Free Leviathan (Lost Civilizations: 2) by Vaughn Heppner Page A

“I thought Shamgar was Gog’s city.”
    “Shamgar is a den of refuge for pirates and slavers,” Captain Maharbal said. “However, like Red Cain did long ago in the Siga Archipelago, Gog has done likewise in Shamgar. The only disciplined force in the city is the Oracle. For you see, a temple has been built to the dreaded First Born. The temple is on the same site where the ancient Temple of Magog stood. From the temple, Gog’s Defenders and warrior-priests do his evil bidding. And to the temple go those who make sacrifices to learn what the Oracle can tell them about the future. Gog’s gift is the ability to see dimly into the future. He cannot see far, nor can he always see what he desires, but he sees much, too much. Of late, just as Red Cain did in the Siga Archipelago, Gog has taken over in the city. Maybe he studied Red Cain’s ways, and ironically, has applied the ancient lessons.
    “In any regard, Lod has found allies in Shamgar: pirates who hate Gog. The First Born isn’t the only one who can study history. But whatever the case, Shamgar is where Lod has gone to find Irad.”
    “Thank you, Captain,” Adah said. “That was quite a tale.”
    “Yes, thank you,” Joash said, as they took their leave.
    When Joash and Adah had departed the Captain’s Deck, Joash said, “It’s a good thing the Seraphs had those silver horns.”
    Adah nodded.
    “Have you ever seen a leviathan?” Joash asked.
    “No.”
    “Do they still live?”
    Adah shrugged.
    “What about the three silver horns?” Joash asked. “Surely the merchant-princes of Further Tarsh still have them.”
    “Those things happened a long time ago.”
    Joash wanted to ask why Lod hadn’t summoned leviathans when he’d rescued her from Poseidonis. Surely, Lod would have needed leviathans against the ocean fleets of Yorgash. Joash sighed. If he asked, it would only turn her thoughts to terrible Poseidonis.
    The day passed. The swells and wind lessened. Night came. Joash woke from where he slept on the deck. Sailors climbed overboard, and into boats. Curious, he rose groggily, and peered over the railing.
    By the light of the moon, he saw small luminous fish shoot out of the sea, and fly, before plopping back into the water. Joash went slack-jawed in amazement. Flying fish, who had ever heard of such a thing? He watched the sailors. They ignored the flying fish. Instead, they rowed to where the flying fish flew up from, and tossed nets. The sailors hauled aboard a squirming silvery bounty.
    Bigger fish chased the flying fish. Joash smiled, delighted to have witnessed this.
    The next day, the sun was hot, but the wind refreshing. They sailed far. Still, no matter where they went or what Captain Maharbal did, a slith always soared high overhead.
    Adah talked with Lord Uriah and Zillith. It wasn’t long before Adah hurried to where Joash watched dolphins.
    “What has you so excited?” Joash asked.
    Adah pulled him to the stern. Zillith appeared with a sack of the silvery fish caught last night. Zillith stuffed dark pellets into each fish, and tossed them into the sea.
    “What she’s doing?” Joash asked Adah.
    Adah didn’t answer, but keenly watched the slith soaring high overhead.
    Zillith emptied her sack, rinsed her hands in a bucket and calmly sat down and waited.
    “Look!” Adah hissed, her fingers digging into Joash’s arm.
    The giant pterodactyl slowly circled downward toward where the silvery fish floated far behind the ship.
    “Ah-ha!” Adah said in glee, her small hands knotted into fists. “The slith is going to take the bait.”
    “Poison?” Joash asked.
    “Of course,” Adah said.
    They watched the slith circle lower and lower. It skimmed the sea.
    They waited. The slith flapped back up to its station high above them. A half-hour later Adah groaned in defeat. Zillith shook her head.
    “If you know of a better way,” Zillith said, “speak.”
    Adah stared earnestly at the slith. At last, she turned, and stalked