to a spirit they could not name — unknowingly echoing the rituals of those who came before.
Prologue: Sacred Waters
Two thousand years ago, the Tiraka, known as watchers of the tides, roamed the shores of Sarasota Bay. One day, a tumultuous storm raged, churning the sea and darkening the skies. The Tiraka gathered at the water’s edge, their voices rising in practiced, unified prayer — calling for help from Sarama, guardian of the seas. The youngest among them trembled with fear.
But even the Calusa never learned the
mounds’ true purpose.
That secret was buried with the
Tiraka… waiting to rise again.
Sarama heard them.
Remembering their longstanding de- votion, she raised her ethereal palms and ex- haled a breath of calm across the bay. The winds stilled, the waves receded, and peace returned to the shoreline. In gratitude, the Tiraka built sacred mounds of oyster shells in the bay’s shal- lows — markers of devotion honoring the spirit who had spared them. Each passing generation continued the ritual, casting woven garlands into the water, adorned with shells, freshwater pearls, and tokens of gold. Along the shore- line, children danced and sang praises, their voices echoing across the bay. Though the Tiraka vanished long ago, the mounds endured — silent and forgotten beneath the waters of Sarasota Bay. Centuries later, when the Calusa came to these shores, they too whispered prayers
Chapter 1:
Whispers of the Tide
— Present Day —
The tide was low tonight, revealing a jagged line of oyster beds under the faint glow of the moon. The small boat drifted with the outgoing tide as the man guided it closer to
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