The gates opened.<\/p>\n
Leinth tore her gaze from Leviathan, twisting toward the sound and praying she wouldn\u2019t regret turning her back on the man before her. She watched Phelan stride through the gates, flanked by Matt and Marin. Something smoldered in the Taliesin\u2019s eyes and Leinth hoped against hope that it wasn\u2019t barely-masked fear.<\/p>\n
That won\u2019t help us now.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWanderer,\u201d Leviathan said.<\/p>\n \u201cLeviathan,\u201d Phelan responded, lengthening his stride to join Leinth where she stood. \u201cYou\u2019re a hell of a long way from Canaan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been more than a few lifetimes since I resided there,\u201d Leviathan said. His gaze flicked from Phelan toward Matt and Marin and then back again. \u201cYou of all people should realize that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure I follow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome now. You came here from the old world well before most of our fellows did. Could you blame one fading such as I for following your example?\u201d Leviathan smiled a wry, faint smile. \u201cI have slumbered here for centuries, Wanderer, undisturbed and bothering no one. The spirits of the deep blue have been my company and comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan went white. Leinth reached a hand out to steady him even as Matt stepped forward to grasp his shoulder. \u201cYou\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecame the guardian of the great waters, yes.\u201d Leviathan crossed his arms. \u201cYou seem surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n For a moment, Leinth though that Phelan just might faint. Instead, he steeled himself, drawing himself a little straighter, some color washing back into his face. \u201cI suppose I shouldn\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHardly,\u201d Leviathan agreed. His expression grew hard. \u201cThis place is yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s theirs.\u201d Phelan nodded to Marin and Matt. \u201cAnd I\u2019m theirs, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Leviathan\u2019s brows rose. \u201cThat\u2019s unexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Marin asked, slipping between Phelan and Leinth.<\/p>\n \u201cTo know your intentions, madam,\u201d Leviathan said smoothly. \u201cPower stirred the spirits and woke me. I would know what you intend to do with that power\u2014and for what purpose it was mustered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo save a man\u2019s life,\u201d Marin fired back. \u201cAnd for the good of all.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, she spun and marched back toward the safety of the settlement\u2019s walls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The gates opened. Leinth tore her gaze from Leviathan, twisting toward the sound and praying she wouldn\u2019t regret turning her back on the man before her. She watched Phelan stride through the gates, flanked by Matt and Marin. Something smoldered … Continue reading