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Morna woke covered in grit and surprisingly thirsty. The sand was horribly scratchy and itchy on her skin and she slid herself quickly into the water. A sigh of relief escaped her as the sand was washed away. She had managed to sleep well on her unusual bed and was now refreshed and ready to resume her hunting. She took a final look around the cavern, committing the glowing display to memory, then dove beneath the surface once more.
Bright, clear water greeted her as she exited the fissure. With the kelp forest in front, she decided to explore along the wall. Deciding to start with her left, she made her way along. A tantalizing smell of blood soon caught her attention and she tracked it cautiously. The barren open expanse shifted to a lush seaweed meadow and Morna soon saw the source of the smell. A herd of grazers was enjoying the meadow’s bounty, but one was now injured, its blood acting as a beacon to all predators. It bleated mournfully at its companions, but they were unable to assist it. Morna was tempted to take advantage of the grazer’s plight, but something made her pause.
Her caution was rewarded as she watched a bubble quickly approach the distressed grazer. Stiff limbs extended out, acting like arms to hold the creature still, its struggles ignored by whomever was inside. Morna watched as something was wrapped around the injured tail, stopping the blood and quieting the grazer. It was gently released and it rejoined its companions. This was part of Morvern she realized though the purpose of the grazers baffled her.
To tend the injury meant they were not a food source, she reasoned, at least not primarily. That meant some other use for the white, puffy creatures. She noticed they did not seem as puffy as other grazers she had seen, making her ponder. Her parents had often brought home a grazer for dinner so she was familiar with their fluffy, fibrous pelt. These looked like they had been trimmed, much as her hair had to be regularly trimmed so as not to grow too long. The strange netting Tam had worn sprung to mind and she nearly shouted with triumph at having figured out such a baffling puzzle. She would not harm these grazers, she knew, and began her journey back to the fissure and on to the other direction.
A large shadow enveloped her and she looked up to see a giant kraken heading for the grazers. It was one of the few beasts her kind avoided tangling with for they were far too dangerous. She found herself worried, not over the grazers, but fearful for Tam’s safety. She followed carefully behind the kraken, mindful to stay in its blind spot.
Loud wails erupted as the kraken arrived at the meadow, reminding her of the way she had talked to Tam. The grazers bolted in panic and a number of bubbles charged forward to defend them. With a start, Morna recognized Tam’s bubble, though she couldn’t tell if he was the one inside. The kraken didn’t hesitate and launched its massive tentacles at the bubbles. The bubbles fought back, throwing large poles with fanged tips at the kraken. Morna recognized the weapons from her sire’s tale. One of those strange weapons had punched through him, leaving the jagged scar she knew so well.
The bubbles seemed to be holding their own against the kraken at first, but the beast’s rage gave it more strength. It slammed itself at them, smashing them together and flinging them away. Tam’s bubble leapt into the fray and shot a pole into the kraken’s eye. The scream it unleashed made Morna flinch, but she held firm. The kraken whipped at Tam, pain enraging it. The bubble was not fast enough to escape the tentacles and was hauled in towards its massive beak.
Morna found herself diving forward, her mind focused only on saving Tam. Claws and teeth aching to tear and rend, she surged at the tentacles holding the bubble. Her claws connected, slicing clean through one and gouging deeply into another. She didn’t pause her assault, digging her claws in further and sinking her teeth into the rest of the tentacle. Thick black blood poured from the wound and Morna gagged on the taste of it. She felt the kraken’s hold on the bubble slip as she severed the second tentacle. Tam was indeed at the controls, she noticed, as he tried to pull his bubble free.
The kraken had other ideas and launched itself at the bubble, its beak open wide. Morna used the distraction to launch herself at the kraken’s injured eye, hoping to claw her way to the beast’s vitals. Ripping the weapon free, she plunged herself into the creature, trying not to gag on the foul blood. She made her way with her ears alone, her eyes shut against the vile fluids and her nose filled with the putrid stench of it. Following the thump of the kraken’s heart, she plunged deeper into the beast. Soon the sound was thundering before her and she slashed forward with all her might. With a massive shudder, she felt the kraken die. No longer able to guide herself she felt panic rising inside her.
“Morna!” It was faint, but she heard it and luckily he kept shouting her name. Following Tam’s shouts, she tore through the side of the kraken and out into clean water. She was exhausted and sagged in the water. She felt something wrap around her and pull her along. Grateful for the current over her gills she felt herself slip into unconsciousness.
She returned to consciousness with a start and nearly lashed out in panic as she found herself in a strange cage made of the same clear material as the bubble, brightly colored strands connecting along her body. She realized there was no top however so she calmed and raised herself up out of the gentle flowing current. The strands tugged lightly, but did not seem to be meant to restrain her. Two males in white netting had their backs to her.
“Vitals appear stable,” one of them said. “Keep the current steady, but gentle. Since she appears to have shark anatomy, it is likely she needs the water to flow over her gills in order to breathe.” She watched the other nod. She relaxed, realizing they were doing their best to help, the strands likely giving them information on her vitals which she found intriguing.
“I’m done resting,” she announced calmly. Both males spun around, shock evident on their faces.
“Incredible,” the gray-haired one said, he had been the one talking before she noted. “Tam said you could speak our language, but I admit I hadn’t truly believed it.”
“Am I allowed to go now or am I your prisoner?” Though she was reluctant to harm these males, she had no intention to remain confined in any way. The gray-haired one shook his head fervently.
“No no,” he assured her, “not a prisoner by any means my dear. No, you are a hero to those of Morvern. Tam was worried you were badly hurt when you passed out and we were merely making sure you were well.” He said something quietly to his companion and the young male left, propelled by the two strange limbs they had instead of tails. A soft chuckle pulled her attention back to the other male. “They are called legs.” She nodded, pleased to have learned more about Tam’s kind.
The male ‘human’ was an amazing source of information and seemed overjoyed to answer her questions. She learned his name was Patrick Mackenzie and he was Tam’s sire, or ‘father’, as he explained. Her head felt almost dizzy from all the new information when Tam appeared. The other male had been told to get him it seemed. Tam smiled when he saw her awake and well and she found herself attempting to mirror the expression. She heard Patrick chuckle quietly at her attempt, but Tam just smiled wider, his blue eyes sparkling.
She forced herself to relax as he quickly approached her, his arm rising up to her face. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently stroking it, and she realized he was showing her affection.
“You’re sure you are all right?” he asked her, concern easily discernible in his tone. She nodded, touched by his care, and placed her hand over his.
“I am well Tam,” she assured him, her voice warm and gentle. He flushed lightly and she found herself pleased with his reaction. A throat being cleared startled her from her somewhat mindless admiration of Tam and she turned to Patrick.
“Since you are well my dear,” he said, “we shall quickly return you to your preferred environment.” He nodded to Tam. “I imagine you would prefer my son to be your escort back so I will bid you safe travels Morna. If you require anything of us, you simply have to ask.” She nodded and decided she knew exactly what to ask for.
She felt her pace quicken as the rocky collection of alcoves and grottos came into sight. She entered the archway and saw the shiver had been gathered, the scouts having spied her approach long before she arrived. They eyed her nervously, but she swam to the central platform, the wizened male already there.
“Morna,” he announced, “daughter of Kyran and Sheena. What prey have you brought to complete your blood rite?”
“I bring to the shiver a kraken,” she replied, her voice strong and proud, “felled by my claws alone!” A gasp could be heard around those gathered. She turned to Tam and nodded. He guided his bubble forward and deposited the remains of the kraken before the wizened male.
“You bring one of those creatures here!” A male shouted from the crowd. He was joined by other voices, some deriding her catch as false, others wailing at the danger she had brought to the shiver.
“He is my friend,” she shouted firmly, “and bore witness to my successful hunt.” Voices rose again, but a male’s booming command shut them down.
“Enough!” Her sire bellowed, “my daughter is no liar. If she says she felled this beast then I believe her. If she says this creature is a friend, I believe her in spite of my encounter with them.” Her dam swam forward to join her sire.
“Let us hear from the witness,” she said, “I wish to hear the tale of how my pup became a hunter.” Morna nodded to Tam and he flicked the necessary controls.
“My name is Tam Mackenzie,” he began, “and the tale I have to tell is one the humans of Morvern will be telling their children, their pups, for generations.” Morna listened with half an ear as Tam regaled the shiver with her bravery and ferocity. She had gone over the tale with him, making sure he knew how to present the battle. He had seemed a bit shocked that he should focus on the brutality and killing more than the saving of lives, but he had nodded. She watched her parents listen, pride glowing on their faces. Even those that had spent years taunting her listened with growing respect and admiration. When Tam had finished, the wizened male nodded and addressed the shiver.
“We have heard a tale worthy of a great hunter,” he said, “Let us welcome home Morna, hunter of kraken!” Booming cheers erupted around her and she found herself swept up in emotions too numerous to name. She glanced at Tam and saw him smiling, trying desperately to keep his teeth covered like she had advised as his joy looked ready to burst from him. She raised her hand to the glass of his bubble and he mirrored her. The shiver already was turning its attention away from her and beginning to slowly disperse now that her tale had been shared. Her sire and dam likely would have a celebratory meal ready.
“Thank you, Tam,” she said sincerely.
“You’re my friend, Morna,” he replied softly, “my only friend to be honest.” She saw him duck his head, embarrassed, and wished she could reach past the glass. They were so alike, she realized. Though they were completely different species, they had so much in common it had her wondering if her dam’s tales of having someone out there just for her weren’t as outlandish as she had thought.
“And you are mine,” she admitted. He looked up at her, his blue eyes sparkling. She hadn’t meant it to sound so possessive, to sound as if she were claiming him as hers, but she found the thought warmed her. His cheeks tinted, as if his thoughts had followed hers, but his soft smile told her it was not unpleasant to him either.
“Will you be joining us for our meal, Tam?” Her dam’s soft query startled them both and Morna felt herself blush at where her thoughts had wandered.
“We caught two grazers just for the occasion,” her sire added and Morna felt her chest tighten at the offer. He was trying, she knew, making an effort to put past misunderstandings behind him for her sake. However, she also knew Tam couldn’t accept, not without a way to ‘cook’ the meal or have air to breathe while eating, just a few of the things she had learned about from his sire. An idea popped into her head and she found her excitement hard to contain.
“You caught them,” she asked carefully, “you haven’t killed them yet?” Her sire shook his head.
“We didn’t know which day you would return,” her dam replied.
“I know just the place to share a meal together,” Morna announced. She turned to Tam, “your cavern would be perfect.” She watched Tam’s eyes widen, his smile so wide he barely could keep his teeth covered. She felt her own smile pull just as wide in return.
She was a pup no longer. Her life as a hunter had begun, though she felt it was also the beginning of something else as she swam between her sire and dam, Tam’s bubble leading the way with the grazers. Something new had started, not just her friendship with Tam, but with her shiver and the humans of Morvern. She knew it was a tentative connection and went against generations of perceived hostility, but she hoped that it might grow and strengthen like her bond with Tam was already doing.
Some Years Later…
A little girl lay on the floor of her bedroom, red crayon tightly clasped in her hand. Her tongue peeked out the side of her mouth as she concentrated on the drawing before her. She was determined to make the prettiest drawing of their Scarlet Savior for the contest. Her classroom seat was right by the window this year and she would frequently catch glimpses of their heroine, often with duller colored companions.
Humming from the kitchen tried to pull the girl’s attention away, but it remained firmly on her drawing. She knew her mother was busy working in the kitchen baking cookies for the annual celebration. They were shaped like krakens and filled with blackberry jam. She loved to tear into them, pretending she was the Scarlet Savior decimating the real kraken that had threatened all of Morvern.
Drawing finally complete, the girl placed it beside the red and gold dress waiting on her bed. She would put it on later and head down to the main hall with her mother, dozens of cookies in tow. Her mother always claimed everyone would be there, but she knew one person wouldn’t be. She had caught him sneaking off last year and leaving in a submersible. She had run into an older scientist shortly after and he seemed to know what she’d seen without her having to tattle.
“He has his own celebration to attend,” he had said, chuckling. She hadn’t understood, but dismissed it as unimportant. A call from her mother brought her attention back to the present and she did as she was bid.
The End
Another Tales of Tuomi story complete! What do you guys think of the series so far? Do you prefer one story over the other? I know I’m wishing I could actually bake so I could enjoy some kraken cookies, lol!
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