing apprehension. Every mile he went without finding any sign of Akkeri, his hopes of doing so diminished that much more. What if he was on the wrong path? Perhaps she hadn’t even made it. He refused to consider the possibility.
After making good time for a few hours, they’d still found no sign of Akkeri—or any pursuers, praise the gods. Still, Talon didn’t drop his guard, and he noticed how Tyson glanced back every few minutes as well.
An hour before nightfall they crested a large hill rising along the coast. Talon peered over the sheer cliff at the crashing waves a hundred feet below. He found nothing of interest. Tyson collapsed and lay on his back, panting as he stared up at the dark clouds overhead. The rain had let up, but it had left them sodden and soggy. Luckily the day had been warm.
Talon sat down on the rocky ground and suggested they eat while the rain had stopped.
From their vantage point, they enjoyed a wide view in all directions, and could make out any pursuers long before they got close.
Talon took out the dried meat and half brick of cheese. He gave some to Tyson, who thanked him and tore off a strip of the meat with his teeth.
Talon ate the food without tasting it, his mind preoccupied with the faces of the dead.
He hadn’t been able to save Windy.
He thought again, how Tyson must be feeling, and said, “You guys were friends back on
Talon stopped and let out a long sigh. A part of him said to keep going, but another spoke of compassion, trust. He realized that he didn’t want to be alone any more than Tyson did. He turned and faced his fellow Skomm. “You should travel south as fast as you can. McGillus has most likely figured out that I’m traveling west.”
“I’ll take my chances,” said Tyson.
“I’m searching the coast until I find what I’m looking for, and I won’t be slowed.”
“Agreed.”
Talon let out a sigh. “Come on.”
Chapter 6
The Keipr
With his amma so close to me I see more clearly Talon’s journey. He has spilled the blood of many men—the echo of my actions has begun to ripple through time. Some who would have been born now will not, and many who would not have lived will come into the world. Many elves will call me a hypocrite, a meddler, and I will stand for judgment proud of my actions. The elders have ever preached nonintervention, and I among them. I understand the possible ramifications of interfering with the human culture. However, I now see the benefits as well. It is true that I have taken the decision upon myself, and for that I may have been wrong, but my heart tells me what I have done is good and just. I shall listen to my heart and let the shadows of doubt fly from my mind. – Azzeal of Elladrindellia, Keeper of the Windwalker Archive, 4997
Chief found them a few hours later as they traveled west along the rocky coast. The rain had returned, and a gloom to match Talon’s heart spread across the land. They walked in silence most of the day, and Talon began to realize how selfish he’d been acting. Tyson had been friends with Marcus back on Volnoss, and Talon knew he must be hurting inside.
“Did you find anything, boy?” Talon asked.
Chief gave a small whine.
“That’s okay. You did real good.” Talon held out the trinket. “Back to the spirit world, Chief. Rest now.”
Chief swirled up into the trinket as his howl echoed across the beach.
“What are you doing? We need him for a lookout,” Tyson protested.
“He needs to rest. I’ve had him out for days.”
“How long does he need to rest?”
Talon shrugged. “I’m not sure how long he can last in the realm of the living, but my amma told me that he needed to return to the spirit world once in a while to rest, and the longer the better. I’ll call him back after nightfall.”
They walked on for a time, and Talon searched the coast with growing apprehension. Every mile he went without finding any sign of Akkeri, his hopes of doing so diminished that much more. What if he was on the wrong path? Perhaps she hadn’t even made it. He refused to consider the possibility.
After making good time for a few hours, they’d still found no sign of Akkeri—or any pursuers, praise the gods. Still, Talon didn’t drop his guard, and he noticed how Tyson glanced back every few minutes as well.
An hour before nightfall they crested a large hill rising along the coast. Talon peered over the sheer cliff at the crashing waves a hundred feet below. He found nothing of interest. Tyson collapsed and lay on his back, panting as he stared up at the dark clouds overhead. The rain had let up, but it had left them sodden and soggy. Luckily the day had been warm.
Talon sat down on the rocky ground and suggested they eat while the rain had stopped.
From their vantage point, they enjoyed a wide view in all directions, and could make out any pursuers long before they got close.
Talon took out the dried meat and half brick of cheese. He gave some to Tyson, who thanked him and tore off a strip of the meat with his teeth.
Talon ate the food without tasting it, his mind preoccupied with the faces of the dead.
He hadn’t been able to save Windy.
He thought again, how Tyson must be feeling, and said, “You guys were friends back on
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