PoraBora

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Noikoa's fleet had arrived first, but it made no difference. Makaia's took position, and two boats drifted to the center of the cavern, pink and blue lights swimming across their faces.

"Noikoa," said Akoni.

"I'm surprised to see you," said Noikoa. "Why didn't Makaia come himself?"

"When Keasau could come out from the water at any time?" Akoni snorted. "I'm expendable. You're a fool." It had been a question he'd struggled to answer in his preparation. Noikoa did not look surprised to see him, whatever he said. His ships had not received message of Akoni's death, then. Small wonder: they'd been in such a rush to chase Keasau.

And they'd chased him here, to an island that beguiled belief, a great crater blown through a spire of a mountain, to say nothing of the coral living above the water. Perhaps a cut of it might even retain its color on a shelf.

Calling Noikoa a fool wasn't prepared, but it was both satisfying and distracted from what was otherwise a questionable answer.

Noikoa shook his head. "Keasau won't come up until we give him a reason to."

"I knew you hadn't spent more time on the rig than you had to," said Akoni. "Keasau comes up when he pleases. We only give him a reason to go back down."

Noikoa glanced over the side of his boat and into the water. Neither of them had come alone. Noikoa's warriors didn't look away from Hui's face except to remind the other koa they were paying attention. It made Akoni wonder what the real relationship was between the two chiefs. Or perhaps Noikoa only wanted someone else to steer.

"I think Makaia just wanted to give us a chance to talk," said Akoni dryly. "Or else he hopes Keasau will breach and he'll be done with me."

"Let us not keep everyone waiting with old pleasantries. Keasau's cornered himself. Just tell Makaia to drop the net at the entrance and we'll drive him into it. It couldn't be easier. If it wasn't for the jellyfish, I'd even suggest we let the men have a good swim first. Beautiful place."

"A shame," said Akoni. "Try not to destroy too much of it."

"That's up to the god," said Noikoa.

"Makaia also wants you to switch in with four of our ships in the line," said Akoni. He wasn't going to leave the greatest ships in his fleet where they couldn't do anything. "Our hooks were damaged in the last fight."

"I told Makaia he should mount rear guns, but he preferred a traditional design."

"I'm sure I'll see you when it's done," Akoni said.

Noikoa nodded. "I look forward to it."

They turned their boats and paddled back towards their ships. Even if it should be an easy catch, it paid not to disturb the god with motors. They were both men who had seen "should" fall apart in dozens of battles.

Side by side. How little had to change to make them adversaries, Akoni thought, turning his back on Noikoa's boat. Ikaika would be watching him. Making deductions. He'd probably already guessed the truth, among a dozen other guesses, and it would only be swayed by Noikoa's return, neither of them torn open by a spear.

Noikoa might have guessed too, but blowing Akoni into the water and starting Keasau's frenzy early probably wasn't worth it on a hunch. Not that Makaia would have minded terribly much.

He was still secure in his brig.

"Well, that went about as smoothly as it could have." Hui still watched Noikoa's ship. "Maybe we should catch Keasau first. It'll be easier with their help, and they'll have their backs turned from their cannons to celebrate."