Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 by Galvin, Aaron (top 5 books to read TXT) 📗

it would’ve been too big for anything else I could imagine. And considering I found it tucked away in the ice mines of Røyrkval . . .” He shrugged.

Lenny shivered once more, running his thumb over the bit of bone. “What are the markings?”

“Scrimshaw, would be my guess,” said Tom. “Don’t know what the markings mean. There was a time I hoped to one day figure it out, or find someone who could read it, but . . . well, now, can’t say as I care much.” He sighed. “I watched my last real friend die today, Dolan. A man only gets so many in his life. Once they’re all dead and gone, well . . . can’t say as I see how he ever opens up again to find new ones. All I want now is to find my boy, escape this cursed Salt world, and get us back to home to shore so I can hold my wife again too.”

Lenny nodded. “I understand.”

“I don’t doubt you believe that,” said Tom. “Thing is, I don’t guess that necklace and bone there are really some kinda gift. Not like I’ve done you a favor.”

“How do you mean?”

Tom pointed at the bit of bone. “I think that’s the key the Merrow king and his Orcs wanted . . . the same thing that caused all this mess in Røyrkval and led our kind to being sent down to work the mines to begin with.”

Lenny trembled. Pop was right – Tommy had it all along. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Lenny looked Tom Weaver square in the eye. “I don’t understand,” he said. “If you found this way back when and thought it was what the Orcs wanted, then why didn’t ya give it up? Maybe could’ve got yourself a ticket outta there and on your way back home.”

“Maybe so,” said Tom. “Or maybe the Orcs would’ve just killed me and then everyone else they had sent down to find it. Keep anyone from talking, or spreading the story of what we found, so to speak.” He shrugged. “I dunno. After what we seen in Bouvetøya, I’m betting the ones who are calling the shots would’ve went with the latter decision for all of us in the ice mines. All that to say, your father earned my respect for not leaving everyone else behind. Murderers, thieves, whatever they may be, they’re still people. Declan refusing to leave them helped to remind me of the man I was. Would like to think I would’ve done the same. Once, anyway.” His voice softened. “All that to say, he reminded me of the reason I stayed down there so long and wouldn’t give the Orcs what I found tucked away in the ice.”

“If you found this key, then why did Vasili have it?” Lenny asked.

“You were in Røyrkval,” said Tom. “You know the sort we’re traveling with, especially those that fell in with Henry.” The elder Weaver shook his head. “Everyone wants to be the top dog in our world, Dolan. If you’re gonna wear that crown and stand on the mountaintop, others are gonna take shots at you.” He shrugged. “Guess I figured it was only a matter of time before one of them other monsters took me down and found that pendant on my body after. Can’t say as most of those I met down in the City of Song would’ve held to the convictions me and Vasili shared with you Dolans either. Vasili though . . . I always knew that pendant there would be safe with my little friend. I reckon that I can say the same of you now too.”

Lenny nodded. “He was a good man, Tommy. Didn’t know Vasili well, but . . . he was good.”

“He was.” Tom Weaver agreed, then cleared his throat before nodding at the necklace Lenny held. “When we were back in the City of Song, I told Vasili to make sure your father got that pendant if anything ever happened to me. Now, that they’re both gone . . . after you saved my life with Henry today, why, guess I figure it oughta be you to wear the necklace now. Maybe you can find out what all those markings mean someday.” He scoffed. “That or toss the cursed thing away. Right on down these tracks, for all I care. That tooth has never done anything but bring me bad luck.”

Should I, Pop? Lenny wondered, rolling the bit of bone between his fingers, even as he looked at the tunnel darkness they left behind. Throw this stupid key over the railing right now to where no one will ever find it in all this darkness?

Much as he tried to convince himself, Lenny could not act out such thoughts. He kept the tooth, if only as a reminder for all the conviction his father had once held about who kept the Ancient item. Instead, Lenny took the leather stripping and placed the noose over his head, then tugged at the neckline of his Selkie suit to allow the bit of whale bone to rest against his chest. Shifting, he felt the bone knock against the other pendant he wore; that which Brother Zuriel had given him to wear before Lenny was taken from New Pearlaya and sent south.

With the twin pendants cold against his breast, Lenny thought of the old and kindly, Selkie monk’s last words to him. Senchis is with you, Lenny Dolan, he remembered Brother Zuriel having said inside the hallowed walls of his sanctuary.

Shivering at the memory, Lenny rubbed at his chest to warm himself again.

Tom sat back and clucked his tongue. “Now, that’s settled, I suppose you ought to know I’m leaving as soon as we land in New Pearlaya, Dolan. Already told Brutus and Jemmy T.”

“You’re leaving?” Lenny asked.

“That’s right,” said Tom. “Assuming we survive whatever’s waiting on us there, that is. If we do make it through the Orc lines, I mean to slip off and