Brian Rathbone - The Dawning of Power

Dorsal fins the size of mainsails jutted from the water and circled the ship. Catrin and Chase stood at the gunwales, watching the terrifying display. Deep booms reverberated through the ships as the massive predators inspected them by bumping into them. Jarred by the impacts, Catrin watched in horror as dark shadows glided through the water with amazing speed and grace. She prayed they would go away.

Seabirds, also drawn by the chance for an easy meal, gathered around what remained of the discarded fish. In a moment that would forever be burned into Catrin's memory, one of the giant sharks leaped from the water, jaws agape, and took a mouthful of seabirds with it before crashing back into the water with a mighty impact. Seeing the agility of such large and dangerous creatures made Catrin feel small and vulnerable, yet she could not look away, held in thrall by their terrifying beauty.

With such danger in the waters, fishing efforts were curtailed. After moving to deeper water, both crews spent time simply resting and hoping the sharks did not return.

Along with the full moon came more than a dozen comets, their combined light creating a dreamlike landscape. Uncertainty gnawed at both crews as they entered the shallows, not knowing if they would ever escape.

Even when she was not on duty, Catrin kept watch; underwater hills and barely submerged islands threatened them at every moment. When the way ahead became too difficult to gauge, men were sent out in boats to check the depth and find safe passage. Using a weight tied to a long length of rope, they quickly made measurements. Markings on the rope indicated the safe level, and too many times that marker was near the surface.

Despite the danger, they had to concentrate on their task, for wondrous sights abounded, threatening to draw the attention of those on watch. During Catrin's off-duty watches, she occasionally let herself become absorbed in the beauty of the strange place. Colorful fish darted around equally colorful reefs. Flights of manta rays, each wider than the ships were long, glided through the water, looking as if they were flying.

As they moved farther into the shallows, small islands dotted the horizon, providing additional navigational challenges. The mountain was still distant, but it became ever more intimidating as it grew closer.

It was shocking to see life take hold in such a bizarre place, but there were islands covered with trees and bushes, and the waters around them teemed with creatures. The trees' branches harbored birds, snakes, frogs, and even crabs. Snakes moved from island to island, skimming the surface with their serpentine movements.

Beyond a cluster of islands, they reached a place where no land broke the surface and the waters became a bit deeper. Here grew trees like nothing any of them had ever seen before. Stiltlike root systems extended to the seafloor and kept the trunks above water. Encased in delicate crystals, the bark and leaves danced in the light. Given the robust green color of the leaves and their strong energy fields, Catrin guessed this was a normal condition rather than some bizarre ailment.

"Are those what I think they are?" Brother Vaughn asked Kenward.

"I'm not sure what kind of trees they are, but they certainly are remarkable."

Fasha brought the Stealthy Shark in close, and Benjin shouted across the distance, "Could those really be saltbark trees I see?"

"I think you're right," Brother Vaughn shouted back. "Saltbark is a precious remedy told of only in legend," he said to Kenward. "Can we send a boat in to investigate?"

"We can't afford to waste any time," Kenward said. "If you go, you must not fall behind. Any delay could cost us our lives. Are you certain a few leaves are worth the risk?"

"It was said to cure ailments with no other known remedy. It can cure blindness in some cases; it can be used to treat poisonous snakebites, jellyfish and ray stings, and I'm certain there are other things I've forgotten."

"It's your skin you'll be risking. I'll not stand in your way."

After a brief discussion with Benjin, Brother Vaughn asked that they lower a boat. "We can pick up Benjin since he is most interested in the trees, and we'll harvest what we can as quickly as we can. You'll not have to wait on us," he promised. Kenward assigned crewmembers to man the oars, and Catrin stepped in front of him.

"I'm going," she said.

"Too dangerous."

"I'm going." He tried to speak a couple of times, but then seemed to reconsider, and he stepped aside, allowing her to climb down. Brother Vaughn came next, loaded with empty sacks. Bryn and Farsy manned the oars. Catrin released her oars from the locks and tried to match their strokes. Soon they skimmed across the relatively still waters. Benjin boarded with excitement in his eyes, and they worked together to get out in front of both ships.

"We can harvest until the Eel reaches us, and then we'll need to get back. No sense taking unnecessary chances," Benjin said.

Feeling as if she were in another world, Catrin watched the surreal landscape slide by. Saltbark trees, most widely spaced, seemed to prefer isolation, but not far in the distance stood a cluster of trees separated by only narrow channels.

Benjin guided them toward it. "Be careful. We've no idea what might be hiding within the branches. All we need are the leaves. Try not to pick any area bare."

When they reached the first tree, Catrin could hardly believe her eyes. Each deep green leaf was encased in a delicate frosting of nearly identical crystals. Reaching out, she pinched a stem, and the leaf came off easily in her hand. Holding it up to the light, it cast rainbows across her palm. Knowing they had only a limited time to harvest, she got busy picking leaves.

Despite Benjin's warnings, she became careless in her haste and yanked her hand back with a sudden intake of breath when a coiled snake hissed from behind the foliage. Their wariness renewed, they moved from tree to tree, crabs scattering as they approached. A small lizard fell into the boat, and Catrin climbed as far atop the gunwales as she could. Benjin used a gloved hand to return it to the trees, and only then did Catrin return to her seat.

Casting a sidelong glance at the ships, Benjin declared it time they return.

"Wait," Catrin said, seeing a flash of movement within the trees. "Did you see that?"

"I didn't see anything," Benjin said, and everyone else shook their heads. Still Catrin watched the trees and jumped when a green-haired dryad peeked around her tree. Coated in the same sparkling crystals, her hair gleamed. Her eyes shone with life and curiosity. Longingly, the dryad stretched her hands out toward Catrin, who wished she could ask them to turn back.

"Is something wrong, li'l miss?"

"No," she said, unsure why she was reluctant to share what she had seen. It just seemed too private, and she would respect the dryad she longed to embrace.

On the final day, a scourge of wind and fire shall descend from the skies, and all creation shall be laid low. -Fisidecles, the Mad Prophet

Watching the increasingly shallow waters that surrounded them, Catrin's eyes were drawn to the mountain that now dominated the horizon. Clouds filled the air around it, and its energy seemed almost threatening. As it drew ever closer, the scenery began to change. Evidence of a long-forgotten civilization surrounded them. Rectangular forms, clearly the remains of buildings, dotted the area, and jars littered the seafloor, some of which were whole.

The crews watched in silence, awed by the sights. A monolithic hand reached from the sand, the sword it held broken and worn. Nearby were the remains of a ship. Only the skeleton remained, laid out neatly and standing out in stark contrast to the white sand. The forefoot and stem were well preserved, however, and were fashioned to resemble a dragon in flight. The sight of the dragon, seemingly flying underwater, thrilled Catrin, despite the dangers the ancient shipwreck warned of.