River Summer

Water lapped against the side of the barge, slapping, gurgling, endlessly burbling along against the hull, carrying songs of fish, of snake-heads flowing up and down the river, of mer chattering, clicking, laughing in counterpoint to the water's ever-present song.

Duru just wanted some sleep. Was that too much to ask? The water didn't have to grab his attention and force him to listen.

But it did. A debt was owed and Duru had a choice to make that might change not just his life but the entire world, too.