Orcara propelled her vast kelpish body through the ravine, pulsing like a green jellyfish. She carried the narwhal staff with her conger eel twisted possessively around it.
"Come, come." She flicked a crooked finger and beckoned impatiently. The swarming slugs enveloped her and burrowed themselves deep in her shroud of rotting weed. Orcara nodded with satisfaction, gnawing her white gums in a undisguised sneer.
"So, we meet again," she said, gesturing with her staff for Cal and Jake to draw close. "I find you far from safety." Orcara put her thin lips to the eel's head, almost nibbling some secret instruction into its skull. It slithered off the staff and away to the depth of the ravine below. "They would have killed us," said Cal, still reeling. "Yes," said Jake, "you were just in time, I mean they - your-" He fell silent. Orcara grunted an acknowledgement. "You left me a warning at Strapkelp," she said, "so now I have come to save you. How fortunate I was collecting spine weed nearby. And the ankle?" She pointed to Jake's leg.
"Yes, it's strong, thank you." "We were lost," said Cal. "It was stupid to come this way." "Let me take you home," hissed Orcara. "I am traveling to Silvertail waters. There is much healing to be done there. The Bloodfin won't harm you while you are in my care." "Have there been more attacks?" asked Cal. "Evil tide are gathering strength. Powerful tides that cannot be turned..." She eyed Jake instantly. "You'd be wist to accept my protection."
Cal thought of the Bloodfin with dread. Were they the only ones she had to fear? Orcara had helped them twice now, maybe she could help them find the shell - and soon, before it was too late. "We're not going back," Cal said. "We're searching for something." "Searching?" Orcara fussed at her kelp fronds, picking at a string of crab claws woven there. "What could possibly entice you to these dismal waters?" "Nothing," interrupted Jake, alarmed at cal's words. "Nothing. She wanted to show me a cave, that's all." "It's all right, Jake. we can tell her," said Cal. "Maybe we can't do this on our own."
One more Orcara set her eyes upon Jake. The crystal he'd been clutching in his pocket turned as cold as ice.
"I'll help you," she said, softening her gaze. You can trust me. I know these water well, and have many at my call. My reach stretched far and wide."
"But what about the Bloodfin?" Jake fluttered out, confused. "Why are they after me?"
"The Bloodfin are ruthless," said Orcara. "Fear is their weapon, but also their weakness. Like every wretched creature they fear what they do not understand - so they must destroy it." She turned to Cal. "You should have protection." The tip of her solitary spike tooth peeped from her smile.
"She's got me," said Jake. "I'll look after her." Orcara flexed her fingers and her knuckles cracked like gunshot. Cal noticed the eel return and slither back beneath Orcara's shroud. She shuddered.
"Creeper," said Orcara reproachfully, "you cannot protect her - you know you are quarry yourself. Don't you feel it? Shadows are gathering, a powerful current stirs, raising creatures from the deep - creatures of eternal night, merciless demons with murk water in their veins and stone in their hearts. Soon it will be strong enough to overwhelm the will of the Sea Spirit herself." As she spoke Orcara seemed to swell, spreading her kelp like swaying tentacles around her. She turned to Cal and reached to stroke her hair. "You are like me," she said, "... destined to follow wayward drifts. Let me protect you. No one else can." How good it would be to feel safe, thought Cal. Orcara continued to stroke her hair and Cal's body felt strangely buoyant as if it was starting to float, shedding weight. If only she could share her fear, share the task her mother had given her...
A patch of numbness suddenly bit into Cal's throat. Her pendant had turned to ice. Cal tugged it away from her skin. The touch of the crystal shook her from her swoon. She suddenly felt impatient to be away. They had to find Sylla's shell and finds it fast.
"We owe you our lives and we're grateful," cal said, "but the Creeper and I must go on alone. We don't need protection. We won't stray from lightwater." "As you wish, so it must be," muttered Orcara, shaking her head. "But I will hear your call. Remember, my reach is far and wide."
Cal nodded to Jake. "Come on, it's cold down here." And with that she grabbed Jake's hand and swam upwards, pulling him beside her. "Thank goodness," he cried, "I never want go there again!"