toward the golden gleam. But as he reached for the helmet,
he spotted movement just beyond it. A dark shadow was rising up from behind the coral. It was so huge that it took Tom a moment to realize it was a head, with staring, bulging eyes and a mouth like a gaping beak. Seconds later, a body followed, a mass of giant tentacles. Tom could see through the creature’s skin, to where three red hearts were pumping.
Zepha was a giant squid! More than that, a
monster
squid!
This was the Beast who was threatening the villagers with starvation by driving all the fish away. Panic froze him. How could he battle such a vast creature? His eyes alone were as tall as Tom was and his beak could swallow him up in one bite.
Before Tom could make a dive for the helmet, the squid hurtled out of its shelter in the coral, its snaking tentacles lashing out for Tom.
Tom felt his lungs start to hurt with the effort ofholding his breath. As he pushed himself through the water, away from the grasping tentacles, he let the last few precious bubbles of air escape from his mouth.
Now he was deep below the surface with no air, and the monster squid was between him and the helmet.
What could he do now? He’d never get out alive!
C HAPTER E IGHT
U NEXPECTED H ELP
K ICKING OUT STRONGLY, T OM SWAM FOR THE surface — fast. At any moment, he expected one of Zepha’s tentacles to fasten around his ankle, dragging him back into the depths.
Tom’s head burst through the surface of the sea; he coughed up water and took in great gulps of air. Blinking to clear his eyes, he spotted Lindon’s boat rocking on the waves a few yards away, and swam carefully around the whirlpool toward it. When he reached the boat, Lindon leaned over the side to help him on board.
“I thought I’d seen the last of you,” said Lindon.There was a grudging respect in his tone of voice. He grasped Tom’s hand and shook it firmly. “I reckon you can keep your horse after that.” He looked at Tom curiously. “What did you see down there?”
“You have to take me back!” Tom gasped. “I need to pick up Elenna.”
Lindon saw the determination in his face and nodded. Quickly he hauled on the ropes and soon the boat was plunging back toward the beach.
Elenna was waiting for Tom at the water’s edge, holding his sword and shield. She flung them down and hugged Tom as he leaped ashore. Silver bounded around him excitedly, letting out a howl of welcome.
“You’re safe!” Elenna exclaimed. “But where’s the helmet?”
“At the bottom of the sea,” Tom replied. “Guarded by a giant squid.”
“Zepha is a squid?”
“Yes. He’s huge. A monster.” Hesitating, he added, “I’m not sure I can defeat him.”
“Then we can do it together,” Elenna said.
Tom was warmed by his friend’s courage and loyalty. “I was hoping you’d say that,” he said.
He turned back to Lindon, only to see the fisherman already heading away, toward the people still huddled around the fire. He was carrying the basket of fish he had caught earlier.
“Hey!” Tom called out. “I need you to take me out there again.”
“I’ve had more than my share of risk for today,” Lindon said. He shook his head regretfully. “I’m not going back out again. Sorry.” He strode off toward the fire.
Elenna and Tom looked at each other. They both knew that Elenna was skillful at handling a boat.
“Do you think we should take it?” Elenna whispered.
“We had to do that last time, when we freed Sepron,” Tom replied. “It’s for the good of the people here. We have no choice.”
When they were sure that no one was looking, Tom fastened on his scabbard and put his shield into the boat. Then he and Elenna climbed in. Silver watched them, letting out a mournful whine.
“All right, you can come, too,” said Elenna.
The wolf’s ears went up and he took a flying leap into the boat, which rocked from side to side.
“Storm will be fine,” Elenna added. “Calum is looking