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P** rologue: "Out of Water"**

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During this moment, whether a mortal lived in the desert like, hotter than hot isle known as Summerdine to the south, if they in fact resided in the vast openness that was the Great Plains to the east, or if they lived in the forest kingdom known as the Southern Valleys; for every Felldewan in the goddess blessed world of Felldew, the skies were serenely dark thanks to it being late nighttime. Indeed, everywhere and everything was glowing gently silver underneath Sister Moon's light.

For the last few hours, all of the realms had been cast in silver since Father Sun had fallen from the heavens; his departure having ended what had been yet another grand, beneficial, peaceful July day.

During the said day, in the eyes of Goddess Gaia, with everyone working very hard at what they did, many things had in fact been done with great gusto. Of course, considering the ways of Felldew, things were always done with some gusto. You see, in this life, there were many instances that folk worked or could work. Every season, there were things to be done, true.

However, out of all of the times to actually get to work or live life to its fullest, there was always something about summertime - like now - that made things the easiest on people. It was during this season that activities were the most relaxed, work could even be considered fun, days seemed easier on the body, mind and soul.

Mind, all of the seasons were splendid events to bear witness to. They had their strengths and weaknesses; their pluses and cons. Spring/the Revival Season, for example, despite its constant rainy days, was the time of year when all things came back to life with a flourish of color, of energy, of sound.

Fall/the Color Season, that grand time when all of the leaves in the trees turned their true colors as well as danced through the wind, was when the harvests for the farmers were best.

Then there was Winter/the Silent Season, where everything everywhere was blanketed in an entrancing layer of whiteness that seemed to speak to the soul... as all of the world remained quietly still. As if all things, all creatures, all peoples, were sleeping after a long day of work.

But as it was being enjoyed by the peoples everywhere, as it'd been enjoyed since the previous thunderstorms of the Revival Season had given way in early June last month, Summer or the Sun Season was a time that never failed in bringing the most smiles to the faces of everyone. No offense to the other seasons but as it'd been shown by everyone during the course of what had been this very appreciated, very energetic day, summer days were clearly the most favored.

How so? Why was summer so favored? Was it the sunlight shining down onto the world from above, illuminating the many beautiful kingdoms with magnificence? Was it the fact that during this cheery season, a person could go to sleep in comfort - the night air being cool if not gentle - to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed; the dawn making the air feel warm if not crisp to smell? Was it perhaps the fact that there were SO many things that one mortal could do during this grand time of year and not be trapped inside their homes?

Truly, having been locked inside their said homes for so long with the snowstorms of winter and the thunderstorms of spring rolling through, now every person - with their loved ones even - was allowed to step outside without fear. Without a catch to throw them off balance, they were allowed to freely enjoy the outdoors, to live like they hadn't been able to since last year's summer.

And before the current night with the thousands of stars winking to each other through the cloudless darkness overhead, with the moon glowing fully against the night's shroud of shadows to grant merciful light until the sun could regain his glorious place come tomorrow, freedom had been the joyful thought during daytime. Whatever someone had been doing, be it working or living or playing, the feeling of summer had only encouraged him or her to be happy.

As farmers had farmed, as fishers had fished, as merchants had sold their wares, as rulers had ruled and troops had gone through their routines, as everyone had been everyone, there had been few grimaces today. Smiles, happiness, raised spirits had been abundant in turn.

Truly, before this more than memorable night with the starry heavens twinkling overhead, with all of the now mostly sleeping world glowing silver-white underneath the moon's stare, the squirrels as well as raccoons of the Southern Valleys had been successful in harvesting apples, nuts, berries along with much more.

The horses of the Great Plains, accompanied by the buffalo, had thundered and stampeded across the vastness of their realm; feeling one with the wind like their ancestors of old.

The foxy merchants of Summerdine, a crafty if not cunning lot, had dazzled the eyes of the many nobles with their trinkets shining grandly in the sun's light.

The wolves of Tundran to the north, having prepared their young cubs for tonight, now howled to the full moon... hoping that their callings would attract the goddess to their pups whom would be blessed with her smile in turn. For silver was a wolf's favored color. And the full moon, the silver coin of the goddess, was naught but silver this night with no clouds to hide it away.

Yet, out of all of the Felldewans in the world, out of everyone and everything that'd lived life to its fullest before sleeping this night, that honor honestly belonged to race that had thrived since the days before the Reckoning war itself; the otters. Indeed, whether they were river or sea residents, the otters of the world were always bright souls. Since ancient times to now, they were still performers, friends, hunters, the best of the best at most everything they ever did.

And as for their jovial natures, they were only ever rivaled by their passions in protecting their friends, loved ones, allies. Just as they were memorable performers, they were just as good at being warriors.

Indeed, as it was known that a stallion could run fast as the wind, an ursine bear had the strength of five mortals, a fennec fox could not be trusted for a moment, an otter was in fact as fierce a soldier as he or she was at being a friend. And as their neighbors in the north knew full well, as the first awakened race had always known about them, otters made the most fantastic of friends.

Thus, being such good friends with humanity of all of the races, one could easily imagine the water dogs being just as fantastic at being warriors.

Honestly, it was a bit due to the otters of the world, due to they who called the tranquil waters of Onyx Bay their home, that the northern world of Felldew had previously experienced a most awesome summer day before tonight. For you see, for hundreds of years now, having practiced it until it was now a regular routine between them, there was a grand alliance shared between the otters of the said bay and the first awakened race, the messengers of Gaia, the race that was humanity who lived just to the northwest in the imposable kingdom of Norlinth.

Yes, indeed, for forever, humans had made many grand alliances with otters everywhere; especially those in Onyx Bay. It could be said that out of the many anima races today, even though wolves were awesome and dragons were impressive and squirrels were teasing, otters were man's closest friend for whatever situation.

Of course, mind, in the eyes of humans, otters were not any more special than the many other anima civilizations that could be found throughout the world. After so many centuries since the day they'd traveled away from their empire in the east to where they were now, humanity had many allies if not friends to call upon today. For instance, their friendly rivalry of a relationship with the draconic dragons of Dragon Roost to the west was just as strong as it was with the otters.

Still, either way, as it'd become known to most everyone, there was a certain... loving bond between humans as well as sea dogs. Since the Reckoning War's end many centuries back, the two races had truly been through plenty. They had grown up side by side, built many landmarks together, fought the same wars against the brigands to the north.

Otter and human... they could be one and the same, if not for their different appearances. If anything, their hearts were always the same. Their spirits reached out to one another.

Today, during the many hours of daylight of July 4th before this nighttime, following an older than old tradition that'd yielded a most awesome festival of sorts, humans had appreciated the otters - their water born friends - by hosting the "Coastal Festival". This said festival was a yearly tradition where the humans of Norlinth joined the otters on the shores of Onyx Bay to take part in a weeklong celebration of life.

And how good life always was to live during the said week. There was always happiness to be shared, smiles to be seen, wealth to be shared between everyone.

Despite them being the respected protectors of the world, no matter their standing supposedly over "others" since they were messengers of the goddess, humanity today had - like many times during the other festivals - cast aside their titles and walked amongst otters as people; not saviors. With the summer sun shining from above, with spirits raised high between everyone taking part on the shores of Onyx Bay, there had been many dances in the sand, many stories told to curious children around the fire, many memories made between everyone.

Of course, where there was such energy infecting everyone, where there were smiles to be had, where friendships bloomed stronger than ever before, there was another usual happening that occurred during the Costal Festival; love. Where humans grew up handsome if not impressive, the otters grew into lean if not enticing specimens. Human women enjoyed the otter males teasing them through talk, winks, playful banter. The otter women were a bit more forward with human men, taunting them with giggles, smacks of their tails, light hugs that got the heart racing.

During the Coastal Festival, where the children had played together, cultures had been shared, much wealth had been spread and happiness had been more than felt in the air, many a young couple had been made reality. Goddess Gaia had smiled down on it all; the humans finding peace with the otters. She'd enjoyed the kids being together, the elders sharing stories, the young adults expressing their love.

And just as they found dragons majestic when flying through the sky, humans were easily drawn to the gorgeous otters diving, swimming, floating in the bay's waters for an afternoon swim. They became ever more entranced when the said otters became playful, flirtatious, romantic.

Out of sight of everyone else, a swim between friends... soon if not easily became skinny dipping. That and more. And there was naught but joy shared during the moment. No regrets, no sadness, just perfection and life, as Goddess Gaia adored most from her children.

The Coastal festival had begun early in the morning of July 4th and proceeded all throughout the day. Now, with the moon slowly approaching her zenith that would be midnight, the many beaches of Onyx Bay were deserted if not quiet. Of course, the festival décor along with the remains of the partying had been left behind on the sands. That was until they would be taken up again tomorrow and the five more days of festivities to come.

Nevertheless, with the world sleeping until dawn's arrival tomorrow, the shores of Onyx Bay were still. Partying had been done already. What was needed now was rest.

For now, after having experienced a long day of celebrating their alliance, of celebrating their friendship, humans and otters everywhere were contently slumbering in their beds. Some of the otters had followed their newly won humans into their beds underneath the sheets. That or the otters had dragged their humans into their own beds for the night, curled together in a warm bundle of reeds, cloths along with sand.

No one was complaining about sleeping arrangements. The night was warm, the air was cool, everything was right with the world. Children, elders, lovers, they all slept without a worry, knowing there would be further fun to be had next day.

It was off in the distance, further up the coast of the Onyx Bay, that the actual if not walled in capitol city of the human realm stood proud in the full moon's light; that city entitled Norlinth by Adam the Liberator long ago. As it had come to ultimately be today thanks to the past centuries where humanity had first begun to build with Gaia's guidance, built on a vast stretch of peninsula that loomed up out of the sea jutting northward, the said city - the pinnacle of strength for Felldew - sprawled on for miles on end. Apart for the fortifying if not impressive walls that encircled the utopia, apart for the many forts constructed at key points, there were hundreds of manors if not houses that provided grand shelter for the residents there.

And all of the said housings, for poor or rich, young or old, were suitable for life. No human was left behind nor ignored. Comfort was a regular thing for everyone there, as was hope for the future.

Throughout the sprawling city of Norlinth, with its protective walls armed with cannon placements and manned by intent if not duty bound guards armored for whatever might come their way, the many districts were just as quiet as the shores of Onyx Bay. Where people had filled the streets hours earlier, there was no one now.

There were no armorers working their forges anymore, no teachers teaching in the schools, no merchants selling or buying, no instructors instructing in the barracks or training grounds. Mostly everyone was in bed, sleeping sweet dreams of tomorrow.

In the quiet harbors, where there had been much activity with ships coming in if not going out to Onyx Bay to protect the celebrating people from possible dangers, majestic human vessels of many sizes if not purposes now bobbed without a real care. In the gently waving waters, the boats' forms groaning a little with each wave they felt, their sails furled as well as rolled until needed open to catch the wind again tomorrow, the human navy's vessels would remain where anchored they were; at peace like the rest of the world.

Still, where perhaps Norlinth if not Felldew itself was in fact sleeping, where there was so much stillness to be had everywhere else, not everyone and everything was in fact slumbering. There were, of course, the guards keeping the walls of Norlinth safe from possible intrusion. And as for protecting the said walls, whoever would dare to try to slip past the guards at any time was a mystery. Yet, having been trained to do son, the guards paid constant attention to their surroundings.

However, it wasn't only the guards who were awake during the late hours of the night.

No, located the furthest north of the city, erected upon the peak of the raised plateau that humanity's capitol was established on, looking north over the Waiting Sea that stretched onwards as far as the eye could possibly see, there was the most impressive of fortress castles. Built from the sturdiest of white stone, aged from the many centuries it'd been standing, having been the first thing built by the Norlinthians after they'd claimed this northern realm for their own, the said castle was a most awesome sight during the day. However, at this moment, glowing just as softly as the moonlight shining down upon it, the fortress was a place that felt grand in the stillness of the night.

The fortress at hand radiated with strength, with power, with determination. And it was that aura it forever gave off that helped its city live each day, not losing hope all of the while.

Within the confines of Norlinth's grand castle looking out over the waters of the Waiting Sea to the north, the sea that now acted like a most awesome mirror for Sister Moon and shined silver against the shadows, there was in fact a lone soul who was still awake. Indeed, off in an isolated chamber of his located near the library archives in the east wing, sitting at his regal desk in a crammed if not cluttered office like place... there happened to be a human man looking over the many varieties, stacks along with groups of papers laid out before him, behind him, around him.

This human man's office setting - a den that would feel a little tight but in fact had a door leading out to the balcony where fresh air could be had - was a place of knowledge. He, the older man sitting at the desk dressed in a simple robe as brown as his short hair, with his tired but likable face and his sky blue eyes roaming the many papers in his grasp, was in fact a man of knowledge.

Now, where most folk might scoff at the man being a master of said knowledge, that would be a mistake on their part. It would show how small minded the scoffing individual would be. For if there was anything that humans desired more than the peace of their world, for the happiness of their fellow races, for the smile of their goddess, that anything was this; information. Information was knowing all things of Felldew. Knowing all things of Felldew was knowledge. And knowledge, truly, was power to be used in the right ways.

Ways that made humanity wise. Ways that kept the world at peace. Ways that kept innocent blood from being spilled and evil souls from rising to power. Most of all, these ways kept the first awakened race form repeating the past; from causing another Reckoning again.

Of course, there were many strengths that humanity had. They were a race that was respected as the first born, the first taught by Gaia. They were a people who knew that reality was not all joy but could be distressing at times too. They were wise in their ways of thinking, strong in the ways of their military, patient in the ways of keeping the world's peace.

Still, during all of that, what they were very eager at doing was being a part of their world; of learning about it, of taking notes on it, of being a part of it.

And the master who was at the head of recording things about Felldew, of gaining what knowledge could be had, that job fell to the man currently working in his little office. Despite his rather crammed work environment, no matter his silent aura, the man was a very impressive figure to his race that was humanity. You see, for many years before now, he was a chosen servant of Goddess Gaia; a man who often was visited by the celestial being in his dreams and helped by her grace.

This man in his studies, his name was "Augustus Shant Cousitar". His title, his fabled job, his respected profession was that which was known as the "Master Recorder".

Now, what was the Master Recorder, someone would ask? Well, just like the Father Priest of the Norlinthian Church, just like the Commander in Chief of the Norlinthian armies, just like each and every member of the senate of the city who kept track of the many regions throughout Felldew, the Master Recorder was in fact a leader like figure in humanity's eyes. His job involved plenty of wisdom, a gift for patience and it involved the recorder in question to be a familiar with Gaia herself.

And having done so many things in his earlier years as a wandering pilgrim or messenger of the goddess, when his brown hair had been fuller if not richer, when his blue eyes had not felt so tired all of the time, when his body had been younger if not capable of traveling for days on end, Augustus had very much earned the position of Master recorder. During his pilgrimage across Felldew, helped by his goddess, he had earned many friendships, conquered plenty of trials as well as recorded so much information about other races.

Right now actually, with the hours of the night growing later, with the Coastal Festival's first day having come to a close some hours ago, he was currently in the midst of jotting down what he'd heard from people who had enjoyed the festivities. He'd not been able to attend the said festivities, due to his profession at the moment. Yet, there wasn't any reason to feel bad for him. For there was nothing that could keep him from doing what he loved most; writing, noting, detailing.

Yes, whether he was sick or tired or anything, Augustus still worked hard in being the recorder of recorders in Norlinth. He owed it to his people, his goddess, his world to make sure that vital information wouldn't be lost to the future generations to come. And so, having heard plenty from everyone about how today's Coastal Festival had been the best in a long while, the Master Recorder had been staying up late to write down what details he'd heard from partiers.

On a side note, truth be told, it wasn't only the happenings of today's festival that currently kept the Master Recorder awake so late into the night. No, there was something... else that kept him working so hard at the moment, that kept him from going to his bed chambers where his wife and daughter no doubt were worrying about him overworking himself once again.

Tonight, excitedly, he was staying up so late due to a personal project of his. By the goddess, he was ever so close to finishing a gift for an old, blessed friend of his. The said gift was the vast journal, filled from front to back with so much writing, that was currently laid out before the Master Recorder on his desk. A journal filled with a most excellent story that related very well to the Coastal Festival; a story that told of the powerful love between a troubled human as well as the otter girl whom loved him to this very day.

Thank to letters if not input from his old friend, the Master Recorder had been working on this said journal story for many months on end. Now though, after so long, after so many sleepless nights or feeling his head hurting from writing, Augustus was finished with it; his friend's story. The story that was curiously entitled "Out of Water".

Come tomorrow, with this finished tale called Out of Water, the recorder of recorders planned to go down with his family to the celebrating coasts of Onyx Bay. There, he would find his friend, Ivan. And from one to the other, exchanged between them, Augustus would give the journal to Ivan to read, to enjoy, to always have. Perhaps, as it usually happened with him being the Master Recorder, Augustus would be forced to sit down on the beach, open Out of Water and read his tale for all to hear.

He would mind doing so, of course. Being the recorder of recorders, he was quite used to reading his material to folk who wished to hear it. Still, about this particular tale, he only hoped... Out of Water would be grand enough. During all of his recent work of looking up the details, of reading Ivan's letters, of clarifying things, this story had been an awesome one to make, to flesh out, to bring to life. That was for sure.

Either way, come tomorrow, the many days after, he would share Out of Water with the world. He would hopefully make his friend, Ivan T'lore and his wife Nyrina Urchinhide, smile during it all. Them and then their pup in the future... whenever the babe was to be born.

Feeling happier than he'd been in a long while, finally done with what'd been a major personal project of his, Augustus sat back against the chair he was sitting in. With a content sigh, a smile on his face, he brushed his hand through his hair. He felt... content. Finally, his mind was at ease, his heart was peaceful, he would be able to sleep well this night knowing he'd finished Out of Water.

For the first time in a long time, having finished his latest Felldewan story tonight, the Master Recorder was at peace in his crammed office. As he looked around at the many papers, documents, recordings all around him organized here or there, his expression - through his weariness at being up so late - was a thoughtfully pleasant one. He folded his hands over his chest, breathed in deeply, leaned back into his rather comfy chair, then sighed softly.

"Well, Gaia, my dear... That's that, isn't it? I present to you, Out of Water." He whispered to himself, his smile still showing on his proud face as he closed his eyes for a moment. He, after so many years of having served her closely, was familiar with the all mother of Felldew, mind. He was comfortable in addressing the goddess. With his eyes closed, he could easily see her shining, magnificent face smiling at him. "Tomorrow, when I give him his story, when I present him and Nyrina with this journal, I pray that it will do Ivan - my best friend - justice. His tale was a most magnificent one. I enjoyed it, truly."

Next, chuckling to himself, the recorder looked slowly around at his surroundings. He took in the many documents around him, stacks of paper he'd personally filled with Felldewan writing, facts, stories for the last few years in this very study. Grinning, he sighed to his goddess, "Heh, I know, I'm probably being silly in saying such things. Of course my latest tale will do Ivan justice... for I have done many more before him."

At this, Augustus looked up to the many books shelved away. He focused onto several particular ones as he admitted proudly, "Northbound, Remembrance, Adam the Liberator, I've revived many legends in these archives. And those legends now are taught every day in our schools. Those legends have been clarified by me."

Smiling, Augustus closed his eyes again. Once more, to himself, for the thousandth time since he had become a pilgrim long ago, he not only saw the darkness that came with his closed off vision... but he saw her; the young, silver haired, radiant human woman dressed in the flowingly white dress whom was none other than Goddess Gaia herself. She swirled in the darkness, her silver light chasing away the darkness. How easily she did so. How grandly she shined in the shadows and illuminated the way to the future.

This must have been what it'd been like for the very first human pilgrim of pilgrims, for Adam the Liberator, no? Indeed, every time Adam had closed his eyes after the death of his lover, that dragoness by the name of Samandra whose passing had ultimately started the Reckoning so long ago and brought Felldew here to today, Goddess Gaia must have led the way through the darkness that'd clouded his judgment.

She was the reason for everything, of course. Every human, every good Felldewan, knew that to be true. During the days of Adam the Liberator and dragoness Samandra, the goddess had been the cause of the reawakening of humanity's better side as well as the continued freedom of the anima everywhere. She was the reason why humans were now the guardians of Felldew, not the tyrants.

As Augustus had come to learn about her during his growing up to now, as he'd read all about her in the libraries and heard from the many veteran priests of the church of Norlinth, as he'd even discussed with the dragons of Dragon Roost, Goddess Gaia was indeed everything. She was the teacher of wisdom, the bringer of courage, the mother of happiness.

And right now, as she stopped before him in a swirling shower of white light, as she smiled her brightest at seeing him - one of her best of friends - she was the first to hear of the content recorder's newest stories to add to Norlinth's libraries. Indeed, in the subconscious of the Master Recorder's mind, the goddess was intent to have him read Out of Water to her. Maybe the said story was not so much a legendary one but a personal one about the love between two simple Felldewans.

However, Goddess Gaia had a weakness for romance. And Augustus had a gift for writing such things; things she, like a spoiled child, couldn't get enough of.

"Augustus. Greetings to you. Perhaps you know so already but you have done a splendid job in bringing a tale to life once more. For the hundredth time, you have made humanity proud. You have made me proud." Gaia chimed in his thoughts, her smile chasing away his weariness. She brushed back her graceful hair as she said, "But most of all, you have made Ivan and Nyrina proud. You WILL make them proud with what you've written down."

"Well, thank you for your kind words, Gaia, my friend. Alas, maybe I have made a lot of people proud... but what of my wife and daughter?" Augustus chuckled back, accepting the goddess's hug next. She was not literally with him in his office but in his thoughts, comforting him; as it went with all Felldewans of legend. He wasn't complaining though. He, like anyone else, always enjoyed her company. "My loved ones have been worried sick over me for the last few months. I have not eaten, slept nor been a good father to my little one during all of this. I have been... much too busy."

"You have not been too busy. Your wife and daughter understand your need to follow my words and that you not only help your people but all of Felldew. They have always understood your work, my friend. Even today when you could not go with them to the Coastal Festival. They love you. They will always love you." Gaia explained, holding Augustus's hands in her gentle own. She beamed at him, sharing with him her happiness that he'd completed Out of Water tonight. She really was proud of him, of his skills. "But know this, after all that you have done to make Ivan's and Nyrina's story reality, you will not need to work for some time. You will be on... vacation, heh heh."

"That is most excellent to hear, your grace. You have my gratitude. Thank you." The Master Recorder admitted, bowing respectfully. Truly, he was happy to have some time to himself tomorrow. He could truly love his more than patient wife, that fabulous she-squirrel known as "Tress". He could play with his daughter, the blessing of his life called "Trell". He could relax, come tomorrow. He could be himself and set down his title until another story needed his attention. "Yes, you have my gratitude and you will have my family's as well."

"Of course, I will. I have all of the gratitude of this world... and more. And it only becomes greater every day you write down what you write down, my friend. Where the priests sing of my greatness, where the warriors fight in my name, you write about my powers. And for that, I am grateful." The goddess giggled, her laughter like the sweetest of music in his mind. She cocked her head to one side, wrapped her arms behind her back, then gave a most pleasant smile as she softly wondered next, "But before you go, Augustus... could I not hear the first chapter of your written story about Ivan and Nyrina? Bless me with your version of Out of Water."

"Ha ha! Why would you need me to read you that to you, your highness? Forgive me but that seems like a rather not needed thing." Augustus chuckled, shaking his head. Truly, due to her all-knowing nature, he had reason to wonder about the goddess's words. She really was a child at times. He next added with a laugh, "Why do I need to read you a story... that you yourself began, watched and saw through to the end? Was it not you who brought Ivan and Nyrina together? Why hear their tale retold?"

"I have many reasons for wanting to. Many that you yourself know, silly." The celestial woman laughed, smiling her best yet as she poked his nose. She was the most beautiful thing of all things. Well, that wasn't all true. Augustus knew of several others that matched his goddess's beauty; Tress and Trell back in his bedroom. "I am the goddess. I love to hear about the happiness of my children of Felldew. I am also your best friend. Friends help friends. In this case, I wish to have a story read to me; Out of Water, in this case. A tale I am sure I will classify as my favorite in a long while, thanks to your storytelling."

"You're big flatterer. You spoil me too much." Augustus chuckled, feeling honored. Of course, he was THAT good. That was why he was the fabled Master Recorder. However, he liked to remain humble about his work. Not be snobbish. "I am not that good. Do not pamper me so."

"Oh but you are THAT good. That is why you are where you now, Master Recorder." Gaia laughed, suddenly producing something from behind her back; Out of Water. She placed it in her human friend's hands next, had him sit down with her on the now grassy, summer lit ground of his conscience and - like many times before - rested her head against his shoulder; for they were the best of friends. As her Master Recorder felt honored, she softly requested, "Now, my friend, please, tell me the story that will make Ivan and Nyrina proud tomorrow. Tell me a story about a young human and otter girl finding strength in one another. Honor the Coastal Festival with your tale."

"You make the story sound so grand. I will do my best to not fail you, ha ha." Augustus admitted, smiling gently. He flipped through the journal in his hands to part one, cleared his throat... and then put in, "But only the first chapter, okay? I have to see about getting to bed with my family. I want them to know I'm still alive. Not dead in this study."

"But of course." Gaia chimed back, snuggling closer to her friend, "Just the first chapter. That is all I ask. Grant me that honor at least."

And with that said, nodding his head, appreciating his goddess, Augustus - the Master Recorder of Norlinth, keeper of a hundred tales, a leader of the humans - began to read his latest masterpiece as wanted from the beauty leaning against him in the shining, shimmering, summer like world that was his presently peaceful, sleeping mind.

And as Gaia listened to Augustus read, she knew Out of Water was a masterpiece to add to his collection. It was a tale of young love, of friends becoming more than friends, of trials being overcome, of a young otter girl helping a human man find peace.