Blackwater Islands searching for smoke in a stillwater pond

@Gabe

Morning found Akantha striding boldly down to the southern shore in search of one of two young men beneath her rule. Logically she wanted someone in the Epivitoras​ position should more men come along, coerced into their trap by the sweet words and promises of the sea nymphs, but knew neither young man was quite up to the task. They were still untested, and untaimed; neither had bowed to her way of life, and only Whip showed any true respect (even if it was born mostly out of fear) towards her and the Sisters. She'd allowed Gabe his freedom for now, because she had no other choice. Akantha needed able bodies to provide and protect what belonged to her.

The tide was out, exposing the slippery green of the deflated seaweed, and trapping all manner of critters in the small pools hollowed out by the riptide. The scent of brine and sat was so thick it was palitable and, there across the sands, a gaggle of gulls were bickering over the bloated corpse of some unfortunate thing caught as the tide receeded. A thin rope of saliva dripped from her mouth and she broke into a sprint as she diverted, chasing away the pesky sea birds with a growl and snap of her jaws. Her gaze snapped towards the prize, which turned out to be a bleached, stripped salmon carcass. 

Akantha sighed, and turned away, leaving it to the gulls as she continued on across the tidal flats.