The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Page 5

  Harmony discussed the timeline of Pearl’s marriage with her grandmother many times; both agreed the conception time of the child didn’t add up. They believed Pearl became pregnant out of wedlock that summer and they never thought the man she married was the father.

  “Maybe you also met my great-great-grandfather?”

  Calder noted the accusation in her tone. “Not directly.” His expression softened. “Pearl was lovely. Every man, woman, and child glanced her way when she entered a room. Walking the verandas, she made sure linens were clean and everything was as it should be. One day when the delegates went to the shipyard where the negotiations were taking place I stayed behind. I told the gentlemen I was unwell, but in reality I planned to leave their world. I sat alone on the veranda reflecting on my five years in the human realm when Pearl walked up. She asked if she could get me anything. The manager was on her heels, and when I replied I’d like her company, the manager insisted she sit and entertain me.”

  Calder chucked at the memory. “Another girl brought us tea. We talked all morning and over lunch. She was fascinated by my travel stories…and I, I could have looked at her sweet smile all day. We became friends and I couldn’t bring myself to leave. We met again and again, often secretly. When I told her I had to leave she begged me to take her with me, but I couldn’t.” He regarded Harmony, Binda, and Rio, hoping they understood his struggle. “I wanted to. I considered trying it. I knew we were in love, but I couldn’t stay.”

  The anguish in his plight convinced Harmony her suspicions were correct. Anger rising, she put together the puzzle easy enough. “Did you know she was pregnant when you left?” She glared into Calder’s familiar gaze—those pale eyes Pearl’s descendants inherited.

  Nami returned with the tea tray and set it on the low table. No one reached for a cup except her father. Binda and Rio seemed stunned. Harmony flicked her gaze at Nami figuring she’d been listening from the nearby kitchen. There was no shock on Nami’s face, only compassion.

  “We knew about the baby and we had a plan. Someone else was already interested in her, someone who could give her everything she could want in your world.”

  “What about my grandmother? She was of this world!” Binda raged. She turned to her mother. “You knew of this!”

  “It was long ago, before he met my mother, Binda. Be silent and let him finish,” Nami replied.

  “I came back. Your grandmother and I were married many years later,” Calder clarified for his grandchildren before sipping his tea.

  “Oh wow…That means…we’re related!” Harmony said with mixed emotions, realizing she wasn’t the last in her family. She was related to Calder, Nami, Rio, and Binda. Harmony dared not say anything more to Binda, whose mouth was grimly set.

  “Distantly related,” Calder confirmed. “I met Pearl when I was very young. I mentioned my advanced age to you earlier. Well, you see, my grandchildren are the same age as you are, but you are my great-great-grandchild.”

  Harmony lifted her fingers to her lips and slipped her thumbnail between her teeth. Her connection with Calder now made sense. Growing up, she had a weird sense she was different from other kids, however she convinced herself it was because her parents died.

  “Wow, this is so unbelievable. My grandmother and I were the last, and now she is gone.” An idea occurred to her. “Margret was your granddaughter…and she drowned last fall.”

  Calder nodded, grief-stricken.

  Hmm, my whole family drowned and here I am in a world with an angry water god. “Can your water god cross into my world?” She chewed on her fingernail, remembering Morie said something about this aquatic god in Japanese culture.

  Calder pressed his lips together, nodding, his answer grim. “Yes. He may be a minor god in your world, but we assume he has taken human souls as he’s been doing in this realm.”

  “My father’s fishing vessel sank and all were lost. And my mother drowned after she fell through the ice.” Harmony scanned their faces, her new family.

  Rio offered a sympathetic smile, as did his mother. Binda was impassive as she stared into the teacup her mother handed her.

  Calder apologized. “I am sorry, but I don’t think your family’s drownings were accidents.”

  “I knew it wasn’t just a coincidence,” she whispered, painfully.

  “Suijin has become vengeful. We had minor earthquakes when the ground was broken for the foundation of the Wentworth-by-the-Sea.”

  Nami added, “The reason we built our new temple was to appease Suijin’s anger.”

  Rio chewed on some nuts from the tea tray. After swallowing, he said, “He sent his sea sirens to lure people into the water and drown them. He is even sending them up rivers to reach the inland people of the Forest Tribe.”

  Nami fretted. “The Forest Tribe is not innocent in this. I’ve heard many of them no longer worship!”

  Binda rolled her eyes. “Mother, you get this information from gossipers. The same could be said about the coastal dwellers. The truth is, worshipping is fading out with the younger generations.”

  Calder halted their chatter. “If Suijin is behind these drownings, I don’t know what any of us can do. We need to send Harmony back. She is our only hope for stopping these disturbances.”

  “How can we help her?” Rio asked.

  “The herbs that got her here will get her back, but I do not have them.” Calder’s bushy brows drew together. “There are three ingredients to be gathered from three locations. Each extremely difficult to get to and located in very dangerous areas. Everyone knows of the first location, but not many know the plants that grow there are special.”

  He focused on Harmony. “The first plant is deep under the sea, inside a cave. Once obtained and brought to me, I will sun-dry and crush them. To get there you will follow the coast north, not far. Binda and Rio know the way.”

  Rio’s eyes widened. “The sea serpent’s cave! You told us never to swim there because of the danger lurking in the water.”

  “Wait… You expect me to go in deep water? I…I can’t!” Harmony stuttered as uncontrollable fear flooded her.

  Calder shook his head. “Not you. Collection will require the skill and endurance of an Aquapopulean Diver. As I mentioned to you last night, the Divers are our strongest swimmers. They can hold their breath underwater for around twenty minutes. You will need such a person for the gathering of this plant.”

  “Right.” Harmony’s shoulders eased away from her ears.

  Turning to his grandchildren, he said, “I trust you know where to find your friend Kodiak Night?” Binda and Rio nodded. “Bring him here.”

  Binda argued Harmony need not accompany them, but Rio sided with Calder. “Having Harmony with us might help convince Kodi to help us.” Rio stretched his hand in Harmony’s direction. “Just look at her.”

  After giving Harmony a once-over, Binda rolled her eyes.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Sorry, Harmony. I meant after seeing what you look like…I mean, your beautiful golden hair… Well, I just mean you could help persuade our accomplished Diver friend.”

  Harmony waved away his attempt to explain, knowing he wasn’t being disrespectful. “I’ll do what I can to convince him,” she added helpfully.

  Rio exhaled with relief. They were a race of brunettes, with no exceptions. And they all knew Kodiak had a weakness for rare finds.

  ***

  Later Nami stood at her father’s shoulder, watching her children paddle away with the stranger. She was the daughter of a Linker, though not one herself.

  “I fear for my children,” she admitted.

  “I fear for our future existence,” Calder countered. He wrapped his arm around his daughter’s shoulders and gave her a fatherly squeeze.

  8

  Harmony loathed boats—especially as the water got deeper beneath them. The canoe set out for the open ocean. Binda paddled at one end, avoiding Harmony, while Rio maneuvered the sail. It caugh
t the wind and whisked their vessel over the white crests.

  Harmony could tell Binda was irked because Calder kept his personal time in the human realm with Pearl a secret. She hoped her cousin would come around so they could get to know one another. Finding she had family was almost as shocking as waking up in another realm.

  “Where did you say we’re going?” Sweat beaded on Harmony’s brow. She gripped the seat, her knuckles white, her heart pounding.

  “Out there.” Rio pointed beyond the speckle of boats to an island visible on the horizon. He was more outgoing than his sister, who sat tight-lipped during the majority of the trip.

  “Oh, the Isles of Shoals, of course.” It felt odd recognizing landmarks in this other world.

  Harmony regarded Binda over her shoulder and attempted to cut the tension between them. “What do you do, Binda? Do you go to school?”

  “School is for little children,” she snapped.

  “Oh.” Harmony shrugged her shoulders at Rio, not sure why Binda seemed annoyed with her.

  Rio chuckled. “We attend school from toddler age to age fourteen for basic education, and then we work in our trade. The common trades along the coast are fishing, building, farming, and teaching. There are shop owners, like in your culture, I expect. There are other skills, such as scholars, artists, and crafters. The inland Forest Tribe is known for their weavers who produce skillfully crafted cloth. We trade goods or use gold coins.” Rio leaned in, “Binda is a Linker in training. It is extremely rare to have two in one family. There are only six alive that we know of.”

  Harmony swiveled, considering her, and couldn’t picture Binda handling all the differences in the human realm if she crossed. Binda gave her a pointed look, and Harmony turned back to Rio.

  He added, “Linkers have markings. Unlike Elders, who are chosen and educated to lead the communities, tribes, and temples. Binda has been working closely with Grandfather. That is why she is so angry he didn't tell her about falling in love with your relative. I think she feels entitled to know all things.”

  This last comment provoked a glare from Binda. The siblings had the same pale-blue eye color as their mother, their brightness like a pool’s reflection.

  “I’m sure he planned on telling me, Rio. And besides, being a Linker is not the only thing I will do with my life. I have other gifts,” Binda retorted.

  Rio took pity on his too-serious, elder sister and said, “Yes, she is a talented artist and the tribal tattooists find her drawings valuable. We’ve gone several times to the trade gatherings during the year. Binda is highly sought after.”

  Her chin tilted up a notch at her brother’s praise.

  Harmony swiped a handful of windblown hair off her face and secured it by tucking it into the crook of her neck. “I like to draw too, mostly buildings. I go to school to study about historic sites. I’m hoping to get a job restoring the local architecture—when I get home, that is.” Turning her face into the wind, she explained, “We go to school until age eighteen and then continue if we want to specialize in a trade. Anyway, I should have finished when I was twenty-two years old. I only have one semester left. I’m twenty-three now.”

  Rio responded, “I am twenty-two. Binda is a couple years older.” The girls regarded one another. “Funny, you are similar in age and you both like to draw.”

  “We are approaching,” Binda said, ignoring his observation. “Pull up to the third dock.”

  Rio dropped the sail neatly and paddled among the other boats crowding the lively harbor.

  Harmony scrambled from the boat as soon as it bumped the dock and blew out a long, thankful breath. The churning in her stomach returned when she realized they’d soon be making a return trip across cold, abysmal water.

  Boats of all sizes floated nearby, the larger vessels were reminiscent of Viking long boats but none resembled modern motor boats. The island seemed full of people and Harmony smiled at the children fishing from the pier as she walked past. They jumped to their feet, poles forgotten, returning her curious glances. Several young men unloading barrels rested their loads at their feet to give her their full attention. Beyond the docks was a makeshift town of basic buildings—no fancy architecture. Fish vendors were trading, and open-air cooking and eating were ongoing. The maritime people wore sleeveless, weather-worn tunics, many covered with aprons.

  “Are you sure this Diver will help us?” Harmony stayed close to Rio, feeling apprehensive.

  “He is my good friend and a renowned Diver. All we have to do is convince him.” Rio ignored the stares his cousin got and led her past the buildings to an opening where the rocky ground rolled toward the open sea. “When Kodi isn’t diving he’s digging for oysters. He loves to hunt for pearls. He’s quite lucky and finds the best ones.”

  Low tide allowed men to dig in the mud around rocks. “Wait here,” Rio directed the girls. He trudged toward one man who was crouched alongside a large boulder.

  The man stood when Rio approached. The first thing Harmony noticed about him was his short hair. So far all the men she’d seen wore their hair either straight to their collars or shoulders. It varied more with women. But everyone had very straight hair, in various shades of brunette.

  Rio and his friend talk for a bit. Rio used emphatic hand gestures, and his companion shook his head several times. When Rio finally gestured in the direction of the girls, Kodiak looked over and paused, focusing on them.

  Binda waved to him, mumbling to Harmony, “He doesn’t look happy.”

  Kodiak considered the gravity of what Rio confided. It was pure madness a human walked in their realm, but even crazier that Calder wanted him to help. Diving into the sea serpent’s cave was dangerous. It would require sufficient payment to match the risk.

  “So a stray found her way into our realm. Why would we risk our lives for her?” Kodiak raised his brows, waiting for a justifiable answer.

  “Grandfather hopes that by sending her back we can avoid unknown destruction to our island.” Rio gave a nervous laugh. “The funny thing is…she’s not just any stray human. Turns out she’s our cousin.”

  Kodiak shook his head, amusement twinkled in his eyes. “Who knew Calder was such a rule breaker?” Kodiak never pictured the old Linker a ladies man.

  “I think my grandfather has many secrets,” Rio admitted, “And he doesn’t want the girls to know, but he is willing to pay you—a large sum. He said the monetary offering would seal the deal.”

  Kodiak tugged off his gloves, tossed them into the net bag filled with shells, and hoisted the bag over his shoulder. “Well, I think I’d like to meet your cousin but don’t count me, Rio. I’m not sticking my neck out for a human.”

  The men left the shore side by side, engaged in rapid conversation. The closer Kodiak got, the more he was impressed by what he saw.

  Rio’s smiled overly enthusiastic and he spoke in an “I’m trying to stay positive” tone. “Kodi, this is Harmony Parker from…” He lowered his voice and glanced around. “From the human realm.”

  Kodiak nodded politely, distracted by her untamed blond hair.

  “Kodi wanted to meet you before he decided if he will join us on our journey.” Rio gave him a pleading look.

  On cue she turned on her charm. “Kodi, it is an honor to meet you. I hear you are an amazing diver.”

  His eyes flitted away briefly at her praise, but they shifted back to rest on her lips as she spoke. Plump and pouty: he wondered how they would feel against his own.

  “We need your help. I…” She placed her slim hand under the hollow of her throat. “I need your help.”

  Kodiak tore his gaze away from her mouth, noticing a pearl ring on her finger. In all his finds he’d never seen a pearl this color. “Your ring,” he said intently. “What kind of pearl is that?”

  “Oh!” Harmony regarded her heirloom ring, smiling fondly at it. “It’s a lavender pearl. Lavender pearls are rare.”

  He leveled his gaze at her. “I will accept it as payment for
helping you.”

  “What—no!” Her other hand covered the ring, protecting it from view. “This was my grandmother’s!” she said in anguish. She turned to Binda, who shrugged. “Rio?” Reading the distress on his face, she still hoped he could change his friend’s mind.

  Rio intervened. “Kodi, must you insist on this being payment? Obviously the ring is special to her.” Besides, Calder’s generous offer still stood.

  “I will only help you—for that. I will dive into the serpent’s cave and retrieve whatever you need for that.” He pointed to Harmony’s hand, now tucked safely under her armpit.

  “Just give it to him,” Binda broke the intense silence. “Don’t you want to go home?”

  Binda’s right. We need him. There is no changing his mind. What can I do? “I do want to go home. But Calder said there are three locations to collect the ingredients we need to make that happen.” She released her hand, modeling the ring. “Okay, I’ll give it to you as payment, but only if you help us collect all the ingredients from each location. We start at the sea serpent’s cave.”

  “But we don’t need a Diver for the other two,” Binda piped in.

  “If he’s going to take this ring, then he’s going to earn it.” Patience for her snide cousin wore thin.

  Harmony’s declaration intrigued him, he smirked at her tenacity. What she asked was risky at best, but he lived for adventure and thrived on challenges. Besides, the ring wasn’t the only thrill he planned to get out of this deal. Once more his gaze swept over her long, golden hair and he anticipated the day when he could lock his hands in it.