Blood of the Sea, Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter 28: Shoreline

Astrophel

When Astrophel got back to the boats, Iska was waiting for him, snuffling through his stuff and dripping water over everything. Getting his beloved ‘urga away from the rations was a well-needed moment of levity before packing up his stuff once again and slinging his bag over his shoulder. Iska rolls back into the water and barks at him, waiting to take to the sea, but Astrophel shakes his head, “We aren’t swimming right now.”

Iska bobs her head, insisting otherwise. Astrophel indulges her, wading in to rub a fist along her neck and across the ridge of her nose when she twists her head to get pet the way she wants. Wading back out of the water, the tide pulling at his legs, it feels strange to intend to travel somewhere and not be following the water paths. The ships lean as though they too would like to take to the water again, instead of being dry docked on the shore. He catches a few of his people staring at the horizon over the water, a sort of energy stirring in them. Biting back his own urge to throw sail and feel the water mist across his face, he calls out, “Sul, Nox, Khalil. Dio and I are heading inland.”

“Inland?” Nox calls back, their head emerging from behind one of the ships, “What for?”

“We’re chasing after the sky creatures,” Dionne answers. “Their riders make camp not too far from here.”

“They’re ridden?” Sulien asks, disbelief soaked into each word. “How does one even begin to think that’s an intelligent idea?”

“I suppose they’re smart,” Astrophel says, shrugging. “The hydrurga are smart and we ride them.”

“That’s… somehow that’s different.” Khalil says, rubbing at his chin.

“We’ll see what we’ll see, and come right back,” Dionne says, ruffling Sulien’s hair. “Keep everyone well fed and happy.”

“Easier said than done…” Nox starts. Astrophel frowns, opening his mouth to ask what’s wrong, but Nox holds up their hand, “but it’s already taken care of. We’ll start helping catch fish, which will alleviate some of the strain we have from being on land for so long.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Astrophel nods, tossing his friend a smile.

Iska barks again, the sound of her tail slapping against the waves making Astrophel turn her way, “Not now, Iska. You go swim. Teach Pyxis what these waters are like.” His silvery ‘urga bares her teeth and snorts, but she wheels around and scootches along the ground until the water is deep enough for her to dive under.

“She’s not the only one upset,” Dionne offers, laying her head on Astrophel’s shoulder and pointing out Ryju who’s head sticks up out of the water, also staring in their direction. Dionne raises a hand and they both watch the male sink slowly under the surface, bubbles of protest rising in his place. Dionne sighs, “They know we want to be out there with them. It’s hard for all of us.”

“We wanted to explore the lands the journal spoke of. Is it so wrong to go deeper inland?” Astrophel asks her.

“No, it’s just different. This shore would be ‘inland’ for some of the islets.”

Astrophel sweeps his gaze over the bank and begrudgingly nods in agreement. “This land is bigger than we are used to.”

“And with the creatures to prove it.” Dionne picks her head up and loops her arms around Astrophel’s neck, “We will see about these flying Thralkins and their riders, and then we will know more of what we came for.”

Astrophel hugs her close to him, burying his nose in her hair. Her scent washes over him, comforting and exciting at the same time. He murmurs, “You’re right.”

She laughs, “Don’t you forget it.”

Strange hoofbeats come from Kildangan, forcing them apart as they both turn to face Seri astride her patched J’korun, and their two mounts following after her. Dionne’s tan J’korun hones in on her and tosses its head, whickering softly. Astrophel’s gray-blue J’korun, however, scans the people lining the beach and lays its ears back, lip curling back as its teeth glint. A faint trace of unease has Astrophel flexing his hand and striding toward the creature. Dionne chases after him, her supplies also tossed over her shoulder as they weave through their people.

“I thought we could get started before the day grows too late,” Seri offers, her tone apologetic.

“It’s fine. We should be going,” Dionne replies breezily, rubbing her J’korun’s snout and moving around the beast to throw her pack over its back. Astrophel moves to his J’korun, catching its eye and approaching steadily. It balks a little as he raises his hands, but he catches its muzzle in his hands and hums to the creature in the tune of an old sea lullaby; one that wave callers have used on the water and has been passed down to the children amongst the tribes. It’s soothing and doesn’t change too many notes. The settling impact is quick, the J’korun’s eyes calming and focusing in on him. The creature’s ears flick forward, their rounded tips curious in light of this strange rhythm. Astrophel pats its neck and walks around, trailing his hand over its flank which quivers under his touch, the skin bunching and relaxing. He tosses his satchel over its shoulders and hoists himself up, wriggling on his stomach until he can swing his leg over its back. The J’korun arches its neck and Astrophel slides his hands into the creature’s mane.

Seri nods approvingly and turns her J’korun back toward Kildangan and the fields and forests beyond. Dionne turns to follow her, with Astrophel pulling up the rear. As the J’korun moves under him, he realizes he’s adapting the more familiar leg pressure he might use on Iska in the water, using his seat to steer. The J’korun picks up its pace, its gait turning bouncy, and Astrophel settles into it; ultimately, though the movement isn’t cushioned by the water, it isn’t altogether uncomfortable. They maneuver around the city, following the leading edge of buildings and foot paths, before rounding the high-fenced pen the J’korun came from and striking on toward the forests leading south.

Seri calls out, “Ready?”

Dionne and Astrophel share a nervous glance but Astrophel calls back, “Yeah.” Seri’s J’korun picks up the pace and Astrophel can feel the stretch and shift of his J’korun’s muscles under him as his own animal lengthens its stride and pulls ahead of Dionne and her tan J’korun. Dionne squeals as her mount picks up the pace, and soon all three of them are galloping over the earth.