Sequoia Coast blue raven

Somewhere in the telling of the tale, Marina realized that she knew his name. Her mother had mentioned him, once. Their mother.

She felt dizzy again.

None of it truly registered now, all these strange and fantastical things spoken so softly. Yet she believed him. Somehow, she believed him. Marina pressed her temple to Chakliux's shoulder, releasing a long but quiet sigh that only he would know by the feel of it against his flank.

Sea-Snake. Cyanea.

Why should she care at all?

She met River's eyes again. I am, Marina answered in a voice far steadier than she felt. She mentioned you, once. River - that's your name, isn't it? River... Sea-Snake.

Marina Sea-Snake.

Thank you, She added finally, but her weariness was beginning to show. For telling me. But I... Chakliux is right. I'm a seal hunter now.

She could see how it hurt him. For some reason, that mattered.

And a Sea-Snake, too, maybe, Marina allowed. Her eyes found Chakliux briefly, filled with questions she would not speak until River had gone. But my life is with the seal hunters. I came here because... because I was ill. My - our mother always told me I should go to the sea if I ever needed healing.

Was this what she had meant? Marina didn't know, but maybe River would.