A measureless forest of kelp rose in my mind, nearly blocking out the others in front of me. It was so vivid that I stopped swimming and waited for it to pass. It did, my eyes focusing on the rest, who continued to swim ahead.
So Wrell had found them. I peered into the distance, squinting to narrow my focus. Sure enough, far off, I could see the kelp forest. It was large, extending as far as I could see. From where we were, it looked like a mountain range rising up to the surface of the water. It seemed unusual for kelp to be this thick so far out into the sea, but this monster stretched as far inland as the view would allow. Possibly, it was large enough that we’d swam through it on the Chromis’s journey south and hadn’t realized we’d been in such a gargantuan mass of kelp. Probably, I was the one who hadn’t realized. The rest of the tribe would have known. For something so large, no way had it sprung up overnight. I wondered if the Volitans had been there already when we’d passed by and we’d never known. Chances were low, as the Volitans most likely moved around as much as the Chromis.
Our speed increased even more now that we had a clear destination in sight. I could feel the others’ excitement at being so close. No one spoke, at least that I was aware of, but their energies hummed at the prospect of having more answers. I, on the other hand, felt a heavier and heavier weight descend over me as we got closer.
Even with the kelp forest in sight, it took us most of the day to reach it. As we neared, part of the reason it seemed so large became more evident. It was still massive, but it indeed spread over large hills. From how low we were in the water, I was unable to view it from an aerial perspective to see how steep the rise of hills was, but it reminded me of photos I had seen of the hilly landscape of the Ozarks. Looking to the east, toward where I knew shore to be, the hills faded away, returning to a typical, though huge, kelp forest.
The combination of the onset of evening and the density of seaweed morphed the bright water to shadowy and ominous. When at last we reached the kelp and had traveled inside several yards, it really did feel like we were entering a haunted forest. Even the others seemed to have lost some of their excitement over being so close to the Volitan and slowed down to the point that we were treading water as we tried to determine how to best proceed.
Wrell’s fins and quills were clamped firmly over the surface of his tail. I figured partly to keep them from getting tangled in the dense seaweed, but it also seemed like he was making an effort to look less threatening, which was a challenge for him. Even his spear hung at ease by his side. His knuckles were white as he gripped the shaft, betraying the casual air he was trying to portray.
“Are the Volitan communicating with you?”
Wrell looked over at me, the tension in his eyes saying as much as the way he clung to his weapon. He shook his head in response but shared a panorama of more thick clumps of kelp, nearly gray in the dim light. Even within his vision, it took me a second to notice the black, white, and brown striations of the Volitan tails visible through small gaps in the seaweed.
“It’s probably not a good sign that we know they’re here, and they know we are here, and they still aren’t revealing themselves. Maybe we should leave the kelp for the night, let them come to us.”I looked back in the direction we came, the edge of the kelp forest visible and within reach. I wasn’t sure why I was still trying to postpone meeting the Volitan. The die had already been cast.“At the very least, we could wait until tomorrow, when it’s bright enough to see.”
“Even then, things will not be much more visible. Not in such dense growth as this.”Strangely, the tension in Therin’s tone offered a sense of relief. I suppose it should have made things worse, but it was good to know I wasn’t the only one uncomfortable with what was happening.
I refocused on Lelas and Nalu.“What do you think? Should we wait?”
Nalu spoke up first in an uncharacteristic manner.“I do not see how caution could make the situation worse.”
“That is true unless they wait until we are at rest and descend upon us then. We know that we should not readily trust the Volitan. That seems like an unnecessary risk.”Though Lelas was tense, she did not draw close to Nalu for comfort or in fear—not that I would ever expect such actions from her. She simply held onto her mate’s hand and continued to search within the darker sections of seaweed.
An image of us cowering in fear accompanied the sense of aggression that Wrell dispersed among the group.
This time, Therin sounded more determined than anxious.“Wrell is right. The Volitan do not respond favorably to any display of weakness, even if it comes in the form of respect. We have no guarantee how they will receive us, but I believe our best chance is to continue. Of course, the other option is to forsake this plan and leave the Volitan entirely. As we have already intentionally come within their proximity, they are likely to pursue us as we flee.”
As much as I hated to admit it, their reasoning was sound. Even if I didn’t think they were right, I would be outvoted. However, the way it was, I didn’t really see any other option besides continuing either. Having learned to control my fire or not, the water rippled around my clenched fists, bubbles shooting upward. After a couple of seconds, I managed to calm my nerves and unclench my fists.“Okay, then. Here we go.”
The five of us began swimming through the kelp once more, Wrell taking the lead. Within a few more feet, the colossal strands of plants were so dense that we were weaving through in single file. Therin fell in behind me, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of sentimentality at his fatherly act of protection.
Wrell opened himself up to each of us, letting every sensation he experienced be shared. Each ping he felt as he became aware of another Volitan echoed through us all. While I appreciated being kept in the loop, the constant barrage of stimulation combined with my own apprehension only served to increase my stress level.
The merger of the increasing density of kelp and the fading light of dusk caused a strange parallel sensation as we threaded through the giant kelp strands. I was fully aware we were still in the ocean and the shapes that swam and darted around us were fish and other sea life that made their home in the kelp forest. However, the image of an actual forest kept superimposing itself over our reality. The tall masses of seaweed shifting to swaying trees over our heads, the hazy light shafting down between the leaves. The fish morphing into bats and ravens. The awaiting Volitans becoming some lurking monster that could spring out at us at any moment.
“Brett, you must calm yourself.”
Therin’s voice caused me to flinch, my muscles clenched so tightly I was certain I would be sore for days.
“You’re beginning to lose control of your power again.”
I glanced down. Sure enough, the water was hazy with steam around my hands.“Sorry. I’m kinda having a surreal experience here. It’s freaking me out.”
Lelas responded, having heard my response to Dad. I wondered if all the Volitans could hear me as well.“What do you need, Brett?”
“I’m not sure. I just can’t shake the feeling we’re coming into something bad. Sorry. I’ll get myself under control.”I forced my fingers to unclench and shook my hands rapidly to get some of their excess energy out.
“We are all together. We are going to be fine.”A huge piece of kelp slipped back into place as Lelas swam under it, blocking her from view.
I didn’t answer her. I whipped back the kelp, sending it rippling all the way up. She was right there, still swimming onward, Nalu and Wrell ahead of her. Everything was how it should be.
Fuck! I had to get a hold of myself.
Therin’s voice broke in once more.“Do not reply again. The Volitan may be listening, and we do not want them to sense any weakness or fear.”
Perfect. Just what I needed. My dad commenting on what a wimp I was turning out to be. Weak and afraid.
