Scimitar Sun by Chris A. Jackson

Author:Chris A. Jackson [Jackson, Chris A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pirates, Piracy, Fantasy fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Sea stories, General
ISBN: 9781897492178
Publisher: Dragon Moon Press
Published: 2010-08-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The Coming Storm

*She signs much, but her motions say little,* Redtail signed behind the seamage’s back as she pleaded her case once again to Broadtail. *Always she signs of peace. Never does she tell us how to get what we want from the landwalkers.*

*Yes, she signs much of peace.* Sharkbite flicked his tail in annoyance. *Like a newborn finling, crying for pap from a parent’s gullet. I wonder, is she weak, inept or simply a coward?*

Their conversation, carefully out of view of the seamage, was meant to be overseen by as many of the remaining mer in the grotto as possible. The rumors they’d sown throughout the community about the seamage — her questionable motives, her unwillingness to help the mer against the landwalkers — had taken root, and of those assembled, as many looked to her with skepticism as with hope. Tailwalker and Quickfin floated to either side of the Trident Holder, in full view of their conversation. Both glared openly at them, their agitation plain for all, including the seamage, to see.

*I think the growing heir in her belly has made her afraid of confrontation,* Redtail agreed, backing up slightly to avoid drifting into his companion. The motion was, as everything Redtail did, carefully calculated. His tail nudged another mer, and he turned to offer apology, knowing full well who was behind him. *My pardon, Sunglimmer. We are crammed in here like finlings in a cheek pouch.*

*Yes, it is quite a school in here.* She signed as she backed up. Her mate, Spineback, puffed out his broad chest and flared his gill slits at Redtail and Sharkbite, a subtle challenge. The closely packed school had brought tempers to the fore. Sunglimmer, it seemed, had been paying more attention to their conversation than the seamage’s rambling plea, and Spineback had taken notice.

*Watch your tail,* the big mer warned. *And have a care what you sign in the presence of Seamage Flaxal’s Heir.*

*Calm, my husband,* Sunglimmer signed, one graceful hand on his thick chest. *No insult was meant, and not all here agree with what Seamage Flaxal’s Heir is signing.*

*True on both counts, Sunglimmer,* Redtail signed with a nod of respect. *We only sign our opinions, which to my knowledge we are still allowed to do, unless the seamage coaxes the Trident Holder into denying that privilege also.* He backed away before Spineback could reply, nudging Sharkbite to join their other friends. They had done all they could do here.

The pair worked their way through the school, paying little attention to the seamage’s conversation with Broadtail. What she was signing they had all seen before; caution, peace, tolerance, talk…an endless prattle of obsequiousness that Redtail found increasingly nauseating.

They joined Eelback and Slickfin where they were conversing with Kelpie. Redtail could tell by the priestess’ posture that she was upset.

Good, he thought, gesturing from behind Kelpie’s back that their assignment had gone well. Eelback has told her of our discovery. Their entire conversation, purposefully held in view of Tailwalker and Quickfin, was to draw their attention away from Eelback’s conversation with the priestess.

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