The water shape rose level with the deck and kept pace with Om.
It developed a face, and opened a mouth.
“Well?” it said.
"Greetings, oh Queen of- Om began.
The watery eyes focused.
“But you are just a small god. And you dare to summon me?”
The wind howled in the rigging.
“I have believers,” said Om. “So I have the right.”
There was the briefest of pauses. Then the Sea Queen said, “One believer?”
“One or many does not matter here,” said Om. “I have rights.”
“And what rights do you demand, little tortoise?” said the Queen of the Sea.
“Save the ship,” said Om.
The Queen was silent.
“You have to grant the request,” said Om. “It's the rules.”
“But I can name my price,” said the Sea Queen.
“That's the rules, too.”
“And it will be high.”
“It will be paid.”
The column of water began to collapse back into the waves.
“I will consider this.”
Om stared down into the white sea. The ship rolled, sliding him back down the deck, and then rolled back. A flailing foreclaw hooked itself around the stanchion as Om's shell spun around, and for a moment both hind legs paddled helplessly over the waters.
o;That's not a bad idea!”
"Besides, he's been kind to me. He didn't have to be.
“You think that? Is that what you think? Have you looked at the man's mind?”
“Of course I haven't! I don't know how to!”
“You don't?”
"No! Humans can't do-
Brutha paused. Vorbis seemed to do it. He only had to look at someone to know what wicked thoughts they harbored. And grandmother had been the same.
“Humans can't do it, I'm sure,” he said. “We can't read minds.”
“I don't mean reading them, I mean looking at them,” said Om. “Just seeing the shape of them. You can't read a mind. You might as well try and read a river. But seeing the shape's easy. Witches can do it, no trouble.”