Salt & Spice

Chapter 5

The Travellers were the only shoal that Honor knew of that didn’t journey lightly. They facilitated most trade between shoals, and tended to amass goods. Carrying all of that probably accounted for Free’s muscles, Honor thought with a smirk, though she was in no position to be as happy about it as she normally would be.

The nomads were setting up shop in a sandy area kept clear of debris. Usually the  fry used it for games, but they were being supplanted for the special occasion. A Traveler man was laying out a variety of knives and spear heads that had been fashioned with a black stone that Honor had never seen before. The weapons shone brightly, and had some of the finest edges Honor had ever seen.

Distressed as she was after her meeting with the Eldest, Honor couldn’t help but stare at the jewelry the woman next to him was displaying. Some of it was made with the mysterious black stone as well. One bracelet in particular caught her eye, with alternating beads made from the black stone and whale bone.

Bravery was similarly fascinated. He wanted to stop and touch everything, and was currently examining the edge of a knife. Free, on the other hand, was calm and cool, as all of this was completely familiar to him. Normally, Honor would be embarrassed by Bravery’s excitement and try to emulate Free’s nonchalance, but this had not been an ordinary day.

What else can I say? Honor flicked her tail angrily. Coral could die any day and what would the shoal do without her? Someone else has to learn what she knows.

She had been ranting for several minutes. Bravery, having known Honor from the day he hatched, had already signaled to Free behind her back to just let her go until she was worn out. They didn’t respond.

The worst part is how the Eldest talks about her. She has ‘moments,’ she was ‘away,’ Honor railed. No, she’s wrong in the head and she was kidnapped and mistreated!

She’s just trying to be sensitive, Free tried to soothe her, finally deciding it was time to jump in.

Using nice words won’t change what happened, Bravery argued.

Neither will discussing the nasty details with the entire shoal, Free shot back.

Neither of you are helping me! Honor waved her arms to bring their attention back to her.

You were right earlier, Bravery said. Coral could go belly up any day now. Most of your life will be spent actually being a healer, not pandering to Coral. 

Maybe you could convince her to teach someone else as well, so you won’t be alone with her, Free suggested.

That’s not the point, Honor argued. She’s small and old and it was silly of me to react the way I did before. The problem is that I feel like I’m not being given a real choice.

You always have a choice. What can the Eldest do if you say no? I’m going to try to trade, Bravery didn’t even try for a natural segue. 

Try your spearheads. You’re better at making those than anything else, Honor replied half-heartedly. Bravery swam back to the man with the black stone weapons, leaving Honor and Free alone.

What would you do? Honor glanced up at Free. He gave her a long, steady look with eyes as dark as the depths of the ocean. 

Duty to the shoal is most important. Think of all the people you would help. You will have a life with meaning and purpose. This is good for everyone, his gestures were gentle.

I should have asked Bravery. He isn’t so sensible, Honor flicked her fingers in mock annoyance.

Free clicked, showing his small, sharp teeth. I’m sure the Eldest wouldn’t have asked you if she thought it would be a problem. 

Honor wasn’t quite so sure of that, since the Eldest’s primary concern should be the good of the entire shoal, but it was still comforting to hear. Free had such large, strong hands, making his words seem even more reassuring.

They didn’t want my spearheads, Bravery returned looking annoyed.

You’ll do better offering something that will be rare for another shoal, Free explained. Everyone has spearheads, but we have those because not everyone has the black stone. We can only carry so much, so we need to be careful with our trades.

How do you move all of this? Honor gestured at the whole display. All of it together must be heavy.

On our backs, mostly, Free paused. We tried training dolphins to haul it for us.

Really? Did it work? Where are they? Bravery looked around, but Free waved his hand.

They were easy enough to train. Very intelligent animals, Free explained. The problem is that they have to go to the surface to breathe. That’s fine when we’re traveling, but what would we do at a time like this? We would either have to let them go by themselves and risk losing them, or split the shoal in two. We’ve been trying to find another animal that could work, but so far everything can’t be trained or is just too mean.

As the Travelers put the final adjustments on their display of goods Honor’s shoal started to descend on them. Others fared better than Bravery, who didn’t have much of his own handiwork to trade. Honor watched as the woman with the black stone jewelry haggled with one of Honor’s elders. He had a lovely orca tooth, carved with swirling designs and images from the most important myths of the Sea People. Honor could spot the Ocean Goddess, the moon, and the gateway to death. 

She completely lost track of what Free and Bravery were talking about while idly watching the exchange. Free had made very good points in favor. So had Bravery, in his own less than delicate way. There was no real choice in the matter, but that didn’t necessarily mean that it would be bad for her.

Honor? Bravery waved his hand in her face to get her attention. She turned her head slightly to face him.

If you see the Eldest, let me know. I’m going to do it.