Selkies' Skins Section 2
Chapter 19
installment 31
Name Exchange
~~~~*~~~~
They continued that way, the Triton leading and the boat reluctantly following with phosphorescence in their wake, until the dawn beset them. Etain, hand on the helm, watched the sun rise anxiously, judging the local weather by the color of the sky. Golden, with hints of red, the colors spread like ink dropped onto fine grain rice paper, and she heaved a sigh when she did not see the fiery blood red that she had been braced to see.
Assured her vessel would stay its course, and not veer off in protest at having gone so far and so long on the lead of another, she walked to the bow. The water was a Caribbean Green, and she wondered if this was the shade that had been meant when mariners had tried to describe it in the Makay Logs.
Midday came, and the Triton was still keeping the same swift pace. Etain tapped her throat with her wand, then cupped her hands and Projected loudly as possible.
“Shouldn't we take a break so you can rest? Ye've been swimming roughly 25 knots ever since we set out.”
A few beats passed until he turned his head to reply, slowing slightly. She eyed him, noting that indeed there did seem to be signs of fatigue. The set of his face and dullness of eye spoke one word, while his voice carried another.
“I'm fine wench, I just want out of here.”
Wench? Well, can't expect a Triton to stay civil to me for very long. Wondered when he'd slip back.
“I would feel better if you rested. Can you really withstand such long, fast swims?”
“I am second eldest son of Merisson! Tritons train for just such as this since we are birthed, before we even leave our Nurseries.”
“Yes, and I know well of your strengths as a Triton, but wouldn't it be wise to also be rested if we encounter anything hungry? I can find a way to keep you hydrated while you rest aboardship. Then you can both rest and eat, and we could still continue on.”
I hope Finnol's having an easy time in the office. This one reminds me of Andersen on one of his stubborn days.
He cast an impatient look at her, and continued on. Another league passed behind before he indicated that he was finally ready for a rest. Etain heaved a long sigh when he brought himself aboard.
“I suppose this is far enough, and we can go with your plan for a bit. You mentioned food, halfing?”
“My name is Etain Makay or Brinetreader. Not halfling, half selkie, wench, sea witch, or any permutation. But yes... and I said I'd think of a way for you to be able to rest without drying out.”
Reluctantly, he moved to the place she indicated for him to wait, and sighed when she conjured a tub of water, which he pulled himself into.
“I expected maybe a bubble of water so that I could move freely.”
“I thought about it, but that could be too problematic for balancing ballast with how heavy water can be.”
The ship held its course, while the Triton stayed where he was, watching the water for any hazards, and listening for any hints that they moved closer to danger. Meanwhile, Etain went and got the food she had promised, and handed him a sandwich prepared from her stores.
Curiously, he peeled back the bread, looking at the vegetables and the tuna salad. He sniffed, a look of puzzlement.
“I've never had human food, are you sure this strange preparation will sit well?” He closed the sandwich and took a bite at her nod, savoring it as he chewed. “I like this way of eating fish. My given name is Mimir.”
She curtsied while he ate, “honored to be given your name, Mimir, second son of Merisson.”
“Yes, well... Perhaps I have been a bit harsh with you at times.”
Etain held up her hand. “You have your reasons to be wary, and to lash.”
She left him to concentrate on his food, so that he did not feel obliged to make conversation, and to forestall a possible slip back into his gruffness. Instead, she walked to the bow, shading her eyes and leaning forward. When she could not make out what she was wanting to focus on, she went back to the cabin and retrieved a pair of binoculars, straining forward again.
“Mimir, what sort of kelp is this ahead?”
“Kelp?”
“Aye, looks so. I certainly hope it's not more sea-trash. I've seen enough of that before we crossed.”
He had finished his sandwich and dusted his fingers, dragging himself from the water to where she was. Hauling himself up to sit on the rail, he grunted, then stared in as much wonder as she.
“Purple kelp? Never seen the like of this... Not these shades. Red, brown, green... but not purple.”
“I'd like to look better at that, and it's in our way. Maybe take some samples for my daughter.”
“'Samples for your daughter?' Why would she need 'samples' perchance?”
“She makes potions, it's what she wants to do when she's grown. She's quite good at it, and maybe she'd find it helpful for her classes. But also, samples would be good to track changes.”
“Let's not get your boat stuck... I do not want to be pushing it through.”
The Sea Witch creaked irritably in acknowledgment.
“No, we'll just get close enough to look and get some samples, then find a way around. Looks too thick from here to risk going through.”
Mimir nodded. “I'll swim ahead again. Make sure to warn you where it's safe.”
Assured her vessel would stay its course, and not veer off in protest at having gone so far and so long on the lead of another, she walked to the bow. The water was a Caribbean Green, and she wondered if this was the shade that had been meant when mariners had tried to describe it in the Makay Logs.
Midday came, and the Triton was still keeping the same swift pace. Etain tapped her throat with her wand, then cupped her hands and Projected loudly as possible.
“Shouldn't we take a break so you can rest? Ye've been swimming roughly 25 knots ever since we set out.”
A few beats passed until he turned his head to reply, slowing slightly. She eyed him, noting that indeed there did seem to be signs of fatigue. The set of his face and dullness of eye spoke one word, while his voice carried another.
“I'm fine wench, I just want out of here.”
Wench? Well, can't expect a Triton to stay civil to me for very long. Wondered when he'd slip back.
“I would feel better if you rested. Can you really withstand such long, fast swims?”
“I am second eldest son of Merisson! Tritons train for just such as this since we are birthed, before we even leave our Nurseries.”
“Yes, and I know well of your strengths as a Triton, but wouldn't it be wise to also be rested if we encounter anything hungry? I can find a way to keep you hydrated while you rest aboardship. Then you can both rest and eat, and we could still continue on.”
I hope Finnol's having an easy time in the office. This one reminds me of Andersen on one of his stubborn days.
He cast an impatient look at her, and continued on. Another league passed behind before he indicated that he was finally ready for a rest. Etain heaved a long sigh when he brought himself aboard.
“I suppose this is far enough, and we can go with your plan for a bit. You mentioned food, halfing?”
“My name is Etain Makay or Brinetreader. Not halfling, half selkie, wench, sea witch, or any permutation. But yes... and I said I'd think of a way for you to be able to rest without drying out.”
Reluctantly, he moved to the place she indicated for him to wait, and sighed when she conjured a tub of water, which he pulled himself into.
“I expected maybe a bubble of water so that I could move freely.”
“I thought about it, but that could be too problematic for balancing ballast with how heavy water can be.”
The ship held its course, while the Triton stayed where he was, watching the water for any hazards, and listening for any hints that they moved closer to danger. Meanwhile, Etain went and got the food she had promised, and handed him a sandwich prepared from her stores.
Curiously, he peeled back the bread, looking at the vegetables and the tuna salad. He sniffed, a look of puzzlement.
“I've never had human food, are you sure this strange preparation will sit well?” He closed the sandwich and took a bite at her nod, savoring it as he chewed. “I like this way of eating fish. My given name is Mimir.”
She curtsied while he ate, “honored to be given your name, Mimir, second son of Merisson.”
“Yes, well... Perhaps I have been a bit harsh with you at times.”
Etain held up her hand. “You have your reasons to be wary, and to lash.”
She left him to concentrate on his food, so that he did not feel obliged to make conversation, and to forestall a possible slip back into his gruffness. Instead, she walked to the bow, shading her eyes and leaning forward. When she could not make out what she was wanting to focus on, she went back to the cabin and retrieved a pair of binoculars, straining forward again.
“Mimir, what sort of kelp is this ahead?”
“Kelp?”
“Aye, looks so. I certainly hope it's not more sea-trash. I've seen enough of that before we crossed.”
He had finished his sandwich and dusted his fingers, dragging himself from the water to where she was. Hauling himself up to sit on the rail, he grunted, then stared in as much wonder as she.
“Purple kelp? Never seen the like of this... Not these shades. Red, brown, green... but not purple.”
“I'd like to look better at that, and it's in our way. Maybe take some samples for my daughter.”
“'Samples for your daughter?' Why would she need 'samples' perchance?”
“She makes potions, it's what she wants to do when she's grown. She's quite good at it, and maybe she'd find it helpful for her classes. But also, samples would be good to track changes.”
“Let's not get your boat stuck... I do not want to be pushing it through.”
The Sea Witch creaked irritably in acknowledgment.
“No, we'll just get close enough to look and get some samples, then find a way around. Looks too thick from here to risk going through.”
Mimir nodded. “I'll swim ahead again. Make sure to warn you where it's safe.”
~~~~*~~~~
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Copyright 2012 by Teresa Garcia
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Installment Uploaded here: Jan 15, 2013
Uploaded to Dreamwidth: Jan 15, 2013
Live Journal
Dreamwidth
Copyright 2012 by Teresa Garcia
Like the story? Vote here at Top Web Fiction. Don't forget to check out the other great stories at the Web Fiction Guide.
Got a question? Ask it and maybe the answer will be revealed in the story, or in a comment on the extras page if not part of the story itself. Spy a typo? Website code broken? Would you like the episodes to be longer or shorter? Please let me know!
Installment Uploaded here: Jan 15, 2013
Uploaded to Dreamwidth: Jan 15, 2013
