The ocean was whispering to me as Carlosa, and I lay on the beach.
Moonlight reflected off the water; slowly, I stood and walked into it. My skin glowed slightly as I walked in.
What are you doing? Carlosa asked through the bond, curiosity filling the bond.
I am listening to the ocean. I told her.
Then I focused on the darkest point where the night sky meets the ocean.
Black filled my vision as I stood in the water. As I waded in further, I listened more closely.
The ocean swelled, moving in small waves towards me.
I smiled as I finally understood.
The ocean wanted to show me something.
I have to go, but I will be back when done. I sent to Carlosa.
Through the bond, I could feel her discomfort with the idea of me going into the ocean at night.
I wanted to chuckle; she didn’t know I could handle myself.
“I’ll be fine,” I told her aloud before I dove into the ocean.
The ocean would have been pitch black if it weren’t for the light coming from my skin.
I swam deeper until I reached a large circle of stones. The coral growing between the stones was orange in my glow, and I made my way to the center of the circle.
Sitting in the circle, I focused my thoughts. What did the ocean want to tell me?
The current picked up as the ocean whispered. A ship is hidden deep within the Sunken Ships of Orthynia.
That’s in Saminda; we are heading there now. I told the ocean, already getting ready to leave.
Child, you must listen, there is a ship here off the coast of the Sinthian cliffs; you must search it before you can go to the Ship of Orthynia. The ocean flowed around me.
Why? I asked.
It holds the key to what Carlosa needs. The ocean whispered, and then the current steadied, leaving me in still waters.
I slowly began to swim up towards the surface. I would find this ship, and then we would go to Saminda.
Determination set my shoulders as I walked onto the beach.
Carlosa’s violet eyes searched for me. “What’s wrong?”
I met her eyes; she wasn’t ready yet to hear what I did.
“Just ocean politics.” I waved my hand as if it wasn’t a problem.
She lifted a dark eyebrow. “We are Soulfated Giovanna; I can taste when you lie. It’s very bitter to be frank.”
I pursed my lips; I wasn’t used to that. Having traveled alone for years, my thoughts had always been mine.
“The ocean was just telling me about a prophecy," I told her, trying to keep it simple.
“Like what?” She pressed, “It must have been important to leave in the middle of the night.”
I looked down at the sand, “I need to search for a ship.”
“Why?” She asked,
I couldn’t come up with a reason; what should I tell her?
“Something to help unfreeze Celentra.” Not a complete lie. Would it coat Carlosa’s tongue?
Carlosa nodded. “Alright.” She walked back to the small camp we had set up on the beach.
I walked over to her and sat, the sand grounding me. “I should have been honest to start.”
“I understand. We may be Soulfated, but we are still learning to trust each other.” Carlosa said softly as she slowly grabbed my hand.
“One day you will trust me with your secrets; I won’t push.” She gently kissed my palm, her eyes meeting mine.