Nogard stepped into a room that had been chiseled out of a cluster of pink pillar polyps. A dim light resonated from a chest in the center of the chamber, illuminating the walls which were painted to depict ancient Aquarian battles. Machuba paid the murals little attention. His eyes were on the trunk made of magically interwoven, luminescent coral. The chest looked to be worth a fortune by itself, Nogard could only guess what magnificence hid within.<\/p>\n
Early in the morning, Sidon woke Nogard up and took him on a path through the polyps that protruded out from the courtyard. The trail ended at this strange structure, carved out of the skeletons of cnideria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is where we keep our most valuable relics, relics of the very man who built this fortress.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fishfolk paused, hesitating before proceeding towards the chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you understand why we hold Namrem Shelmick on such a high pedestal?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe united da mermen\u2026\u201d Nogard raked his brain for an additional guess but Sidon cut in before he could continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe united a group of oppressed peoples against a foe far too large to defeat. Shelmick faced impossible odds and, though he lost, he forced the fishfolk never to forget the crimes they \u00a0committed…\u201d<\/p>\n
He strode forward and stopped beside the chest. His glowing tattoos sprayed their cursive-designs across the walls.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026War is not fair. A win is a win. A loss is a loss. Faced with the destruction of his people and the knowledge that there could be no victory, he spent his last breathe to curse the Gills\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The fishfolk reached into the folds of his cloak and produced a key. He knelt by the chest and unlocked the locket that held the rough rainbow walls of coral. Then he turned back to the silent chicken dragon.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026It isn\u2019t the fact that he didn\u2019t give up, that he fought until his last breath, it is the fact that though he lost the war, that war was but a battle in the context of this past, present, and future of conflict between the mermen and the fishfolk. Whether or not he knew what would come of his actions, Shelmick kept the fight alive. And who is it that now bears the torch? What is the name that everyone knows the oppressors fear?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSidon?\u201d Nogard guessed.<\/p>\n
Sidon shook his head and Nogard frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cGill. Whether by Shelmick\u2019s curse or simply by coincidence, the tides have turned. The very man who\u2019s ancestor\u2019s name once meant corruption, now is the symbol of hope that one day the Aquarian Ocean will be ruled democratically and the symbol of hope that one day, mermen and fishfolk might coexist as if they\u2019re one in the same,\u201d Sidon opened the trunk and gestured for Nogard to join him, \u201cbut now that hope is locked in a cage and being toted to the king\u2019s throne.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nogard looked into the chest and his eyes grew, asking his question before his vocal cords could spit it out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not giving this to you, Sheenshong Otubak, I am lending this to you. For when you die, these weapons will be returned to the depths of the ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dented and scarred, the shield Nogard lifted from the chest looked as ancient and war torn as the Emperor Saint, though it was much older. Nogard slipped his left arm through the straps and grabbed the handle, holding the round shield in front of him like a member of a Greek Phalanx. It was light, almost unbelievably light, and yet it felt solid and sturdy. He felt as though the entire monastery could collapse on him and he\u2019d be fine as long as he was beneath that shield.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Shield of Namrem Shelmick,\u201d Sidon said, \u201cand his sword.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nogard slung the shield across his back, over where his bladeless-hilt was strapped, and reached in to grab the sword. He flipped it over in his hands, it was an Aquarian-style sword, broad bladed and one sided. Like the shield, it was light as a feather and, whether made of it or not, completely golden.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were said to be forged in the center of our world,\u201d Sidon said, \u201cThe blade is destined to be Machuba\u2019s, but the shield must go to his closest ally and that is you, Sheenshong Otubak.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
– – –<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cConsume to your heart\u2019s desire!\u201d<\/p>\n
Sidon stood before a blooming fire that encompassed an entire room. The blue flames pealed out of the furnace to reach from the floor to the ceiling. When they first stepped into the chamber, Joe had thought that it was on fire but Sidon quickly corrected him. Though it was burning a bit over the top, it was meant to be.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a few brothers put extra fuel in the furnace this morning,\u201d Sidon explained, \u201cso that there will plenty for you to take.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nodded and extended his hand, then paused. As a southerner from the United States back on Earth, generosity was expected from strangers but was also taxing. Accepting a gift meant one was expected to reciprocate in the future. At first, he\u2019d written off Sidon\u2019s hospitality as the fishfolk merely being an excellent host but before Sidon took him to the forge, he\u2019d taken Nogard and given him artifacts of the Stronghold\u2019s patron saint. This went well beyond being accommodating, they were getting the Prodigal Son treatment yet they\u2019d never met the rebel leader before! He had to ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me sir, but why are you helping us so much? I understand equiping us, after all, we are going to try and help save Machuba but\u2026\u201d Joe hestitated, then just spat it out, \u201cYou gave Nogard a two thousand year old sword and shield! You\u2019ve tempted this furnace into a state where it looks like it could melt through this coral! I understand that the Suikii might be your only hope of breaking Machuba out of that cage but, for all you know, we could be going out there to die! The sword and shield could very easily be taken, with Machuba, to Lacitar along with our heads!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrue.\u201d Sidon smiled, \u201cThe things you say and ask only further my beliefs. Tell me this, Sheenshong Joe, why is the half-brother to Sharp Otubak, a Samurai, the brother of Tabuh Sentry, a Samurai, and a human from the Sun traveling to save the nephew of Paud Gill, another Samurai? There is something swirling above the sea, sheenshong, something cooking on dry land. Though separated from the world, we are not oblivious. We can feel it in the atmosphere, taste it in the salt, smell it in the currents, hear it in the lashes of the Iahtro Storm, and we can see it, the good half of it, in you. That other half, the evil half, is threatening to consume Solaris and though we feel safe now, far from the war fought above, depending on who wins this war, it could become the end of us too. The land lubbers call upon their Emperor\u2019s Foretelling for proof, we look to the Delian Prophecy, either way you put it \u2013 times are getting tense. The Soldiers and I want to make sure our loyalty lies with the righteous when the calm comes to an end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe nodded. Everyone has these gargantuan ideas of the future. <\/em>It made Joe incredibly uncomfortable. Everyone seems to think that the fate of this world lies on my friends and I. <\/em>Joe did not like it.\u00a0What if they\u2019re wrong? What if they\u2019re helping the wrong guys? Would it be my fault for not quitting sooner?<\/em> Joe looked at the raging furnace with contempt. When did I start letting myself believe I could do this?<\/em><\/p>\n Sidon could sense Joe\u2019s doubts but this did not worry him. He said, \u201cPeople aren\u2019t born heroes. Though Saint knew the names of the Mystakle Samurai before they even assembled, the Samurai weren\u2019t born the Samurai. Heroes are the results of trials. Where there are trials, there will be heroes. You were not born to be a hero, Sheenshong Joe. You were born to be Joe. If by being Joe you become what the world calls a hero, then you became what you were born to be.\u201d Sidon looked Joe in his eyes, \u201cCan you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged, his eyes falling to his feet.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n Nodding to Siden, Joe rolled his downcast eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot give up, Joe.\u201d Sidon pressed, \u201cYou must promise me that you won\u2019t, tell me you won\u2019t give up.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Joe\u2019s eyes met Sidon\u2019s.<\/p>\n \u201cSay it!\u201d Sidon demanded.<\/p>\n For a second Joe was sure his heart stopped. He couldn\u2019t help but hear Sidon\u2019s words as if his brother had spoke them. Suddenly, he found himself believing that he could do it \u2013 that he could save Machuba, that he could bring back the Samurai, that he was the Sun Child!<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t give up,\u201d Joe said, cheesy with confidence, \u201cever!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen we won\u2019t give up on you!\u201d Sidon smiled then he waved his hand and left Joe with the flames, \u201cNow, consume!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sword flew across the courtyard to stick into the sandy ground within inches of the coral that infringed upon the lawn. Zalfron, dressed in the robe-like, tunic-skirt get up that seemed to be the trademark of Sidon\u2019s disciples, faced the tatted vigilante with his knuckles barred. Sidon looked over his shoulders to the brothers that stood at the edge of the garden. They shrugged. As Sidon returned his gaze to the elf, he caught an uppercut to the jaw and stumbled backwards. Zalfron didn\u2019t stop there. His right arm was already swinging but Sidon wasn\u2019t the type to be fooled twice. He caught the fist and brought it down with a twist then delivered a heel-kick to the pit of the elf\u2019s knee which sent Zalfron to the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cYou fight with the clumsiness of a seabear,\u201d Sidon grunted, rubbing his chin, \u201cbut the viciousness of a sumarii.\u201d<\/p>\n Zalfron did his best to jump to his feet but the bruise on the back of his leg was worse than he\u2019d expected. No sooner did he get upright than did he crumble back to the sand.<\/p>\n \u201cCalm down, sheenshong,\u201d Sidon order, \u201cwe are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYa? Then whah ya insultin mae!\u201d Zalfron argued.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was an observation, as much an insult as it was a complement.\u201d Sidon chuckled, \u201cSumariis are the fiercest creatures in the Aquarian Ocean. Their jaws can crack the shell of oceantelopes, their teeth can cut through steel hulls, and their tails can propel them across the ocean faster than the zoomers of Space City.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026\u201d Zalfron had gotten on all fours, ready to pounce on Sidon\u2019s ankles, but after hearing this he plopped down on his rear end, \u201cWell\u2026thank ya!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut a clumsy sumarii is a dead sumarii.\u201d Sidon stated.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what? Swords ain\u2019t for mae.\u201d Zalfron shrugged, \u201cBig deal!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNor an ax or a trident or a-\u201d<\/p>\n His hands once again balled into fists as he stood from the sand.<\/p>\n Sidon laughed, \u201cYou\u2019re as good with a blade as you are with constructive criticism!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh don\u2019t naed a weapon.\u201d Zalfron crossed his arms, \u201cAh faht better with mah fists.\u201d<\/p>\n Sidon smiled, \u201cThese are armed<\/em> men we will be fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh\u2019m fast and an Aquarian Dome makes mae all the faster! Ah\u2019ll be lahk a minnow, zig-zaggin through the ranks of the enemay, baetin em down fore they can even draw their weapons!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to force a weapon upon you,\u201d Sidon assured Zalfron, \u201cbut I must warn you, Sheenshong Sentry, my men will be focused on getting to Machuba, not protecting you. If you can\u2019t defend yourself, no one will come to your rescue and we are counting on you and Nogard to keep Joe safe until he opens a window into our brother\u2019s cage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlaese,\u201d Zalfron scoffed, \u201cthis ain\u2019t mah first rodaeo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve said my piece!\u201d Sidon raised his arms, assuring Zalfron that his lecture was over\u2026well, almost over, \u201cOne day your fists won\u2019t cut it. You need to find a tool you can take into battle \u2013 even if it is nothing more than an armored gauntlet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it captain,\u201d Zalfron said, cracking his knuckles, \u201cwae ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Sidon looked at the glimmering sunlight that barely made it to the courtyard through the cracks in the reef that surround them. He nodded, \u201cI do believe it\u2019s about time.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bold woke up to the incessant chatter of the Knome. Memories hit him like a bag of bricks. He was no longer in the\u00a0Barren\u2019s Mullet. It hadn\u2019t been a dream. I left the tavern, <\/em>but still he was puzzled, I should be bloated and blue lying at the bottom of the ocean. <\/em>The last thing he could recall was the\u00a0Cinatit<\/em>\u00a0capsizing and the three of them, Zach, the Knome, and himself, jumping into the deep blue sea.<\/p>\n \u201cI still can\u2019t get over you coming across us like that!\u201d Ekaf continued.<\/p>\n Sitting up, Bold looked around. The room he was in was not the room the Knome was in. The walls were made of ice and he was sleeping, bare-chested, on a thatched rug that sat on the ice-encased grass floor. Only then did he realize how cold he was.\u00a0By God, I slept in a refrigerator!<\/em>\u00a0He stood and lifted the animal-pelt door to his make-shift bedroom. The room he stepped into was circular with a roof that was unusually high, even the doorways were all at least ten feet tall. At the center of the room was another weed-woven thatched rug but this one lay beneath a large round wooden table. There were four wooden chairs situated around the table, one of the chairs empty.<\/p>\n Zach and Ekaf sat side by side next to their host \u2013 a minotaur. Bold had seen a minotaur once or twice in his life and the sight of the looming creatures had always enthralled him. There Bold was, a rock dwarf standing no higher than four feet, next to a man twice his size. Not only was their mere height intimidating but their horns curved up above their ears reaching another foot or so. Then there was the fur which made their commonly muscled physique look even thicker.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you\u2019d never wake up!\u201d Ekaf cried, hopping out of his chair and hurrying to pull the free seat out for Bold to sit, \u201cThis is Boldarian Drahkcor the Fifth, son of Boldarian Drahkcor the Fourth. That\u2019s right, Zach here is a Samurai\u2019s holy-brother, by way of monastery, and Bold is the son of a Samurai,\u201d Ekaf turned from the minotaur to Bold, \u201cThis guy saved us. He was out fishing and saw the ship capsize. Thank Tidalus he got to us in time. We would\u2019ve been shark-chow! And you\u2019d never guess who he is!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAcamas Icespear.\u201d The minotaur said, extending his hand to Bold.<\/p>\n Bold trotted across the carpet of frozen grass to shake the massive hand, asking, \u201cSon of Theseus Icespar? The King of the Grailard?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir!\u201d The minotaur nodded. His voice was so deep that Bold could feel it in his bones. The minotaur scooted an ice-made plate over to where Bold sat, \u201cFish and bread, my friend, that\u2019s the best I could provide. You, my guests, have truly caught me off guard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh could eat the oice off the wolls ruht about now, brotha,\u201d Bold took a massive bite of bread and swallowed without giving it a chew, \u201cYou musta been real close tah the ship\u2026imagine uh sunk lahk a rock!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, well you probably would have,\u201d Acamas winked at Ekaf, \u201cbut your little friend made sure that wouldn\u2019t happen. You see, I saw the ship rise and plummet and made my way over as quick as I could. Most of the survivors were happily sinking to the Aquarian Dome\u2026Knomes\u2026\u201d Acamas chuckled, \u201c\u2026I\u2019ll never get them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNor will I,\u201d Ekaf agreed.<\/p>\n Acamas grinned, \u201cAnyways, after getting turned down by every Knome I rowed by, I caught sight of a floating rock dwarf.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a common suht, aye?\u201d<\/p>\n Acamus nodded, \u201cI rowed over, found the spirit boy and this Knome treading water like fishfolk to keep you afloat. I swear, your little Knomish friend must\u2019ve been swimming beneath you, holding his breathe, forever! Startled the hell out of me when he came out from under you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess it\u2019s true whot they say about Knomes and banshees,\u201d Bold said, raising his hands and giving the old Knome a flabbergasted, though appreciative, stare.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that, my friend?\u201d Acamas asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThar\u2019s an old dwarvish song in which folks often switch the ward banshee out far Knome and it warks the same!\u201d Bold explained, clearing his throat before proclaiming, \u201cIf ya ain\u2019t a blahd, best bary the spahd, cause you ain\u2019t baryin the Knome not tomarra nar today, those lads and lasses are bound to bound away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should sing the rest!\u201d Ekaf exclaimed.<\/p>\n Bold opened his mouth, cast Ekaf a nervous glance, then closed it. He looked to Zach for help. Zach was watching the minotaur intently. Finally, Bold said, \u201cIt ain\u2019t the most politically carrect jingle out thar\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Zach saved Bold, asking a question that completely changed the subject, \u201cMr. Icespear, why were you there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was fishing!\u201d Ekaf interjected.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, my friends\u2026\u201d Acamus looked from the spirit to the other two, \u201cWhile the Trinity Nations fight their war, Iceload fights hers. As you may know, once Talloome was removed from Icelore, Shalis Skullsummon took his place. The War on Mancy never ended for us, all that changed is now we fight it alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the Imperials?\u201d Zach asked, \u201cThe Ipativians hold Zviecoff, which stands between Icelore and Recercoff, do they not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy friend,\u201d Acamus was amazed, \u201cZviecoff has fallen!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe capital?\u201d Ekaf exclaimed, \u201cZviecoff the capital?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot the capital any longer, I\u2019m afraid. They\u2019ve evacuated the civilians. The city\u2019s nothing but a battle field now. And, last I heard, it does not bode well. A number of men, both elven and minotaur, are trapped in the city, surrounded by the Order, unable to resupply. Among them, my father. But I\u2019ve got a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Ekaf cried, \u201cNot Theseus, my old pal!\u201d<\/p>\n Acamus frowned, \u201cYou knew my father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Ekaf stuttered, \u201cuh, well, yes\u2026I fought a little with the Samurai.\u201d<\/p>\n A twinkle sparkled in the minotaur\u2019s eye and his furred snout parted in a grin, \u201cOh, I see<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Acamus\u2019 sarcasm was interpreted as sincerity by the Knome.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is your plan?\u201d Zach asked.<\/p>\n Acamus narrowed his eyes, \u201cThe names you\u2019ve given me tempt me to trust you, but the bizarre coincidence of this encounter suggests that I shouldn\u2019t. This is a matter not to be shared with anyone. Who knows who could be working for the Order?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2019d die befar Uh\u2019d join the Arder!\u201d Bold snapped.<\/p>\n \u201cI as well.\u201d Zach said.<\/p>\n Acamus calmed, \u201cAnd I suppose the Order would hardly resort to hiring Knomes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue,\u201d Ekaf agreed, \u201cyou can trust us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you betray me, my friends, you will regret it.\u201d Acamus warned. His tone was not cheery but not accusing, simply honest. Then, his voice grew quieter, as if someone might hear from outside the frozen camp, \u201cI\u2019ve stayed clear of the battle front. I serve my nation on the high seas, hunting down the privateers that work with the Order. These ships prey on the Black Crown Pact pirates that smuggle dark marrow. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFunny,\u201d Ekaf remarked, \u201cthe Trinity Nations pays pirates to disrupt the operations of Pact ships too!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, they do indeed,\u201d Acamus said, \u201cand what do you think those ships do with the booty they\u2019ve looted from Creaton\u2019s vessels? Throw it in the ocean?\u201d<\/p>\n There was silence for a moment, broken by Bold, \u201cAre ya sayin the Trinity Nations pays the same lads as the Arder?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am, my friend. These pirates get contracts for Black Crown Pact vessels from the Trinity Nations and bring back the captains to be locked away. The Trinity Nations hands them a sack of gold. Then those same ships sail to Icelore and sell the Order every single thing they found aboard Creaton\u2019s ships to receive another sack of gold.\u201d Acamus said, \u201cThe Trinity Nations is feeding our enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n The very idea that this could be true sickened the three.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is your plan?\u201d Zach asked again, his voice cold.<\/p>\n Bold was alarmed. Zachias rarely got worked up. But back in Tadloe, people didn\u2019t tend to bad mouth the Trinity Nations. Looking at Acamus, he could see by the minotaur\u2019s smirk that he\u2019d noticed the agitation in the spirit\u2019s voice. Bold made a mental note to make sure Zach and Acamus never had a moment alone.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been trailing a ship called the\u00a0Monoceros<\/em>.\u201d Acamus said, \u201cYou\u2019ve probably heard of her, but these day\u2019s she\u2019s in the hands of a bunch of Aquarian Ocean exiles that call themselves the Sea Lords \u2013 another name you probably are familiar with. They used to be the biggest name in Solarin piracy until they had a run in with my father. Now the Monoceros <\/em>is the best they\u2019ve got. Most of their men are already in Zviecoff, but the captain was sent to restock and they just heisted a massive Pact shipment, a supply of mostly food I believe. I acquired word that they\u2019re to report immediately to Zviecoff. They\u2019re going to restock the Order\u2019s forces. Not only would this endanger our ally\u2019s already delicate bid for the city, but this would further doom my father \u2013 especially if Theseus is still holed up in Rivergate, which he was last I heard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe must stop the ship.\u201d Zach stated.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Acamus grinned, \u201cwe must steal it.\u201d<\/p>\n Bold groaned, \u201cUh hate boats.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, brother,\u201d Ekaf said to Acamus, \u201cthere\u2019s no option. We\u2019re coming with!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhot about the boys?\u201d Bold asked.<\/p>\n Ekaf frowned for a minute before an idea slipped into his skull, \u201cWe\u2019ll hijack the Monoceros<\/em>, then hop off into the Aquarian Ocean. It\u2019ll be on the way!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Wobniar Woods, the massive coral reef that encompassed nearly half of the Aquarian Ocean, wrapped around the head of Middakle and filled out the southern end of Tadloe\u2019s gulf. Sanction sat five selims south of Fort Gonchi, a distance that could be traveled in one long hard day if the Aquarian troops weren\u2019t marching through the rainbow colored jungle. After leaving the southern city, they traversed a selim of open water before slipping beneath another Aquarian Dome. This dome was the same as the one over Shelmick\u2019s Stronghold \u2013 which lay unnoticed only a five hour walk from their path \u2013 Fort Gonchi, and the Submarine Canyon.<\/p>\n The long crevice would be the last couple hours of their journey. Fort Gonchi rose out of its northern end. The southern end of the canyon was shrowded in a true forest, not one made of polyps but instead of actual plants. Tongues of red, green, and yellow kelp rose from the dirty sand, nearly hiding the crags ahead. As the soldiers began marching through the mighty tangle of sea weed, their nerves were on edge. All along they\u2019d expected an attempt by the merman separatists to free the prisoner they transported and, since it had yet to happen, the men felt confident that they would be sabotaged in the canyon.<\/p>\n Six scouts had been sent ahead to scan the rift for peculiarities. These men were swift and agile, they jumped from one side of the cavern to the other with the ease of a monkey. The scout in the rear had the job of keeping his eyes on the five in front of him. Holding on to the rocky ledge, feet wedged against the rock wall beside him, his other hand was cupped over his eyes as he made sure his comrades were accounted for. They were. Behind him, he could hear the jingling of armor echoing off the earthen facades. The caravan couldn\u2019t be more than twenty minutes from the bottom of the canyon.<\/p>\n Despite having found nothing wrong, the last scout couldn\u2019t help but feel something was off. Maybe it is just an oddity in the current. <\/em>Still he didn\u2019t budge from his vantage point. His blue fingertips tap-danced across the conch shell horn sheathed at his waist. Leaving the horn, he reached for his dagger. Far ahead of him, he could now only count four scouts. He\u2019d had all five in his view then one simply disappeared, as if the deep blue sea itself had swallowed him and erased him from existance. Slowly removing his dagger, he watched as another guard disappeared.<\/p>\n \u201cShenma gay deyu\u2026\u201d he murmured, meaning, \u201cWhat the hell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Then a third scout evaporated, followed quickly by a fourth, leaving one more scout aside from himself. He should\u2019ve blown his horn when the first had slipped into the blue, but it\u2019d happened too quick and now it was too late. Whoever, or whatever, was taking his comrades would soon be on him. He had to act and he had to-<\/p>\n The ground was shifting on the cavern floor nearly fifty feet below him. No<\/em>, that\u2019s not the ground! <\/em>He realized he was staring at the dark blue back of a merman! How long had he been crawling right beneath his nose? Letting go of the cavern wall, he dove towards the earth and not a second too late. Above him, he heard a crack, like that of rock being broken. Without looking back, he was sure that another merman was hot on his tail but that didn\u2019t matter. He knew he was doomed. He just didn\u2019t want to float up to Solaris empty handed.<\/p>\n The terrorist below him still crawled onward, completely oblivious. His grip tightened around his dagger as the ground rushed up to meet him. Slicing downwards, he put all his weight on the unaware terrorist below him, using the man\u2019s bare-chest to cushion his fall. The merman collapsed but just as the scout hit the cavern floor, so did four other mermen.<\/p>\n He had missed his mark. His victim, who squirmed in pain, clutching the blade in his shoulder, would not die if he did not attempt another blow. Three more daggers waited at his belt but the time it would take to yank one free would be the time it would take for his adversaries to finish him. So he jumped away. Arms reaching out before him, legs fully extended, he smacked against the wall of the cavern like a tree frog then leapt for the opposite wall. He could hear his pursuers tailing him but he didn\u2019t dwell on it. He was not running to survive but running to see what he could manage to do before being caught.<\/p>\n The horn at his waist slapped impatiently against his thigh.<\/p>\n He leapt again, having lost count of how many times he\u2019d jumped from side to side. This time he missed, his finger tips tickled stone as his body began to fall back towards the sea floor. Drawing the horn from his belt, he put it to his lips and took a deep breath. He could hear the mermen jumping up to meet him. He knew he had only a few seconds left to live. But that was all he needed. He blew the conch-shell horn with all his might then his breath was torn away from him by a cold steel blade.<\/p>\n The call of the scout\u2019s horn echoed through the canyon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The end of the armed caravan had just made it out of the kelp forests and into the barren canyon. At the sound of the scouts horn, they came to a complete stop. The rear of the line was a good twenty feet into the crevasse.<\/p>\n \u201cTINGSHE!\u201d The captain roared from the head of the line, his voice drowning out the last echoes of the late-scouts horn. His men obeyed, stopping in their tracks, \u201cJUAN NAN!\u201d His men turned around to face the way they\u2019d come, \u201cYOSHING!:<\/p>\n They took one obedient step forward then froze \u2013 blue flames suddenly engulfed the tall seaweed that hid the entrance to the cavern. There was no going back.\u00a0Turning to look down the canyon, they watched an army of naked fishfolk, so tanned they were hard to discern, climb down the blue stone walls that surrounded them.<\/p>\n The captain stayed cool. \u201cTINGSHE! JUAN NAN!\u201d Once again, the men turned around. Unsheathing his sword, the captain raised the weapon above his head and commanded, \u201cCHOFAY!\u201d<\/p>\n The Aquarian warriors charged. Sidon, who stood in front of his soldiers, knelt in the dirt. His men followed suit. Together, they prayed to their god. Then, before rising, he dug through the sand by his knees and lifted a silver trident and round shield from the ground. Having arrived at the canyon hours before, they\u2019d had ample time to prepare for this attack, planting weapons and forging firebreaks, which made the odds of defeating the little escort from Sanction seem favorable. Sidon rose to his feet, as did his men, and stepped forward into the surging enemy. Blue skin clashed against cloth and armor, pitchforks clanged against blades, and blood floated up, twirling in the atmosphere of the Aquarian Dome like dust in the wind.<\/p>\n Zalfron and Nogard watched from above, laying on a peninsula of rock that jutted out over the canyon\u2019s edge. Joe stood a few paces back, swinging the Suikii.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if the Suikah doesn\u2019t cooperate?\u201d Zalfron asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will.\u201d Joe stated.<\/p>\n Zalfron was unsatisfied, \u201cBut if not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe try until it does, mon.\u201d Nogard said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if, with it baein a legendaray blade and what not, what if it can chop through the bars?\u201d Zalfron proposed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if we can\u2019t get a portal,\u201d Joe shrugged, \u201cit couldn\u2019t hurt to try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long til we give up?\u201d Zalfron rolled onto his back to face Joe, \u201cWae have to wait til after the battle?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cZalfron, you don\u2019t even have a weapon!\u201d Nogard laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? Ah didn\u2019t naed one in the tavern or when wae jumped them gahs from the carriage\u2026or with the crab the other day!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t contribute at all with the crab.\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cNot mah fault it burnt mae,\u201d Zalfron replied, turning back to the scene beneath them with his bottom lip hanging out like the ledge they peaked over.<\/p>\n \u201cBurnt?\u201d Nogard cried, \u201cYou were in shock, you weren\u2019t burnt!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShock! Ah ain\u2019t never been shocked! Ah don\u2019t know bout chicken dragons, but wae electric elves\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n As they argued, Joe gave the Suikii a break, approached the edge, and scanned the gulch. One glance at the cloud of blood and sand that hung around the battle like a fog and Joe had to avert his gaze. Looking on down through the crags, Joe saw something moving. Between two and three hundred yards away, more armored fishfolk piled out of a daughter ravine of the Submarine Canyon. Joe did a quick count and concluded that there was about as many as had been in the first caravan. The twenty or so Soldiers of Shelmick could handle thirty-six, but could they handle another three dozen?<\/p>\n \u201cGuys.\u201d Joe interrupted their banter and pointed at the enemy reinforcements.<\/p>\n \u201cFarak.\u201d Zalfron gasped, \u201cWae have to go down there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDree of us, mon?\u201d Nogard frowned and sheathed his sword, \u201cWe\u2019d just wind up dying wid em\u2026We do have to do someding dough.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked around and adjusted the tunic that the fishfolk had given him then froze, \u201cHey. This ledge, they\u2019ll have to walk under us, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Zalfron nodded. Nogard grinned. The ledge almost bridged the two sides of the canyon and, though it wasn\u2019t very thick, it was decently wide.<\/p>\n \u201cYou dinking what I dink you be dinking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we could manage to break it and time it right\u2026we could do some real damage.\u201d Joe suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cDey\u2019d pis demselves!\u201d Nogard giggled.<\/p>\n \u201cMight be enough to give our boys back the odds.\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n Nogard smirked, \u201cDought you didn\u2019t want to kill anybody?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rolled his eyes, \u201cI\u2019m not just going to sit here and watch the Soldiers of Shelmick be slaughtered.\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard got off Joe\u2019s back with a shrug, \u201cMaybe da display will scare some of dem fishfolk away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo wae\u2019re goin down?\u201d Zalfron asked with his blue eyes wide as the ocean.<\/p>\n Joe nodded, \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The planks of the piers pealed back from the supports as if reluctant to lay flat. The rusted nails, stooping in the face of the waves, had long since wiggled their way out of their homes. Some of the boards had splintered in half and some sections of the docks had been wiped away all together, yet somehow Hermes, Catty, and Grandfather, with his entourage of cage-carrying shadow-summons, had made it to the end of one of these wharfs.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019re we sailing with?\u201d Catty asked, glaring down the Frosted River at a vessel that wasn\u2019t much more than a speck on the horizon.<\/p>\n \u201cJohn Pigeon.\u201d Hermes answered.<\/p>\n His response was lacking in details, Catty dug deeper, \u201cCaptain of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n After Hermes declined to answer, ignoring his coworker and watching the approaching ship instead, Grandfather spoke up, \u201cThat\u2019d be the Aquarian Sea Lords, son.\u201d<\/p>\n Catty would have snapped at Grandfather for referring to her with a masculine noun, as she normally did for this was not the first incident, but her curiousity took over.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Sea Lords don\u2019t work for the Black Crown Pact,\u201d Catty stated, she turned to Hermes who was still looking away, \u201cI assume this is just a misunderstanding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it you\u2019re misunderstanding?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are about to ride on a ship that works for the Trinity Nations.\u201d Catty said.<\/p>\n Grandfather muttered, \u201cThat\u2019s not their only allegiance.\u201d<\/p>\n Hearing this, her eyes narrowed. Though Hermes, as a banshee, could not tell whether or not her eyes were opened or closed, he could sense her leariness. He chuckled, \u201cMeriam, you\u2019re as gullible as your Lord!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you still work for the Order?\u201d Catty\u2019s lip curled and she spat into the frothing river water, \u201cWhere are the Sea Lords taking us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIcelore.\u201d<\/p>\n Catty didn\u2019t like this answer. She took a step away from the skeletal bearn, back towards the shore. Suddenly, he whirled to face her. He yanked the staff from the rope around his hip. The red jewel that crowned it twinkled, as if daring Catty to run.<\/p>\n \u201cAm I your prisoner now too?\u201d She hissed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do not have to be.\u201d Hermes growled.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we go to Icelore, they will kill me.\u201d Catty replied, \u201cI have no choice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if you are with me.\u201d Hermes promised.<\/p>\n Catty scoffed, \u201cAnd I\u2019m supposed to trust you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Hermes said, \u201cthat is not a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Taking her silence for submission, Hermes let the staff slide back into its loop on the rope wrapped around his waist then set about unlatching his chest plate. Once the armored shell was opened, he reached within his rib cage, pulled out a small crate the size of a shoebox, and tossed it to Catty. As he restrapped his chestplate, Catty opened the box. Inside, wrapped in cloth, was a few of the shattered pieces left from Dresdan\u2019s Sword, the one Hermes had broken on the Sea Cuber<\/em>, the blade Nogard had wielded.<\/p>\n \u201cI am my own man, Catherine, I make my own way. The petty allegiances I\u2019ve claimed \u2013 the Imperials, the Order, the Doom Warriors, the Pact \u2013 they are nothing but a means to make me stronger. I am loyal only to myself.\u201d<\/p>\n Catty could careless about the banshee\u2019s self-justifications, \u201cWhat\u2019s with the box?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three reasons why we are going to Icelore. First, the book said that the Earthboy will come to me in Zviecoff. The city is a warzone. If I wish to enter the capital, then I must be with one side or the other. I must obtain Shalis\u2019 blessing before returning to her turf, otherwise I will find myself at odds with all the parties fighting to claim the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re willing to bow to her?\u201d Catty laughed, \u201cThought that\u2019s why you left?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWilling only because of the second reason.\u201d Hermes grinned, \u201cThe book said that if I take Joe to Shalis, I will become stronger than I could ever imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you\u2019ve just got a weak imagination.\u201d Grandfather suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd how will this happen?\u201d Catty asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not know,\u201d he admitted, \u201cbut I believe it will be thanks to the sword this Knome will make with the void-dust Shalis will lend me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would she give you void-dust?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I will give her the Sun Child.\u201d<\/p>\n The banshee had a point. Still, Catty had one more question, \u201cWhat is your third reason for taking us to Icelore? I still don\u2019t see what these pieces of blade have to do with any of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the book is wrong, then I still must capture the Earthboy, for I cannot bear to stay within the Order and Creaton would never take me back without the human. Even if the book is right, Zviecoff is a large city. It is possible I could miss him. Thus, my third reason: in Icelore, they have one of Kenchi Kou\u2019s mechanical creations. Do you know what I speak of?\u201d<\/p>\n Despite having been previously employed in Icelore, Catty had no clue.<\/p>\n Grandfather, on the other hand, had a hunch, \u201cAtlas.\u201d<\/p>\n Hermes said, \u201cCatherine, you\u2019ve heard of mapworks, correct?\u201d<\/p>\n Catty nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about globeworks?\u201d<\/p>\n Catty shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is probably because Shalis Skullsummon owns the only one in existence.\u201d Hermes explained, \u201cUsing Atlas, we can track the Earthboy across Solaris. Prophecy or not, if I can get Shalis to cooperate, Icelore is key to us finding the pyromancer. Now, here she is\u2026\u201d he turned away from Catty to face their ride. The vessel was much closer now, its details finally discernable. The ship was nearly all in two colors, maroon and navy, except for the marble figurine of a horse, whinnying above the ocean, that mounted the bowsprit. A horn protruded from between the ivory steed\u2019s eyes. It was from this figurehead that the vessel claimed it\u2019s name, which Hermes murmured, \u201c\u2026the Monoceros!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHMPH!\u201d<\/p>\n Zalfron slammed his fists down on the rock ledge as if his appendages weren\u2019t made of soft, mammalian flesh. This must\u2019ve been his tenth attempt. The rock didn\u2019t budge. A bloody imprint of the elf\u2019s brutalized hands was all that remained as a sign of his efforts. Nogard was watching the progressing army of Aquarian reinforcements and was constantly reminding his companions what little time they had before they missed their chance. The Soldiers of Shelmick were winning against the caravan, the battle moved slow but undeniably in their favor. However, their success wasn\u2019t vast enough to provide promising odds for the final outcome. If they did manage to defeat Machuba\u2019s transporters and fend off the second wave themselves, there was guaranteed to be vast casualties and the boys new Sidon and his men wouldn\u2019t abandon their brother, they would fight to the death.<\/p>\n As Joe scanned his brain for useful ideas, he swung the Suikii. If only I was a mage or elementalist and could use more than just fire<\/em>, Joe frowned.\u00a0But I\u2019ve used my fire to knock someone back, haven\u2019t I? Could I concentrate my fire into a hard enough force to crack the rock?<\/em>\u00a0He looked over at Zalfron who was hopping about, eyeing the rock like Rocky Balboa might\u2019ve eyed a frozen hunk of beef.\u00a0It\u2019s worth a shot.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cZalfron, step back.\u201d Joe commanded.<\/p>\n Zalfron did, keeping his eyes on his petrified enemy.<\/p>\n \u201cHope you got somedin up dose sleeves, mon,\u201d Nogard said, \u201cit be now or never!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe spun the fire inside him then let it swim out from his chest and extend from his arms, twirling outward like a drill. He brought his arms together, combining the two spiral tongues of flame into one, then raised his arms.\u00a0Focus<\/em>.\u00a0He sculpted the fire, turning the uncontrolled limbs of sapphire blaze into a solid pole shape.\u00a0Hammer<\/em>.\u00a0The end of the column of conflagration shifted, molding into a cylinder perpendicular to the pole.<\/p>\n \u201cYou gotta do it now!\u201d Nogard cried.<\/p>\n Joe swung both his arms down. The fiery hammer hit the rock and the ledge shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cSelu, that was awesome!\u201d Zalfron fist pumped the air, \u201cYer a baest!\u201d<\/p>\n As Joe sucked his flames back into his chest, he asked, \u201cDid it work?\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard grabbed Joe by the shoulder, turned him around, and pointed as a crack continued to crawl across the outcropping of rock. The earthen peninsula shifted.<\/p>\n Zalfron was beside himself with excitement, \u201cYall ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Now the stone was trembling, it was ready to drop.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d Joe yelped, \u201cDo we hold on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, jump!\u201d Nogard cried.<\/p>\n With one last quake, the boulder bridge fell. The three jumped and they hung in the air for a moment, watching the tongue of stone smack the side of the canyon, shatter, and tumble onto the heads of the unsuspecting soldiers.<\/p>\n As soon as gravity wrapped its heavy fingers around the three, all coordination flew out the window. Arms pin wheeling, they fell to the ground. Joe hit a chunk of stone on its flat side and rolled down it like a ramp. The impact would\u2019ve done considerable damage if not for the forgiving atmosphere beneath the Aquarian Dome. Nogard hit the same rock and came to a rolling stop beside Joe. Zalfron fell flat on the ocean floor at the two\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n Joe and Nogard stumbled to their feet, about to check on Zalfron, when they realized that the twenty-five or so fishfolk not compromised in the falling rocks were but a few steps away. Nogard drew his sword and pulled his shield off of where he\u2019d hung it around his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cYou ready?\u201d Nogard asked.<\/p>\n \u201cReady as ever,\u201d Joe sighed, \u201cremember, try to cripple, not <\/em>kill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYah mon?\u201d Nogard shook his head, \u201cDink dat might be just as bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFARAK!\u201d Zalfron roared, jumping to his feet, \u201cThat hurt so damn ba-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCHOFAY!\u201d One of the fishfolk at the head of the reinforcements roared and the rest of the men responded by charging with their weapons held high.<\/p>\n Joe moved his arms like he was pulling two curtains apart, forcing his chest forward, and sprayed his blue-flame over Nogard and Zalfron at the charging fishfolk. The fire did little to the armored men except stun them. Precisely what Nogard needed. The chicken dragon ran forward, bashing the closest fishfolk with his shield then stabbing him through his chain mailed gut as he fell backwards. Zalfron charged too, grabbing a nearby guard and yanking his helmet off his head. As the disoriented fishfolk stumbled away from the fire, Zalfron reared back and smacked him across the head with his own helmet.<\/p>\n By then the shock of Joe\u2019s wall of combustion ran out. Nogard went on to the next man, raising his shield to jar the fishfolk but the warrior twisted out of the way and swung at Nogard\u2019s unprotected side. The chicken dragon barely managed to raise his sword and block in time, but when he did another fishfolk warrior was on him, striking his shield with such strength that he forced Nogard to stagger backwards. Zalfron had to back pedal too as sword wielding fishfolk inched towards the tall elf, ready to lunge.<\/p>\n \u201cGuys, fall back over the rock!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n Nogard turned and ran past Joe, scaling the rocky mound with ease. Zalfron was less convinced. He swung the helmet back and forth, discouraging the fishfolk from attacking but soon, with Nogard gone, he would be surrounded. Joe cursed beneath his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cZalfron! Re-,\u201d his chest released a tendril of blue flame that leapt up into the air, over Zalfron, and down onto the guard directly in front of the elf, \u201c-treat!\u201d<\/p>\n This time Zalfron listened. He turned and followed Nogard on his climb over the mound of rubble. Joe followed too, after launching a wave of fire at the line of armored fishfolk. As soon as the three reached the crest of the mound, they saw Sidon\u2019s men coming up the other way. At least fifteen of them, all nude aside from the shields now strapped to their backs. There were over a dozen of the remaining armored transport tailing them.<\/p>\n \u201cSwitch!\u201d Joe yelled to Sidon.<\/p>\n Sidon raised his trident in acknowledgement before leading his men down the other side towards the un-suspecting reinforcements. Joe turned back to the charging caravan and released a line of fire. The confused fishfolk skidded to a stop as the blue fire swept through them, scorching what skin wasn\u2019t protected. Before they could regain their composure, Nogard leapt from the top of the mound, throwing his shield to knock two of the prisoner guards off their feet. He came down on another soldier and slid the edge Shelmick\u2019s Sword across his neck. Zalfron tackled the downed guards and tossed Nogard his shield, hollering, \u201cNOGARD, CATCH!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDANKS!\u201d Nogard caught the golden disk and whirled on the next enemy. Meanwhile, Zalfron kicked one of the downed guards and slugged the other in the nose.<\/p>\n \u201cJOE,\u201d Zalfron yelled as he knelt by the stunned guards, \u201cGIMMAE A HAND!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded and thrust his hands forward, palms out, crying internally, \u201cKamehameha!\u201d\u00a0A ball of blue fire the size and density of a bowling ball was launched from his chest, hitting a guard in the head as he approached the elf. The guard stumbled backwards, wiping at the inferno that wrapped his face.<\/p>\n \u201cTHAT GOOD, ZALF-\u201d<\/p>\n WHAM! The fire went out and the guard hit the ground, his flat nose now a bloody indention in his face. Joe cringed at the sight. Wearing the gloves of the fishfolk he\u2019d rendered unconscious, Zalfron held the man\u2019s sword by the blade \u2013 he had used the hilt as a hammer to pound Joe\u2019s victim\u2019s face in. WACK! He spun on another nearby guard and the handle of the sword clanged against the fishfolk\u2019s helmet.<\/p>\n The brutal blow Joe\u2019d seen broke through his adrenaline-induced iron stomach. Suddenly, Joe felt dizzy and sick. He staggered in place but had no time to collect his thoughts. His eyes looked towards Machuba\u2019s cage. The soldiers had dropped it in the sand and it sat in the middle of the mayhem \u2013 between Nogard and Zalfron. Joe could see Machuba, sitting cross legged, still as a statue as he watched the battle through the bars. Both men\u2019s eyes met and a chill ran down Joe\u2019s spine.\u00a0There was something hopeless about the fishfolk\u2019s blank, black stare.<\/p>\n \u201cJOE!\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard\u2019s yell tore his eyes from the prisoner. Five of the guards were climbing up the mound of rubble towards him. Joe looked at his hands.\u00a0Suikii<\/em>. It appeared.\u00a0Joe swung at the hand of one of the fishfolk reaching up for the next block of rubble. An armored hand grabbed the blade. Joe\u2019s eyes met the gaze of the fishfolk guard.<\/p>\n This man is going to kill me<\/em>.<\/p>\n Joe pointed his finger and sent a blast of chainmail-rattling flame right into the fishfolk\u2019s face. The guard fell to the ground screaming as the other four climbed higher.<\/p>\n \u201cGUYS, WE CAN\u2019T FIGHT THEM ALL OFF!\u201d Joe cried.<\/p>\n \u201cWAHR FAHN!\u201d Zalfron yelled.<\/p>\n \u201cNO CHOICE, MON!\u201d Nogard roared.<\/p>\n There was three left pacing around Nogard, four on Zalfron \u2013 counting the two that limped, and four climbing towards Joe. They were outnumbered. Not to mention the twenty-something they\u2019d left the Soldiers to face. Joe looked once more to the cage.<\/p>\n \u201cMachuba,\u201d he whispered, swearing to himself, \u201cwe\u2019ll get you out of there!\u201d<\/p>\n Another hand reached up towards Joe\u2019s feet. Taking a step back to get out of reach, Joe swung the Suikii in the air. Finally, the sword did its job. A hole in the universe opened before Joe revealing a window into Machuba\u2019s cage! He was staring right into the captive fishfolk\u2019s face but the prisoner was oblivious. It was as if he couldn\u2019t see the portal.\u00a0I must have to go through it first<\/em>.\u00a0A hand wrapped around Joe\u2019s ankle. Joe fell onto his butt and reached out to grab a stone that shot up from the pile with his free hand to keep from being yanked down.<\/p>\n \u201cGUYS, WE GOT A WINDOW!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGO WITHOUT US!\u201d Zalfron hollered back.<\/p>\n As Joe hacked at the armored hand gripping his ankle, he considered taking Zalfron\u2019s advice. But what if you go through, get Machuba, then come back out and, in that time, Zalfron or Nogard is killed? <\/em>Joe couldn\u2019t risk it. They had to move together.<\/p>\n \u201cJUST GET OVER HERE!\u201d Joe yelped.<\/p>\n But Zalfron was surrounded. He swung the hilt into a limping guard\u2019s gut then, when the soldier lurched forward, he brought the handle up to clock him in the chin. Hurdling over the collapsing guard, he ran in the only direction that was open: towards the stone fa\u00e7ade. As he did, he noticed a jagged slit in the cliff side. Raising the sword over his head, he swung the handle into the wall, chipping a decent sized rock from the crack before turning back to his encroaching opponents.<\/p>\n \u201cNOGARD,\u201d Zalfron yelled, \u201cTHROW YER SHAELD AT THE CRACK ABOVE MAH HEAD!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHAT?\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard had managed to get past the guards that surrounded him and had just pulled a guard off the mound of rubble after stabbing him through the back.<\/p>\n \u201cTHE CRACK,\u201d Zalfron swung at the guards surrounding him, \u201cABOVE MAH HEAD!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWHY?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDO IT!\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard slit the calf of another guard scaling the rock pile then turned back to Zalfron. He glared at the crack above the elf\u2019s head, spun, and launched the shield like a discus. It soared over the elf\u2019s scalp and hit the fissure, sticking there. Zalfron faked a jumped towards the three guards around him, then ran back to the wall. He leapt, with the sword still upside down in his grip, and swung. He hit the shield with the hilt of his stolen blade which both drove the golden wedge deeper and rattled it, vibrating the cliff side.<\/p>\n The wall shifted. A lightning bolt of cracks spread up from the Sheild of Shelmick.<\/p>\n \u201cZALFRON!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n Zalfron turned. Nogard and Joe were now both standing atop the rubble, fending off the guards. A pebble fell behind the elf. Shadows, like that of clouds, stretched over him. The canyon wall was collapsing.<\/p>\n \u201cHURRY!\u201d<\/p>\n He yanked the shield free then ran, zig-zagging past the now fleeing fishfolk. Boulders fell behind him, one after the other, crushing the armored guards like ants. Zalfron didn\u2019t look back. The guards at the rubble pile turned away from Joe and Nogard and looked at the falling wall of stone. Then they turned to Zalfron.<\/p>\n \u201cOh farak.\u201d<\/p>\n Zalfron skidded to a stop. They took a step forward. Zalfron took a step back. The elf was tall and though he had strong arms, he had stronger legs. With a gulp, he tossed his sword-hammer at the soldiers then charged with the shield before him. Massive boulders continued to rain down around him, some as big as his forearm and some as big as the elf himself. He ran at one of the ducking guards then, at the last second, he held the shield out of his way and jumped \u2013 at least five feet. He could\u2019ve cleared the flinching fishfolk\u2019s head but instead he kicked off the man\u2019s helmet for an extra boost. The elf slammed against the pile of rubble and Nogard yanked him up.<\/p>\n \u201cYa gutsy bastard!\u201d Nogard chuckled.<\/p>\n Giant fragments of canyon wall continued to fall. If they\u2019d stayed behind for one more second, they would\u2019ve been swallowed in the rubble. Instead, they dove through the portal and slammed against the bars of Machuba\u2019s cage. It was dark as midnight. And quiet \u2013 aside from the pebbles trickling down above them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are wae?\u201d Zalfron mumbled, \u201cAin\u2019t this supposed to bae Machuba\u2019s cage.\u201d<\/p>\n Nogard asked, \u201cMachuba?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n The fishfolk\u2019s voice was strong and forcefully deep. There was a certain firmness in it, Joe noted. Though he had never met the famed fishfolk before, Joe found himself willing to trust the man merely from the way he spoke. Turning to face Machuba, the indigo light in his chest revealed the young fishfolk. What first struck Joe was the man\u2019s age. From afar, he hadn\u2019t noticed, but up close, Machuba looked almost like a child (though with notably well defined muscles). Joe made a mental note to ask the rebel his age later, for now, he had a more relevant question.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re under the rubble, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then,\u201d Zalfron lay back against the metal bars and let out a deep sigh, \u201clooks lahk wae did it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sidon yanked his silver trident from the face of his enemy and turned. Not a single Aquarian guard remained on his feet. A few crawled here and their, half a dozen moaned and squirmed, and another half a dozen lay perfectly still though their gills still pulsed as they breathed unconsciously. A long stretch of canyon wall had collapsed, burying the rest of the bodies. At the moment, Sidon was not worried about his men, many of whom had become casualties themselves, that would come later. He was not worried about the blocked entry way, for they could easily climb out. He was worried about Machuba Gill.<\/p>\n With his lips set in a firm line he marched past comrades and corpses to the edge of the debris. At the pile he squatted, placed his hands beneath a stone, and lifted with his legs. His soldiers watched as the fishfolk\u2019s gills flared and veins bulged. Thirty seconds later, Sidon collapsed to his knees.<\/p>\n Behind him, Yiangu cried to the heavens, \u201cBarro! Barro, don\u2019t forsake us!\u201d<\/p>\n His voice bounced off the canyon walls. The soldiers followed Sidon to stand at the edge of the rockpile. Despite the casualties, none had died. All the soldiers had been willing to give their life to save one of their brothers and now they found that the one they came to save may have been crushed under tons of stone.<\/p>\n \u201cBarro!\u201d<\/p>\n A tiny pebble rolled down the pile, coming to a stop at Sidon\u2019s knee. He looked up. At the top of the rubble, a stone lifted. Floating in the atmosphere of the Aquarian Dome, it rose then plopped over on its side, rolling down the hill and out of the way. Another lifted. And another. As Sidon rose to his feet, the cage rose from the pile then levitated over to where Sidon stood and fell to the ground.<\/p>\n Joe, Zalfron, Nogard, and Machuba sat wedged behind the cold, unmarred metal bars. The wide black-eyed stares weren\u2019t focused on the Gill, but instead on Joe. Whispers spread through the ranks like wildfire, \u201cA miracle,\u201d a fishfolk murmured, \u201cBarro smiles upon us,\u201d another whispered, \u201cIsn\u2019t he from the Sun?\u201d One asked, \u201cHe is the Sun Child!\u201d Someone declared. Then, a soldier pointed to the ridge above, crying, \u201cBarro has come!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned to Nogard.<\/p>\n \u201cA Delian god, mon,\u201d the chicken dragon whispered, \u201che rules over all water, takes da shape of a turtle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook!\u201d Zalfron exclaimed, pointing to a dark silhouette that seemed to peak over the lip of the canyon, \u201cSelu, its raelly Barro?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe followed Zalfron\u2019s finger and there was something, high above them, but it could have just as easily been a strange rock rather than a turtle.<\/p>\n \u201cDat was just a turtle.\u201d Nogard rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThen who pulled the rocks off us?\u201d Zalfron demanded.<\/p>\n The chicken dragon glared at the elf, \u201cDought you be a Christian, mon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYea, well,\u201d Zalfron shrugged, \u201cmah god doesn\u2019t do miracles, so maybae its due tahm to convert.\u201d<\/p>\n Sidon strode forward and spoke so everyone got quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cSheenshong Machuba Gill Juji.\u201d Sidon said.<\/p>\n Machuba bowed his head, \u201cSheenshong Sidon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, please assist Machuba from his cell.\u201d Sidon said.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Joe raised the Suikii. The other three inched away from Joe\u2019s corner of the cage to give him ample room. He swung. Then he swung again. After the nineteenth swing, he surrendered, \u201cI think we have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Sidon asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Suikii has a mind of its own,\u201d Joe admitted, \u201cI can\u2019t make it open a portal.\u201d<\/p>\n Sidon gave Joe a blank stare. Behind him, Yiangu fell to his knees, lifted his head, and roared as he had before, \u201cBARRO!\u201d but the shadow that had lingered over the edge of the cliff was now nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sun set and the perfect darkness of night on the sea floor descended upon the Soldiers of Shelmick as the group hiked back to the Stronghold. The controlled forest fire they\u2019d set to trap the fishfolk before the battle had almost gone out and what continued to burn was quickly consumed by Joe to permit safe passage. It took six mermen to hold the cage. They constantly alternated so that no one man would have to bear the weight for the entire journey. Sidon alerted the four that King Lacitar would already be well aware of Machuba\u2019s escape and would stop at nothing to try and prevent them from returning to their hidden abode. As they neared the monastery, the Soldiers\u2019 tattoos began to reappear, glowing brighter and brighter with each step. Joe realized that their tattoos hadn\u2019t been glowing during the battle.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do those tattoos work?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n Machuba answered, \u201cThe closer we get to the Stronghold, the brighter they glow.\u201d<\/p>\n Hearing Joe\u2019s question, Sidon strolled up to walk alongside the cage so he could look Joe in the face as he spoke, \u201cWe use them to guide us home. A spell was weaved in their glowing ink, most of these tattoos have other charms aswell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLahk what?\u201d Zalfron jumped into the conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cSome help you sleep, some lessen pain, some heighten certain senses,\u201d Sidon shrugged, \u201cthere is no limit to what magic can do, only a limit to our imagination. Though, these tattoos are also a weakness. If Lacitar had captured Machuba, then my brothers and sisters and I would\u2019ve had to abandon our home, for Lacitar would use our brother as a compass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cInteresting.\u201d Another sudden thought struck Joe. They\u2019d left the canyon with no bodies in tow. Did we just abandon our fallen? <\/em>He asked, \u201cDid we lose any men?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. One of our brothers, Sheenshong Chuang, is in a very dire condition but, with help, he can walk and, once we return, our women will be able to heal him over time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDa luck of da Sun Child, my boy!\u201d Nogard joked, clapping Joe on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cNot luck,\u201d Sidon corrected, \u201cwe survived because we train hard. Our men are prepared mentally and physically. The fishfolk in Lacitar\u2019s armies are hardly trained for true combat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnless that combat is drunken fist fighting.\u201d Yiangu interjected, \u201cThere is a rumor that soldiers in the Aquarian Army are allowed to drink only liquor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye mon, when can I enlist?\u201d Nogard snickered.<\/p>\n The comment, fortunately, went ignored.<\/p>\n Sidon continued, \u201cThere are many men among the Soldiers of Shelmick that would rank among the top warriors beneath Solaris.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh swear when wae went over that hump, Ah thought wae were missin at laest half of yall!\u201d Zalfron exclaimed.<\/p>\n Sidon chuckled, \u201cThe very camouflage that puzzled our enemies may have conned our allies aswell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucky yall are used to thaese cold waters,\u201d Zalfron shook his head, \u201cyou\u2019d get a cold and pneumonia if ya ran around fahtin nekked back where Ah\u2019m from.\u201d<\/p>\n The three boys had been saved from the cold, and bizarre dampness that prevailed beneath the domes by the enchanted robes the fishfolk had given them. Janwe had explained it to Zalfron and Nogard while Joe was sleeping. The tunics were devised to work with one\u2019s homeostasis. When cold, the cloth exerted heat and, when hot, the cloth exerted chill. Though the outside layer of the garments were soaked by the water-holding, mist-like atmosphere, the inside layer remained dry.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, mon, give da Suikii anodder shot.\u201d Nogard requested.<\/p>\n Joe complied, having to switch to his left hand as the muscles of his right arm were so sore they\u2019d stop cooperating. After the tenth attempt, he decided to get his mind off the uncomfortableness of the situation. Joe searched his brain for another question. Finally, it hit him. Turning back to Machuba, he asked, \u201cI\u2019m not sure if this is a rude question or not, so feel free to decline, but earlier someone mentioned to me that Gills have a peculiar curse.\u201d<\/p>\n Machuba nodded.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s curiousity had rubbed off on Zalfron, \u201cBlood of molten stael!\u201d With wide eyes and a mystified smile, the elf asked, \u201cCan you tell us where it came from?\u201d<\/p>\n Machuba took a deep breath and let it out slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you rather I tell the story?\u201d Sidon asked.<\/p>\n Machuba nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cConsider this a prequel to the tale I told last night,\u201d Sidon smiled, \u201cthough this story began a couple thousand years before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nogard stepped into a room that had been chiseled out of a cluster of pink pillar polyps. A dim light resonated from a chest in the center of the chamber, illuminating the walls which were painted to depict ancient Aquarian battles. Machuba paid the murals little attention. His eyes were on the trunk made of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":520,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-833","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=833"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1203,"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/833\/revisions\/1203"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deadsquirrelpro.com\/fatebound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}