Vale of Tears: A Thalassia novel

by Patrick McClafferty

  For some reason the thought of a partner, even an alien one living in her blood made her feel better. Sitting down on the deck, her back against the tall foremast, she smiled as a feather of cold spray tickled her face.

  The K’ Dreex sounded uncertain.

 

  While it was hard for Jineva at first, soon she could call up a picture of a young, dark haired woman in her awareness. The figure looked slightly older than her, in her mid-twenties, and her hazel eyes were warm and understanding. Meara approved. Jineva reached out, somehow, and hugged the shadowy image in her mind, and was more than surprised when her shadow hands felt something as they hugged Meara. Images flitted through Jineva’s mind, of other places, other people, other worlds.

  She started to withdraw, but Meara held her fast.

  Jineva felt a merging, a blending of their two spirits.

  She felt the other’s sad laugh. There was a mental shrug.

 

  < I know, dear one. I know.>

  Jineva hugged her knees, watching the waves and feeling the surge of the boat.

 

  Meara let out a quiet sigh.

 

 

  < Don’t feel sorry. It was a lot to take in all at once.> She paused for a moment.

  A splash of salt water stung her face, and her eyes flew open. The sky was black now, and lightning rippled in the distance. The schooner was sliding up and down mountain sized waves while the wind moaned through the rigging.

  “Jineva!” A voice from the rear called. Turning, she saw her uncle’s worried face. “I thought ye were hurt, you wouldn’t answer. Come and take the wheel. I have te get the sails down now, before they carry away in the wind.”

  She stiffly worked her way to her feet, realizing that she had been sitting there for hours. “Coming, Uncle!” He slid past as soon as her hand took the wheel. Diego had just reached the foremast when the schooner staggered in a huge wave, and the massive foresail split down the center with the sound of a dropped melon. She could hear her uncle cursing all the way at the stern.

  Jineva never saw the intruder before it put a hand on her shoulder, and then she jerked around to look at a frightened Azzktullua.

  “Jineva. You’re not safe in the open ocean. This is just the edge of a great storm, and it’s bearing right down on you. You must seek shelter. There is a protected cove just a few miles to the west. I’ll guide you.” It had begun to rain, and the Krathaa girl blinked her nictating eyelids. The human girl looked on enviously, wiping the rain out of her own eyes with the back of her hand. Azzktullua pointed into the misty distance. “Go there.” Jineva adjusted the wheel, and slowly the boat clawed around.

  The cove was a half moon bay cut out of the jagged mountainside of a small, unnamed island. As soon as the boat entered the sheltered waters, the wind dropped, changing to a distant roar. Trees around the sides gave the bay protection, even if the wind changed direction. Diego dropped the jib sail, waiting a moment before dropping the anchor.

  “We have a problem.” He was rubbing his chapped hands when he came back from the bow. “The foresail is split, and some of the rigging carried away. We can jury-rig a fix, but we really need a sailmaker to repair that foresail.”

  “We should be passing close to Isla Lemuy. Do you know of a sailmaker there?”

  Her uncle gave her an uncomfortable look. “Yeah, I do.”

  For two days they sat, listening to the insane shriek of the wind and the distant snap of breaking trees. On the third day the sun rose, casting its golden rays against the sweeping Thalassian rings and the low swells of an encouraging ocean. Azzktullua, after spending the two days diving into the warm waters of the bay and dining on the abundant fish, gave Jineva a quick wink, and disappeared over the side. Long talks with the Krathaa girl during the boring time had disclosed, among other things, that her father’s name was Gluznaak and the best way to contact him in an emergency was with a resinous seed pod, that when broken and dropped in the ocean released a pungent flavor the Krathaa could sense for miles. It was, Azzktullua had said with a grin after she handed Jineva three pods, better than shouting.

  Diego raised the jibsail as Jineva worked the wheel, and after making sure it was drawing properly, began pulling the thick mainsheet. Lorena remained below decks, where she had spent most of her time since the confrontation with Selene.

  The boat heeled in the stiff breeze, and flew over the waves. “How long to Isla Lemuy?”

  Her uncle studied the water sliding by the hull. “At this speed, two more days.”

  “Will we be able to see your land?”

  “Probably.” He replied somewhat curtly. “I’m going below.”

  Jineva gave the retreating back a worried look. “Did I say...?” He was already gone, and her frown deepened.

  Isla Lemuy was the smallest of the seven islands in the archipelago, and other than Isla del Sol, which was a barren and strangely melted rock, reportedly the poorest. As Uncle Diego had told her, it was mostly jungle and swamps, so it was with more than a little surprise that Jineva and Lorena saw a bustling coastal city, tucked snugly into a sheltered harbor, fishing boats and small island traders darting about the five mile bay at random. The city walls constructed of stone, stood at least twenty five feet high and totally surrounded the city. Three large wooden gates, all of which stood wide open, faced a bustling and congested dockside. Even from a quarter mile out, Jineva could see the steady stream of carts and wagons going in and out from ships moored at long stone quays.

  Diego pointed to a heavy stone pier that stood apart from the others. “Moor the boat over there.”

  Jineva slowly turned the wheel. “Won’t the owner be upset?” Diego growled something in return, but she missed the exact words.

  A small crowd of official looking men and women arrived at about the same time Diego finished tying off the boat, and she could see him wince as they came up. The tall broad-shouldered man that was leading the pack gave her uncle a low bow, and a wide smile. Drifting in on the air she caught the scent of apple pies, hot and fresh out of the oven. Her stomach growled.

  “Baronet Giani. It is good to see you again, My Lord. If you had let us know you were coming we would have had your manor house prepared.” Diego scowled at the man, but nothing seemed able to quell the tall gray haired official’s enthusiasm. “It has been an excellent last few years, sir, and the Chamber of Commerce believes we have enough in our municipal coffers to found a third city. Isn’t that wonderful?” At each stupendous comment Diego seemed to shrink a little. He turned to face Jineva, and received the full force of her glare. He flinched again.

  “Manor house?” Her voice was flat, her emerald eyes hard as gemstones. “Founding a third city? THIRD? What happened to the jungle and swamp?”

  “I still have t
he swamp land.” Diego was trying desperately to retrieve a shred of his tattered credulity.

  “I’m most sorry, sir. The city drained the swamp a year ago to give us more farmland.” The gray haired man didn’t look the least bit sorry that Jineva could see.

  Diego seemed to deflate. “Richardo, I would like to present Dama Jineva Barillo. She just escaped an attempt on her life that claimed the lives of her parents and her brother.” He looked at the girl and thought for a moment before continuing. “Dama, I would like to introduce you to Richardo, my seneschal, not only of this estate, but of most of Isla Lemuy as well.”

  Richardo was quick, she had to admit it. The man never blinked, but gave her a deep bow. “Welcome to the estate, My Lady.” When he looked up his gray eyes were sparkling.

  Jineva stepped off the boat and onto the dock, marveling for a second at the simple feel of solid land under her feet. “Tell me, Richardo.” She pointed to the walls and massive gates. “Why the elaborate fortifications?”

  “It’s the sealkies, Dama. We’ve had a war with them as long as I can remember. We kill them in our nets, and set traps. They raid up and down the coast, killing and looting, although from the reports I’ve gotten, they steal very little. Sometimes they sink small boats, like yours. You were lucky getting here.”

  Jineva thought quickly. “What would you give to stop the war?” Uncle Diego was staring at her wild-eyed, a look of horror dawning on his face.

  “Why, anything you can imagine. It would be a gift without measure.” He gave her a condescending look. “Do you think YOU can stop it?” His smile said that he believed he was speaking to a silly air-headed princess.

  Her reply was icy. “Yes.”

  “Jineva, Dama, no!” Diego had taken her by the arm. “No!” Richardo’s condescending smile was faltering. Jineva noted that a crowd was starting to form on the other end of the dock, only being held back by four guardsmen with crossbows. They were all very young, no older than Jineva herself, and their blue ceramic helmets and breastplates glittered in the sunlight. From the bow of the boat Lorena, now clad in her white robe of office, was watching the scene play out in silence.

  Jineva took a deep breath. “The killing will stop right now, Richardo. If I stop the raiding and sinking of ships, you will stop the netting and trapping. The Krathaa are people just like you and me. So what if they live in the ocean. They have families and the parents love their children as much as we do ours.” She reached into her pocket and withdrew a hard leathery looking seed pod, as thick as her thumb and slightly longer than her closed fist. “What do you say Richardo, or were your words pure flim-flam meant for another silly girl?”

  The big seneschal had gone pale, and looked to Diego for support. His employer gave him a wry smile, as if to say “you got yourself into this mess, now get yourself out.” Richardo swallowed. “If you can stop the sealkies from killing the humans, I will stop the humans from killing them.”

  “Would you put your hand to that?” Jineva pierced him with her green eyes.

  “Yes, Dama, I would.”

  “Then I will summon the leader of the local tribes of the Krathaa, the sealkies as you call them. Tell your guards not to injure him. His safety is on your shoulders. You will shake his hand, and end this stupid killing.”

  “It will be as you say, Dama Jineva.” His face held respect now.

  Jineva walked to the edge of the dock, and carefully broke the brown pod in two, dropping halves filled with a bitter smelling liquid into the green water. A thin oily sheen spread out rapidly, and then disappeared. Jineva stood there for several minutes, not really knowing what she was waiting for.

  “Perhaps we should...” Richardo began, but stopped when a small green head popped out of the water at the foot of the dock. It was Azzktullua.

  “Jineva? Are you all right?” The voice of the young Krathaa girl sounded scared.

  “What are you doing here? This is dangerous, Azzktullua. Go get your father.” The human girl hissed in anger.

  “I am here.” A deeper voice said slowly, as Gluznaak moved out from under the shadow of the dock.

  “I think that I may be able to end your war with these humans, Gluznaak. I may be able to stop the killing between the Krathaa and the land dwellers, on this island at least. Would you be willing to try?” Her voice was shaking with tension. The big Krathaa floated, thinking.

  “Why do you do this?”

  “Because the killing is so stupid. You’re both intelligent species. Work things out. I don’t want to see humans killed, and I sure don’t want to see you or Azzktullua hurt, that’s why.”

  He gave her a curious look. “You say that like you are neither Krathaa nor human.” He smiled before she could frame a reply. “I will try.”

  Jineva sighed. “Thank you.” Gluznaak flowed up onto the dock to stand beside her. Somewhere back in the crowd of onlookers there was a scream, and the four young guardsmen now had their crossbows raised, protecting the crowd of hundreds from the lone Krathaa. Richardo looked as if he regretted getting up this morning. The air was filled with the sour reek of fear. “Richardo.” Jineva was surprised at how steady her voice was now. “I would like to present you to Gluznaak, chief of the local Krathaa tribes.” She turned. “Gluznaak, I would like to present Seneschal Richardo, the administrator for not only this estate, but most of Isla Lemuy as well.” The two tall beings looked at each other in silence. “A handshake is the usual form of greeting, showing each party that the other is unarmed.”

  With much gritting of teeth, the two held out their hands and shook. Richardo looked surprised at the firm warm handshake. “Yes, they’re warm blooded, just like us.” Jineva said. “Now, Gluznaak, why don’t you tell Richardo what you need from him in order to cease hostilities. Start a dialogue, gentlemen.” She stepped back. The big Krathaa took a wheezing breath, his gills pumping, and began. Intrigued, the crowd was pressing closer, the guards nervously trying to watch both front and back at the same time.

  After thirty minutes things were going well, right up to the point where Azzktullua, obviously bored, popped over the side of the dock to stand beside her father. In the crowd a woman screamed, and a tense young guardsman flinched, pulling the trigger on his crossbow.

  ~~~

  Jineva saw it as if in slow motion. The look of surprise on the guardsman’s face, Gluznaak beginning a turn to protect his daughter that would be too slow. Jineva was closer, and moved quicker. The bolt that would have caught Azzktullua in the chest, hit the human girl low in the right shoulder instead, spinning her around and crashing her to the dock. Azzktullua’s wail followed her into blackness.

  She opened her eyes. A warm lap was cradling her head; from the fishy odor, she knew it must be Gluznaak. Somewhere his daughter was crying, but quieter now. In the distance she saw the three other guardsmen dragging their hapless comrade to the seneschal for punishment. Further back several men with bags, obviously doctors, were pushing through the crowd. Richardo was looking down on Gluznaak and Azzktullua cradling and weeping over the fallen Jineva with something like wonder.

 

 

 

 

  She looked up into Gluznaak’s black eyes, and smiled. “There is a very old saying, my friend: neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring. That’s me.” She grabbed his sinewy green arm in a crushing grip. “Pull the bolt out now.” He gave her a questioning look. “Now!” He pulled, and she gasped. Her red blood ran freely down her shirt and onto the dock, and then it stopped. The two Krathaa were watching her with expressionless eyes, and Azzktullua had even stopped crying. “Help me to my feet.” Gluznaak nodded, and his strong arm carri
ed her to her feet. She heard gasps.

  “Dama Barillo!” Richardo gasped. “You must not... The doctors are almost here. They will...”

  “Thank you for your concern, Richardo, but you will find I am a bit tougher than that.” Her smile was grim, and her loss of blood was making her dizzy.

  Richardo gave her a slow wink, before he turned to Gluznaak. “If you will stop hostilities, I will make sure humans stop their hostilities also. Violators will be dealt with harshly; human violators by the Krathaa, and Krathaa violators by the humans. It will keep things honest. If you like, we can make this effective in one week. That will give us both time to notify everyone involved. After that, who knows?” He straightened his back and smiled. “There may be things we make or grow that you could use, and things you make or harvest that we could use. It might be the beginning of a very good, and profitable, relationship, all thanks to this little girl.” He looked over to Jineva.

  Gluznaak nodded slowly. “It will be as you say, but Jineva is no little girl.” He looked at the young woman sagging against his arm. “She is my friend.”

  Chapter 6

  “Carrots.” Diego was sitting on the edge of her lace trimmed bed, sipping his cup of café caliente. The breeze blowing gently in through the open windows smelled faintly of violets, and the morning sun was high in the sky. White lace curtains billowed in the draft like small indoor clouds. “The Krathaa are simply wild over carrots. Apparently they are rich in certain nutrients that are rare in their underwater cities.”