Witch Song (Witch Song #1)

Chapter 18

18. IOA

 Joshen watched in wonder as an enormous blue whale sped toward Arneth's boat. He'd never seen one move so fast. From the other ship, shouts turned to cries of panic as the enormous whale increased its speed. A massive crunch sounded. The stern of the ship crumpled as though made of spun sugar.

 In stunned silence, Joshen watched as the Gallant Green's bow lifted out of the water, revealing scattered barnacles. Sailors scrambled to cut the ropes that held the boats in place. A few crashed to the water, some tipped over. Within a minute, the Gallant Green heaved a great sigh and disappeared underwater, dragging some of her crew with her.

Those who remained hauled themselves into the boats or tried to flip the swamped ones.

"Whales don't attack boats," one sailor said with fear.

"That one did," another sailor replied.

Joshen struggled to control his panic. Senna had done this, he was sure of it. Taking off at a run, he pounded below decks where Parknel bent over an injured sailor. "Is Senna here?"

Startled, Parknel looked up. "She was supposed to help with the injured. Good thing I remembered which was the itnot and which was the tabber."

Joshen wasn't listening; he was already halfway up the stairs. He shoved open the cabin door. The room was empty. "Bruke!"

The dog came from behind. He laid a piece of familiar white cloth at Joshen's feet.

As Joshen grasped the cloth, cold dread shot through him. "Senna." His mind was lost in the enormity of his fear. Something tugged at his clothes. He looked down at Bruke pulling him toward the door. Mechanically, Joshen's legs moved after Senna's dog. At the bow, Bruke looked into the water with a whine.

Joshen halted in front of Senna's abandoned sling and clothes. Bending down, he picked up her necklace. It glinted, catching the light. Unwillingly, his gaze stretched over the ocean. "What has she done?" Though he knew she wouldn't be there, he couldn't help but peer over the side of the ship. "She changed to a seal and brought the whale back, didn't she?" How long had she been gone? That potion of hers only lasted a short time and the whale had come long ago. "Man a boat!" Joshen screamed as he ran toward the crafts. "Bring arms!"

His hands bloody, Parknel appeared from below decks and shot him a questioning look. "Joshen?"

Joshen tugged the ropes. "Senna's in the water somewhere!"

Sailors sprinted to his side. Joshen jumped in the boat as others began to lower them. "Bruke! Come!" Joshen shouted.

The enormous dog jumped over the rail as the boat slammed into the water. The men loosened the ropes and hauled out the oars. Bruke pointed southwest and barked. Joshen grabbed his oar. "Pull!"

***

It was amazing how fast and far Senna had swum as a seal. Her inadequate arms flailed and tugged at the water, but for all her efforts, she wasn't much closer to the ship and her muscles were stiff and slow to respond. Shivering uncontrollably, she stopped swimming long enough to pour the remnants of the oil over her head. For a brief moment, she felt better.

She gazed forlornly at the Sea Witch. After all she had been through, it wasn't Espen who would defeat her but her own folly. "I'm sorry, Joshen. I failed you." She looked past her treading feet and searched the depths of the water—her grave. "Mother," she whispered. "Forgive me, Mother."

***

Bruke stayed at the front of the boat, sniffing the air. Whenever the animal shifted, the sailors righted their course. Joshen wasn't used to the heat or the strength of the sun anymore. Sweat rolled from the sides of his face. His shirt clung to him. He squinted into the brightness, willing himself to see something.