Beneath the Thirteen Moons Read Online Free PDF Page A

her mouth dropped open in stupid wonder.
    Natives didn’t often wear clothes, but this one sported layers of spider-silk scarves, a crown of birdshark feathers, jewelry of carved bone and iridescent shells. Even slippers of sharkskin covered the webbed feet.
    “Who are you?” breathed Mahri.
    The native female, judging by her size and the thick head of fur-scales, tried to imitate a smile by the baring of sharply pointed teeth. At Mahri’s alarmed expression, she shrugged and squatted down next to her, black lips quickly covering those deadly incisors. Jaja hopped on the native female’s shoulder.
    I’m the Speaker , she thought-answered while she rubbed scaled cheeks with Jaja.
    Mahri fought down a sense of betrayal at her pet’s abandonment and frowned at his contented little expression. “Speaker for who?”
    The female waved a webbed hand negligently in the air. For all .
    It felt peculiar to hear words without a mouth moving. Jaja hopped back onto her own shoulder and Mahri grinned with satisfaction. As if this had been some kind of signal the female almost-frowned and met her eyes with her own black, intense native ones. Eyes that weren’t truly black, Mahri noticed with a start, but such a deep green that they darkened to black.
    Hard to speak to your kind , began the native. Still learning… odd thought directions .
    Mahri rubbed the top of her bone staff. “Am I dead or just dreaming?” she wondered aloud. The native leanedforward, she could almost feel the slight wind from the flutter of those impossibly thick alien lashes.
    No matter. No time. Root allows speak… but danger to you if long. Heed me. Black lips thinned with determination, the feathered headdress fluttered in agitation.
    Mahri had a sinking feeling. This dream took on an aspect of importance that she suddenly didn’t care for. “I’m just a water-rat, a rootrunner that only cares for her village. I don’t know what you want from me, but your people had better choose someone else to speak with, someone who cares what you have to say.”
    The native widened her eyes and slowly blinked. You only one. The HALF. Protect… nurture, the Prince of Changes. Make whole.
    The prince of what? wondered Mahri. She didn’t know any princes… then she groaned. “You don’t mean Prince Korl, do you?”
    The native nodded her head, clapped webbed hands that made a soft popping noise. We guide your people, you help. Prince of Changes must rule with you. The beginning of… peace, brotherhood, for all of Sea Forest. And she stood, as if she’d made Mahri understand her wishes and didn’t doubt they’d now be followed.
    “Must rule?” shouted Mahri, springing to her feet. “Listen, I’m a smuggler, I stand against everything the Royals want—control of root and knowledge. I wouldn’t help anyone rule, even if I knew how!”
    The native fluttered her hands and began to pace around their circle of light. When your people come from above… different. Want, demand. Either fight or help. Choose to guide, see long future. Understand?
    Mahri shook her head, a bit dizzy from following thenative circling around her. “You’re telling me that old tale of our people traveling through the stars, coming from another world, is true?”
    The native stopped in front of her, looked up into Mahri’s face, nodded slowly. Need Prince of Changes , she shouted into Mahri’s mind, making her head ache. Path to peace. But he needs you.
    “Even if that were true,” she replied, stroking Jaja’s tail for comfort. “I don’t see how I can help him to rule. A water-rat could never be Queen of Sea Forest.”
    If the native had been human Mahri would swear the look she wore reeked with a sly, subtle humor. You. Bond. With Prince of Changes.
    That seeming demand made Mahri freeze with shock. A Bond! She wouldn’t enter into that state with her chosen lifemate, and by-the-thirteen-moons she’d never even consider it with a Royal! To link Power through the