Page 108 of Wind Rider

“You almost sound like you like them,” Danita said.

“Oh, I can’t stand them. They’re dangerous nuisances. But I do have a healthy respect for their abilities. They serve as bait for the Mouths’ prey. They float low in the water, with only their faces above the surface. They can imitate almost anything. I’ve heard them sound like a crying child, several types of distressed birds, and once even a Lynx.”

Bast hissed again.

“But the point to their cries isn’t to draw the Mouths, right?” Mari asked, trying to remember all the information Antreas had been sharing with them for almost the past two weeks in preparation for crossing Lost Lake.

“No, they don’t need to call the Mouths. The Monkeys are only found in the waters around city ruins that are above water because that’s where the Mouths hunt. They mimic creatures in distress to draw others to them. When they’re successful they’re very successful. For instance, theMonkeys begin calling like they’re seagulls blown off course and floundering with weakness. Other gulls come to investigate and the Mouths rise to the surface, using their long, tentacle-like whiskers like rope. They have incredible control over them. I’ve seen Mouths shoot their tentacles out of the water and into the air, wrap around a gull, and pull it under so quickly the other gulls didn’t even realize what happened.”

“And the Monkeys feed on the scraps,” Nik said.

“Exactly. They also steal things. Whenever we have to cross over a city with ruins partially above water, everyone will have to be on alert. The Mouths are completely carnivorous, but the Monkeys eat anything. They will be trying to steal our plants and supplies.”

“And our puppies,” Sora said grimly, wrapping her arms around Chloe and holding her so tightly the pup whimpered.

“Yes. The Monkeys would definitely steal a pup, and the Mouths could eat a canine—even a Shepherd—whole.”

“And we’re completely sure crossing Lost Lake is a good idea?” Nik asked.

“We can cross the lake in fifty days—even less if the weather cooperates. If we went around the lake it would take us at least twice that. There’s no way we’d make the mountain crossing before winter closes the passes,” said Antreas.

“We don’t have any choice,” Mari said. “Even if we wanted to wait the winter out in a temporary camp at the foot of the mountains, Dove’s vision says something bad is coming to the Saleesh, and they are entirely too close to Lost Lake.”

“I know. I’m with you. I just had to ask,” Nik said.

“Again,” Antreas said with a half smile.

“Yeah, well, I don’t like water.”

“Really, my friend? I don’t think you’ve mentioned that before,” Antreas said sarcastically, breaking the tension talking of Mouths and Monkeys had caused as everyone around Nik chuckled.

It took most of the morning for the Pack to walk past the sucking maelstrom that hundreds of years before had been a functioning dam, and they arrived at the last Saleesh village when the sun was almostdirectly overhead. This village hadn’t been built on top of a high bank, as were the other Saleesh settlements. Instead it spread out around the entry to Lost Lake and was almost as large as Father John’s village. It, too, was tidy and prosperous—filled with women laying out trade goods and children playing among their Teteplate nannies.

The statues to the Mother were particularly beautiful. The main public altar was in the center of the village market. Candles were lit all around her feet, and her body was swathed in a beautiful blue wrap that had been covered with shells. Incense wafted from braziers dangling from the porches of well-cared-for houses.

The Pack’s cluster of boats was already there, docked in the calm beach at the mouth of Lost Lake just beyond the center marketplace.

“After you place your offering at the feet of the Mother you may make trade with our women, but do not dally. I am quite certain you will want to be well on your way before sunset,” announced Father Job as the Pack paused in the center of the market.

Mari had noticed that since Dove’s exchange with Father John, the village priests had been decidedly short with the Pack, though each of them had opened their market to the travelers. Antreas had explained that the Saleesh had a swift messenger system. They used the river, often at night, to glide up and down from village to village, passing information and trade goods—and Father John had definitely warned his people to make short work of helping the Pack.

While the Pack made a show of looking at the market goods, Mari and Sora went to the central statue of the Mother. Sora placed a newly woven basket at the idol’s feet. She’d gathered long grass found beside one of their early river stops. It had a beautiful blue tint and Adira, one of the most talented weavers in the Pack, had woven into the lovely green basket a blue image that looked remarkably like the idols the Saleesh cherished.

“That is spectacular,” Father Job exclaimed. “A most worthy offering.” He even nodded his head in a small bow. “I do wish our women had this skill.”

“Well, in all fairness, many of us are from a Clan called Weaver,” Sorasaid, not unkindly. “We have been weaving baskets for countless generations.”

“Perhaps I will speak with your men about the possibility of one of your women remaining with us. She would have a comfortable home and be well cared for—and her arduous journey would be at an end.”

“Men do not lead our Pack,” Mari said. “Sora and I do.”

The priest’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Ah, I had forgotten your strange way of doing things.”

“And to answer your question—no. None of our women would like to remain here. Our women prefer to rule themselves.” Sora raised her voice so that the Saleesh women in the marketplace turned their heads to listen. “Though we would be happy to offer any of your women a place with us—and with us they would also have a voice.”

The priest drew himself up to his full height and glared down at Mari and Sora. “Our women have a voice.”

“Really? Let’s test that, shall we?” Mari said. From across the marketplace she met Nik’s gaze and nodded. She watched for just a moment as he spoke to Sheena and Wilkes—and they began passing word through the Pack, who immediately stopped their pretense of shopping and headed for their beached boats.