Chapter 3: Ocean

I woke with the lightness from the moon dance still in my heart. Slowly I stretched and crawled out of bed. Time to get ready for the day, I thought, I wonder if Herbalist Hardandra will go up to the beach with me today so I can investigate the eyes from last night. In fact, I practically skipped down the stairs, excited for the adventure to come.

"Mom!" I called at the bottom of the stairs.

"Outback in the garden!" She immediately called back.

"Can I go up to Herbalist Hardandra's house again today or do you need my hel-" I trailed off as a dark cloud caught my attention.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing! Just that cloud, must be a storm brewing up there. Anyways can I go or do you need my help in the garden?"

"You know with as much time as you spend up there the village is going to think your Hardandra's apprentice, not Leader Daughter," she laughed, "not only that but 'a storm brewing' its just a dark cloud, and yes you can go to her house. I believe she needs extra help with the horses this morning anyway... Be back before dark!"

"Thanks, mom!"

"Love you see you later!" She called after me as I began to jog away.

"Love you too!" I called back before speeding up, if I keep a fast pace I can be at her house in five minutes rather than ten. And just as I thought it took just that long.

I didn't call for Herbalist Hardandra and Mister Smokes like I normally would. Instead, on a whim, I closed my eyes and imagined myself searching for their energy, the light the moon had revealed last night. Slowly behind my closed eyes, two bright golden lights came into focus. One was big with a tiny violet slash in its center, the other was small and its gold light was mostly covered by a deep blue. I didn't open my eyes but simply walked in the direction they lights appeared to be. I got closer and closer.

"What are you doing?" I opened my eyes to see Herbalist Hardandra staring at me questioningly.

"Did you know if you close your eyes and feel, you can actually see people's moonlight?!" I exclaimed running the rest of the way to her.

"Yes, I did know that?" She half-said half-questioned.

"Well, why didn't you tell me?!"

"It's more of something that Spiritus Vinculum figure out from their bond of The Other."

"Speaking of which, is Mister Smokes okay?"

"Why do you ask?"

"His moonlight was very blue, does that mean something?"

"I'm surprised you caught on so quickly, it means he's sad. Very, very sad."

"Why? He seems happy to me."

"He won't tell me what's wrong."

"Do you have an idea?"

"I don't know, but..." She trailed off as if unsure.

"But..." I pressed.

"But there is definitely a storm on the rise." Her words sent a chill down my spine 'must be a storm brewing.' What if there was more than lightning and thunder to this storm and Mister Smokes knew it? "Hey listen, I and Smo want some time alone for a bit... He's been very clingy lately," she laughed, "so if you want to go down to the ocean and collect some Ilnim we can come to get you after we finish feeding the horses." Instantly I was on edge, why was Mister Smokes so clingy now? Did it have to do with why he's been so sad? Where is he right now? But what about the eyes last night? What if that's a part of it?

"Oh...Okay," I said pretending to be completely sure, "but you guys don't have to come to get me, I'll be back around lunchtime."

"Okay! Sounds good! Here," she said handing me a basket, "take this to put the Ilnim in."

"What does Ilnim do?"

"Well, it can be used for many things but the main one is relaxing. It is crushed and put in some tea it'll calm the person who drinks it and help them sleep."

"Is there someone in the village who is grieving?"

"No, Smo just pointed out to me yesterday that Ilnim is the only herb we are out of right now and we like to be prepared for anything." I smiled at her and nodded before turning towards the woods. I should take the same path as yesterday and retrace my steps. That's exactly what I did, picking extra herbs on the path as I walked.

Then there it was...The ocean. However, today it wasn't calling me. It wasn't beckoning me forwards and there were no eyes in sight. I walked the shore picking small bits of Ilnim as I walked. In no time the basket was full, I looked to the sun. Dang, it was still pretty early and I had said I wouldn't be back until lunch. I sighed setting the basket of herbs on the ground. Bored I closed my eyes to search for moonlight, I wonder if I can see the herd's energy from where I am. Nothing, except a small silver blob over by the meadow from last night. I sighed again opening my eyes.

Isn't everyone's primary light golden not silver? Instantly I stood up and closed my eyes, turning in the direction of the meadow. As soon as I did I gasped the silver light was now blinding and everything around it seemed to glow as well as if attracted to it. My eyes flew open, what was THAT. I grabbed the basket and jogged towards the meadow, slowing only when I came close. I don't see anything, I thought, that could've caused such a light. In fact, I didn't see anything in the meadow at all, slowly and cautiously I snuck out into the meadow, still glancing around. Nope. Nothing.

"Sometimes looks can be deceiving." A soft deep voice seeped into my mind.

"Who said that?" I asked out loud spinning around, which was when I saw him. The Herd's leader. The famous Kelpie. He was completely made up of water even so the glimmering water showed off his muscles. His mane and tail swayed in the invisible wind like the waves in the ocean. A dark blue bridle held his head, enchanted reigns resting on his big neck. He looked exactly like a horse, just made of water with a strange almost magical tint to him. Then there were his eyes, deep dark blue that was literally glowing. None of this was what made my breathe stop though.

In fact, it's nearly impossible for me to explain what I had just felt. It was like lightning had struck through me pulling a part of my soul out to meet with his. We were Spiritus Vinculum. Spirit Bonds. Which should be impossible, I mean he is the Keplie a vengeful, murderous beast, and I'm just... well me. But something about the bond just felt so...so...right. And strangely I wasn't scared at all! In fact, I felt kind of amazing like I had just done something that instantly replenished my energy.

"Hello," I squeaked out stepping closer to the Kelpie, "I'm kate." The Kelpie simply snorted which strangely to me sounded more like a laugh. Instantly I smiled, "Is it funny to make fun of me?" I giggled, forgetting that I was meant to be careful around the Kelpie. "You remind me of the ocean, you seem so secretive and yet happy too. Ocean. That's what I'll call you unless you have another name..." I trailed off as if waiting for a response, "Oh yeah... You can't really talk to me can you?" Ocean snorted again and suddenly an image appeared in my head. It was a picture of the ocean. Then another picture appeared of the sun. " I grinned, "Oh, so you like the name Ocean huh?"

I leaned down and picked up the basket of herbs. "I wish I could tell Herbalist Hardandra about this but I won't. Not yet. It was nice to meet you though Ocean!" I grinned as I headed back into the woods, the Kelpie. Ocean. My Ocean Kelpie.