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

Merrows and the Orcs, or else we will add the Nomads among those soon to die with the rest. The end will amount to the same for our purposes.

Kellen nodded. So, you will let me kill Ishmael?

In time, aye, favored one, said Kanaloa. In truth, I had the thought to allow you take him in further evidence of our strength. All that the other Nomads might see, then carry the tale back to their people also. But, for all you claim against the one who maimed you, I estimate that one so bold as Ishmael would likely hold some commanding voice among his people.

If you believe what the other Nomad said about all those gathered together being tribal leaders, then they all have a voice among their people.

Ah, but some voices cry louder than others, said Kanaloa. Fewer still are the wiser sort heard and heeded.

Kellen snorted. I can tell you which of the two that Ishmael is.

Perhaps, said Kanaloa. But it is often the louder sort to drown out the others . . . and then the rest cannot hear what is lost among the clamor.

Kellen nodded, even as he wrestled with Kanaloa’s speech, wondering what Ishmael might say to convince the other Nomads to join an alliance with the Sancul.

Kanaloa swam in front of Kellen once more. Come, favored one. Do not be troubled with your past, or the Nomads either. They are both trifling matters in compare to that which lay before us in the Cavern of Somnus.

Kellen hesitated to follow. This cavern, he began as he indulged Kanaloa. What’s so special about it? Couldn’t we just go back to Mnemosyne to help me in remembering everything?

That Mnemosyne should do so now when it did not before? Kanaloa chuckled as they swam alongside one another. No, favored one. The power of Mnemosyne healed your body. The Cavern of Somnus will heal your mind and allow the others to see.

Others? Kellen asked. You mean Nyx and Erebus? Black Keerie?

Aye, all of them too, said Kanaloa. But I speak now of those who have followed us since we left Mnemosyne. Kanaloa motioned toward the dark and deep beneath him. Have you not felt the Others lurking beneath all the while, favored one? Not felt them watching you from afar? Waiting for a sign of your power returned?

Kellen’s stomach turned as he glanced into the shadows below. He saw nothing there, but his mind reminded that he had seen nothing of any other hidden Sancul in Mnemosyne either. Continuing his search of the deeper water for any hint of movement, his skin prickled with the notion there were things beyond his sight. Kellen looked back to Kanaloa. Did they not see a sign when we destroyed Orphan Knoll?

Kanaloa’s laugh deepened. Orphan Knoll were but a flickering attempt to that truer power you yet hold within, he said, reaching out to touch Kellen’s head.

Kellen endured the frigid, bony finger pressing against his temple. For a moment, he feared that he should feel the pain of an electric charge, or else to receive some other mystical insight from the eldest of the Sancul.

But Kanaloa was not Hypnos, and his touch did nothing to Kellen except to make him shiver.

Aye, Kanaloa continued, his closed eyelids fluttering as if he searched Kellen’s mind for unspoken words between them. I sense the storm within you soon to unleash upon the world.

Kellen pulled away, breaking the connection and Kanaloa’s touch.

The elder Sancul reopened his eyes. Soon . . . he smiled at Kellen. Aye, soon enough, favored one, I foresee that you will rise once more to lead us as in the days of old.

Not knowing how to respond, Kellen put on a brave face and nodded. Kanaloa left him, then, leaving Kellen to his own tormented thoughts and worries. He glanced to the dark waters above, wondering after the surface world, questioning how far it must be that he should rise to see some glimmer of moonlight.

Signaling the arrival of another creature from the abyss as great in size as he, a sudden, self-made current rushed over Kellen. He wheeled about in descent to face the newcomer. Keerie, he said, forcing a grin to combat the foul look she gave him return. Something wrong?

Aye . . . said she, her face twisting with the word, her dark eyes boring into his. You lied to me.

What? Kellen asked.

You lied to me . . . Black Keerie insisted, her gaze narrowing. When we swam together in Mnemosyne in our most sacred place, you held me in your arms . . . and you lied to me about what happened to you as a Selkie in the above.

I didn’t lie, Kellen started. I-I don’t remember—

What do you remember? She interrupted, squinting as if she might tease the truth from him with her gaze. Nothing of me. Nothing of the strife between you and your father. Or say rather nothing of Erebus, the one that His Deepness and the Lady of Darkness claim to be your father. Black Keerie shook her head. How many times now have you told me that you do not recall any of your former conflict with Erebus? Nothing of love with me, nor even of your beloved Selkies? Aye, not a shred of remembrance for us, nor the creation of your precious creatures.

Kellen reached for her. Keerie—

She shirked away, her lip curling. Why did you lie to me?

I don’t even know what you’re talking about, he said. You just swam over here and started saying I lied to you, but you won’t even tell me what it is you think I lied about!

The Orc, she said, her voice trembling. The one who swam among the Nomads. He recognized you. Aye, called you by name, Kellen . . .

Kellen’s stomach twisted with her every continued word.

How is it that the Orc knew you, Kellen the Killer? she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm. How did the Orc know you by name when you told me