FSE

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Chapter 26: The Rescue

Asterion shook his aching head. Darkness was all around him, only broken by the distant light of the luminescent coral that lined the cavern in which he was kept. It made long shadows of the obsidian bars of his prison, seemingly woven themselves from the rockface. He'd have been impressed by the lack of magical signs, the mark of a great magician, cleric, or druid. Bubbles sprung from his nostrils, reminding the groggy minotaur he was underwater.

Panic reared its ugly head as he tried to swim upwards out of instinct, searching for a pocket of air that he might find. He found himself chained to the floor with thick strands of seaweed, wrapped tightly around his limbs. Gritting his teeth, he tried to wrench himself free, his muscles bulged and strained, the shackles proved stronger than steel. He collapsed to the prison floor, waiting for darkness to claim him.

With a sunken head the bull waited, counting the moments in his head. He'd be swept away from his corporal body and guided towards his resting place, to meet Korde's judgement for his past deeds. He grimaced at how the elder bull would regard him, the disgust no doubt painted upon the minotaur god's brow. Any second now his lungs would burn, his chest would convulse, and Asterion would be forced down into the valley of the dishonored, the worst fate a minotaur could imagine. But nothing came.

He opened a curious eye, finding no change in his surroundings nor himself. There must have been a spell about to deny him an end by drowning. He was still bound in his makeshift cell, with not a guard in sight. He narrowed his eyes at such an incompetent display. He scanned his meager surroundings, finding his weapons were gone, so were his magical armbands, additionally there was no sign of the crew of the blood mermaid. Feku and Nivra were absent as well. He snorted, at least their enemy knew better than to keep a group of adventurers together. He was left to ponder in oppressive silence what was to be his fate.

Was of greater importance to this suspected abolyth? That was no surprise to him, if this enemy were intelligent, and worth its salt, it would recognize a cleric would be useful in whatever schemes lay buried within its twisted skull. Glaring at the faint lights, Asterion tried to ignore the building of fire within his gut, the nagging sense of sheer wrong that pumped through his very veins. To be captured and bound was a dishonor that minotaur were never supposed to endure. It was shameful, headache inducing, and yet he'd already managed to experience this grievous dishonor twice in his lifetime. With white knuckled fists he yanked against his bindings with what strength he could muster. Grunting and groaning he only relented when his muscles burned, and his joints ached. This supposed abolyth evidently knew the strength of his kin.

How many others had their been where he was now? He asked himself, searching for anything to better aid in his escape. A loose rock, a sharpened edge, something that he could use to cut his bindings. The floor was natural but devoid of what anyone would consider sharp edged. He was trapped, at the mercy of his cowardly foe. One who wouldn't even come personally to attack him. He glared as two figures emerged into the light, little more than blackened masses of gills and fins with how they were shadowed.

He met their shimmering eyes like a wall, not letting them relish their victory. He lashed his tail as they conversed in their watery tongue, little more than muffled gibberish to his pronounced ears. One turned to the other, a hesitant look about their features.

With a soft click, the bars melted their way to the floor, revealing the exit. They took a tentative step inside as Asterion readied himself to attack the moment his bindings were loosened. The sea elves were already ready for this, taking a stride back over his sharpened expression. Their eyes shot to one another, concerned murmurs being shared between them.

Good, let them be frightful, Asterion snorted. How he relished the wide eyes that were laid upon him. He took a calming breath, willing whatever strength he could into his aching limbs. He'd only get a single shot at this.

One of the elves shoved the other, gesturing to the scale mail that they wore. Instead of metal, the plates had been replaced by crimson shells. The guard patted his blade before unsheathing it and gesturing it to Asterion and making a jabbing motion. It was clear, if the prisoner acts up, just gut him like a fish. The other guard nodded, taking a calming breath.

Asterion was to have none of this, let their fear continue. “You best kill me now." He growled through the water, hoping the mere tone would be enough. “For when I'm free, none of you will be safe. The waters here will be crimson with your blood."

For a moment, the two elves regarded his threat, their eyes widening as they searched his bindings for any fault or break. With a nod they smiled, revealing the sharpened teeth of a shark. When they spoke, the words came to the cleric clear as a robin's song. Though the underlying tone was as slippery as a snake.

“Easy bull, we mean you no harm." Said one with a scar upon his pale face, “For soon you will call us brother, united by the master's tender tentacles."

“It's not every day we get a spellcaster added to our ranks. It's rather exciting." Said the other, whose face looked as though it had been pressed tightly to a steel net. “Such fire, such passion, that strength will be of great use to the master."

The first one gestured with a webbed hand, summoning shimmering motes of light upon the air. They pierced the darkness with their vibrant display, shooting through the water to whirl around Asterion's horns. There they spun time and again, until the motes were little more than a brilliant blur. With an invisible hand they pulled the cleric's eyelids down. First he struggled, but it couldn't be helped. He had not the strength to resist the sea elf's demand.

With a final grunt Asterion went limp, a final threat sliding from his lips. “Kill you all."

*

Nivra and the others awoke the next morning, well rested and their hopes higher than were the gryphon fly. Achaaz had cast an illusion on the entrance to the cavern just in case her precautions had not proven successful. Even with this they set a guard, taken in shifts to ensure that everyone got an equal amount of sleep.

While everyone was still blinking away their groggy vision, Achaaz slipped into the water's edge and vanished with a soft plop. Feku immediately began singing a joyous tune, wiggling her claws as viridian waves swept through her scales. At a mere touch, what wounds Tehya had were starting to reseal, lighting a fire in the minotaur's gut. She was already smiling, eyes brimming with courage as she pounded her chest with powerful thumps. The day promised adventure, excitement, and more importantly, revenge.

“Heres to hacking off a few limbs. If we're lucky heads!" She smiled as Feku casually cringed and insisted that she hoped it didn't come to that. Tehya laughed deep in her belly, pulling the now squirming kobold into a great bear hug. “Fear not little lizard. You needn't trouble your tiny claws! I'm sure I'll do enough killing for the both of us! Mark my words, they'll rue the day they messed with my crew!" She turned to Nivra, who'd been silent after instructing the teal dragoness on what'd needed. “What of you Niv? Ready for some good fashion ole vengeance?"

Without a word she gave a halfhearted pump. Mindless bloodshed always left her wincing. “I'll admit it might be needed, but heres to hoping we can avoid it." She softly combed her hair, her brow furrowing at how difficult it was being. “We get the crew, find the temple. You and the others head back to the ship, we steal what we came for. Gods be willing no one will be the wiser."

“Bah, why take the fun out of it?" The cow dismissed her with a wave and heavy sigh. “Though don't know what I was expecting. Come now, there must be the same thrill when you get into a wizard duel."

Nivra bit her tongue, a shadow falling on her spirit as she was tugged back to Nigel and Shandalar's final encounter.

“Aha!" The minotaur gasped, “You have experienced what we do. The thrill of battle, the relishing of facing a strong opponent. One that proves not only to yourself but others how skilled you are." She winked, wagging a solitary finger. “I pegged you for a book learned mage myself queenie, you're full of surprises."

The color drained from her face as guilt whispered into her ear. “They're nothing like that." She softly muttered, trying to change the conversation. But still the minotaur continued.

“Though its not as great as the coliseum back in Deathbriar. Wizard duels have too much finger wiggling for my taste, look like a bunch of circus performer-“

“Can we just drop it?" Nivra replied sharply.

“I suppose." The warrior shrugged, giving a half-hearted sigh. “If it troubles you that much, it looks like I'll have to do enough killing for three."

“How about Achaaz?" Feku asked softly, staring up the now stretching warrior.

“Oh her?" The minotaur turned with an amused grin. “Trying to lay all the fighting on the warrior's shoulders? Here I thought it be a team effort."

“Well you-“ Feku stumbled through some replies, only silenced by Tehya clasping her shoulder and a laugh.

“Don't worry your tiny snout. I'm quite happy to do so."

Unease fluttered about Nivra's insides, filling each passing moment with dread. Would the dragoness make it? Return with their goods? Was all this hope for nothing? After at least a half hour she found herself twitching at every ripple of the water, fighting the overpowering urge to leap up. Several times she did so, on the third time Feku was pressing the mage down with her healing hands, inquiring what had gotten into her.

“Very jumpy! Look like stole from dragon!" Feku wiggled her snout, “Very big dragon."

“Just nerves is all." She grumbled, letting the kobold's healing spells do their work. With a few musical notes and warm sensations, the bruises, and slight cuts she'd received the night before had vanished without a trace. She sighed and rubbed where they'd been, thanking the bard with a nod.

“It nothing, just heals." The kobold shrugged, starting to stash her things back into her pack. She hummed and sang to herself, something about getting their friends back from those dastardly elfy bastards. Something, no doubt a certain colorful speaking half-elf taught her.

Achaaz returned within the hour with a great warble, spitting down a soaked satchel full of the adventurer's things. Tehya and Feku sprinted to the waterlogged cloth, eyes gleaming with excitement as they practically tossed their things out to the floor. There were weapons aplenty they plucked from the spacious confines, shorts words, axes, daggers, a crossbow. It would seem she'd taken everything out of the armory! Even the minotaur's breastplate and chain were in there, along with the leather parts of the kit. Alongside this all was Feku's leather armor pieces, diminutive shield and the dwarven heat blade she possessed. Nivra felt out of place to simply lean over and grab her spell book, reagent pouch and gnarled staff.

“Something caught your eye princess?" Tehya asked, noticing her lingering eye upon the pile of weapons. “Think you might like to trade a few spells for some steel?"

“Is it possible you packed enough?"

“What?" The warrior shrugged, “I wanted to make sure I had a few knives up my sleeve to get things done."

“Don't you mean cards?" Her brow rose, her cheeks flushed.

“No." The minotaur said bluntly, gesturing to at least six knives she'd already laid out on display. “I did not."

In an hour's time, Nivra had finished her morning spell preparations. It was what all magical users across Sethera and the globe had to do. Commit the spells to the back part of their minds, perform the lengthy sections of the spells. It would leave only the trigger words and final motions to give them the ability to shape the magical weave around them. Each spell drained the spellcaster in question, until eventually they were tapped. This was true for clerics, druids, wizards just to name a few. She folded her book and eyed the dragoness who was busy pretending to be interested in the water, envious that such creatures didn't even have to think about what spells they performed. Magic was part of their very being and willing it into existence was practically second nature.

Nivra performed the locating spell that she'd done for Krotos when she'd been seeking Arcturus and his group months before. She grimaced at the thought, knowing how far she'd come from that fateful day, when she wanted nothing more to see Arcturus bound in chains or dead upon the ground. She gave a heavy sigh as a patch of Asterion's fur spun in her open palm, resting eastword.

“You'll never guess where I found Aeros' feather." Achaaz chuckled, bringing a crimson feather mere inches from her silver eyes. “In the captain's quarters. Why do you think it was there?"

“I could give you a few reasons." Tehya belted out a laugh, thrusting her antique breastplate upon her gambeson clad torso.

“What are they?" She replied absentmindedly.

“How old are you for a dragon?"

“Oh." She said flatly, her frills flushing bright in embarrassment. With a lash of her tail, she returned to the water's edge, giving a harsh snort.

“That young are we?" The minotaur chuckled, strapping on a bandolier with half a dozen daggers.

Purple found their way to Achaaz's frills. She glanced back, scowling at the now amused minotaur. “I'll have you know I'm aware of what that implies." She lashed her tail for good measure, only drawing out another laugh from the warrior as she continued on the finishing touches.

Feku summoned the group up some breakfast, biscuits but it did the job. They were warm, tasteless, but at least they didn't disintegrate on touch. Afterword they got to work fashioning the dragon a makeshift harness, stitched together with what coarse rope that had gathered from the ship. The dragoness regarded it like one a toy, but she didn't disagree and politely lifted her paws as Nivra and Tehya attached it around her limbs. In thanks she had them all lay a hand upon her scales as she cast upon them spell so they could breathe underwater. She said she had one to make it so that they could glide underwater as if it were not there, but she wanted to save it until they were closer to their destination. The spell didn't last all day after all. Questions of what they would do for communication were soon brought up, Achaaz insisting that her membranes could glow to relay messages underwater. Though her snout wrinkled when Nivra pointed out it did little to help those that didn't understand. The wizard had a better solution to be had, a charm that she'd prepared for in such of an eventuality. Telepathic bond. It allowed her to unite all their thoughts, exchange ideas and plans faster than the blink of an eye. To their ire it also meant having to deal with Feku humming to herself as she kept herself occupied.

With spells aplenty enchanted upon themselves, the companions slipped into the waters. They grit their teeth as the chill bit at their flesh and scales. Where darkness had ruled the night before, filling the sea with unimaginable terrors, the sun had put an end to it. Vast swathes of blue had taken over, replacing the blackness. Where the unknown had dwelled was instead the rolling seabed below, decorated with coral and rocks. They must have landed upon an underwater island, for they could not have sunken so deep. They looked up as brightly colored fish swam through the water, sunlight glimmering of their scales.

They headed east on Nivra's request, guided by the gentle pull of Asterion's fur. Rocks, forests of swaying kelp, vast beds of coral, they each became methods of concealment. It was true that they had the spell invisibility up their sleeves, but the spell wouldn't last as long as they needed. It was better to save it when they got closer and needed it most. Nivra wished that she could document the different species of animals that they passed, from sharks to whales to even crabs that crawled below Achaaz's paws. She'd be pulled back to her senses at the sway of the dragon's tail, or pull of her paw. With it came the reality of what was at stake, the crew and the soul of her kingdom.

Despite the telepathic bond, they shared little with one another. Only chiming in to recheck their position and better plan their route to follow. It made every passing moment one filled with a multitude of thoughts, often lingering upon the fate of their crewmates. They knew they were not dead, for the locating spell would not work on the deceased. Though that didn't grant them any comfort at the reminder of what had become of that human thing back in the hold. Silence came after that, only broken up as they passed several patrols of sea elves along the way. Tehya was all more than ready to swim into them, her weapons longing to taste blood.

“But look at them!" Tehya gestured with a disappointed groan, “They be right there. We can swim right in, do a bit of swinging and put an end to them!"

“I think I can claw a few." Achaaz added grimly, her frills flicking in and out as she hugged the jagged rock they'd been hiding behind.

“Why attack? Go around." Feku was the voice of reason, tilting her head. “Safer. Much safer."

In the end they all looked to Nivra, waiting her decision. Both were valid and she went with Feku, even despite another groan from the minotaur. “Do you wish to alert them we're coming?" She wagged a finger through the water, “The plan has a greater chance of success if we remain hidden."

This settled the warrior's murderous spirit for now and allowed them to continue unimpeded across the sunken island. Though they made sure to hug what cover they could find with greater urgency, none too eager to reveal their positions. Often they'd wait for them to pass, sometimes taking an hour before they could emerge safely.

As the hours slowly ticked on by, the group never ceased its forward progression. Not a break or catch for break was to be had, anything to relieve their tension of ache in their bone. None of them shared the dread that lingered for the captured crew, nor wanted to make time an ally for their enemy. The longer they waited, the more chances death could find them. The equivalent of dusk soon gripped the sea, the once vibrant blues all but faded and replaced with a lingering, faint lavender. It was then that they neared what could be what they sought, a vast, underwater city of elves.

The entrance to this ancient city was carved from the very rockface itself, formed by the skillful hands of ancient elven magicians. From the craggy terrain came the shapes of great sea elven kings and heroes, silently captured in a most regal manner. Algae clung to their features as if in mockery. Around the rim of this gaping maw of stone were gemstones of all sorts, they gleamed in the dwindling light like the many eyes of some malevolent beast. Atop this tunnel was a sea of thick kelp, dancing in the current to some unseen tune.

Even from the rocky alcove that they hid, the companions could make out the eerie green light softly building from within the cave, gently at first as the natural light faded, and piercing like a lance when it had. They seemed to hover in the air, casting un-natural glows and sending shivers down the spines those who dwelled too long upon it. Outlined by this illumination, the guards and citizens that swam through the water were little more than darkened blots, no doubt filled with malicious intent, sworn to the service of their unseen master.

Nivra clutched tight her robes, the beating of her heart almost deafening. The others were not speaking, seemingly captivated in the sight as she. Dread coiled around her heart as she caught a most peculiar sight within the sprawling landscape of seagrass before them, thousands of figures marching upon the sandy floor. They were spread out in various patterns, spirals, circles, some of alien designs that Nivra couldn't wrap her head around. Within and around these shapes she found more lights, adding a whole temple aching sensation to the whole affair. She pulled back her head, holding her forehead as the others looked to one another and tried to form a plan of entrance.

“And they call this a city." Tehya scoffed within her head, gesturing to the crude rockface beyond. “They should see the grand halls of my people back in Emain. Come visit, any hamlet would have better temples, no question."

“There's probably more inside the tunnel." Nivra said calmly, searching across the sprawling field for a place of attack. She groaned as she counted already three dozen patrols swimming at various intervals about the space between. If they were to get inside it would be tight, and that's if they didn't have any means of seeing through invisibility.

Achaaz sat in silent, staring at her paws, cringing when she so much as swished a limb through the water. She seemed to steel her nerves with a deep breath, whispering something to herself.

“Is everything alright?" Nivra asked in her head, voice full of concern. She knew the dragon hadn't even stopped to rest. She must have been exhausted from the day of travel.

The dragon turned to her, though tiredness dwelled within those silver eyes, she didn't voice it. Achaaz nodded her horned head. “You don't have to worry. I'll manage. Small aches is a tiny price to pay right?" She chuckled grimly. “They can make it up to me."

“No question." She nodded.

“Its they who be doing the paying." Tehya growled, patting her battle axe at her side. “Been itching all day for this. The waters will run red, I promise ya that!" She made a chopping motion with her arm. “Chip, chop."

“Think we can just fly inside tunnel?" Feku asked softly, gesturing to the various patrols. “We can be invisible."

Nivra caressed her chin. Back in Lumara, the ratio of magicians and clerics to the normal populace was quite slim. Most lacked the expertise to manifest such powers. The question remained to be answered if these sea elves had the same percentage. A multitude of spells could see through invisibility, although the user had to be close. Could they slip on by without drawing too near? Nivra bit her lip as she counted yet more patrols. It was certainly going to be cutting it close.

“We could make a distraction." Tehya shrugged, reading the mage's expression. “Something to draw the wandering eye."

“How exactly would you do that?" Nivra rose a brow, but by the minotaur's crude grin she already knew.

“Think lobbing a few heads off would cause a ruckus?"

“But bring everyone down upon your horns." Achaaz rolled her eyes, “Good way to get yourself killed."

“But it would give you a distraction wouldn't it. To get in an out?" The warrior winked, and the dragon had no response. “Secondly, you're assuming I just let them catch me."

“We're not splitting the party." Nivra raised a palm, putting that to an end to their coming squabble. “It just leads to less forceful thrusts. We need the one move we make to be a good one. One with enough force behind it that we can carry on to success."

“Illusion!" Feku curled her head. “Something big boom! Then we do the sneaking!"

Tehya looked away with a snort, complaining about how she wasn't going to get into a fight with all this sneaking around.

An illusion would do what they wanted, and not risk their involvement. It was the best of both worlds. She was impressed it came from Feku's mind of all places. She smiled and gave the kobold a nod, resting a hand on her shoulder. “What kind of illusion do you have in mind?"

She looked to Achaaz with eyes bouncing in excitement. “Big dragon! Very big! All the rawrs!"

The teal chuckled, clearly flattered as her wings gently twitched. “Won't they be suspicious the moment they realize this is all an elaborate illusion?"

“Of course, they will." Nivra replied calmly, searching across the green lit fields of sand. “We're just counting by the time they figure it out we'll be safely inside. Then its just a matter of finding Asterion."

“And do an escape!" Feku clacked her claws excitedly.

“And the others." Tehya added, her voice stern. “Though where do we go then? That thing easily captured the ship. We can get everyone out but have nowhere to go."

Once more they all looked to Nivra. Their eyes hungry for answers, it was the most vague part of the plan. They either shot towards the temple and hoped for the best or accepted their loss and tried to flee. She swallowed down the moment of unease, the future queen shining through. She needed what lay within the temple. “If we can't use the temple we'll find another place to hide. The others can stay hidden until we seize what we came for." She turned to Achaaz, “Can you make more of us breathe underwater?"

“Its just a simple spell." The dragon snorted, waving a paw. “Just need to do a ritual is all."

“And once we regroup what then?" Tehya crossed her arms, searching the pair for the answer. “Think the abolyth is just going to let us go once we've escaped and stolen what you need from the temple?"

She lowered her head, already feeling the weight of what was to come. More lives might be lost in the coming hours. There was another choice they could take, it just needed a bit more finesse and luck. The mage sighed, “Preposterous as it sounds, we could always slay the monster."

There was a moment where the others sat in silence, a confused look spreading across Feku and Achaaz's snouts. Tehya belted out a deep laugh inside her head and out as she playfully shoved the princess' shoulder.

“Now that's that I'm talking about! Kill a legend! Who knew you'd have that as a plan C?"

Achaaz snorted in dismissal, her eyes narrowed. “Yea sure, just add slaying a beast of legend to the list of things to do. I'm sure its title is just for show. Why should we even bother? The elves will still be around, I doubt they'd be happy with us killing their master."

“Not necessarily, we know it mentally controls it's victims ." Nivra replied, catching the dragon's eye. “They could all be innocent in this, thank us for the deed."

The weight of what she said, brought a silence to the conversation. They exchanged looks, realizing what this might entail. Feku's head dropped first, her scales darkening to blue.

“We kill people do no wrong." She ground her foot into the sand.

Tehya scoffed, nudging at them all. Her gaze was sharper than any sword she carried. “Don't let this shrivel your spirit for the road ahead. Innocent or not they are the enemy. You might be willing to do this soul searching over the morals, but their brainwashed not to." She gave a heavy snort as the others exchanged more hesitant looks. “If it makes it more palpable, just add it to the list of things that beast needs to die for. Agreed?" She snapped her muzzle to all of them.

Everyone slowly nodded, steeling what nerves they had for the deed. Nivra pulled a small box from her pouches, plucking out an eyelash. With it she hid them all with an invisibility spell, except Achaaz, who did the same to herself with a flick of a paw. Luckily they could all see one another despite the magic, and headed out with a silent gesture from Tehya. Quieter than a gentle breeze they headed down to enact their plan. They had an hour before the spell would fade.

From nothing the dragon illusion sprung into existence, great and terrible it dwarfed everything in sight. Even Achaaz's parents would be but half this monster's size. It was the spitting image of Achaaz. The dragoness had insisted upon it with an amused grin, relishing the thought of this hoard of elves shivering at the sight of her. With silver eyes of fire, the illusion raced towards the entrance, bubbles left in it's wake. It opened its maw, revealing dozens of sharpened teeth and unleashed a city rattling roar. Even underwater the companions had to cover their ears as the sea elves yelped and sprung for cover in alarm. Somehow despite their outward scouts, they were under attack by a dragon!

The dragon illusion passed beyond the entrance, it's mighty membrane's light piercing the water like a lance. With a savage snarl it whirled around to begin it's 'assault' once again. It drew every watchful eye upon it's darkened teal scales, weapons were held ever tighter, every elf that witnessed this creature's fury felt doubt for the first time in many years. It was the perfect cover for a group of adventurers to quietly slip inside, passing the sea elf commanders clad in their shell-like armor, bellowing orders in their fishy tongues.

“No I don't know where the beast came from!" One sea elf yelled to the another, brandishing a thick steel spear. “Send words to the city guards, let them know we have this under control. I'll tell the master that his special guard might be needed." The elf looked to the distant dragon illusion heading back for another pass. “I don't know what pissed this dragon off…"

Nivra rose a brow, perplexed how she could understand. Her answer came in the form of Feku tugging at her robes. The single word 'tongues' whispering from the kobold's mind, a spell used to understand all the spoken language of the world, a natural choice for a bard like herself. Nivra nodded and held tight to Achaaz as the dragon silently shot passed the defense line, leaving the now gathering hoards of heavily armed sea elves to their perplexing problem. She smiled as another roar bellowed forth from their illusion and drained the color of every face in attendance.

“At least we know they can be fearful." Achaaz's voice came through the mind, filled with more pride than it should have. That soon changed as the dragon turned to the city streets, taking in the reality in which they faced.

The lengthy trail before them had never been designed with a dragon's proportions in mind, not even a young adult like Achaaz. Even with her wings tucked it would be a tight squeeze to fit between the packed walls that sprung from elven hands. Across these walls came a multitude of shops, alleyways, taverns and temples, all of them spiraling upwards towards a distant ceiling. Algae, cast a sickly green light upon everything it touched. Turning what should have been beautiful artwork woven from the rock, into a menacing display of faces that looked to be in tortuous pain.

Citizens floated about with puzzled looks upon their faces, huddled together as they seemed to be muttering about what could be distracting their guards. They were adorned in darkly died animal leathers and various fabrics woven from underwater plant fibers. Fins that lined their limbs gently flushed with light at different intervals, implying their language was more than just verbal. Their eyes were wide, their skin pale from the sudden roars, some whisked away children to swim back to their rocky dwellings, in hope that whatever monster awaited outside would be driven away.

Seeing the dragon's wandering snout, Nivra halted and searched around for some larger section to fit her. Without it, moving her would be troublesome, they'd no doubt bump into an unknown amount of people.

“We need an alley, a crevice, something away from wandering eyes." The dragon thought, her voice trembling.

“Why can't you do it here?" Feku asked innocently, “we invisible."

“But one spell and it will be undone." Nivra chimed in, “You can imagine what a dragon appearing in this particular city would bring."

“A fight." Tehya brimmed with excitement.

With a gentle warble, Achaaz had found what they were looking for. A small alleyway barley large enough for her to squeeze. She sucked in what breath she could, pinned her wings tight to her scales and winced as pieces of stone rubbed away to flutter to the seafloor. She began to concentrate on changing her size as the others stood near the entrance, keeping a watchful eye.

In an explosion of purple mist the dragon's shape was changed. Where once she was hardly larger than a horse minus the wings, she was now no larger than an ample sized dog. She blinked and wiggled her nose, hoping fate was on their side. Unfortunately, that proved not to be the case as a passing platoon of soldiers passed right by their hiding spot.

One of the sea elves turned, his green eyes filled with questions for but a moment. They widened in realization as he went to shout to his fellow kin of an intruder. “Intru-“ He gurgled and collapsed, a javelin hurled into his throat.

“Tired of this sneaking anyway!" Tehya roared, swimming full force into the street where his allies were still trying to comprehend what was going on. She unsheathed two arming swords from their sheaths and plunged them into two sea elf's skulls before they could even react.

No! This was a disaster! Nivra followed the minotaur's carnage, her heart thundering in her chest. The street was a bloody mess, the bodies of Tehya's victims close by and coated in red mist. There were three more on the defensive, trying to avoid the skillful advance of this vengeful beast of a woman. “Tehya!" her voice screamed in her head, searching for a way to escape.

Crossbow bolts wedged themselves around the warrior, one breaking in two across her raised blade. It only seemed to spur the warrior on as she thrust her weapon into the underarm of one of her foes. The flesh yielded. The momentum of her attack sent her victim crashing into another guard, stunning him long enough for Tehya to decapitate him in a single strike.

The last guard went to jab her with his sharpened spear, the shock of Tehya's entrance evaporated. All that remained was revenge for the blood now covering his face. He never got the chance as an electric whip wrapped around his wrist. The sea elf spasmed and twitched until life had left him, he went limp, casually pushed aside as Tehya charged passed him. Crossbow bolts following in her wake.

“Come on, after me!" The warrior gestured towards where the street forked, both equally devoid of guards. The citizens that remained where flinging themselves to the stone, all color draining from their faces over blood lust fueled look in the minotaur's eyes.

Nivra was chastising herself as she followed, Feku and Achaaz right behind. She narrowly avoided a coming crossbow bolt, the metal tip passing through her tattered sleeve. There was no time to be in shock as she kicked her legs till they were burning. They needed a place to hide, somewhere to reapply invisibility, or this was going to meet a dark end. Salvation came in an alley off the path, one which they were more than happy to find. The guards were too close behind them, fins proving better than feet in swimming. They would be cutting it closer than they'd like.

They dashed around the corner, Nivra already beginning to perform the motions for the spell. Unfortunately they stumbled upon a dozen sea elves armed to their gills. Their expressions were as steel like their expression, as one of them watched on with blank, yellow glowing eyes that seemed to pierce the soul. He was the first to die as Tehya hurled a javelin into his face in surprise.

“Is it too much to ask to find an empty alley?" The warrior spouted, barely able to avoid the coming stab of a blade. It nicked her breast plate, sliding off the coat of chain she wore underneath. Her fist slammed into the elf's slender face, stunning him long enough for Achaaz to come crashing in, slamming to others against the alley's storefronts.

Nivra flung a cloud of poison in an elf's face, the water doing little to dilute the spell's magics. He choked and spasmed as it did its work, drawing thick black lines across his face. He went limp as she pushed him aside and hurled an electrical whip at another who dared come close. There were no more jests or boats, only battle was soon had.

The attackers surged forth despite the bodies they'd created and the dragon bearing down on them. Spears and swords were jabbed, seeking homes within their flesh. The sounds of battle raged around them, the crashing of wood, the tumbling of loosened rocks, the savage snarls of Achaaz sending shivers down Nivra's spine. They were swiftly cut off, the waters ran with blood, each heart pounding second was another that their pursuers had a chance to reach them.

Achaaz's snout caught a lucky shield, the dragon retreated with a pained snarl. Feku's attacks were unorganized, her practice forgotten, they were little more than useless flails. Nivra was tackled and pinned to the ground with her arms outstretched. The mage kicked her legs with gritted teeth, unable to shove off the prideful look upon her assailant. He pulled a dagger from his belt in a flash, pushing it gently to her throat.

There he held, eyes like steel. The warning understood for her to cease her struggles. He smirked when she complied with hate in her eyes, too distracted to see Tehya's sword tip. He barely managed a yelp before he was hurled off the wizard, mouth wide in shock.

The minotaur extended a hand, blood dripping down her muzzle. “Looks like you could use a hand." Tehya laughed in her head, pulling the wizard up to face the reinforcements surging towards them. With a thump of her chest, the minotaur roared her defiance.

Looks of confidence were painted across all the sea elves faces. Victory was assured for them, the city had countless others, these intruders were just four. Even with a dragon, it's size was of little consequence, they'd bested far larger beasts. All of that confidence died at a breath from Nivra's lips. Their eyes barely got a chance to widen as Nivra hurled a bolt of lightning in their direction. What had started as a charge sputtered and died, all those present reduced to a twitching and spasming dance. Light flared across the street, signifying their passing. The mage was left panting, scowling at their now motionless bodies.

A sense of emptiness swept around the companions as they caught their breaths. Even now they could hear the beating of a distant drum, deep and terrible the reverberations reached a terrible claw around their hearts. There was a brief look of concern on their bruised faces, what color remained swiftly drained. There would be no chance to gather their panting breaths, their enemy would be as relentless as the sea.

In the swish of her tail, Achaaz was invisible once more as Nivra grabbed the other's shoulders and did the same. They'd just managed to paddle away from the alley of death when two dozen sea elves swished passed them, mere inches being the difference between safety and doom. It wasn't until they were hundreds of feet away and the guards had since disappeared from view did, they even think about sighing in relief.

“Should we turn back now?" Nivra asked the others, fearing what they might say. It would be the smart decision; they were not to have been revealed this swiftly. Though would be heading back where they came be any safer? To her surprise they wanted to continue, either fueled by revenge, bravery, or ignorance the future queen didn't care. She thanked them all the same with a gentle nod, pulling Asterion's fur from her pouches. It spun in her palm, guiding them deeper into the city.

*

“You sure this right place?" Feku asked softly within her mind, the particulars of Nivra's spell still making her brain hurt. She scratched the grey scales atop her snout, telling her brain to cut it out. Hurt brain would not help Asterion get free. Or the others for that matter.

They were hiding behind a series of rocks, lost within a vast garden of algae and seagrass. It was quite the image to behold, the vibrant reds and greens mixing, caught in the currents as if to wave a great hello. It was far more beautiful than what dwelled just a tilt of the head upwards, posts with humanoid victims crucified to them. Their heads were slumped over, torsos sliced open, their limbs hacked off. It made all of the adventurers shiver, shudder and dart their eyes to anything else. The message was clear, made for ones such as they. Turn back now and value what life they could have. Unfortunately for them, such a choice was out of the question.

“You asked that back at the market." Tehya snorted, bubbles spewing from her nostrils. Her eyes were narrowed.

“But that time it wasn't." She wrinkled her snout, recalling how they had to swim upwards to find the secret entrance that led them here. She'd accidently knocked a few dozen balls of seaweed upon the minotaur's snout.

“Then you asked again at the field." The minotaur rolled her eyes, “The one with the illusion ceiling."

“Yea, but that one pretty." Feku sighed, wishing they could go back to see the colors that flowed above the chasm like city, tiny ribbons swirling without any regard. She'd stood in awe at such a thing, having to be tugged along by her insistent friends. “You keep promise right?" Her arms crossed against her chest, they'd promised to return. After of course they rescued everyone.

“Of course we will." Achaaz replied sternly, resting a paw on Feku's side. It made the kobold giggle how the once large dragon was now a head shorter than she. “But now is time for planning."

“But I was." She protested, “Planning to go pretty illusion sky."

The dragon tilted her head, frills fluttering as she opened and closed her maw several times. The kobold had a point. “Ok, but that's not remotely what we meant. Tell her Nivra." The dragon curled her head to the resolute magician, who was softly twirling one of her raven curls. She was staring at what they'd come across, a stone like prison surrounded by at least two dozen guards. All of them stern and at attention, weapons already at hand.

“Its already warned its guard force." Nivra's internal voice was as calm as the eye of a storm. Her fingers wiggled to and fro, yearning to loose her next spell. “Freeing Asterion is going to be a tad, difficult. I don't see the others."

“Great." Tehya grumbled, “It would seem it be smarter than rounding up everyone in a single spot for us to rescue."

“That would simply be too troublesome." Achaaz rolled her eyes with a sigh, “It has to make things more difficult."

Feku flicked her tail, bothering herself with the other's opinions. Though If Nivra was concerned it couldn't be good. The mage lady had powerful spells and the confidence to boot! She was a queen of all things, and that made her smarter than the rest! Feku clung tight to her violin, wishing she could put the guards to sleep with a tune, but everyone reminded her that elves were immune to such things. Some blessing or other from their creator. “Cheating elves." The kobold meant to grumble to herself, but ended up sending it to the others.

“Exactly." Tehya gripped tight her axe, eyes brimming with bloodlust. “But I got ways of putting them to sleep in different ways."

“Lets not just go bashing our way in like some sort of brute." Nivra rested a hand onto the minotaur's chest. “Look what happened last time. We must have a plan of attack."

Knowing better than to argue, Tehya nodded with a harsh snort and let her arms relax as the tactician as she thought, got to work on their plan of attack. Though she bet it was going to revolve hitting something, things always had to have kinks.

“How about just sneaking in and snatching the captives?" Achaaz inquired, tilting her head. “We're invisible it should be super easy, barely an inconvenience. We just zip in and out, never know what hit them."

Nivra sighed and pointed to at least one among the guard squadrons, their eyes glowing a faint red. “They're searching for invisible foes. If we get too close, they'll spot us."

“Cheating elves." Achaaz snorted, her eyes narrowed.

As the group bickered and suggested ideas, Feku was left to watch the guards spread about the areas in equal groups of four. They carried themselves like knights of old stories, stoic and professional. She was reminded how she imagined Arcturus to be. She wondered if they loved dragons as much, or were possibly as nice. She frowned at the thought, recalling that they were probably being controlled against their will. Why wasn't their a way to free them? Then they could help them with freeing the crew and exploring the temple! She snapped her snout to the others, they were still going on and on about a series of plans. All of them involved some sort of magical attack and back up of physical assaults. Feku sighed and returned to her elf watching, the others would tell her when they were done.

These elves were coated in ivory like armor, beautifully constructed to be works of art themselves. What weapons they bore were gilded in gold, glinting in what light the orbs scattered around provided. The sharpness of their eyes matched their ears and back and forth, waiting for them the adventurers to leap out at them.

She was getting tired of this abolyth creature and it's cheating ways, using mental tricks and talking to get information. Couldn't it just get out here so they could get things over with? The kobold shivered at the thought, realizing this would put her against this no doubt terrifying creature. She changed her mind and was glad it decided to stay a long distance away, hiding within its temple.

The temple nearly caught Feku with its brilliance. It was large like all the buildings of man and elf, but this one was of a different craft. Instead of men it bore images of dragons and mortals, lovingly woven out of the granite with magic. They appeared to be fighting with fire and spears, both sides frozen with angered expressions. There was a large opening with massive columns that would leave even Veledar dwarfed in their size. There were statues that she could hardly make out, but if she had to guess it would be more dragons captured in perfect detail. Her little heart nearly skipped from her chest, excited to see such things. It was unfortunate they had to come in such a scary situation, otherwise this would be delightful!

She snapped her head to the others; they were just about ready to enact their plan. It was unfortunate that she had hardly heard a word of it. Why hadn't anyone told her? Her scales flashed with a brief glimmer of red.

“So, we're all agreed on what happens?" Nivra asked, gripping tight her staff.

Everyone nodded in agreement, even Feku who didn't have the slightest idea what that was. She turned back towards the stone cage like contraption that held Asterion. She couldn't see him through the bars, but Nivra's spell insisted that he was in there. Her tail gently curled around her leg, she knew they were going to get him.

“Then, lets go!" Nivra sprung from her hiding spot, staff brandished like a sword. It flared with an orange light that she cupped within her hand. She rose it to her lips and blew a kiss, sending an orange fog cloud so thick that Feku swore she could pluck it from the water and stash it in her pockets. At least nine of the sea elves suddenly found themselves surrounded by this poisonous cloud, true to the name of cloudkill, it snuffed out their lives.

Achaaz flared out her wings, returning to her normal size in this spacious cavern. The elves were drawn to her as she lunged forward like a ravenous shark, battering aside acouple and grabbing a third with her jaws. The poor man was flung to the ground and crushed with her paws, the light in his eyes went dim. Tehya was right behind her with a resounding battle cry, cursing that the damned dragon stole her thunder. The minotaur still swatted aside a spear before plunging her blade into it's owner's face. In no need of it's spear she procured it and proceed to advance on the others still hanging onto their surprise.

It didn't last long as the sea elves rallied against such an intrusion. Spears found the dragon's scales and forced her to depart less she be skewered upon their points. Three groups surged towards the minotaur, already planning to surround and trap her. Seldom did combatants win when outnumbered by this many foes unless she planned to die. The mage was shot at with their loaded crossbows, forcing her to take cover lest be reduced to a human pin cushion. As it was, she caught one in the leg, instantly shutting off what wretched spell she'd cast.

Feku slipped around them as battle raged around her, no one ever noticed kobolds underfoot, especially if they were invisible. This had to be part of the plan right? Everyone gave her enough space to retrieve Asterion? She avoided a blade meant for Tehya, her eyes wide she noticed that this sea elf had an interesting set of keys around his waist. She made sure they found their way into her pockets as she continued her merry way. She yelped as that same elf's helmet came flying over her head, coated in blood. The little kobold scurried to the cage, she had a job to do.

The courtyard flared with violence, the water swirled with thin rivers of blood. Electricity and cold were sprung out of nothing, guided by Nivra's slender fingers. Those unaware or not skilled enough were shocked or frozen to death, their bodies going limp. She would retreat after every spell, swearing the bolts were getting closer, yet she ignored the pain in her pierced leg, knowing if she didn't her companions would be dead. Achaaz swam by, leaving trails of her own blood in her wake. She had resorted to hit and run tactics, catching stragglers with her sharpened claws and teeth. Several times she crashed into those surrounding Tehya, crushing them with her bulk, scattering them like bowling pins.

“That's a strike! I take back all I said of you!" Tehya roared as she raced to capitalize on their stunned foes. Her blade's kiss met one elf after the other, ending their struggles right there and then.

“I take my apologies with dinner!" Achaaz shouted back, hurling a guard she'd plucked into another as she passed. Both elves crumpled to the sea floor, limbs mixed with one another. “Finest wine and cheese you can find."

“Done!"

Despite their success, the sound of drums echoed in the deep. Guard's fins that had been pale were now flickering a soft viridian. Yellow, glowing eyes seemed to bounce from soldier to soldier if to get a better view. Nivra bit her lip as she continued to weave her spells. Reinforcements surely were coming she just knew it, and were was Feku? She was supposed to be watching her back! The mage didn't have a chance to scowl as a sharpened bolt slammed into her shoulder. She gasped and stumbled to the ground, pain shooting through her chest. She clasped it out of reflex, pulling her hand away to reveal blood. She stared at it almost in disbelief as Tehya called for Achaaz to lend her aid.

The dragon surged like a lightning bolt towards the foot of the temple where the marksman thought they were safe. Shouts of alarm came in wake of her paws as the teal dragoness battered about them like a bull. In but a breath the sea elves were fighting for their lives, their only marks against the dragon being three bolts sticking out of her haunches, and not that deep. They were torn asunder and violently thrashed with claws, teeth and tail.

As the others struggled behind her, Feku had found her way to the cage's bars. No one being the wiser. The sea elves were too occupied with her friends, and that was well enough for her. She almost looked back when the others called for her, the resounding crack of the temple doors opening being evidently bad news. Feku didn't know how that could possibly be as Nivra willed up the strength to hurl a chain lightning spell into the newcomers, reducing at least another eight to corpses. How the kobold wished she had that power!

She grabbed tight the stone bars, seeking a place to stick in the keys she'd found. These sea elves had done a fairly good job of hiding it, there didn't seem to be any indentation at all in the barnacle covered rock! During her investigation she caught sight of Asterion, the warrior tied up within thick layers of seaweed. His fur seemed to be drained of color, his eyes a pale crimson. His fists almost were albino, practically see through if she stared for too long. The combat beyond his cell was hardly drawing his attention, he seemed lost, staring off into a deep unknown. If she didn't know any better, she'd swear he was sick!

Snatching a metal cup that liked to dangle from her pack, Feku went back and forth along the stone, creating such a racket that it drew the bull's attention. Unfortunately for the bard, her invisibility went along with it. His eyes widened before he blinked, almost as if he were waking from a dream. He tried to gurgle something, but it came out as bubbles.

“I can't hear you!" Feku tried to shout, but it was little more than a mumbled mess. She wrinkled her snout as she paced before the bars, Asterion seemed to gesture at something important. Feku tilted her head, trying to make sense of his sloth like gestures. What could he want? That's when something sparkly caught the kobold's eye, a golden piece of coin! She ducked to pick it up, narrowly avoiding the blade meant to cut her head off.

She yelped in alarm at her towering foe, swimming between his legs. She did what Lyndis had called a dirty trick and shoved her claws up fast and as hard as she could. She only dared look back as a pained groan came from her attacker and he spasmed in twitched in place. She couldn't help but giggle at his motions as relief coursed through her. She taunted him with magical words only known to the bards. Though he most likely couldn't hear the terrible insults that came from her, it didn't matter. An invisible force wrapped around the elf tight, dragging down his motions to a crawl as blood leaked softly from his ears.

Despite this, her enraged foe leaped up, Feku avoided him, rushing towards the bars. He followed, gnashing his teeth in frustration over this diminutive prey who made such a mockery of him. The kobold unsheathed her molten blade just in time to block the sea elves own. The metals hit with a terrible hiss and the unmagical blade folded, sliced in two. There was a startled look upon his face as he tried to pull away, but he was struck in the back by Achaaz throwing another guard into him. He crashed into Feku with panic on his face, her blade running him through.

Caught beneath the two bodies the diminutive kobold wiggled and struggled to escape as the others called out the reinforcements that were coming. The water was alive with blood and spells, and the all too eager roars of a warrior of korde. Inch by inch Feku worked, eventually yanking herself free with a startled yelp. She tumbled to the ground, blinking in confusion as Asterion gestured to a small section of the rock. He mouthed the word key, that was certain.

Or was it me? Feku thought, rushing over and sheathing her blade. Hoping that he meant key she grabbed the ones she stole, jabbing them against the rock. She had to paddle her feet several times to strike all over, but the key head eventually gave way and clicked through the stone. It had to be an illusion! The kobold smiled in glee as what magics had shielded the hole gave way, she turned the key with what strength she could muster until a resounding clunk reached her ears. When the stone bars retracted into the floor like a set of teeth, the kobold was more than happy to dash inside and wrap the sickly looking warrior in a tight hug.

“You alive!"

He tried to shove her off with a grunt, mouthing something about being free. Feku reluctantly shied away, pulling out her blade to begin slicing through his bindings. Surely that would do the trick! Careful and steady she worked, managing not to burn the cleric with her work. She had just completed when the others outside started shouting something silly that they needed to go, their time was up.

“Where is Feku?" Nivra groaned, “Anyone see her?"

“I right here! I have Asterion!" She happily shouted in her thoughts, pulling the warrior by the wrist outside his rocky prison. The others were busy caught up with one sea elf each. In a series of spells and attacks these elves were brought low or knocked unconscious, leaving the adventurers in a tired, bloody haze.

The drums sounded, shaking the stone, and draining what color remained from their faces. Their victory would be short lived, the pressing concern now was their escape. With aching limbs and panting breaths, shapes were changed and invisibility once more cast. It would have to serve them well, as it was all but the last of her strength. They swam deeper into the enemy held city, praying to what god that would listen they would not be found.

* * * * * * * *

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