Protector of Seaswams

"Tarina, fetch some salt water so I can cook dinner."

At five, she was considered old enough for chores. Tarina nodded, grabbing two lugits, large hollow pods whose shape and hard shell rendered some into excellent water carriers, once the edible beans were removed through a carefully cut opening. She looped the natural curves of the two pods over her shoulders and bounded to the water's edge. Her family normally lived farther inland, but made extended trips to the seashore to harvest salt for food preservation. During such visits, meals cooked in salt water were an anticipated delicacy.

Tarina reached the rocks and sought out one of the deeper, isolated tidal pools where she wouldn't have to watch for incoming waves. She waded in, bending down so that the lugits filled while still suspended from her shoulders.

In the water, a stone's throw away, two small, gray shapes surged, flippers a blur, in a terrified effort to outdistance a larger, yellow, third shape flashing rows of blade-sharp teeth. Sharp claws protruded from webbed feet that gave the long, sleek body additional speed, supporting that provided by its lashing tail. Despite its swiftness, the predator knew it had to corner its victim in order to eat -- its latest prey was faster. The currently landlocked tidal pool offered it an opportunity for two quick meals. Sensing small openings ahead that appeared to offer the refuge of the maze-like underwater caves that dotted this particular shoreline, the small, gray shapes darted into the openings.

Tarina jerked her head back, startled as the water churned before her. "Hey, I don't want you two in there!" The third shape was nearly upon her. Almost too late, she recognized it as a dangerous limid, despite its immaturity and small size. Amphibious predators, limids terrorized sea and shore. As she reached down to block it, teeth sliced her abdomen. Pain seared her belly, causing her to react wildly in her own defense. She managed to grab the limid just behind the head and wrench it from the water. Two small heads on elongated necks peeked out of the lugits watching as she hurled the limid at the side of a boulder. The limid smacked against it and slid back into the water, lifeless, the rock stained red.