Excerpt: Speechless Part One

The boy blinked at his question and even Hubert arched an eyebrow. Iname did not have words to describe the rushing emotions within him, and in the low light, mouthing would be different. He motioned to the water's surface, feeling the deep pull until he bent down to glide his hand over the cool surface his fingers numbing.

Michal jerked upwards, with a gasp. "...here. Here is where we must - MUST! - cast the offerings." He started at Iname oddly. "They are most insistent on it."

The men moved carefully to the sides of the altar as not to upset the boat. Michal held up a silver lined mug with design of the boat Iname's flag, the Waverley's offering. He stood on the bobbing boat, eyes closed.

"Our gift to you, merciful and kind sea spirits." One by one, the gifts where blessed by the pressing of his lips to the object, gently slipping them into teh water while Hubert kept the soil steady. Once the first offering dropped in, the water around them started to bubble and the froth. Iname drew his hand back in surprise, never seeing the calm ocean react in such a way before in calm weather.

The bolt of silk, the coins, more coins, shells, berries, all dropping in, the water boiling and churning. No matter how unsteady the boat rocked, Michal remained still like a statue, the wind whipped his robes about. Iname and Hubert, on the other hand, had to grip and hold on tightly just to keep upright. Lastly, Michal held the pouch of stones, now staring intently at Iname, his eyes oddly gleaming. His expression melted from religious stoicism to something warmer deeper. His lips kissed the pouch, letting his lips linger a moment before pulling the pouch away.

"Iname," he spoke huskily. "This is yours to deliver. The spirits have deemed it so."

The pouch was extended to him, and almost in a trance, he took it, their fingers touching.

"Now rise and give your offering."

Iname was struck with fear. The boat too unsteady, he could lose his cane or just have another attack. But the moment their hands touched, he felt an outerwordly rush of power flow into him, steadying his legs and nearly hauling him up to his feet without any effort on his part.

He looked to the side at the water. Hubert sat looking awestruck as the foaming water nearly splashed into the boat soaking his pants, but the captain made no move to notice it.

The porch and Iname's hand were raised by Michal at this face level. The priest leaned forward once more kissing the pouch in that slow languid manner. Moving with instinct, Iname did the same to the other side of the pouch. Blue and green eyes locked and he swore the same longing and hunger he felt alone in the lighthouse reflected in Michal's. Their lips only a mere inch apart, and he wanted nothing more at that precise moment than to drop the pouch and satisfy his curosity as the feeling of those lips for once and for all.

It was Michal that lowered the pouch, smirking, "It has been doubly blessed. It is time to give it."

Iname shivered at the sheer power he felt eminating from the pouch now. He opted to open it, emptying the shiny stones into his hand. Red, green, blue, cloudy white, all found in his dives. Where they glowing too? He wondered before extending his hand over the churning waves.

The first dropped in making the water churn more and more, until Michal had to turn and hold the still dazed Hubert steady, the sails swaying back and forth. The blubbering increased with the second, then started to calm with the third and the other until by the time the last was dropped into still waters.

For a moment, there was silence. The, far off, the voices of the villagers were heard, singing the song of praise once more. Michal now laughing in joy, hands up in the air. Hubert slowly blinked his eyes, still not moving from his seat.

"Certainly you must feel this," he turned to Iname. "you have a true connection to the seas, that has been made very clear, Iname?"

Iname heard the words, but was frozen in place, unable to move a muscle, eyes focused on the moonlight waters. The pull now was impossible to ignore, the sea drawing closer and closer, another myseterious voice joining in song filling his ears. Even his robes felt wet, soaked with salt water. It was not until the cane slammed on the boat bottom did realize he was falling overboard and faster. Still unable to move, there was nothing he could do.

Michal called his name in alarm over the song, reachingfor him as everything went dark.