[read with Under the Sea.]
"And, knowing nobles, they probably would not hesitate to use it."
Aurana frowns slightly. "I- I don't think most of them do. There are ancient pacts forbidding such things." She shrugs. "But then, ancient pacts are not so binding these days."
//At least not among the Sea Elves.// She sighs.
Again, the mermaid echoes the sigh. "If they did, then perhaps this disaster would not have been able to take place."
Cte'reen says nothing, lost in some deep thought of her own.
[snip]
"It is said," Aurana says slowly, thinking carefully, "That the D'Alanya are decended from noble stock that once used such gifts for the benefit of all mer-kind. It is possible that I may have some deep talent that is as yet unrealised, and only needs a skillful guide to unlock the skill."
Cte'reen looks at Aurana. "Well, that is something in our favor," she says, finally. "I do not know how skillfull a teacher I am" - she pauses, and almost chokes. //L'kanth!// she remembers, with a sudden twinge of sadness and guilt - "but I will try to do my best."
[snip]
Turning towards the hut, Aurana sighs again, deeply. "Unless you wish to attempt to teach me tonight, we should return and get some rest. It will only be a couple of hours journey tomorrow at worst before we reach Redreef, but I imagine nights of good slumber don't await us there."
Cte'reen nods. "I will teach you on the journey tomorrow, if you wish," she says, then yawns widely. "I think that tonight we need a good sleep." She heads towards the hut.
The two enter to find the elder merwoman watching alertly for signs of intrusion by the owner of the hut.
"He has not stirred," she whispers, then belatedly adds, "Mistress."
Aurana seems only slightly surprised by the honorific. "You've done well. We shall rest now," she announces quietly.
Cte'reen, on the other hand, is shocked. //Mistress! I did not know that - // Suddenely, she realizes something, and looks sheepish and mildly annoyed. //We,// she thinks, //are supposed to be her servants...the advice that I gave to her applies as well to me. I must not give anyone tomorrow cause to think of me in any other way than as her willing servant.// And yet, the Sea Unicorn is worried. //I have lived so long on my own,// she thinks. //Perhaps I have become too independent.//
"You've done well. We shall rest now," she announces quietly.
Cte'reen yawns once again, and tries to quiet the doubts, questions, and the ever-present fears in her mind, so she can sleep.
As they begin settling themselves, Aurana sidles next to Cte'reen. "I have a question. Can you read my mind?"
Cte'reen nods wearily. "Yes."
"If you can, can you speak to me that way?"
She looks at Aurana. "Mindspeaking and reading your mind are two different things," she says. "Which one did you mean?"
"Mindspeaking." She whispers sleepily.
Cte'reen nods.
//I have mindspoken to her a few times before, and she seemed not to realize it...I hope I am up for this task.//
"Maybe as we rest you can begin that training."
"And how am *I* supposed to rest if I am trying to train you?" she snaps, irritated, then instantly regrets the outburst. //L'kanth would never have done that,// she berates herself.
Aurana turns to face her, a contrite expression on her face. "I'm sorry Cte'reen! Of course you need to sleep. I don't know what I was thinking," she apologises.
Cte'reen mumbles a sleepy "thank you," but still feels vaguely guilty.
"Aurana - " she begins, and sighs. "Aurana, I am sorry...I am just very tired, and have so much to think about. Perhaps it would be best if we began the training tomorrow? I rise early, and if you wished I could wake you then."
Aurana settles back, gesturing for the sea unicorn to do so as well. "No need for that. I think though, when we begin our journey, you should mindspeak to me when you start... It could not hurt for me to be used to hearing you that way. I think we will need that in the city."
Cte'reen smiles in the darkness. "You will almost certainly be right."
She glances over at Cte'reen, her eyes drooping. "I don't want you to get fooled by the fake princess." She sighs, her eyes closing.
In a surprising moment, Cte'reen hears the mermaid's sleepy mindvoice touch her own intentionally. ~You are a good friend, Cte'reen. I feel so close to you...~
Cte'reen's first reaction is one of suprise: //She *can* mindspeak!// The second is of gratitude.
Then all goes silent, leaving the sea unicorn the last one awake.
In the darkness, Cte'reen silently cries - and for the first time in a long while, the tears are of joy, not of sadness.
***
The trio is awakened at dawn by their host and his son. The man shares out rolls of seaweed filled with succulent sea-flowers and, while doing his best to remain polite and civil, hurries them out of his house apologizing but adamant about getting to his work.
Cte'reen nods and smiles to the man and his son. "Thank you. These are delicious rolls."
Aurana thanks him regally, assuring him that his hospitality and generosity will not be forgotten. He seems happy enough to see them gone.
The Sorceress aids Aurana's memory by pointing the direction they should go. Before an hour has passed, markers appear on the sea floor, forming a kind of visible highway for the swimming natives of the ocean. Corals encouraged to grow in patterns form roadsigns.
Cte'reen looks around her. //So, this is Redreef.// She turns to Aurana. ~Now would be a good time to begin our lessons. What would you like me to tach you?~ She pauses, then thinks ~ And since you get better only by practicing the mindspeech...What do those coral signs mean?~
Aurana nods, then nods again at Cte'reen's suggestion. Squinting to see the nearest sign better she attempts to 'send' the information to her friend. The effect makes her seem to stutter.
~Redr-f. Ten t-l-ngths.~ she reads from the next sign. She looks at Cte'reen to see her reaction.
//Well,// Cte'reen thinks, //It is a beginning.// ~Good,~ she mindspeaks to Aurana. ~We need to work on your mind-relaxation a bit, though. Do not - think - so hard. Just let your thoughts say what you want to say and do not force them.~ She smiles encouragingly at Aurana.
The lessons continue. As Cte'reen instructs, Aurana becomes more relaxed and the effort becomes more natural. In a matter of hours Aurana is able to communicate in brief sentances.
Cte'reen is impressed. //She is a quick study.// ~Now, let us work on blocking the thoughtspeech from the minds of others.~
Aurana sighs slightly. ~Somehow, I don't think that's going to be as easy. But I need to know, right?~
~It is not easy, Aurana,~ Cte'reen thinks to the disguised merprincess, ~but thoughtspeech itself is not easy to learn. You have done well so far, and I have no reason to believe that this will be *too* difficult for you to learn. Just more complex. And this is indeed a necessity.~
She has all the enthusiasm needed, but Cte'reen soon knows that one day is not going to give Aurana sturdy mental walls. She is far too receptive, far to open for it to be natural for her.
//Now, where to start? Perhaps with a one-word thoughtblock.// Cte'reen mindspeaks to Aurana. ~Try thinking a sentence - let us try "the bluefins are swimming tonight" - and choose one word to block out. Do not tell me what you have chosen; but when you mindspeak the sentence back to me, put up a 'wall' of sorts around the word. Rather than fearing that I may hear you, conentrate on letting me *not* hear you.~
Aurana sighs, but forms the sentance in her mind... then trys very hard to 'not show' the 'tonight' part. The excercise continues until they approach the city gates.
//Hm,// Cte'reen thinks. //Perhaps this will not be as easy as I thought.// A wry smile creeps across her face. //Now I know how L'kanth must have felt.// She turns to Aurana. ~Relax,~ is her one word of advice.
Traffic in sea-dwellers becomes heavier. A carriage drawn by sharks flashes by the trio while another group ride happily on the back of a willing whale. Many swim without aid, carting goods in nets to the market in the city. Few say anything to the three females, but all are cordial and bow politely to Aurana.
Several hours of travel finally reviel the soaring dome of the City of Redreef. Built partly in but mostly in the shelter of a great ocean reef, the city is protected from above by a lattice dome and below by a thick wall. The highway markers lead to a great gate, where the traffic has slowed as soldiers challenge all who enter. More soldiers travel up and down the line, ensuring that all remains orderly.
As Aurana indicates Cte'reen should move into line, a sentry patrol comes upon them.
Cte'reen becomes rather nervous. The memory of the last guard they encountered is still fresh in her mind. Her mental defenses sheild off her thoughts.
"Nay, Lady," the commander of the patrol signals her politely. "Down here. The Pearl Gate is open."
The Sorceress whispers to the others, "It's an entry for nobility. Follow him."
~Aurana, how many gates does the city have, and where are they? We may need to know, sometime.~
The girl thinks a moment. ~Ten. Two main travel gates. Four noble gates. Two for merchants. Two for soldiers.~
~Where are they located, and which is the least used?~
~The two main gates are directly across from each other. There is a primary road that leads between the two, but it turns around some of the larger structures in the city, so it isn't just a main current. The four noble gates are at Dawn and Dusk and at Midday, the four directions. [OOC: Dawn=East, Dusk=West, Midday=North (aka Ice) and South (aka Stone)].~ Aurana pauses as she searches her memory. ~The two merchant gates are close to the market area, about seventy tail lengths from each other. The soldiers gates are near the palace and near the training and barracks areas.~
She thinks again. //Least used gate?// she ponders.
~I- I'm not sure about the least used gate. Probably the Crystal gate of the nobles. It's the private entrance for the High King's family. It's at the Ice gate.~
The Pearl Gate lives up to it's name, glowing in the filtered sunlight. Sharply dressed soldiers politely interview a few well-garbed sea-elves, usually passing them through quite quickly. They gently question Aurana, taking down her name and origin, and smiling politely they pass her through.
Cte'reen is relieved that the guards do not question her.
Once inside, a liveried sea-elf steps up to them and bows. "M'Lady. I am Jevis. Welcome to Redreef. How may I be of service?"
Aurana nods to the boy. "My companions and I have come to give our condolences to His Magesty over his horrible loss. We would appreciate a place to refresh ourselves, and would have word sent that we would like audience, if possible."
Cte'reen wonders at Aurana's way with noble words. //I would not have the slightest idea what to say!//
The boy nods and leads them at once into the city. Great towering buildings rise like spires towards the sunlight, the regions between teaming with people and creatures about on their business. Many pause to politely let the sea-elf boy and his charges through.
Aurana pats Cte'reen's neck reassuringly and asks the boy, "A friend of mine was coming to the city. A great dragon, a sea dragon. Have you heard of her?"
The Sea Unicorn's ears perk up. //The Sea Dragon, yes...I had almost forgotten. Perhaps I can learn something of value. I wonder what a sea dragon is like. I have never seen one before.//
The boy glances over his shoulder. "I don't know lady. There are many dragons and serpents here. The only newcomer I know of is the one who came with the assassin," he says with distaste.
"Where is that one now?" The boy gestures to another end of the city. "At the Merfolk compound, with their ambassador. They scheme to save the assassin."
Aurana whispers to Cte'reen. "That _must_ be Stryck! Oh dear, I hope she's okay! We have to find her!"
Cte'reen nods. ~Aurana - you should try to use mindspeech whenever possible, now...it is much safer.~
Aurana's eyes are immediately apologetic. ~I'm sorry! You're right...~
Cte'reen nods. ~It is simply safer.~
She thinks for a moment, then directs her mindspeech to the Sorceress. ~Lady, can you hear me?~
The sorceress does not move, does not even glance in Cte'reen's direction, but the sea-unicorn hears her voice--bell-like--very clearly in her mind. ~Yes, I can. Clearly.~ she says pointedly.
Cte'reen is slightly suprised by the strength of the Sorceress's mind-voice, but simply mindspeaks, ~Good, Lady. Your skill may be needed,~ with a tone of approval.
The woman's only reaction is a slight sigh and a nod.
Aurana in the meantime addresses the boy again. "I will have need of a messenger, an errand runner. Have you any suggestions?"
The boy looks up hopefully. "I am a message-runner as well, Lady. I would be honored to serve you."
The princess nods. "Perhapse. First, we must be refreshed."
The boy leads them before an impressive structure and stops. The building seems made of crystal webs with obsidian and granite supports. Figures can be seen moving inside, but the refraction of the crystals make their shapes indistinct. It is, however, apparent that some of the denisens are of considerable size.
"This is The Regency Towers, my lady. Finest of lodgings to be had," the boy announces. "Certain to be able to accomodate you and your servants."
Cte'reen looks up, and up, and up at the huge structure.
Aurana smiles at him. "Excellent. What is your name, child?"
Straightening his shoulders proudly, the sea-elf boy bows and introduces himself as Wyrran Tengir.
"Wyrran, will you please go aquire a suite for me?" Aurana asks sweetly as she leads the Sorceress and Cte'reen through the enormous archway into the building. "I believe you would be quite knowledgable in what we would require."
Wyrran nods excitedly and hurries towards a grand desk to one side of the chamber.
The lobby of The Regency Tower is vast enough to hold several small homes. Spiraled pillars of polished coral soar over the travellers heads to support a frescoed cieling. The walls are draped with sea-silk drapes, secured in place and counterbalancing the elaborate decorations of the rest of the room with somber and calming blandness.
Cte'reen looks at the lavish decorations and tries not to feel uneasy at the opulent surroundings.
Aurana pulls her companions aside. ~Here is my plan. They have the fake princess in prison. I have just come in the gates. Wyrran can vouch for that, and he has no reason to support the merfolk.~
~Will they trust the word of a sea elf?~
The princess nods. ~The sea elves are a proud and usually honorable kind. If Wyrran is asked, he will tell the truth.~
Cte'reen nods.
~I hope to meet with the High King and bring reason to him. Before doing that, however, I want to find Stryck. She must have been with the false me. She might have more information for us.~
Cte'reen nods. ~That seems safe enough. Shall we come with you?~
Aurana glances at the Sorceress, uneasy. ~I don't know. I would like _you_ with me, but there is _her_... Oh!~ She starts, an idea suddenly coming to mind.
Excitedly she blurts out her inspiration. ~If the Sorceress can help stop or destroy this creature, and testifies to the Sorcerer's designs, they may be more merciful to her! Yes! Oh, yes, I think she should come!~
The Sorceress looks alarmed, and Cte'reen knows that at least Aurana's mind speech has been 'overheard'.
Cte'reen quickly mindspeaks privately to the Sorceress, ~Please, do not let her know that you can overhear her, at least not now. But if you have any suggestions for her, you are welcome to speak them.~
~I do not believe the High King would be so merciful to the being who helped create the killer of his son!~
Cte'reen backs away from the Sorceress. ~You *what*?~ she asks, concealing the thought from Aurana.
While the merprincess seems to consider, the Sorceress reminds Cte'reen, ~I _served_ the Sorcerer. I was student and companion to him for several decades. Do you think he is all powerful? No. He needed another to learn that which he could not master.~
Cte'reen blinks and swallows. //She was not simply his mate, then,// she thinks.
The Sorceress sags slightly. ~It was I who prepared the shape for the monster to take. I who gave it Aurana's form and life. He but enabled the monster within to take control.~
~You owe your life to us, and hers - ~ Cte'reen nods almost imperceptibly to Aurana - ~was not yours to misuse as you have. If you truly did as you say,~ Cte'reen mindspeaks, ~then you know, also, if it can be undone, and how to undo it.~ She looks questiongly to the Sorceress.
Before the Sorceress can respond, Wyrran approaches them proudly. "I have aquired for you, my Lady, the Pearl Suite. It is suited for a mixed party such as yours," he says with a polite gesture at Cte'reen, "And has a beautiful view of the city."
Cte'reen smiles.
As he announces his triumph, another creature comes up to his side. At first it seems to be nothing more than a stray jellyfish, but then the females note a bright blue gem glows in it's center.
The Sea Unicorn looks curiously at the creature.
~Greetings, Mistresses~ it says in an open mind-thought. ~May I show you to your quarters?~
Aurana glances quickly at Cte'reen, but shows no nervousness as she answers. "Yes, please. I wish to refresh myself."
~Yes, indeed. We are all quite tired. Thank you.~ Cte'reen quickly telepaths back to the jellyfish creature.
The blue stone within the odd creature pulses once, and it begins to drift towards the grand stair. It leads them halfway up, then turns up a wide, tube-like hall. The walls glow slightly, revieling that they are also decorated in fine mosaic.
Their ascent is not far. The guide-creature turns along a horozontal hallway, this one lined with great golden doorways. The largest doors are at the end of the hall, inlaid with mother-of-pearl with oblong pearls for door handles. The guide creature reaches out with one tentacle, barely touching the doors, opening the way into the room beyond.
Enormous latticed windows cover the far wall of the chamber. A sunken seating area in the center offers cushions and other seating amenities, and a long table presents itself along the windowed wall. Doors lead from both the left and the right.
~I hope these quarters are suitable?~ the creature asks.
Aurana nods. "Yes. Thank you."
Cte'reen is stunned by the luxoriousness and beauty of the room...for a moment, she feels as if she cannot breathe, as she is afraid to break something.
The glowing orb within the creature pulses again, and changes color slightly, pleased. Without another word it drifts back out the doors, touching them closed.
Noting that Wyrran is still with them, Aurana nods to the doors. "The sleeping chambers are beyond? Wonderful. Thank you, Wyrran. I should like to freshen myself now. If you would excuse us?"
The boy departs obediantly, with a reminder that he will make himself available should they have further need of him.
When the three are alone at last, Aurana sinks lightly down onto one of the cushions. "Well, here we are, and now we wait."
"Wait for what?" Cte'reen asks.
Aurana rolls her head slightly to one side. "Wyrran is going to request audience for me, remember? I should wait until I hear word of that." She sits up. "But you are right. Nothing keeps you and the Sorceress from looking around. Maybe you can find Stryck and get word to her."
"Stryck..." Cte'reen mutters. "Who - what - is this Stryck?" She tilts her head curiously to the side.
Aurana closes her eyes, bringing the sea-dragoness into her inner vision. "She's a serpent- no, a dragoness. She has talons with webbing between her claws, a deep tail, and wings that can fold into a high 'fin' over her back, making her resemble large fish, somewhat. She's a light silvery blue in color, with a little less blue on her belly. She looks very little like any of our common undersea serpents. She should be fairly obvious."
Cte'reen digests this information quietly.
After another moment's thought, the mermaid adds, "She might be seen coming from the High King's palace or over by the Mer compound. Someone should be able to direct you to the latter place."
Cte'reen nods.
The sorceress looks at Cte'reen. ~I should tell her, shouldn't I?~ she sends with uncertainty.
~Tell her what? That you can mindspeak?~
Cte'reen sends a quick mental message to the Sorceress. ~Please try to act suprised when she tells you.~
The sorceress nods. ~That, and my part in all this.~
~If you beleive the last is wise, at this point in time, then you can do as you wish.~
~I should tell her more about the creature impersonating her, at least.~ the Sorceress thinks openly.
~Yes,~ Cte'reen grudglingly mindspeaks. ~Her life may depend on it.~ "I beleive that is a good idea," the Sea Unicorn says. "I shall try to go and find this Stryck myself...I shall return shortly, hopefully." She quickly exits the room with a look at the Sorceress.
~I shall speak to her in your absence... good searching to you.~
~Many thanks.~
-
The city of Redreef is even larger and more splendid than Cte'reen had imagined. She feels rather intimidated by the large size of the many buildings, and once almost bumps into a merpeddler crying his wares in the seapaths.
"Watch out, seahorse!" he shouts at her.
She moves away, rather abashed, and wanders into a side shop seeming to specialize in refreshing saline snacks.
"Excuse me?" she asks hopefully to the octopus-creature tethered to the counter.
~Yes? Would you like a free sample?~
"No, thank you...could you please give me directions to the Mer compound?"
The creature undulates with disinterest. ~Down the great lane in the direction of the Palace. Turn and follow Ailethin's March a flick or two. You won't miss it. Wouldn't go there myself...~
"Whyever not?" Cte'reen's ears swivel forward with interest.
Hoping to get a sale through friendliness, the creature floats towards her slightly. ~Them Mer-folk are stirring up trouble! That princess of theirs under a Death sentance and all... oh, she hasn't been judged or anything, but really! No, there's going to be trouble down there. Plenty of bubble heads in this town.~ His tentacles wriggle expectantly.
"Death sentence?" Cte'reen frowns slightly. She does not have to pretend to be disturbed by the news.
~Well of course! You don't get off lightly for killing one of the High King's own.~
"Oh," Cte'reen says softly.
~Sure I can't interest you in anything?~
"No, thank you. I must be moving along."
She exits the store, and quickly finds Ailthin's March. It is one of the broader currents. It winds its way past the palace, through many small neighborhoods, and after a while ends in front of a largish green-coral structure.
At first, the march was crowded with beings of all shapes, colors, and sizes, but as she nears the compound Cte'reen notices that most of the creatures swimming towards the green-coral building are merfolk - merfolk casting suspicious glances at her, and at each other. //The hostility almost colors the water,// Cte'reen realizes.
She pulls up short at a large, ornate gate made of black pearl. On either side of the entrance are two large, stern-looking selkies, obviously guards.
One turns to look at her, and waves its fin commandingly towards her.
From over it's shoulder, Cte'reen sees movement within the mer-compound. An elderly mer emerges from the building, escorted by three youthful males and approaches the guarded gate.
"I do beg your pardon," the old mer says, his voice polite but strained, "But what exactly are you doing, blocking our gates?"
Cte'reen blinks.
The selkie, forgetting the sea unicorn for a moment, answers. "Orders by the High King. No Mer is to be allowed exit without command of His Magesty."
The younger mers stirred, obviously angered. The older one simply nodded. "I see. And are we not to be permitted visitors?"
The younger, lower-ranked selkie speaks up. "And who would want to see you?"
"I would," Cte'reen says, swimming forward. She raises her head and looks at the guards.
The ranking guard looks back at her, as does the elder mer. He is obviously considering his orders.
"By my lady's request," Cte'reen challenges.
"Well, nothing was said about a sea unicorn visiting. Only more mers. They're to be stopped at the gates," he concedes, though his companion seems to be of a different preference.
The elder mer nods, "Then please, sir, allow our guest to enter."
The selkies stand aside to allow Cte'reen to pass.
"Thank you. My lady shall know of this kindness." There is no hint of sarcasam in her tone. The Sea Unicorn acts like one born to serve.
The mers converge on her politely, forming a loose guard around her with the elder by her head. The begin leading her towards the structure.
"Now, my fine young sea-filly, what brings you to our gates in these troubled times?" he asks in a voice filled with curiosity and not a little hope.
Cte'reen looks at the merman. "I am sorry to disappoint you," she begins, "but I bring no plans for aid."
The elder sighs. "It is no disappointment, my fine young lady. I am, however, still quite curious what brings you here."
She mindspeaks, on a whim, to the elder mer-leader only: ~At least, not yet.~ "I simply wish to see if I can locate and have an audience with a sea-dragon that I have been told makes her home here, Stryck – you have heard of her, I hope?"
There seems to be no reaction to her mind-touch. "Yes, indeed. That fine creature spent the evening with us just last. She was brought to us by a young chancellor."
Cte'reen looks at the mer-elder. "What was the chancellor's name?" she inquires politely.
Cte'reen looks at the mer-elder. "What was the chancellor's name?" she inquires politely.
"I believe her name is K'yahara. Yes, that's it. A younger chancellor."
Cte'reen makes an interested noise that blows millions of small bubbles out of her nose.
They reach the entrance of the palace and enter. The interior is spacious and relaxing. Merfolk of all ages drift from chamber to chamber on errands within the great house. The elder mer guides Cte'reen into a smaller room which appears to be a study.
The Sea Unicorn looks around with mild interest.
"She was summoned this morning," he continues, offering Cte'reen the opportunity to take her rest at a stone couch, "To the presence of the High King, and has yet to return. You have business with her?"
Cte'reen moves sedately over to the couch, and nods to the elder, thanking him for his hospitality. She rests her tail on the stone surface, and curls around to face the merman.
"Yes," she says. "I do not know her, myself, but Stryck is a friend of my mistress, who asked me to fetch her - it seems she has need of her, for some reason or another."
Cte'reen keeps her answers deliberately vague, hoping that she will not be forced into making up details, which could be dangerous later if someone checked her story.
The elder nods. "Well, I am not certain if she will return here after breaking fast with the High King... but I certainly hope so. I pray she brings some good news about our princess..." He hesitates, uncertain about the Sea Unicorn.
Cte'reen looks at the mer, and smiles. "Ah, yes, the princess. I have heard many, many rumors, of course...perhaps," she says, flicking her tail for emphasis, "you would care to give your own version of the tale, being of merkind yourself?" She sits back on the stone couch, waiting.
With a wan smile, the elder says, "It is far more than my being merkind, you understand. Not only is the child the daughter of my sovereign, whom I directly represent here, but she is a dear part of my life. I remember her when she was just a little sprite, playing in the palace. I can't help but love her like a daughter." He sighs, shaking his head.
Cte'reen frowns slightly. Just for a moment, she wonders if she should tell Sire Kyommen the whereabouts of the once-child he loved so dearly, but then decides to err on the side of descretion. "Oh," she says, looking at the merman. "I am very sorry to hear that." The sadness in her voice is not feigned.
Smiling brightly, he says, "You are welcome to stay here while you wait. I'm afraid I have no way to send word to the Palace that you are here."
//Thank goodness for the small fishes,// Cte'reen thinks, relieved. "Thank you," she says gratefully. "Your offer is very kind. Do you have any idea of when Stryck may return?"
Shaking his head, the elder looks regretful. "No, I'm afraid not. She was merely my guest here. It is only my hope she returns."
Cte'reen looks disappointed, but is resigned to wait, at least for time.
Summoning a servant, the elder gives command for Cte'reen's comforts to be seen to, including a meal specifically designed for a Sea Unicorn's palate. "You look a bit out of sorts, if you will forgive me for saying so," he says to his guest politely.
Cte'reen blinks.
"It would seem you've been journeying for some time, and must be missing some of the finer foods your people enjoy."
"Yes, we have, thank you..." //He may be an elder, but he is certainly more observant than many young ones I have seen.// "...the journey was long, and rather harrowing for us all. I appreciate the kind offer."
The old man orders several delicacies that would certainly tempt the Sea Unicorn. "Tenderised sirine stalks, I think to start, then a selection of savory grasses with kelp glaze," he begins, and names off a list of other fine dishes. The servant nods and departs quickly.
Cte'reen blinks. //Sirine stalks?// She turns and smiles gratefully to Kyommen.
Sitting back, the merman looks thoughtful. "Now, as for how this dreadful matter unfolded. I cannot say at all why the young Princess is so far from her home. Normally his Majesty would not allow her out of the Palace without escort.”
//And that is the very reason why!// Cte'reen thinks, rather disgusted with royal intrugues and politics.
"Yet out in the open sea is where this sea-dragon, Stryck met her. They apparently agreed to journey together, and in the course of that journey they were captured by the Sorcerer of the Dark Chasm." The old man shudders.
Cte'reen swallows hard.
"I cannot help but fear what that monster might have done to that delightful child. Stryck was not certain of the exact events. She had been separated from the princess and only rejoined her after the Sorcerer and his... woman questione them all."
"More than questioned," Cte'reen mumbles under her breath.
There is no outward sign that she was heard, but the diplomat does look at her strangely for a moment.
Cte'reen gives an impatient shake of her head, one which says "well, go on, please," as well as any words. //I must be more careful!// she thinks.
"They then made quick their journey here. The Princess acted as guide to Stryck, who showed interest in our arenas. Apparently she's quite the accomplished arena-fighter, and these Sea Elves love their spectacles! The sea-dragon offered herself up as a champion, and was assigned a handful of fights. It was there Stryck met the Prince, may he rest gently in the waves of the Beyond, and found out he was to be one of her opponents. He invited the Princess to join him in observing Stryck's first battle."
The mer shakes his head, regretfully. "The Prince was slain by a dagger in the side near the completion of Stryck's first battle. The Princess was the only one within reach, and was taken into custody the moment the High King arrived and accused her.
"Stryck, bless her, immediately stood up for the child, demanding the opportunity to investigate the incident. After a bit of argument, the sea dragoness was allowed the opportunity to interrogate the Princess. Much to her surprise, she discovered that the creature she had traveled with, at least part of the way here, was not the innocent Princess she had met! Indeed, there is some beast, some doppleganger, who has stolen the likeness of my Princess!"
The Sea Unicorn tries hard to keep her mouth from falling open. //The impostor is more dangerous, then, than we thought,// is her only coherent thought. She makes a small exclimation of surprise. "Where is the princess-creature now?" she asks.
Waving a hand in the direction of the palace he says grimly, "The High King has her secured within his home. No doubt she is being well treated, but she deserves not a bit if she is indeed some sort of doppleganger. With her there, we have no way to question her ourselves."
With a shake of his greying head, Kyommen sighs again. "I only hope she can convince the High King of this. If he believes our delicate princess was his son's murderer, he is likely to not only execute her publicly, but use it as an excuse to accuse my liege of breaking the Concord. War may come again to the Seas."
"War? she asks, worriedly. Then something breaks loose in Cte'reen's mind.
The conch-trumpets are calling, with horrible clarity. The sea-elves' arrows cannot be heard gliding through the water, cannot be seen - they are the color of the surrounding waves - but they can be felt, plunging into arms, bodies, hearts, with deadly accuracy. The mers stir up the water with their tridets, beaching an entire line of elven forces. Later, their dust will be blown away by the wind. Now, they die in agony, trying with vain and increasingly weak movements to shield themselves from the blistering yellow heat. A strand of perfect turquoise sea-elven hair floats by on the current, leaving thousands of tiny, silver mer-scales glittering in its wake. The waves are no longer blue, they are red.
She blinks as something clicks back into place in her mind. "But the waves are _blue_," she notices, and says out loud. Haden't they always been? Then, she sees Kyommen, and the room comes slowly back into focus. "Er," she begins, "forgive me, please...I tend to daydream."
A look of concern and sympathy plays over the old man's face. "I always fancied the word daydream to mean pleasant things," he says gently. "I would not say that what you just saw was pleasant. I'm sorry if I have upset you.”
The Sea Unicorn interrupts. "It was not your fault."
"Yes, this could mean war between the elves and the mer, war like we have not seen since my grandfather's grandfather's grandfather's time. War that the Concord was supposed to keep from ever happening again."
She sighs, and wishes she knew if the scene _was_ one of his farkin's time, or if it was just a vision of things to come.
He shakes his head, sadly. "Blue? No, the sea already starts to turn red. Red with anger. Gods have mercy on us!"
Cte'reen nods.
The servant returns, accompanied by a female companion, and uncovers a heaping tray of mouth-watering treats. They are placed on a table to Cte'reen's side, well within her reach. Kyommen smiles and indicates for the sea unicorn to take what she wishes.
Cte'reen sniffs the plate, and begins to chew on a strand of delicately spiced seagrass, more out of politeness than anything else. After her vision, she is no longer hungry.
Even as she begins her repast the two are interrupted by an obviously agitated mer-boy.
Cte'reen looks worried as the boy dashes in.
"Sire! The Palace! There's something happening up there!" he blurts out.
"The palace?" Cte'reen blurts, the dinner forgotten. "What's happening?" she asks the boy - quietly, but in the most commanding tone she can muster.
She is torn between finding out and returning at once to Aurana with the news.
The boy is unable to say more, but points towards one of Kyommen's latticed windows. The elder mer draws the heavy draperies, to expose the view to the great central structure.
"Great Currents!" he exclaims as one of the stately towers crumbles and begins to fall. Even as the words escape his mouth, a tremor erupts around he and the sea-unicorn, shaking the walls of his own home.
Cte'reen gasps and stares, speechless.
It is followed shortly after by a blast of water heated incredibly hot. The servant cries out in pain and Kyommen chokes.
The Sea Unicorn recoils as the wave of heat scalds her skin.
Once the scalding wave has passed, then drifts in a new, acrid scent. Boiled flesh.
Cte'reen gags.
Kyommen is stunned speechless. The boy has fainted in terror and pain.
Cte'reen, stunned, recovers quickly. She first tries to help the boy recover as best she can with a healing spell, but it quickly fizzles and dies, and the boy only groans. She cannot tell if it did good or not. "Hornblood," she mutters under her breath. She hastily nods to Kyommen and says, "Sire, thanks...but I must go find my mistress!"
Kyommen tries to recover himself. "Yes, yes, of course. I understand. Go, and good fortune. Gods protect us all..."
A muttered "thank-you" floats back to Kyommen on the waves.
She dashes out of the enclosure leaving a burst of bubbles in her wake, and threads through the streets - already choked with terrified citizens - as fast as she can.
//She must be fine,// she thinks to herself. //Aurana's going to be perfectly fine.// Finally, she reaches Aurana's room and dashes in...
The sorceress is there, pale and shaken. "Cte'reen! You are uninjured! It is _his_ creature that has done this! More will come, I fear."
"You helped create such a monster," Cte'reen says. It is no time for politely mincing words. "You know it - its strengths and weaknesses...it does *have* weaknesses, does it not?" //Kyommen's gods help us all if they were stupid enough to make destruction with no flaw.//
The sorceress winces but then searches for the answers. "It's weakness is it is mortal, at least the form it is in. As long as any of the magic that created the shape remains the monster might return to it to wreak havoc. The heat, the terrible boiling heat you felt was it's very soul striking out as far as it could."
"Such a thing should not be dignified with a soul."
The woman sighs. "It is a soul by definition only. The spirit of the being. It guarantees it no eternal life."
Eleina snorts. //Such wonders, that they can now 'define' souls.//
As the Sea Unicorn inspects the room, she finds no sign of Aurana. Correctly interpreting her need, the sorceress sighs, "She went out into the city with the boy. She is still in disguise, but with the panic out there I am afraid she may be finding it difficult to return."
The Sea Unicorn groans. "I will go and find her, then. Will you stay? She may return." Not waiting for an answer, she once again dashes out the door.
Nodding, the sorceress agrees. "Good hunting," she calls after Cte'reen.
***
Elsewhere, the truth of the sorceress' words is being played out. Restless and concerned, Aurana had insisted she needed to step out, to learn more, to hear the gossip. Escorted by the eager Wyrran, she had made her way into the bustling marketplace. Equipped only with a few meager coral coins, she had otherwise blended in well, accustomed to market wandering from her own home.
She had learned quite a bit. Public opinion about the events of the last two days was very emotional, but still mixed. Old rivalries and feuds with the merfolk were still fresh with many of the sea elves, but for the itinerant tradesmen and the non-elven kinds the events were a puzzle. As well Aurana knew, the mers had done their best to put the past behind them, and had been prospering under the Concord. The assassination made no sense at all! Those who doubted were left puzzled and frightened.
Aurana had only just learned that this group of doubters was in the majority when the events at the palace exploded, literally, into the city. She had been caught in the wave of heat and then terror as it washed around the buildings and through the streets. The rush of panicked beings immediately after separated her from Wyrran and she found herself thrust down a narrow and dark alleyway. Jostled roughly by terrified elves, she had stumbled against the wall, struck her head, and fallen, stunned.
Her vision was blurred, though she retained consciousness. She felt herself pulled out of the street into darkness. Hot, restrictive and pitch black, whatever room she had been put into was like a prison. Unable to clear her head, Aurana nevertheless almost instinctively reached out for help.
~Cte'reen!!~
At first, she thought it was only her imagination, wishful thinking...but the voice called again, stronger and more panicked, and unmistakable. "I knew she was a fast learner," Cte'reen muttered, smiling grimly. ~Yes! Where are you? Are you well? ~ The sea-unicorn's strong mind-voice echoes in Aurana's head only.
The mermaid-in-disguise moans slightly as the mind-voice reaches her. ~I-I think I'm okay, but I feel ill. I can't see where I am! It's dark! I'm trapped! Help!~
~Be calm,~ the Sea Unicorn advises.
Realizing her frightened plea would be of no aid, Aurana tries to force herself to be calm. ~I was at the market. I was speaking with a merchant... a seller of coral goods who trades with my folk. His stall had a blue-coral shell for a sign. The crowd pushed me... a few buildings away I think... before I could get away into a tight place between buildings. Then someone grabbed me!~
~Did they bring you anywhere?~
Calming further thanks to the comforting mind-touch, Aurana strains further to identify her prison. ~I don't think they took me far. I'm not even sure why they took me. They couldn't know me!~
Another alarming thought comes to the Sea Unicorn. //They could, though, if -// She tries to keep the underlying unease from her mindspeech. ~You did not shift back to your true form from the shock, did you? I have heard of such things.~ She does not tell Aurana that she has also seen the dire consequences in front of her own fins.
~No, no! I am certain of it! Even now I can still feel the two legs of the elven form!~
~Good. ~
~It's a small room, maybe twice my height long and once wide. No windows, only a door, sealed tightly. There's a box or something in here.~
Threading her way through the deserted market stalls, Cte'reen catches sight of the blue coral-shell sign. She floats, undecided, before the stall. ~Think, Aurana - what did the buildings look like, the ones that you hid near?~
Aurana closes her useless eyes to concentrate. ~I- I remember a sculpters booth beside the entry to the alley. One building has red stone walls. The other may be just gray.~
Cte'reen nods, and begins to search for the buildings described.
The red building is nearby, looming over an older, sagging structure that is covered with blue-grey sea-lichen. A bent potter is trying to salvage the remains of her stall, crushed and scattered pottery victimized by the frightened sea-dwellers.
A sound just beyond the room interrupts her concentration. She hears the lock being worked. ~Someone's coming!~ she announces, fear rising again.
Cte'reen swallows. Fear for her friend spurs her on like Neptune's seahorses. She rounds a corner, spots the buildings, and heads for the tiny alleyway between the two at top speed. As she enters the darkness, it takes only a moment for her vision to adjust, then she sees a single, sunken entrance into the red building. There is no door or bars, only deeper shadow. Her sharp ears hear the sound of keys and the lock.
//If I rush in, I may be able to - // Cte'reen tries, with only marginal success, to quiet her own thoughts, to be able to hear the voices she has just caught.
"No don't you be so afraid, missy," someone, a man, speaks.
Cte'reen then hears Aurana's uncertain response, "Who are you?"
"We, m'dear, are the King's shadow-guard.”
Cte'reen flattens herself against the wall. She has never heard of any shadow-guard, but knows that anything connected with any King in these turbulent times could be dangerous.
"You, on the other hand, are a stranger, come unnanounced. No, you're no commoner, are you? You don't even pretend to be. A maidservant and a Sea-Unicorn servant? Odd you should come when all this is going on..." the man points out.
Cte'reen shrinks back even further against the wall at hearing herself mentioned. //If they know of my presence,// she reasons, //surely they know of my banishment, and they suspect. And my visit to the compound...it just looks worse.//
"I- I have nothing to do with it! I don't even know what's going on!" Aurana protests.
"We'll see. Chain her."
//No,// Cte'reen thinks, //no.// Self-protection seems, suddenly, to be less of an issue than the safety of her dearest - and only - friend. ~If anyone comes for you, leave! They are no friends of ours.~ she mindspeaks to the Sorceress, and swims up the alleyway.
There is a tinkle of metal again, and Aurana gasps.
The door is half-open, and Cte'reen wedges her horn into the crack and pries it fully open. She floats there only for a moment, heart pounding, before she speaks. "What are you doing? My mistress has done no wrong. She is no criminal, and no beast. I have heard that the mer have always been an honorable race...am I wrong?"
Four men, dressed in common styles, turn away from Aurana. Cte'reen can see that her friend now wears heavy shackles attached to one another by chains. One of the men draws a short blade, startled.
Cte'reen tenses, but does not back away.
"It's her Sea Unicorn," another says to his companions.
//I am *no one's* Sea - //she begins to think, then remembers that, for the time being, she is.
A third steps between Cte'reen and Aurana. "We'll decide who has done no wrong. You and your mistress will come with us to the Palace to answer some questions," he announces.
"But..."
"We are members of the High King's Shadow Guard. By that authority we arrest you and your mistress."
~There has been - trouble,~ Cte'reen quickly mindspeaks to the Sorceress. ~We are being taken to the palace, but if you value your own freedom do not try to come and help us.~
There is a short, perturbed sensation in the Sorceress' mind touch. ~I fear it is too late. Several armed gentlemen have just come a-knocking... with the aid of the owner of this place. I will be of no help, unless you think I should use what magics I know and attempt escape.~
Cte'reen frowns for a moment. ~No...perhaps it is better if we are all taken together.~ She hangs her head.
Cte'reen herself realizes exactly how much she values her own freedom as the men of the Shadow Guard succeed in chaining her. //What did you think you were going to do to help her?// she tells herself. //Run all of them through with one horn-swipe?//
The man taking custody of Cte'reen smiles, not unpleasantly. "There's a good girl. No sense fighting and causing trouble. We just need to take you in for questioning."
His commander snaps at him impatiently. "Just bring her along."
Aurana murmurs only the slightest of protests as both females are taken from the dark building and out onto the street. There guards of regular uniform take custody of them. They are marched down the boulevard openly, the citizenry moving aside automatically, watching curiously. They are led directly to the damaged castle, through elaborate gates, and down highly decorated halls. Cte'reen, for all her size over the elves, finds none of the area constricting.
After some time they are led into a large room, open to the currents only by narrow slits high in the walls. There are no furnishings save a stone bench. Two guards take station outside the door as two others remove Aurana and Cte'reen's shackles.
"Behave yourself," Cte'reen is advised as her chains slip free, "Or we'll lock you up again. Chancellor will see you shortly."
//Chancellor?// The Sea Unicorn flicks her tail in frustration. //The visit to Kyommen...how must it look, to this Chancellor?// ~Do you know this Chancellor?~ she asks Aurana.
Clearing away the chains, the two guards leave them alone.
Aurana rushes up and throws her arms around Cte'reen. ~I'm so sorry!~ she sends, trembling. ~I didn't want anything to happen to you!~
~It is my own fault.~ //Everything always is...// ~At least your mindspeaking skills have improved,~ she tells Aurana: a weak joke that does not even cheer her up.
Aurana tries to calm herself. "No it's not," she says aloud. "You were just helping me. I've been careless, and now we're all in trouble!"
Cte'reen says nothing, and simply drifts in the currents that sweep through the room from time to time.
Answering the sea unicorn's earlier question, she says, "I don't think so. The only chancellors I know are at home. Likely whomever it is will either be our defender or our prosecutor. The Chancellors would not let the High King accuse me of anything without a fair trial."
Sighing, the mermaid sinks to the floor. "It was stupid of me to run away from home. None of you would be in this mess."
The Sea Unicon shakes her head, then becomes perfectly still as the Chancellor enters.
Before more can be said, another being is let into the room. It is a young woman, dressed in clothes that suggest a uniform, though of different design than the guard's garb. She glances between Cte'reen and Aurana a moment, then narrows her eyes.
Cte'reen feels a mental probe reach the surface of her mind.
Slowly, Cte'reen backs toward the wall. She bows her head and whispers to Aurana for just a moment - "Please let go..." - then turns her full attention back to the Chancellor.
Aurana releases her, also turning to face the newcomer.
"I mean no harm," she finally says, after studying the woman in silence for a long moment. //What does this Chancellor want from me?// she wonders, not without fear.
The woman nods. "That much appears to be true. However, your companion has hidden her true identity. That must be adjusted."
Cte'reen opens her mouth to speak, but falls silent. //This should be a shock,// she thinks, //but I would rather it happen here than anywhere else...and we were bound to be found out sometime.//
Again, the Chancellor narrows her eyes at Aurana, but this time it is in deeper concentration. The magic around Aurana fluxes, wavers and then fades, leaving her returned to her natural form. The Chancellor starts, surprised at what she sees. After a few moments hesitation, she bows slightly.
"Your Highness." she intones politely.
Aurana feels suddenly vulnerable, and uncertain. "Chancellor," she responds politely.
"I am K'yahara, Chancellor Adept of the Emerald Tri-Blade. It has become my assigned duty by the Council of Chancellors residing in Red Reef to monitor and investigate the matter surrounding the death of the High King's son. Due to a number of unusual circumstances it has become necessary to question any beings unfamiliar in our city. This includes the three of you."
The mermaid sighs slightly. ~She knows about the Sorceress,~ she projects to Cte'reen.
~Yes, I know.~
The sea-elf woman continues. "I believe there is another here who would very much like to see you, but first I have some questions. It has been explained that you were separated from the creature known as Stryck during an encounter with the Sorcerer of the Dark Chasm?"
Aurana nods meekly. "Yes. It was from his dread keep that Cte'reen bravely rescued me."
Cte'reen sighs.
"Were you aware that a doppleganger had been sent out with Stryck in your place?"
"No," Aurana shakes her head, "Not until we came closer to the city. When we heard the news about the killing."
The Chancellor scans them both with her sharp gaze. "Why did you not report to the authorities when you came to the city."
The mermaid shifts uncomfortably, color rising in her face. "I- well- ..." she stutters a moment, then sighs. "I was afraid. I feared your people would mistake me for the real killer. I wanted to find Stryck and explain before facing the King. Besides..." she hesitates.
"Yes?" the Chancellor urges her to continue.
"Well, uhm..." again she sighs. "I've run away from home. I'm not supposed to be here."
A slight smile crosses K'yahara's face. "That much I gathered. It isn't customary for the daughter of the Mer King to travel accompanied only by a single Sea Unicorn and a Sea elf woman."
As if reminded of a matter, the Chancellor pauses. "Speaking of whom, who is the woman?"
Aurana hesitates, looking at Cte'reen.
Cte'reen sighs again in a burst of bubbles before speaking. "The Sorceress." And then, by way of explination: "We could not leave her to die. And we reasoned that since she created that - Aurana-thing - she would best know how to uncreate it."
She looks at the Chancellor, hoping desperately that Aurana will not be condemned for consorting with criminals.
K'yahara cants her head with interest. "Leave her to die?"
Aurana nods. "Yes. Apparently during the encounter, while the Sorcerer switched the false princess for me, she did something that displeased him. As punishment, he beat her and left her to die. We found her, and aided her. It was our intention to bring her here, to be judged. However, when we heard about the horrible event a few days ago, she offered to help protect me from overzealous vengeful elves. She, I'm sure, will quietly accept imprisonment and await judgement. As long as it is fair," the mermaid adds uncertainly.
K'yahara nods. "As long as a Chancellor hears her, it will be fair. She has not resisted apprehension, and is being questioned by another."
Nodding to Cte'reen and Aurana, the elf woman advises, "You will wait here. At this time there is no reason to believe you have done anything wrong. Stryck, your friend, is resting."
Cte'reen's ears perk up at the mention of this mysterious creature that she has heard so much about, but yet not seen.
"As soon as she wakes, I will tell her you are here. You will be asked, no doubt, to testify regarding the Sorceress. And, your Highness," she adds with a chastising tone, "You will no doubt be seen by the High King and safely returned to your people. No doubt your family is beside itself with anxiety. I will have Sir Kyommen summoned."
Bowing slightly to the two females, K'yahara leaves. The door is secured behind her.
Aurana sighs. "Now I'm really in trouble," she murmurs petulantly, but smiles at Cte'reen. "But I think things will be okay."
The Sea Unicorn smiles, but, if the emotions flickering over her face are any clue, is unprepared for Aurana's next words.
Relaxing, the mermaid allows herself to drift slightly. She gazes out the latticed windows thoughtfully. "Cte'reen, if I go back to the Mer Palace, will you come with me? I know Stryck won't. She's a traveler. I know you are too, but... well... you're such a good friend. I'd like to have you there. It would make things easier, dealing with those snobs they call my sisters."
Cte'reen closes her eyes for a moment. //You knew it would come to this,// she tells herself. //You knew you would have to tell her...why did you not just leave that night at the sea-elves' hut? It would have been so easy, so painless...//
She sighs, and looks at Aurana. "Thank you," she says, and nuzzles her friend. "But I cannot live with you. It is not only that I would never fit in at the palace - although that, certainly, is true." //You're stalling. Just tell her!// "I cannot live with you here because eventually someday, some Sea Unicorn - some band of emissaries - is bound to come to the palace, see me, ask me my name...I will be bound to reply, and they will be equally bound to drive me out. I doubt your king-father would relish the news that his youngest daughter has been consorting with a criminal."
She swipes her horn ineffectually against the hard floor a few times, then hangs her head.
Aurana blinks in surprise. "A criminal?" she asks in a small voice. //Cte'reen? Dear Cte'reen a criminal? No! It can't be! There must be a mistake!//.
Cte'reen flinches as she hears the mer-girl's thoughts, and abruptly blocks them out.
Clearing her throat, she asks quietly, "What do they say you've done?"
"They don't *say* I have done anything...I did it. And I do not regret it. I saved a life." //Oh, yes, you do,// she thinks to herself. //The times when you were chased out of the kelp-beds, you do not regret? Your missed training? Your name? You do not regret those? The wandering? The cold nights when you tourture yourself to sleep with thoughts of what could have been - except for what you did? When the Assembled made you watch the j'kar* die? No regret? And L'kanth...and then you regret even your regrets because you feel guilty! And now you regret this. And you lie.//
*[OOC: J'kar is the Sea Unicorn term for an albino sea-unicorn baby. As soon as a j'kar is born, they are put out of the clan to die - first, according to tribal custom, and second, because they would die anyway, since they have no protective camoflauge against the dark background of the sea-kelp - and if they survived, their visibility to predators would pose a danger to the entire clan. Fortunately, j'kar are not born often.]
Cte'reen frowns, tries desperately not to cry, and concentrates on the image of the tiny white j'kar she holds always, like an afterimage, in her mind's eye.
"Maybe I can help?" The princess wishes she could feel and sound more confident.
"No," Cte'reen says. "You can't. The thing is done. It cannot be undone. Nor - many think - should it be, if there were the power to do so." She sighs. "I should go." Yet, she does not move.
The merprincess is obviously confused. "I-" she hesitates. "I do not understand how saving a life could be such a crime. However," she continues reluctantly, "I am also not one of your people."
"No," Cte'reen says, somewhat acidly. "You aren't."
She holds her hands out to Cte'reen. "Whatever you did, right or wrong to your people, I know you thought you were doing the best thing. I can see how it weighs upon you, my dear friend. I cannot erase what pain it causes you, or how it separates you from your people. But it does not change how I feel about you. In this short time we have known one another I have come to know enough that I would trust you with my own life, and trust in your wisdom."
Cte'reen says nothing, and hardly even moves. //No, no!// she thinks. //Why can't she just stop?//
With a sigh, Aurana grows thoughtfully silent. //She is an outcast. She knows she is supposed to be that way, but somewhere she feels what she did was not wrong. Like these folk here,// the princess glances around the four walls of the chamber. //Didn't the Sholars tell me about The Cleansings they do here? Is that the kind of life she saved? Or was it something else?//
---
As Aurana deals with Cte'reen's shocking revelation, K'yahara confers quickly with a fellow Chancellor. Kervick reports that Kyommen has arrived and is demanding to see the princess.
"Keep him comfortable and treat him with respect, but tell him the princess is resting. When she is recovered, he will see her. Don't let him browbeat you. She needs some time." the sea elf woman instructs him. Nodding in acceptance, the underling moves off to do as she bids.
K'yahara travels through the corridors of the palace to the room given to Stryck. With a polite knock, she opens the door.
"Stryck? Aurana is here, in the palace. Are you rested? Would you like to see her now?"
The sea dragon seems to step down out of the semi-bobbing position she had taken for napping. Her wings re-tuck into their usual, fin-like position atop her back and she nods to the chancellor without any sign of sleepiness. "I am ready."
Stryck walks towards the door. As she closes with the chancellor, she asks, "How did Aurana arrive here?"
K'yahara steps in pace with the dragon with little effort. "She apparently entered the city under magical disguise. She is travelling with a Sea Unicorn and a Sea Elf sorceress. It was the sorceress' magic that disguised her. Due to the nature of their entrance, and the matter that the sorceress is or was in league with the Sorcerer, they have all been placed under arrest. The Sorceress has been placed in quarters secure against her magic. The princess and her other companion are in somewhat more suitable quarters for her station."
The halls they travel through become increasingly familiar to Stryck. She has travelled these corridors before, for much the same reason. Their final destination, however, is different.
K'yahara pauses outside the entrance to the chamber. "They have been very frightened. Unfortunately, they have to remain in custody for now. I'm certain Sire Kyommen will be here shortly. You will be granted entrance when you are ready," she finishes, gesturing to the two strong-looking sea elf guards. With a final nod, she leaves.
Stryck pauses. Again, the sea dragon wishes for her brother's presense. The uncertainty is unusual for Stryck. For once, she doesn't even have an idea what to do or how to do it.
*****
Looking back into Cte'reen's eyes, she asks, "Please, tell me more. I may not be able to change the past, or change your people, but I have an idea... if you would agree. Yet I want to understand better what your crime is, and how you have been punished."
"I am banished from them," the Sea Unicorn says in a curious monotone. "If you want to know more - ask your teachers, or listen on the streets. That, perhaps, would be more accurate." She pauses for a moment. "Tell me the idea."
Somehow, in the matter of minutes, the uncertain mermaid runaway has become more determined, more decisive. More the Princess that her teachers had hoped she would be.
Her [Cte'reen's] ears perk up. "Someone is at the door."
Suddenly, as if some cosmic time clock had rung, everything changes and resolves. Stryck enters the room.
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