Embremere

by William Kenney

CHAPTER SEVEN

   

   

   

  They traveled as discreetly as possible for nearly an hour until they reached the western edge of the platform and a wide expanse of open water. In the distance, they could see two other neighborhoods, relatively large for Under standards. There were many people milling about and many vessels moving to and fro along the pier. There were far too many observers for them to steal a boat and they certainly could not swim to the next platform. They huddled next to a building, attempting to hide in the perpetually dim environment provided by the storm.

  “You! You there at the wall!” a man shouted and they did their best to ignore him, but he walked swiftly up to them. “Why…you’re the ones their looking for! Everyone, these are the ones that the Cuda want. Quite a reward they’re offering as well.”

  Grivvin moved slowly toward the man, his hands out. “We don’t want any trouble. We’re just trying to get home, that’s all. Maybe we can make a deal?”

  “A deal?” the man shouted, attracting unwanted attention. In no time, people began to gather and point at he and Lyrica. “What kind of deal will keep the Cuda off of our backs when they find out? I don’t think so. Someone find one of the fish-men and get them over here. We caught ourselves some fugitives.”

  Lyrica looked at Grivvin anxiously, hand on her sword.

  “What are we going to do? We can’t stand here and wait for the Cuda to take us. We have to fight our way out of here,” she said.

  Grivvin nodded.

  “I can see no other way,” he replied. “If I use too much magic, there won’t be enough for me to help you with that chain.”

  “Don’t use any, then. We’ll fight it out the old-fashioned way, eh? Come on.”

  She ran toward one of the smaller fishing boats, pushing people to the side. Bystanders began shouting, alerting everyone of their attempted escape. Together, she and Grivvin jumped aboard the vessel and were immediately met by three large fishermen, shirtless and bearing fishing spears.

  “Just what in the-“ one of them started, but what quickly knocked senseless by a swing of Grivvin’s fist.

  “Just give us the boat! We don’t want to hurt any of you!” Grivvin shouted as he ducked under another’s attack.

  “Like hell!” he heard behind him and then a loud grunt as Lyrica kicked the man in the kidney and threw him overboard. She then cut the mooring rope and the craft was adrift. Four stunned men sat at the oars, unsure of their next course of action. Grivvin approached them, knife in his hand.

  “Row. Row now or suffer the same fate. We mean you no harm and if you do this, we will let you go,” he said and the men looked at one another questioningly.

  “Row!” Lyrica screamed and they immediately put their backs into it, pulling away from the pier and the shouting people there. They began to pick up speed and had gotten a good distance away when they saw the grey figure slither out of the water among the crowd. In seconds, it had spun, its eyes on their craft and dove into the water after them. Within a few heartbeats, the Cuda shot up from below, landing with a thud on their deck, its long thin fingers swiping at the air, ready to cut them to ribbons.

  "Keep rowing!" Lyrica shouted as she and Grivvin squared off against the creature. It came at Grivvin, its head low and its jaws snapping, rows of yellowed teeth standing out against blood-red gums. Before he knew it, the Cuda launched itself at him, tackling him to the deck. Its arms rained down an assault of ripping claws that found home several times before Lyrica put her blade in its back.

  The thing collapsed, a nearly-black pool of blood expanding around it. They suddenly noticed that the boat had begun to slow and turned to look at the men sitting at the oars.

  "What are you doing?" Grivvin asked, moving toward them. As one, they pointed behind the boat where many glowing pairs of eyes could be seen below the surface.

  "We'll never outrun them. No one can," one of them remarked.

  Grivvin spun in time to see a dozen or so of the Cuda come out of the lake, hurtling toward he and Lyrica. They did not have a chance, overrun and thrown to the deck. Grivvin heard her cry out in pain and struggled hard to escape the claws of his opponents. He slipped free and smashed his fist into the cheek of the nearest Cuda, sending it to the deck. He felt searing pain along his spine as one of them attacked him from behind.

  He saw Lyrica's sword fall from her hand and slide across the deck. He dove for it, catching it in his hand and turned to impale one of the creatures as it jumped for him. With both hands, he began to chop his way through the Cuda in an attempt to reach her where they had her pinned to the deck. She screamed out for him, her voice cracking and he felt helpless as he swung the blade like a madman. He should use the magic, he thought, but the charms would not come. The words failed, the chaos of battle breaking his concentration.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he could see more of the creatures climbing aboard and knew that all hope was lost.

  "Don't kill her, you idiots," came a commanding voice at the stern. A more human-like Cuda stood there with a grin, a half-eaten fish in his hand. "Modmargen will have you for dinner if you do."

  The other Cuda pulled themselves away from Lyrica, she stood up on wobbly legs, her left cheek bruised and her arm held close to her chest. Blood stained her clothing in many spots, the result of their wicked claws.

  "You've given us quite the chase," their commander began. "I enjoyed it, really. It's been some time since one of the Underdwellers defied us in such a way. Fools."

  "You should know your place. The Cuda rule the Under. Look at yourselves! You and your kind are the refuse of Embremere, unfit to live among them. You are their unwanted trash."

  "I'd rather be trash than a scavenger. Your kind live off of the bottom of the lake," Lyrica hissed.

  He narrowed his eyes at her and began to step forward.

  "Things are not going to go well for you, young lady," he said.

  There came a sudden jolt as if the boat had been hit by something below and its forward momentum completely stopped. Everyone on board looked about in a confused manner, reaching out for something to hold on to. Then, it seemed as though the vessel began to rise.

  There appeared a sudden crack diagonally through the decking, the wooden planking splintering and creating an expanding gap as both ends of the boat began to drop. Loud cracking noises sounded out as a long, metallic spire forced its way up through the center of the boat, literally breaking the vessel in half and sending people and Cuda sliding off into the lake.

  As the metal object rose, it grew in width until it revealed itself to be an underwater craft, built hodgepodge from various gathered elements. Grivvin and Lyrica clung tightly to their half of the sinking boat, lying stretched out on their bellies as it took on more and more water. As the strange vessel came to rest, a large rectangular hatch popped open with a hiss and there stood Mucker, wide-eyed with a grin.

  "Hope I'm not too late. I just received word that these fishmen were after you. Climb aboard and let's get out of here," he called out, motioning for them to jump in and swim for the hatch.

  "Mucker!" Lyrica shouted and together, she and Grivvin dove into the water. Instantly, the Cuda were after them, but Mucker threw out his hand and they stopped where they were, fear in their pale, glowing eyes. He helped them climb into the vessel, casting a warning glance at their pursuers and slammed the hatch. There was an odd breathing sound and a slight pressure in their ears as the craft began to drop below the surface.

  It was tight quarters inside, with very little room to sit, but Mucker had fashioned simple seats from discarded planks of wood, which they settled in. The old man busied himself, pulling levers and turning metal knobs, controlling their speed and direction. They began to move swiftly through the water, diving ever deeper. Grivvin noticed the faint glow of light outside and craning his neck, he could see shining orbs built on to the shell of the vessel. More Wychan magic, it seemed.

  Once satisfied tha
t they were not followed, Mucker's demeanor became calm once more and he visibly relaxed in his seat.

  "Now, listen. I can take you two as far as Dimbledowns, that's it. Any farther and I won't have the power to make it home," he said.

  "Mucker...the Cuda are afraid of you," Lyrica said in confusion. "Why? They're not afraid of anything."

  "I've kept it a secret for some time now, but I suppose it's out now. Your father was the first to notice, Grivvin."

  "Mucker! He's still alive. In all of the excitement, I forgot to tell you," Grivvin explained. "He escaped the Cuda and reached Old Embremere. He's living in the Wychan temple."

  "He's alive?" Mucker gasped in astonishment. "Thank the Gods! That is incredible news. Has he found anything, a way to bring back the magic?"

  "He is doing amazing things. With his passion, it's only a matter of time. He will have the secrets unlocked before we know it."

  "You've made my day, Grivvin," Mucker said with a grin.

  "And you, ours!" he responded.

  "Why do the Cuda fear you?" Lyrica inquired once more.

  Mucker breathed out, his eyes closed.

  "To make a long story short, I have Wychan blood. Just a bit, mind you, but Wychan blood nonetheless. Your father sensed it the first time we met. I suppose somewhere back in history, I had an ancestor that was Wychan. Your father taught me about the Spiral, helped me reach out to it and draw on a bit of its power. I will never be as strong as you, Grivvin, but I've learned enough to scare off the Cuda. Those foolish creatures think I am much more than I truly am."

  Grivvin stared at the old man in amazement. Another Wychan, alive and well in the Under? Until now, he believed that his family was the last.

  "So, it is possible that there are more people with a hint of Wychan blood..." he said to himself.

  "Oh, absolutely. There must be more," Mucker said.

  Grivvin imagined an army, thousands strong, filled with Wychan mages, assaulting the castle in Embremere. He ground his teeth at the thought of what they had done to he and his father, casting them out when they were no longer of use. He would love to see them pay for those crimes.

  They traveled for several more hours in this fashion, submerged below the surface of the lake, the abundant aquatic life swimming curiously around their craft. Eventually, Mucker turned a few knobs and pulled hard on the levers, causing the craft to slowly rise in the water. More light began to come through the windows and they knew they were close to the surface. More hissing sounds began and soon they had come to a stop, bobbing there on top of the water.

  "Dimbledowns. Here you are, my friends. I'm sorry that I could not take you farther. You should be safe from the Cuda for some time, but, mark my words, they will never give up. They have your scent and they want you dead. I would recommend taking care of your business and getting out of the Under. Right now, it is not a safe place for the two of you."

  "Thank you, Mucker, for everything," Lyrica said. "Be safe."

  The old man nodded and stared at them for a moment with concern as if there were more for him to say. He decided against it, waved and sealed the hatch behind him. The vessel began to breath loudly once more and sunk below the waves.

  The houses and other buildings within Dimbledowns were painted a deep orange color like that of a sunset and when possible, the residents had included bits of driftwood, giving the structures a sculptural appearance. There were many people there on the pier, staring in wonder at the sinking vessel, and Grivvin and Lyrica disappeared quickly into the crowd. They passed down one of the main streets, always on the lookout for Cuda and slipped into an armory. Here they sold the rare and sought-after Blueplate, body armor made from the shell of the giant blue lobster. Being rare, it fetched a tidy sum.

  "You need a better weapon than that dagger, Grivvin. An Underdweller without a good sword, is a dead Underdweller. You still have some coin, don't you?" Lyrica asked.

  Grivvin dug into his robe and retrieved a few coins, handing them to her.

  "What'll that get me?" he asked.

  The burly shopkeeper sauntered up, one eye in a squint, as he stared at Lyrica's upright palm.

  "Heh, I'd say, nearly any blade in the shop, my boy. Take your pick."

  "Right, um..." Grivvin moved along the wall, studying each sword that hung there, from the straight, double-edged to the wickedly curved scimitars. He spied a beautiful blade, its length slightly curved, its hilt and pommel a striking copperish color.

  "Let me have a look at that one," Grivvin asked and it was immediately brought to him. It felt good in his hand, natural. Its weight was very close to those that he had trained with among the guards, but it was slightly shorter over all.

  "That's a damned fine blade right there. Won that thing in a card game over at The Black Tassel. Let's just say the man was not too happy to see it go. Amazing workmanship. I wish I knew where it was forged. I'd like to see what else that swordsmith was capable of."

  "It can't be from around here," Lyrica remarked. "It's too perfect. Had to come in during a night trade."

  "Night trade?" asked Grivvin, peering down the edge of the blade.

  "Foreigners come on designated nights and trade with the Underdwellers through the fence that keeps us here. It's how all of the exotic stuff gets in here."

  "Oh, I see," said Grivvin, sliding the sword back in its scabbard with a smile. "Sir, I'll take it."

  "Great! I thank you and my family thanks you. Tonight, we can afford a nice dinner!"

  They settled up at the counter, the shopkeeper all smiles and then they were on their way, Grivvin's new weapon slung proudly at his hip. They proceeded to the north, along a wide street, filled with shoppers visiting the many stalls and merchants that did business there. Just then, someone shoved Grivvin to the side and tapped Lyrica on the shoulder. She glanced around, expecting it to be Grivvin, then spun on her heel to face the man.

  "Waterwolf! Hey, what are you doing in Dimbledowns?" she asked.

  He grinned, sucking on his teeth.

  "That's funny. What am I doing in Dimbledowns. You never brought my boat back!" he shouted.

  "Oh, that. I'm sorry, Wolf. There were...unforeseen circumstances. We just got back ourselves," she explained.

  "Yeah, yeah, that's fine. Now, if I could just get my boat back, I'll be out of your hair."

  "The boat was destroyed," Grivvin interjected. "We were forced to leave it in Pox Fen."

  "Pox Fen? You- you took my boat into the Pox Fen? You never said-"

  "I didn't know, Wolf. I promise you, I had no idea we would be heading there."

  "Look," Grivvin started, reaching into his pockets. "I still have some coin. I'll pay you for the damages," he offered.

  "Pay me? Do you have any idea what a Wychan rudder is worth? A rudder that now lies in that dead and poisoned place, useless? You do not have the coin to replace such a thing. This is my business, you know? I acquire the things that people need. I rent boats. That was my most important vessel, my largest money-maker," said Waterwolf, his face flushed with anger.

  "Should we tell him about our discovery, Lyrica?" Grivvin asked. "Perhaps he could share a piece of it? That should make up for his loss, yes?"

  Lyrica stared at Waterwolf for a moment, contemplating. She then nodded with a smile.

  "Sure," she said. "We've found a length of chain as long as the lake is deep. We're going to collect it now."

  "What do you mean, chain? You mean metal? A metal chain?" asked Waterwolf with his hands on his hips.

  "Yes, yes. Metal, with links as thick as your arm," Lyrica replied. "You know what that's worth."

  "Absolutely," Waterwolf said with much frantic nodding. "Give me a few links and we're even. In fact, I'll even let you store it in one of my warehouses. I know you don't have a place to keep that much metal. It'll be under lock and key, perfectly secure."

  "I'll think about it," Lyrica said. "Now, do you have a way to get us back home? Where's your boat?"

&nbs
p; "It's just down the pier. Let's go," Waterwolf said, excitedly. "We'll stop by my workshop. We need something to cut through that thing." He knew what people would pay for that much metal. He wouldn't have to work for a year.

  They took off at a fast walk, heading down the pier, weaving in and out of the others that congregated there. It was obvious in his posture that Waterwolf was anxious to begin the treasure hunt, his head held high and his pace quick and direct.

  "Grivvin!" called out a man's voice from behind. He slowly turned to find the speaker with his eyes and recognized Adriul, a commander from the royal guard. It was he who had given Grivvin most of his combat training during his service at the palace. He stood, arms crossed among four of his men, their swords drawn and at the ready. He was an older man, nearly sixty years of age, his hair now sparse and grey, but he was still an imposing figure, broad of chest and powerful in presence.

  The residents of Dimbledowns ran for cover upon seeing the soldiers from the Over, for they never descended below the platform.

  "Thax reported seeing you in Embremere just a few short days ago, Grivvin," said Adriul. "You should never have returned. It was better for you when everyone believed you dead, but you just had to show yourself, didn't you?"

  "You should have died that night, son. No one survives with waters that rough. Not even with your blood."

  "Adriul..." Grivvin began, backing down the pier.

  "We can't have you getting the natives riled up, can we?" Adriul asked as his men began to move forward, closing the gap between them.

  "This is just what I need," Waterwolf called out as he turned and sprinted for his boat. "First I lose my best boat, now I lose my life! Lyrica, you bring me nothing but bad luck, girl!"

  "Miss, you can go," Adriul said, addressing Lyrica. "We have no quarrel with you. You are free to leave."

  Lyrica stood in place next to Grivvin, hand on the pommel of her sword.

  "I'm not going anywhere. If you attack him, you attack me as well," she said.

  "Please, little girl. Don't make my soldiers hurt you. Now, run along."

  Lyrica leaned over and spat upon the pier in front of her as an insult. She then pulled her sword free with a flourish and dropped her right foot back into a fighting stance. Grivvin looked at her in amazement.

  "You don't have to do this, Lyrica. I don't want to be resp-"

  "Shut up and fight," she replied.

  He shrugged and slid his newly-purchased blade from its scabbard with a smile.

  Just as the first soldier swung his heavy blade at Lyrica's head, she pulled back just enough to let it whistle harmlessly by, then thrust her sword out, catching the man in the ribs. She heard him hiss as the point just pierced his skin. Lyrica laughed out loud, knowing it would anger the man and throw him off balance. He growled and came at her chopping from above, his fingers white as he gripped the sword's pommel. He narrowly missed her as she deftly stepped to one side, the blade sinking into the wooden planking underfoot and sticking for a just a moment, long enough for her to bring a knee up into his nose.

  The force of the impact threw the guard’s head straight back, showering blood in an arc through the air. He staggered back in a daze as Lyrica kicked him squarely in the midsection, dropping him to his knees. At the same time, two of the men launched themselves at Grivvin in a flurry of swordplay. The uneven music of steel upon steel rang out as they pressed in hard. They knew of his prowess with the blade and wished to take no chances, stabbing and chopping like mad as they attempted to drive him off the edge of the pier.

  It’s all in the footwork. One must not cross one’s feet to step forward or back. One, instead must shuffle.

  The words of Adriul rang in his ears, for he had heard them recited countless times within the training grounds. His attackers were very strong and Grivvin could feel his wrist beginning to fatigue as he parried their heavy blows. These were grown men and he was still small in comparison, but he held his own. He changed his strategy and instead of blocking every attack, blade to blade, he began to dodge and deflect the strikes. This technique was far less shocking to the arm and would help him retain his strength.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the fourth guard rush up to Lyrica, his wild swings aimed to decapitate her. Grivvin knew how fast she was, but still he worried for her safety. He glanced to his right and immediately felt a sharp, stinging pain as the tip of one of his opponent’s blades gashed his forearm. The cut was shallow but served its purpose, to break his concentration. His moves began to falter, his body off-balance, his strikes no longer true. A light sweat broke out on his forehead as he did his best to recover, but then another strike found home, this time gouging into his left thigh.

  “Ahh!” he cried out and spun away, retreating down the pier. It was no use, the guards were on him once again, showering down a torrent of attacks that he was barely managing to counter.

  “Give it up, Grivvin!” Adriul shouted. “Surrender and I will make it quick. There’s no way out of here, son. The royal family cannot have a Wychan on the loose in the Under. Who knows what kind of mayhem you could cause? Why, there could be an uprising!”

  He broke out in laughter at the absurdity of the idea.

  “Look at you. You’re wounded. It’s only a matter of time before they wear you down. Why postpone the inevitable?”

  Desperation filled Grivvin’s heart. The words rang true and he knew it. He was weakening, the persistent attacks draining his strength. He would fight on, but regardless of his skill, they had bested him. The distraction of his concern for Lyrica had cost him.

  One of his attackers thrust his sword forward, nearly catching him in his chest as he jumped back a few steps. Lyrica was having a difficult time as well, her opponent much larger than she was, his weapon nearly three times the size of hers. She was also being driven backwards down the pier. Was this how it would end for him? Not only would he die at the hands of his teacher, but the girl that had saved his life would die for him as well.

  “Look,” one of the soldiers called out. “You can see it in his eyes.” He pressed forward, swinging high at Grivvin’s head and simultaneously kicking him in the shin. Grivvin’s leg buckled and he fell to the pier.

  They stood over him, victorious, glaring with a bloodlust in their eyes.

  Lyrica fought on, but it was pointless. He saw blood running from the side of her head, the color darkening her hair.

  “The Wychan is shaking in his boots, Commander!” one of them said with a chuckle.

  Boots.

  Grivvin had nearly forgotten. He didn’t stop to think, instead he recited the five words in the charm and threw his hands out in front of him. He remembered the soil in his boots and the knowledge recently given to him by his father. There was no time to weigh his options. He had to act.

  Jagged forks of crimson lightning shot out from his fingertips, striking each of the attackers in the forehead and sending them to the wooden platform of the pier, writhing in pain as flames began to crawl across their bodies. They thrashed about, screaming and clawing at their eyes, kicking their heels against the planks underneath them.

  Adriul stood, eyes wide in shock, staring as his men shouted out for mercy, dying in the Wychan fire that quickly engulfed them. In moments, it was over, the four men lying motionless in front of them.

  Adriul put his hands out in front of him as Grivvin stood, his hands still glowing with blood-red flame.

  "Son, please. I was just following orders. You must believe me. I didn't want to see you come to harm."

  "You were going to let them kill him!" Lyrica screamed in anger.

  "What choice did I have? Grivvin, listen. You know me. You know that I could not defy the prince. To do so, would mean death. I did not want this mission. Assignments such as these usually go to Thax. I tried to talk my way out of it. Look, you are like family to me. Once you lost your father, I took you in, treated you like my own, did I not?"

  "I know how good you are with
the sword. I trained you. I was hoping you would defeat my guards. Now, I can tell the prince that I didn't find you and that the guards were killed by the fish-men that dwell down here."

  Grivvin wanted to tell him that his father was not dead, but held his tongue. If they found out the truth, they would surely send soldiers into Old Embremere to find and kill him. He still did not trust Adriul, though he wanted to.

  "Have my sisters returned?" Grivvin asked.

  Adriul shook his head.

  "No, not yet and I fear for them when they do. Your family has been doomed for some time it seems. Yours is the last with the power. If the prince cannot get your sisters to obey, they too will be cast out or worse. Soon, the lies of the nobles will catch up to them. It's all become a mess. There is no way to know the truth anymore. They had told me that you had died attempting a Wychan ritual. It broke my heart, for I had just seen you earlier that day. Now, they come to me and tell me that you were cast out and are alive in the Under? They don't even explain away the lie that they told me days before! They just expect me to accept it."

  "How can you go back there, Adriul? They cast me out. If you truly think of me as a son, how can you live with that? Imagine how many more lies they have told you in the past. They are evil. When my sisters return, they will be in danger as well."

  "To be honest, Grivvin, there are things going on in the cathedral that they keep hidden from me. Thax is in command of it and I know it is something horrible. I don't know what they are working on in there, but it is demonic. It is no secret how obsessed the royal family is with the Wychan magic and how they wish to control its power for their own gain. I fear that they were responsible for your father's death. I believe that they tried to control him, tried to corrupt him and bend him to their will. He would never have bowed to them. That is why he is dead now. I do not believe that it was an accident."

  “Promise me that you will do everything in your power to protect my sisters, Adriul. Tell them that I am here. Help them to join me. It is the only way to keep them safe. I cannot be seen in the Over, you know that, or I would go myself.” Grivvin said, lowering his hands.

  “I will do my best to keep them from harm. If it is discovered that they have escaped into this place, the prince will stop at nothing to find them. My little search party will pale in comparison to the men that they will send after them.” Adriul explained.

  “Things are happening here, Adriul. The Wychan power will soon return, stronger than ever. Those that rule Embremere will soon fall from their throne. I have seen things down here that you would not believe. I will see you again and soon.”

  “I pray that I live to see that day, son,” Adriul said approaching Grivvin with arms extended. The power had now faded from Grivvin’s hands and he embraced the man as he reached him. “I’m just happy that you are alive. I wish your father were here to see the man that you have become. You have an important role to play, I sense it. Do what is right and honor your family. The nobles deserve what is coming, that is certain.”

  “If you can find a way to bring my sisters here, perhaps you can stay as well,” Grivvin said with a smile and a slap on the older man’s back.

  “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it, son. They would send an army after me if they thought me a deserter. When things are different, I hope to know you again. You stick with this woman here. She put her life on the line for you. That’s love, son. Don’t let that slip away.”

  Adriul took one last look at the bodies of his fallen soldiers, then turned and walked off down the pier. Grivvin was sad to see him go. Most of the people from his old life he would never see again, he realized. He continued to watch the commander until he had disappeared down a side street, then looked at Lyrica who stared at him with concern.

  “Are you all right?” she asked. “He must be important to you.”

  “He was like a second father to me and just as he said, when my father was thought dead, he took care of me, protected me. I’m afraid that I may never see him again.”

  They turned, hearing the sound of footsteps approaching at a fast pace. Waterwolf joined them, a crazed look in his eyes.

  “Gods, I can’t believe what I just saw! You’re a bleedin’ Wychan! The way you defeated those guards, the power…I’m happy that you’re on my side,” he said, visibly twitching with nervous excitement.

  Grivvin suddenly turned to Lyrica with regret in his eyes.

  “I shouldn’t have used the power. What if I don’t have enough left to gather the chain?” he asked. “No, I still feel it inside. The magic is still there at my fingertips.”

  “Do you think you can still do it?” Lyrica asked.

  He nodded.

  “Yes, I do. I feel strong. Let’s do it. Waterwolf, your boat.”

  “Right away!” Waterwolf answered and led them down the pier. Many people had begun to gather around the bodies of the guards that lie dead upon the pier. Grivvin assumed, knowing the ways of the Under, that the bodies would soon be stripped of anything of value, metal objects first. The weapons would bring a high prize.

  Ahead of them, Waterwolf hopped off of the pier and into his awaiting vessel. It was a narrow, canoe-like craft with the silhouettes of wolves at either side of the bow. He immediately took a seat and snatched up a pair of oars. Lyrica threw off the tether line and together, she and Grivvin climbed aboard. In no time, they had pulled safely away from Dimdledowns, their sights set on Red Rim.

  Waterwolf had not stopped talking for a good half an hour, his obsession with Grivvin's magical display evident and eventually Lyrica could take it no longer.

  "Wolf! Will you talk about something else or not at all, please?" she asked.

  "Oh, I'm sorry. Was I rambling? It's just...he reminds me of Naden Vayle. It's amazing to have another Wychan in the Under. Do you intend to shake things up the way that he did? The Cuda hated him, didn't they, Lyrica? He did have a big mouth as I recall, always talking impossible things, expecting us to fight back against them. For all of his big talk, they got him in the end, didn't they? He was so busy telling us to stand up to them, but he couldn't do it himself!"

  "Be careful, Wolf. You're talking about his father," Lyrica explained and Waterwolf grew silent, not meeting Grivvin's eyes.

  "No offense, my friend," he finally said and Grivvin simply nodded. "You know, I was thinking...with your power, you could just build a new rudder, couldn't you? I mean, the original was built by your father."

  "I haven't reached that level yet. Each Wychan's skills are different. Some are more proficient at certain things. At this point, I have not discovered my niche. My father is a gifted inventor, my sisters have a way with animals."

  "I see. Well, it looks to me like your niche is killing soldiers," Waterwolf said with a laugh.

  "I didn't want to kill them. I had no choice and I had to protect Lyrica," Grivvin added. She smiled at him and touched his arm.

  "And you were very successful at it," Waterwolf agreed.