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Fantasy A Future Unseen [Enolx & FaithWynters]

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As he paddled out to deeper water he splashed through the sapphire waters around him. It might not have been his water, but he loved and respected it none the less. As he paddled he was in awe at the heavy winds and the high waves. He knew from the seeing the size of the waves at the shore that the wind had to be strong, but this was far more than he expected. It also gave him a new respect for the area that they had made camp at. The area was perfectly positioned to prevent this strong wind from entering the sheltered area. In Nicole's opinion this was one of the best beaches that he had been to.

In the deeper water Nicole finally was able to meet the waves. "You are both ferocious and beautiful my love," Nicole said as the waves came at him "I am sure every man of the sea knows to treat you with respect." He dove under some waves as they attempted to crash into him as he paddled deeper. While he was under the waves he got his first glimpse of the world under the waves. He was surprised by how far out the black sand reached. Even as far out as he was, most of the sand below him was black like the beach. He was also surprised by how normal the sea life was. While there wasn't anything like he was used to, there was not anything like the flamefish he experienced earlier. He was looking forward to when he came back to the waters to experience what was below. For now, Nicole's attention was focused on the surface. He had only one goal in mind, and that was riding these waves.

When he finally made it to the point he needed to be, he waited upright on his board for the next wave to come. As the sun beamed on his exposed skin and his feet dangled in the water Nicole felt something that he hadn't felt since he have first set off with his father, at home. In the middle of the water, he was just him. He was not a son of a leader, he wasn't a great general, he wasn't a fighter, he wasn't a diplomat, he wasn't a guard, he was just a man. He was a single man in the middle of a world that he was a guest in. Right now he was something that he rarely got to be, free. His obligations and duties were left on the land, and here he was just a child of the sea.

The wave came and Nicole lit up brightly as the wave started to lift him into the sky. As it did, Nicole quickly turned his glider around and started to paddle in the same direction as the wave. It wasn't long before the wave lifted him up at least fifteen feet in the air. Nicole looked to his side and saw that the wave was starting to break at the top and took his cue to stand up on his glider. As soon as he got to his standing position he began to cut his way down the wave. His own weight pulled him quickly down the wave, and when he reached the speed that he wanted he cut horizontally across the wave. He streaked across the wave for a moment before the wave began to break and crash over his head forming a tube. With a smile broad across his face, he held out a hand and let it connect with the wave beside him. Touching the water slowed him down and after a moment he was completely inside the tube of water. The sight was beautiful, and Nicole knew that he would never forget the sapphire tunnel and how it beautifully refracted the light. When he saw that the wave was starting to collapse behind him, he took his hand off of the wall a pumped his glided to gain speed again. After a short moment, Nicole burst forth from the tunnel and on to open wave again. Once there he cut back down the wave to gain more speed before cutting back up to the top of the wave and sending himself airborne. He held on to his glider with on hand and he cut a beautiful arc through the air above the wave. The water the board displaced followed his arc, so as he flew there was an arc of water that sprayed itself around him. After landing back down on the wave, Nicole rode it till it died out laughing joyously the whole time. After spending an hour riding the waves, Nicole decided that it was time to return to the shore so he could begin the next part of his day.

When he made it back to the shore, he saw Alexia scribbling in a journal. "It seems that you have been busy Ms. Zendaya," Nicole said as he planted his board in the ground and took a seat next to her "Anything interesting in there?"

Alexia smiled and after finishing her thoughts, she turned beautiful green eyes towards him. "Yes, there is a lot of interesting stuff in here; most of it is about you."

"I am glad that you are enjoying yourself."

"I am, there is clearly much more to you than what rumors and stories tell."

"Ohh, what are people saying about me?"

"The boring stuff you expect. Unnaturally strong and talented, wise and terrifying on the battlefield, beautifully built, noble, respectful, caring."

"Beautifully build," Nicole questioned with a bright smile and a raised eyebrow.

Alexia extended a hand and playfully pushed Nicole. "Yes, people think you're pretty."

"Do you think I'm pretty?"

"Ughhhh," She said as she got up and walked towards the water.

"That doesn't sound like a no."

"You are impossible."

"Thank you," He said as he stood up and walked past her farther into the water "I have to get to work now. I will be back before sundown; we can discuss our findings then. Does that sound good to you?"

"It does," She answered with a smile as a soft wind blew her hair.

"It's a date then." Nicole then dove into the water and left Alexia blushing on the beach looking down at the sliver water he left behind.

Nicole glided through the water at a slow and pace. He made his way to the sea floor and smiled when he saw a small clawed shelled creature. He floated beside the creature as it scuttled on the sands. After extending a hand out towards the creature, it held out a claw in defense before burying itself in the sand. Nicole smiled at the creature before swimming off to let it continue its life in peace. He increased his speed so that he could make it out to deeper water through the strong underwater currents. He swam past different colored fish us all shapes and sizes, and took some time to look down as the sea floor gave way to a grand crevice below him. He allowed himself to float in place to examine the change. The opening below him was not something that he had ever seen before. It was as if some on had taken a blade to the sea floor and cut a deep gash through it. What amazed Nicole the most was how deep it went, and how light seemed to die inside of it. It got him wondering how this looked from above. He took a moment to look around to see if there was anything that might be more interesting, but he already knew what his answer would be and dove into the crevice.

He went slowly and took his time as he made his way through increasingly darkening waters. He saw some interesting creatures that called this place home, but what he found more interesting was that they didn't pass below a certain depth, a depth that he had recently pasted. Nicole stopped to let himself float for a moment and then became aware of the water pushing him back up to the surface. "This is strange," He questioned as the water lifted him "There isn't a current. This is strange indeed. I wonder if this is the water give me a warning." Nicole looked down into the dark below him and his heart started to pound. Unable to stop his heart from rapidly beating, he swam back to the surface above the opening. After breaking the surface, he flipped his head back and forth, and laughed. "This is insane," He said treading water as he moved his hair out of his face "Am I scared, scared of water? There is no way; I have literally come face to face with a terror of the sea before." He took some deep breaths to calm his heart. He put his head under the water, and looked at the darkness below. He once again felt his pulse increase, but this time it was a different feeling. Now he had to know what was giving him this feeling. What was it about this water that was so different that the others that he had been in? "Goddess protect me as I traverse these unknown waters." He then took another deep breath and dove down.

After getting back to where he was before, he dove deeper to an increasing heart rate. After swimming for a minute or two his necklace began to glow due to the lack of light around him. As he swam, he found himself pausing for a moment in the depths. "There is nothing down here. Nothing at all," He said as he looked around as far as the light would reach. Even when he had gone into the black depths of his homeland there were still creatures that had made that place their home. It was in fact from one of those creatures that he obtained the materials for the necklace that he now wore. "All waters are different," Nicole told himself as he continued his decent.

As he swam, he got closer to one of the walls. It reminded him of the scenery above water. The more he explored the waters of the world, the more he noticed how similar they are to the land above. The only difference between the two worlds was trading air for water. As he passed a part of the wall, he noticed that there was an opening. As the light passed into the opening, he noticed how much it felt like a little house under the water. He chuckled at the thought, and then the light hit a chair in the corner. He swam into the opening to confirm what his eyes were showing him, and just as he thought, there was a stone chair in the corner. He turned around to get a good look at his surroundings. "There is no way," Nicole questioned as he swam through another opening deeper into the cave. As he entered the next room, he was met by more chairs and a broken table. A deeper room had a layout that could have been for a bedroom. "It's a house," Nicole said "Under water." Nicole rapidly swam out of the house and looked out across the expanse. He couldn't see much, but he was able to make out more caves in different points along the wall. Excited he explored deeper and was greeted by one of the most beautiful scenes that he had seen under the waves, an entire submerged city. It was as he started to swim down into the city that his light grew dimmer and dimmer before completely going dark. Nicole looked down at his necklace and saw that it was not out, but the light was not escaping the orbs. Heartbeat rising, his hands dropped down to his weapons as he turned to scan the area. When he turned he found himself face to face with two massive red eyes.

Nicole floated frozen with his eyes lock with the eyes in front of him. He could not feel anything at the moment and was not even thinking. Unlike before, he didn't rise to the surface, he just remained in place. He was not sure how long they two locked eyes. He wasn't even sure if his heart was still beating. His arms tightened around his weapons, and when they did the creature lit up. Blue light flooded into joints between now revealed jet black scales and into dangerously tipped spikes. With its form now illuminated, Nicole could fully see what was in front of him. The beast put the creature he had fought in his home waters to shame. It had a long serpent like body, four clawed appendages, and a strong and thick tail. The creatures head was just like a creature he had read in an old story. It was long, angled, and sharp. Every part of this monster embodied dominance in water. While the creature didn't have its mouth open, Nicole had no doubt of the razor sharp teeth that were tucked inside.

"Son of the silver waters," a low toned gravelly voice declared "What brings you to my sapphire depths?"

Nicole's blank animistic state, slowly relaxed as the foreign words entered his mind. "This is a new experience," he said to himself as he relaxed his grip on his weapons and let his mind work. "I came to visit, and I couldn't help but explore the waters. I am sorry if I caused you any disrespect."

A hearty laugh resounded in Nicole's mind. "There is not issue brother of distant waters. My father has no issue with you, so I have no issue. I was not sure what creature dared to enter my domain, so I came to see who had the gall. I was very surprised to see the son of silver, but I welcome your visit. How do you like the Sapphire Sea?"

"It is beautiful. I honestly was captivated as soon as I saw the waters. They are the only waters I have seen so far that rival my home. Honestly, I was completely at home until my heart started pounding when I approached your home. I now see that there was a reason for how I felt. I thank you for allowing me into your home. This is honestly the most beautiful sight that I have seen under the waves; there is an entire city down here."

"Thank you for your complement brother. My father claimed these lands for his own and created a beautiful world. This is a land of a people that came long before you, and even before I. Come follow me, I will show you a past age."

The creature took off with a powerful whip of its tail and Nicole followed behind it. As they swam, the blue light bounced off the creature in arcs of lightning and illuminated the sea floor. When the area was illuminated, Nicole's eyes widened. The city was a beautiful white and gold. Lantern throughout the city became filled with the blue lightning and it was as if fires were being started throughout the city. Nicole even flipped up towards the surface to see the many homes that were built into the walls, and the intricate worn stairs to get to them. What surprised him the most was that even with all this light; there was still darkness above them. "This is absolutely amazing," He said as he turned around and took in more sights.

"I see that there is not much more to your life my brother. Might I ask why? Your mother does not seem the type to want her son returned to her so soon."

"It is how my people are. While strong, our bodies cannot handle that strength for long. I have been fortunate enough that I have had more time than most who used their blessings to the extent that I do. I have been using my strength so that my people won't have to. If my life can be used to give them life, I will happily return to the waters. I am also sure that even without my blessing that I wouldn't last as long a one like yourself."

"I see, you protect the people of your waters just as I do."

Nicole found himself laughing. "I guess you are right about that brother." He wasn't sure how it would feel saying it, but the term just felt right.

The creature nodded its head at Nicole's words. "Come, I have something that may ease your burden and prolong the time you have above the waves."

Nicole increased his speed to keep up with his brother as he swam towards a large building. When they arrived Nicole noticed that it was a church of some kind. The building resembled the castle back in Illyria. "My gift is inside," the creature explained "Please retrieve it my brother." Nicole followed the given instructions and swam down into church. He swam through an opening and found himself inside a grand hall. At the back of the hall was a stone casket, and on top of it was a long black spear. Nicole grabbed the weapon and looked down at the casket below. After wiping the surface clean he cause see a name inscribed on the casket, Riolalth Illyria Planum. While he couldn't read it, he had a feeling that he knew who this was. He cleaned the area and said a prayer before leaving the area.

After leaving Nicole stopped in front of the creature. "Thank you for your spear," Nicole said "How did you know I used a spear. Most of my enemies don't know that."

The creature laughed again. "All children of the sea use the spear. You wouldn't be my brother if you couldn't. That spear was my father's gift to me like your chain was your mother's gift to you."

"I could not read it, so would you mind telling me your name brother?"

"Riolalth."

"Thank you Riolalth. I hope that you will come visit my waters. You are welcome anytime."

"Thank you brother, I may take you up on that. Live a long life you can be proud of. Do not hesitate to ask for anything if you are in my waters."

"Same my brother. If I am capable of providing it, you need only ask. Till the next time."

"Till the next time."

Nicole then began to swim up to the surface. As he did, Riolalth assisted him to the surface at a speed far greater than he could have done himself. After breaking the dark barrier Riolalth and Nicole parted ways. Nicole going to the surface and Riolalth heading farther out into the sapphire waters.

Refreshed from the break in swimming and the fresh air in his lungs, the swim back to land took Nicole no time at all. As expected he arrived just before sundown. Alexia was nowhere in sight, but after a second of looking, he found that she was with his father and the king. Yasim and Alexia looked at Nicole with surprise as he entered the tented area they sat inside of. "My son," Yasim said standing to hug his son. When he saw the spear in his hand, he couldn't help but question it. "That is new my son. Where did that come from?"

Nicole couldn't contain his excitement and wore a bright smile. The events that he had been through had finally caught up with him, and he was really enjoying the whole experience. "This, this was a gift from a brother. Father, that's not even the half of it. I have so much to tell you. Father there is a whole city under the water, and that isn't even the craziest thing I plan on telling you." Through his excitement his formalities finally caught up to him. "I apologize king," Nicole said with a bow in his best Illyrian "I failed to address you when I entered. Sorry if I interrupted." He then turned to Alexia. "I have so much to ask you."
 

It was safe to say that the day had been spent relaxing and without too much worry. Mary had been able to convince Emmaline for once to put her books away. Instead, she told her, she should focus more on what she herself saw instead of what her books told her that she should see. Learning could be left for another time in the castle when she had no escape. Now was for experiences and exploring. It was one of few times that she was free from the annoyances of castle life and could see the world as it was. For Emmaline, it had always been something that she yearned for. She would oftentimes escape to the outer sections of the castle—the garden, the stables, and a few balconies were the only places she was allowed to feel the wind on her face and the rain on her skin, and she had enjoyed it enough to cause a yearning in her gut to see more than just what she could.

The young girl was very aware that there would never be a chance that she would be allowed that opportunity. She was destined for castle life as she was far too precious to let wander even with the best and noblest of accompaniment. She stifled the need with books and learning, as she could see what the world had to offer in her mind instead. It had worked to the point that a base for her comfort in a situation was having a book in her hand.

Still, it was a flame that she had problems snuffing out on her own. In a way, Emmaline’s books protected her. They were the endings to the stories that she needed. They were the constants that her visions from the gods did not provide. It was a certainty that what she read and saw in those weathered pages would be true to her; they would not change, and they would never erase themselves. They would forever be as long as paper and leather remained intact, but even after that, a fact would still remain a fact.

For her, stability was key to keep her sane. For some of the things she saw had been horrible. It was not only the warrior that watched men be slain. Not even the warrior saw the piles of bodies—of men, women, and children—with throats ripped out and skin bare. Not even the warrior saw their women violated and their homes robbed. Only she saw the haunting warnings of war that had traced her vision. Her job was to make sure the visions did not come to fruition for the most part, but that meant being tortured with the sight over and over again, each time the vision slightly changing, until the visions stopped and another one replaced it, or the outcome was much more favorable than the last. It was a hard and tiring job, and so she needed the consistency of books—both fictional and not—to pull her away from the things that she had been forced to see.

It was her comfort, but Mary had been able to pull her from it to walk along the black sand coast. They had found things along the way to stop and enjoy. They picked up pearlescent white shells where the sand met the water. Mary laughed when Emmaline rattled off what species came from the shell and why they had abandoned them. They walked until the shore curved back toward the trees. While the beach was the most beautiful in all of Illyria, for two maidens that had to withhold a certain standard of civility and modesty, the sights were not enough to keep their attention for an entire afternoon. Instead, most of the afternoon was spent walking among tall greens and rocky paths. Here, the breeze was much lighter than what one would experience at the edge of the water, and the two explored the nature-made paths without fear.

“He’s planning some kind of surprise for father.” No one had bothered them for hours, and the two had found a rock to sit on for a moment and rest. Nearby, a vibrant blue butterfly landed on a bush, and Emma watched it as they talked. “I’m not sure how much I trust that, though. You know brother’s surprises. They do end up usually being nice, but he never fails to line gifts with a thinly veiled token of mischief.” There was a pause for a moment. Mary sat behind Emmaline pulling tiny twigs from knotted hair. Tripping and falling into a berry bush had not been her most graceful moment, but it had roused quite a few laughs from Mary and herself as she had to pick herself back up. Now the young maiden worked to tidy Emmaline’s hair so that they could walk back to the others. The sun was starting to dip warningly close to the edge of the horizon, and the two knew they should start walking back to camp. Although she was certain they would find nothing dangerous hidden in the wood or on the beach, Emmaline knew it would make her father more comfortable if at least someone knew where they were.

“Do you remember when he told the chefs he wanted to help make Julius’ birthday cake, and your father was incredibly concerned?” The tightness at her scalp increased slowly. “And it turned out he had just wanted to sneak seroquil ink into the cake batter instead.” A giggle escaped from Emmaline as Mary’s words brought back colorful memories of nobles with lips and teeth stained blue for weeks. Even Julius had succumbed to the poor joke and Emmaline remembered the two wrestling it out days later when the shock had finally worn off. Robert had been lucky that her father had not partaken in the cake yet, or his whipping boy would have still been raw from that beating—and it had been quite a number of years since that happened. That being said, Robert had engineered quite a beautiful and large replacement cake that came out just as his elder took a large bite of the first cake.

“I’m not sure surprises still fall into the category of harmless though. Remember Talyr Day last year?” There was a slight pause. “That is one gift I will never forget.” There was a nod, and the newly formed braid came to rest on her back. It was complete, and the two could now walk back to their group.

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” The two young women picked themselves up and began the trek back to the camp. It was a slow walk. As much as the two knew they needed to get back, they both knew that their friendship changed slightly when in the company of others. The freedom they experienced when alone was not often felt and it was nice for the two to just be able to let their walls down and talk as if Mary were just as much Emmaline’s equal as the two saw it. It would never be long-lived, and the two had made it back to camp just as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast the world in darkness.

They had been able to see if by the fire that had been started and the people who sat around it talking and enjoying the cool breeze off the ocean. Emmaline only made it to the edge of the flame’s light when someone caught sight of them.

“There you are!” Darius stood from where he had been sitting with a few other soldiers, his brow was creased with disappointment. “I was supposed to be your personal guard, M’lady.” It at first appeared that the young man had forgotten that they were in mixed company, but he had corrected before his sentence was over. “Your father has already had words with me about your running off without me.” His words were lower now so the others could not hear him.

“I wanted an afternoon with Mary.” Her voice was unapologetic and she matched his volume. “You looked busy anyway.” Darius gave her a disappointed look. He would be fine with the reprimand he received, but he would be certain not to let her slip away tomorrow. She had her day of unobserved freedom; he was here to do his job, and Darius knew that he must.

“Well, I hope you’ve got a great explanation for your day because your father would like to speak with you.” Tilting his head backward, Darius directed her toward the large tent that had been pitched. Inside lantern light spilled from the small gap between two pieces of heavy cloth. Emmaline made her way across the clearing. Behind her, Darius followed close. Mary had parted ways with them and taken a respectful place around the fire.

Emmaline was almost certain that she knew what her father wanted, but she said nothing to Darius about it. There would be no other reason in his mind for the princess and her father to need to speak. She had always been completely fine with that; there were fewer questions that way.

“I’ll guard you from the outside, Princess.” With a respectful bow from Darius, Emmaline pulled the thick piece of cloth apart just wide enough for her body before stepping inside.

It hadn’t just been Charles that had taken a place in the tent. When Emmaline got a good look to the others that were there, she realized that she may have walked into something she shouldn’t have. The Kalakari leader and prince were there with Alexia and her father. A small group, of course, but still probably something she shouldn’t have heard as a young lady.

“My apologies.” She gave a quick bow to the Kalakari leader. “I didn’t realize I was interrupting.” She turned to leave when her father’s voice broke through the small silence that had spread across the group.

“No need! Take a seat, Emmaline. Nicole here was just recounting his experience in the depths of Sangtaeud. Our discussion can wait until later.” There was certainly no denying her father, so instead, she took a seat next to him, a smile on her lips as she waited silently for the warrior to continue recounting his story of the depths.
 
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While it didn't seem like his father and the king had been talking about anything important, Nicole thought it was best to actually ask if his father was free at the moment. He heard Alexia translating his words so that the king could understand, so he waited for her to finish. It was a short time after that the tent opened from the side and the princess entered. While he couldn't understand it all, he got impression that she was going through his earlier situation. Alexia confirmed his thoughts when she translated their conversation and answered his other question in process. When the princess sat down, Nicole decided that he should take the chance to do the same. After taking a seat on the warm sands beside Alexia he began to regale his tale for the others.



"As I was saying father, you will not believe what I am about to tell you. I will start from the beginning so that you can have all the information that I have. Also forgive me for writing down my findings as I speak, but I need to make sure that I preserve what I saw for future reference before I forget anything.



The beginning of my dive started of better than I had expected. After getting into the water I was able to see the extent to which the black sands stretched, and I was also able to catalog a lot of different species of sea life. Speaking of which father, I have come to find that many of the creatures in the water share forms with creatures from other waters. While they vary a little, you can clearly see that they are related. It is leading me to believe that my theory of the unified seas might actually have some legs. Back on subject though, after spending some time in the water I found a large scar on the sea floor. The scar was a massive drop off from the previous sea floor, and inside the hole was drastically darker water. It was massive, so I am sure that it must be visible from a high vantage point. I will have to get a look from the cliffs tomorrow to find out. Anyway, as I entered the crevice I found a strange anomaly. There was a certain depth in the chasm the sea life would not cross. At that point the water also pushed me up, which was the strangest current I had ever experienced. My heart began to pound, and it felt to me like the water was trying to warn me. I like the fool I am ignored it.



After gathering myself I headed past the anomaly line into the dark depths. After a few minutes of diving I noticed how there were no creatures at all down there, and also how much the landscape under that water felt like the land above it. On this subject I have always had thoughts but, before this, there was nothing that was provable. My original thoughts were that many of the lands we now know as seas, might have originally been dry. I now know that there is more credit to that theory than I originally assumed. Father the world is such a grand place. It is more beautiful that I could have ever hoped for. It is a shame that people are as they are, maybe one day."



After a moment of thought and a gentle sigh Nicole got back on subject. "The proof of my theory will be revealed later, first I must talk about what I saw when the light from the sky faded. After diving far enough, the light from above the waves was no longer able to reach, and all I have was the light from my necklace to provide sight. With my vision restricted, I stayed close to the wall, and that was where I found an entrance to a cave. This is where I experienced my first surprise, what I thought was a cave was actually a home. I had entered into a living room, and after swimming deeper I found a dining room with a broken table and whole chairs. Even deeper in I found the bedroom. Since most of it was made from stone, it remained unaffected by the still waters of the deep. That was another strange thing that I am just now realizing, there was no current down there. The only movement in the water was the movement that I provided. I can't believe that I am just now realizing that. Well, I can forgive myself since the whole experience was unexpected. The next part is where the story really gets wild, and it is where most of my answers come from.



After leaving the home I swam down deeper and just at the edge of my light I was able to make out a whole city below. When I started to dive down into the city, the light from my necklace got dimmer and dimmer. When the light was completely gone, I looked down at my necklace to see that the light wasn't out, but it was suppressed. Just like the chasm I was in; the light just couldn't seem to leave its container. It was at that point my body told me to be ready for trouble. I dropped my hands to my weapons and then I scanned the area around me. I have found that almost all creatures that live in the darkness have a way to produce light, so I just prepared myself to react to that light. When I turned around, I found myself face to face with giant red eyes.



At this point, my entire being entered a state of primal alert. I am sure Father and probably the King know what that means, but I will explain why that is a big deal since you two most likely haven't been face to face with your death. There is a moment that people experience in a moment before their life might be taken. This moment has many different names, but the important part of that moment is what happens to some of the people who experience it. In that moment a person will either run away or fight, and that state of primal alert is what happens when someone is prepared to fight. It is your body dedicating everything it has to the unexpected terror to come. It is basically your bodies best and last defense against known death. Now to my point, there has only been six previous moments where I had entered that do or die state. Those moments were, when I went against Du Ral of the Mountain Ax, Sam Sara the Empress of Elements, Telerand the Sky Walker, Arum the Strategist, Nollos Sheveks, and most recently Sword Saint Rexious. It was both an honor and an ordeal to find myself against each of them, and I was not prepared to add another moment to that list.



I am not sure how long the creature and I locked eyes, but I did something that caused the creature to spring alive. In a flash, a blue light ran through the creature and illuminated its form, so I could finally see the full terror of what was in front of me. Here let me draw a picture of it, so you have a better understanding. I will make a more detailed sketch inside my journal later, for better reference." As he drew the picture into the sand he described what he saw. "He has a strong serpent like body, with four clawed appendages. He had various spikes on his body that were filled with the blue light, and large jet-black scales in between the veins of light. His face was sharp and angled, and he had a thick and powerful tail. There you go, that is a good basic rendition.



Now to the best part of this story, after the creature illuminated itself, it talked to me. The words came directly into my head, and I was only able to relax when the words son of silver water finally registered in my head. He then asked what brought me to his sapphire depths." Nicole beamed as he remembered the experience. "Honestly, I cannot tell you how relieved I was that I wouldn't have to fight. Father he is bigger than the Levitain, I'm sure the Levitain wouldn't be a challenge to him. Anyway, after I regained my composure, we talked for a bit. From talking to him I learned that we are connected through the water and that he is my brother. His father is apparently the creator of the Sapphire Sea, and I learned that the goddess is apparently my mother, although I am sure you already guessed that Father. After discussing my troubles, my brother offered his aid and told me to get an item from a church below. Speaking of the church below, he used his light to light the entire city. It was beautiful father, words do not do it justice. The city was made of white stone and gold. Many of the buildings look similar in style to the Illyrian buildings. My brother said that the city had been there since before I was born, and even before him. He also said that his father had claimed the land for himself, which is what lead me to believe that the area used to be dry before. By the way, another cool thing about the city was what the homes also were in the walls, or I guess cliff faces if there wasn’t water. There was a stairway that connected the wall homes to the city below. Also, I took a look up to the surface while I was down there, and I learned that the light doesn't leave the crevice. Even with all the light that filled the city, there was still darkness above when I looked. It was something else father.



As you probably expect the spear was what was waiting for me inside the church. It laid on a stone casket that was at the back of the main hall of the church. I cleaned up and I saw that this was written on the casket." Nicole then wrote what was on the grave into the sand. "I couldn't read it, but I had a feeling that the grave belonged to my brother and that it is his name, so I remembered it. After leaving the church we talked about our similarities as children of the sea and I asked for his name. After telling me his name was Riolalth, we said our goodbyes. After he assisted me back to the surface, he swam out to sea and I swam back here. So, that is the whole story. I am sure that this sounds crazy, but that is the best part. Since I know it isn't, there is so much that I.....Father what's wrong?"



Yasim looked down at the writing that his son had drawn into the sand. While the situation did seem impossible, his son did not know that he had written down proof of his honesty. While he wasn't completely fluent yet, Yasim did know quite a bit of Illyrian. More importantly, he already knew two of the three words that his son had written. It was impossible not to know those words when you dealt with the country and it's king so often. Yasim did not say anything, he just looked to the Illyrian king and waited to see what he would say.



Alexia was in shock as she read what Nicole had written into the sand. She had taught him every Illyrian word he knew other than thank you and hello. She looked for excuses to how Nicole could know the words he wrote other than how he said he found them. That story was far to insane. Some of his words did match with some of the stories of how Sangtaeud came to be, but there was no way. Even though she knew that Nicole wasn't the type to lie, she just couldn't believe it. After she finished translating, she just looked to the king with questioning eyes, unsure what to do next.



As Nicole wrote down the words in his journal he had an epiphany. "Hey, this word means Illyria right," He said to Alexia as he pointed to the middle word in the sand "I thought that it was Riolalth's name, but maybe this actually talks about Illyria. It seems to be the same language too now that I am getting a second look. It looks a little weird, but can you read what it says Ms. Zendaya. Even if you can't, can you ask the king or princess for me if one of them knows what it says." Nicole looked around at the group once again and took in their collective expressions. "Seriously, what wrong?"
 
Once everyone was settled and the young warrior began recounting his tale to the group, Emmaline had the chance to settle and relax in the sand. At first, she thought the story was just going to be something usual—many had explored the waters under Sangtaued along this coast with his accounts of sea life and their swims. Quick glances at her father showed that he listened passively, enjoying Nicole’s excitement for his country.

It wasn’t until he began recounting his tale of the deep chasm in the sea, that she saw her father straighten up. To him, it was no more than just a simple man’s journey through the waters. The problem arose when Nicole was no ordinary man and could explore places no other had been capable of. It was new and unknown. To say her father wasn’t a fan of the unknown in his country would have been an understatement. For Emmaline, however, it was exciting, and she hung on every word that Alexia translated for them. Throughout the story, Emmaline could see her father’s face changing. Although he hung on every word his daughter spoke of her visions, it seemed that he held out a handful of disbelief for others. Still, Emmaline looked forward to watching Nicole as he recounted a marvelous tale of a sea serpent, the beautiful city of white stone and gold, and his retrieval of the spear. At one point, she had been so wrapped up in his words that a quiet nudge from her father made her realize that she had been gripping the sand beneath her palms with such force that her knuckles turned white.

There had never been any doubt in her mind. Why would there be? She had seen so many things that the Gods had gifted her with. Why would it be any different for another? Yes, his tale seemed far out of the realms of physical possibility—that much was certain, but if the Gods let it be so, then it was. Emmaline had to lean forward to read the word from where she sat, but it was that moment that broke the cool façade she had been able to maintain during his story and she grinned. The grin was one of excitement and wonder. As it happened she could feel her father tense beside her; Charles knew his daughter could be unpredictable when she got overwhelmed with information she thought was important. It was, and while the Kalakari leader looked toward her father, Emmaline stared directly at Nicole. His confused expression was warranted. Her father had let the silence go on for far too long. Fine. If he wasn’t going to say anything, then she was.

“Riolalth Illyria Planum” She said them out loud. She saw her father’s tense relax. She glanced to him, and he gave her a slow nod. She knew much more about their history than he—she would be the one to tell what she could. She knew what to avoid for the young princess had been doing it all of her life. Bringing up a slow hand, she pointed to her chest. “Emmaline Rose Planum” There was a slight pause as she pointed to her father. “King Charles Planum the third” She dropped her hand, the smile spreading through her features. Obviously, her father had put the pieces together, but for a moment, she wondered if Nicole could do the same.

“Illyria today is not what it used to be. It is said that Mother Goddess Xenira once crafted with her own hands the first city of Illyria. In the crevices of her world, she broke away stone and built an escape for her children. She spun gold from the sun’s magnificent rays and cast the city in the beautiful white glow of purity. When she was finished, beautiful stone buildings had been erected for those who would reside there. It is said that the Mother Goddess weaved the first people from the muscle of her heart—to share her love for all things, the locks of her hair—to provide them strength for no God’s weapon had ever been able to cut it, and her mind—to provide them a way to always be connected with her, to think for themselves, and to make their own decisions.” Emmaline paused for a moment as her father readjusted next to her. There was a soft smile on his lips as he listened quietly to his daughter’s tale.

“During this time, the beautiful Goddess fell in love with Jenir. Together, they used their power to forge great lakes and mountains, waterfalls and rivers all throughout this part of the world. The story goes that there was a single man that Goddess Xenira created with more of herself than the others, and with that, Jenir provided his essence too. His passion. His attention to details. His fearlessness.

Xenira is not a forceful Goddess. She does not directly influence the natural world as Jenir does. Once she has created something, she lets it exist on its own—creating its own ebb and flow with the universe around it. This man: Riolalth Illyria Planum—he would be Illyria’s first ruler.” Out of all the stories that her mother had told her, Emma enjoyed the story of her ancestors the most. To know that someone may have found the resting place of the first of the Planum family…It was a strange feeling to have. There was no way they would ever be able to explore it, but Nicole had.

“Upon his creation, Jenir forged a spear to help Riolalth protect his people against anything that may threaten them. For years, Illyrian’s lived in their city of white and gold without worry. No threat was too large for Riolalth as he slayed creatures twenty times his height with the help of his father. Not only was he a fearless warrior, but he was a careful and kind ruler. Each day came and went and was just as prosperous as the last. It was during this time that the God’s still saw imperfections in the world, and they fought one another to right their seen wrongs.” Emmaline caught the warning look her father gave her. This was where the story turned into dangerous territory for the two. Still, he said nothing as he watched the others sitting around. Alexia had finished translating before Emmaline continued. The young woman certainly wanted none of the story lost.

“While Jenir saw nothing wrong with the city that Mother Xenira had forged, the world around it lacked the life that he sought out. His perfect world contained lush waters with beautiful creatures hiding in its dark depths. Xenira was warned that her people were going to be destroyed not by Jenir himself, but by a quiet forest Nymph who had heard him whisper it to the waters of one of his ponds. She warned that once he was done carving out the lakes and the rivers of the entire world, his plan was to carve out his sea. In her panic, the Mother Goddess broke her singular rule and blessed Riolath’s ten-year-old daughter with the foresight of all of the Gods and Goddesses. All one had to do was reach out to her through another life, and she would see whatever they needed for her to see.” Emmaline didn’t stop as she saw her father’s hand tighten in his lap. It was the final warning. She was too far along now! She couldn’t stop herself.

“It was not until her fourteenth birthday that Xenira, fearing that Jenir was coming to the end of his work on the world, touched the young girl and showed her a warning. Riolath knew that the Mother Goddess would not warn them of such things had they not been in danger. In haste, he ordered the city to follow his young daughter into the unknown. Mother Xenira would guide them to a place of safety.” Emmaline left another pause so that Alexia could catch up.

“As they walked the miles that the young princess brought them, through the beauty that their mother had created for them, they walked to the sound of thunder in the heavens. Jenir had come to take the land to forge it into something beautiful and the two battled. The land beneath their feet shook, fire fell from the sky and cooled into black rocks along the divide between barren land and lush forest, and the heavens darkened until even the power of the sun wasn’t enough to break through the clouds.” Emmaline had gotten past the section of the story that worried her father the most, and he had loosened up again beside her. It was a long story, but one that she loved telling, and one that might answer a lot of Nicole’s questions.

“Riolath did not travel with his people. He stayed in the city, awaiting his Goddess. For when her power was spent and Jenir was on the cusp of victory, she called upon him to return to her. It was his essence in him that gave her the might to continue fighting, and as Jenir grew weaker, and was on the verge of losing, he released a flood across the lands. With the force of the water, firestone broke and made the black sand shores. It was the tears from Mother Xenira that tinted the sapphire waters.

She grieved for her lost city and for Riolath. Diving under the turbulent waters, she built him a resting place out of white stone in the city that he had died to protect. With body tired and heartbroken, Xenira could not keep the pieces of Riolath that were Jenir within her. She released all pieces—once hers and now Riolath’s back into the ocean. He would protect his brethren as they crossed Sangtaeud and provide the quietest of whispers if Jenir ever decided to alter her world again.” As Alexia finished the last sentence, Emmaline’s lips curled back into a grin.

“Jenir has sent your brother of the sapphire sea with a gift of power for you.” Finally, her eyes broke from where they had been wandering around the group. They locked on Nicole’s. “The Gods do not hand gifts like this out lightly. I would prepare yourself; Riolath serves Mother Goddess by protecting his Illyrian brethren.”

“Emmaline, that’s enough.” Charles had drawn the line. The young girl had too loose of lips for her own good. “Stop trying to scare the poor boy off with your jokes.” He laughed, but Emma knew that the sharpness of his first sentence meant she wouldn’t say anything else. The pieces had finally put themselves fully together in her mind. Jenir would not speak to her about traitors and then bless him with a weapon for Illyria’s downfall. Destroying Illyria had never been his intent, and that’s why their new city had prospered with lakes and rivers throughout the land. While she didn’t know who the traitor was, she was certain that Nicole was the only one she could trust.
 
To Nicole's surprise, it was not Alexia or his father that answered, but the princess. When she pointed at the name and Riolalth Illyria Planum exited her lips, Nicole couldn't help but smile. Not only was he right about those words probably being his brother’s name, he had been able to read one of the words. He felt a sense of satisfaction in knowing that the time he spent in the night studying, was actually showing results. Nicole did not have much time to simmer in his own satisfaction before Emmaline began to disclose more information to him.

He watched as she pointed at herself and said her own name. His eyes became wide when the realization of what that meant hit him. To further send the message home, she told him the king's name as well. "That is why they were acting so weird," Nicole said to himself "Father and Ms. Zendaya knew what this said, and knew their family name as well. So these people are my brother’s children. Maybe it was fate that our people came together as we did. Regardless, I should ask her what she knows about my brother, and the city."

As if she could read his mind, the princess had begun talking again. Since it was not names this time Nicole could not pick up the meaning of her words, but fortunately Alexia had picked up translating almost immediately. He was thankful for the skill and grace with which she performed her duty. He thanked the goddess for putting her in his path. He could only imagine how different his time in Illyria would have been if not for her. It was no stretch to say that this all happened because he met her. He would have to find a way to thank her for her kindness, but for now he listened to her as she translated to story of the princess.

Nicole felt like a child as the story was told to him. It was everything that he had been hoping for. He had expected to have to spend time researching to find out about his brother, and all that information was just being handed to him. He found himself tightly gripping the spear as she recounted Xenria first creating the underwater city and Jenir's time creating the waters of the world. While he could not be sure if the story was true or not, Nicole was not going to discount it just because it was a story. He and his brother were living proof that the gods were real and that they do have the ability to affect the world around him, so there was no reason to assume that the events couldn't have happened.

The only issues he had were that the order of events lead away from his unified sea theory, and that Jenir seemed to be portrayed as and evil aggressor. While his issue about his theory getting more possible holes was just disheartening, the information about Jenir just seemed off. During his time with Riolalth, he had never spoken ill of his father. The waters didn’t seem to be hateful either. The way Nicole saw it; if anything they seemed very protective of the underwater city. There was no current, so the world was preserved, and even the sea life was not allowed in its streets. While Nicole felt like there had to be more to the story, he knew that the princess was not miss-telling the story. Most likely what had happened is that the actual accounts were unknown, and the story was written with just the information they had. Nicole decided that he would have to ask Riolalth what actually happened if he could, he also wondered if Jenir might be willing to talk to him.

When the story came to the portion about Riolalth's daughter, Nicole couldn't help but smile. Since children were not something he would most likely ever have, he was happy that his brother got to experience that joy. "Look at how far your family has come brother," Nicole said softly as he looked out towards the direction of the sea "I hope that I can do even half of what you have done for my own people. We are so alike, and still very different."

He found himself surprised by the gift that Riolalth's daughter had been given and by his brother’s choice to stay behind. While surprised, he did understand the choice. He too would throw himself in front of any enemy for the sake of his people.

The story ended by explaining the creation of the Sapphire Sea, Riolalth's tomb, and the creation of his new form. When Emmaline attached a warning on to the end of her story, Nicole couldn't help but give her a questioning look. It felt like she wanted to say more, but the king sharply interjected, which only made Nicole more confused. Rather than worry about something he would probably not get an answer to he decided to think about the other questions that popped into his head during the story.

"I wonder how many other people are blessed by the gods like my brother and I," Nicole wondered. His mind then thought about the various people that he had fought over time and realized that most of them were probably similar to him. "How many gods are there? There has to be at least ten. Can the god’s abilities be passed down, or do the gods keep making new people? Does every group of people have their own blessed individual? They might, most people have that one famous hero. Does Illyria have a notable figure right now? No if they had a warrior of some kind I would know about them. If they had one, they wouldn’t have needed us so desperately. Hell, do they have anyone of note now.....ah the tactician. Of course, how did I forget about the famous Illyrian tactician? The man to which friend and foe dance to his will, always ahead of the enemy like..he..can….."

Nicole's sudden realization made him pause for a moment. When he gathered himself he couldn't control his expression. He wore a grand smile as his mind worked to decipher his epiphany. "The tactician might be someone who has my niece's ability. The foresight of all of the Gods and Goddesses, huh. That has to be it. The tactician isn't predicting anything; he is actually seeing what is to come. Who could it be?"

Nicole racked his mind for an answer. He was sure that the tactician had to be someone close to the Illyrian king. If there was someone with the gift to see the future, the king would want to keep them close. A good ruler would always want their greatest asset close by, it is the very reason that Nicole was with his father right now. He wondered if the tactician was the king himself. He quickly dismissed the idea because he had been with the king during a campaign. If he was able the see the future, he wouldn't need to meet with so many aids so often. In fact, he would try to seclude himself so no one could see him use his abilities. There is also no reason that he wouldn't take up the mantle of the tactician. Why hide his identity if it was him? If the goal was to hide that there was magic involved, showing his strategies and abilities would put that to rest. "I think the reason that the tactician doesn't reveal himself is because they can't defend themselves," Nicole said to himself "Maybe it takes time to see the future, and someone could use that time to dispatch of Illyria's greatest asset. That might be it. The goddess gave that power originally not to a warrior, but to a little girl. Wait, wait, that's it. Maybe Illyrian culture evolved around this. Maybe the reason that women are so treasured here is because only a woman can get the blessing. Ms. Zendaya talked about the queen being the actual head of the country...Do they have a...." Nicole's eyes went wide and he looked at Emmaline.

"It's you," He said shocked "There is no way...it runs in the family doesn't it. It all makes sense. Why I felt the need to give you my pin, why you were next to the king and not your brothers, the stuff in the library, the warning just now, and your father snapping."

Nicole paused for a moment and thought about the situation before he continued. His father and Alexia looked at him with concerned and questioning looks after his long moment of self-reflection and sudden outburst.

"What do you mean, it's you," Yasim asked his son.

Nicole held up a finger. "Madam Zendaya, don't translate this," Nicole said as he turned and pretended to be showing her something in his journal "I believe I have unintentionally made this situation far more serious than it was before. I don't know how those two will react, so be ready for anything. Can you now translate this next part for the two of them now?"
Nicole turned around and faced the King and his daughter again. "Before I start talking, there is a man outside the tent," He started with his hand resting on his spear "Did you want to dismiss him before I start saying things that you might not want him to hear?" Nicole's happy expressions from before were replaced with a stoic and serious expression. He had seen what men would do to protect their secrets, and he was not going to let that happen to his father or Alexia. He also knew about the Illyrian's disposition for violence from his interaction in the garden, so he was not going to take any chances. "I am sure at this point you have figured out what I know by the small bit that I let escape earlier. So, how will we advance from here Illyrian's?"
 
Her father’s attempt at brushing off her words as silly stories had certainly fallen on deaf ears. Emmaline sat on her knees, head tilted down, and her hands in her lap. She knew better than to speak against her father again lest he lose his temper as he had in the past. Still, she held an excited grin on her lips. There was no denying that Jenir was slowly shifting things into place for the Illyrian people.

Emmaline truly believed with all of her heart that Jenir did regret hurting Xenira all that time ago. Emma believed that Jenir truly loved Xenira, and still did even now. In little ways, he tried to make up for past offenses. By guiding their people across Sangtaeud, Jenir showed that he had never truly intended on harming her people. Instead, he only wished to shape the world more in his image than before. From Nicole’s recounts, it sounded like the first city of Illyria remained mostly untouched. Jenir was not an aggressor for her people, he just knew what he wanted—like all men did. The Illyrian people did not hold him in a negative light. No—it was important to them that they not anger the Gods, for they were the deciders of fate and provided sanctions of life. Not just that, but Jenir provided them with great springs that never ran dry and rivers that never lacked food.

For the longest of moments, Nicole did nothing more than utter quiet words to himself. Most were not translated by the young woman who sat beside him, listening to his words the best she could but not getting much of anything. Emmaline’s eyes had locked on his face, each thought racing through him and sending another emotion flitting across his eyes. He was piecing things together about what he had seen and learned. Her story had sent a new energy through him, and with each moment, she enjoyed watching him.

It was until his face changed. It was no longer just a look of pure excitement, but there was a shift as Nicole thought hard about answers to questions he uttered. Nicole was far too curious for Emmaline’s own good. Her mind went blank, and if Alexia had been translating, the words were just muffled in her ears. She didn’t need to know what he uttered to know that parts of the puzzle were falling into place that had no business doing so. Emmaline could feel it in the tightening of her gut as nausea set in. No… This wasn’t happening. This secret that generations of Planum had been able to keep hidden… It was almost as if she watched it unravel in his eyes. Had the Gods deemed it so? Emmaline sat there, still as stone, doe-eyed as Nicole’s eyes finally landed on her. She felt the breath escape from her chest, and her mouth went dry.

It was then that Alexia’s words peeked through the cloud Emmaline’s mind had become. Yes. It was her. Even as Yasim spoke, Emmaline couldn’t break her gaze. She was afraid. Afraid of what her father was thinking and how he would react. Afraid of what this meant for her. Afraid for what Jenir knew that meant this man needed to know her secret.

When Alexis spoke again, Emmaline still didn’t move. She saw out of the corner of her eye, the slight shifting of her father. It was true. Darius still stood outside, guarding the entrance from intruders. Even if he was one of the most trusted guards on duty, there was no way her father would allow him to hear Emmaline’s true secret.

Without a word, Charles stood and walked toward the entrance of the tent. It had been a tactical move—Emmaline knew that. He couldn’t fight the two of them had he been on his backside in the sand. No—he needed to be on his feet and ready. It was, unfortunately, the only path Emmaline knew her father would take. The secret had to be maintained—no matter the consequence, and any poor soul who had any inclination of the conversation had to be killed. It was much harder for the dead to spread secrets.

Outside the tent, Charles uttered only the simplest dismissal to Darius. While young soldier found it odd, he did not question his ruler’s order. Charles waited for the man’s armor to shine on the light of the fire a ways off before returning to the tent. He knew the man stood close enough that if two few people slipped from the tent at the end of the night, there would be problems.

Emmaline, at first, didn’t dare speak while her father was away. She could hear the quiet words of her father and Darius just outside of the tent, and she realized just by his tone many things. This wasn’t going to be peaceful. It was in that instant that she broke her stare with the sand, locking eyes with Alexia.

“Please remember where your allegiances lie, Miss—for your sake.” The words were not posed as a threat to her, No. Illyria had not gotten their newfound reputation for violence simply in idle threats. If Charles was as livid as Emmaline guessed he might be, one wrong translation—or even the right one at the wrong gap in silence could be enough to have her struck down. Emmaline could usually argue that Charles was a fair ruler—fair enough at least. He maintained a cool composure and truly did love all of his children. Still, there was a flame to him—seen usually only on the battlefield, that he liked to keep hidden. Emmaline had never seen it in person, but she had seen enough of her father in her visions to know what kind of man he could be when the eyes of the courts were not on him. For that reason, Emma’s words were nothing but warning—it came out almost as begging to the young woman across from her. There was the slightest tremor in her voice, but as soon as the words were gone, her eyes set back in the sand.

Her mind went miles a minute for she knew that if she didn’t intervene, there would be blood spilled. She couldn’t let that happen—her father went against Jenir’s will; he just didn’t know it yet. With all the excitement of the day, Emma hadn’t gotten the chance to explain her most recent vision to her father. That had been exactly what she had come to this tent for in the first place! Charles just knowing that she felt, would alleviate a lot of the problems the group currently faced down. Emmaline had to act. At the sound of the tent closing behind him, the young princess picked herself up from the sand. Planting her feet, Emma made sure to stand in front of the two Kalakari men that would certainly strike her father down with ease. She stood before her father, their eyes locked—his in a glare—and hers wide with fear.

“Father, I understand that this may seem as if we’ve—“ Before she could fully get her sentence out, Charles hand came up and struck her hard across the face.

“Shut your mouth, Emmaline.” Charles did not shout. No—his rage would not allow that. It was a venomous rage that he spit down to where she had ended up falling in the sand from the force of the strike. “It is those exact loose lips that got your mother killed.” The words were a jagged knife in her heart. Emmaline reached up weakly to touch the still-burning cheek—black splotches danced across her vision. She remained silent.

“How dare you imply such things that could bring harm to my daughter.” Alexia quickly began translating. She took the time to slip in a quick explanation of Emma’s warning and what she had been trying to say before she was struck down before continuing with the King’s words. Neither Charles nor Emmaline were any wiser. “We already must protect her from every run-of-the-mill assassin who thinks she’s worth her weight in gold.” The princess knew this was not about her safety, but about the potential loss of a valuable resource to Illyria and its people. “What do you think they’ll send after her if they think she’s got some gift from Mother Xenira herself?” Charles’ hand had been tensely resting on the hilt of the sword at his side. “I’ll strike you bot—“Charles’ words stopped as a hand outstretched and gripped the hand on the sword hilt tightly.

“I will not let you start a war over this,” Emmaline spoke from her place in the sand. She didn’t dare stand for fear of giving her father another opportunity to strike her. “When Jenir spoke to me, Father, he whispered warnings of a traitor amongst us.” This was the first time she ever spoke against her father. It sent a fear through Emmaline that she had never known existed before now. “He has shown me that Nicole can be trusted—he needs to be trusted with this secret.” Emmaline dropped her other hand from her cheek, looking up at her father. “I believe Jenir looks to protect the Illyrian people from destruction as Mother Goddess Xenira would want.”
 
Nicole remained seated as the king stood without words and walked out of the tent. His heart was steady and calm as he waited to see what would transpire. He kept a hand on the spear just in case the king charged back into the tent with a weapon or army. While the position he was in might not be advantageous to many, it was one of the principle forms of his martial art. He could do many strikes and evasions from the seemingly seated position, and if the king tried anything he would be met with instantaneous response.

There was not a word spoken inside the tent until Emmaline spoke directly to Alexia. While he didn't know what she was saying, he was sure that it was some king of coercion like the time inside the garden. What else would it be at a time like this? "She is probably trying to make her to side with them," Nicole thought as he waited for the king to return "You must think she is stupid. Why would she side with the very people who are the risk to her life?"

Nicole looked over to the princess who refused to take her eyes from the sands. He had been on enough battlefields to recognize fear when he saw it. A twinge of anger went through his body as he saw the sight. She was afraid of what her father would do when he returned. Upon seeing the sight, he understood how the princess had become how she was. Hate and oppression are learned traits. What she did to others was probably learned from her father. It was a shameful display to see. No child should ever be afraid of their parent.

When the king returned to the tent and Emmaline put herself in between the two of them Nicole just watched. She was not fully blocking his sight, since she stood in front of him and his father, so Nicole did not have to worry about a hidden attack. The princess spoke some words and was immediately silenced by a strong strike to the face. Nicole's heart rate began to increase, but he didn't act. He just watched as poison tipped words left the king’s mouth. At this moment, he was coming closer and closer the thrill that he felt on the battlefield. It would only take a little more for him to reach the point of no return. Soon he would have no choice but to act, he would be willed by his body to lash out in some way to relieve the ever-increasing energy inside of him.

When the king turned his words towards him, Nicole's visage did not change. When Alexia translated not only the king’s words, but also what the princess had said before Nicole changed. His twinge of anger became a full flood. The crashing of the savage waves of Nicole's inner psyche created a cadence that lead him over his edge. It was at this point that Nicole would normally charge into battle and lay waste to anything he deemed an enemy, but now it was different. Nicole entered a trance like state instead of the frenzy he was used to. His heart slowed down and the time between beats was like when he was deep under the waves. He could hear the sound of gentle waves and could feel water on his skin as if he wasn't on land. He could see, feel, hear, and smell thing he hadn't be able to before. Even though his eyes were trained on the king, he was aware of Alexia gripping the sand behind him, and his father slowly moving towards his weapon. Details normally missed, like the sweat on the king’s forehead and his ever increasing grip on the hit of his sword, were like a massive wave in front of him. The only details that he was missing were the details about his own appearance. Nicole's vibrant silver and red hair drained of color and became black as he sat unaware and watched the world around him.

When Charles finally clasped his sword with intent, Nicole experienced another change that he was unaware of. When met with a possible threat, the tips of his hair became a deep blue and began to glow with a blue light. That same light filled his eyes and escaped his mouth in the form of a sapphire mist after each few and far between breath. The spear he was now clutching also began to glow blue. As Emmaline grabbed onto her father to stop him from attacking, Nicole had finished his transformation. Black lightning dance across the spear, through his hair, and shot around the irises of his eyes. He was the embodiment of a storm and was the splitting image of his brother.

The wind picked up on the water and the wind that was previously blocked by the cliffs raged on the beach. There was a large roar out over the water and a heavy rain came from the heavens. Just like how it was under the water, the various sources of light began to slowly be dampened until even though the fires still raged in protest to the rain there was no light to see by. The light Nicole was producing cut out for a moment leaving the tent completely dark like the beach had been outside. Large stomps and the parting of water could be heard, but not seen in the lightless night. With all that was happening, Alexia had not translated what the princess had told her father. Thunder crashed overhead and hid to sound of Nicole moving in the darkness. A large gust came and completely uprooted the tent that they were in. There were yells and confusion from the men and nobles on the beach. The dim light from a strike of black and blue lightning briefly revealed the fact that Nicole had staked the king's sword into the ground pinning the man prone in the sand. Nicole began to glow again and crackle with electricity revealing that he had a foot on the king’s sword and was leaning over the king and staring down at him.

"King, it seems that you made a choice that you might grow to regret," Nicole said softly in a perfect ancient Illyrian "Your father and I disapprove of your choices."

In the darkness behind Nicole, two large red eyes looked down on the king. Blue light flooded into joints between now revealed jet black scales and into dangerously tipped spikes. With its form now illuminated, the king could fully see what was in front of him. The beast put any creature he had seen before to shame. It had a long serpent like body, four clawed appendages, and a strong and thick tail. The creatures head was just as it had been described. It was long, angled, and sharp. Every part of this monster embodied dominance in water, and as it looked down over the king it was clear that its dominance extended to land as well. The creature then let out a deafening roar that showed that dangerous blades that were the creature’s teeth.
 

Charles was quite aware of the change in the young man that he challenged. The way his hair shifted was nothing he'd heard from others speaking of battles won on the field. It wasn't something the man was expecting when he stared down two men he thought he might have to strike down for learning of their secret. Emmaline was completely oblivious where she sat on her knees, begging her father not to begin wars. If he were to pick a fight right here in this tent, there was no doubt to Emmaline that he would surely be struck down and the Gods would not be kind to him in the afterlife. Charles knew it too, but he had sworn an oath to protect Emmaline and Illyria's secret to his last breath. No matter the outcome of this quarrel, that was the man's intent. So even with the shift of Nicole in front of him, he stood his ground, the harsh lines carved into aged skin never shifting as it continued.

Emmaline only realized that something had changed behind her when the sound of the raging wind outside shook the tent with great fury. Before she could say anything or turn to try and calm the two warriors behind her, the sound of the downpour came and the world shifted into darkness around her. Emmaline blinked, trying to get her eyes to adjust, but after a few moments of darkness, she felt her father shift, hands gripping her under her arms and shoving her as hard as he could to the side.

Hitting the sand with such force made the girl's head spin and for a few long moments, she could hear nothing but the sounds of the rain hitting the tent. Jenir was not pleased. His anger showed in the unwavering crash of waves on the shore and the sheets of rain that pummeled the tent. Her eyes were still closed, trying desperately to get the topsy-turvy feeling in her mind to go away when she heard the first roar of thunder and soon after, the tent ripped away, lost to the winds. Eyes opened, trying to search the darkness for anything, the hairs on her arms raising with the magic that pulsed unhindered through the wet air. Emma was rooted there, unable to feel anything but the sand she gripped in her hands and the cold rain.

In that first singular flash of light, all those on the shore saw it. Mary and Darius had been sitting just those few minutes before, enjoying a pleasant conversation with one another by the fire. It was obvious what had happened. With the upset of the weather, Darius had started making his way back to the tent when they were cast in darkness. Now, they all saw Charles on the ground, pinned and unmoving at the sight above him. Many drew their swords on reflex, not sure what was going on, but knowing well enough that their king was in trouble.

As the glow of the creature maintained the light, none moved but one at first. "Emmaline!" It was Darius. Eyes wide as he stared, his allegiance was to Emma first. He did not draw a blade. Instead, the girl could see the plan forming behind his eyes. Before she could scream at him to stop, he'd decided. She was close to Nicole and this creature that had crept threatening out of the sea, but he had to risk it. When it came to the importance, their king could the struck down, but they had all been trained that the princess was most important, and to him, she was.

Cutting off far to the edge of the clearing near the trees, he shot nimbly across the sand and far out of reach that might make him a threat. He shouted her name again, the words hardly making it over the sounds of another crack of thunder. Emmaline had been trying to pull herself up and out of the sand, her eyes on Alexia who had ended up beside her. The girl was frightened and shocked and just sat there wide-eyed in wonder. "You need to get to safety." It was the only thing the young princess could get out before strong arms wrapped unceremoniously around her midsection and pulled as hard as they could. Darius' only goal was to get her farther away from the beast that stared her father down. Emmaline let out a quiet cry, her feet kicking in the sand as she slid back. Alexia followed suit without argument.

It was the creature's ear-splitting roar that was Emmaline's escape. At the noise, even Darius' arms went slack out of fear and it gave the young woman enough room to slip from his grasp. She had to do something. This was not right. Nicole was not meant to become an enemy of the people. Jenir was not trying to assist in their downfall. No, this was larger than them. This was about far more than just the lives of Emma, her father, and the others on the beach. These were the lives of her people that rocked back and forth in the balance. No amount of fear would be enough to keep Emmaline from acting on that.

"No, Emmaline!" The man's voice behind her was strong, and arms wrapped tightly around her waist as she went to dash away. "We need to get you out of here!" He pulled again, but this time Emma's feet held strong in the sand. "Let me go, Darius. That is an order." There was a pause; he was debating about ignoring a direct order from the princess. "I have to do something! Get Alexia out of here." His grip loosened and without even looking back, Emmaline slipped out of his grasp and out across the sand. He left the man standing there, eyes wide and confused until Alexia grabbed his arm and urged him onward, giving him reassurances the best that she could to get him to move.

The girl's dress felt like it weighed that of three newborn calves. Emmaline was soaked, the rain chilling her to the core as she fought against the sand every step. As she moved, prayers to Mother Xenira escaped her for protection, guidance, and power. It took a few steps, but as her voice rose above that of the wind and crashing waves, the pulse of power that began coursing through her did not go unnoticed. What she might be able to do with that power was unknown to Emmaline, but it gave her comfort to know Mother Xenira was there with her. Eyes had once again lost their color. They shifted to grey, and at first, the blue glow of the massive being and Nicole was enough to overpower the light that had begun to glow dimly in her own eyes. As prayers got stronger and Emmaline found her cadence, the light pulsed with the heavy rhythm of her heart.

Charles still stared up at Nicole, the fear in his eyes only shielded by the set of his stare. "You may strike me down here, but I will not beg for forgiveness like some coward." He was trapped, unable to move. With only a few quick movements, the elder knew Nicole could end his life in a pathetic pool of blood. It was his pride that got in the way, and though he knew what his daughter had said before, in these moments, whether to believe her or not was unclear. What he stared up at did not appear to have any interest in peace. Before he could say anything else, Charles caught the shift of Emmaline's white dress cutting across the black sand. He tried with all of his strength left to order the girl to go, but the youngest Planum didn't even look down at her father as she moved.

The girl stopped just at his head, eyes wide and face void of any and all emotion as she stared down the two. It was like something was there, leading her comfortably across the sand to face the threat before her. Something soothed all her fears even though every part of her screamed that she should certainly be afraid. Arms hung limply at her sides and from where Charles lay below, he could see the pulse of light trailing through her veins with every shock of her heart.

"Mother Xenira would disapprove of your choices as well." Emmaline hadn't heard what Nicole had said to her father, but still, she spoke as if someone had whispered those first few words to her. It was in the same ancient Illyrian he had. Emma had learned it long ago in her studies and it came easily now from all of her casting. Eyes trailed up to the massive being behind Nicole and she stared silently for a moment before she spoke again, finally finding her own voice instead of another's.

"You are my father and my mother's father before me. I implore you; he seeks only to protect the blessings of our Mother." Emmaline didn't move. She just stared up at the two of them through the neverending torrent of rain. Hair stuck to her face and neck, but she did not shift to move the strands. "He did not know what Jenir has shown me. He did not know what I know and understand now that we've come to the Sangtaeud." Eyes shifted away from the creature and back to Nicole. He could stop this. Emmaline just needed to find out how to get through to him. "Killing the leader of our people will not satisfy the reason the Gods have brought you to Illyria." It was the first time that desperation had been given the opportunity to slip past the calm tone Mother Xenira had been providing. "Jenir has shown me, Nicole. You are the only one that Illyria can safely trust. We need you now more than ever as an ally, not as an enemy."
 
Yasim sat behind his son aghast as he watched his shimmering hair darken. It was as if someone had poured ink on him and the ink slowly made its way from the crown of his head down to the tips. Yasim found himself reaching for his weapon not only because he didn't know what Charles would do, but because he didn't know what Nicole would. Yasim found it strange when he had first pulled the silver haired babe out of his nets, and he had found it strange when, around his seventh year, the Kalakari's flame started to creep onto his son's hair. There was then the first time where he took on an army alone and when he had first proven that he could stay under the waters for hours on end. The times that his son had surprised him were abundant and constant, but this was something different. He could feel a difference. Yasim had always felt the hand of the Goddess on his son's actions, but he did not feel that hand now. As his son radiated his menacing blue light, Yasim became aware of a change in the air. He could feel the approach of a storm with his senses and knew that this was the work of whatever his son had become. As the storm began, darkness overtook the light, and the ruler of the depths materialized behind his son, Yasim said a short prayer to the Goddess, not only for himself, but for his son as well. He then steeled himself with his hand on his weapon and waited for the events to pass as they would, his faith in his son unshakable.

"Dad, mom, you won't believe what your daughter is in the middle of," Alexia thought as she sat transfixed on the sands. As she translated the conversation between these two titans, she was well aware that she was subject to a privilege that many would never have. She was learning things that would shake the foundations of Illyria and most likely the world. As Nicole transformed in front of her she realized the purpose of her life. She knew it would be up to her to record these events for history, whatever may come next. She was the bridge between these two great stories and she knew it was meant for her to preserve it, and preserve it she would. Alexia focused everything she had on remembering every word and action, letting her translations falter a bit. The whipping wind, raging rain, and chilling cold all forgotten to her as she traced her eyes across Nicole and the creature behind him. Emmaline's voice seemed like unexpected thunder in her ears. Her warning was good, but she still struggled with the idea of leaving her prime location. After a quick moment of thought, she realized that maybe being this close to the action would do more harm than good. She found her way to her feet and followed the princess, kicking and struggling, to a safer location. Not half way to the edge of the beach. Alexia watched as Emmaline found freedom and made a stand for herself. While she now wanted nothing more than to run back in with the princess, she knew that were things happening that shouldn't be heard by others and so she Darius and led him off. This was best, not only for them, but for the four with the leviathan as well. "Best of luck to you two," Alexia spoke softly as she continued her escape.

As Nicole stood over the king, he was aware of everything that his brother was doing, seeing, and feeling. As he stood still in the eye of his self created storm, he knew that it was the same for his brother. Right now, they were the one. While they did not share a body, they were each entirely the other. His words were also of the both of them. As he spoke in a language he did not know, but understood, he knew that this was as it should be. The unity felt right to him so he did not worry for the time about its cause of length.

Feeling the various men on the beach Nicole thought about doing something, but found himself stilled by his other half. He could feel Riolalth telling him that they would not be an issue, so he trusted him without hesitation. While his eyes were still trained on Charles, the man had been one of his lesser focuses. It was only when the man barked his prone defiance, that Nicole brought the man back to his foreground. "I am not the one who you should beg forgiveness from," Nicole said softly still in the same ancient Illyrian as he felt Emmaline running over "You harm your savior, under the guise of protection. Our first job is to listen. Please listen better than I did."

As Emmaline approached and chided her father the pair knew there was another power at play now. Riolalth knew instantly that it was his mother's hand. Nicole was over come with a warmth and love that he had not expected to feel at the sight of the princess. Even though she was soaked and covered in sand, she was the most beautiful thing in the world to him, and he could not be more proud of what she had become and what she was doing. She was everything that he had hopped she would become all those years ago. Even her words shook something primal inside of him and another wave of joy came over him. He found himself thanking his mother for such a blessing.

The rain began to slow to a drizzle, the wind became a warm comforting breeze, and light escaped its bindings. Nicole gave the king a subtle but serious glare before returning to Emmaline. "Do not worry, child," Nicole declared "We are aware of your fathers intent, and have no intention of taking his life as long as he does not wish harm upon us. My brother knows the waters as I know the waters now." Nicole then walked forward, put the spear in the ground, and embraced Emmaline he the kissed her forehead before holding her tight again. "Be kind as our mother and as strong as Jenir. I will love you always. I will be with you always."

The black of Nicole's hair began to drain just as it had come and the silver shimmer slowly returned. As the color ebbed Nicole felt his link begin to leave as well. Slowly Nicole returned to himself, but as it happened his brother walked beside him and lowered his head next to the two of them. Nicole placed a hand on the side of his brother head and placed his forehead to his. Even as the bond left them, words were not needed to convey their feelings. As they held the moment, Nicole found himself far away from the time and place he was now.



"Papa," a young girl cried out with tears in her eyes "You have to come with us. We need you."

A strong man who stood in front of the girl took a knee at the edge of the cliff they resided at. A sea of men, women, and children stood behind them waiting to see how their futures would unfold. The man was stunning in his red and gold half armor with his black spear stabbed in the ground beside him. His grey and blue eyes staired lovingly into the girls own.

"I'm sorry," the man answered holding back tears of his own "Your father didn't listen when he should have. He won't make that mistake again. I care for you, and them far too much for that. Your grandmother told me that she is with you, and I can see that in your eyes. It is your turn to take care of our family." The man then motioned out the the people behind them."

"I can't," She answered.

"You can," He replied, "You are both me and your mother, there is nothing that you can't do. You will be a better ruler than I ever could have been and they will help you." The man looked up to the sky for a moment as if hearing something, and then turned and embraced his child. He kissed her forehead before holding her tight again. "Be kind as our mother and as strong as Jenir. I will love you always. I will be with you always."

The man himself was crying now, and that sent a wave of tears through the crowd as well. The man let go of his daughter and made his way to the edge of the cliff and stopped to look back. As he did a woman materialized out of the sunlight beside him. He looked into the resolute eyes of his daughter and found some strength within himself. "I love you, Emma" The man then jumped from the cliff towards the rising sapphire waters.



Nicole found himself back on the black beach crying. He looked at his brother and then looked to the cliff off to the side of the beach. His tears redoubled and a wave of exhaustion overcame him. Nicole fell to his knees first and slammed to the sands as consciousness left him. Yasim ran over to his son, Alexia and Darius ran back, and Riolalth made his way back into the Sangtaeud.
 

With Mother Xenira's guiding hand, Emmaline knew she did not need to feel fear. No matter what happened in the next few minutes, she followed her Mother's path. What followed was in the best interest of the Illyrian people whether she was struck down in front of this man or not. It would ensure the survival of her people. Mother Xenira guaranteed it.

The rain slowed and a quick shift of the girl's eyes told her that the stars above shone down upon them. Nicole's words drew her away from the beautiful night sky and back to him. Emma just listened, the pulse of light coming from her skin strengthening as his words settled on her reeling mind. Eyes shifted again, back to the creature behind him. The girl tried to piece together his words, but the goddess herself offered nothing to her. Her father would be safe. If he'd just listened to her in the first place, there was a chance none of this would have occurred. Emmaline was quick to stifle the conjuring tempest within her; this was the Gods' will.

As Nicole moved, Emmaline steeled herself, unsure of what exactly he planned on doing. Mother calmed her, his arms reaching out to wrap around her small frame with no fight. The girl didn't understand, wide eyes staring into the fabric beneath her as she was pulled into his chest. Emma could feel it behind her, the shift of officers as they watched their princess. Darius ordered them to put away their weapons and though some doubted the order, none questioned it.

As Nicole pulled away and pressed his lips to her forehead, things changed for the girl. Emmaline was someone else. The stars were gone. The bright light of the sun cast over them in warm, comforting rays. As eyes peered up at Nicole, a different man took his place, and suddenly, new emotions coursed through her like a raging river. Her body shook, hard, as Mother Xenira's calm faded for these new emotions. "Papa?" She was in two places at once, her life and another's and slowly Emmaline was beginning to understand. Tears streamed unwillingly down her face as she listened to his words, a hand reaching up from her side to grip silently at the armor beneath her fingertips. Though she didn't want the comfort of Nicole's arms to leave her, the other part of her knew soon enough they would slip away. "I will save our people, Papa."

The light faded back into the darkness of the early evening stars. Emmaline still shook, the memory of a vision she hadn't even seen etched into her memory. She choked on a sob, trying to straighten her thoughts; this feeling of loss she had, though in front of her stood both Nicole and Riolalth, was almost unbearable. It was a weight she'd never felt before and one that only moved to settle the gravity of what was ahead of her on her shoulders. Had Mother Xenira shown her the loss of her father before her to prepare her?

Nicole's arms had left her, and with tears still streaming down her face, she watched the two as they paused in an embrace. Could she truly do this? In those few long moments, as the two stood still and she stared on, the question settled in her heart. She'd hardly been allowed outside of the castle walls let alone allowed to lead her people. What if she failed?

With the movement, Emmaline's eyes shifted back to Nicole. No longer did she glow with the light of Mother Xenira. The goddess had imparted her power to show the girl what she needed to see, and now, it was up to Emma, as Nicole fell to his knees. The girl could feel the way the power drained from her, but she fought past the tremors in her hands.

She did not kneel at Nicole's side as Yasim did. Eyes were locked on Riolalth as he made his way back to the sea. Before Darius and Mary could make it to her, she ran. Feet digging into the black sand, the girl only made it half-way to the water's edge as her father disappeared back into the sapphire depths, but she didn't stop running until she felt the cold waters at her knees. Emmaline was silent, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Through the darkness of the sea, she searched, looking for any signs of him. He was gone, and there was a finality to that thought that hit her from a life long past.

"I won't disappoint you." The words were hardly a whisper and moments later, the girl turned to look at the group back on the shore. Darius and Mary were standing halfway up the shore, staring at her. Julius was at her father's side, helping him up from his place on the ground. Men came closer, still unsure and looking to Lucian for direction, who looked only to their king. There was no telling what her father planned to do with Nicole, who Yasim and Alexia tried to tend to on the black sands. With a deep breath, the girl turned back to the sea. Wet hands came up to wipe away her tears and she turned, making her way back to shore. Emmaline understood now. Whether she was ready or not, she needed to start being the leader her people needed, not just some figurehead that won Illyria wars.

"Emmaline!" The panic in Darius' voice was obvious as she approached the two. The man had seen war on scales that Emmaline had only seen in visions, but the thought of losing her seemed to settle in a way he could not hide from her.

"I'm fine." She smiled at the two, and relief flooded their faces. "M'Lady, might I be able to assist you in changing before you fall ill?" Mary knew better than to ask questions with Darius here. He still did not know of Emmaline's gift and now was not the time to tell him. They were both equally soaked, though they ignored it for her comfort.

"No, Mary." Eyes scanned the beach as she walked past and the others followed suit. A few tents seemed to have survived the wind. A few of the smaller officer's tent, Emmaline's tent, and one of the council's tents still remained. "Lucian, gather your men and begin repitching the tents we lost to the storm. Once you've gathered all the wet bedding, come fetch me and I'll dry them as best as I can." As the three approached, the group had gone quiet; her father only watched Emmaline as she spoke. "Darius, please bring Nicole to my tent and stand guard. Mary and Alexia will tend to him while we handle cleaning up camp." Eyes cast to Yasim for only a moment, a smile finally settling on her tired face. With the best curtsey she could manage with trembling legs, Emmaline spoke, "Nicole will be in good hands; I guarantee it." Alexis translated quickly and quietly.

It was with her brother's wide-eyed look that Emmaline paused. Every member of the Elite Guard had turned to her father, waiting for his permission before following the princess' orders. Though she spoke orders as if she were a queen, the fact of the matter was that her father still stood in good health only a few feet away. As she watched Charles quietly for a moment, he seemed to only stare silently at her, trying to read what he could from her. Then, a single nod sent the men into motion.

As the others began moving to her direction, Emmaline approached her father and brother. Julius was speechless; his sister had just faced down a leviathan and it simply turned and walked back into the seas from whence it came. From where the others stood, their conversation was lost. After a moment and one quick hug that lifted her feet off the ground and pulled a giggle from the girl's lips, Julius slipped off with the rest to help begin repitching tents and cleaning up the beach.

"Emmaline..." Her name came from her father in a shaky sigh. Once eyes were off of them, the odd mixture of shame and pride settled onto his features. This was the father she knew. Before she could stop him, massive arms wrapped her in another hug. She did not giggle this time. "I fear apologies can not mend what I've done." His words were soft and Emma kept quiet for a few long moments as her body finally came to grips that everything was over.

"Jenir has shown me that there is a traitor among us. There is one who threatens our people." She sighed quietly, feeling the sand settle once again beneath her feet. "If Riolalth has bestowed his spear upon Nicole, then he is somehow the key to saving them all." Emmaline would not tell her father he was forgiven. She could now feel the tenderness of her cheek where he'd hit her. "Even if he were to lose the spear, I must stand by his side until I know our people are safe."

"Victoria would be so proud of what you've become." His words were soft, but they only sent a sad pulse through her heart. She had not forgotten how he'd thrown her mother's death in her face with his rage. She just hummed, knowing that her mother would be far beyond proud, pulling out of his grasp.

"I must go tend to things." She spoke softly, peering up at her father in the light of the moon. He nodded silently and she turned, slipping away toward her tent. It was the largest of the tents and could fit the five of them quite comfortably. Emmaline had no intention of staying.

"M'Lady, you certainly must change before you get a cold," Mary spoke quietly as Darius lay down the unconscious warrior on the thick, down matt that Emma usually slept on. It was obvious he wasn't happy about the current situation but didn't dare say just how uncouth this was. He knew better in times like this.

"I will change later." It was a simple answer that Mary only nodded simply at. "I thought I might make things more comfortable here by drawing the water out of your clothes first?"

"Princess Emmaline—"
"Emma—"

Mary and Darius spoke almost in unison. While her maiden was able to continue with the pleasantries, Darius hadn't been so able. They both could see the exhaustion in her face that she pushed herself through and neither thought it was a good idea that she insisted on doing this.

"You do not need to feel the need to continue pushing yourself, Princess." Darius had taken a few steps toward her. This conversation would have been quite different if Alexia wasn't there listening.

It wasn't up for debate or argument. Without another word, Emmaline closed her eyes, calm words escaping quietly from her lips. She'd done this hundreds of times before in her lessons. Here, on a larger scale, it was only her power and focus that was the limit. As the girl slipped from the tent, she left four others dry in her quarters, though Darius was quite unhappy at that fact.

It had taken another few hours before the camp was back in some semblance of order. By the time Emmaline had made her way through, drying the bedding of every member of the traveling party, the moon was high in the sky and the girl's legs felt like jelly. Still, there was no way she could rest yet.

"Sister, where do you think you're going?" Others had settled quietly around the campfire again, but Emmaline had risen after a few minutes sit to start walking across the beach again. Julius had been coming out of his father's tent when he'd spotted her white dress, still soaked from the rain and sticking to her body, making its way across the black sand.

"Julius," Emmaline smiled, though she didn't stop walking as her eldest brother matched pace with her. "I need to commune with the Gods." She spoke softly as eyes turned up toward the sky to look at the stars. "Can that not wait until you've rested, Sister? All that lay eyes on you can tell just how far past exhaustion you've pushed yourself. You've just about given father enough stress to send him to Kuuthaed early." He laughed quietly, his smile beaming in the moonlight. He'd always tried to be the positive big brother that she needed; he still remembered early mornings when she'd wake him up from horrid dreams and he'd run her around the castle on his shoulders until she was a giggling mess.

"I need to see all I can while we're here. If the God's have anything else to show me, I must see it. I fear the worst for Illyria, and our people's fate can no longer be pushed to the sidelines for parties and days at the beach." For a long while, Julius was silent as the walked. Past the sandy shores and up the incline toward the towering cliffs that overlooked the water. The quiet just felt right for them, and both were far too tired to find small talk anything but uncomfortable.

"May the Gods be with you, Sister." As they neared the crest of the path of the tallest rise, Jarius slowed to a stop, looking silently across the flat, eroded stone that ended in a cliff. Why she chose this place to come, Julius did not know, but he wrapped his sister in another massive hug.

"Thank you, Julius. If you need me, I'll be here until sunrise." Running a hand through his damp hair, Julius nodded, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants as he turned and made his way back down the long trail and back toward camp. He wanted to argue but knew the girl too well to think he'd ever end up making any progress with her. He instead left Emmaline to walk the ten meters toward the edge of the flat stone until she could stare out across the massive expanse of Sangtaeud to the point where the sea and stars met in her search for answers.
 
As he watched Nicole fall to the ground, Yasim was made aware all over again of how mortal his son was. With all of his feats of strength and agility it was easy to forget, even for his father. He was a man who fought armies, out ran horses, and swam faster than most sea creatures. He worked longer and harder than his brothers and sister and still retained his smile. With everything he did and was it was easy to forget that he was, Kalakari.

Yasim wrapped Nicole in panicked arms as he lifted his sons head from the dark sands below. His eyes were fixed on the long red bang of his son. He said a quick prayer to the goddess and placed a hand on Nicole’s neck. After a short moment, relief washed over Yasim as he felt a slow steady pulse. “Thank you goddess,” Yasim said softly “I am sorry for my laxness in looking after our child. I promise to do better. I swear this to you.”

As Alexia translated the princesses words, Yasim barely registered them. He knew there was much he need to do after this situation, but he didn’t want to leave his son. The princess words and actions did nothing to ease him, but Alexia had told him that she would look after him no matter what. Yasim could see the earnestness in her eyes and gave in to her. With how his son had talked of her, he felt that she was the safest hands he could be in. After promising that she would scream if she thought there was any danger, Yasim handed over his son and got to work.


“Xatli, get over here, and what are you doing,” a woman stated as she walked across the sand.

A little boy turned his head towards the woman with his cheeks puffed out, filled with air. “I’m trying to get him to do the thing,” the boy answered as he pointed to a blowfish that swam in front of him, a sad expression on his face “But he won’t.”

The woman laughed and picked up the boy. “Have you tried asking nicely?” The woman asked as she tickled the boy’s stomach. The boy squealed and wiggled and the woman let him float down to the sand. “Ok, try again Xatli. Ask him nicely this time.”

“Mr. Small Spiky would you please do the thing,” the boy then made his cheeks puff out again.”

The blowfish swam around in a circle and then puffed himself into a ballon to the boys delight.

“I love you Mr. Spiky,” the boy said with joy as he smiled with excitement. He went to hug the fish, but he was quickly swept of his feet into the loving arms of the woman.

“What about me,” She asked?

“More than anything,” the boy said as he wrapped his small arms around her neck and kissed her on the cheek.

The woman squealed excitedly herself and swung the boy around kicking sand up as she moved. “You are so cute. Mommy loves you too. now let’s go introduce you to some others before we get dinner.” The boy nodded and the pair swam off into the distance.


Alexia wasn't exactly sure what she was suppose to do to help Nicole, so she just found herself just standing next to him as the others in the tent exchanged words. The snap between the three surprised her a bit. Alexia had heard talk about how close they were, but seeing that closeness unfold in front of her was a little jarring. She too could see how tired the princess was and understood their worry, but would never chide her like they did.She wouldn’t dare. Nicole himself had been pushing himself hard, and look where it got him. As Alexia thought about it she wondered if this was just how good rulers were. They constantly disregarded themselves so that others could live in leisure. Alexia found herself smiling at the thought and found her eyes trailing off towards Nicole's silent frame. While she wasn't sure if the princess was always so self sacrificing, she knew that Nicole was. Ever since that moment exchanging questions, she knew just how wonderful of a leader, no man, he was.

She only found that her hand had mindlessly been playing with Nicole's hair when warmth from the princesses spell passed through her and Nicole. He quickly jerked her hand away and could feel the non-magical warmth of embarrassment flow to her cheeks. She looked around quickly to see if anyone had noticed her, but fortunately their attentions were all on each other. Relief raced through her body and she made sure to hold her hands as she waited. After the princess left, Alexia gave the others a moment before speaking up. "Excuse me Ms. Mary, but I don't know what I can do to help him. Do you have any ideas of how I could be of service? It seems wrong to just be standing around while he's like this."


"Jhanas, did you leave the screen open again," Yasim asked as he rolled over to look.

"No dear, there is suppose to be a storm tonight," Jhanas answered from beside him on mat, not bothering to open her eyes.

Yasim stared groggily at the open screen door and sighed. "Then why is it open?"

"Assassin's maybe, just go close the screen before water comes inside."

Yasim grumbled under his breath as he got out of bed to go close the screen. Before he did, something told him to look out towards the beach. When he did he saw someone small walking towards the water. It only took a second for things to click for Yasim and he found himself running out of his home towards the beach. By the time he made it to the sand the boy was already up to his chest in the silver water. Around him a beautiful and sleek sea serpent coiled around the boy and had its large head facing the boy. Yasim didn't yell as that would cause more harm than good, but he did increase his pace as he could clearly make out the child's silver hair.

By the time Yasim got close, prepared for action, the serpent had already turned to face him. It was at that moment that a small hand extended and patted the creatures head. The child spoke in a language that Yasim couldn't understand, and the serpent eased back next to him. "Hello father," Nicole said this time in Kalakari "Sorry if I woke you." The serpent coiled protectively around Nicole as Yasim approached.

"That's fine my child," He answered still hesitant "What are you doing out here?"

Nicole turned storm grey and blue eyes to Yasim and held a questioning look. "This is where I'm suppose to be." The look Yasim received told him that Nicole thought he was crazy for asking such a ridiculous question, and for a moment Yasim wondered if he was in the wrong here. The storm raged in the background and as Yasim looked toss by the wind and rain, Nicole seemed unfazed.

It was as he was transfixed that Jhanas ran up beside him, her light night robe completely translucent due to the rain. "What are you." Yasim held out his arm in front of her and kept his eyes on Nicole.

The water on the beach receded far away showing that Nicole had been sitting on the serpent the whole time. Ignoring them completely Nicole hopped up and began to follow the water out to sea. The serpent followed him and Jhanas held tightly to Yasim as they watched their son walk deeper into what was once sea. It was Jhanas' gasp that took Yasim's focus off of Nicole. She pointed to the giant wave that surged towards them. Yasim had heard stories about the waves of heaven that were sent to destroy the unjust, but he did not think that he would see one. The wave was taller that most mountains and he knew it was far to fast to escape. The two ran towards Nicole frenzied.

In the distance they saw Nicole slowly lower his hand in front of the wave. By the time they got to him the wave was fast, was only slightly above Nicole head, and had passed completely around them. Holding Nicole they turned and watched as the waters destroyed nothing and passed swiftly under the raised buildings of their home. Neither Yasim or his partner could believe what had just happened. They stood transfixed until Nicole broke the silence. "I’m sleepy, can we go back home?"

Yasim looked at his son once again and was met by his bright smile and shining green eyes.

Nicole woke slowly from his rest. He expected conflict or incarceration, but instead was greeted by a soft bed, that smelled of the princess, and two women beside him. It then hit him that he might have died, but he quickly through the though away when his eyes fell upon Darius. “Nope still alive,” Nicole said as he slowly sat up. So, what happened while I was out?”
 

Mary hadn't seen Emmaline so stoic since her mother's passing. As difficult as it had been for her, the girl stood tall with her father and brothers on those days of grief. Whatever had happened out there on the black sandy shores had given the young woman a lot to think about. The young maid just wished she could have accompanied her friend to talk. Emma had always pushed herself too far in everything she did. The problem with being the princess of Illyria and its future queen was that one was put on a pedestal. Unapproachable, untouchable, and on display for all in the kingdom to see and judge. It was a difficult place to find a little girl who had the weight of the world's expectations settling on her shoulders. Still, with her life set out in front of her, Emmaline had always been so kind and curious. She'd never lost those parts of herself that made her unique.

Mary remembered catching Emmaline up at all hours of the night reading books of her people's history by candlelight. During their younger years, Mary could have walked into the princess' quarters at almost any time and found her nose in a book. When she was ten, she'd finally gotten the courage to ask Emmaline why, if she spent all day studying with her tutors, she still spent all night reading and learning.

"I wish to lead my people with the wisdom and kindness of Mother Xenira one day."

The words had always stuck with Mary. As did the worry that one day, Emmaline might push herself too hard. The young maid had always been there during times where it had happened and she just hoped, as Emmaline slipped back out of the tent, that tonight wouldn't be one of those nights.

It was Alexia that pulled Mary out of her thoughts, the worried look that had settled on her face disappearing with the question. The girl smiled quietly, turning her attention to the young man that lay unconscious there between them.

"Of course, Ms. Zendaya." Mary nodded, showing confidence only the years of taking care of Emmaline when she'd push herself too hard could provide. Of course, the young woman was no medical aid, nor was she quite sure that the same remedies would help him. Mary had never seen her friend conjure up a sea monster from the depths and harness its power. Shaking her head, the young maid turned; Emmaline would have quite the story to tell her later.

"The most we can do now is let him rest and prepare for when he awakens." Walking across the distance of the tent, Mary fetched a waterskin and tins of cured meat and fruits from one of the packed bags. As she returned, she slipped past Darius with a soft, reassuring smile. The young man had grown quiet, watching the two and trying to decide exactly how he felt about all of this.

"If you'd like to sit with me," Mary's direction came with a smile as the girl found herself on her knees next to the mat and Nicole's head. "Unfortunately, there's no magical cure for exhaustion. If there were, I'm sure Princess Emmaline would have found it by now. There's not much we can do." Mary leaned out, gently tracing the back of her hand against the warrior's skin. "He pushes himself hard as the princess does. We just need to be here with food and water in case he needs it when he awakens." No fever, which Mary wasn't expecting anyway.

"Perhaps next time he could push himself in a direction that doesn't threaten our king or Emmaline." The words came calmly from the warrior who stood behind the two, watching. Mary's eyes traced up from Nicole's features, settling on the cloth of the tent for a moment.

"If Emmaline believed him to be a threat, she would not have given us both the direction she did." A soft hum escaped the woman's lips as she finally lifted her hand away to reach for a small cloth that was folded on a nearby table. After wetting it just slightly, she pressed the cool cloth against his cheeks and forehead. "Let us not cast the first stones, Darius. It is not our place to do so. We can trust Emmaline to make the right decisions for all of us." There was a grunt from the young man behind her in understanding. Mary knew that some of his apprehension came from his lack of knowledge. Emmaline had never told him about her touch from the Mother Goddess; it was forbidden by her father.

There wasn't much left to do, so while they waited for Nicole to awaken, the three talked quietly amongst themselves. Prince Julius asked for Mary for only a few minutes once camp had been set up again to tell her where Emmaline had gone. He knew she would go looking for her if she ever finished up in the tent. Once he was gone, their conversation had continued. Alexia seemed like a bright and charming girl. Even in the short time that they spoke, Mary had grown quite fond of her. She'd never had much need to interact with any of the translators and it was interesting to hear some of the stories of her travels.

"So..." It was Darius who spoke from where he had taken a seat at the small table a few paces away. "What do you think that was all about?" The irritation from earlier had left him almost completely with Mary's chiding. "You think he's some sort of demigod?" His question made a giggle escape from the maiden. "Come on! I've never seen anything like it before. And Emmaline?" Darius whistled; the noise was an odd change to the quiet. "I would stand beside her in battle any day with the way she just faced the two of them like she did. I only wish half my men had that gallantry." Another laugh from Mary made the young woman shake her head at him.

"Truly, you've been reading too many..." Mary's words trailed off as eyes caught on the shifting of the man's face in front of them. It certainly hadn't taken as long as she might have expected. Eyes opened slowly to look at both of them and her calm smile returned. Darius stood, his face neutral as he made sure to get the best view of Nicole. It wasn't that he thought the man might strike down either of the women in front of him, but he was supposed to be here in an official capacity. As much as he greatly favored spending time with Mary, it was clear that both of them took their duties seriously.

Mary cast eyes away from Nicole once he'd spoken, looking to Alexia to translate. The maid was thankful for her help; without it, there would have been no way for her to truly communicate with the warrior who lay there. Shifting her attention back, she gave a nod to the young woman as she slipped the waterskin from her hands.

"They've been successful in reassembling camp after the storm." Mary knew the storm was not just some freak coincidence, but the details of it were unimportant. "Princess Emmaline has helped us salvage the party's bedding so we will be able to remain here the second day your father requested. She has asked that Alexia and I tend to you while you recover." Holding the skin out to him, she smiled. "Might I request you drink? Exhaustion is not something to take lightly, young prince."

. . .

​


Perhaps it would have been a good idea for Emmaline to take some time to rest. Anyone who felt they were in an appropriate place in her life to say something, had already. They cared deeply for her and wanted nothing more than for her to be her best when the morning sun broke on the horizon. Oh, how the girl knew morning would come with a throbbing skull, but there was no way that she could sleep after everything that had happened. Even if she didn't feel this complete sense of dread that had settled like a stone in the pit of her stomach, what she'd just witnessed and been a part of gave her so much to think about.

How did she even begin processing it all? Emma sat there for a while, bare feet hanging over the edge of the cliff, looking out across the dark waters of the sapphire sea. The warm breeze helped fight off the chills of her partially-damp clothing. After spending so much energy, it was a waste to dry them.

What did she do? It seemed that Emmaline had more questions than she did answers now. There was a new sense of direction in her life. No longer did it feel like she was just some marionette to be used for the success of wars and the continued morale of their armies. Emmaline had been shown that she too had a purpose beyond that, but what was it? How did this man from worlds away fit into it all? He was Illyria's protector somehow and the longer Emma thought about it, the more that weight in her stomach threatened to make her sick. Why not her father or her brothers? Why would they not be enough to protect Illyria? Nicole. Emmaline hardly knew anything about him and yet, his connection with the Gods was undeniable. They all fit together in a puzzle whose picture Emmaline could not yet see.

That's why she was here. The Illyrian people always had a connection with Sangtaeud. It was a connection to their ancestors. It was a past life they honored and respected. When she was a little girl, Emmaline would be brought once a year to the black sand shores to look out across the water and commune with their Gods. It was said that these shores were the only place a descendant of Riolalth could be touched by both Mother Xenira and Father Jenir at once.

Emmaline felt a new power coming from this place. The images replayed in her head over and over again. Where she sat now, a girl from many many lifetimes ago would venture every year to sit and speak to the ocean breeze. While she never saw her father again, in her heart she knew this was the place she could be closest to him. Be kind as our Mother and as strong as Jenir. A single tear ran down the girl's cheek and she reached up to wipe it away. Every year, the queen would come and sit and look out across the sapphire waters that had come to cover the only home she'd ever known. One year, she did not come alone. The queen brought with her a small child, wrapped in light linens. A beautiful baby girl. I will love you always. I will be with you always. A promise that Emmaline could feel in her heart.

She sat there for a long while on that stone cliff, looking out across the world. The sound of the waves crashing against the rock below calming her. As it were the Gods' will, she knew that it would be so. The young woman just hoped that she truly would be able to rise to the challenges ahead of her.

At one point during the night, when the moon was high in the sky, the young girl finally lowered herself back. With feet still hanging over the edge, she stared silently up into the sky. The stars felt so close here that it seemed like Emmaline could almost touch them. She was here to commune—to seek guidance from her creators. With eyes wide open and staring at the stars, the girl began to pray to both Goddess and God. For strength and clarity. For guidance and their wisdom. For her people and for herself. Emmaline continued to pray, speaking words of old into the ocean breeze until slowly, the color faded from her eyes. The girl didn't notice it at first, her gentle request for protection in trying times and the sight to fend off threats the last words that slipped from her lips before the stars went out in her vision one by one. She relinquished control and allowed her two creators to show her what they wished.
 
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Alexia was amazed as Mary hopped to action. She was decisive and quick, which was something that Alexia admired in people. She followed her direction and joined next to Mary listening to her words with hope that she too could grow into a woman like Mary through them. Alexia was about to rebuke Darius for his words against Nicole, but Mary was quick again. "She is amazing," Alexia thought to herself. She could feel the kindness and wisdom of Xenira flow through the woman, and for a moment Alexia couldn't help but notice her simplistic beauty as well. She found herself imagining Mary as a princess, and realized that she would fit perfectly. As the three talked she continued to marvel to herself and revel in stories of court life and military excursions.

The conversation took a turn and Alexia found herself frozen, but hungry for the discussion none the less. There was so much that she knew that she couldn't share, at least not yet. She could feel the information in her journal burning through her pouch wanting to be released, but thankfully she was saved once again by Mary.

When the conversation moved to safer topics, Nicole stirred next to them. Happiness coursed through Alexia as her eyes met with Nicole's, but she kept herself from throwing him into a hug since she should be courtly around Mary and Darius. Nicole of course asked what he had missed and after Mary looked to her, Alexia remembered that she was a translator. A moment later Alexia was back in the swing of things and exchanged Mary's and Nicole's conversation.

"Will you tell me a story," the boy asked from the colossal clam he laid on top of.

"Of course baby," The woman said as she sat on another clam making a small cloth "But you have to go to sleep after, you have had a long day." The boy nodded in agreement. "How about I tell you about three sisters?" The boy swam from where he was over to the woman and laid his head in her lap before nodding his head rapidly. The woman smiled lovingly and stopped to run a hand through the boys growing hair before continuing with her story. "A long time ago there were three sisters who loved each other very much. One of the sisters was wise, the other strong, and the last was filled with more love than the others could fathom. While they loved each other, their time together showed each of them that there was something that they themselves lacked. The sisters decided to set out to see if they could find what they were missing in the vast world they had never cared for. The sisters set out in different directions, with a promise, and began their journeys. Wisdom sought strength, love sought wisdom, and strength searched for love." The woman tickled the boys stomach which made him giggle and squirm. When he calmed back down she tickled him again. "While it took longer for one of the sisters than the others." The woman rolled her eyes, but smiled after. "They all finally found what they were searching for. With their goals complete the sisters returned to each other as they promised and showed each other what they had found. The sisters looked at each others children and the one sisters bulging belly, with an overwhelming happiness. The sisters then made another promise before returning to their homes with joy in their hearts. They promised..."

The woman looked down at the boy who slept soundly in her lap. A chuckle escaped her as she softly stroked his head. She then held the shimmering lace to the boys hair. "Keep your hair long like mommies," She whispered into the sleeping boys ear "You can tie it up and be extra cute."


"Ah I see," Nicole said as he looked into Mary's eyes "It seems that I must thank the princess when next I see her." He found himself chuckling when Mary handed him the water skin. While he knew why she did what she did, he was not going to pass up the opportunity to joke around. "We just met and you already wish to exchange drinks with me," Nicole joked "I respect your boldness madam." Alexia flashed with surprise and translated Nicole's words as he drank from the skin. Nicole then stood up from the bed and turned to face the two ladies and Darius before bowing to them. "Thank you all for looking after me. Even if it was at the direction of your princess I thank you none the less. If there is anything I can do to assist you in the future do not hesitate to ask."

Nicole then popped up with a dazzling smile on his face. "Now that that is out of the way. It is time for the fun stuff. While I have seen the dancer before I don't know his your your name madam. I am Nicole Argentum, child of Yasim Argentum and Jhanas Parun, and the Kalakari's foremost aquatic researcher. It is a pleasure to meet you both, and I hope that you dancer will share your knowledge with me. Your movements with the princess were unbelievable. The others I watched were boring by...."

Nicole found himself grabbing his head as it felt like he was hit with a hammer. A second later as if it had never happened Nicole stood calmly and straight backed. He turned his gaze to the sky before his blue grey eyes fell upon Mary. "Of course uncle," Nicole said quietly into the sky before addressing the others "Would you two please follow me, there is something you need to see."

Alexia continued translating as normal, but she had spent enough time looking at Nicole to notice his change. He was acting as normal and wasn't speaking in an old version of a language he didn't know, so Alexia decided that she would just ride this one out. If they noticed and asked, she would tell them, if not.....well."

Nicole grabbed his spear that stood at the exit of the tent and walked out into the night with it. Even with the beach reset, there was no one around where they were. Alexia found it strange actually how empty it was, but followed Nicole as he confidently walked towards the water. "Ms. Mary, you will find this spear and Darius will find you. It will be up to the two of you when the time comes." Nicole chuckled as he stopped in front of the water. "He has quite the faith in you two," Nicole said quietly to himself. He then planted the spear point into the water and held his hands out in front of himself like he was trying to rip the air apart. The strain was apparent, but there was no noise other than the steady movement of water, bustling voices, and the crackling of fire. Alexia gasped as she saw the waters of Sangtaeud split. She looked around and no one on the beach was aware of what was happening. She then looked to Mary and Darius who clearly, very clearly, saw what she saw. When the path was open all the way to the depths of the water, Nicole pulled the spear out of the beach, and after a moment the path then began to come back together. "I believe in you both."

Another wave of exhaustion overcame Nicole again, but he caught himself with the spear as he stumbled. He grumbled and looked up to the hill in the distance. "What are you doing to me," He said to himself. He shook it off and stood, facing the others. While he wasn't completely sure how he got on to the beach, he felt like he was where he was suppose to be, so he just filed that question away for later. Without knowing what he was doing here, Nicole wasn't sure how to continue, but the way Alexia and the others looked at him let him know something big happened. "I'm going to guess you guys are going to say something, but can we do it inside," Nicole asked "I have the strong urge to get off my feet for a bit."
 


​

Panting. So loud in her ears. The burn. She just had to keep moving. Running. Keep going. No matter what. Where? She had no idea. Through the trees. She'd seen them from a distance so many times, but never had she been allowed to explore. A strong grip on her wrist, pulling her forward. The scream of the muscles in her legs. Light fabric getting caught in bushes, the snap of a twig beneath clumsy feet. Don't stop. They win if you stop. Heart thrusting through her chest. Misstepping on a stone, losing balance, falling. Too fast to stop it, hands and knees ground into the dirt. No time to stop. Pick yourself up and keep going. Not stoping. Just a pause. To pull the knife from his belt to cut at the white fabric now stained red and brown. Just above the knees. All modesty gone. Just go. Through the trees again, running faster now. Too many of them to fight. No more weight. No more caught branches, just the sting of them on her legs, pale skin broken with unforgiving streaks of red. Through the never-ending green. Where they were going, she had no idea. Somewhere ahead. Find shelter. Figure out how to recuperate from this failure. Failure. Hung to her like a poison, seeping into her skin. Ate her up and spit her out, but there was no time to react. The Gods' will. Mother Xenira. Where was she now? With them? Abandoned them because she'd failed? No idea. Just keep going. Repent later.

Running forever. Time escaping them. A quiet whine, but never anything more. No words. No tears. No time for that. Slipping between trees and toward the sound of running water. A river. Oaed river if she could wager. They'd been running for that long? The sounds of shouting had caught up to them. Heavy boots wreaking havoc on a mostly-quiet forest. It was just ahead. Dirt turned to stone beneath their feet. The sound of rushing water growing louder. The trees opened up. Fast feet, but she passed him. He slowed, she kept going, towards the edge. The roar was loud, the water disappearing over the rocky dive and disappearing. A few paces from the edge, the grip tightened, stopping her body in its tracks, pulling her back from the edge. She was still panting. Eyes cut back, wide. There was doubt in his eyes. Never fear, only doubt. No words. Just a single nod from her, urging him on. Jenir would protect them. The trapped wrist pulling away only to grab his hand, lacing their fingers together. A deep breath, some of the fearlessness gone. An arrow, aimed at one of them, shot behind him and out into the open air before disappearing. No time. They win if you stop. Running again, as hard and as fast as tired legs could take them. Off the edge of the cliff and toward the icy waters below.

. . .​

There was a little bit of a lag from Alexia at first, but once she began translating, Mary was keen to listen. The speed in which the girl was able to go between the two languages was something to certainly be proud of. Mary was grateful for her work; she would have to thank her later. For now, her eyes were trained on Nicole, giving him the same attention she would Emmaline. As he took the skin from her hands and Alexia translated, Mary couldn't help the way her gentle smile shifted into an amused one. She couldn't deny that he was quite charming, and she spoke, the amusement settling in her tone. "Boldness is only how actions begin, it is fortune that controls how they end. It seems we're fortunate to see you keeping your liquids down at least." Emmaline wasn't always so fortunate when she found herself recovering from being in the throes of wartime visions. That was a good sign to the young woman, though none of the others would know that.

Darius just watched Nicole quietly from behind the two. He had always been reserved around those he was most unfamiliar with. It came with the territory of being so close to Emmaline. It was far safer to keep things to himself than to voice them when he could help it. Even aside from that, Nicole was still his superior and there was nothing that might cause him to treat the man any differently. Mary had been right. If Emmaline trusted him, then they could all trust him too. Darius had seen what Dominus, as his men so affectionately called him, could do on the battlefield. He cut down men like they were tall grass standing in his way; the warrior was a true asset to the Kalakari and Illyria. Instead, Darius just took to listening, eyes trailing over the long brown braid that traced down the center of Mary's back as she joked with the prince. If there was one charming enough to get away with such casualties, it was her.

As the warrior stood, Darius held a hand out to both Mary and Alexia to help them to their feet. Mary accepted the offer with a smile, her eyes lingering on him for only a moment before she returned her attention back. The young maiden hadn't expected Nicole to be so prepared to stand yet, but she did not argue or try to urge him back to bed. She would wait, assess, and determine later if it was necessary.

"We are pleased to offer our services to anyone who has assisted Illyria in the way you and your people have, Prince Argentum." Mary gave a gentle nod in gratitude as she took a step back from the bed, standing quietly next to Darius. While she'd never been in the company of the prince before, from what she could tell he was in good spirits. The young maid didn't catch the exhaustion that hung heavily on Emmaline's face or the heaviness her heart with him. Whatever it was that had happened, the young woman didn't know what to expect from him. The two of them just stood there side by side and listened to Alexia as she translated.

Mary couldn't help the teasing glance to Darius with his words. Reduced to only his skills as a dancer. The young man took no offense and it harmed his ego none. His amused smirk only brightening his face as he caught the quick look from the woman beside him.

So he was interested in learning from them. Emmaline had spoken of this young man as if he were nothing more than an entitled prince. She failed to see just how deep his own thirst for knowledge went. Mary found herself thankful for being given the opportunity to meet the prince if only so she could better help Emmaline see what others saw.

At first, the two hadn't noticed the change. His words trailed for only a moment, and there was a shift in his hands as he reached for his head. Mary watched him silently, waiting for the lax of his muscles or the shaking of his arms. Anything to tell her she needed to have Darius help him back to bed. Her smile had settled, watching. His eyes were where she always gravitated. It was the best tell on Emmaline that something was happening. With him, he looked completely normal, though when his gaze shifted to her, Mary felt like he bore into her soul. Darius saw it differently, his hand coming to gently rest in the center of her back. Still no threat, but something changed in the man. Darius could see it in the slightest change in his movements and the quiet turn to words the young man didn't understand. His words seemed heavier, even if Alexia continued to translate as if there'd been no shift in his tone. It was something he'd picked up on the battlefield, the difference between life and death in some instances.

"Of course, "It was Mary who spoke, Darius taking her lead with a single nod to Nicole as he passed. Her eyes trailed to Alexia, trying to gather all she could from the girl's look. Perhaps she knew something they didn't, but this was no time to ask. Instead, she pulled up on the fabric of her dress as to keep from treading on it, silently following Nicole out of the tent.

The evening had turned into a comfortable one. The warm breeze making the slight humidity from the earlier rain feel like nothing as they traveled across the black sands. Darius followed beside her, eyes trailing across the length of the beach for anything that seemed out of the ordinary. The last thing he wanted was to come face to face with another sea monster that Nicole conjured up from the dark depths.

It was Alexia's translation that caused him to pause. Something about it made the muscles in Mary's back and shoulders tense. It wasn't for long, but Darius had caught the flex in the moonlight. He would find her though? What was he talking about? While the pair was clueless to what had happened on the beach, Darius was at a disadvantage. To him, the words just sounded like madness the same way Nicole's complete change in tone had been.

"As it is the Gods' will." Mary knew. While she knew not exactly what his words meant, she knew who they were coming from. It was clear now. Though different, this young man...he had the same type of gift Emmaline did. While she could see the visions and tell stories of them, it was almost like another spoke through Nicole. They'd ever told him their names and yet, he knew them. She would find the spear when the time came. Darius would find her. Somehow they fit into everything, but how...Mary had an even greater desire to speak with Emmaline now.

"Mary...What are you—oh by Jenir's strength alone." Darius finally couldn't help himself. Whether in the presence of a royal or not, he didn't understand what was happening or how Mary did. His words though, changed as he looked out to the sea.

"Or perhaps another's strength, Darius." Mary's voice was soft, eyes wide as she took a few curious steps closer. He could part the seas. She hummed knowingly as thoughts danced around in her head. She hadn't noticed the gentle hand grasping her elbow for a few moments, mind far too wrapped up in watching the water shift back together. Emmaline had no power as physically great as this. "This is no light matter, Darius." She spoke softly, her words almost getting lost to the warm coastal breeze.

The young maid turned, Darius' eyes no longer on her, but glued to the man who changed again. Back to normal, well, back to what he'd seen of the man running across the sands earlier in the day. Mary felt a strange calm from it all. More information. If there was one thing she'd learned from sitting there with Emmaline during times of war when she tossed and turned and screamed in her sleep was that information, whether small or large, would end up helping them in the future—especially when it was delivered to them from the Gods.

"Let us go, young prince." Now wasn't the time to cause a stir. Mary's calm words matched that of her calm and confident smile. "We can enjoy the beauty of Sangtaeud once you've rested." She smiled, trying to ease the discomfort and concern that was obviously being masked by a stern stare from Darius. "Your company is use to no one if you exhaust yourself before we might enjoy it."

Darius still didn't know what to think. He'd found multiple times where he'd been tempted to draw his sword. His hand hovered closely as everything unfolded in front of him. It was only Mary's confidence that kept him at peace with the discomfort settling in his chest. He truly believed the two young women. Nicole wasn't here to pose a threat, but he'd just watched a man they'd believed to be just a normal man part the seas of Sangtaeud seemingly by himself. He had the power of Jenir running through him; there was no other explanation, but...how was that possible? It wasn't. Was this man truly a conduit of the Gods like he'd heard about in legend?

"Come now, Darius." Mary's voice called him from his thoughts. They'd begun making their way back toward Emmaline's tent. This was the third time today that the black sands had proven to render him speechless. Shaking his head, he followed, rounding beside Nicole just in case the young man fell. Mary had her arm held out for him just in case as well, though Darius wasn't certain her slender frame would be able to hold the weight of the soldier like she'd done before with the princess.

"Please sit, prince." It didn't take long for them to make it back inside, and instead of walking Nicole to the mat again, Mary directed him to a circle of cushions that had been sat out in one corner of the tent. Emmaline would often sit during the evenings on trips like this and read before bed. For that reason, a good few were sitting in two short stacks in the center of the circle. On the top lay the same worn leather book Emma had been obsessively reading for the past weeks, large enough to cover the tops of both stacks. The book on the Kalakari was quite incomplete from what Emmaline had said, but she insisted on continuing to try and learn from it.

Darius didn't like the idea of sitting. He much preferred standing in his place next to the entrance of the tent to watch as a silent observer. That was his place after all. It only took a single look from Mary as she left the circle for him to know she wanted him to sit too. He would not ignore the young lady's request; if she were to provide him with answers to the questions that buzzed around in his head, then Darius would do as he was directed.

"Might I request you also eat if you find it your fancy." Mary returned, the two small tins held in her hands and two full waterskins tucked beneath her arm. The books in the middle were the perfect height to set the open tins down before Mary came to sit on her knees on one of the cushions closest to Nicole. Darius finally shifted, taking his place beside her. He didn't understand how she could so easily put aside what was going on in her head to tend to the prince as if he were Emmaline. The maid took it so easily in stride; Darius hadn't noticed the small look of admiration he gave her as she focused on Nicole. "Might I suggest the dried sphalerite fruit? Sphalerite fruit is only found on the shores of Illyria's rivers." It was an interesting treat. Bright yellow in color, the fruit ate similarly to dried apricot, but was slightly spicy, leaving it to be quite a savory treat.

"I'm sure the prince would love some, Mary, but are we going to ignore what we just saw as if it were just our imagination?" Darius watched the two quietly, eyes shifting from Nicole to Mary and back. There were so many questions running through his head, but the man's set face showed none of them. "You part the seas and bring great creatures up from the depths. Forgive me for being curt commander, but you are one of the blessed, aren't you?" Mary's eyes shifted toward Darius, hoping he might stop himself there. She worried he spoke out of turn. An offense more strictly punished when made by a member of the Elite Guard like Darius, especially to a superior in rank like Nicole. Still, the young man continued, his curiosity far too strong, willing to accept the consequences for his words if they so came. "Illyria hasn't seen one of the blessed since our first queen." It was a slight change, one that Darius didn't catch. It was the slightest tense of Mary's jaw as she continued to smile, eyes tracing across the other two and back to Darius, choosing to her maintain her honesty through silence.
 
Alexia wasn't sure what was going to happen next as she walked back to the tent, but she did know one thing, Mary was another breed of person. How she was so calm and calculating after they had seen a man split the water in half she didn't know. Mary hadn't even known about what happened in the tent, but the woman just took the blows in stride as if they didn't faze her. Alexia found herself looking towards Darius who thankfully was as shaken up as she was, if not more so. Alexia was sure that if that man glared any harder the next thing he looked at would catch fire. It seemed to Alexia what she used nervous fidgeting to deal with, Darius used unyielding stern stares. It was a little uplifting in the moment to find out even veteran warrior were rattled sometimes. That small spark quickly left her as the group enter into the tent and Alexia realized that anything could happen from this point on.

As directed Nicole took a seat on the cushions and Alexia took a spot next to him. She found herself looking at the stacked books and smiling as she read the title at the top. "That book really does not do much good Princess, but I respect your effort." Mary came to them with water and snacks, placing them before she took a spot next to Nicole. As she sat, Alexia couldn't stop herself from noticing how intimate the moment was. The pillows were basically right on top of each other and she was sure Mary was close enough to hear Nicole's heart beat, gods she was that close. She rolled her eyes as she realized that even in a moment like this jealously was managing to creep its ugly head. Yea Mary was great, but she had things to offer too. Alexia thankfully found her self monologue stopped, and then redoubled Mary's offering of fruit. Alexia was more than happy that Darius dragged her back to the important topic at hand. Alexia inwardly shook her head and swore to do some self reflection when she was alone next. She then mentally patted herself on the back for still translating during her minor freak out.

Nicole sat on the surprisingly comfortable cushion with a smile. He wasn't sure if it was the ever creeping exhaustion that he felt or just the quality of Illyrian bedding, but he really would have to learn what the Illyrian's put inside their bedding. As Mary told him about the fruit, Nicole found himself quite interested. After the previous interaction with Illyrian food, Nicole was happy to give basically anything they offered a chance. It was as he reached out for a piece of fruit that Darius interjected. As the man's eyes changed between the helper and himself, Nicole used that time to sneak a piece of fruit into his mouth. Under the guise of careful contemplation Nicole enjoyed the fruit. As soon as the spice flowed through his mouth he knew he had to find a way to add this to umi. "A jam maybe," He thought to himself.

After making sure to fully enjoy the food Nicole dedicated himself to the task at hand. He wasn't sure what most of what Darius was saying meant, but he was able to piece together an idea. He found himself surprised by Darius' splitting the sea comment though. To Nicole's knowledge that wasn't something he could do, but he could tell be man wasn’t lying. While he could work with and ride the waves, controlling the waters was a gift only his goddess had. When Darius mentioned the blessed, Nicole had no idea what he meant by that until he brought up their first queen. He paused as once again he found himself inside dangerous territory. "Well I learned my lesson about that topic early," Nicole thought to himself "No reason to repeat the mistakes of the past."

Nicole was about to speak when he noticed a quick tenseness in the servant woman. He might have missed it if not for how close he was to the woman, but now that he saw it, his mind ran free. "It is a little strange how she has been acting," Nicole questioned. He then thought back to her comment about him resting and the quickness with which she moved to his side in case something happened. "The dancer was good at his job, but even he looked flustered. Alexia was another example of how the flustered but professional acted. This servant wasn't just reacting as she felt, she was reacting as she knew how. There was a swordsman's practice that Nicole picked up as he looked back at the events. She even seemed to take charge to control the situation. Nicole then took a broader look and the pieces fell into place. He thought about the casualness with which the servant had put the tins on the books and lead them to the cushions away from the mat. From what he had experienced inside the garden days ago, he knew that servants needed to tread lightly with everything that they did revolving around Illyrian nobles. A normal servant wouldn't risk the possibility of messing up by putting food on books in a place that more than likely belonged to the princess based on the smells. Only someone very close to the princess would do something like that, and someone that close would know.

A smile crept onto Nicole's face, but he quickly pushed it down. Nicole then turned to meet the woman's gaze, then looked her in the eyes, and then nodded slightly. He then looked to Alexia to see if she had pieced things together, but it seemed that without the prompt that Nicole received her mind was in other places. Nicole wasn’t too worried that she would cause a repeat of earlier though.

Without missing a beat Nicole asked Alexia what their names were so he could properly address them since he probably missed them telling him earlier. After getting an answer, he then went to address Darius. "I will apologize first Darius. There are some secrets that are not mine to offer, but I will try to share what I can. First, for my personal gain, I am not a prince. From what I have been learning, princes are male children of kings. My father is not a king, nor will I inherent rule just because my father ruled, I am not a prince. You can both just call me Nicole, I am closer to one of your scholars than I am to your royalty.

"Now that that is out of the way. I do not know if I am one of your blessed as you claim me to be, but I am very different from you and even my own people. I, to my knowledge, can not split water and, I didn't not really summon my brother. The spear might have let him connect to me, but it was up to him to come. I can't control him anymore that I can control the water." Nicole laughed after what he said caught up to him. "Well I guess that last statement is up for debate now. To continue, I guess it would be more proper to say that your first queen is like me, since she is my brother's daughter. He and I though are the same, just of different waters. If that classifies me as one of your blessed then you would be correct."

Alexia then chimed in. "It is much easier to show you than tell you. Can you both cup your hands for me?" They hesitated, but then both agreed. When they did, Alexia grabbed a water skin and then poured water into their hands, first Darius then Mary shortly after. Clear water sat like a clear pond in their hands. While she wasn't sure it would work as she suspected, she had a feeling that it would. Nicole realizing what she was doing extended his cupped hands and the action reassured her. Alexia then poured the water in and as soon as it touched him the clear water became a brilliant silver in his hands.
 
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Quiet giggles seemed ever-present in the garden during early spring. The gentle breeze provided a break from the heat of an overbearing sun and clear, blue skies. The comfortably floral scent never left the place. Beautiful blooms through all ranges of color gave curious young eyes a neverending opportunity for exploration and learning. A woman with long, dark hair sat on a stone bench, a massive pink rose bush in full bloom behind her. She read quietly from a small book, her lavender dress flowing gently with the wind.

"Mary! Where did you go?" A young girl shot past on the stone pathway, dark hair matching the woman's in length and color. She giggled happily as she hopped from stone to stone around a small fountain, eyes searching through the thick bushes for her friend. Once she made it to the other side, the girl disappeared into the thicket.

It was quiet once again, only the occasional sound of a giggle from far off in the distance could be heard as the two played hide and seek together and their elder continued to read. A stronger gust of wind pushed pink and white petals down the pathway in the direction the girl had disappeared. It was common for the girl's giggles to go quiet as she searched tirelessly for her friend as concentration and focus swayed with the excitement of their game. Gentle fingers traced the page, enjoying the quiet and the peace the garden offered them all.

"Queen Victoria! Queen Victoria!" Eyes trailed up from the words the woman read, blue as the sapphire sea. Another girl sprinted up, words filled with fear. "It's Emma." The shake in her explanation and the watering of the girl's massive brown eyes was enough to tell the woman something was very wrong. "She found me, but when she touched me she fell down and—and—" Trembling words shifted into a soft whine as the tears started to spill over.

"Dry your tears young one; it's going to be alright." The woman smiled a knowing smile, pulling herself quietly from the stone bench. "Would you please take me to her?" The elder held out her hand and the girl nodded. Reaching up and gripping two fingers tightly, she pulled the woman along, the other maroon sleeve becoming the six-year-old's handkerchief. The pair remained silent as stone gave away to grass and long arms reached out to push back low branches for the child who seemed unphased by the drag of leaves and sticks across her skin.

"She's just up here, behind the hydrangeas." The woman said nothing, just followed as they pushed past the bushes with clusters of small white flowers. At the first sight of the girl, the grip disappeared, the small body clearing the distance quickly to settle at her side. Eyes stared up into the sky, lacking color. "Please wake up, Emmaline!" As hard as the girl tried, tears still streamed down her cheeks, dirty hands shakily brushing long strands of hair out of the way as the elder approached. The child thought her friend was dead.

"Mary, come here..." Kneeling down beside her, Victoria held out her arms. There was no hesitation. The child rushed to her, pressing tear-stained cheeks into the soft lavender fabric as she was wrapped in a hug. "Emmaline will be perfectly fine." It was the first of her daughter's visions; ones Victoria had been unsure might ever come. There had been a part of her that hoped she might not have to see the horrors that she'd seen in her youth, but it was not a decision she could make.

"I need you to be strong for me, alright?" Her tone was soft like velvet as the girl pulled away just far enough to stare up at her queen, confused. "You see, right now, Emmaline is listening to the words of the God's, Mary. No matter what they say, she must take heed of their wisdom. Emmaline will protect all of Illyria with her visions." Gentle lips leaned down to press against the top of the young girl's hair. A young, curious mind didn't question the queen's words. "From now on, this could happen with only the slightest touch, Mary. I need your help keeping it a secret so bad people don't find out." The girl let out a little whine, turning to stare at her friend. "I swear to you that it isn't painful, but will need you to watch over Emmaline as your mother did with me. Protect her and her secret, Mary." The girl finally pulled away, settling down next to her friend, tears starting to slow their descent down her cheeks.

"That's how Momma helped you?" The girl never got the chance to meet her. Passing during delivery had left Mary alone since the beginning. Victoria had sworn to protect her and raise her as close to her own as she could; the love she felt for the two girls in front of her felt like too much at times.

"Yes, Mary. She helped me when I could not help myself; a blessing from the Gods, just like you." Victoria smiled at the girl who reached up to brush tears from wide eyes. "Could I ask that you do that for me? Help Emmaline when she can't help herself? I can teach you how; I still have time before..." There was only the slightest pause. The child didn't even notice. "You will be Emma's greatest ally in times of adversity; you will protect her in times where no one else will be able."

"Anything for Emmaline, Queen Victoria. I love her so much." There was no hesitation with the question. Mary knew that she wanted to help those she saw as her family in any way she could. It wasn't about repayment or a feeling of obligation; the girl only knew unconditional love.

. . .​

It was how the young maid had always kept her honesty about the topic. Questions from curious minds usually did not get answered by her. They were either left to the silence of a busy woman or the answers and excuses of others.

It didn't mean Mary didn't feel the regret of leaving Darius in the dark. Since they were teenagers, any time he was allowed he'd spent with Julius or Emmaline, running around the castle trying to cause trouble in the most innocent of ways. She'd cleaned up more than one tray of food off the floor in her time from one of the boys running through the hallways too quickly and something ending up tossed in the excitement. Emma was quite strong, but nights filled with the ominous visions of war left Darius thinking that she fell ill often. It was an idea that her father leaned into around the castle once Victoria had passed. Emma was far less frail than her father liked to make her out to be. It was part of the reason that the three had gotten so close during their youth. With her mother gone and her father away dealing with the kingdom, there had been no one there to watch over Emmaline except for her on many occasions. Darius had been the one to teach her to fight. Mary loved Emmaline dearly and those months after Victoria's passing had taken just as much of a toll on her as the others. It was that fear that she might break her promise to Victoria that led Mary to learn the basics of combat. It was just enough to feel less helpless like perhaps she could actually protect her friend—her sister. If there was anyone that deserved their trust, it was Darius. He'd been there through the harshest of times.

Mary's attention had been drawn away from where eyes traced the creases in the tent's fabric across the way. There was a stillness, and Mary's eyes caught on his. It was an answer to a question that she'd had, but didn't dare ask. He did know. The maid didn't return the nod, knowing that Darius watched the two of them closely. She didn't want to have to lie to him. If only she and Emmaline could have had a conversation alone first. What had happened between the two of them out on the beach and why did this warrior now know of the kingdom's most valuable secret?

Emma had possessed such great courage staring down such a creature. When she needed it, Emmaline could mirror her mother's power and fearlessness with ease. It was just like Queen Victoria to exhaust herself to the limit for her people. When given the chance, it was made clear that Emmaline truly did have what it took to be the next ruler of Illyria. Those chances had been few and far between, though. King Charles was so protective of her—especially after Victoria's sudden passing. No one outside of the royal family knew what had actually happened, not even Mary.

Still, no matter what the reasons were, Mary could trust Nicole. Emmaline trusted him with the secret. It was obviously unintentional; they didn't just give out information like that. If it had been up to Charles, even Mary wouldn't have known. Victoria had been their leader, though, and her decisions went unquestioned. Still, he wasn't restrained and being carried back to the castle as a prisoner. He was being treated as an important guest. Emmaline left him with the group that she trusted the most and insisted he be taken care of. Mary knew there was nothing to worry about.

The pair listened quietly as Alexia translated. Not a prince. That would be difficult. The two were conditioned to the honorifics and customary titles of their people. If he requested they speak to him with such casualties, Mary would. It was not for her to go against the wishes of a prince...not prince. Darius instead just listened, nodding slowly with the words as they settled. Nicole reminded him a lot of Julius. The two had known each other since they were twelve. Julius had the same nonchalance about his position of power as Nicole seemed to share. The young man knew very well his duties to his people, but never quite cared for the stiff formalities of the Illyrian royal courts. Both Julius and Emmaline had always been the ones to skirt around those rules. It was Robert who seemed like the odd one out in the trio. Darius never could quite come to trust Robert in the ways that he could Emmaline or Julius. Something had always felt a little odd about him and Darius could never place what it was. Perhaps it was the relentless torture during their teens of his continuous pranks on Julius and himself. They were all things that, in his position, he'd never been able to give him a proper throttling for.

As Nicole continued, though, neither spoke. It surprised Mary none that he wouldn't remember what had happened. It was obvious. Another had taken his place for those moments that they walked out onto the beach. Darius just watched him, hardly believing his ears. These were not just tales anymore. Whether Nicole knew it or not, he or something very close to him shifted the seas. Darius didn't understand why the warrior didn't remember, but he just watched and waited for him to finish. Mary could see the curiosity behind Darius' eyes. He'd had that spark even when they were younger. The maid knew, if it had been Emmaline, the man would have asked so many questions.

Before it was even a possibility, though, Alexia spoke. Mary's eyes, which had been trained happily on Darius, shifted to her words. Even the maid didn't understand, but after a few seconds, both complied. With hands outstretched, she accepted the water, giving Darius a curious glance. His stare was the only indicator that he thought the answers might rest in the water that poured into his hands. If it would give him answers, the young man wouldn't question.

It took a moment. With the two watching Alexia as she poured the water into Nicole's cupped hands, it didn't register with either for a moment. Their brains ticked away that something wasn't right until Alexia had finished pouring and they sat staring at the sliver waters in Nicole's hand. The pair's eyes widened to varying degrees. Though she'd never seen something so magical in person before, the girl understood that surely this was just another effect caused by who he was. After a moment, eyes trailed up from silver water to Nicole's. Slowly, she pressed her lips to the place where her hands joined to drink, taking slow swallows until the water in her hands was gone.

Darius couldn't believe it. This was incredible. His own hands slacked slightly, the water quietly dribbling down his arms, some falling to soak into his pants. The cool feeling on his legs was lost as he focused on what was happening. Whether he called it a blessing or not, Darius was certain he was sitting in the presence of one of the blessed.

"I'm surprised the princess isn't picking your brain apart every moment that she's awake." His words were honest. The man had no idea what had happened previously between Nicole and Emmaline at the party. He didn't even know where the princess was at the moment. Darius just assumed she was in some meeting with her father or resting in his tent after such a long day. It wasn't like the girl to pass up on opportunities like this unless there were more pressing matters that needed to be tended to.

Mary had questions. Unfortunately, there were very few that she could pose with Darius sitting there. It was already obvious just how dumbstruck he was to be sitting there in front of Nicole, but the realization that Emmaline might possess similar graces was a topic to be avoided in the current company. Still, the maid wouldn't ask him to leave—it wasn't her place. Besides, aside from her own curiosity, she enjoyed even moments like this with the young man.

"You're certainly a wonderful example of not judging a book by its cover, Nicole." Mary smiled softly; things were starting to slowly fit together in her head. Months of curious visions and uncertainty now made sense. "I see now why it was the Kalakari we were guided to seek out by our tactician for assistance against Ulanamar." Emmaline had seen it in a vision. Illyria was taking hard hits and seeing major losses on the western border of the country. Ulanamar had made serious ground, leaving only destruction in its wake. It was a change in her visions that had shaken the woman to the core. Why she'd gone from seeing war-torn fields and burned cities to people enjoying the quiet at the water's edge, Emma hadn't known. It had driven her mad for weeks. People and places she'd never seen before, enjoying the quiet and calm of their homes. Sitting around fires and diving into the depths of the waters no man could possibly dive. It was the calm of these quiet nights at first. Then, it was someone leading men of fire into battle alongside Illyrian warriors. They'd found the tribes that Emmaline saw and done everything in their power to enlist their aid. They had been the key to winning the war.

"Wait... So your brother...is the leviathan?" Mary found herself oddly absent with all the new information, but Darius always pulled her gently back. He got quiet for a moment, slowly piecing everything together in his mind. "You're saying that the creature we saw was actually Riolalth?" The man spoke and Mary's eyes widened slightly, breaking away from where she'd lost herself in thought staring at Nicole and instead turned her attention toward Darius again. It was something she hadn't even thought of before now. Everyone knew the stories. Queen Victoria used to tell the two of them the story of the first city of Illyria when they were children. She'd pick Mary up and set her in bed next to Emmaline and they'd listen with heavy eyes until they'd both fallen asleep. Victoria would always carry the tiny girl back to her quarters. They'd all gotten their rebelliousness from the queen. She'd never once held an issue with the closeness of the two girls or the way Mary took care of Emmaline. It was in Queen Victoria's wisdom that she'd learned so much.

"So that's why she chose to commune with the Gods instead of resting," Mary spoke softly, more to herself than to anyone else. If Emmaline knew that was who had come from the sea, then the conversation she'd seen them having from across the sand was probably even more important than she first realized. It wasn't just a monster Nicole had summoned from the depths. It had been Emmaline's ancestor.

"That's where she's gone? At this time of night?" Darius heard her at least, his tone disapproving of the information. "I'm not sure a simple prayer will give her the answers she's looking for. She's going to end up catching a cold, that stubborn girl." Mary smiled softly, knowingly. A quiet chuckle escaped from her lips at his words. He always worried about her getting sick.

"You'd be surprised what a little bit of prayer can to for Emmaline, Darius." The cryptic response was lost to him, and Mary just kept the conversation going. Away from Emmaline and dangerous topics was usually the way the woman tended to lean conversations. She'd done it many times before; it was part of the job.

"It seems that coming to Sangtaeud has been quite a fruitful excursion already." With her words, Darius eyed her quietly. The change of topic to something far less exciting wasn't lost to the man. Her reasoning, however, was lost to him. It wasn't something he'd question in front of Alexia and Nicole; when they were alone later, he could ask her. "You label yourself a scholar, Nicole. Alexia, have you been able to show him the Library of Illyria?" Mary smiled. Emmaline had sent her on many occasions to the massive building to retrieve books since she wasn't allowed to venture out into the city. It was honestly one of her most favorite places to visit. "The Valerius School of Art in the city has an incredible collection of Illyrian works too. Queen Victoria had them bring a multitude of pieces for one of Emmaline's birthdays so she could enjoy them. It might be something worth looking into if you've got the time and you're interested in seeing some Illyrian art."

Whether Nicole would be interested in something like that, Mary wasn't sure. She knew it was a safe topic and one that might lead to getting to know more about Nicole and his likes. He was a curious man. While Emmaline's first meeting hadn't done anything to sway her own opinions, Mary still wanted to know more about him while they were given the chance. Any questions the young maid had for Nicole were all on topics that she couldn't ask about currently anyway. Mary didn't know if they'd all find themselves in each other's company again, so she needed to make every moment count.
 
“Yes yes yes,” Alexia shouted in her head as the water turned silver in Nicole’s hands. While she was eighty percent sure it would work, the gratification when it did still felt wonderful. She found herself smiling at the expressions the other two wore upon her revelation. “I bet I looked just like that when he showed me this on the beach.” She then looked to Nicole who just gave her a look that said well done, along with his stupidly heart throbbing grin. As she sat back and translated she once again though about the crazy life she was having.

“Clever girl,” Nicole thought as she began pouring water into the hands of Mary and Darius “Most of what I do can be written off as the strength of the Kalakari. That one, not so much.” Realizing what she was doing, he extended his hands before being asked. Through most of Nicole’s youth no one knew that he did this. As the waters of the Silver Sea and the surrounding water systems were already silver, he never changed its color. It was only when he went on his first campaign that the secret was revealed. The other men had been complaining about the taste of foreign water and Nicole had brought up that it didn’t taste any different to him. One guy threw his water over Nicole and caused shock when a silver seemed to drop off of of him. The shock changed to horror when moments after Nicole caved in his assailant's chest with a kick. "Good times," Nicole thought.

After the display of his ability, Darius was the first one to speak up. A grin touched his face as he recalled what all had happened after his most recent interaction with the princess. "It probably didn't help that I lost consciousness, or did it. I guess that is yet to be seen."

It was Mary who spoke next, and and Nicole bowed his head slightly at her complement. When she mentioned the tactician, it was confirmed that his guess about her knowledge what correct. He wondered if the woman realized that she gave away more information than she intended. Even if she was the lead servant for the princess, how and why would she know the actions of the tactician? "Maybe their tactician felt the need to tell non-essentials his plan for some reason," Nicole though "No that makes no sense, he--or I guess she wouldn't have remained hidden if she was taking credit for battlefield choices." Nicole paused his thoughts as he realized that it was clearly not important if Mary did slip up. So far, it seemed like everyone in the room could be trusted, and Darius was the only one who didn't know who the tactician was already.

Nicole and Alexia bounced their attention back to Darius when he finally registered Nicole's words about Riolalth. Nicole was going to answer the man's question, but held off as he saw the man's wheels turning. After piecing together who his brother was, a pleased grin came to his face. Nicole always applauded a quick wit, and this man clearly had one. With Mary's mind snapping into action itself, Nicole just sat back and let the two discuss. He was glad he did, as he gained some new information of his own. While for some reason he knew the princess was up on the cliff, it was nice to know what she was doing up there. More information was better than less in his opinion.

As Mary switched the conversation away from talk of gods and powers, everyone caught the action, but Nicole and Alexia chose to let it go. If the woman didn't wish to talk about those event, they saw no reason to force the issue. So leaving talk of gods behind the pair answered Mary's latest questions. "I have gotten to show him the Library," Alexia explained "It was the first thing I showed him after he said he wanted to learn more about our people. I haven't shown him the Valerius, although we did go over the school in passing during some reading. "

"While I am sure your art is lovely, I would much rather spend my remaining time exploring your people's waters," Nicole explained "I feel that there is much more that I could learn in my limited time. Thank you for the suggestion though." Nicole took some of the offered food and stood from his seat. "As I am sure there is much you two would like to talk about without me here, I believe it is about time I take my leave. I'm sure you all would like some sleep after such an eventful day." Nicole bowed to them all. "Thank you once again for looking after me. If you would like to get together tomorrow for anything let me know. I find you all to be wonderful company."

Nicole then left the tent and made his way out on to the beach. Nicole heard movement and looked back to see Alexia coming out of the tent herself. She jogged to catch up to Nicole and was met by a shake of Nicole head. "Please get some sleep Ms. Zendaya, I will be fine. Rest well, I will see you tomorrow."

Alexia paused for a moment at the sudden rebuff but decided to sort her thoughts about it in her tent. "Goodnight Nicole," She replied before turning and leaving Nicole alone in the moonlight.

Nicole grabbed his undisturbed wave glider and paddled himself back out on to the water. When he made it to more gentle waters out in the deep of Sangtaeud he laid back and let his limbs sink into the waters below. He looked at the moon and its color made him a little home sick. "I split the waters," Nicole said to his goddess "I am not sure what you need of me, but I'm yours. Always have been and always will be." A hand reached out towards the moon and was held out, letting silver drops of water fall from outstretched fingers. "I hope to return to you soon." Nicole then spent the rest of his night telling his goddess about everything that happened and making notes in his journal about the creatures of the sapphire waters.
 

Darius didn't understand it. Listening quietly to the change in subject, it seemed like he was the only one that was still trapped in the happenings of the past evening. Alexia and Nicole continued as if it were normal to go from speaking of splitting seas and ancestors of past Illyrians to libraries and art. It was a complete switch of the mundane that Darius didn't understand. Why did it seem like Mary always knew far more than she was letting on? Wise far past her years, Darius had felt that silent direction even when they were younger. It was never anything he'd pried too deeply into. He understood how close her relationship with the queen had been and there was no doubt that he saw some of the more reserved qualities in Mary.

Though here, being faced with possibly one of the blessed and Emmaline caught in the middle of it all, this felt heavier. This wasn't just some fleeting information that was inconsequential; it wasn't the giggling light secrets of a princess and her best friend. This trip to the sea felt like something that they'd write about in history. They'd never come face to face with higher beings and Riolalth? The young man wasn't quite sure he believed it yet. Still, Darius kept silent as the others spoke, eyes trailing carefully across the trio as thoughts distanced him from the conversation. It was a discussion not to be had in front of Alexia and Nicole. No matter what happened, Mary was far too reserved to open up to him while they were around, especially when it came to matters of Emmaline. Darius knew he could bide his time and wait, though he never found himself listening to the quiet translations until Nicole stood, eyes shifting again.

He was going. Mary watched him quietly a moment before shifting to her feet. Emmaline had instructed her to stay with him and take care of him while he rested. Just like the princess, it appeared that he had no intention of resting any time soon. Mary wouldn't stop him. Though she knew it better to try and convince him to rest, the young woman knew well that nothing would keep him from walking out of the tent and continuing on with whatever he intended on filling the rest of his evening with. They didn't have much time left on the sea; it made some sense that he would want to utilize the time he had to explore.

"Please fetch any of the servants if you find yourself in need of anything, Nicole." The request was a simple one, though she hoped he might find himself content for the evening. Alexia followed them out and Mary gave a smile in thanks to her. The girl had been incredibly helpful throughout the time they'd had with Nicole. Mary knew that there was no way they would have learned so much without her. It was nice to know that he seemed to enjoy their company. More normal conversation was probably welcome to break up the neverending formalities of the higher courts. Perhaps they could take some time teaching him a dance of their people since it seemed he'd been so interested in it before. It was an idea she didn't voice, the tent already free of the two additional bodies. Mary didn't follow them out, she just let the silence sink in for a few short moments before Darius' voice behind her broke her thoughts.

"It's been an interesting evening, has it not, Mary? Things have finally started to quiet down" She smiled, turning only for a moment to watch him where he still sat, staring at her. Even in the few moments that they found themselves alone, he'd once again relaxed. She could see it in the slight slack of his shoulders and the smile, his dark brown eyes unwavering as she walked back toward the circle of pillows.

"I certainly never thought I'd be meeting the Kalakari leadership. Nicole seems much more personal than I expected." He chuckled quietly, watching as she pulled the small containers in her hand. Always busy. Even when there was no one watching she found the smallest of tasks to keep herself occupied. It was obvious to Darius that she would have preferred acting as if nothing had happened. The young man just couldn't allow their moments alone to go to waste.

"He's interesting." Rising from where he sat, Darius retrieved the remaining water skins and followed her across the tent. "To think we enlisted the help of a blessed with the war." The young man smiled quietly, stopping next to Mary as she returned the lids to the tins in her hands. "The Gods must have truly been on our side; I wonder if the tactician knows the power he's brought to Illyria with his work."

Careful hands slipped the waterskins away from Darius, returning them to a small bag that Mary had been gathering. As eyes shifted down, Darius caught the sight of food, water, and a few other items. "We've certainly been blessed. The country is out of war and we'll see a time of prosperity again I hope." Mary smiled, though Emmaline's visions had begun again, she hoped that perhaps the Kalakari heading back to their homelands might mark the end of them. To Mary, the acts of the past days did not make her hopeful. Visions were one thing, but someone had spoken to them through Nicole. To the young woman, it all felt like the calm before the storm. When it would hit, it appeared that even Emmaline didn't know, but they would hopefully be ready for it.

"Mary, what is on your mind?" Darius' voice had gone soft, eyes staring down at the young woman as she stared silently into the bag. In the corner of her vision, she caught the movement of outstretched hands toward her and she took them. Rough hands from years of training always enveloped her own and as she stood, a smile spread across her face. "It's always like you to be reserved, but never so distant." Once she was standing, their hands didn't part. Darius just enjoyed the peace even as his question hung between them.

"Do you truly believe that the Gods have something more planned for us?" The question, quiet even against the distant sound of the sea gave Darius great pause. He watched her for a moment, the uncomfortable doubt finally settling in her eyes. The walls came down the most that they ever did when they were alone. Though he was unaware, Darius was the only one to ever see past them to view her true worries.

A slow hand reached up, tracing a gentle line across the young woman's skin. A single strand of hair had pulled loose from the braid, and he slowly pushed it behind her ear. "The Gods always have something more planned for us, Mary." He smiled, watching as her eyes closed for a moment. They didn't get these quiet moments often anymore, but the maid took great comfort when they did. "If they've given us direction, we must do all that we can to follow it." The words were hauntingly familiar, comforting in the silent tempest that had been kicked up by all of her questions. "No matter what happens, I will find you." The hand moved, gently urging her chin up so that their eyes met. "Whether a proclamation of the Gods or not, you should know that I had every intention of doing so anyway." The quiet spread between them for only a few short moments.

"Ever the charmer aren't you, Darius?" The words were softer than he expected and he caught the gentle flush that settled on her cheeks. They'd gotten quite close, bodies leaning in toward one another as they spoke. Mary's smile was blinding and for a moment, he returned it, happy that he could settle some of her thoughts. "You should think about retiring for the evening; your duties will begin again early tomorrow morning."

Her request pulled a chuckle from him. She'd never been one for allowing herself the time to steep in her own feelings. Darius had learned that during their first sparring lesson under completely different circumstances. "As should you, m'lady. Princess Emmaline will certainly need your assistance tomorrow after her commune." Quiet little moments like that often slipped comfortably away from them. Their lives revolved so heavily around the crown, it was difficult for both of them to take a much-needed pause.

"I won't be resting, Darius." His smile fell, a look of disappointment settling. Mary saw it, the slow intake of breath as he readied to lecture her about taking care of herself and she giggled softly. "You know what my duties are. I'll sit with Emmaline until daybreak. If opportunity affords it, I will rest on the cliffs with her."

There were a few moments of silence as Mary waited to see if her explanation would be enough to convince him to leave the impasse for another day. "You both work yourselves too hard." Mary took a short step back as he spoke, leaning down to pull the bag over her shoulder. Inside was everything she thought she might need to tend to Emmaline. "I will meet you both once the sun has risen and my duties are tended." It was a promise and Mary nodded quietly. It seemed Darius didn't bother with an argument that he wouldn't win.

"I look forward to it, Darius. Rest well." He reached out once again for her hand. Leaning, he brought his lips against the soft, warm skin. It wasn't the first time he'd given her such a good by, but the young man had not been able to grow any bolder than that yet. The look he gave her could make any young woman's heart flutter and Mary was no different.

"Good night, Mary. Might the Gods grant you constitution for your sacrifices to the crown." Nothing else was said between the two as Darius slipped out of the tent and into the cool night breeze. The moon shone brightly in the sky, promising for a comfortable morning without rain. He could afford a few hours of sleep in the tents with the others, though he always felt the quietest tug of regret when he rested while Mary continued on. Her perseverance was admirable and a thought that kept the smile light on his face as he made his way back down the beach and toward the others.

. . .​

The evening went by faster than one might think. The walk up to the cliffs gave Mary a long while to herself. She needed it to think and clear her mind. She'd learned so much in just the past few hours and the maid knew that if Emmaline did what she usually did, the girl would be ready and willing to tell the story of every vision she'd been blessed with as soon as the God's released her. It was interesting that Emmaline had chosen the cliffs this time. To Mary's knowledge, the girl had never been up to the beautiful, dark view that looked out over the seas. Usually, the small cove of black sands farther south along the water's edge was comfortable enough for her to find peace. It was something that Mary didn't have an answer to, but was content either way.

The shape near the edge was familiar and when Mary saw her, dress dancing comfortably in the warm breeze, she smiled. Emmaline always looked so peaceful. Colorless eyes still stared up at the stars, the girl's body never moved. A pillow for the girl's head, food, and water were all provided; it would be hours of sitting before Emmaline's eyes finally opened. When they did, the morning sun had given way to a bright and warm day on the sea. Usually, Emmaline's communes didn't last as long, but the slow blinking drew eyes to her either way. "Good morning, Emma." Mary grinned, reaching for the water skin as Emmaline groaned. Her head throbbed, mind tired from a night of visions and pleasant surprises. They weren't comfortable; Robert had always acted as if she were just going to sleep for the weekend by the sea, but it wasn't that. It was a full night without rest as she tried desperately to see and learn and accept everything that she needed in such a short period of time. This time was worse than the others; Mother Xenira and Father Jenir had far more to say than usual.

"Good morning, Mary." The girl's voice was hoarse and she took the hand outstretched to her to pull herself up into a sitting position. The girl's feet still hung over the edge; it probably wasn't a very good place to be for someone who felt the world shift with the moment. She groaned again, a hand coming up to press at the bridge of her nose, hoping to alleviate the merciless throbbing in her skull.

"Drink. It'll make you feel better. You've had nothing to drink for almost an entire day now." Mary spoke gently, holding out the water skin. Emmaline didn't fight her on it, taking it from her and drinking silently. Eyes closed in the bright light of the morning as she tried to keep everything in her mind. "Anything interesting come of your commune? I've got everything for notation if you'd prefer to do it here while you eat." Emma didn't pull the water from her lips for a few more long moments, a small smile fighting through the exhaustion as she looked at Mary. None of this was uncommon for the two. They'd grown quite comfortable with one another and Emma quite enjoyed having someone there that knew and seemingly understood what she went through each time. Mary knew that Emma didn't want to be coddled. She wanted enough food and drink and sleep to regain her energy and she wanted someone to listen. That was all she'd ever asked for.

"They showed me far more than they've ever shown me before." A slight raise of the young maid's eyebrows showed a piqued curiosity. Emma's eyes just cast out toward the sapphire waters. "A few visions we'll need to notate, but..." The girl trailed off, taking another long drink. Eyes hung, half-lidded as she stared out toward the horizon. "Momma was there." The words were quiet. Emmaline felt a quiet pang of fear as if saying the words out loud would somehow make her memory of their short conversation disappear. Mary's eyes widened, leaning closer to Emma with her words.

"Queen Victoria?" Mary just wanted to be sure. Emmaline found her lower lip pressed between her teeth, the quiet ache in her heart the uncomfortable reminder of what had happened. It was another reminder that she'd probably never see her mother again.

"They let me see her in Kuuthaed." Of all the visions she'd seen, of the two of them running through the forest, of the same images of the reading room...Seeing her mother was the one thing that had shaken her. "They've...It was incredible, Mary. I wish you could have seen her too. We got to talk." A quiet laugh escaped her, brimming with the sadness of times past. It took a lot for the tears brimming in the girl's eyes not to flow over. She'd done enough crying for one trip. "Do you remember that time we were playing hide and seek in the garden? You thought you were cursed because you touched me?" She laughed again, taking another slow sip. "You thought you'd killed me." Mary smiled softly, it was the first time the girl had a vision; Emma had been a confusing mess when she'd finally awoken.

"I do remember that, but, Emmaline..." The girl's eyes turned to look at her friend finally, Mary was watching her intently with so many questions. This time, the maiden only chose one. "What did you and your mother talk about?" It had to have been important. The mystery of her death still hung to Mary like a bug bite. It was uncomfortable even though there was nothing that she could do about it; Mary just had to deal with it. Unlike a bug bite, Mary wasn't certain if she would ever learn what happened.

"Well...We talked about a lot of things. There were some...important topics we never got to discuss before she died and I think the Gods thought it was finally time that she told me herself." Emma smiled, reaching into the tin that Mary had produced, eating a piece of fruit. "She's happy, Mary. That's all I could have ever—"

"Excuse me for intruding." Neither girl heard the footsteps approaching, but the voice was recognizable by either. They both turned, staring at the young man who stood awkwardly as far away as he could and still see them. The last thing Darius had wanted to do was walk up to a conversation the two were having and hear something he shouldn't. "I told Mary I would come to check on both of you once my duties at the camp were finished." Emmaline smiled, eyes trailing over to Mary. It was obvious the young maid had truly wanted to ear what Emmaline had to say.

"Of course, Darius. Mary and I were just enjoying the view together. Isn't it beautiful? I can't believe I've never been up here before." It meant far more to Emmaline now and eyes peered down to the sapphire depths below knowing what was held within the waters. Darius approached them easily, smiling at the two where they sat. "I didn't realize just how far you could see. It certainly makes the Sangtaeud appear massive." She giggled, taking another slow drink of the water. The skin was almost empty, the weight lightening in her hands with every swallow. The girl's head still hurt, but she tried not to let it show. Mary was probably just as exhausted; Emmaline always hated how Mary pushed herself past her limits for her. Even though she asked the girl not to sit with her for hours, there was never a time where Emmaline awoke from nights like the one she'd just had and Mary wasn't there.

"You should see it from a ship, Emma. Surrounded by the blue waters on all sides with no land in sight...It certainly puts things into perspective for you." Darius chuckled quietly and for a few long moments, the group sat in the silence just enjoying the peace. After the silence had gone on for quite some time, Darius' eyes shifted back to the pair. "Not to end your time early, but your father has requested your presence before you choose to rest for the day." Emmaline nodded quietly, the only indication that she heard Darius behind them. Still, she just looked out, mind quietly rolling over the many images she had in her head. There was nothing definitive, which was always the worse thing about some of her visions, but there was enough to keep her mind busy pulling apart the details.

"Well we shouldn't keep him waiting long, should we?" With Emma's words, Mary shifted up from where she sat, turning back to begin packing the few items away that she'd brought for Emmaline. It wouldn't take long and in those first few seconds, Emma just stared out one final time. She wasn't sure if she'd end up making the trek back up the cliffside again before their trip came to an end and the girl didn't want to forget the view. Finally, she shifted, feet finally pulling up over the edge as she stood. Darius had his back to her a few feet away, holding the bag open for Mary as the girl returned the tins to their place.

At first, things felt fine, but the shift made Emmaline's world teeter-totter a bit. A hand rose, pressing against her face as she tried to get the motion to stop, the other hand stretching out to keep herself upright. It was something that had never happened before after one of her communes, but Emmaline couldn't get the slow and extreme rocking to stop. Mary caught the girl's movement, eyebrows knitting together as hands stopped.

"Emmaline, are you alright? Be careful you're—" The sentence didn't get all the way from the girl's lips as she watched it happen. Another teeter, a shift of her feet, one stepping back to steady herself, but back, there was no more cliff. There was a quiet shriek from Emma as the foot settled just on the edge, but with an outstretched hand, there was no one close enough to catch her. "Emmaline!" The scream broke through the silence, Mary's body scrambling up off the ground and past Darius as fast as she could, but before the young maid could even get close to her friend, she watched her fall backward and disappear from view. "Emmaline!" Another scream from Mary, ripping through the silence and causing their ears to buzz. The girl kept going, but before the girl could launch herself off the edge after the princess, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her midsection, pulling her back.
 
Nicole woke to the warm sun on his face and gentle cooling laps of water on the side of his face. He was groggy as he woke, and forgetting where he slept, found himself loosing balance and toppling over into the water. The rush of cold from the water woke Nicole up instantly and he quickly flailed himself back to the surface and his board. Hanging over the side of his board he look the see some pink sea creatures clapping their fins and cackling at him. "Oh hush," Nicole chided as he splashed water at the pair, "It was a long night." The creatures made their high pitched cackle again and blew water out of their blowholes before diving in and out of the water in a circle around him. The playfulness of the creatures brought a smile to Nicole's face and the sight of the large breaking waves of the morning only added to that smile. "Would you like to join me for some wave riding?" Nicole asked before the creatures responded with noises and splashes of their tails, "Alright then, lets have some fun."

Nicole spent the next bit of his morning riding waves with his new friends until he felt his stomach growl. "I haven't really eaten anything have I," Nicole said to himself as he sat on his board, "I should probably get on that." He then turned to his new friends. "My friends, I am going to head back to shore for a bit. Thanks for spending some time with me." The creatures gave a different sounding cackle before clapping their fins and bumping into Nicole's side. They then dove into the water before cutting arcs in and out of the water as the headed out to deeper water. Nicole caught one last wave and rode it back to the shore.

"Welcome back to the realm of the normal mighty caller of monsters," Lucian said with a smile and dramatic outstretched arms. Nicole planted his glider into the sand and embraced the scruffy man. "You should have been there for the talks that happened after your display. These nobles had no fucking idea what they were getting into hanging around with you. By the way, I have seen you be you, but I ain't never seen you summon monsters. What was that all about? Even pops wouldn't tell me anything about it."

"I'll tell you on the water," Nicole said as he grabbed his spear out if the sand it had been stuck into the night before, "Lose some clothes and grab the glider. Not like I didn't promise to show you how to ride one of those."

Lucian smiled and obliged. He removed his armor, boots, and shirt leaving him just in his Illyrian trousers that he rolled up to his knees. The man was quite the sight as he pulled the glider out of the sand. He stood about the same height as Nicole if not a little taller and has a well build body of his own. His skin was clearly the light Illyrian, but was more tanned due to his large amount of time outdoors. Nicole found himself laughing at the shift in color between his dark upper body and his blindingly white legs. Nicole shifted his eyes towards them and smiled causing Lucian to bring his own attention to them. "Hey, taking off your shirt makes sense for a fighter, but only your weird people walk around your lands without boots," Lucian said defensively "Now stop looking at my legs with lust in your eyes."

Nicole let out a laugh and Lucian quickly joined in. "I can still make fun of your hairy chest though, correct" Nicole added still laughing.

"You're just mad because you can't get any hair on yours," Lucian answered "You are free to be as jealous as you like." The pair redoubled their laughter and made their way into to water.

Once out into the water, Nicole began filling him in on what he could about the previous night, and instructing Lucian on what to do with the glider. He had given the man a rundown on the ride over, but Lucian was quickly finding out that the process was clearly much more difficult that it is described. Fortunately, having come from a military background, the man's balance was far above average which made the process easier. Nicole swam beside him and gave notes here and there until he felt his friend just needed more practice. "Hey Lucian," Nicole said as his friend waited for the next wave to come "I am starving, so I am going to go hunt some. Will you will be ok on your own?"

"Yea, I'll be a professional by the time you get back," He answered with a smile.

"I don't doubt that." Nicole answered as he turned to dive into the water. As he turned he saw something falling down the cliff side. Nicole assumed it was one of the military guys jumping, but he felt that it was something different. "There is no way," Nicole said rolling his eyes. The scream that came moments after answered his question. "Damn you girl."

"What was that," Lucian asked as he looked around. He stopped as he saw his friend no longer as he knew him, but once again as the being from the night before. "What is any of this?" Soon Lucian was alone on the water as his friend dove under the water and swam off faster than he had seen many fish swim.

The water seemed to just split around him as Nicole cut his way through the water with mighty kicks swings of his arms. Even though he had felt the initial rise of his heart, the calm of the waters came over him again. Even though he moved with furious intent, his heart and mind were calm and tranquil. The spear in his hand didn't cause him any trouble and he was able to move as if it wasn't even there. Nicole assumed that this was due to something that his brother's father had done. It was like his own chain that had no trouble moving through the waters.

Nicole was pulled out of his thoughts when he saw a body plunge into the water far off into the distance. Bubbles rose around the body as it sank deeper into the water and the morning light seemed to beam directly on her. While he would have preferred to never have seen it, the floating cloth and bubbles were beautiful and reminded him of something that he didn't really recall. Still far off, he picked up the pace and hoped the girl was at least able to hold her breath after the impact.

It wasn't any longer than a minute before Nicole made it to Emmaline. He held the woman in his arms and quickly looked her over. Her eyes were close and her mouth was partially open. Nicole groaned inwardly, but he knew what he needed to do. Since his people spent more time on the water than on land, it was imperative that everyone knew how to swim, and how to save others. Nicole as the best swimmer his people had, was usually charged with saving people from the worst of the worst situations. That ranged from people drowning in a heavy storm all the way to monster attacks. It was because of this national life guard position that his mother made him sit through months of health lessons. Nicole brought Emmaline to the surface and laid her on her back. He held her above the water with one arm as he brought her closer to him. He quickly prayed to the goddess that she wouldn't throw up in to his mouth, and put his mouth to hers and breathed air into her lungs. Since it hadn't been too long since she had been under water and she was unconscious it was better to provide aid while still in the water. The time it would take to get her back to land might be too long. After the first breath, she was still unresponsive. "Why are you always dying," Nicole said taking another breath "You are just like us in that regard you foolish girl." Nicole gave her another breath and once again nothing. If the next one failed he would have to rush her to land and give compressions. "Come on, I know you are a fighter, fight for me," He pleaded before another attempt at resuscitation. On the third time Nicole felt the jerk of Emmaline's body and got out of the way as she coughed out water. Relief flooded through Nicole and as it did, the new colors that painted Nicole's appearance began to slowly wash away to their natural color. "Well done Princess,"Nicole said with a smile "Now lets get you back to land."

After giving Emmaline a moment to gather herself Nicole made his way to the woman's back wrapped an arm her waist so that she was leaning back into his body and her head was out of the water. He then swam backwards at a much more normal pace so that Emmaline wouldn't be jarred by any of his motions. He then began to sing a soft song that his mother had taught him to hopefully help put the princess at ease. He wasn't sure if it would help too much, but since it helped with relaxing the kids he sometimes saved he felt it was worth a try since she couldn't understand him. As he sang his aquatic friends from the morning swam beside him and made their own noises in time with his song. Nicole let out a chuckle at the display. "Thanks for the help guys."

After one more song, Nicole had made it to the shallows and asked the princess to hold his spear before he took her into his arms. A swath of people came forward, but stopped when they saw Nicole glare at them. Fortunately, Lucian and Alexia were there and he could use them to talk to the others. "She should be fine, but people are not what she needs right now," Nicole told the two "Can you clear these people away and get some water and food for the princess. A healer too if you have one. I will look her over, but a second pair of eyes is never a bad thing." The pair nodded and quickly got to work. "Thank you both." Nicole then put the woman down on the black sands. He looked her over and took measurements of her condition. Nicole then realized that sending both people who could translate away did come with it's own issues. He searched his memory for the words he needed and was only able to make a broken sentence in Illyrian that he made sure to phrase as a question "You good? Hurt body? Where?"
 
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