"Those clouds out over the water look terrifying," said Carla, as they made their way around a long point that reached out into the water quite a way.
"I don't like how the water has risen and seems to be getting rougher again," said Vonn, eyeing the incoming tide.
"We need to hurry to get around the point before that storm hits," said Gia, eyeing the shrinking beach uneasily and thinking about the giant shark that had tried to eat them earlier. Since that seaman had disappeared into the waves, they hadn't seen it cruising around, but that didn't mean it was gone, or that there wasn't more than one of them.
"I'm going as fast as I can," grumbled Tom, using his walking stick to feel out the sticks and rocks that littered his path.
Gia glanced at her dad with a troubled look, and caught her mom's eye. It was apparent to both of them that Tom was depressed about missing his eyesight. All of the wondrous things they had seen so far in their trek across the land, and he had missed them all even though he had been right in the middle of them all.
"It's alright, dad. When I get big, I'll carry you on my back so you don't trip and fall down, because I'll be big and strong," said Mikey, with a wide grin.
"I appreciate that," Tom said with a sigh.
Keeping a close eye on the water, Gia rushed them around the point, but once they reached the other side, they stopped with a groan.
"What?" asked Tom, almost angrily.
"There's a cove that goes a long way inland and loops back around to just a short way from here," said Gia, feeling tired all of a sudden.
"If only we could get across right here, and not have to walk all that way," moaned Carla.
"Well, it can't be helped," said Vonn, sounding just as exhausted as Gia. "Maybe we'll find a cave to stay in for the night, and out of the coming rain."
"Are there gemstones on that rock?" asked Mikey after a little while.
"What rock?" asked Gia, looking around.
"That one, there, on the rock in the water?" said Mikey, pointing out near the center of the bay.
Shading her eyes to see better, Gia heard Carla gasp right before the creature raised its head to look in their direction.
"Do you think it saw us?" whispered Carla, as it dove into the water.
"I definitely saw it," grumbled Tom, slamming his stick down with a sigh.
"Don't be silly, mom. Of course, it saw us!" laughed Mikey. "Do you know what it is? It sparkled like gems in the light!"
Before anyone could respond, there was a splash as the beast lunged onto the beach beside them, pinning them against the wall.
"Go on, curious little creature," it said in a deep voice. "I've not heard such nice words spoken of me in a long time."
Gia looked at the beast in front of them, trying not to hyperventilate. This thing looked very similar to a snake, with it's scaled hide, but it had four legs and horns jutting from its brow.
"You shine in the light like gems," said Mikey. "When you turn, each scale flashes like there's fire in each one!"
The boy was drawing closer to the creature, staring at the scaled hide in adoration and laughed out loud, with no fear at all.
"Forgive us for trespassing," said Tom wearily. "We're trying to get as far as we can before the storm hits, and looking for shelter at the same time."
"I've not seen creatures such as you before," it said, getting close to Mikey to study him. "You're not elven, or lizardfolk. What are you?"
"We're human, sir," said Vonn.
"Sir?" asked the creature with a raised eyebrow. "I suppose you haven't seen one of my kind, either?"
"No," said Gia, shaking her head.
"I haven't either," piped in Tom, his voice having a fake cheery attitude to it.
"Ah, blind. Cute," said the beast, glancing at him. "I am a sea drake. My mother was of the air, and my father was of the sea. I am a mix of the two, and thus not a true dragon. I have heard of humans, but I never imagined they would be like you are. Hmm."
The drake backed away from them as it seemed to think of something. "There is a village of lizardfolk that live further along the coast, in the direction you are traveling. If you give them one of my scales, they will heal your vision."
"They will?" exclaimed Tom, his voice full of incredulous excitement.
"What would you ask for a scale?" asked Gia, uncomfortably.
"I have a collection in my cave, that you could organize for me," it said, looking to the other side of the cove, where a cave entrance could barely be seen.
"What kind of collection?" asked Carla, an eye twitching in fear.
Gia could imagine a collection of skulls or furs, maybe gemstones or coins. What would a drake collect?
"Shells," said the drake with a wide grin that showed lots of teeth.
"Shells?" asked Carla. "I have some beautiful shells I collected after the last storm!"
"Really?" asked the drake, perking up.
Gia closed her eyes and slumped in relief as her mother started chatting with the drake in an excited voice, pulling out the shells she had shoved into her pockets and her bag. The drake oohed and aahed over most of them, telling her about the shells it had collected that were similar to them.
"It will take you too long to walk all the way around the cove. Hop on my back and hold on to my spikes and I'll swim across," said the drake, turning sideways and lowering itself to the ground.
Mikey hopped on first, squealing in glee. Vonn helped Tom get on while Carla and Gia glanced at each other uncertainly before finally climbing on themselves.
"Pull your feet up so they don't get wet," said the drake moving carefully to the water.
The ride across was very quick and they were soon climbing up to the cave entrance. Inside, the drake had shells in piles all over the cave. In the middle was an obvious nest where it slept. Carla didn't waste any time in pulling out all of her shells to show the drake. It searched through its piles in excitement, to show her shells that were similar, but bigger or more colorful than the ones she had found. Instead of being upset by the drake's actions, Carla was delighted to see the shells it showed her.
The rest of them found spots near the entrance to put their bags and settle down for the night. Outside, it had become windy and overcast. The storm was blowing in fast.
As it became harder to see, Mikey asked, "Do we still need to organize your shells? It's hard to see them, and I'm tired. But I really want my dad to be able to see again. He's not ever been able to see me! And I'm sure he would love to be able to see you!"
The drake looked over at them, as Carla pulled the last shell out of her bag. Without saying anything, it looked at the shell Carla was setting down gently. Picking up the shell gently, it turned it around thoughtfully.
"The storm will be rough tonight, so get as much sleep as you can. We will discuss it in the morning," said the drake, returning the shell to the pile Carla had made in front of its nest.
"Okay!" said Mikey, cheerfully.
Gia glanced over at her dad, but it was too dark to see what his expression was. They got their sleeping rolls out and settled down to sleep. The crash of thunder woke them several hours later. Lightning flashed most of the night, but they were able to ignore it and slept through most of the night.
When they woke the next morning, the sun was out, and birds could be heard calling to each other, probably eating the dead sea creatures that had been washed up on the beach again. Gia turned to speak to the drake. She didn't want to take so much time sorting the collection it had, but when she looked at the nest, she saw it was gone. Where Carla's pile of shells lay, three beautiful blue scales lay, perched against the largest shell, which was the one she had pulled out last.
"Where's the drake?" asked Mikey, picking up one of the scales.
"I don't know, but we don't really have time to stay and sort shells," said Tom.
"There's so many shells," said Mikey, getting a good look around at the thousands of shells piled around the cave.
They put away their bedrolls, and quietly ate rations, waiting for the drake to return. As soon as they stepped out of the cave, the drake appeared on the beach below the entrance.
"Still here? I figured you would have taken the scales and left."
"No, we are not thieves," said Gia.
"Take them anyway. No one should be denied my beauty. Give one to the lizardfolk to use in their magic to return your sight, and another to trade with them for your safe travels through their land," said the drake.
"What about the third one?" asked Mikey.
"So, your father can see how beautiful I am," said the drake with a grin.
"Why are you being so nice?" choked Tom, wiping tears from his face.
"No one should be denied a glimpse of my beauty," said the drake.