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It’s funny how, even in an unknown world, the smallest things can bring a person comfort.
Take Aleryn for example. When she first stepped through Hercan’s portal, she wasn’t very confident in how things would turn out. Sure, she knew he was sending her to Terminus, but she didn’t know what that was or what it would be like. Her heart felt like it was twisted up into knots, whirling and curling around her chest, filling her with growing anxiety.
But all of that changed when she felt the cool embrace of the ocean again. The moment Aleryn had stepped into the portal, she was submerged once more within the depths of the sea. Her worries faded; not completely, but enough to allow her a steady head. The feeling of cool water against her skin, pushing against her and providing a strong level of pressure...It was nice. Calming.
Perhaps it was because, in some small part, it felt like she was coming home. Back to the sea she knew and loved.
“Well, maybe not the one I know,” Aleryn admitted under her breath. Her voice felt different, distorted by the way water carried sound, but it sounded more normal to her than it had ever since she came to the surface. It helped to remind her that this was her domain, no matter what world she was on.
Aleryn allowed herself a few moments to soak in the feelings of relaxation. Judging by the water pressure, she was probably a few hundred feet under the water’s surface. Nowhere close to home-y, but it was better than a lake. There was nobody in sight, nor any sign of important landmarks. It looked like she was in the middle of nowhere. After a minute or so of allowing herself to float in place, she decided to begin her journey properly.
Or she would have, were it not for the feeling of something wrapping around her leg.
“Kelp?” Aleryn willed herself to float lower, setting herself down against the ground. Lo and behold, the thing twisted around her leg was a piece of kelp. At least, it seemed like kelp. It had the same shape and texture, but its color was weird; a strange pink-and-blue that waved slowly in the water.
“Strange,” Aleryn noted. “But I suppose it’s good that some things are at least partially recognizable. Maybe this world isn’t too different from my own.” She reached down and grabbed the kelp, attempting to pull it off her leg. She was stopped by another strand starting to glow before throwing itself at her wrist, wrapping around it like rope.
Aleryn froze and regarded the kelp. It didn’t make any further moves, though she noticed that it stopped glowing when it stopped moving. She stayed still for several seconds, but the kelp didn’t act. It just floated there, holding on to her leg and wrist with the bare minimum effort needed to hold her in place.
Okay, maybe it’s somewhat different. Curious, Aleryn started tugging her arm. The kelp suddenly started glowing, and she could feel the existing strands around her limbs tighten as another darted forward, attempting to encase her other leg. She immediately went limp, and the kelp did the same.
So it can sense movement, Aleryn noted. Chances are it’s meant to grab swimming creatures and trap them, likely until they die. I may not be in as much danger of that, but it does leave me stuck, and it doesn’t feel easy to pull away from…
Aleryn wasn’t quite sure why she was so calm during all of this. While it could very well be that it was because she wasn’t in any immediate danger of dying, she felt it was more likely that this felt somewhat normal to her. Dominion training encompassed...Well, not this specifically, but how to deal with unknown threats in the sea was a common topic. Weirdness of aggressive kelp aside, this was something she could understand and work through.
She was in her domain now. No more helplessness. She tried to make a running list in her head of what she could use to escape.
Let’s see...Potion of Diminution? No, being smaller wouldn’t help much. Getting the spear from my satchel would upset the kelp before I can do anything. These scrolls may ruin in the water. My stormcaller training could help, but I shouldn’t risk tiring myself in an unknown environment. That leaves…
Slowly, Aleryn inched a hand towards her satchel, keeping an eye on the kelp as she searched the inside of her bag. The kelp didn’t move, which either meant it only responded to overt movements or it was testing her. She wouldn’t rule out any possibility just yet, but she tried not to focus on that right now. I just hope I didn’t forget it back in Red Larch.
After a few moments, her fingers curled against something cool and metallic. Carefully, she pulled her hand from the bag, revealing a one-foot long bronze rod. The rod was decorated with specially painted images of waves and animals, intricately set into the metal. Aleryn could easily make out the name of her grandfather, Ramnas, etched into one side.
Grandfather, if this works, I’ll owe you, Aleryn thought to herself. She started to turn the rod in place, holding it tightly in her free hand while she angled it so that the bottom end pointed towards the kelp. Her entire body tensed, waiting motionlessly and preparing for the exact moment to act. Not that there was much to prepare for. She knew that when she was ready, all she had to say was--
“Expand!”
The Aquan word came out in a hushed whisper. In hardly a moment, the rod suddenly expanded, the bottom half pushing outwards as it grew into a several-foot-long pole that pressed against the seafloor. Aleryn held tight to the Pole of Collapsing as it grew, willing her internal buoyancy to pick up the slack with the hopes that the pole could propel her upward, out of the grasp of the kelp.
The kelp wasn’t fond of this move. It shined as bright as a streetlamp, tightening around her wrist and leg, slowing her ascent. At the same time, more kelp strands began entwining themselves around the pole, snaring the bronze in its mess of fronds. All the while, Aleryn found the pole starting to falter before it even reached half its full length, slowed by her restraints tying her to the ground.
Well, Aleryn thought to herself, I suppose there’s only one thing to do when you’re being attacked by killer seaweed. Without a second thought, she leaned over, opened her mouth, and started gnawing through the kelp tied around her wrist.
Was this a smart idea? Probably not, given how exposed her neck was right now, but kelp was a vital food in triton culture, and she would be damned if she was going to die from it. Besides, her sharp teeth were good at shredding and tearing just about anything she came across. Hopefully that would include weirdly aggressive algae.
It took a few seconds and some swatting at remaining fronds with her free limbs, but eventually Aleryn was able to rip through the kelp. Soon enough, all that was left of the seaweed on her person was a few dead strands, still glowing but only loosely curled around her wrist.
“Excellent!” Aleryn held both hands onto the pole and shouted, “Expand! And quickly!”
The pole obeyed, quickly growing with enough speed and force that Aleryn was able to shake off the remaining kelp wrapped around her ankle. Once she had reached the pole’s full length of ten feet, she quickly uttered the second command word to shrink the pole (Retract in Aquan) and swam away as fast as she could, not stopping until she was a good fifty feet off the seafloor.
Once Aleryn was certain she was safe, she grinned and twirled the rod between her fingers. “Looks like I owe Grandfather a favor. I’ll have to remember that next time I’m home.” She slipped it back into her satchel before glancing at the glowing pink kelp hanging off her arm. “Though it’s strange, I thought you’d stop glowing by now. Why is that?”
Aleryn’s thoughts were interrupted by something moving out of the corner of her eye. She turned, ignoring the kelp bracelet in favor of drawing her spear. Her eyes roamed the area before her, but she saw nothing new. Rocks, coral, kelp; strange new locale, but nothing that stood out compared to the sea in Toril.
After a few moments of nothing, she gripped her spear tighter. “I know you’re there,” she whispered to herself. “Just come out and we can end this here and now…” Right as she was about to dismiss the movement as a figment of her imagination, Aleryn noticed a creature swim forward from behind a boulder. It looked like…
“...A dolphin?” Aleryn frowned. “What are you doing here? Do you know the way to the closest city?”
Aleryn wasn’t sure if her tritonic ability to be understood by sea creatures would translate well into this unknown world, but she figured it was worth a try. At the very least, perhaps the dolphin could help her find her way. Dolphins were frustrating creatures, but they could be helpful, she thought.
That was, until she got a closer look, and noticed something strange about the dolphin in question. This one looked different than the ones she knew. Its fins and nostril were sharper, as if either could stab through a person’s flesh with ease. Its body was covered in strange tattoo-like sigils, colored white-and-red. Its eyes were...not right. They weren’t a dolphin’s eyes, they were more like a human’s, wide and bulging and bloodshot. Aleryn felt like it was tacky, like a child’s attempt at horror, but despite that, she got the feeling it could see perfectly in the darkness of the sea, somehow.
Aleryn didn’t have long to think about this before the dolphin cried out, letting loose a blood curdling shriek that echoed through the water. Its tattoos started to glow brightly as it turned back to Aleryn and, without even a warning, darted towards her, its jagged nostril pointed straight at her chest.
Aleryn immediately darted away as fast as she could, but she knew it was useless. Torilian dolphins were faster than most grown triton, and even with her unique training, they could still outswim her. And knowing how dangerous even a normal dolphin was...Well, she wasn’t liking her chances of survival.
Still, a good soldier never gives up. That’s why, as she swam for her life, Aleryn began thinking of a plan. For some reason, though, Aleryn couldn’t help but think of those strange, human-like eyes. Not just the general creepiness, but also the impracticality.
How could any sea creature see with those things? Aleryn thought as she rolled to the left, just in time to avoid being pierced by the dolphin’s nostril as it rushed past her, into a mess of glowing kelp. She eyed the dolphin, keeping her spear close as it struggled to turn back to her. She noted that the dolphin’s eyes were staring blankly at her, but not focused on her. It was like they weren’t even doing anything…
That’s it! Dolphins don’t just use their eyes to see! They use echolocation! Which means I might have a shot. I just need to proceed very carefully.
Aleryn watched as the dolphin used its razor-sharp fins to tear the kelp apart before shaking it off its body. It turned to Aleryn, who responded in turn by sheathing her spear and holding her hands outward.
“You have one chance to back down,” Aleryn warned. “Leave me be, or I swear you’ll regret it.”
The dolphin screeched and darted toward her.
“Very well. Remember that I warned you.” Aleryn suddenly slammed her hands together, causing a thunderous explosion of pure sound directly on top of the dolphin’s skull. It cried out in pain and came to a sudden stop. It glanced around for a few moments, blinded by the sudden attack on its senses.
The moment the spell was cast, Aleryn felt a shudder run through her body. Immediately, she regretted her decision. As clever as the trick was, Aleryn was still prone to exhaustion, and she knew she could only do this so many times before she became unable to function. She only hoped the dolphin would learn its lesson.
Her hopes were soon crushed, however, once the dolphin turned back to her. It made a hissing noise before swimming towards Aleryn once more, fully intent on cutting through her body.
Aleryn grimaced. “Go away already!” She clapped her hands again, summoning another burst of sound right on top of the dolphin. She felt fatigue wash over her. Her legs shook slightly, her vision turning dark for several seconds. The sheer noise made her head feel like it was being trampled by a stampede of angry Novaks.
Still, the dolphin did not cease. It looked hurt, its body trembled and it hesitated as it watched Aleryn, but something drove it to continue. Aleryn guessed pure evil, but she didn’t like to assume, even as it dived towards her once more, coming ever closer.
It’s now or never. Aleryn gritted her teeth. She focused everything she had and tried her best to drown out the weakness overcoming her. “How many times do I have to tell you?” She took a deep breath and screamed, as loud as she could, throwing all of her fear into one last desperate attempt. “Leave. Me. ALONE!”
Her scream was transformed by her sheer willpower, turning from a cry into a blast of destructive power, slamming into the dolphin head-on. Around Aleryn, everything nearby seemed to quake under her power. Stone shattered, kelp tore apart, even the dolphin was pushed back by the sheer force of it.
Aleryn remembered what Novak told her once. “Sometimes I think you’re stronger than you look.”
She hoped he was right.
The dolphin quivered as it tried to recover from what it had just gone through. Three direct strikes to its head hurt, especially underwater where the sound travels better, and it looked the part. Blood started to drift into the water around its mouth as it stared at Aleryn, not moving from where it floated, a good ten feet from her.
Aleryn, despite the massive headache welling up, met its gaze with steel. “Go. If I ever see you again, the next one will rip those eyes from your sockets.” Harsh? Maybe too much. Deserved? Certainly, especially if it managed to scare it off. She wasn’t sure she’d survive a direct fight.
The dolphin barked nervously and turned around, dashing away as quickly as it could manage. Soon enough, Aleryn was left alone. Tired, head throbbing, but alive. That’s all she could really ask for.
She wasn’t sure she had even been here for ten minutes.
Aleryn let out a trembling breath. “I can’t stay here,” she whispered. “Dolphins usually travel in pods. I need to…” She held a hand to her temples. Her vision was swimming now. “I need to find a safe place. Somewhere I can rest and figure things out.”
“You’ll need a lot more than that if you’re going to escape the Razorbrood Dolphins.”
Aleryn spun around to find a strange sight; an elderly human woman sat before her, reclining on a rather large stone that set her above Aleryn. In another world, this woman would have been mistaken for Polynesian, or Native Hawaiian to be specific. She had light brown skin, with short gray hair that was arranged in a braided crown. For all the world, she seemed like a normal person.
Though the fact that she was breathing underwater as if it were nothing was a little strange.
Aleryn quickly unsheathed her spear, pointing it at the woman. The sudden movement made her head spin. “Who…Who are you? I’m warning you, I--I just scared off that dolphin! I’m not helpless!” Smooth, Aleryn. Is that a threat or a reassurance?
The woman grinned. Her dark brown eyes twinkled with a certain quality Aleryn couldn’t tell. Literally, her irises shined with little white specs. “One dolphin, yes,” she said in Aquan. “But there are at least five more that will avenge their little friend, and they’ll be out for your blood. Unless you can make yourself scarce, of course. Would you like some help?”
Aleryn very much wanted to say no. After the last two things in this world had tried killing her, she was hoping to avoid a third so quickly. For all she knew, this was a brutal monster looking to gain her trust and kill her when she was least expecting it. Such a thing wasn’t uncommon underwater, and in her current state she would make excellent prey…
But before she could even formulate what she wanted to say, she felt a wave of weariness wash over her. Her eyes were struggling to stay open, her thoughts weren’t focusing, and she felt like she would pass out if she pushed herself too much farther. Aleryn was many things, but confident enough to run herself through a dangerous demiplane while she was struggling to stay awake was not one of them.
Aleryn recalled reading in one of those human books about Hobson’s Choice, where one is given the illusion of free will by being forced to choose between something they hate and something they can’t bring themselves to pick. She wondered briefly if this Hobson enjoyed how often these were placed before her.
“I...suppose I could use the help,” Aleryn conceded. “What will it cost me?”
The woman giggled. “Cost you? Oh, child, that’s adorable. The only thing it would cost is your trust. Is that so hard?”
“Not as hard as it should be,” Aleryn muttered. She shook her head and continued, “Where are we going? I don’t mean to rush you, but I’m not feeling well enough for a coy back-and-forth right now.”
“No, you certainly aren’t,” the woman agreed. “Here, why don’t I make this easy for you.” She waved a finger in a circle, creating a ring of light that she used her hands to widen before pushing it at Aleryn. The circle surrounded her, then faded away as soon as it touched her skin.
“Wha…?” Aleryn hardly had time to respond as her exhaustion took over. Her eyes fell shut so quickly that she thought she had been blinded. Everything became faint around her, dulling into the background of her senses, before she opened her eyes again to find she was…
On the surface?
Yeah, Aleryn was on the surface. In the moment that passed between Aleryn closing her eyes and opening them again, she had somehow managed to find her way back to dry land. It was strange, since she never felt the telltale sensation of teleportation, nor did she feel her body adjust to the changes in pressure as she left the sea. In about a second, everything around her had changed, and she was none the wiser.
“That human knows some impressive magic,” Aleryn muttered. She blinked a few times, yawning a little. “Where am I?” She sat up--and only then noticed that she had been laying down, covered in blankets that fell away as she leaned up. Did the human woman place those on me? Confused, Aleryn tried her best to take note of her surroundings.
The first thing she noticed was that she was in a bed, not different at all from the ones she had in Toril. It was covered in a variety of sheets, blankets, and pillows, all of which had various oceanic imagery adorning them. The room she was in was small, a guest bedroom if she had to guess, with walls and flooring made out of wooden boards. A large rug decorated the floor, while the walls were decorated with various knick-knacks, tapestries, and shelves. A single window sat in the middle of the wall her bed was pushed against, letting in a gentle breeze and the smell of the sea.
“Awfully nice of her to let me stay here…” Aleryn pushed off the blankets and slowly got to her feet. She felt a little weak, but nowhere near as tired as she was before. That only confirmed her suspicions that a little more had happened than the human teleporting her out of the sea.
“She knocked me unconscious,” Aleryn figured. “Can’t believe I let that happen. I should know better than to let myself get caught like that, even if it’s by a benevolent kidnapper…”
Aleryn wasn’t too concerned with the revelation that she had been sleeping in an unknown person’s house. The way she saw it, if she was in any danger, it would have come for her while she was out. Chances were the woman either wanted something or she was a genuinely good person. Either way, she doubted she had anything to immediately worry about.
That said, it would be best to get on the road as soon as possible. She was about to look around for her bag when the door opened, revealing the figure of a small human child. Much like the woman Aleryn had seen earlier, she had light brown skin and darkly colored eyes. Her hair, however, was black and cut short much like Aleryn’s. If Aleryn had to guess, this was the woman’s granddaughter.
The girl gasped as soon as she saw Aleryn, quickly pulling the door shut again before it was even fully opened. Behind the door, Aleryn could hear the whispered words in Aquan, “Okay, you can do this! She’s not that scary! I bet she’s really nice! Just go out and talk to her…”
Aleryn could feel the little girl’s words tug on her heartstrings. It took all of her self-control not to go ‘Aww’ at the sound of her trying to psyche herself up. It was adorable, and she resolved to do what she could to make the girl happy, even if it was a short conversation. Finding this new mentor could wait that long.
Because, while it wasn’t something Aleryn liked to broadcast, she really did have a soft spot for children. None of the adults back home liked her talking to the kids in Vadora, they were scared her strange behavior might be contagious, but Aleryn would always take the time to help them if they needed it, even if it was as small as making sure they didn’t get lost while playing or going along with their silly games. She loved being around kids, and kids usually loved being around her...Well, until their parents told her to stay away from them.
Aleryn shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to get caught up in memories. She waited patiently for the door to open, as the kid stepped forward and looked up at her face. Judging roughly by how she looked, Aleryn guessed this girl was around ten or so in human years. She held in her hands a wooden bowl, a lot like the kind Aleryn remembered Kaylessa using at the Swinging Sword. Strangely, despite the warmth, the girl was wearing a fur coat.
“H-Hi! It’s nice to meet you!” The girl told her. Her tone was jittery, nervous, but excitable. “I’m Lei, I was taking care of you while Mom was working. I made you some soup!” Lei suddenly held out the bowl, just barely avoiding spilling its contents all over the floor.
Aleryn smiled softly. “Thank you, Lei. I’m sure it’s wonderful.” She took the bowl and glanced inside. The soup seemed to be a thick purple liquid, filled with strange herbs and foods she had never seen before. She racked her brain for something to say. “It’s...pretty. I’ve never seen a soup this lively before.”
Lei nodded. “It’s one of Mom’s recipes. It uses vegetables grown right here on the island. Oh!” She started rummaging through her pocket before pulling out a wooden spoon. “This is for you! So you don’t make a mess.”
“That’s very thoughtful.” Aleryn took the spoon and used it to sip some of the soup. It tasted sweet and bitter at the same time, mixing together in a strangely tasty way. “Mmm. This is very good. Your mom taught you well.”
Lei beamed. “Thanks! She said that you have to be very careful with this recipe, ‘cause the mirage-fruit can poison people if you don’t boil them right, but I think I did okay!”
Aleryn paused in her eating of the soup, glanced at what she assumed to be a mirage-fruit, and slowly pushed it towards the edge of the bowl. Just in case. “Well, I think I agree. This is much better than military rations. Do you mind if we talk while I eat?”
“Uh.” Lei glanced back behind the door, looking unsure, but nodded. “Uh-huh. As long as you talk to Mom soon. She wanted to know if you’ll be okay.”
“Of course.” Aleryn sat on the bed and began eating her soup. She didn’t realize it at first, but she was practically starving. She gulped down as much as she could before glancing at Lei and saying, “Can you tell me where I am, Lei?”
“This is Nerisa,” Lei explained. “It’s the smallest of the Infernal Isles. Mom and I are the only ones who live here, but there are other people on the bigger islands. We don’t talk to them though.”
“Just your mom?” Aleryn raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have a grandmother or great-grandmother?”
Lei shook her head. “Nope. Just me and Mom. She’s the one that brought you home. Don’t you remember her?”
Aleryn’s brow furrowed. Assuming her mom is who I think it is, then something’s not adding up. Either humans can give birth later in their lives than triton, or that woman isn’t what she seems. Not that I need to be focusing on this right now…
Aleryn went back to eating soup as she thought, taking a moment to try one of the vegetables before she continued, “Yeah. I think we met. But that’s not really important. The Infernal Isles, are they on Terminus? That’s where I’m supposed to be.”
Lei looked confused at that, but nodded her head. “Uh, yeah. We kinda have to be. Nobody who comes into Terminus can get out. Didn’t you know that?” Aleryn wasn’t quite sure, but it felt like Lei was slowly starting to think she was an idiot, or at the very least suffered from an intense bout of amnesia.
Aleryn smiled, trying not to let what Lei said worry her. She doubted Hercan would send her somewhere she couldn't leave...probably. “I know, just...making sure. I’m new here, so I’m still getting used to things. That’s why I’m glad to have people like you around to help me. Can you answer a few more questions for me?”
Lei grinned. “Alright, I’ll do my best! What else do you need?”
“Well, do you know how I get off these islands? There has to be a way, right?”
Lei thought for a moment. “Well...I guess you could swim. But you’d need to be a really good swimmer, like Mom, or you’ll just get killed by the rocks around us. Mom usually leaves by teleporting though, ‘cause it’s safer.”
An isolated island, surrounded by deadly rocks and dangerous sea creatures, in a prison plane nobody can escape? I’m starting to see why Hercan was cautious about sending me here. Aleryn frowned, using the spoon to stir the soup as she thought. She had dozens of questions she still wanted to ask, but she wasn’t sure Lei was the right person to answer them. Still...She had an investigation to perform, and she wouldn’t get anywhere by waiting. She decided to push on.
“Alright,” Aleryn said, “I only have two more questions. The first is easy, the second’s hard. Think you can help?” “Yeah!”
“Alright. First question…” Aleryn glanced at the bed, staring at the wave-like stitching as she asked, “How long was I asleep? I get the feeling it wasn’t just a couple minutes.”
“Um…” Lei did some quick counting on her fingers, mouthing a few words before saying, “You were asleep the whole time you were here, which was yesterday morning. And that was about six o’clock, so I think that’s...twenty-four hours?”
Aleryn sighed. “Just once, I would like to sleep a normal amount,” she muttered. She shook her head, then glanced back at Lei. “Okay, time for the hard question. I’m looking for a very special group of people. I really need their help, and I can’t go home until I find them. They’re called the dukars. Do you know them?”
At the word dukars, Lei’s eyes widened. She glanced at the door again, then back to Aleryn. “Um...Well, I guess I…kinda know about them...” Her words drifted away into awkward silence. Aleryn wanted to press the subject, but she didn’t want to make Lei uncomfortable, especially when her Mom probably knew more than she did.
“It’s alright,” Aleryn told her. “You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to. Do you mind if I talk to your mom? I think there’s a lot the two of us need to discuss.”
Lei nodded. “She’s in the kitchen. Do you want me to get her for you?”
“It’s alright, but you can come with me if you want.” Aleryn gave her another smile, then stood up and walked out the door and into the hallway. “Thanks for talking to me, by the way. I appreciate it.” With that, she turned and walked deeper into the house.
In a few moments, the hallway gave way to what Aleryn assumed to be the kitchen. This room was made out of the same materials as the bedroom, but was significantly larger. A counter ran across the span of half the room, against the wall to Aleryn’s right before forming a corner and creating an L-shape, past which was another hallway that led to who-knows-where. To the left was a large crate-like object, made of metal, which stood as tall as a person and let out a chilling aura. Beyond that seemed to be a living room of sorts. In the center of the kitchen, etched with arcane runes around the edges, was a circular wooden table surrounded by three chairs.
And sitting in one of those chairs was the old woman from before. She leaned back in her seat, reading from an old leather-bound book marked in an unfamiliar language. Like Lei, she was wearing a fur coat that looked almost exactly the same, just bigger. The woman didn’t look at Aleryn, but she had enough experience with Hercan to know when a person sensed your presence.
“Ah, so you’ve finally awoken,” the woman noted, not looking away from her book. “Good! I was starting to worry you planned to sleep the day away. On such a perfect morning, it would be a crime to stay in bed.”
“Apologies,” Aleryn said with a bow of the head. “I would have woken up earlier, but I must have been tired from my fight with the dolphin. May I--” Before she could finish her question, one of the chairs pulled itself out from the table. “...Oh.” Aleryn took a seat, setting her bowl down, and Lei did the same, taking the chair next to the old woman. “Er...I have some questions, ma’am, if you’d allow me.”
“Ma’am?” The woman lowered her book, and Aleryn could see the hints of a smile. The woman chuckled softly and said, “You’re quite obedient for one so young. Most wouldn’t be so quick to show deference to a stranger, much less a frail old woman such as myself. But why not? I suppose there’s no harm, but only if I can ask questions of my own.”
Something about the woman’s tone of voice unnerved Aleryn. She couldn’t quite place why, but she felt...weird. She had a powerful presence, much like Hercan. That didn’t make her any less uneasy.
“I suppose that’s fair,” Aleryn admitted. “Very well. May I start?”
“By all means.”
“Well, I would like to know the name of my rescuer.”
“Ah, a name.” The woman set her book down and looked at Aleryn. “I have many, of course. Some call me the Mistress of Shadows. Others, the Matron of Blood. My personal favorite is, ‘an old hag who talks too much’.” She smirked. “But you may call me Kai. It’s a pleasure. Now, how about you? What would I call the latest visitor to our ever-growing prison?”
Aleryn saw no point in hiding her identity. Lies would get her nowhere right now, especially with someone who just saved her life. “I am Aleryn Vadorath,” she told her. “Seeker of the Salathan Dominion. It’s good to meet you.”
Kai hummed. “A Seeker? How odd. I would ask you what you are seeking, but it’s technically your turn to ask a question.” She gestured for Aleryn to continue. “Go on.”
Aleryn thought for a moment. “Well, there’s a lot I would like to ask, but I’ll try to start simple. For instance, what were those creatures that attacked me yesterday? Are they common around here?”
“That was two questions,” Kai noted, “But I will answer both since you are being so polite. Those were the Razorbrood. A ravenous creature, created by Terminus to act as the wardens of the sea. They attack anything in sight, signaled by the light of Stranglestrand Kelp, which you deigned fit to leave on your arm. You're lucky. While they may appear ridiculous in theory, the Razorbrood are quite dangerous, like everything in this world. As for your second question, yes. And where they are rare, others of a similar nature take their place.”
Kai snapped her fingers and three cups floated over from the counter, setting them in front of Aleryn, Lei, and herself. She took hers and sipped from it before saying, “Speaking of our island’s locale, might I ask how you found yourself in these waters? They’re not exactly hospitable, even for the bravest of souls.”
Aleryn took the cup in front of her and glanced inside. It looked like tea, though it seemed to shine with a faint green light. Testingly, she took a drink before clarifying, “I was transported here. My mentor Hercan brought me to Terminus, and he sent me directly into the location you found me in. I believe it was because he thought what I’m looking for is nearby.”
At Hercan’s name, Kai’s smile changed. It became eager, excited. “Hercan? Well now, isn’t that interesting?” She made a tsk sound to herself and said, “Is it fate or chance? I can never decide.” She looked at Aleryn and said, “My dear, it appears to me as if our meeting was preordained. I don’t suppose you’ll allow this old woman the courtesy of breaking our little game to ask, is this related to the question you posed to my daughter?”
Aleryn hesitated, but slowly nodded. As she spoke, she noticed a droplet of water falling from the ceiling, striking right next to Lei. “Yes, it is. Hercan told me that the dukars could be found here. I don’t suppose you know where one is?”
Kai grinned. “Ha! I would certainly hope so! It’s quite easy to know where one’s self is. Although, given my penchant for illusions, I suppose it isn’t uncommon for me to lose myself every once in a while.” She held up one of her hands. Embedded in the middle of her palm was a piece of coral, pure white, shimmering with faint magical power. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Few know of the dukars, and fewer still would travel across planes to meet one. Why would you risk so much to meet me, child?”
As the two spoke, Lei glanced between Aleryn and Kai, watching them in the same way one would watch a tennis match, following their words as they jumped back and forth as she tried to catch the water droplets in her hand. It was strange, imagining that this cute little girl was the daughter of this strange old woman.
Aleryn leaned forward, laying her arms on top of each other. “I’m looking for a teacher. Hercan suggested that you could help me learn the ways of a dukar, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to do so. I’ll pay any price you need, as long as you can help me.”
“Any price?” Kai held up her palm, watching as the coral started to twinkle idly. Lei was entranced by the sight, making quiet ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’ sounds. “I would be careful making such promises. Some would use that to take advantage of your desperation. Though I find myself curious; what motivates you, I wonder? Surely your Dominion’s training is enough for any problem you might face?”
Aleryn faltered at the implication. Kai was trying to trap her, she guessed, see if she was doubting her kingdom. It wouldn’t work. “It’s...I’m not enough. I need to be better. The Prime Material Plane is under attack. A group of cults have appeared, they’re summoning the Elemental Princes. We already fought Imix, but there’s a chance we may have to face Olhydra and the others. I need to be stronger, so I won’t burden my allies.”
Kai frowned. “Olhydra? My, you have a long path ahead of you then. The Elemental Princes are not simple threats. If they were unleashed, the mortal plane would suffer dearly for your failure. Olhydra alone could do indescribable damage if she reached your world’s oceans.”
Kai flicked her finger, levitating her cup to her mouth before she continued, “But the path of a dukar is long and dangerous. It is not something one embarks on lightly...Especially not one without training in the Art.”
The Art. Aleryn knew that as the name many Faerûnians used for arcane magic. The stuff of wizards and witches and other such spellcasters. In the Dominion, those trained in such power were spellbinders, powerful mages that were highly honored by society as a whole for abilities that could change the tide of any battle.
Abilities that Aleryn distinctly recalled not having.
Aleryn stared into her cup of tea, as if her reflection had the answers she needed. “I may not have the ability to cast spells, but I’m more than willing to learn if that’s what I need. I can’t let the Crushing Wave win. It’s important to me.”
“Yes, well, the continued life of all sea creatures would be important to most people,” Kai mused. “But I imagine you are driven by a more...personal desire.” Kai chuckled. “Do not give me that look, child. I see it in your eyes. This ‘Crushing Wave’ has done more than risk your world. You may want to improve your poker face.”
Aleryn tilted her head. “What’s...poker?”
“It’s a game we play on Istiday!” Lei spoke up. Her hand was filled with a small amount of water now. “That’s when Ms. Taeruil visits. But she hasn’t been coming by lately…”
“It is of no consequence,” Kai insisted. “What’s far more important is your request. Under normal circumstances, I would be far too busy to consider it...” She glanced skyward, humming thoughtfully to herself. “There is the roof to consider.”
“The...roof?” Aleryn glanced up. The roof wasn’t much different than it was anywhere else, but Aleryn noticed that it was wet and had a few holes, with water welling up in various places. She guessed it must have rained earlier. “What does the roof have to do with anything?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Kai looked back to Aleryn, carefully eyeing the girl’s expression. “My roof was damaged slightly during a storm several days ago. I thought I patched it properly, but it seems I missed a few leaks. If you can fix my roof, I will train you to be a dukar.”
“Uh…” Aleryn glanced between Kai and Lei, trying to find any sign about whether or not this was a joke. When she found none, she looked back at the roof. “I don’t understand. Why would repairing your roof convince you?” “And why wouldn’t it? Do you have a better idea?”
Aleryn shook her head. “No, I just...I figured it would be more complicated than that. This feels too easy.”
Kai cackled. “‘Too easy’, she says. I believe you’ll change your mind after learning just how stubborn these leaks are. But you are correct, this is a rather sudden decision. I cannot fault you for being suspicious.”
Kai rested her head back, closing her eyes. “The truth is, I am growing old. Us selkie live only for seventy years. I myself am around one hundred-thirty. It is only due to my powerful magic and natural regenerative ability that I am still alive. But there is much I know, and I cannot expect my daughter to learn it all. I wish to pass on my work, and it seems the perfect opportunity has come to me on a silver platter.”
Aleryn noted Kai’s mention of being a selkie. She recognized them as the favored species of her preferred goddess, Surminare, a race capable of transforming between the forms of humans and seals. It didn’t explain why Kai could breathe underwater or had a daughter so late in life, but it was a start.
“So, you’ll teach me then?” Aleryn asked. “All I have to do is fix your roof?”
Kai nodded. “For now, yes. I admit, I am curious as to why Hercan would entrust such an important mission to one such as yourself. I am looking forward to discovering your answer.”
“One such as myself?” Aleryn raised an eyebrow. She tried not to take the comment personally. “What does that mean exactly?”
Kai waved off the question. “All in due time. First, the roof. I assume you have practice with carpentry, given how dedicated the triton people are to architecture.” She stood up, and gestured for Lei to do the same. “I will give you room to work. Come along, Lei.”
Lei hopped out of her chair and smiled at Aleryn. “Bye! Try not to get a splinter!” With that, she followed her mom, first out of the kitchen, and then out the front door, leaving Aleryn alone with her thoughts.
She had a lot of questions, but if she was being honest, she wasn’t too bothered by them. Feeling clueless was normal by now, and the fact that she was well on her way to figuring out how to move ahead made her feel at least a little better. She wasn’t sure how this training would go, or even whether she would be able to finish it before going back to the Prime, but she had made some progress and that was better than nothing.
All she had to do was fix the roof.
Well, looks like it’s time to get started.