Pio swam for the large bay east of Nindamos, along the northwestern edge of Hyarrostar. It was there that Levanto had shown her a number of thriving oyster beds. The sun blazed in the clear sky. She squinted up at it, noting it's position in the sky. Just past midday, she thought.
It had been a long swim, done at a leisurely pace. She placed one of her knives between her teeth to keep her hands free and loosed the net bag from her belt. Diving down she pried the oysters from their bed with her blade and secured them in the bag. She spent a longtime at this harvesting, coming up for air and diving back down many times. She picked only the larger, choice oysters and filled her bag half way full. 'No need to be greedy!' she thought to herself. She rested beneath a rocky overhang, and being hungry, pried a number of the oysters open, drinking the salty liquid they rested in and then letting each oyster slide down her throat. 'Delicious!' she sighed, contentedly.
As she ate, she scanned the waters of the greater bay, southwards, sweeping her gaze from east to west and back again. She saw only one black bannered ship cross her line of vision as she watched. 'Good! Perhaps he has given up his pursuit of the dragon and will soon call this ship in, too!'
The waters were shallower, and warmed by the sun, where she rested. She stayed there until night fell, and then moved toward the mouths of the Siril.
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Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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