Skip to main content    Mistress of the Pearl  Read a Review
So the black Chimaera says to the mermaiden, 'You have
displeased me, and for this I will carve your heart out and feed
it to you.' And the mermaiden says, 'I would not mind so much,
but I am a vegetarian.'"  The small off-duty complement of
Sarakkon laughed at the first mate's joke, and why not? The
Oomaloo was nearing the end of its long journey north from the
bustling port of Celiocco on the southern continent. The air
belowdeck was turgid and sweet with laaga smoke. But they sprang
to as they heard the lookout's long-awaited call of "Land-all!"
and thundered up the companionway. Halfway there, however, their
high spirits evaporated, as the ship abruptly heeled over.
Thrown against the polished wooden bulkhead, they shook their
heads as the ship righted itself. But now they could feel the
thrumming of the heavy seas, and they heard the storm-call even
as they rushed on deck.  The captain stood amidship, his eyes
tearing in the high wind. Like a