Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 Galvin, Aaron (classic fiction txt) 📖

target had been sold on already, might be you all could have followed me on out instead of us losing each other in all the trouble that came after.”

Bryant let that go. “You saw them too, then? The monsters?”

“Have to be blind not to,” said Girard, before rubbing his nose with his Selkie sleeve. “And I don’t intend on ever going back, if that’s where the conversation is headed.” His gaze flickered to Marisa Bourgeois, then looked back to Chidi and Bryant. “And it seems you ended up rescuing a slave after all. Guess we can call that deal between us square. You folks can be on your way.”

Chidi frowned. “The deal was to rescue my father.”

“Well, your father wasn’t there, Miss,” said Girard. “And if I was you, I’d thank my lucky stars for that. If he had been, odds are your father would be dead by now with all the rest what got trapped in the Knoll.”

No, he would’ve gotten out with us, just like Marisa did. Chidi thought, but did not say, her mind cuing on Girard’s mention of other being trapped. “How did you get out?” she asked the Selkie boat captain.

“Elevator shaft on the opposite side from the spot we dropped in.” Girard sucked his teeth. “Think I might’ve been the last one up too. One of those beasts came for the elevator. Heard the sound below me and looked down in time to see its tentacles pinch the shaft beams closed like they were nothing but twigs. All that to say, I know that nothing and no one else got out that way. So, how’d you three make it back to shore?”

Bryant spoke before Chidi could. “Why do you care? Think you might go back and pick at the remains of whatever them monsters left behind, coyote?”

“Already said I wasn’t going back, cowboy,” said Girard. “Don’t think me or anyone else with a sane mind will ever chance going down to the Knoll again either. It’s just another outpost lost to the Salt now, along with all the other poor souls who were trapped inside. Even caverns can’t hold out against the pressure of Salt forever. Way I see it, the Knoll won’t be the last post to drown either, not if them monsters have anything to say about it.” He shrugged. “Anyway, happy to see you three made it out alive.”

Are you happy? Chidi wondered, uncertain of how to take Girard’s tone. A moment later, she made up her mind that Girard was indeed thrilled to see them when he nudged Allambee toward the gangplank leading to the dock.

“On your way, son,” he said to the young Kenyan. “My thanks again for looking after my boat, but your friends are alive and well. I recommend that you should all get back on Mr. Zymon’s plane and fly away from here. Head inland as far as I were able, if I were you.”

Bryant snorted. “What about you? No plans to head inland, coyote?”

“I’ve fished these waters all my life, cowboy,” said Girard. “I live and die by what the Salt provides. There’s nothing for me inland. My place is on this boat, or else going down with her if them krakens think to try and pull her down.”

Chidi stepped to the edge of the plank, stopping Allambee before he started down it. “What about my father?” she demanded of Girard.

The Selkie guide sighed. “Apologies, Miss, but I got no answers there for you. I never trusted that sorry slaver, Roland, or his lying words down in the Knoll. I did think he’d follow through for me though.”

“Why?” Chidi asked. “If you never trusted him, then why did you think my father would be there?”

“Said I didn’t trust Roland’s word, Miss,” Girard replied. “I did trust his greed. Paid him well to set your father aside ‘til I could come back with more. Roland was never one to turn down a fair bit of coin either. Still, if your father wasn’t there when we went to collect him, he weren’t there at all, Miss. You have my word on that. Take some comfort in it too when you relay the rest of what happened in the Knoll to Mr. Zymon for me.”

Marisa strode forward, stopping beside Chidi. “We’re not going back to speak with Zymon Gorski,” she said to Girard. “Nor are we flying anywhere.”

“Long walk back to the states,” Girard huffed. “But you do as you like, I suppose.”

“Aye, that we will,” said Marisa, brushing Chidi aside and treading up the gangplank.

Girard moved to stop her from boarding. “Where do you think you’re going, girl? I didn’t invite you on board.”

“We’ll be going asea in your boat,” said Marisa. “And you’ll be taking us there, captain.”

Girard crossed his arms. “Will I? And what makes you think I’m such a fool as to take my Lady Cat out across the Salt knowing as I do now with all them monsters lurking below, eh?”

“Because as you have said for the slaver, Roland, I trust your greed also, Captain Girard,” said Marisa. “And it might be you find the rewards for transporting me and my companions is worth far more than dealing with traitorous Nomads and Merrow slavers.”

“I doubt it,” said Girard. “What’s a Silkie got that the Salt Children don’t, eh?”

“This,” said Marisa, grabbing hold of Girard’s bicep before he could react.

The moment her thumb pressed against his bicep, Girard collapsed, taking a knee before her. His face reddened, veins popping along his neck, his body seemingly charged as if he had taken hold of an electric line that would not allow him to let go.

Chidi stepped back upon the dock, her muscles stiffening in remembrance of when Marisa had done the same for her in the depths of Orphan Knoll. She recalled the vision of death and destruction given to her by the elusive, mystic runner. Watching Girard’s wide-eyed expression, his position rigid in Marisa’s grasp, Chidi wondered if he was being given the same