The Sound of Seas by Jeff Rovin, Gillian Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

fingers, one on each hand. “Maybe you are a flendro as well!”
    â€œThere is no need to be insulting,” Qala cautioned.
    Lasha grumped back a step.
    â€œTell me about your home in the north,” Qala said.
    â€œI—I can’t remember much,” Caitlin lied. She didn’t want to alienate the tall woman who seemed intent on actually helping her. It was better to buy time, try and find out when she was, relative to the end of Galderkhaan. She looked at the cloth wrappings on her feet. They were bound with leather strips attached to a wooden sole. The edges were scuffed, old. She looked at her fingernails. They were worn, chipped. She could be a laborer of some kind.
    â€œDo you wish to see a physician?” Qala asked. “There is one on my airship.”
    â€œNo, thank you,” Caitlin replied, gesturing sweetly. She didn’t want to end up a guinea pig. She touched the bracelet. “This girl, Bayarmii. I should try to find her.”
    â€œAs you wish,” the Standor said. “Then I will leave you to Lasha— provided he promises not to noose you.”
    â€œI am a gentle man, my companion will tell you so.” He wagged a threatening finger at Caitlin. “But she must swear on the scrolls not to misbehave. Can she guarantee that?”
    â€œI am fine now,” Caitlin assured them. “It was the shock of waking in this strange place.”
    â€œOr . . . it could be overheated fish,” Lasha said accusatorily. “ That could be the cause.”
    The Standor made a face at him. “Every time I see you, Lasha, you blame all the ills of Galderkhaan on fish or fishers.”
    â€œNot all ,” Lasha scowled back. “If you want to know whom I really blame it on—” Lasha began, then bit off the rest of the sentence. He looked around at the crowds still hovering in the shadows. “Well . . . the fish are the innocent heirs of poor decisions made . . . elsewhere.”
    â€œAnother Khaana beater? Will you also blame the government for the way the air blows?”
    â€œYou don’t think cloud farming and airships alter the currents?”
    â€œPlease, no politics or science,” Qala said, raising her hand. “I have enough of that aloft, where I cannot escape the mutterings of the crew. I do not wish to speak of our ruling body.”
    â€œOr Femora Azha?” Lasha said, challenging Qala.
    At that, Caitlin became alert. “I know that name,” she said. Caitlin had to control herself from overreacting at the mention of the name. She knew Azha too well. It was that Galderkhaani’s ascended soul that had directed her to Pao and Rensat, to the confrontation that had brought her here.
    â€œI’m not surprised you’ve heard it,” Lasha said. “The name is whispered everywhere in Galderkhaan.”
    â€œIt will not be here and now,” Qala said. She fixed a critical gaze at Lasha. “Criticize the fish if you will, speculate on shifting air currents if you must, but as a Khaana appointee I will not hear the rest.” Her eyes shifted to Caitlin. “I wish you well. I am due in Aankhaan.”
    While Qala spoke, Lasha had opened and closed his mouth severaltimes—like a fish, Caitlin thought. He seemed to want to say something, but before he could muster his thoughts, or his courage, Qala had turned and left.
    â€œThank you,” Caitlin said after the woman.
    Qala half turned and waved with a circular motion of leave-­taking.
    Caitlin took another moment to settle into her body and to accept the fact that she had understood and responded to everything that was being said. Some part of the mind of Bayarma was still obviously very present. The reference to Azha also helped her focus. If the woman had already acted against Vol, had failed to stop his premature activation of the Source, then the destruction of Galderkhaan was nigh. Caitlin