25 Legend

As soon as they were out of Orcara's sight Cal doubled back and took a wide arc to rejoin the ravine further along.

"You must be mad," cried Jake as he realized what she was doing. "I'm mot going back there." He pulled up short, treading water, and refused to go on. "I think I'm mad." sighed Cal. She looped around him, "But I know we can't give up. We have to find that shell. My father was worried about. some danger waiting for me. And you heard Tarian and Orcara both talk about a dark current gathering force. We've both felt it, haven't we? Not just the Bloodfin - something has been following us, lurking, always hidden." "How can the shell help?" asked Jake, as confused as ever. "It's the Merrow breath," said Cal. "I'm sure of it now. This Sea Spirit made the Merrows to protect the sea, to keep peace and harmony in the ocean. When Sylla died the last breath was lost. What if the protection was lost then too?" Jake thought for a moment. "You believe this dangerous force can only grew because the last of the Merrow is gone?"

"Yes," said Cal. "But if we can find the breath, we might restore the peace. Maybe it's the only chance. And that's why we're in danger; from those who want to rise against the Sea Spirit."

"Do you think your father know this?" asked Jake. "He always said I wasn't like the others. I'm sure he guessed something," said Cal. "Maybe not all of Sylla's secret. I suppose I'll never know." She swallowed hard. "So you see I must find the shell. I'll have to go alone if you're afraid to."

Jake trashed his legs and pushed the water. "Well I am afraid - and you should be." "Yes," said Cal. "I am. But I don't believe my mother who'd have done this without helping me somehow." Jake turned round and about in the water, deciding what to do. The he remembered something that had puzzled him earlier. "What about this Tide Turner? Even his name scared the Bloodfin. Can't he help us?"

Cal frowned.

"There's a prophesythat I heard long ago," she said. "Since I met you, since all this began, I can't stop thinking about it. The legend says there'll be a time when treachery flows through the sea. Then someone, of our kind but not of our kind, will come with the power to restore the peace. He'll be called the Tide Turner. I took a chance that the Bloodfin knew the legend too."

"I don't understand," Jake shook his head, trying to find some sense in this new riddle. "Why were they afraid?" Cal stared at him. "Look at your legs, Jake. Look at you, down here with me-"

He gazed at there with a blank expression. "Don't you see? The believed the Tide Turner was you. Maybe it is."

Jake pause for a moment then darted to her side. "What dose it mean?" he replied dumbly. "Why didn't you tell me before? What is a Tide Turner?" "I wish I understood myself," said Cal. But no one else can help me, Jake. Only you. Whatever you really are. Whatever you are..."