Page 107 of Wind Rider

“Just a guess, but it could have something to do with the fact that they subjugate an entire gender of their people. You’d have to be angry to do that,” Mari said.

“Good answer,” Nik said. “Accurate, too. Think about Thaddeus.”

“I’d rather not,” Mari said, only half teasingly.

Nik grinned. “I’m just using him as an example. He wanted to subjugate everyone, and he’s probably the angriest person I’ve ever known.”

“That’s an excellent point,” Sora said. She glanced around them, but the only Saleesh in view was Father Job, who was marching swiftly at the front of the Pack. “Do you think we’re ready for this?”

Antreas had jogged up with them. He’d already decided at this last crossing he would remain with the Pack instead of watching the boats. He’d explained there was really no need. The Saleesh never allowed any river travelers to watch them traverse the whirlpool, and they would shoo him away quickly.

He ruffled the top of Bast’s furry head and took Danita’s hand before responding to Sora.

“Do you mean are we ready for Lost Lake, or for what’s going to happen when we get to the Saleesh village?”

“Both!” Mari and Sora said together.

“I can’t speak for the Lost Lake part, but we’re definitely ready for thevillage,” Nik said. “We’ve run through it the past several nights. Don’t worry. The Pack will do well.”

“And I’d say we’re as ready as we’re going to be to cross Lost Lake,” Antreas said. “We’ve carved as many extra arrows as possible and stockpiled supplies.”

“Don’t forget our slingshots. They can be deadly,” Mari said.

“In your hands a slingshot is deadly. In mine it’s pathetic,” Sora said.

“Hey, don’t worry. I’ve got your back,” O’Bryan told her. “Well, yoursandChloe’s.” He scratched the puppy under her chin and she wiggled in the sling Sora carried her in. “She’s getting so big. She’ll be walking beside you soon.”

Sora kissed her pup on top of her curly head. “I’m not sure whether I’m excited about that or sad that she’s becoming such a big girl.” Then she shifted her attention to Antreas. “I’ll admit that I’m nervous about this lake crossing. Just thinking about being on water for fifty days has my stomach feeling queasy.”

“Like I said, there are a few islands we’ll be able to camp on,” Antreas said.

“If it doesn’t rain too much,” Danita added.

“Yes, well, there is that,” Antreas said. “But when we finally make land we will be at the foot of the Rock Mountains, and our days of water travel will be over.”

“Thank the Sun,” Nik muttered.

“Don’t forget that the current will be with us all the way across the lake,” Antreas said. “It shifts here.” He nodded out at the seething water.

“It’s so strange.” Nik stared out at the island-sized whirlpool. “I wonder how it happened?”

“The story I’ve heard told is that one of the great earthquakes that toppled cities ripped apart the dam that was here, and when it did it tore the earth with a sound like a million people screaming. Water spouted from the earth, creating the whirlpools and altering the course of the river. The water that came from the earth spewed eastward, covering entire cities and drowning everyone in its path.”

“Which means more ghosts, I’m sure,” Sora said.

“Spirits have never bothered me during a crossing,” Antreas said. “I can tell you, I’d rather deal with ghosts than the Mouths and Monkeys that are all too real and haunt any area of the lake that has exposed ruins or is close to one of the green islands.”

Danita shivered. “‘Mouths and Monkeys.’ Those names are disgusting.”

“They fit the creatures well. The Mouths are mostly just that—fish with gigantic mouths.”

“And they can really swallow a child whole?” Mari asked.

“Or a canine—or Lynx.” Antreas shot Bast a glance. She hissed, clearly showing her dislike of the Mouths. “I didn’t exaggerate.”

“The Monkeys work with them, but they’re land animals?” Nik said.

“They were land animals that somehow survived when the cities were flooded. Now they’re more amphibious, though you can tell that they’re mammals. They give birth to live young and they nurse them, even though they’ve developed webbed feet and toes and gills in their necks. Their swimming skills put the big, clumsy Mouths to shame. And they’re smart. Really smart. They have to be to have formed a partnership with the Mouths.”