The Ocean - 8

[metraylor]

Originally published at M.E. Traylor. You can comment here or there.

Toney and Efeddre had been waiting for them in the open air. Kydele’s curtain was completely vanished, except perhaps as a glimmer caught in the corner of the eye. The stars hung fierce and bright in the clear black sky, all the way down to the horizon.

“This is in the end of the fruiting season,” Efeddre continued, “so everyone is getting fat before the snows. Tesenge is cold, and has at least a gross of years. He lives a little apart from his people, and watches the herds move through their valley. Orion is in her prime. She directs her people's fishing when a long, black and gold fish spawns, and she can throw a pike as far as one of our tallest white trees can reach.”

Away from the torches, Ridiath could only roughly see his slender silhouette as his hand rose in a gesture of height. The knot of anticipation that had ridden in her gut all day had begun to relax as Efeddre settled into his casual rhythm. Toney lay stretched out on his stomach, chin propped on his folded arms. Beside her, Alan sat with his elbows resting on his knees, silent, gently moving with the motion of the boat.

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