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"Why wouldn't I? Just because there are rumours of your people, doesn't mean I have to believe them. In fact, I think it gives me more reasons to ignore them. After all, don't your people have the same tales about mine?"
"Yes, I believe so," Macey answered, her voice still rough and achy. "But, if I'm honest, I'd have expected those rumours to be a big enough influence to stop any selkies from helping me."
"Maybe it would have, for some of the younger ones. Especially those influenced by the old ways. But my herd isn't the kind to take those things seriously. And we never have been. Plus, I didn't know you were a kelpie until I got you onto land. And what were my options then? Re-drown you?"
"So, I did actually drown?" Macey attempted to clarify.
"I believe so, yes. That's normally what happens when you open your human mouth under water," he said, clearly unimpressed.
"I had no choice," she pointed out, knowing it was true, but not knowing how she could convince anyone else of that.
"I didn't think you did. Otherwise it's a rather silly thing to do unless you're heartbroken."
"No, definitely not that," she replied. "Are there any others about?" she asked nervously, thinking of how he'd mentioned that his herd weren't bothered by the rumours about kelpies, but some of the others might be.
If one of those others was about, then she could be in serious trouble.
"Not that I'm aware of, I didn't sense anyone else out in the water, and I'm normally able to. But don't worry, if you're under my protection, then most selkies will leave you alone anyway. Unless they're trying to prove something."
"Reassuring," Macey answered.
"Isn't it just."
They lapsed into silence for a moment. Macey wasn't sure quite what to say to the man. Except...
"Thank you for saving me," she c
roaked.
"You're very welcome. I'm not in the habit of letting anyone drown."
"That's good to know," she replied.
Slowly, she climbed to her feet, wobbling slightly as she reached them. Whatever had happened down there had severely weakened her human body. And it hadn't been in the best of shapes to start with. Exhausted and malnourished were more the terms that came to mind when she considered her health. Hopefully, after they healed the Staran here, they'd be able to rest.
She turned around, and looked back inland, trying to work out whereabouts on the island she was, and how she could get back to her men, but coming up with nothing. She really should have studied the maps closer.
Then again, she hadn't planned to become stranded on one of the coasts.
The selkie coughed. "Are you aware you have six marks on your back?" he asked.
"Ye...six?" She spun around to face him. "Did you say six?"
"Yes, there's six. Five smaller ones in an almost circle, with the sixth larger in the middle. There appears to be a gap though."
"Six..." she repeated, realising that must have meant she'd gained her own mark. Just Izban's left to collect then. That was a start, even if she wasn't aware of just how to actually manage that.
Then again, this whole adventure had been a mystery from start to finish. She didn't see why now would be any different.
"Do you know where we are?" she asked the selkie.
"Of course," Rónán replied.
"How far is it to Village Bay?"
"Maybe fifteen minutes' walk? Are you cold, by the way?"
She blushed a little, reminded that both of them were still naked. She hoped her men wouldn't see her like that, they might get jealous. Waves, she'd get jealous if she saw them naked with another girl.
