by S. M. Welles
“So… what’s your plan?” Mido stood beside her with an arm around her waist.
Jessie held onto the railing with both hands and leaned against Mido. “Did you see how the water monsters in the cave reacted to me when we were walking to the table?”
“Yeah. They went away when you told them to.”
“And remember how the dolphins came when I called in La Havre?”
“That was impressive. I’ve never seen anything like it. They saved us a boatload of trouble, pun intended.” He winked. “Are you hoping something out there will help us find Captain?”
“I’m hoping the water monsters will help us find him.” Mido’s arm went slack around her waist.
“They attacked him.”
“They’re probably the only things that know where he is.”
“Why would they help us?”
“Those ones probably wouldn’t but I bet there are ones loyal to Rhode, Amphitrite’s daughter. When I talked to Dyne right before the cave, he explained how Rhode helped him once. I bet I can get them to come, but I don’t know if I’ll find ones loyal to her or her mother, which is why I’ve been waiting for you to heal. I wanted you to be able to defend yourself in case they attack us.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“No,” she admitted, “but this is the only thing I can think of. I have to try. You can go below if you want.”
He held on tight. “There’s no way I’m letting you face those things alone.”
Jessie felt a mix of gratitude and worry. She didn’t want to do this alone, however she felt it would be safer for the crew if she did. She had a feeling they’d leave her unharmed if it was just her, no matter who answered the call, but they might toy with the rest of the crew just to cause mischief. She said as much to Mido.
“I’m not risking you doing something like this alone. I’d rather be there, regardless of my own safety.”
“Okay. I won’t argue. Just be quiet a minute and let me concentrate.” She removed his arm from her waist and braced her hands on the railing.
“Hold on. I think we better warn the others in case this gets ugly.”
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, the entire crew was gathered on the stern, everyone but Jessie and O’Toole armed with swords. Rammus had the ship in neutral, just to make it easier for their impending company to swim up to them. Jacobi stood among the cargo pushers, radiating silent fury, but otherwise behaving. He’d been allowed to give his input when Jessie ran her plan by the crew. Even though he was outvoted, his heavy bias stole any weight from his opinion. Everyone else had agreed to let Jessie try. Cancer stood by Jacobi, also armed.
Jessie stood by the railing with her studded sparring gloves on, just in case. Wearing them brought comfort and confidence but no feeling of invincibility. She almost asked Mido to give her a kiss and wish his sea goddess luck, but she wanted to be purely herself, in case Amphitrite would try to wreak havoc through her. Jessie was trying to use her monsters for her own agenda after all. Hopefully Amphitrite wouldn’t try to hinder her, since she was trying to help Dyne, like a good avatar.
Jessie took in a deep breath and let it go, hoping to calm her nerves, then she closed her eyes. Her audience made her nervous. If things went bad, Jacobi would get his “I told you so” in and who knows where things would go from there? Would she be ask to leave, or would they go so far as to throw her overboard to rid them of the dangers her presence brought? She tried to push such thoughts from her mind as she pictured the croco-frog monsters in her mind.
A pair of gangly arms wrapped around her torso, and a head buried itself in the meat of her shoulder. Jessie opened her eyes. That wasn’t Mido, Ed, or Ted hugging her.
“O’Toole, come back here,” Sam said.
Jessie did her best to remain calm as she pried the Irishman’s arms off and shooed him away. She wanted to shove him for touching her, but at the same time she was floored by what he just did. He’d never tried to touch her before. She’d never seen him hug anyone, come to think of it. Dyne was the only person he’d fussed over, but with tears and pawing. This time he was gibbering excitedly as his empty hands reached for her. “O’Toole, stop,” she said firmly. He tucked his arms against his torso like a praying mantis. “Go back to Sam. I need to concentrate.” She pointed to Sam. The Irishman gave her a questioning whine. She pointed again. He drooped his shoulders and trudged over, then latched onto Sam.
“Hey. Stop that.” Sam pushed the Irishman off and held him at bay by one arm. “What’s gotten into you? I’ve never seen you like this.”
Scully said, “Guess he knows something’s up again.”
Jessie faced the ocean and closed her eyes. Hopefully O’Toole’s behavior was a good omen. She pictured the croco-frog monsters in her mind and reached into the sea with her awareness. She rode along the water’s surface, the sensation feeling like drifting in a boat being pulled downstream in a swift current. The sensation gave her butterflies in her stomach.
Her mind then got pulled in a different direction. The yank made her gasp and lose concentration. She blinked several times and eased her death grip on the railing, then took a few calming breaths to ease her racing heart.
“Are you alright, Jessie?” Mido said.
Looking over a shoulder, she nodded and gave him a small wave, then slipped her awareness back into the sea. Something tugged on her mind, eager to make contact with her. She let this other awareness guide her to it. Who or whatever had found her consciousness didn’t feel malicious. Sure, they might be hiding it to lure her in. If that was true, she didn’t care. She’d deal with that “what if” as it came. Her awareness zoomed along the mental river to—
She tried to gasp but she couldn’t take a breath. She first thought she was looking at Amphitrite, but then she realized this woman had wavier hair and a friendlier complexion, and a more petite figure. She had to be Rhode.
Sweet child, came Rhode’s gentle voice, you have harnessed your communal powers at last. I send aid to you. Heed their instruction.
Before Jessie could even say hi, her head snapped back and she saw the cloudless sky. She looked around to make sure she really was back on the ship. The crew was watching her with open wonder, Jacobi with open dislike.
Rammus said, “Well that was an interesting ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes?” The whole trip had felt like seconds, no more than a minute.
“Yeah. So what happened?”
Rhode’s words echoed in her mind. “They’re coming to help.”
“Who’s they?” Scully said.
Jessie shrugged.
Something meaty slapped against the boat’s hull.
Jessie peered over the side. She couldn’t see straight down. What sounded like large rats scurrying up the side made chills run up her spine. She backed away but stopped so she stood between the crew and the railing, just in case she was the only one that could keep everyone alive. Her first impression of Rhode was that the goddess was friendly and genuinely wanted to help, but whatever was crawling up the side of the boat triggered her need for caution. Four creatures climbed on top of the railing and perched there. She took another step back, then forced herself to hold her ground. These were the croco-frog things, except they looked like female versions. They had frog-shaped bodies, bulbous eyes, and croc-like teeth and tails.
Mido appeared beside her, sword held protectively in front of them both. Jessie lowered his sword arm. “Get back. Just trust me.” He gave her a worried frown. “Do it,” she said in her own “don’t argue” voice. He reluctantly backed away and returned to his spot next to Sauna. The water creatures watched Mido with open interest but redirected their attention to Jessie when she faced them. “Rhode sent you to help us.”
The one in front of Jessie said, “Sweet Dyne in trouble. You help.” The creature had a feminine, high-pitched voice.
“How? We don’t know where he is.”
“We do,” another said. �
�We take you.” The others echoed its words.
Rammus said, “How do we know they aren’t trying to pull a fast one?”
A creature on the end tilted its head. “Fast one? We fast. Swim fast.”
Jessie said, “How do we know you’re here to help us?”
The first one said, “Sweet Dyne in trouble. Need your help. You come.”
“All of us?” she asked skeptically.
“No. Just you.”
“And one other,” a second added.
“I’m going,” Mido said.
The four creatures looked at him. The lead one said, “Can’t. You hers.” It pointed to Jessie. “Mistress said so.”
“He come,” another said, a webbed finger pointing at Jacobi.
Jessie’s stomach dropped. “Why him?”
“Mistress will want trade,” the leader said. “Or she get angry. Very angry.”
“What exactly do you mean by ‘trade’?” She had a feeling she already knew.
“Take something and no give something else is bad. Very bad. Very dangerous. Trade safer.”
“I’m not going anywhere with her or those freaks,” Jacobi said. Cancer elbowed him and snapped at him to shut up.
“Pleasing creature,” one of the monsters said.
“What happens to Jacobi if I trade him for Dyne?”
“You bitch!” He lunged at her but Cancer, Scully, and Sam held him back. He struggled as Scully wrested his sword from him.
The lead creature said, “Dyne sneak away. That one become new prisoner.”
Scully said, “Jessie, you wouldn’t really go through with that, would you?”
She ignored Scully. “New prisoner? Why is he being held prisoner?”
“Mistress angry. Dangerous to take without giving.”
“But you don’t just trade people like that. How long would he stay prisoner?”
One of the creatures dropped onto the deck with a watery thud and tilted its head at Jacobi. “Forever,” it said as if it was no big deal.
Jacobi stopped struggling and his bronzed face paled. He surged backwards and tore out of everyone’s grip. “No. No way in hell I’m going to become anyone’s prisoner.” The other two subordinate creatures dropped onto the deck.
Jessie angled herself between Jacobi and the creatures, and held out her arms. “I can’t let you take him like that. It’s not fair to him.”
Something huge and serpentine rose out of the ocean, dripping water from its eel-like head. It had a slimy, olive-green hide, black eyes, and gill slits behind its massive jaws. The head loomed high over all of them, its jaws parted slightly, revealing fangs as thick as Jessie’s arms. She and the entire crew backed up.
The lead creature hopped onto the deck, unconcerned with their new company. “Make trade. Safe. Come save sweet Dyne.”
The water serpent drew closer to Jacobi. Jessie ran over and stood in the path of the jaws more than big enough to swallow her whole. It could probably fit four adults in its mouth at once. “Stop!” The serpent halted, as did the creatures. “You are not taking him. This isn’t up for discussion or debate. You are going to take just me to Dyne and help me help him escape.” Rhode had told her to heed their advice, but she couldn’t bring herself to listen. It wouldn’t be right.
“No,” the leader creature said. The others kept their eyes on Jacobi, eager for the go ahead to snatch him up.
“What do you mean? I thought you wanted to help him.”
“Yes. With trade. But you say no trade.”
“There has to be another way.”
The creature studied her a moment. “Risky.” It began to fidget. So did the others.
Jessie took a step closer. “Tell me.”
It bowed its head respectfully. “We take you there. No trade. Very risky. You get selves out. We can’t help with escape. No power.” It looked up. “But you have power. You avatar of mistress. You can escape. But risky.”
“Don’t go, Jessie,” Mido said, almost begged.
She ignored him. “Do I have any other options?”
“Just the trade.”
Jessie waved for the creatures to return to the railing. They wordlessly complied. “Wait there.” She went over and stood before Rammus. “Just stay on the shipping schedule. Once I free Captain, he can get us back.”
“Jessie, you don’t have to do this. It’s—”
“Yes I do. He’s a prisoner. He doesn’t have the power to escape, but I do. You heard them.”
“Please don’t, Jessie,” Mido said.
She went over to him and planted a long kiss on his lips. He returned it fervently, as if he feared he was never going to see her again. “Trust me.”
“I trust you but I don’t trust them.”
“I have to take this risk. I’ll be back sooner or later.”
“Why do you feel so strongly about doing this?”
“If you were told you had the power to save him, wouldn’t you?”
He thought a moment. “I would.”
“I’d tell you not to worry but I’d be scared out of my mind if I was in your place and you mine. So… try not to worry too much. I promise I’ll be back.”
Mido took her face in both hands and brought his face close to hers. “I’m holding you to it.” They kissed again, short and sweet. He let go, worry etched all over his face.
She caressed his cheek, then headed over to Jacobi, who was shielding himself behind Cancer, Scully, Sam, and Rammus. All five of them looked tensed for fight-or-flight. They tore their eyes from the water serpent as she approached and she gestured for them to step aside. They parted and she stood before Jacobi, who regarded her with fear and hate. “Never forget: it’s the garbage bitch you threatened to rape who saved you from getting turned into Amphitrite’s prisoner. You owe me a thank you when Captain and I get back.” She expected him to get all narrow-eyed and start spewing insults, but he kept quiet and still, like a prey animal trying to avoid triggering a predator’s pounce reflex. He also looked like he was at a loss for what to think. After all he’d said and done to her, she was sticking out her neck for him. He glanced at the serpent, then fixed her with a terrified yet confused stare.
Jessie finally approached the lead creature and eyed the water serpent warily for good measure. It still loomed over all of them. “Take me to him.”
“You certain?”
“Yes.”
The water serpent lowered its head, resting it on the deck and making the boat list. The creatures clung to the railing and the crew staggered before regaining balance. Jessie grabbed the railing to catch herself. The serpent opened is maw, revealing fangs encasing a purple tongue. The creatures couldn’t possibly expect her to—
“Come. Ride. We take you there.”
Oh, god. “You expect me to get in its mouth?”
“Yes. You can’t swim like us. Long swim.”
“How do I know you’re not trying to feed me to it?”
“Harm avatar bad, unless told otherwise,” it said fervently. “Make mistress very angry.” The others echoed their agreement. “You ride. You sleep. You wake on arrival. Then no more naiads. We flee. No more safe. You understand?”
“For the most part.” Jessie cautiously approached the serpent’s maw and it’s rows of fangs as big as her forearms, its saliva glistening in the floodlights. Mido looked ready to dash over and grab her. She didn’t blame him. Stepping into the mouth of something big enough to swallow her whole was a horrible idea, except for right now, hopefully. She took in the entire crew, all of them frightened, all with their swords held in white knuckles. “I’ll be okay.” The words slipped out of her mouth, a reflex reaction to their anxiety. She had no idea if she’d be okay, much less ever see them again. However, she had a feeling Dyne would get them back if she could get to him. She stepped over the fangs and stood on the serpent’s squishy tongue. It felt like she was standing on a firm water bed.
A naiad came up to Jessie and grabbed her hand. “Time to sle
ep.” It bit her pinky finger and let go. Jessie flinched and let out a startled cry, then hugged her hand to her chest. Her hand started throbbing, and so did her arm, and suddenly her whole body.
“Sorry. Necessary.”
Jessie began to feel very drowsy. Her vision blurred and she lost her balance. The last thing she saw was the jaws closing as she toppled over.
* * *
Waiting and thinking. Thinking and waiting. What I was waiting for, I wasn’t sure. Punishment to begin, I guess. This incarceration was punishment though. It made me feel powerless, even in demon form. I’d taken up pacing the exit tunnel, but it was small to me while fifty feet tall. Yeah, I’d listened to Rhode, so I’d walked laps around the chamber as I thought about escaping more than anything else. Think about Amphitrite’s confession of love? All it did was make me feel sick to my stomach, so I gave up and thought about what I’d do if I ever gout out. I thought out many scenarios, covering whether my crew would be alive or dead, young or old, and how I’d react to various forms of punishment. What could she be preparing that was worse than this? I couldn’t think of anything, which pissed me off.
Right now, I was parked on the far end of the exit hall, staring out at all the pillars. Sure, I’d already thought of climbing them, but not only was I a water demon, better equipped for swimming, I also didn’t want to get punished for clawing up their artwork. So grounded it was.
Poor sweet Dyne.
I surged to my feet. A high-pitched female voice in my head, an unfamiliar one, was the last thing I expected.
Fear not, sweet Dyne. Help has come.
Was I going stir crazy and imagining things? The voice sounded like it belonged to a naiad, which threw me. Maybe it was toying with me. I was beyond help, except Amphitrite’s.
Something swam into the exit pool and stuck its huge head out of the water. How—? Never mind that. What was a giant water serpent doing here? I faced it, claws ready at my sides. If this was the first monster to cause me pain, so be it. I could take it on.
The serpent paused at the sight of me, then slowly drew to the hall and tilted its head. I crouched, then hesitated when it opened its mouth and something humanoid spilled out. The serpent backed up, positioning the regurgitated object between us, then it touched the thing once with its chin feelers before retreating back underwater and out of sight. I charged the pool and raked the unyielding surface, which rippled and stilled, heedless of my touch. I was still a prisoner. I turned to the thing the serpent had spit out, then did a double take.
