Salt Storm: The Salted Series: Episodes #31-35 by Galvin, Aaron (read 50 shades of grey .TXT) 📕

A dead traitor, then, said Cursion, his gaze narrowing on Arsen as he plucked a dagger off his belt. Though the manner in which your death comes will rely on your next choices, Orc. Sing for me now, and pray that I approve of your answers. What fool madness brought you to betray your pod mother and my son? Aye, and to attack my people too with so few of you in number?

Arsen’s voice shook, despite the calm in which he managed to maintain as the Nomads tightened their grip on him. Wanted to breathe a while longer, didn’t I? Not madness if you’re trying to live, is it?

Cursion frowned. It is madness to believe you would survive after making enemies on both sides. A betrayal of your people and then to attack mine as well.

Well, I didn’t have much choice in either, did I, sir? Arsen replied. Not had much choice at all in my poor, miserable life, I don’t mind telling you.

Garrett could not tolerate that, the face of another former pod-mate flashing in his mind, and begging words he muttered at his end. No choices, huh? He demanded of Arsen. Like when you killed Pieter? You didn’t have a choice there, Arsen? Because I remember it seemed like you enjoyed twisting the knife at Pieter’s end.

It were a favor I done that poor lad, so it was, said Arsen. Better the death I gave him, then one that the Blackfin would have given him. Aye, a better and swifter end by my hand than the one your people here would give ours too, for that matter. Her jerked his head toward the other Orc dead, their bodies still being nipped at by the ongoing, frenzied shark feast. If you offered me that same end, here and now, as the one I gave that whiny bleater from our pod, Recruit Weaver, truly I’d take the iron kiss I offered him in half a heartbeat.

Cursion nodded. You might just get your wish, boy. Answer my questions honestly and it might be I grant you a swift and easy end. Again, the choice lies with you, Orc. Now, what brought you here and led you to betray your pod mother, Makeda?

Arsen cringed as if fearing the blade fall to come. Meaning no offense, sir, but it’s not loyalty if I never swore the pod mother allegiance, is it?

My son says you were a pod-mate of his, both of you in service of the Painted Guard. . .

Aye, we were training to be, but neither of us chose to join, did we, Recruit Weaver? He looked to Garrett for validation. Receiving none, Arsen turned back to Cursion. It were the Blackfin I served all along, sir. Not that I made much choice in loyalty to him either. ‘An Orc without his pod is nothing’, sir. I didn’t have no pod, nor name either, ‘fore the Blackfin took me in. Named me hisself, he did. He takes in all what he finds alone, or the Painted Guard won’t keep, sir. All on account of he knows what it is to be cast out, the Blackfin does. Same as was done for him in favor of his sister after you murdered their father, sir. Arsen shook his head. But I didn’t never swear no allegiance to Makeda. When the Blackfin saw we would lose our fight against her outside of Crayfish Cavern, he chose me to swim off and be taken in by the Painted Guard. Knew his sister well enough that she and her lot would force me in recruitment for them, he did. In truth, he only sent me to keep eyes on that one there. He pointed at Garrett. Aye, wanted to learn if it were his nephew or not.

Why? Cursion asked. The Blackfin is as much a purist as they come. Why should he concern himself with a half-bred nephew, if not for his own ill wants?

I don’t know, sir, said Arsen. Honest, I don’t. The Blackfin don’t tell me much, and I don’t ask. Learned when I was young it’s better if you steer clear of him, sir. Just do as your told. Same as the rest like me that he brings in and makes for his Violovar.

Rapists, traitors, and murderers is what he brings in, said Garrett, reminded of finding the other Violovar spy, Xander, as he assaulted their female pod-mate, Vanya, after Pieter’s death.

Aye, Arsen agreed with Garrett’s assessment. But let you grow up as we did. See how you turn out, Recruit Weaver. It’s not all of us so lucky as you to have royal ties and live our days safe upon the shore. I tell you true, I’d have given up all my days below for a single one of happiness above.

Ishmael chuckled. Maybe you should’ve ran ashore when you had the chance, then, boy. He mussed Arsen’s hair, leaving it to flow in the underwater current.

Might be I should’ve, said Arsen. Or give me a chance now, sir, and I will. Aye, swim for shore this very day, I will. Swallow the anchor and never come back.

You could have done already, said Ishmael. I gave you that chance to live and carry the tale of crossing currents with Red Water when we met outside of New Pearlaya. The same as the day that your former pod-mate here swam away with me.

Beg pardon, sir, said Arsen. But you didn’t tell me to run for shore. Asked me to deliver your message to the Blackfin, and so I did. Not that it would have mattered if I hadn’t done. The Blackfin and my brother seawolves would’ve come ashore to hunt me down anyways if I had fled without reporting back. He’s a monster what don’t forget or forgive nothing. Anyway, it was a message you told me to deliver, sir. Not to run for me life.

Ishmael snorted. Such the loyal pet, aren’t you?

Cursion stirred.