The Sea Devil's Eye - Mel Odom [139]
"Thank you," he said to the sky," for finding me and freeing me."
My son, the deep voice said, you were never lost, and you have freed yourself. Take your shirt off.
Jherek hesitated for only a moment, then did as he was asked. As he stripped the shirt away, he noticed the clapping and hollering quieted, until the ship was silent once more. He was conscious of the tattoo-a flaming skull masked in chains-that showed so plainly on his arm.
No one, the deep voice boomed, startling the people on the ship and letting Jherek know he wasn't the only one who could hear the words now, may mark one of my own.
A pink incandescence flared to life in the middle of the Harning skull, burning brightly. Jherek watched, surprised there was no pain, only a tingling feeling. When the incandescence passed, only unmarked flesh remained behind.
Jherek held his arms out at his sides, staring at the clear skin through tear-blurred eyes that spilled over his cheeks.
The stain of your father's heritage is gone, my son. Live free of it.
XXVI
30 Marpenoth, the Year of the Gauntlet
"Why would Lathander be involved in any of this?" Qos asked.
Pacys swam beside Qos as the storm giant looked over the preparations being made to the Great Gate beside the Dukars' Academy.
"For several reasons," the bard answered.
Mermen, shalarin, sea elves, locathah, tritons, and even some of the men from Azure Dagger and Steadfast-both ships now at anchor above-labored to clear the great plaza. They chopped down coral reefs and carried them away. The humans used all manner of potions and magical devices to reach Myth Nantar, but once there, the mythal surrounding the City of Destinies allowed them to stay, breathing the water as if it were air.
"What reasons?" the giant asked.
"The Morninglord is the god of beginnings," the old bard said, letting his fingers stray across the gems inset in the saceddar. "There have been several beginnings involved in the legend of the Taker."
"Those legends have been around for thousands of years, as has this city. There are no beginnings there."
"Lathander is also the god of renewal. Just as you hoped to open Myth Nantar so that Seros might again unite, the Morninglord wanted to see that happen. He has been working toward this end for a long time as well, else how would Jherek be here now?''
"The young paladin truly holds great promise," Qos said. I've looked at many young men and women in my years at the academy, but the potential in him is strong."
"Jherek is another beginning," Pacys said. He'd talked to the young paladin himself after Sabyna's recovery, and Jherek told him some of what the Morninglord had revealed to him. "Not only does Lathander believe that Jherek will be one of the finest warriors to serve in his name, but Jherek will also be the first paladin to be based upon and in the seas of Toril."
"I have heard of 'seaguards,' " Qos said, "Paladins who ride upon ships and protect them for their lieges."
"Yes," Pacys agreed, "but none of them have understood the sea as Jherek will. You've only begun to see the promise in him."
"If the Taker doesn't destroy him."
Pacys studied Jherek among the crews seeking to clear the debris from the Great Gate. He didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry, Taleweaver," Qos said after a moment. "I know that is never far from your mind. Nor, probably, from the young man's."
"No."
"I'm still adjusting to the fact that Myth Nantar is once more open and no longer truly under my safekeeping."
"It will be all right."
"I hope." Qos let out a long breath. "And how goes it for you, Taleweaver? I have listened to your music, and it sounds good to these ears. I've even heard parts of your songs being sung in the Resonant Horn Inn. The song you wrote for the Alu'Tel'Quessir during their long trek seems popular."
Pacys smiled, letting his pride grow. "Give me time, my friend, all who have participated in these efforts will have their part of the song."
"But at the heart of it will be the story of Iakhovas and that young