Page 24

During the flight towards Staritti’s Island, and Temple Prime, Lune found himself having to breathe shallow, and through his mouth.

While clean, the intense, charred odors clinging to Cinder’s garments made him choke and gag.

The conflicting smells of garlic and roses permeated the fabrics.

So he yanked the decorative sash from around his compass-belt to wrap around his nose and mouth.

It also helped combat the wind at this altitude that was battering him head on.

Landing atop the cliffs before Temple Prime, Narsus shifted back into his humanesque self. “You took the ride well. I’m surprised.”

Lune playfully scrunched up his nose and smirked. “Calico, remember? Free rides.”

“Ah, yeah, right.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I was hoping to get that gloating honor.” Narsus hunched his shoulders and kicked at the small rocks around the cliff-side.

“You’re…actually pouting!” Lune’s jaw dropped, but was more of a grin. “You have the rest of our lives to fly me around.” Lune reached up, then paused, waiting for the permission to lay a gloved hand to Narsus’s cheek.

Narsus took it, pressing Lune’s touch lightly to his face. They shared a moment of an easy smile.

“Time to get to work,” Lune reminded softly, letting go. He took off all his clothes and stuffed them into the pack. “Give me two days, at least, to make some wide sweeps before I start narrowing the search and circling inward. Or further outward. Temple’ll feed you, yes?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Family will be sure I eat, and my childhood room’s still open to me in the Grim’s apartment suite. What about you?”

Lune made a face. “Fish or whatever. When I’m ready for pickup, I’ll perch myself on…” He looked out into the ocean. “That rock. There.”

Narsus noted the pickup point. “Understood. Good luck, Lune.”

“Our luck’s right here.” He motioned to the compass bound around his wrist.

Narsus shifted back into his phoenix form and bunched his cape up within his talons to use it like a rope. He took flight, hovering in place. Lune reached out to grip the thick fabric.

“All set,” Lune called.

Narsus rose higher and flew back over the ocean. That was when Lune let go and dove into the waves.

Lune settled on the shallow bottom, waiting for the silt and sand he’d stirred up to settle. Lifting his compass out before him, he realized they probably should have done aerial mapping beforehand. Oh well, too late now.

Setting to work, Lune swam to the edge of the continental shelf. Where he startled and shook himself when he immediately got a signal. The compass spun rapidly, pointing out into the deeper realm.

Lune hesitated because of the ocean’s ever-increasing pressure, then glided down the edge of the continental slope, and out across the abyssal plains.

Up and over underwater hills and mounts, then suddenly backtracking. Turning in more circles, before going deeper into a smattering of various trenches. Picking up quick meals from the aquatic flora and fauna as the hours rolled along.

It hit him suddenly. The pressure this far down squeezing at him. Lune’s gills felt like they were on fire. So did his legs. Legs that he didn’t seem to have any control over any more. He hadn’t shifted.

This was the deepest he’d ever tried to go.

Hesitating, he checked his compass. He was so close. Nearly right on top of it. But he felt so sick. His sight blurred, and mild dizziness set in.

Disorientation this deep instantly filled him with dread. A bubble of tears and terror and thoughts of sharks speared through him. He froze, trying to collect himself and will away the dizziness.

There were still a few days left. There was time. It’d be okay. He’d surface. Confer with Narsus. Go home and get a good night’s sleep and finish this in the morning. He knew he could push himself deeper into the trenches, but right now he was just too tired, stressed, and worn out.

So he turned and kicked towards the surface. Doing so eased the weight on his bones, and he started feeling better. His vision sharpened and the low pressure headache vanished. Yes. Much better. It’d be okay. Nothing to worry Narsus over.

The wave of surface water nearly slammed Lune into the perching rock. He lost his grip and had to wait for the next ebb and flow. He held on with the second try. Narsus was there, waiting, and brought him back to the cliff-side the same way he’d been dropped off .

“Any luck?” Narsus transformed back into his human-self.

Lune was immediately wrapped in a large towel, and he clung to this lifeline. He struggled to take several breaths of the crisp air before he could even reply. “I—I was nearly right on top of it. But too tired right now.”

“I can see that.” Narsus engulfed him in a hug. Lune closed his eyes and savored it. “The weather’s been pretty rough since I dropped you, and you were down so long I was starting to worry. We’ll find it tomorrow,” Narsus reassured. “We have time. You need to rest, and I want to take you home.”

Home sounded wonderful. Home with Narsus.