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CHAPTER ONE
A Half-Formed Tide
Mariell did not wish to be here, but, then again, isn't that how all great adventurers - or diplomats, in her case - felt? She could believe adventurers - all the great heroic stories she had heard talked about their ‘call to duty’ and the ‘struggle to will themselves to leave’. It, in her case, was her duty, as with the heroes from the books. Although, she could not recall a famous diplomat who hated to leave their home. She had never read of any, even in her haste to prepare for the event. I must have heard of one, although it is not really a thing you would write about. However awe-inspiring they may be, I am sure no one wants to read of diplomatic journeys-
The carriage shook, interrupting her thoughts. Water drained out of the cabin, indicating that they had passed through the barrier between liquid and earth.Sunlight streamed through the glass, creating miniature rainbows that shone across the floor. Moisture condensed into large drops of water on the walls, and Mariell looked at it longingly. Her skin felt tight around her with the near-absence of water, and, if not for the small charm hanging below her collarbone, she would almost certainly be dying. She felt the object work its magic, producing a thin veil of water that wrapped around her, protecting her from the elements. It was not the same as her homeland, but it was good enough.
The castle below was teeming with people. Mariell could spot air folk - Valmiri, standing upon the great courtyard, and Char folk guarding the perimeter. She could also spot some of her own, although they seemed far removed from the waters. Even from a distance, she could spot signs of dehydration, and their hair was barely glowing from a long life on land.
How could they live like that, apart from their home, hidden away from the elements that keep us alive? She shuddered at the thought, imagining the light fading from her hair as theirs did. This must be an amazing place, for them to give up so much, for seemingly so little.
The carriage landed softly on an elevated platform, seemingly created for this. I suppose it must be. The stones look unweathered, although who am I to know? A set of stairs leads off the platform towards the gathering space, where a stone path lined the court. Chatter filled the space, almost overwhelming.
“Isn't this just lovely!”
“Why, just the other day, I saw-”
“Flightlings, this far up? I understand the habitat, but surely-”
“How's that little pet of yours doing, sir Orfell?”
“Well, quite, but-”
“Hello there. You must be Mariell, are you not?” The voice came from the side, surprising her. She turned, and saw the voice belonged to a woman - assumedly in her late 20s or early 30s - standing off to the side of the stairs. She was dressed in a floaty layered dress, coloured with forest-green dye. Mariell could sense the Elarin coming from her - a sure sign of a curse or a meir-folk. The nallithen were rarer in this layer, she knew, but it was possible.
“Y- yes I am, thank you. And who might you be?”
“Vall’mor, if it pleases you. But most call me Vall.” The woman talked with a slight accent that Mariell could not quite place; almost Elvaric, with an emphasis on certain vowels.
“I have been assigned to you, as a fellow draemarked, to help guide you around the castle.”
“I do not believe I have heard that word before, my apologies..” She had heard it before, but the meaning slipped her mind, and she did not want Vall’s first impression to be of a quiet, ditsy girl.
“I believe they call it Nalithen in your layer - or magic folk, from lesser-knowing people.”
Another Nallithen? I could be sure that this layer was suspicious of us, and even then, the luck of seeing one here- unless I mixed that up with the fire layer, strange as they both are, and missed my studies- Thalvayne help me if I did- oh dear.
Vall’mor gave her a knowing glance. “I believe they need me to keep you out of trouble, more than just guide you… They are not overly trusting of us from the meir, even as we sustain them.” She kept her voice low, secretive.
“Thank you, Vall.” She spoke louder this time, unafraid to be heard now that the conversation had veered. “My apologies again, I do not wish to impose on you.”
“Nonsense! I am always happy to help another draemarked. And, they do give me quite good pay.”
This comment drew a titter from her, hiding her mouth with a hand.
“Come, let us venture to your rooms, unless you wish to socialise, of course.”
“No, thank you- to socialising, that is, I would quite like to go to my rooms, if it's not a bother.” Oh, I’ve made a fool of myself already, what a mess that was… I hope she's not the sort of person who gossips, that would not be a great start for me here…
Vall led her through the great doors, nodding to the Char-guards at either side. Mariell cringed away from them. Although the quorinth was technically at peace, the fire and water layers were never on good terms, and she had heard stories of what they did to those with E’lar in their blood.