19. Chapter Nineteen #2
“That’s what I’m hoping you can determine,” Ionus said. “Read the notes beneath it and you’ll understand.”
He scrolled so I could see them.
“You wish for me to return to the spot and scour it for more pieces,” I deduced after learning that it had been found near an island that had been reclaimed by the sea centuries before.”
“What Emerson was able to decipher from the inscription was that it read like a warning,” Ionus explained. “Unfortunately, there’s little else he can tell us without the rest of it.”
“No promises,” I said as I turned and headed for the door.
“Understood.”
A warning.
We could use more of those.
So many missions had been launched from his home by now that we kept the utility closet by the door stocked with necessities, including the dragon sized waterproof satchel I took with me tonight, in case my hunt was successful.
I stripped beneath the moon and shifted, taking to the sky, my flight path took me away from the clear skies over Dragon City and into the heart of a storm.
Magnificent waves churned, welcoming me when I plunged into the sea, the turmoil following me into the depths.
Of all the nights to be out here.
With the greatest of care, I raked my claws through the sand, churning up the ocean floor in an effort to locate those pieces.
The water around me grew cloudy as I uncovered an impressive number of shells, including one I placed in my satchel.
Slowly I made my way around the island, finding a fragment that resembled the artifact in the archives.
Moving outward from that spot I widened my search, cautiously sifting through the sand so my claws wouldn’t further damage them.
Even down here, I could feel the turbulent storm still raging above me, the rough water slowing my progress more, as there was a constant need to pause and study the things I uncovered. Another fragment, though this one appeared to be from a different artifact.
Mates, I might not be able to return to you until late. Ionus sent me on an undersea expedition that couldn’t wait. There is no danger, just a quest.
Kes’ reply came first. Awe. Snaggletooth is fun. I hate that you’re missing it.
You’ll have to share it with me when I return.
We will.
We miss you. Caspian said. I’m glad you’re not doing anything dangerous.
Apart from keeping me away from the two of you, this is actually fun. I found a new shell to add to our horde. When I get home, we can find the perfect place for it.
Yay. I’m already looking forward to it.
See you when you get home. If we’re awake, anyway. Kes said.
Don’t try to wait up for me. You and the dragonets need your rest.
I’m not tired yet. Kes replied. We’re too busy laughing. The humor is different from SpongeBob but still fun.
Good, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Try not to let Odem eat the refrigerator.
I doubt it would taste good, unless he flamed it first.
Kes’ humor, much like Odem’s, often caught me off guard.
Laughter made the hunt feel less tedious and I was soon rewarded with another missing chunk of artifact.
While I doubted even my ability to recover them all, each piece I uncovered would make it easier for Emerson to unravel the message.
When the field I searched quit yielding fragments, I moved over and worked my way back toward the island.
Time, currents, storms like the ones that raged overhead, all effected the sea floor.
By the time I’d finished searching one side of the island, I was certain I’d collected the pieces of three different artifacts.
Two had the Seadragons insignia on it, the other would need to be put back together before anyone could determine if it had one too.
At first, the slow search of the other side of the island turned up nothing, but as I neared the northern edge, I began uncovering pieces again.
Was it coincidence that the north side of this island was where the bulk of the fragments were found, or another indication that the answers we sought lay in the same frozen ice flow where we found Torin?
Another mystery to ponder while I hunted.
The last thing I wanted was to be sent back here to do another search, so I made a second trip around the island, taking just as much time and care as the first pass.
Only one additional artifact chunk turned up that time, which I added to the satchel with the rest. With nothing else to explore, I swam back to a much calmer surface, grateful to greet the stars.
Flashes of lighting in the distance clued me in to the path the storm had traveled, so I chose another direction for my flight home, landing a few seconds after Caro.
“You just saved me a trip to your house,” I said, removing the satchel I carried, but only after retrieving the large shell I intended to take home with me.
“Please give this to Emerson but handle it with the utmost care. The pieces inside are old and have been at the bottom of the sea for some time.”
“Will do. Thank you. I’m sure he’ll be excited to see them. It’s a good thing my shift if over, I’ll be able to occupy Cade while Em works.”
“Enjoy yourself. I’m glad it was a quiet shift.”
“As am I. Goodnight brother.”
“Goodnight.”
What was left of it truly would be now that I was home with my mates.