Blackwater Islands searching for smoke in a stillwater pond

Gabe remained quiet as Akantha shared the story of the Drowned God and the Mothers. Essentially the boy found it all the be a load of mouse shit. He'd never believed in anything, he'd never even contemplated the idea of a god before. Being born not in an established pack but a massive nomadic family, everything he knew came from his brother's and his parents, mostly his mom. She had always told him that he was only to believe in himself, and that would be enough. The thought of starting to believe in a higher power now felt like a betrayal to her. And if he hadn't betrayed her then, then he wouldn't now.

But he also didn't have to tell Akantha what he thought about her mothers and drowned guys, he could keep it to himself and pretend he understood. When she finished, he had more questions that he didn't hesitate to ask. He was paused only by the matriarch's tail brushing against his shoulder, which then caught his nose and made him sneeze. After sniffing for a moment he spoke, What about love? Like what if a sister and a guy really like each other? Oh and what do you mean by 'care for them until they served their purpose'? He asked, without any hint of accusation in his voice, it was all out of curiosity.