A few hours walking later and the city gates came into view. As the sun was nearly set behind the mountains, the line into the city was short, so it wouldn't be a long wait. Already I was seeing things strange to me. I stared at the cart before us. It looked to be made of some giant turtle’s shell, with blunted horns erupting off the sides of it. Just as curious was the creature pulling it, an amphibious-looking, bipedal thing that was shaped like a velociraptor but had the look of a manatee. It eyed me with more wariness than predation, but I kept a close eye on it all the same.
Soon enough, we ourselves stood before the gate, and the guards scrutinized us. I couldn't help but stare back. This was only the second time I’d seen live Naiads, and then had only been the brief encounter back in Stalburgh. Their round, wide eyes with huge, black pupils gave them a sense of looking surprised, but their faces lacked the vacant expression of fish, and contained as much nuance as any Human’s. They were shorter than both Farelle and I, but I wasn’t deceived by the diminutive stature. Beneath the smooth skin rippled muscles that told of powerful swimmers, and no doubt potent fighters. Both these guards wore silver scaled armor and helms tailored for the fins on their heads. In their hands were clutched long tridents. I wondered if it was the preferred weapon of many Naiads. It made sense for both land and water, so I could see how it would be a powerful tool for them.
Examining their stats gave a little more information:
Cerulean Empire Guard (Lvl 12) - A guard of the city J’anteau. Naiads are particularly proficient with spears and tridents, and deadly when fighting in the water. “These aren’t ordinary fish out of water!”
If I remembered correctly, it was very similar to what I’d seen the first time. But now, seeing a level wasn’t nearly as intimidating.
“Names and business?” one of the guards said. His — it was hard to tell if he was male or not, but he looked masculine enough to roll with it — voice was higher-pitched than I’d expected, while simultaneously gravelly, and accented heavily so it was a bit hard to understand.
“I’m Marrow, and this is Farelle,” I said, gesturing to each of us. “We’re travelers here, come to see the great city of J’anteau and tell of its—”
“Business?” the first interrupted again.
I was slightly put off, but I tried to wax poetic once more. “To see what wonders we may—”
“State your business, he said!” The second guard had spoken now, but in a voice different than the first. While there was the same high pitch to it, it had been accompanied by a deep base resonance. Sacs puffed out of the Naiad’s neck as he spoke in the deep voice, so I assumed they had two vocal boxes or something.
I hesitated, thinking fast, as Farelle seemed content to watch me fumble, a slight smile on her face. “Our business—” I hedged, then tried a different tactic. “Is there some problem, sirs?”
“She's female,” the first guard admonished, proving I wasn't as adept at telling Naiadic sex as I’d hoped. “And you will tell me. Is there a problem with a Human entering our city when we are on the brink of war?”
I understood then that this wouldn't be as easy a task as sneak-in, sneak-out again. With war on the horizon, Humans like myself were a serious liability. That meant if I was going to get inside, I'd have to do something drastic.
I gave a staged sigh and reached inside my cloak. I saw both guards tense, but when all I drew out was a scroll of parchment I’d received from Mali before I left, they relaxed again. I held it up, just out of their reach. “This paper declares my allegiance to the Noble Ignobles. I had preferred to declare this to the Empress herself, but since I cannot get past the gates…” I shrugged. “I come as an emissary on their behalf, to negotiate terms.”
The guards looked at each other. “Of course,” the first one said. “If you'll follow me, I can lead you to the palace gates.”
As we were allowed through, I raised my brows at Farelle, and only got a curious cock of the head in return. It was clear she didn't know what l was after, which made sense since I didn't know myself. I'd just figured the only way into J’anteau was to build myself up as so important that they couldn't turn me away. I'd have one hell of a time sneaking away now, but it was better to have a shot at succeeding at all.
The second Naiad stayed at the gate while the first led us inside and into the busy streets of J’anteau. I stared about me, feeling fully how strange of a world I'd entered. If felt as if I'd been dropped in Atlantis, but only after a colony of coral had moved in over thousands of years.
Part of it was the materials of the buildings. Though wood and brick and stone were still the bases, there were also green strips of something that looked like seaweed covering the roofs, and shells of all shapes and sizes dominated the cityscape.
Another part of it was the colors. Pastel pinks and blues and greens were popular, very much in contrast to the browns and grays and reds of Stalburgh. These were also used in liberal amounts, and in fascinating patterns that I recognized as distinctly of this culture.
Then there were the shapes of the buildings. Curves and rounded corners were predominant, and towers didn't go just straight up and down, but bulged outward and every which way like they were mineral deposits that had formed naturally rather than been constructed. I couldn’t tell the functions of any buildings, nor were there decipherable signs. In some ways, I was glad for the constraint of my escort; the whole experience would have been much more overwhelming otherwise.
Last was the populace milling its streets. There were the raptor-manatees from before all over, as well as Naiads of many sizes and hues (though again, usually shorter and slighter than myself). But there were also huge tortoises ambling down the wide main streets like Humans might lead an elephant. I knew now where the shell-cart had come from. And lining the streets, in pots and wicker baskets and hanging from strings, were fish of every size and color and smell, and in every form — from fried to mashed to rolled in seaweed like sushi. Every street was a fish market, and many of the passing Naiads partook and enjoyed.
The new senses and sights washed over me as I stared around, dazed. Farelle smirked at me for the most part, seeming perfectly at ease in the foreign chaos. “You've been here before,” I accused her.
“I wouldn't have been a very good navigator otherwise, would I?” She pressed close to me, lips near my ear. “But what are we doing here really, Marrow?”
I'd been afraid she'd ask that. In the beginning, when we’d first set out from Stalburgh, I'd expected her to split when she got me to J’anteau. But here we were, and she showed no intentions of leaving. Not that I wanted her to. But how could I tell her the truth, when it might as easily drive her away?
But she’d heard the Sheika talk of how I was part of something bigger, a game that went all the way up to the gods. Maybe if I put the Night Sisters’ task in terms of that, it might be palatable.
But that explanation had to wait for another time. Here on the crowded and noisy streets of the Naiadic capital was hardly the place for an in-depth conversation. “I'll tell you later. I promise.”
She frowned at that and pulled away, but at least she nodded.
The guard escorting us made a poor tour guide, for the only times he turned around were to eye us suspiciously and make sure we were still with him. But slowly and steadily, he led us through the darkening streets towards the ever-growing palace. My discomfiture only increased as we approached. If we were granted a meeting tonight, I didn’t know what I could possibly say.
I was still fretting when we finally arrived at the palace gates. The sun had fully set, leaving the palace to be illuminated by thousands of brilliantly glowing orbs. “Sun-pearls,” Farelle observed, wearing a radiant smile. “There's no sight quite like it.”
I nodded agreement. That included back in my reality. Earth had some magnificent places, sure, but nothing compared to what I saw in the Everlands. For a brief moment, I wondered why I was trying to get back at all, before I promptly came back to m
y senses.
The guard leading us stepped away to talk to his fellows at the gate for several minutes before coming back to us. “Weapons,” he said, holding out a hand.
Cursing myself for not thinking to unequip them, I handed over my Mithril Sword of Thirst, my Iron Dagger of Minor Banishing, and my other knife. I still had other weapons in my inventory, which I assumed would be safe for the time being, but it hurt to let go of my usual kit.
Once gathered from both Farelle and myself, the guard handed them off to one of the other guards and gave us scrutinizing look. “No other weapons?” he asked with evident distrust.
I immediately shook my head, and Farelle did the same. The guard gave something like a grunt, then turned and led us through the gate.
I felt the stares of the other sentries on us as we passed between them. “Take care of those,” I said to the guard who had taken my weapons. He didn’t react. Then we were through, the metal gate slamming shut behind us. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. Farelle eyed me with concern, but kept silent.
We were led through softly lit gardens that looked as if the ocean had receded to leave them pristine and glittering with dew just moments before. I felt as if I were walking on the seafloor, complete with marine animals in all shapes and sizes in glass water tanks. One that looked like a bottom-dwelling suckerfish fixed itself on the glass and watched us until we’d passed.
Past the gardens was the palace proper itself. Shifting tones of lavender, amber, and salmon passed across its porous surface, which resembled the texture of coral. More Naiad guards watched us from the stairs leading up to the doors, all with tridents in hand. Our guide took us up to the great stone doors, and I stared up at the huge carving on it. I had no doubt that the figure depicted there — half woman, half squid, and a little bit shark — was the Naiadic goddess Nali. She herself didn’t hold a trident as I’d expected, but a scepter that looked made of a wave more than anything else.
At a word from our guide, the guards at the doors hauled them, and we slipped through before they boomed shut behind us. The inside of the path was similarly lit with sun-pearls, and had none of the sharp corners of the castle in Stalburgh, but was curved and smooth, like a riverbed worn by eons of flowing water. Our guard prodded us onward, along the path then up many flights of stairs.
Many places that we passed through were bare, but when we did see people, I was surprised to see a number of humans with bent heads, quickly going about their tasks. “Slaves,” Farelle explained in a whisper, seeing my questioning look. “From the wars with Ebretin, and the other Human nations of Kalthinia.”
I watched as one girl darted a glance at our party then scurried away. It made my stomach turn, and my quest here weigh a little easier. King Fredrick didn’t take slaves, at least that I knew of. That was one point in his favor at least.
Finally, we arrived in a hall full of doors. “You will each be given a room,” the guard said as he stopped in front of one. His tone implied this was too great a kindness already. “When the Empress or her emissary is ready, you will be sent for.”
The guard showed us each of our rooms, but before he left, a plan that had been forming in my mind suddenly crystallized. “Wait,” I said. “I can’t stay in my room yet.”
Farelle gave me an odd look, while the Naiad’s was hostile. “Why not?” he asked flatly.
“I must pay my respects to the gods.” I smiled apologetically, trying to make myself seem as humble as possible. “It’s traditional for my people to do so upon the safe conclusion of a journey.”
The guard stared at me unblinking for a long minute. Farelle twitched in front of her own door, probably wondering what the hell I was on about.
“Fine,” he finally said. “Follow me.” His gaze turned to Farelle. “You as well?”
She glanced at me, but I couldn’t give her any indication without raising the guard’s suspicions. My task would become trickier if she came, but I’d have to leave it up to her. “Yes,” my companion ended up saying. “That would be welcome, thank you.”
The Naiad didn’t show as much disdain as I thought he might. Though, if I thought about it, the Naiads seemed like a devout people. Perhaps this was as normal a act as shitting to them, and one carried out with quite a bit more respect.
“Follow me,” the guard said, leading the way back out of the palace.
My desperate gambit paid off handsomely. It turned out the temples were all congregated in one district, which meant I could have my pick of whichever I chose, including, as my quest for the Noble Ignobles required, Nali’s place of worship. The Naiad guard, once again respectful beyond my initial expectations, stopped at the entrance to the Temple District and said he would wait for us there. It seemed trusting, but there was a little chance of us escaping: a wall surrounded the circle of temples, with the only gate in or out right where the guard posted himself. Still, I was glad for the freedom to go wherever I chose.
The problem of Farelle’s presence took only a little more finangling. As soon as we’d left the guard at the gate and walked to the center of the district, where a platform allowed viewing of all the temples and made it easy to find the one you were searching for, she huddled close to me. “What are we doing here, Marrow? What is this all about?”
Still loathe to lie to her after all we’d been through, I still didn’t know what else to do. Hating the words as they came from my mouth, I said, “You know how I said I was a representative for the Noble Ignobles? Well, that part is actually true.”
The Satyr’s expression turned from disbelief to disgust. “For those merc swines? For Brandeur Three-Horned?”
“I know, he’s not the best,” I said quickly. “But I’m here to win a war. To stop atrocities like those people we saw enslaved in the palace.”
Farelle didn’t look as if she fully believed me, but she nodded anyway. “Okay. So what are we doing here then?”
“I need to visit Nali’s temple,” I said. I’d thought about lying to her and saying I was visiting another one, but it’d be too easy for her to catch in me in the lie.
One of her ears twitched. “Why?”
“To send a message,” I said, not untruthfully. “And I’m sorry, but you can’t be there. It might scare away my contact.”
Her brow furrowed, but she begrudgingly nodded agreement. “Fine. It will be good to pay my respects to Yalua here anyway. Her altar’s so far from its natural home.” She paused, mouth parted as if to say more, then snapped her mouth shut. “Good luck,” she finally settled on.
“Thanks. I’ll meet you back up here as soon as I can.”
Gnawing on her lip, the Wilder nodded, then quickly turned and started heading towards the Satyr goddess’s temple. I took a deep breath and turned towards Nali’s.
The Naiadic goddess’s temple occupied a place further up the hill than the others at the most prominent spot of the circle, and was noticeably larger and more ornate as well. Even the palace couldn't hold a flame to it. In the oncoming twilight, the sun-pearls decorating its sides — some so massive they could have rolled over me without so much as a hiccup — shone like a Las Vegas casino. And despite the relatively late hour, there looked to be as many people milling in and out as any gambling hall, though most were quite a bit more sober, as well as looking strangely alien.
Approaching the huge double doors, I awkwardly bumped shoulders with the Naiads there, all of them giving me strange looks as I wove my way inside. I ignored them, and as the attendants at the door didn't stop me, I pushed inside and into the main chamber.
It was bubble-shaped, and mind-boggling massive. I craned my head back to see the top, where the faintly glowing halo of the oculus indicated where it stopped. It was as big as a skyscraper, if a small one, and the architecture was impossible. I grinned. You didn't get this back on Earth.
Moving my way to the center, I saw a massive fountain there, with a statue of Nali spouting water into the air from her scepter, and a slew of other mythi
cal water creatures strewn about her feet. Mermaids, sirens, and many others I didn't recognize displayed a backdrop of wet stone to the goddess. In the many pools laid out below, Naiads splashed in the water, sometimes solemnly, and other times in play.
My throat clenched with worry. Was I supposed to poison this fountain, and sicken all these people as well as the priests? I brought up the quest prompt to check it for clues, but it was less than helpful:
Unholy Water (Level 15) [Night Sisters] - Poison the waters of the temple of the goddess Nali in J’anteau. But don't baptize your baby with this stuff!
Reward: 20,000 XP (+1000 XP faction bonus), an adept Black channel, increased alignment with the Night Sisters, increased alignment with the Noble Ignobles, increased allegiance to Ebretin.
This quest has implications for the whole of the Everlands! Proceed with caution!
Dismissing the overlay, I pressed my lips together and thought hard about what I was to do, looking slowly around the room for inspiration. Then I saw it: on the far end of the temple, a gaggle of priests were gathered around a fountain, dipping a spoon into it and drinking from what they drew. No one other than the priests drank this water. I knew this must be where the Night Sisters intended for me to place the poison.
Anxiety putting my stomach into a sailor’s knot, I approached the priestly fountain, wondering what exactly I was going to do. After all, if no one but the priests drank from it nor approached it, it seemed impossible to slip in poison unnoticed.
“Excuse me, sir?”
I froze, then slowly turned towards the voice. A Naiad dressed in the pinkish red robes of the priestly office stood near me, an embarrassed smile on his face, or as near as I could tell.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly, all advantage of charisma fleeing in the face of sheer terror. I'd been caught, I was sure of it.
“Are you new to the temple?” the Naiad asked. “Not to be rude, but — we don't get many Human visitors, much less supplicants.” He smiled again with a tilt of his head.
Absalom’s Fate Page 17