Fables and Fantasy by D.L. Gardner

Author:D.L. Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: D.L. Gardner
Published: 2022-06-24T00:00:00+00:00

A YEAR HAD GONE BY since Pouraka had caved in, destroyed during the worst storm on record for the northwestern shore of Talbatha Island. Kaile tried not to think about the cavern that had once been his home; the memories were still painful. But he never regretted his decision to remain human. He married Beth that year and Leni hired him as a fisherman. Someday, Leni promised, Kaile would have a boat of his own. Kaile swore he would do whatever he could to protect the coastline and its inhabitants.

No one had ever told Sasha what happened to Cora or the other mermaids after Pouraka caved in, though often Sasha would talk about merpeople and dolphins in the same sentence. Kaile had a suspicion that she remembered seeing more in the cave on that stormy day than she admitted.

One summer evening the three took a walk up the grassy hill to their favorite hillside.

“Careful, Sasha. Don’t go near the edge.”

“I won’t,” the girl answered, and in obedience, slowed her steps. “I simply want to see the sunset.”

“You have time.” Kaile took Beth’s hand and squeezed it tight, grateful for their new life together.

“One year ago, today,” Beth said.

“It’s been a long year.” Kaile sighed and viewed Sasha’s silhouette against the setting sun as the little girl sat down on the grass above what was once the mouth of the magical cavern. It was now nothing more than the remnants of a landslide, a concave, broken cliff eroded by pounding waves during high tide, and a new trail to lively tide pools during low.

Kaile fell on the ground between Sasha and Beth. The spray from the ocean still had the same fragrance here. It was the scent of the wildflowers mingling with the sea air that reminded him of Pouraka. Whatever reason, Kaile would never lose the nostalgia he felt while sitting on this hill watching the sunset.

Sasha chewed on a blade of grass and smiled at him. The gold of the evening shone in her eyes, dissipating any homesickness still churning in his gut. She made his decision worth it. Pouraka had saved her life, and to him that alone made up for the cavern’s destruction.

The sun sank lower and sent them a chilling breeze. Beth moved closer and Kaile wrapped an arm around her.

The pinks and golds that shimmered on the swells were mesmerizing. Kaile gazed in quietude.

“Umm...” Sasha began as she drew in her breath. Kaile expected a mermaid question would be coming.

“Yes?” This was the time of day for her to ask. He lay back in the grass, waiting for the inquisition with a smile on his face.

“I was wondering why so many colors glitter on the ocean at sunset,” Sasha blurted.

Surprised with that inquiry, Kaile wondered how to answer her. When no one spoke, Sasha glanced over her shoulder at him.

“Okay. Let me try.” Kaile said. “The sky turns color at sunset. And a big body of water like the ocean reflects the colors in the sky.

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