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the-experimental-writer · 2 years

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Song of Land and Sea Ch. IV: The Storm at the Sea.

As the Princess broke through the surface she looked in awe at what stood a few yards before her, a ship, much like the one she had scavenged earlier that day with Deet, albeit smaller, with sails as black as the mantle of night that carried the golden sigil of the Sifa clan, a lithe, elegant, wooden form cutting through the calm and dark crisp waters under the pale, silver light of the first sister and yet would have been but a speck within the night had it not been for the bright lights that shone ablaze over the top deck. A Skiff , Brea determined, remembering what she had learned from the tomes she had collected, remembering what the sailor clan called the smaller frigates, designed for rather quick journeys in contrast to the more important, if slower galleons, even if they could still carry a rather large crew if needed to man all the functions it needed. As she observed the vessel, a sudden, squealing sound resonated through the night. The young princess squinted as she sank lower into the water, finding it grating, almost painful to her sensitive ears. Then it vanished, as if it hadn’t even been, Brea raising her eyes to see towards the ship once more, wondering what it was. She didn’t manage to even speculate before the sky erupted with a thundering sound, a massive explosion of glistening red flame, her amber eyes opening with amazement, watching the small star-like speckles descend and disappear into the night. By her side Seladon, Tavra, and Deet surfaced, but she was far too enthralled to notice them, a displeased look upon the older Mer-Gelfling’s face.

“Brea, don’t you dare swim off on me like that or…” the crown Princess reprimanded, yet her words were cut as the sudden explosion of color bloomed behind her, turning to see the vessel in the distance. “Thra, a Sifan ship!” Seladon exclaimed, practically jumping out of the water and holding her face in fear before looking to see her sisters and their Grottan friend. “We gotta go back before we’re seen! We…” she said before she saw Brea diving down by her side, her tail disappearing beneath the waves before emerging a few meters away from her in a graceful arc, the back fins springing before sliding into the water, approaching the ship. Deet followed behind quietly, only using her back fins to paddle.

Seladon felt her heart sink, watching her youngest sister and her friend approaching the boat, growing further away from them with each second. “Brea!” she shouted, mustering all the authority she could despite the sudden dread of what could happen to them, trying to stiffen her trembling form, her fins swishing nervously and barely keeping her afloat properly. “Brea, come back here!” she ordered again, “Mother told us…” but her words fell on deaf ears, the younger Mer-Gelfling had swam away, pursuing the vessel. The older Vapra clenched her fist, trying to force herself to dive down and follow, but found herself unable to, fear stopping her before she could command her tail to swim behind, much as she tried to use the dark thoughts to try to force herself to protect her sister. “Seladon…” Tavra said behind her, placing a hand gently upon her sister’s shoulder, feeling it stiff and hard. It was almost a wonder she hadn’t stopped swimming and sunk down to the seafloor like this. “Seladon, it’s going to be alright…” “Alright?!” Seladon yelled with an incredulous, terrified voice, sucking her lips in a sudden moment of clarity before turning back to the ship, no longer seeing her sister or the Grottan, “She is swimming to a ship, to the nets and harpoons of the land clan…might as well be swimming into the jaws of a Leviathan!” Tavra looked over at the frightened look on her sister’s face, she couldn’t be blamed for feeling the way she did about the land clans, she supposed. They both remembered the day their father had been brutally murdered by Sifan fishermen when he had tried to shield them, the two had been childlings but old enough to understand what had occurred, while Brea had been but a few months old. It had fueled Mayrin with an intense hatred and fear for the Gelfling of the surface, particularly those of the sailor clan, a feeling she had always tried to instill within her daughters and all the Vapra.

The Paladin knew how much they all missed their father, he was close in a way that Mayrin had ceased to be the day he died. Seladon had been in charge to raise them for the most part from that day, and she often feared for Brea’s security every time she seemed to go searching for knowledge or evading her responsibilities. “You know this isn’t the first time she’s done this…” the armor-clad Mer-Gelfling reminded with a comforting voice, trying to ease her sister’s worries, “You know full well she has gotten away from much worse things before…Leviathans included.” Despite Tavra’s assertions, the woeful look didn’t vanish from Seladon’s face, as she turned to gaze once more towards the ship, as if looking once more for any traces of her youngest sister. While she knew what the Paladin spoke was true; her sister had faced many dire situations during her adventures, things that truly, and much as she would be hesitant and disdained to admit, were far worse than the horrid surface clans. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling of dread, of what could happen to her youngest sister. She might have been deemed a control freak and a disciplinarian, but she was always looking out for her, and she couldn’t help but think of what would happen if Brea was discovered…what would be in store for a Mer-Gelfling on that ship?

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As she closed in on the hull of the ship, Brea could now hear the merry sounds of laughter and friendly chatter above, accompanied by a festive, bustling music that had previously been but a gentle echo on the horizon. A wide, toothy grin formed on the Mer-Gelfling’s lips, her curiosity growing with each second, enticing her to come closer. Noting there were a few protruding planks upon the wooden structure to hold it together, the Princess grabbed on tightly, pulling herself out of the water and slowly hauling herself up to the side of the ship, reaching out to sit on a gangplank close to the prow of the ship to peer through the scupper: the Gelfling above were conversing and laughing, drinking from metallic or wooden tankards, or dancing and singing. Their movements were constant, bouncing and quick, so very different from the elegant, ceremonial balls and dances from back home. The Princess was entranced by what many of her clan had described as chaotic and contorting horrors, certainly it didn’t seem as such.A few childilings chuckled as they ran to the port of the ship, giggling and hurrying around a figure standing on the border. She was dressed in a long, turquoise robe and wore a turban around her crimson locks of hair. The woman gave them an amused and knowing look. “Elder Onica!” a girl with long, orange hair and a freckled face and white shirt shouted as she joined the rest of her companions, her voice rising even after the uninterrupted song, “More fireworks!” “More fireworks, please, elder!” begged another child, this one with relatively short, ebony hair and just a small braid running down his left shoulder, “‘Especially the red ones!” “Alright, alright, fireworks, coming up!” The Sifan woman said, not being able to help but chuckle at the childlings’ enthusiasm, clearly used to them, the reunited forms slowly parting and revealing the carefully placed forms near the edge of the ship or leaning on the sides of a box. The Mer-Gelfling looked on with a mixture of curiosity and confusion and raised an eyebrow. Fireworks? she repeated in her mind. She had read many times of torches or sticks being rubbed together to make fire, helping them see deep into the darkness or cook in absence of lava pools or crevices or the strange blue flames of the Drenchen of the Sog, but this woman wasn’t holding anything that would make her create fire. All the children looked on, watching as the woman raised her hand in an elegant gesture, as if presenting something invisible before their wonder-filled eyes, then, a small ember slowly began rising from her palm, a gasp escaping from her spectators’ lips, no sign of pain in the Sifan’s face. It was slow, almost unnoticeable at first, rising almost like bubbling water, yet these were not like the blue flames she had read about, but like common and simple fire. The Princess had read of the Vliyaya, the ancient, Thra-given magic of every clan, much like the ones her clan and the Grottans possessed, but the Librarian and other Scroll-Keepers had told her the upper clans dealt in cruel and twisted curses used for evil, to craft unnatural trinkets from the butchered remains of captured Mer-Gelflings…. Now, looking upon it…it certainly didn’t look all that different from their own magic that allowed them to command light, helping them blend into the ocean floors or change the color and appearance of certain sources. The Soothsayer reached down, allowing the flames to sprawl upon a few of the long, thick, rope strings, the flames dancing as they slowly consumed the mesh wicks, the white form consumed and blackened. The childlings all waited with bated breath, looking excitedly upon the process. “Come on…come on…” one of the girls said, barely able to contain her excitement, her small, green-tinted hands trembling excitedly. The base of the metallic, strangely pointed form burst in a sudden rain of sparks before being propelled out of the ship and towards the skies, creating a long plume of smoke as it reached the night. The same wheedling noise resonated through the air, then it almost immediately fell silent, the column behind vanishing into the dark. The Mer-Gelfling raised her eyes, trying not to recoil at the sound, looking with curiosity at what had become of the strange object. A few seconds later there was a thunderous explosion of color that lit the sky, as if a million stars of crimson, blue, and green had glistened and ceased to be in a single instant, the childlings all cheering and clapping under the elder Sifan’s prideful and gentle gaze. So that’s what fireworks are… Brea mused, marveling at the last remaining and slowly vanishing rain of color descending into the peaceful waters of the Silver Sea. A part of her cursed herself for leaving her journal back at the cave, wishing she had it to document her new discovery in painting and writing. A sudden, hissing screech called her attention, as she turned to see a figure close to the Gelfling orchestra. She raised an eyebrow in confusion and curiosity as a lithe, flowing shape appeared. It was almost akin to the Abia eels or the Water Asps close to home, yet it hovered in the air with the same grace as those did in the water. By the sounds of it, it certainly seemed it wasn’t all that comfortable with the bouncing music. Brea tried to remember what names she had read in the bestiaries that could possibly evoke such a creature. The small creature suddenly stopped, its long, forked tongue sliding out of its lips, taking in the scents around, clearly sensing something, between the salted night-air, the scent of every Gelfling on board, Sifa or any other clan…something was amiss.The creature slowly turned, tasting the air with its tongue, making its way to the scupper where the Mer-Gelfling Princess was hiding, moving in graceful arcs towards her.Brea turned to the side, holding her breath and hoping the creature hadn’t seen or smelled her or worse yet…alerted any of the men on board of her presence. She kept quiet for a few seconds that felt like an eternity to her, feeling her scales crawl and her fins twitch, and then, as she was about to turn and check, she heard a hiss by her side. The creature was now by her side, its profound yellow eyes studying the face of the Vapra.Brea sucked her lips, doubtful whether to remain still or jump back into the water, fearing the lithe creature would strike at he Yet it remained in place, watching with curiosity and letting out gurgling sounds while opening its mouth, revealing thin, needle-like, curved teeth, but it showed no signs of attacking. The young Mer-Gelfling carefully raised a hand and slowly reached out towards the creature, a part of her perhaps thinking she was crazy for doing so and still in fear, yet but before she could even reach, the serpent-like critter leaned into her palm, closing its eyes and letting out purring noises as it nuzzled gently. The fearful expression on the Vapran’s face vanished slowly as she continued caressing the creature, feeling the slimy skin under her fingers as a part of it reflected the light of the moon and the lamp of the ship almost like her own scales, still wondering what it was. “Neech!” a calm, gentle voice called from the ship, causing the creature to raise its head, eyes opening again before quickly retreating through the scupper.Stunned for only a moment at the creature’s reaction, the young Mer-Gelfling quickly turned to peer through the hole, watching it slide in graceful arcs towards the figure that had called it, and Brea’s mouth hung agape as her eyes fell upon him: A young, Gelfling man, dressed in a red robe over his white-linens, with a lean physique. From his physical characteristics, the Princess could tell he was a Spriton and yet there was something in him from another clan. His face, angular and delicate, was a tanned, slightly brownish complexion yet paler than most of his clan, with a few freckles that dotted his nose and cheeks. His hair, dark like the sky above, was tied into braids that fell upon his shoulders. His eyes, a pleasant auburn color were warm and gentle and there was not a speck of evil or cruelty that her mother had warned her about. “What’s wrong boy?” the Spriton asked with a gentle voice and smiling before running his hand down the frilled back of the creature, “Is the music too loud for you?”As she observed him, Brea felt as if the world around her all fell silent, the bustling music of the celebration, the sound of bouncing over the wood of the deck, the laughs of sailor and childling and slurping of the intoxicating drinks, even the explosion of the fireworks all vanished from her mind, from her world, nothing else seemed to matter, her lips curled into a smile and in that moment all there was, was him… “Brea!” a voice wrenched the Princess from her thoughts, Brea shaking away her daze, startled for a moment before looking to both sides before looking down and seeing Deet slowly climb up, “What’s going on up there?!” she questioned, “I…” “Shhh,” Brea hissed between her teeth at the Grottan, causing her friend to recoil slightly, “Deet, be quiet, they’ll hear us!” she urged before turning her head back towards the celebration, thankful that nobody had noticed. “Right, sorry…” The deep-sea Mer-Gelfling said as she reached the top, sitting down by the Vapra’s side and looking into the ship, upon the men all dancing on top, “I don’t know how the Gelfling can dance with those feet…” the Grottan girl pointed out, finding it strange that they could move or attempt to in the way Mer-Gelfling did at Ha’rar or Grot, “They’re just trampling over the floor, it could break and they would fall into the sea.” Brea chuckled slightly at her friend’s question, much as she had supported and accompanied her in all her scavangings she still didn’t understand much of the ways of the land clans despite the books they had collected and the knowledge taken from Hup. Then again, she also found it strange that Vapra Mer-Gelfling had scales in the first place, or that they didn’t dwelled in the abyssal sea, thinking that the sun might boil their zone of the sea and kill them.“I have never been this close to a land Gelfling before, Deet!” the Princess replied excitedly in hushed whispers before turning her attention back to the Spriton with the strange, Abia-like beast, he was now playing a ballad on his Firca, one unlike the sound of the loud festive music, more calm and gentle, soothing the creature. While it was much lower, she could hear it much better now that she focused on him, “He’s very handsome, isn’t he?” Deet, who had been looking at the dancing Gelfling with confusion at how they were able not to shatter the deck, turned her attention to where Brea was pointing, her eyebrows raising into confusion, “Uh…” she began, uncertain what to say, tapping her fingers on the wood, “He…he looks like an Eel…” “Not that one…” Brea chuckled at her friend’s confusion, “The Spriton with the Firca!” she explained, pointing at the tan-skinned Gelfling. “Oh…” the Grottan uttered at the sudden realization, suddenly noting the way Brea was looking at him, placing her hand over her cupped hand and letting out a longing sigh. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On deck and unaware he was being watched, Kylan continued playing the peaceful tune, slowly moving and tapping his fingers over his native wind instrument, watching his companion slowly calming down, the annoyed, stressful look on his face vanishing, replaced with a gentle and tranquil expression before he coiled around the Gelfling’s neck. The Spriton chuckled and patted the creature on the head before lowering the Firca, letting out a sigh and leaning against the bench, breathing in the night, and the salted air of the ocean. He turned his eyes towards the moons and drifted into thought, so much so that he didn’t hear the sounds of steps approaching him. “Enjoying the festivities?” a voice said to his side, the Spriton gently raised his head, trying not to stir Neech too much even in his stupor as he turned to the side to meet Onica’s gaze. The red-haired Soothsayer looked at him with a concerned expression while holding Cadia close to her by the wrist. The old Sifan and former Elder looked around like a lost childling. “You seem troubled, Kylan…have not played with the band or eaten much…”

The young Song-Teller rose from the crate, stretching slightly, “I am sorry, Elder…” he apologized, lowering his head with slight shame, his tone morose and saddened. A part of him had expected to evade the dire mood in the celebration of the Third Sister, or at least blend in with the mostly cheerful sailors. Now he was feeling very foolish for thinking he could fool Onica, “I did not mean to ruin the celebration…” “Not at all, young man…” the wise woman said with a chuckle and a dismissive gesture, “Just seems rather strange that…”

“Hello!” the man beside her said abruptly, noticing the Spriton before him, “What’s your name?! Hello!” Kylan’s expression livened slightly at the man’s salute, “I’m Kylan, Elder Cadia…we met a couple of weeks back,” he reminded him. “Did we now?” the bearded Gelfling questioned with a ponderous voice, crossing his arms, “I…I can’t recall…”

“You did meet him…when he first arrived at Cera-Na,” Onica reminded him, “You made your special clam and hooyim chowder for him…” the Soothsayer said, a bit of her stomach turning at the impression of the overcooked food.

The former Elder tried to gather his thoughts for a moment, trying to remember the face of the young man before turning around at a sudden clicking sound. A group of Gelfling were playing with a series of dice rolling from underneath two glasses, “Liar’s dice!” he exclaimed excitedly, “Elder Onica, may I…” he asked, pointing at the three men playing over the low table.

Onica let out a sigh before smiling at the old man, “Yes, Cadia, you may go…” she said, unhanding him and watching him go. “Just don’t lose your shirt, or all of my gems!” She sighed, turning back to Kylan. “Sorry about that…” Onica said with a shrug, hoping the old man wasn’t bothering the Song-Teller too much, “I know you have enough on your mind right now but he just wanders about and does this.” “It is no trouble, Elder”, Kylan reassured her, it was only fair to be so understanding and accommodating after how much Onica and the rest of the Sifa clan themselves had been. She had told him of the terrible incident at sea that had claimed his memory and her wings, two Gelfling stripped from a part of themselves so suddenly, “But…” he continued, pointing at the elderly and clearly addled man watching at the game of chance, “Is it safe to let him go and…try to participate in that?” he asked. “Don’t mind him…he has little more than pebbles or fake runes, and the others only bet junk with him, or let him win out of pity,” Onica chuckled, “But do tell me, young man…”, she continued, shifting back the tone of the conversation, “What troubles you?” The Spriton let out a sigh, relenting to the demands, partially reprimanding himself for thinking the Sifan wouldn’t notice his sudden distress, “Another letter arrived today…”, the young Spriton relented, his tone somber and severe, Onica’s own eyes opening slightly at the news.

“They have demanded that I marry and return to Sami Thicket with haste…”, he explained, shrugging his shoulders and lowering his head in shame, “It seems not even the renewed treaty has kept them satisfied enough as I had hoped,” the young man added. Onica could notice the very vague semblance of anger in his voice.

“This again?” a voice said from the top deck, both the Soothsayer and the musician raised their gazes to see Sifan woman sitting on the rail. “It’s the third time since your arrival…” the Gelfling added, her sky-blue eyes looking down on them and her short, dirty-blonde hair falling down in curls around her head and underneath her bandana, she wore a green shirt with golden patterns and a long, azure sash around her pants from which two, curved and fine jewel-encrusted cutlasses hanged down her belt. “Can’t they just wait, surely it’s not that easy!”, The woman said, allowing herself to slide off and spreading her translucent wings, slowly descending to the lower deck to face the young Spriton,

Kylan held himself, trying to hold back the frustration threatening to overcome him. “I…I just don’t know what to do anymore, Tae,” he confessed, “I…I know my responsibility as the sole heir to give the clan a new Maudra and strengthen relations but…but I…” he held back for a moment, a part of himself finding the notions clouding his mind, “I just wanna find the right one,” the Spriton finally confessed, leaning on the railing, his eyes drifting upon the dark horizon, unaware of the Mer-Gelfling listening just below him. A sigh escaped his lips. “A girl who is kind and clever, vivacious, daring…” he uttered longingly. Underneath and gazing up at the young man, Brea listened, clenching her hands against her chest, not able to help but feel moved by his words and desire, by the equal feeling of being trapped.

“Pardon me if I press, young Kylan,” the Sifan woman said, approaching him, “But were you and Blue Flame Naia of Sog not close?” she questioned, “Did nothing ever happen between you?” “Naia is like a sister to me,” the Song-Teller answered thusly, “Her family always treated me well when I came to visit but we never went further…” he narrated, “Before we parted ways she sent Neech with me,” the young Spriton added, gently reaching out to pat the head of the half-asleep creature around his neck, the Muski grinding against his palm and letting out a purring sound, “Said he would watch over me and be there when I needed him most,” he added with a chuckle. Onica and Tae couldn’t help but reciprocate, offering warm grins. “Well, new Captains, Noble Merchants, and other Song Tellers will arrive at Cera-Na soon, Kylan,” the blonde-haired Sifan added, placing her hands behind her back, “I am sure many of them will be most eager to meet you,” she added proudly, “But do tell me…how will you know she is the one?”

“Oh, trust me, Tae, I’ll know!” the young Gelfling said, turning back and looking up, a dreamy look upon his eyes as his thoughts drifted, “When I find her all shall become clear, when I find her I’ll just know, it’ll strike me like swift, sudden lightning!” he exclaimed.

And then, as if called upon by a curse, thunder cracked upon them, the three Gelfling turning their gazes up, even the formerly tranquil Muski raising its gaze with fear, as thick, gray clouds began gather, shrouding the formerly clear night sky, the moon and stars being engulfed by the dark mass. Around them more lighting struck and the winds picked up, beginning to rock the Skiff in the turbulent currents, “Hurricane approaching!” a man cried from the top of the crow’s nest.

The Soothsayer tore her gaze away from the sky, looking towards her friends and giving them a troubled look. “There were no signs of a storm…” she uttered in disbelief, wondering how her own premonition could have gone wrong in an instant, surely it could not be from the will of Thra.

“No time, we gotta handle this!” Tae said, turning away and running to the helm, “Hurry up, men, hoist the sails!” she barked, looking as the men all ran to take their position, climbing up the rope ladders, some of the females flying up, struggling against the wind. Watching them all run to their places, the blonde-haired woman ran to the wheel, clasping it and trying to keep the ship steady. The sudden screams of the men wrenched Kylan out of his stupor, turning away his gaze and looking around the rocking ship, all the men working to keep it afloat, struggling against the currents, Neech chirped in worry at his side as he was sprinkled, salt water wasn’t something he was used to like many creatures of the Sog. “Come on, men, lower her down!” ordered a voice to the side. Some of the men were trying to lower the row boats, some from the smaller vessel while others from above, a sudden wave crashed down on the side, sending some of them down to the other side while others plummeted into the sea. Seeing a childling struggling while she was dragged down to the port side, Kylan ran as fast as he could, tripping down the boat and sliding to the side, towards the same side as her, his hand extending. “Got you!” he said, grabbing the fire-haired girl before she could fall and hurrying to the boat, where the other men were struggling to get it down. “Here!” the Song-Teller said, placing the girl on top before grasping the ropes and slowly helping them to lower it, his teeth clenching as he attempted to hold it firm. Much as he had spent some time with the rough sailor clan, he still wasn’t all that used to the heavier work, though he still had learned to hold his own. One of the men gave him a thankful and quick look.

Brea and Deet clung tightly to the side of the ship, struggling against the blowing winds and the currents striking against them, threatening to claim them back to their home, the Vapra finding purchase on a single rope by her side, clasping it tightly and clenching her teeth.

“It’s...it’s too strong!” the Grottan cursed by her side, trying to hold onto another rope, but her own fingers slowly slipped loose. “Hold on, Deet!” the Princess urged. Her friend was not often used to the sudden shifts of the upper levels and had taken time to even adjust to the more mild and tame climates of the upper sea levels and the surface. The abyssal Mer-Gelfling clenched her teeth for a moment before letting go, a sudden yelp escaping her lips. “Deet!” Brea yelled, letting go of the rope and trying to reach for her friend, watching her fall down and disappear into the waters below.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seladon kicked her tail as she and Tavra fought against the currents, trying to get to the ship. They had seen the storm brewing above them, knowing the danger it posed and trying to get to Brea and Deet. The crown Princess’ face was filled with frustration and fear, she knew nothing of these surface trips would come right, no matter if it was the monstrous land clans or the horrid natural events, there was always something, she had wanted to snap at Tavra for her lax attitude over what clearly could have meant the death of their sister. There was no time; they needed to get to Brea, but the waves kept pushing them and even the waters they had called home for all their lives were shrouded in darkness. “Brea!” she yelled, expecting that perhaps she had jumped into the waves, no longer caring if they were seen by the Sifa, all she cared now was to find Brea and return to the Castle, to safety. “Seladon, look!” Tavra called by her side and pointed in front of her to a small, nearly translucent light glowing over the waves, moving erratically towards their direction and seemingly struggling more than them against the currents.The two Mer-Gelfling submerged, hurrying to the flickering source, the form of the Grottan girl slowly materializing. “Deet!” Tavra called, coming upon her with a flick of her fins, “Deet, where is Brea?!” “I…I…” the deep sea Mer-Gelfling stuttered slightly, looking down and illuminating her hands, revealing the rough markings from her attempts to hold onto the ropes. “Oh no, did you hurt yourself?” questioned the Paladin, grabbing her hands, but before she could question her again, Seladon interceded. “Where is my sister?!” The older Vapran practically snapped, her shout even rising over the howling winds, yet despite her fury she couldn’t help but equally note the wounds on her hands, Please, don’t let her be hurt… , she prayed inside. “She was still on the ship when I fell!” Deet said, the light from her esca flickering with her nervousness, “I…I don’t know if she fell back in or if she’s still there!” “We must hurry!” Seladon ordered, turning to her sister, who merely nodded in response, the three of them turning their attention to the ship as it drifted ever farther away from them. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tae clenched her teeth, struggling to keep the ship steady, clasping the wooden sides as the currents and winds flung the lithe but proud Skiff as if it was a mere childling’s toy. Her muscles ached, threatening to give in at any moment, and her palms were almost bleeding from the effort of holding on. The sounds of the men screaming, falling to their dooms or trying to salvage the ship saturated her ears, not even the thunder being able to completely drown their panicked sounds. I…I can’t fail , the Captain cursed, clenching her teeth, so focused she was that she didn’t heard the sudden wave crashing down from her side, knocking her away from the helm and dragging her down to the deck, sending her against the wall and the ship stirring port in a sudden, quick motion, seemingly commanded by the wrath of the storm itself.As the waves crashed against the ship, Brea finally lost her grip and was hurled back into the sea, the Mer-Gelfling stirring for a few moments at the wave of pain from crashing into the water before she finally resurfaced. Above the ship, lighting cracked over the skies. “Brea!” a voice called from behind, the Vapra turning to see Seladon, Tavra, and Deet swimming towards her, “We need to get to safety…we…” She didn’t hear the rest of the words, turning away and following after the Skiff, her fins swishing with all her strength against the currents as they seemed to try to wrench her away.

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“Move, move, into the boats, now!” Onica ordered, escorting a group to the board side. The four small vessels had all been lowered into the turbulent waters, whether by the force of the storm or the men themselves, forcing them to throw down a special rope ladder for some of the Gelfling on board to climb down, but others in their panic had jumped down. “Go, no time…we need to evacuate!” the Soothsayer said, trying to force a modicum of order, knowing that the ship would not hang on for long, and they would not make it to port. How could she not have seen a storm of this magnitude come? There had been no speck nor sign within her meditations and communions with the land, no whispers of thunder or hurricane winds. Had perhaps her powers weakened, no, something was stirring within the deepest corners of Thra and it had reached them. On the other side, Kylan was still helping some of the others lower boats down, even though the others had told him to get into the boats, “Come on, climb down!” the young Song-Teller yelled, trying to force some authority into his voice, something he was highly unused to despite the time he had been around the sailor clan. The Spriton heard a yelp in front of him, and turned to see a man had tripped and plummeted face-first into the wooden floor. The Spriton ran, grabbing him by the hand and attempting to help him stand, drops of pink blood sprinkling down, mixing with the waters sliding down into the sea.

Suddenly a bolt descended down on them, Kylan raising up his eyes and looking in horror at the burst of lighting directed to him and the wounded man, the rest of the crew too frightened to move, just then, Onica jumped in front of them, extending her hands and emitting a wail of pain as she caught the lighting, absorbing it through her fingers and using her magic to slowly try to neutralize it, feeling it reverberate through her arms. Neutralizing or dominating an element was no easy feat, not even with the practiced magic and harmony with the land and not like self-created lighting. The Soothsayer clasped her teeth at the sudden current of energy slowly giving in before she dropped to one knee. “Onica!” Kylan said, handing the man to the rest of the Sifa helping them down, “Are you alright?” “I…I am”, she answered with a pained tone, trying to reassure the young man, yet inside she was feeling the overall energies of the lighting, trying to nullify them inside, it’s not natural , she thought to herself, it was another lighting of magical origin but it had not been cast, it came down from the skies…. What power could be so powerful as to manifest its own will upon Thra herself? Meanwhile at the helm, Tae once again tried to regain control of the ship, but the tides kept dragging the ship to the opposite side, seemingly steering it from port on purpose, the wheel practically no longer turning upon her struggles. Every bone in her body hurt, as if stuck, and above her she could hear the thunder crackling, prepared to pounce upon the helpless vessel like some beast hidden deep within the shadowed clouds. Just then another bolt struck the mast, the wood immediately being set ablaze and slowly splintering, flames climbing up to the sails. “Fire!” screamed one of the women on top, hoisting the sails, quickly pulling out her knife and cutting down the rope around her waist, she jumped down then, extending her wings but finding herself pushed by the hurricane, away from the starting fire and into the darkness. “Yesmit!” the blonde-haired sailor cursed, jumping out of the helm and onto the main deck, running towards the ship, “Onica, Kylan!” she yelled, running around just as the world around them was set alight, “How are we doing? Is everyone out yet? This place is gonna blow!” “Almost,” the red-haired woman answered, “Some of them have been tossed into the sea but the boats are almost at capacity,” she reported, a look of anguish on her face, “We need to…” but before she could answer there was a scream from the other side, their eyes turning to see two Gelfling slowly being surrounded by flames. “Help, Elder!” they screamed, one of them trying to see if he could jump, only to stand back at the rising ember, the heat was becoming intolerable to the point it almost seared the flesh on their arms.

Onica stood quiet for a moment, running to their side and raising her arms, feeling every wave of heat around her, summoning the power of Thra around her to channel into a spell, an incantation to beg for the flames to part, just for a moment, to allow them a chance at life. These were not her fires, not her own power, she could only beg for it to part...they were just results of the casting of the storm, deflecting them was not possible, they were strangely of Thra. At her slow commands, the flames seemed to disperse slightly, allowing the two men to quickly rush out to them. “Thank you, Elder!” one of them said with a gasp. “No worries!” Onica said, grabbing one of them by the hand and dragging them to the side, “Come now, we have to get out of here!” she ordered before jumping down into the water, Tae and the two men jumping behind her and swimming to a boat. A woman with arms covered in tattoos extended a hand, helping her and Tae up. “How many?” the Captain questioned. “Not sure yet, we haven’t had any contact with the port boats and we are full!” the woman responded with a frustrated sigh, “Some of them still float, we loaded as many as we could.” Onica let out a sigh, clenching her fist and resisting the urge to hit the side of the boat, to show any semblance of frustration and stir the crew more than they were…she knew each of them knew the risk, they had all grown up sailing and the learning to man the ship, but to see their Soothsayer in such a state would bring more distress. “Where is Cadia?” she questioned, turning to face the group. Their faces, terrified as they were, still showed uncertainty at the question, the Soothsayer rising from the seat to look around, “Where is Cadia?” she questioned once more. “He was still on the ship when we saw him…thought he would still be with you,” answered another of the men, almost apologetically.

“No… Onica muttered as her face turned into a grimace of pure horror, her eyes turning to see the already doomed ship slowly being consumed in flames, her former mentor was still there, likely unaware of the horrible fate that swirled around him. “I gotta get back in there!” she said with a panicked voice, ready to throw herself into the darkened waters, “I…” she tried to say, yet before she could attempt she heard a sudden splash by her side, Neech letting out gurgling sounds as he gazed into the turbulent currents, the figure of Kylan surfacing close to the ship and climbing up the rope ladder. “Kylan!” the Soothsayer said with horror, “No, get back here!” she ordered, but the Spriton didn’t seem to hear her as he made his way up, his thin and delicate frame struggling against the harsh conditions. The Muski let out a chirping sound, quickly flying in circles over the ocean and to the young man, much as the saltwater and the fire threatened to dry off the layer of freshwater that allowed him to float properly. “No, Neech, get back into the boat, helping Onica and the others!” Kylan ordered, the authority in his voice seeming to startle even the loyal creature, not used to hearing such forceful words from the usually calm, young man. The Sog beast floated back, his golden, yellow eyes riddled with confusion and fear before reluctantly turning back. The Spriton climbed up into the boat, grabbing onto the starboard rail and pulling himself into the deck with all his strength, his muscles pulled tight and aching with every grain of effort, accidentally kicking down the stairs and proceeding inside, feeling the flames closing in on him, “Cadia!” he yelled before closing his eyes at the burning, stinging sensation and placing a hand on his lips, coughing as the smoke began to engulf him, “Cadia!” the Spriton forced out again, feeling his throat muscles retracting in pain, almost choking him. “Huh…hello?”, a voice answered in a nonchalant manner, nearly drowned by the sounds of the growing embers and the ringing in the Spriton’s ears, but he managed to make it out clear enough, to his left, on the way to the Forecastle. The Song-Teller covered his mouth and advanced, a sudden cracking noise called his attention, eyes turning to the mast, the thick, wooden pole almost completely consumed, bits of brittle sticks flying off and vanishing in a river of fire that consumed them. “Hello, someone called me?” said the voice again, confused and strangely not worried or fearful. At the top, close to the edge, Kylan could see the Elderly Sifan, a nonchalant and rather strange look on his face despite the wall of flames surrounding him, the man was clearly not right, he knew as much when Onica had told him of the unfortunate storm that had taken his memories and most capabilities but that he could not see danger about to take his very life, that was troublesome. “Cadia, we gotta get out!” the Spriton shouted in exasperation, his eyes turning to the massive pole for a moment, knowing it would not stand for long, “Come on, we gotta get out!” “Get out?” the former Elder questioned, raising a curled eyebrow and musing away at a knot of his jeweled and braided beard, “Why? the crew is about to serve smoked Hooyim for dinner,” he added with a chuckle, sniffing the air before coughing, “Can’t…can’t you smell it?” “The ship is burning, don’t you see the fire before you?” the Spriton said in exasperation, perhaps much harsher than he intended to, feeling a few, nearly invisible sparks of flame burn against his freckled and tanned skin. “Ah yes…I…I see,” Cadia finally said, though he seemed to ponder for a second, doing a gesture with his fingers and moving the flames in front of him, commanding them to slightly part, “But where are the Hooyims? Shouldn’t they be cooking in front of me?” he questioned Seeing this Kylan’s eyes widened as he got an idea. It seemed that even in his old age and disability, his powers hadn’t left him. “No time, we can have Hooyim later!” the Song-Teller replied, “I’d like to come through…I know where there are roasted Hooyims and…and can take you to them!” he said, slightly insecure. “Move the fire?” Cadia asked, “How?” “What you were doing…beckon it to part!” Kylan pleaded, hoping that the old man would listen to him. For a moment Cadia pondered, muttering under his breath before extending his hands, reaching out for the flame, whatever the young man was referring to by that, his mind wandered as his thought centered on the fire…the product of Vliyaya or magic, what she called it but he could do it? How? As his thoughts wandered he looked deep into the flame, extending his hands, reaching for it, trying to somehow touch it, or tamp it down. The young man looked with distress all around him, as if afraid of something, and impatiently waiting for him to banish or lower the fires, but why did he believe he could do that? He did not know. The moment the spiraling flames seemed to part out of his way, Kylan quickly darted, “Good work, sir!”he said with a nod, forcing Cadia up to his feat and placing his arm around his shoulder, “Now we just need you to keep the flames off from us…” he uttered, dragging the elderly Sifan along the way, finding him heavier than he thought, his old bones creaking with each step. Kylan clenched his teeth as they crossed the path of flames and it rose again around them, one of the embers gracing the Spriton, searing his skin slightly, “Come on, Cadia…please, please help me out!” he begged. A sudden, cracking noise caused him to turn his gaze upwards, the Song-Teller’s eyes glowing with fear as he saw the great mast had finally shattered and was plummeting down on them, the Spriton’s grasp around the old man tensing, almost paralyzed with fear before mustering all his courage and darting out of the way, the wooden floor of the upper deck shattering upon impact, the two Gelfling now standing mere inches from falling down into the cargo hold. The Spriton huffed under his breath, clenching his hands tightly, arms trembling and struggling to lift him up, turning to the side he saw Cadia wheezing in pain, hugging himself tightly and grumbling. He then turned to the side—they were but a few meters away from the railings once more! He grabbed Cadia and placed the old Sifan’s arm around his shoulder, dragging him. “There he is!” shouted a Gelfling from the rafts, “He’s got Cadia!” “Throw him!” Tae ordered from below, “We’ll catch him!” Kylan nodded at her command, mustering all the strength he could, the Song Teller clenched the elegant textiles of the former Soothsayer and tossed him over the railing. The old man plummeted down into the water below with a yelp before he crashed into the surface, as he did, however, the wood planks shattered beneath the Spriton’s feet, almost dragging him down below. “Kylan!”, Onica yelled in utter horror as she helped her old master into the boat, watching the trapped Spriton on board struggle. The Song-Telled clenched his teeth in pain as the sharp, broken wood cut through his linen clothes and against his skin, his gaze turning down and through the hole, he watched as the flames continued extending through the shattered mast on the lower section and into the cargo, exports of rice, exotic fruit and other goods being consumed in flames, snaking their way to the barrels filled with Thunder Eggs, explosives and gunpowder. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brea gasped in horror as the ship exploded before her eyes. The Mer-Gelfling dove down, kicking her tail frantically, all other thoughts thrown to the side as she emerged close to the sinking ship. The flames were slowly being extinguished while it was engulfed by the dark currents, the vessel crumbling upon itself, chunks of wood and metal sliding into the seabed and the flames climbing upon the tip, as if trying to flee the waters threatening to extinguish them. The Princess looked around through the debris, searching through the scorched remnants. still flaming remains of shattered wood and drifting cargo. Where are you? she questioned in desperation, swimming against the currents threatening to push her away and the blowing winds, the look on her face desperate. She curled her lips, resisting the need to call out his name, yet it was so etched in her mind she almost wanted to throw all caution aside, no longer caring if she was spotted by the surface clan. All she wanted was to find him, call his name, yet the fear of losing him kept her silent as she searched the wreck. Then she heard it, a brief gasp of air, almost silent yet to her ears it resonated with a force equal to the fireworks she had witnessed earlier. The Mer-Gelfling turned back to see the Kylan hanging onto a shattered piece of wood, the young man’s fingers tightly clasping it in an attempt to remain afloat for a fleeting moment before letting go, his prone and languid from sliding off into the water. Brea quickly dove down behind him, as the Song-Teller slowly drifted down, falling away into the abyss, as if devoured by a great, dark beast.

With a determined look, the Princess spread her back fins and darted after Kylan, managing to reach him mere inches before his form vanished from the slowly dying light of the fire above, her hands wrapping around his torso, hugging him against her form before dragging him to the surface, bubbles rising away from his open lips. Brea let out a pant, swishing her tail as fast as she could, but the Spriton was heavier than she had thought him to be, and exhaustion threatened to claim her from swimming against the storm. She needed to get Kylan out before he drowned. “Hold on, Kylan…” she pleaded, hugging his form against her and batting her back fins to cut against the currents, “I’m not gonna let you go,” the Princess promised, clenching her teeth and raising her eyes. The light from the wreckage was still dimly burning, what had been a horror to the crew was now a comforting sight to her, growing ever closer and illuminating her face. Come on…come on… It seemed to have taken forever, but Brea finally burst to the surface, holding the Spriton close to her, she quickly looked around, the tip of the boat finally swallowed by the sea in that moment, with only a few smaller fires burning around them. Keeping his face over the surface of the water, Brea began to drag the Prince away from the sinking ship.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first brother had begun to rise upon the horizon when Brea reached the coast. The storm had ceased, and a gentle, pink light bathed the tranquil shoreline. The Vapra’s eyes tilted slightly and she let out a sigh as the fresh, morning breeze blew gently on her face, the world around her blurred and darkening, the sheer feeling of exhaustion threatening to claim her, her entire body was sore from swimming through the night against the currents, the now calm, coastal waters rocking her gently like a mother were so inviting to simply lay in and sleep. No…I can’t stop now , she reminded herself, forcing her eyes to open, looking down at the still unconscious Spriton floating on her grasp, reminding herself of what was at stake, her mind and her heart filling themselves with determination. “Just a little more, we’re almost there, Kylan,” the Princess promised with a tired yet hopeful voice. Knowing she would not be able to properly move if she tried to crawl on the shore, the Mer-Gelfling allowed the waves to gently carry them, the rest of the way, allowing her tail to relax and gently sway under the waves, her tail under the water starting to reflect the early morning’s light, the currents pushing them gently to the beach, the waters retreating back. The Princess let out a sigh, trembling slightly from the cool whafts brushing upon her. Knowing Kylan would not be able to warm up, she clasped the Spriton and and lightly pushed them both forwards to the beach, letting out a pained, tired sigh, feeling the soft, humid sand rubbing against her scales and skin with each crawl and push, a weak smile forming on her lips, as if the reprimands from her tutors over her stiff hair weren’t enough, if they could see the state of her scales they would certainly be furious with her.

Once the sands became warm and the dying waves only reached to touch the tip of her fins before receding back into the sea, Brea deposited the Song-Teller on the sands before allowing herself to collapse by his side, finally letting out a sigh of relief, her eyes looking up to the skies above, the sisters and the far stars now nothing but nearly-ethereal glows upon the lavender-sky, relaxing for a moment into the tranquility of the moment.

Her eyes suddenly shot open, grasping unto a semblance of consciousness, the Princess stood up, her arms trembling as they struggled to lift her up, but she held herself firm, using the thoughts of the young man by her side to inch herself to him, peering upon his form, his formerly pleasant tan skinned color was now a sickly pale, his clothes had been torn by the storm, his red shirt ripped open, revealing his chest and the fresh, cutting wounds he had sustained from the explosion, his pants had been shredded and both of his booths had slipped down during their swim, his left leg was slightly pinkened from a puncturing wound, one that the salt water had seemed to heal while, thank Thra, he was unconscious. The Princess reached down to place a hand on him, noting how cold and stiff he was to the touch, his skin almost a block of rough, cold marble from down home and he hadn’t moved anymore than in all the hours it had taken them to reach the shore. The Vapra’s teeth clenched as she feared the worst.

No, no, Thra, please! she begged inside, clasping his hands and placing it on her face, “No please, you can’t leave like this…please!”, she said in desperation, placing her hand on his wrist, reaching to feel any semblance of pulse…nothing. “I…I’m sorry I failed”, the Mer-Gelfling uttered, letting go off his hand and lying her head upon the Spriton’s chest, wishing that the currents would simply climb over her until she turned into seafoam, if such a thing was even possible, to simply cease as Thra seemed to wrench everything from her, “I’m so sorry…” And then, as she stood in utmost silence, simply awaiting for something, for some fate to deliver her away from this cruel world, she heard something, making her raise her head. “Wha…?”, she uttered, it had been soft, gentle yet booming sound, and it didn’t came from anywhere around, all that she could hear was the sound of the sea washing behind her and the Silvergulls screeching above, she must have imagined it but then it was there again…it was coming from the Spriton’s chest. His…his heart! , Brea suddenly realized, the sad and defeated expression on her lips shifting to a suddenly hopeful one, the sound was like a sweet gentle melody to her ears but then, the Spriton’s chest slowly rose, the Vapran lifted her head, watching as his chest slowly deflated, allowing a long, tranquil breath to escape his open lips. “He’s breathing!”Brea exclaimed incredulously, her hand reaching out to wipe away the strands of hair over his forehead, the light of the first brother beginning to wash over them. The Princess reached to place a hand on his cheek, feeling it slightly warmed, the color slowly returning to his skin, “He is so beautiful…”. For a moment, all things seemed to banish around her, every sound, gentle as it was, losing meaning, the feeling of sand between scales and on her hair, what she had learned that night, he was all within her mind, within her heart, “Kylan…”, she finally uttered, savoring the sound of his name rolling down her tongue, the sheer sound sweeter than any dish she had tried or any poem she had read, but there was little else she could say, no words possibly mannifest what she was feeling. But them almost on instinct her lips parted and she began to sing a sweet, gentle song:

What would I give to live where you are?

What would I pay to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you smiling at me?

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seladon let out a hardened gasp as she clasped for one of the rocks on the coast, emerging from the waters and panting heavily, the crown Princess of Ha’rar brushed out a few bangs of hair from her eyes and panted, Tavra and Deet emerging behind her. the two giving her tired looks. The older Mer-Gelfling leaned back against the rocks, her fins swishing as the waves washed over them, they had swam all through the night, struggling against the turbulent currents and the hurricane winds, trying to find Brea, getting lost more times than she could count in the darkness, only managing to find their way thanks to the Deep-Sea Mer-Gelfling’s escape but now it flickered, as if she was trying to keep it alight, even on the morning soon, too tired or confused by the dawn to turn it off. “We…we need to find Brea…”, Seladon uttered with a trembling voice, fearing that her sister had been harmed in the sudden explosion of the ship, while the death of a bunch of Land Clans was something she would usually celebrate the idea of Brea getting harmed was too much, “She…wasn’t on the wreck of the ship…”. Tavra crawled over the sands, dragging her tail behind, ever her, despite her constant night shifts seemed absolutely exhausted, “I’m…I’m sure she’ll be alright, Seladon”, she said, trying to reassure her sister, but her words seemed to do little else, not exactly without reason, she did not expected the storm that struck the ship nor that the ship would explode like it did while Brea pursued it but thinking of the worst fate for her sister weighted heavily upon them both and didn’t guaranteed success in finding her. Seladon sighed, turning away her face and looking into the horizon, What will mother think when we return without her? , the Mer-Gelfling pondered, though she didn’t have to think much, she had failed on her orders, more, she had failed to protect her younger sister, lost to the fault of the blasted land clans like their own father. “Why couldn’t you listen, Brea?”, the Vapran noble cursed, clenching her fist and crushing it against the wet sand, sprinkling a bit of water, “Why did you had to disobey and put yourself in danger?”, much as she seemed disdainful, she truly worried about her fate, the thought of losing her far stronger than even the fear of facing their mother with such failure. “Why…”, Seladon began to lament once more before being interrupted. “Shh…”, Tavra hissed, placing a finger to her lips, urging Seladon to be quiet and turning her eyes, something in the air resonated softly, a melody. “What?”, Deet asked with slight desperation and raising her voice, “What is it, Tavra?” The Paladin didn’t answer for a moment, listening once more to make sure she just wasn’t hearing things in her exhaustion, her ears slowly catching the sound of singing once more, soft, almost silent, barely a little more than the sounds of the waves striking against the beach. “Brea!”, she whispered softly in sudden realization, “She is here and she is fine!”, she announced, the sudden look of desperation in Seladon’s face banishing. “Brea…”, the elder Mer-Gelfling uttered in relief, turning around and climbing over the blunt rocks lining the coast, dragging herself up with renewed strength, the voice becoming clearer in her mind, it was truly Brea, she was alright after all, she had thought she could have lost her that day to her own arrogance and search for answers but she was safe. As she caught sight of her younger sister however, her relief turned into sudden horror once more, her eyes widening…there stood Brea, lying over the sands, and by her side, unconscious, a Land Gelfling as Brea caressed his face and sang lovingly to him. “Seladon?”Tavra asked, suddenly noting the tense pose of her sister, climbing over to her side, grabbing tightly to the rocks with Deet by her side, “What happened? Isn’t Brea…”, she stopped in place as she suddenly knew what Seladon was gawking at. Oh, Thra , the armor-clad Mer-Gelfling thought to herself, now at a complete loss for words, watching their younger sister caress the land Gelfling’s cheek, Brea…you too? , she questioned inside. “It’s the boy from the ship!”, Deet exclaimed by their side, the two Vapra suddenly turning their faces to the Grottan with inquiring looks. “The boy…”, Seladon began, the sheer disdain and venom on her voice evident, much as she tried to sound calm and collected, the knowledge that her sister was so close to one of the uncivilized beasts made her blood boil, “From the ship?”. The Grottan swallowed nervously and nodded, not really knowing what to say and afraid to squeal on Brea yet again. Seladon tore away her gaze, the sudden reality of the situation dawning on her, No , she thought to herself, No…that is forbidden!, Seladon thought to herself, clasping her fingers over the rocks, a part of her wishing to simply crawl to Brea and drag her back to Ha’rar to have her reprimanded and punished for putting herself in such danger but she remained silent, simply observing the scene with disgust and fear. —-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

None of this was noticed by Brea, the young Mer-Gelfling to entranced by the sight of the young Spriton before her eyes to pay any mind to anything else, it was just them in that moment, wishing they could just remain that way forever, so away from everything else in the world, no clans, no division, no fear. As the first brother continued raising and the gold light began bathing the beach, Brea continued singing softly:

Where would we walk?

Where would we run?

If we could stay all day under the suns?

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Darkness engulfing Kylan slowly banished and a soft, gold light glimmered like a star before his eyes in the horizon, at first blurry and weak, sprinkled with tints of gentle pink, the salted, fresh scent of the coast penetrated through his nostrils and brushing against his slowly opening eyelids, the sound of the waves and the coastal birds screeching, prepared to fall upon their morning feast welcomed him back…

And then…there was a song, unlike any which he had heard, many times he had been hailed for his own music, most of the time for his ability with the Firca and the Lute yet some of his own singing had been praised at taverns but this voice made him sound like a diseased Shrokill bird, the single most beautiful thing he had ever heard, singing to him, seemingly easing the intense pain that had claimed him and all the problems that had build up around him since he was thrown all the responsibilities of the throne and the future inheritor. I must be dead , he thought to himself, for a moment thinking he would stand before the very heart of Thra within the Dreamsleeve, connecting with the beating song of the land he had been born in before becoming one with it, he slowly opened his eyes, the world around him and he understood he was not gone…no, he was alive, away from the storm and from all the danger. As his vision came clear he saw the the silhouette of a Gelfling woman, the first brother framing around her head in a wide circumference like a corona, her hair, despite being shadowed by the sun was tied into two, long and well organized braids, and her eyes, looking deep into his own were two bottomless pool of a warm, honey, color in which he wished he could remain forever. He moved his lips, letting out a sigh just as her hand softly reached to caress his cheek, as she finished her song, she was the most gorgeous woman she had seen in all his travels, in any clan and her voice, one to topple even the song of Thra itself, she was cold and yet somehow…he found her touch fresh, refreshing in his state. he wished so hard to remain, lost in her eyes and her voice.

The sudden moment of peace that followed the brief silence upon the end of her song was shattered when a voice called out, “Kylan?”. Brea gasped, her head whipping in sudden fear, seeing the figures approaching in the distance, the recognized the two Sifan women, Onica and Tae, who had been talking with Kylan on bord and the Eel-like creature that had greeted her on board, flying in spiral forms towards them, a smile seemingly sculpted in its face at seeing it’s master safe and sound but the last figure she didn’t recognized. Giving her beloved Spriton one last look she turned away and crawled as fast as she could back to the water, her sisters and Grottan friend following closely behind. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Song Teller slowly rose up from the hands, struggling to stretch their hand towards the figure of the woman as they banished from his sight. “N…no, w-wait…”, he said weakly, stopping at the feeling of his throbbing throat and the pulling sensation of his muscles, “Come…back…”, he uttered, trying to make out her figure under the blinding light of the first brother, she was nowhere to be seen, “Please…come back!” Neech quickly advanced upon his Spriton master, clearly relieved of seeing his friend safe and sound and licking him on the cheek before coiling himself around his neck. “Kylan!”, Onica said as she and others all converged on the Spriton, placing an arm upon his shoulder, “Here he is, Maudra Ethri…”, she announced to the Gelfling behind her, a reassuring smile forming on her lips, “He is alive…” “Thank Thra…”, the woman uttered with a sigh of relief, another Sifan, flanked on each side by guards carrying muskets she was clad in a fine robe of pure azure that reached down to her knees and was decorated with gems, she wore an elegant turban-like hat of the same color with an encrusted Brindlisk cocoon sigil on the center that allowed her crimson hair to fall into two long-beads, despite being youth, her rugged skin made her look much older than she was. “It’s good to see you in one piece, young man!”, the Maudra said as the Soothsayer helped Kylan to his feet and analyzed him for wounds, “When Onica and Tae told me what you had attempted, we assumed the worst”, she added with a glimmer of fear, dreading to think of what could have been, the Spriton had been a welcome visitor and a friend but losing the sole connection to the throne of Sami Thicket could have bought a series of diplomacy issues with the Spriton clan. Trying to liven up the mood Tae let out a slight chuckle, “Well, at least something good will come out of it…”, she said, crossing her arms and giving the group a mischievous look, “When the story of how you went into the flaming ship and rescued old Cadia spreads, you’ll have every single lady of every port around your finger and those fuddie-buddies back home can stop bothering you!” Onica and Ethri couldn’t help but snicker at the comment and finding certainty in it, the Sifa admired shows of bravery and sacrifice and would feel compelled to meet the young man. Despite this, Kylan seemed not to listen to them, his sight upon the coast, searching every corner, every rock lining the sands and beyond the waves. “A girl…”, the Spriton said, barely above a whisper, closing his eyes and envisioning her once more, her face, hidden in the shadow from the suns yet so very attractive, the amber of her eyes, beckoning him and the sound of her voice. “A girl?”, the Elder asked, arching an eyebrow, seemingly confused by the Spriton’s words and looking at the coast, as if searching for something. “She…she rescued me…”, Kylan continued, his words seemingly directed to no one in particular, the Song Teller limped his way to the shoreline, his left leg itches and hurt but he barely allowed the pain to hold him back, “She was singing to me…she had…the most beautiful voice”. “It’s worse than I thought…”, Onica said with a worried tone and hurrying to the young man’s side, the rest of the Sifa all looking with slightly confused expression at the young man while the Soothsayer studied him, looking down unto his left leg, “You must have been hallucinating from the loss of blood”, she diagnosed, placing a hand on her cheek. “Perhaps a concussion or you swallowed too much salt water”, Tae complimented, crossing her arms. The two men gave each other disconcerting looks, “Perhaps the lad saw a spirit…a Banshee of the sea hovering above him before we got here!” At this Kylan turned his gaze to meet the two guards, a befuddled expression on his face, he had read the tales of malicious spirits and monsters hunting down sailors and merchants for dark purpose, not unlike the folktale from back home but such things were normally that…tales, yet it seemed like such a constant and this girl just banishing. Before he could inquire, Onica interrupted. “If there was such a thing as a flying wraith I would have felt it and banished it with my spells”, she said dismissively with a gesture of her hand, as if wishing to not talk more about the matter, “What happened to Kylan here was the result of an accident…there are not wraiths, if there were I would alert you…” The two men seemed like they wanted to debate their point but contradicting a Soothsayer was often deemed a fool’s errand and blasphemy and they felt silent, bowing their heads. “But…but I saw her”, the Song Teller reiterated, still looking at each side of the coast, as if hoping she would show up, Neech looking at him with a look that could be interpreted as concern, “She was here, in front of me as I awoke, Onica…I felt her touch and her song was a song so sweet that the very Thra would be envious of her”. “It could have been many things, you man, that’s why I’m here”, Onica said with an understanding voice, placing a hand upon his shoulder, “Come with me, please and we will find out…I might not be as good as Blue Flame Naia but I have a few spells and elixirs to ease the pain and clear the mind”, she beckoned, seeing, that Kylan wanted to reply, she placed his arm over her, “Besides, it’s not good to go around with a wound like that on the coast.” Kylan let out a sigh, the wise woman’s words had always cleared his mind of doubt, she had been a guide and mentor since his arrival to Cera-Na, never once had she lied to him, so was it possible that he had simply hallucinated in his near death experience, materialized all his wish and longing as he slept into the beach…that girl, was she the product of nothing more than his wounds and broken mind? No , he thought to himself, the young Song Teller knew what he had seen, this woman wasn’t a simple product of his desperate and broken mind nor a horrid wandering banshee, he had been rescued and he knew it well. I will find you, the Spriton promised, lowering his face. As they slowly made their way back to Cera-Na, Onica turned back to the coast, scouring the shoreline carefully…nothing save the waves striking against the shallows and the Silvergulls clicking upon the rocks, hoping to be wrong on her premonitions, and then her eyes turned to the side, something had glowed underneath the waters. The Soothsayer clenched her teeth and let out a harsh breath, reaching with her free hand to clasp the single trinket dangling from her neck, the iridescent, lavender scale, glistening like the day she had first seen it.Something was brewing, she could feel it when the storm had begun at sea, the sudden shift in the winds and the tides and it was coming for them too. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seladon let out a sigh of sudden relief, placing a hand over her chest and gasping, That was close , she thought fearfully, allowing herself to lean behind a massive, dark rock that jutted over the waves, the Vapra felt her heart pounding against her chest so much that it hurt, fins twitching as they swished in the currents, her mind conjuring horrid thoughts of what it might have occured, They…they were nearly upon us, those savages. Her hand trembled, clasping for the sharp rock before she turned, “What on Thra were you thinking, Brea?”She snarled angrily, but her younger sister seemed to be paying no mind to her, instead looking at the beach, a wide smile forming on her lips and a sigh escaping her lips. “Brea, answer me!”, the elder Princess demanded, her patience at a breaking point, sick of being disobeyed in situations of most dire danger. “Hmmm?”, the younger Mer-Gelfling hummed with a distracted look on her face while turning to Seladon, all thoughts focused upon the Spriton man. “Oh, nevermind!”, the crown Princess of Ha’rar said, rubbing her temples and lowering her head, trying to think clearly, “This has been an utter disaster”, understanding what had occured, the way Brea watched and sang to the young Spriton man, “Of all the things that could have happened to you, Brea…you had to fall in love with one of the savages” “Seladon…”, Tavra said, reaching out to place a hand over her sister’s shoulder but she pulled away. “If anybody ever finds out about this then we are all in trouble!”, The older Vapran said, lowering her hand pointing and giving the three Mer-Gelfling a serious gaze, “So we are going to go home and act like this never happened…not a single word, you hear me?”she questioned, raising her finger warningly to her younger sister. “Hey, we made that arrangement of the cave already, so, fine by me…”, Tavra shrugged, while she appeared calm she was partially relieved that Seladon had decided to live up to the former agreement despite the situation she would consider dire. Her eyes turned back to the shallows, thinking about what she had seen and the brief glimpse she had seen of the approaching figure, one of them in particular etched in her mind.Never thought I would see you again, she thought, Fate sure has a cruel sense of irony. After this Seladon turned to the Grottan, “Not a word to ANYONE, Deet, not even in Grot!”, she warned, “Not to your little brother, not to your fathers and not to Maudra Argot!”. To this the Grottan nodded quickly, “I won’t tell anyone, I promise!”, she said nervously, still feeling guilty over accidentally squealing on Brea the previous night. As the three of them continued to talk, Brea had climbed on top of the rock, looking longingly at the coastline, the figure of Kylan was now but a spec in the horizon, slowly growing away from her, separated once more, torn apart by ocean and land, the feeling inside her grew: I don't know when, I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Watch and you'll see, someday I'll be

Part of your world! As she finished her song, Brea leaned over the rocks, a wave crashed behind her upon the very last note, the waters carrying it all the way to the coast. Her mind was set, she would need to return to him, to stand by Kylan’s side under the three suns.

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