P. W. Catanese - Dragon Games

P.W. CATANESE

BOOKS OF THE UMBER

DRAGON GAMES

Table of Contents

CHAPTER

The boy gripped the railing tight . He watched the leviathans enormous tail rise from the brine until it almost broke the surface and then sweep down again in a powerful and dreamlike rhythm that propelled the barge through a rolling black sea. The port city of Kurahaven, storm-battered but still glorious, was far behind, and the suns fire had been doused hours before on the horizon ahead.

Happenstance eyed the dark waves uneasily. Hed hoped his dread of water might fade as he spent more hours plying its surface. But its as bad as ever, Hap thought, with a little twist at the corner of his mouth. His shoulders rose toward his ears.

There was an open hatch on the deck of the barge, with stairs leading down to the spacious central cabin. A giddy sound drifted up the stairs and into the night. Hap recognized the particular laugh of his guardian. Lord Umber was in his usual high spirits, which were always at their loftiest after a satisfying meal and a hot mug of his beloved coffee, and with the prospect of some thrilling discovery ahead.

Hap walked to the railing at the square prow to see what might lie before them. His extraordinary eyes pierced the darkness and found Nima, the barges captain, sitting cross-legged on the back of the leviathan, Boroon. Perhaps sensing that someone was watching, she turned to look back at the barge that was strapped to Boroons immense back.

Hello, Nima, Hap called. He wasnt sure that Nima could see him in the gloom of night, with tatters of cloud shrouding the moon, but she waved. She stood, walked across the bony plates of the leviathans back, and climbed the stairs to stand beside Hap.

Nima was clad in black sealskin. As she ran her hands through her long hair, Hap stole a glance at the translucent skin that bridged the space between her knuckles. He pulled his gaze away in an instant; he knew better than most how it felt to have someone stare at a physical oddity.

Why arent you below with the others, Happenstance? she asked.

Hap shrugged. I felt like coming up here. That was hardly true. What hed really felt like was not setting out on this adventure at all. He wished Umber could be content to stay home in the Aerie. It was a fine place to dwell, with wonders and mysteries galore inside its crammed archives. Those were the kind he preferred: adventures in ink, which couldnt crush you in their jaws or under their feet. But, sadly, Umber liked the real thing. And to make matters worse, running off to a new land always exposed Hap to more strangers who would point and gawk at his strange green eyes.

Im glad to find you here alone, Nima said. Theres something Ive been meaning to give you. There was a silver chain around her neck. She lifted it over her head, and Hap saw a fat locket dangling, shaped like halves of a seashell. She held it out, and Hap opened a hand to accept it.

Its beautiful, Hap said. But

Why am I giving it to you? Because I heard how you risked your life to save Umber. And Umber is my friend. You have spared me an ocean of grief.

Hap clamped his jaw as he thought back to that terrifying night when hed climbed a crumbling tower to confront the awful, eye-stealing creature that had taken Umber hostage. It wasnt just me who saved Umber, he said.

I know that. But Hap, you havent seen the true gift yet. Open it.

Hap brought the locket closer to his eyes and saw a tiny clasp at the seam of the two shells. He pried it open with a fingernail, and the shells parted. Inside was an enormous pearl. It was as round and lustrous as the moon, which chose that moment to emerge from hiding and shine down on its little cousin. Hap goggled at the orb. Hed seen pearls in the jewelers tents in the marketplace at Kurahaven, but none so large or stunning. How can I accept this? Its too much!

You land folk value pearls more than I do. And do you really think it is so hard for me to find such a thing? Nima asked. Hap supposed it wasnt. Nima was amphibious, and she could breathe under the waves as easily as above them. Of course she could dive down and bring up all manner of wonders. Balfour had told him once that the leviathan barge was built and paid for by the fortunes shed found in sunken ships.

It may be useful in a difficult spot someday, Nima said. Or it might help a friend in need. Your heart will tell you when to use it.

Hap snapped the locket shut and put the chain around his neck. Its wonderful. Thank you.

It was Boroons idea, in fact, Nima said.

Hap stared at the leviathans broad head, cutting the waves before them. Really? Boroon? He knew that Nima communicated with the leviathan, but he had no idea that they discussed matters so specific. Would you thank him for me, please?

Nima nodded.

A minute passed, silent except for the hiss of water along the leviathans side. Where are we going? Hap asked.

Nima smiled. Umber wanted it to be a secret. You know how he is about these things.

Hap sighed. If he could change one thing about Umberbesides his constant need for the thrill of explorationit would be his obsession with secrets and surprises.