Page 18 of Swimming With the Sharks
Rotary whispered, “You really are mates.”
Nodding, Foster said, “Yes, I told youthat.”
“This changes things.”Rotary said, sitting therock on the ground, bowing his head, he said, “Jabari son ofCalista and Noran, I ask of you friendship and I give you loyaltyin return.”
The other boys stepped forward, bowed theirheads and said the same.Jabari looked at Foster in wonder, “Whatis happening here?”
Foster smiled wide.“You’re making friends.”
CHAPTER 8
Jabari was confused, but right now they didn’thave time.He and the hippocampus team had hurt Formaci and hisgang and they had retreated for now.However, he wasn’t stupid.Thebastard would be returning, and like his mate had warned, withreinforcements.He needed to get the kids to safety and call in hisguards.It would be easier if he shared a mind link with them,however, with the resistance of his very existence, one of thosehad never been possible.They had to want to join mentally with himand no one wanted to do that with something they thought was evilor an abomination.That meant calling in his men was going to haveto wait long enough to get the boys back beyond the arches and hismate safely to their home.
“What’s happening?Did you kill Formaci?”Fosterasked.
Shaking his head, “No but he’s hurt.We did takeout four of his army though, however, they retreated before wecould finish the job.I think he’s going to meet up with whoever hewas waiting for and then he will be back with a vengeance.Beforethat happens I want you and the boys behind the arches.”
Foster thought a moment muttering, “I reallywish there were some sperm whales here.”
Jabari laughed, “I have never been able to getover what you named the mamba beast.You humans are funny.”
Foster rolled his eyes at Jabari, saying, “It’snot because of that, you butt.It’s because they have this organ intheir head called spermaceti that creates an oil.It was highlysought after for the oil.They used it for lighting andlubricant...”
The boys giggled and Foster pursed his lips.“Not for that you naughty kids.It was used for things likehigh-speed machines and transmissions...things like that.Somepeople also used the oil to make soaps and other toiletries.”
“Okay, we get it, but still why are you wishingwe had some here with us now?”Jabari asked.
Shrugging, Foster replied, “Because sperm whaleslove to eat giant squid.It’s kind of their favorite meal.”
“Is that right?I didn’t know this.”Polarissaid, looking at Goboli.“Put out the call to Marish.See if he andsome of the others might come and help.We have no clue how manyfriends of Formaci might be coming to join the party.”
“Yes, sir.”Goboli said.
Polaris then ordered, “Sacrin, you stay close tothe children while Jabari leads.I’ll take up the rear.”He thenlooked at the boys, “You boys stick to us like glue.No dawdling orsightseeing.I’m sure your parents will be worried enough.You knowbetter than to come out here by yourself and will have a lot toanswer for.”
The smaller boys looked guilty and didn’t sayanything, but Rolary wasn’t so inclined, “I’m not a child.I’mseventeen.I can help fight.”
Foster quickly spoke before Jabari could,“Rolary, you might be the oldest and I know you want to help, butthe best way you can do that is by helping us get everyone home.You aren’t trained for fighting a giant squid, and trust me, youneed to be.They are nasty creatures with over seven thousandhooked teeth things that will shred you so they can eat you.”
“You’re not trained either and you stayed behindwhen you first got here.”Rolary tried to argue.
When Jabari heard his mate’s next words hecouldn’t help but be surprised, “That’s true and it was stupid.Iregretted it about two minutes in.I had no weapon, no means ofdefending myself, and I hated knowing that if I did anything todraw attention to myself it could get my mate harmed if not killedas well as Polaris and his men.That’s why when we go this time,I’ll be returning with you guys and waiting for my mate in hishome.”
Jabari could tell that Rolary was stillstruggling with wanting to help, so he quickly added, “I promiseyou as soon as I can, I will start training you myself, if that’swhat you want.”
Rolary’s eyes widened, “Really?”
Nodding, Jabari replied, “Of course.If you guysare going to continue to break the rules, you should know how todefend yourselves at least enough to get away.”
“Will you train us all?”Tetley asked.
Nodding, Jabari answered, “If that is what youwant and your parents agree.”
“I’ll talk to them myself first thing.”Rolaryquickly stated.
“We all will.”Tetley stated, standing next toRolary.
Jabari felt something within himself, but didn’tunderstand what it was.He would have to analyze it later.Rightnow they needed to get out of here.“Let’s go.Keep close andquiet.”