Taken With A Grain Of Salt (Salt Series Book 2)

by Aaron Galvin

  “Got it. Get goin’.”

  Lenny looked at Garrett. “Ya wanna go home, right?”

  “Y-yeah.”

  “Good. Get a nice long breath.”

  Garrett glanced at the water.

  “Hey,” said Lenny, drawing his attention. “Ya can do this.”

  The Sea Lion swam in front of Garrett, snorted at Lenny.

  All right, Eddie, we’re goin’. Lenny donned his hood and watched Garrett grab hold of Edmund’s flippers before the darkness took over. He reopened his now seal eyes.

  His companions had already gone.

  “Selkie!” Two hulking Orcs stood on the shoreline, coral swords in hand.

  Lenny dove and followed the churning trail of bubbles.

  An echolocation blast followed him.

  Lenny swished his flippers faster.

  Look at him, an Orc voice pervaded Lenny’s mind. This one’s so small he won’t make a mouthful.

  Fine by me, said the other. I’d like a snack.

  Paulie! Lenny caught up. He looked down and saw Garrett’s eyes closed, cheeks full of air, as he pinched his nostrils shut. Gotta swim fasta.

  I’m not a sprinter, Len. You think you can pull him faster? Be my guest.

  A Killer Whale shrieked behind them, gaining.

  Lenny saw the tunnel narrow ahead. Felt his pulse quicken. Paulie…

  Yeah?

  Get Weava home, will ya?

  What? Paulo said. Len, what are you—

  Lenny somersaulted and swam toward the Orcs.

  Len, get back here!

  Sorry, Paulie. Only doin’ what ya asked me to.

  Lenny…

  Ya wanted to go one way…Lenny saw the Orcs clearly now. One full on Killer Whale, his partner in half-human form and wielding both swords. I’m goin’ mine.

  The half-human grinned and raise his sword.

  The Orc shrieked, opened its mouth for the meal to come.

  Come and get me. Lenny swerved up at the last, felt the sword cut through the water behind him in a rush that sent him off kilter.

  The Orc screamed at the miss and tried to spin back.

  Lenny grinned inwardly. Ah, Whatsamatta? He taunted. Too small in here for ya?

  Lenny rose then dove. A captain does right by his crew. He ducked and rolled as his larger hunters found the quarters too cramped to meet his rapid turns.

  Stay still! one of the Orcs cursed.

  Move, move, move. Lenny willed himself, following another of Declan’s mantras. Always keep movin’, son. Ya tread water…ya die.

  Len, said Paulo. We’re almost out. The tunnel gets too small for Orcs. Get out if you can!

  Lenny tucked his nose and flipped, felt a swoosh of water on his hind flippers as the Orc rose behind him. His flippers grazed the rocky ceiling and he gulped a fresh breath before reentering. He found the waters dyed crimson, bloodied, Lenny assumed, from the Orc cracking its beak against the cavern ceiling.

  Fasta! Lenny swam back up the tunnel, the Orc’s murderous howl trailing him.

  A shadow appeared as if from nowhere.

  Lenny thanked the Ancients for his seal mind instinctually diving beneath it. Still, he felt fingertips grapple with his hind flippers.

  Gotcha.

  Lenny hacked at the Orc’s hand with claws sharp enough to cut through glacier ice. He noticed the Killer Whale barreling toward him. Gonna smash me…

  Lenny curled and bit the Orc. He kicked away the moment he felt released, narrowly dodging the blow meant to kill him. He flipped and sped toward the narrow opening Paulo mentioned, entering the smaller, safer, zone unreachable by the Orcs. Ascending, Lenny found only the slightest gap between the water and cavern ceiling. He peeked his nostrils to nab fresh air.

  Echolocation clicks reverbed up the tunnel behind him.

  They can’t fit like they are now. Lenny fought the seal mind, reminded it not to panic and to pay the Orcs little mind. And they’ll be slowa than me if they change to human form.

  His seal mind urged the clicks didn’t come from behind, however.

  Lenny felt a pain in his gut. Paulie…He sent the thought.

  He swam for the tunnel’s end with new urgency when he received no reply.

  Come on, Paulie. Lenny broadcast his thoughts. Eddie…Elle? Where are ya?

  The tunnel’s mouth seemed barely wide enough to fit someone of Paulo’s Salt size. Lenny sped through it without thinking to slow and entered a living nightmare.

  Black and white giants crisscrossed through the water, hunting seals.

  Lenny!

  Elle?

  He saw her in Elephant Seal form inside a weighted net, dragged by Orcs who retained their upper human forms as they followed their Killer Whale counterparts. Elle…

  Watch out! she cried.

  Lenny watched the net dip as Ellie moved to warn him. His seal mind cued to the fear in her voice. It tucked its nose and flipped back into the tunnel as an Orca shot past, shrieking with the glory of the hunt.

  Lenny watched from safety as an Orc taskmaster smacked Ellie for weighting the net down.

  I’ve seen this…Lenny knew as he watched Ellie shift again. Heard her cry out.

  Paulo, no!

  Lenny watched as a Southern Elephant Seal barreled up from the depths. Its nose aimed full force at the Orc that slapped Ellie.

  Paulie…Lenny drifted out of the tunnel. Swam toward his friend. No. Paulie, stop!

  Bright streams of light streaked in the waters near Paulo, lashing around him. Jelly whips!

  Paulo’s screams echoed in Lenny’s mind and he recognized them not meant for his benefit, but broadcast in pain for all the Salt to hear.

  I’m comin’, Paulie. Lenny kicked his hind flippers again, seeing Paulo struggle to free himself of the jelly bindings. He heard the Orcs laughing as more and more whips encased Paulo’s girth.

  Lenny saw Paulo continue his fight to reach the Orc who struck Ellie. Then he heard a dark chuckle and a deep voice’s singular command. Hold him steady.

  Buckets a blood. Lenny swore as death barreled through the water behind Paulo, the size of the Killer Whale bull larger than even its companions. Paulie…

  The Killer Whale drew closer, echolocated. Hold him…

  Lenny saw the Orc holders pull tight on their whips, stringing Paulo suspended.

  No, no, no! Lenny choked as the Killer Whale plowed into its prey, bursting through the Elephant Seal.

  Paulie! Lenny screamed to the tune of Orc laughter.

  Got him.

  Nice one, Malik, another Orc jeered.

  Lenny stopped, his stomach warning he might vomit as he looked on the scattered pieces of Elephant Seal remains. P-Paulie…he choked. N-no…

  Lenny. Ellie shouted in his mind. Swim!

  His seal instincts keying on her panic, Lenny spun and saw Paulo’s killer swimming directly at him. Lenny kicked for his life.

  Too slow, said the Orc.

  Lenny glanced back. Saw the Killer Whale’s teeth and beak bloodied from the fresh kill. Its mouth yawned wide behind him.

  Time to die, little Selk—

  The animal’s jaw jolted sideways. Knocked off balance by a fellow Killer Whale, a smaller one that positioned itself in front of Lenny as it broadcast its heated voice for all to hear.

  Stay away from my friend.

  Lenny gasped. Weava.

  GARRETT

  Kill him. Garrett heard his Orca mind whisper. Show your strength to the pod. Take your place among them.

  Garrett watched the larger Killer Whale’s face melt away, transitioning its upper half into human form while keeping the Orca’s tail. Garrett noted the patchy two-tone skin that covered his opponent’s body and watched him work his jaw back and forth.

  That’s quite the punch for a seapup. The Orc-man grinned. And you’re not one of mine…

  Maybe he should be. Another Orc drifted behind Garrett.

  Perhaps. Allow me to introduce myself, o headstrong one. I’m Ma
lik Blackfin. He dipped his chin. Captain of the Violovar. You’re the one we came for, aren’t you? The little lost Orc, hauled in by a bunch of Selkie slaves. What’s your name?

  Garrett heard clicking all around him. His Orc mind translated their messages and warned more left their hunt to surround him.

  Lenny, Garrett asked, what do I say to him? He wants to know who I am.

  Tell him to screw off.

  Are you kidding me? This guy’s huge.

  Ya knocked him a loop, right? The Ringed Seal swam to Garrett’s side. And he hasn’t killed ya yet. Pop always said Orcs value strength. Show ‘em all ya got more fight left in ya.

  Garrett swallowed hard as he looked at Malik. S-screw off.

  Catcalls followed his answer and teased another smile from his opponent.

  Try again. Malik gave a swish of his tail and circled Garrett. You have to mean it when you give a threat. We didn’t earn the title Killer Whale by being soft, did we? Not like our squealing, giggling, Blowhole cousins, are we, lads?

  Garrett heard more laughter.

  So when I tell you that first punch granted my attention—Malik swam closer—you know I mean it when I say if you don’t answer my question, I’ll have my seawolves drag your bloody carcass from here to the Southern Salt. Now again…what’s your name?

  Show them, Garrett’s Orc mind whispered. Take your place.

  Garrett closed his eyes, thought of his dad, felt the changes pull back from his face and chest like removing socks from feet. He stopped the memory before he lost his tail and reopened his eyes. Show them… his Orca mind whispered.

  You want to know my name? Garrett asked Malik. Come beat it out of me.

  Malik howled with laughter. That’s more like it. I still don’t believe you, but for a calf who allowed Selkies to capture him. He shrugged. It’ll suffice until my pod toughens you up. Now, a real test.

  Garrett watched Malik’s eyes drift.

  Kill the Selkie.

  Garrett glanced at Lenny. Why?

  Why? Malik’s brow furrowed. Are you a real Killer Whale, or a false one? A Selkie’s life is worth no more than krill to our kind.

  He’s my friend. Garrett replied.

  An Orc has his pod. No one else. Malik circled again. And if you take offense with killing a Selkie slave, what will you do when I call upon you to war against our spineless Merrow cousins? Mmm? Would you shrink from ferocious Nomads and abandon your Orc brothers?

  I’m not a killer, said Garrett.

  Not yet. But most of these around us weren’t either. Pups, most of them. Malik grinned. I turned them into seawolves.

  Aye, said Malik’s fellow. And we’re hungry.

  Garrett watched their leader float in front of him.

  I sense a seawolf in you. Malik’s grin vanished. An alpha, perhaps. Let me call it out of you.

  Garrett heard the pod click and shriek around him, felt his Orc mind swell to heed their call and add his voice to theirs. Garrett fought it back. No. I want to go home.

  And where is home? What part of the Salt do you hail from?

  Why do you care? Garrett asked.

  It’s not often one learns my name and doesn’t flinch, said Malik. You’d never heard of me before today. Malik cocked his head to the side, swished his tail.

  I haven’t heard of a lot of people, said Garrett. The world’s a big place.

  Is it? Malik chuckled. I’ve figured it now. You’re one of those refugees who swore to swallow the anchor, aren’t you?

  I don’t even know what that means, said Garrett.

  No? You didn’t swear to give up the Salt for life on the Hard?

  Coward, Garrett heard Malik’s companion say. An Orc without his pod is noth—

  A conch horn echoed through the waters. Garrett heard shrill whistles and clicks reverb around him. Charge! His Orc mind translated.

  Buckets a blood, Lenny muttered. Look at ‘em.

  Garrett shifted. Whoa…

  A super pod of Orcs swam directly at Malik’s group and Garrett observed those that retained their human torsos wore black-plated armor. He noticed a blaze of pearl-white across their chests, the symbol shaped like an upside down trident with a spear bisecting the middle.

  Garrett’s heart leapt as Merrows streaked paths behind their larger companions. Those with hands wielded swords and tridents, shields and harpoons, and those with dolphin tails joined their Killer Whale counterparts who shrieked battle cries as they came.

  “Violovar,” Malik swam to meet them. “Attack.”

  Garrett watched the two groups collide, hacking and biting, dying the waters red.

  Weava. Lenny yelled as he swam away from the battle. The nets…

  Garrett guessed where Lenny headed. Malik’s group had abandoned their prizes. The Selkies they’d captured remained trapped in the weighted nets, unable to wriggle free.

  They’re drowning. Garrett kicked his tail and scooped Lenny in his arms as he passed. He kept his focus on the falling net, dodging an Orc attack meant to take off his head. He released Lenny as they reached their goal and found several Selkies still struggling, one larger than the rest.

  Elle! Lenny nudged the Elephant Seal’s head. Elle, can ya hear me?

  Garrett saw her seal eyes flutter.

  Hang on, Elle, said Lenny. Weava’s gonna get ya to the surface.

  Garrett grabbed hold of the net and groaned as he kicked his powerful tail and began to rise. He glanced down as Lenny smacked a Sea Lion with his flipper.

  Eddie, said Lenny. Eddie, keep fightin’. The Ringed Seal glanced at Garrett. Come on, Weava. They’re drownin’.

  I’m t-trying. Garrett looked up. His Orc mind told him the surface was less than twelve feet away. Come on…

  Weava, they’re leavin’, said Lenny. The Violovar are leavin’. The other pod ran ‘em off.

  Garrett didn’t bother looking. His arms felt saggy and weak. He noticed the Sea Lion’s mouth opening and closing. Swallowing water. Garrett closed his eyes and grunted. Come on…just a bit further.

  He heard clicks and whistles drawing near. Felt the net lighten.

  Garrett opened his eyes and nearly cried.

  Merrows had joined him in his cause, their dolphin tails tickling his own as each tread water to hold their place.

  Garrett gaped at the two-toned faces of armored Orcs rushing to aid them.

  Heave! one of them cried in his mind.

  As one, they kicked toward the surface and ascended, reaching the surface in a sudden jolt. Garrett watched as Merrows deftly worked their coral daggers to cut the ropes while the Orcs pulled the Selkies from the bindings.

  The Ringed Seal swam up beside him. Come on, Elle. Ya can make it, Eddie.

  He saw life return to both the Elephant Seal and Sea Lion, their movements slow at first, but finally swimming free of the nets and taking a breath at the surface. He grinned as he watched Lenny swim to join them, clapping them on the backs with his flippers.

  Garrett? a familiar voice echoed in his mind. Is that really you?

  It can’t be…Garrett choked on water as he gasped. Sydney?

  He watched as her dolphin tail gently swished to tread water not twenty from him, her long black hair suspended in Salt.

  Garrett! Sydney grinned and sped forward, throwing her arms around him, wrapping him in a watery embrace.

  How did you…Garrett pulled back. Y-you’re a Merrow.

  She nodded. I came looking for you the second I found out what you were.

  You didn’t know?

  No, said Sydney. Mom told me it was our family secret. I couldn’t tell anyone.

  Your mom, she’s—

  Hey…said another familiar voice. Is that Garrett Weaver I see over there?

  Garrett saw Nattie Gao swim toward him, her white torso gleaming the same as Wilda’s had back at the Indianapolis Zoo.

  Nattie stopped. Get over here already and give me a hug.

  Garrett’s tail refused to work. I don’t understan
d. H-how did you all know where to find me?

  Word travels fast on the currents. Nattie cast a disapproving look at the seals. Especially when it’s an Orc slaved by Selkies. It’s lucky we had already come looking for you.

  Garrett noted the super pod forming ranks all around them. Helping what Selkies remained out of the nets and carrying others too weak to swim toward the surface. Who are they?

  They are the Painted Guard, said Nattie. Protectors of the realm. They uphold the laws of our capital, New Pearlaya.

  Watawa said Orcs didn’t keep the peace though. Garrett kept the thought back, not wishing to offend those who saved him. Garrett watched them a long while, marveled at their skin and powerful frames. He felt his spirit soar as he thought on Wilda’s words to him. You are a painted beauty, child. Don’t never let anyone tell you different.

  I’m one of you. Garrett felt his mind twin with the Killer Whale inside him. I’m an Orc.

  Garrett, honey, said Nattie. We need to leave. The Violovar don’t suffer losses lightly and Malik Blackfin is sure to send his seawolves out, calling for others to join his cause.

  Are you taking me home then? Garrett asked.

  Not yet, said Nattie. Like I said, word of you has traveled fast on the currents. Others will want to hear your story, especially those who sent the Painted Guard to find you.

  They saved us too, said Sydney.

  You were in trouble? Garrett asked.

  Sydney…

  Right, sorry, Mom, Sydney replied. I’ll tell you on the way.

  On the way where? Garrett asked.

  New Pearlaya. Sydney grinned. We’re going to the capital!

  CHIDI

  Why are we swimming toward land? Chidi wondered.

  She had followed the brothers westward after Quill warned of the approaching Orc pod, but he surprised her by veering north upon hearing the boats in Boston Harbor. Still, she recognized she had little choice in resistance, knowing either Nomad capable of swimming her down with little effort. She glanced back the way they’d swam, the thought of Henry following a constant in her mind.

  She felt safer among the brothers anyway, Quill’s confidence and Watawa’s gentle speech a welcome relief from the back of Henry’s hand.

  Chidi watched the rocky bottom turn sandy as they closed in on the shoreline. She watched Quill’s shark tail split in two and morph as he placed his now human legs under him and waded to shore.