Day 351 (329)

Day 351 (329):

Lisa, Alice, and I awoke with a start. It was still dark. By Dawn's soft glow, we three plus Dawn and Bo, went out into the hall to let the rest sleep. Finding benches, we sat.

"What was that?" Lisa whispered.

"It felt like my bed was shaken violently," Alice commented.

"Dawn, Bo, what did you feel?" I asked quietly.

"A vibration," Bo answered, "as if the world shuddered."

"I heard a cry, like many voices, in chorus, calling for help," Dawn sadly stated.

"Let us check Crialas," I suggested, "It may be an elf emergency, since it targeted you two."

Agreeing, we went to the room that held all the wizard's glasses and similar items after changing from our night clothes. We found a clam-like device and sought the Royal Palace.

A female elf appeared in the device, "Royal Palace of Crialas, how my I help you?" she asked in a bored tone, looking down as she spoke.

"Are the Royal Couple available? We wish to inquire about Crialas' state," Lisa told her.

She sighed, "The Royal Couple are unavailable at this time," speaking to us but looking down, "If you leave your name and location, I will see if they will reply."

Lisa's composure fractured a bit, "Attend your station!" she barked, "Look at those speaking."

The elf woman's head snapped up. Embarrassment  flooded her face, "My apologies, Sacred Sister, I let my fatigue impair my duty. I have been at this station all night. The Royal Couple still sleeps. Perhaps I can answer your inquiry?"

We started to ask when the female was pulled away and Janesh's filled the device.

"Lisa? Alice? Kayla? Praise Fate! You called just when we needed you. The Queen's pregnancy has caused a bit of debate. She is also being threatened. Are you able to return to Crialas?"

"We shall attempt to be there by the end of the day," Alice told him as we rose.

He nodded and severed the connection. We rushed back and woke the others. Aoushlunia had given Sarah "pads" to put in her shoes to let her walk much easier and stay out of the water longer. We were packing as quickly as we could. Dawn was sent to the Five to let them know the situation. We were nearly done when they and Sarkin entered. Sarah was warned about her time limit and the dire consequences of not being in the water at the right moment. They all insisted we eat before leaving, which seemed like a good idea.

As we ate, many modes of transport were discussed. Sea dragons, water carriages, Faerie doors, plus others were suggested. We were still debating after we ate.

Outside, I felt a touch in my mind. Set felt it as well

"Hello? Who goes there?"

"Good, you hear me. Do you know of the trouble with the Crialas elves?" Aper See's voice sounded clearly in my head. 

"Yes, some of it. We are searching for a way to get there as we speak."

Aper See chuckled, "You gave me no thought?"

"We did not want to impose, my Lord. You know we try to do everything ourselves," I teased. 

Another chuckle, "Gather your party. I will bring you here."

I turned to my sisters. Fortunately, they had heard our exchange and was explaining it to the aquatics. Considering what we just went through with Konfotuta, their worry over us trusting another King dragon was understandable. We managed to get them to accept the decision. We gathered our gear and bid them good-bye.

Just like Stahendring, the world shifted. Nearly instantly, we were standing in Aper See's cavern, facing him and his girls.

"Welcome, again, Sisters of the Swords. Please, rest here a bit. Tell me what you have been up to since we last spoke."

Finding comfortable places, we told them of Jordsonn, Kirlan, Snathdubh, Castles Day and Night, and all up to Sarah's changing feet and legs. Wizardly curiosity made her, Set, Bo, and Dawn be intensely scrutinized. Sarah's feet were beginning to take on the fish-scale silver of her clan.

Once Aper See's curiosity was satisfied, he let us alert the elves of our location. The Royal Couple was ecstatic and ordered us to be retrieved at all speed. Janesh and his party must have flown for they were at the entrance in just over an hour. He hugged us to tightly that some of us winced. That quick action conveyed the desperation he, and his party, were feeling. We were helped into the saddle and took off at a breakneck speed. Dawn and Set flew to keep up. Bo and Echo rode with their partners. The elves were too consumed with getting us back to Crialas Pagoue as fast as possible to tell us why. 

We arrived in the capital just about mid-day. The energy of the city was tense and agitated. We went into the back side of the stables and entered the Palace through a side entrance. Out front, I could feel an angry crowd and nervous guards.

Sarvicnal and Elenvarna stood at the doors of their apartments. It saddened us to see guards, once again, posted at their door. Relief rolled off them like fog. We were in the parlor before any of them attempted to explain. Sarvicnal spoke.

"Not long after the portal was rebuilt and the land cleansed, leaders from the surrounding cities and communities began arriving to re-establish contact with us. The three flags caused some to become angry and demand an explanation. When we told them, they stormed out, refusing to speak to us ever again, and were calling for us to either step down as King and Queen or terminate the pregnancy."

We were shocked.

"Have they told you why they want the pregnancy terminated?" Lisa asked, gripping the chair to keep her temper in check.

"No, and they refuse to tell any who ask. They mutter 'unnatural', 'foul sign', and other nonsense. Even when pressed, they only answer 'You know why'. It is our hope you can find out what is going on and restore peace to our Kingdom."

"We understand, you Majesty," we all said as we stood.

Small smiles cracked the solemn faces of our friends. 

Leaving the Royal Couple, Janesh led us back to the front doors. The feelings of the people outside began blocking everything else out the closer we got.

I felt like I had been hit when the doors were opened. Those outside shouted at us, demanding to know who we were and why we were inside the Palace.

"We have come to liaison between you and the Crowns," Alice told them, "Speak your concerns to us."

The crowd murmured among themselves. After a few moments, one stepped forward.

"As you are not elves, you do not know our ways. Three is an evil number, especially in birthing. Triplets in livestock must be destroyed. Three limbs on a single branch must be removed. Our Queen bearing triplets is an abomination. Either they terminate the pregnancy, step down as ruler and be exiled, or," he paused to compose himself, "the Queen must die."

We seven looked at each other.

"Anna, Alice, is this true?" Lisa asked mentally.

"It is in their village, a town called Ladarnelle," Anna answered sadly.

"The superstition is strong there. Those that married into other villages carried it with them. Only a few communities even pay it heed," Alice reported.

Lisa turned to the crowd and pulled out her crest, "I am Lisa of the Tree Singer Clan. Crialas Pagoue does not believe that three, or any number, is evil. The Queen's pregnancy is cause for celebration. I know, because of the portal's taint, you have been separated from the rest of Crialas for nearly a century. Do this: speak with the citizens of this town. If you can find a dozen other elves who also feel that three is an evil number, we will try to work this conflict out. If you cannot, then accept the error and deal peacefully with the Crowns and Palace."

The crowd discussed this proposal. They said they would return tomorrow at sunset. Hopefully, we would have an agreement by then. They divided themselves up to go in many directions to find their dozen. Janesh relaxed as they left.

"Well done, Sisters. Now. let us return to the Crowns to tell them what caused this mess."

We followed him back to the Royal apartments. The Crowns could barely contain themselves as they waited for our report.

"In the village of Ladarnelle, they hold the strong belief that three is evil. Anything that occurs in threes must be killed or destroyed. Triple births result in four deaths, three babies and the mother. Being cut off from other folk during the portal's loss reinforced that view since no other view contradicted it," Alice told them.

The elves pondered, trying to remember any triple event that may have created this notion. None, not even Narvicnal nor Song Weaver, knew of such a thing.

"They claim it goes back to a local event, which they assumed happened everywhere," Anna told us, "One spring, a triple petaled, triple leafed flower appeared surrounding Ladarnelle for many miles. It seemed harmless until some children picked them. Their hands were burned and they became poisoned. Try as they may, nothing killed these flowers, even fire. The flowers grew and returned for the next two years. Then, the fourth year, no trace could be found. So, three petals, three leaves, three years. That began their 'three is evil' belief."

"I recall a call for help," Narvicnal piped, "during my father's reign. Yes, it said an 'evil plant' had 'invaded' the kingdom and to muster all troops to its destruction. We could not find it, even though the letter said it was 'everywhere'. Marvicnal dismissed it as nonsense and did nothing. Wait a minute. My father was his father's third child, the only boy. That must have added to it."

"That must be the 'King born in evil' they sometimes claim actually planted the flowers," Alice observed.

"Now, we wait. We apologize for dragging you girls into this small matter. They would not reason with us. A few of their number sit in jail for attacking soldiers and citizens who disagreed with their philosophy. We hope they fail to find twelve citizens who will back them," Elenvarna sadly told us.

"My Queen," Lisa went and knelt before her, "I am to live the rest of my life here as your guard and the guardian of your children. No threat against them or you is a small thing. Even if they find twelve to stand with them, I will see to it that no harm comes to any of you."

"Brave words for a human," a male voice interrupted, "However, we are expertly qualified to protect Her Majesty from all who threaten her and her children."

Lisa stood, "Who are you? Where have you been all this time, if you are truly her protectors?"

The male elf, plus three others, fully entered the parlor. They wore uniforms unlike Janesh or any of the Royal Guards. The Crowns and Janesh gasped when they saw them clearly.

"We are Ranak, the elite of the Queen's Guard. Unlike our fellows, we have not joined with the King's Guard into one unit. We will even attack the King if his actions threaten the Queen's life."

"I was told none of you were left," Elenvarna said softly.

"As we led all to believe, Your Majesty. We have stayed in the shadows, making sure no threats were carried out. These girls and their pets have been under close observation. Had we deemed them a threat, none would still live."

Lisa strode up to the lead Ranak. He was only an inch taller than she, so they were eye-to-eye with each other.

"Fate and prophesy have declared me to be the Queen's personal guard."

All of the Ranak laughed.

"We believe in neither Fate nor prophesy. If you truly wish to be Queen Elenvarna's personal guard,  you must earn the title."

"Please, no," Elenvarna begged, "do not do this. She is too young to face you in combat. Please."

"I am sorry, my Queen, but we cannot let this troggarr lay claim to a title she has not earned. If she refuses our challenge, she forfeits any claim, regardless of Fate or prophesy," he said coldly.

"My Queen," Lisa turned her back on the Ranak to speak, "I will accept their terms. I know my place is at your side. I will prove it to them," she said over her shoulder to the leader.

He smiled menacingly, "Good. We give you until the full moon to practice and prepare. Train well, troggarr, and make your peace with your gods, as you will be seeing them soon."

They bowed and left. Lisa was so mad, she couldn't talk. Bo excused them and pushed Lisa to another room. Mentally, we could hear Gluttony and Bo trying to calm her down. They had, wisely, guided her into Sarvicnal's private training room. We decided to leave her be until dinner. The rest of us stayed in the parlor and talked about what we had experienced since parting last. Set's size change also intrigued them.
Lisa's mood was much improved when we all were called for dinner in the Crown's private dining area. Talk skirted the Ranak and their challenge. Sarah's changing appetite did not interfere with her enjoying the elf food.
Unlike our previous stay, we were given a room in the Royal apartments. The Crowns felt "safer" with us so much closer than even the special suites reserved for visiting leaders and ambassadors. The room we were shown was being remodeled to become the Royal Nursery, just a wall away from the Crown's bedroom. Although elves do not sleep like humans or most other races, they do have "resting rooms" with couches, mats, pillows, or even full beds. Elf babies, we were told, are like most babies and do completely fall asleep. Unlike humans, there will be no cribs, no cage-like beds high off the floor with rails and bars to encase the infants. Elf infants sleep on, essentially, a massive soft pillow laying directly on the floor.
For us, mats were laid out by an apologetic staff and Crowns. We did not find fault with this or them. The suddenness of our arrival and the impromptu selection of sleeping arrangements did not let them plan in advance. We settled in, tended to needs, and went to sleep rather quickly.

Days 346-350 (324-328)

Day 346 (324):

Upon waking, I heard Sarah whine softly. She was awake and examining her feet. I saw rough spots and small cracks in her skin. She was trying to heal them, but was not succeeding.

"What is wrong with me? Why won't these heal?" Sarah asked me, trying not to cry.

"I don't think healing is needed. Let me try something," I told her as I called for Set's skin cream.

I sat on her bed and gently worked the stuff into her feet and lower legs. She sighed as the skin softened and the cracks disappeared. We examined her after we were done. Callie, now awake, gave her assessment.

"Your skin is changing. Just like Set, you are having a growth spurt. Also, you may need to spend part of every day in the water."

Understanding, we got dressed and headed for breakfast. As we headed down, Sarah complained walking hurt. Fortunately, Set was strong enough to bear her to the eating area. During our meal, Callie and Envy assessed Sarah's shoes and found the cause of Sarah's pain. We became the center of attention as they magically altered them to cushion her changing feet. The aquatics were quite impressed.

After eating, we headed to the ramp. Sarah removed her shoes, hitched up her skirt, and waded into the water. The feelings she experienced made all of us gasp. With uncharacteristic abandon, Sarah dove into the deeper part and swam out of the outpost. The rest of us hurried around to the edge of Arvocan. Sarah's clothes were floating nearby. Bo and Dawn retrieved them as we looked and felt for Sarah. She popped up not far from us, a big smile on her face.

"Glorious! This is glorious! Oh, Sisters! Never, never have I felt so alive, so at home, and at peace. This is, truly, where I belong," she shouted from the water.

We all laughed, feeling her joy as our own. Set and Bo dove in and the three of them played long enough for her clothes to dry. We were not bored as they played. Sarah's retooled shoes were examined by the aquatics. Set's cream was scrutinized and the ingredients copied for reproduction for their use. Also, we were told of the tragedy of the Black Water clan:

Their area was a series of underwater caverns so deep, sunlight never shown there, hence the name "Black Water". Glowing sea creatures lit their world. Just like other merfolk, they patrolled an area around their grotto for poachers, invaders, and others who would do harm. Teraia, now Lust, plus others were on such a patrol when a violent sea quake collapsed the caverns of their grotto. All those inside were crushed and killed. Less than a dozen of the clan lived. Unable to rebuild the clan from the few who remained, each person went their separate ways. Some joined other clans. Some, like Teraia, went to find adventure elsewhere. Now, "Black Water" is a term used to describe a great loss of any life.

Sarah's "humanity" caused her to become embarrassed when she and the others tired of their play. She crawled as far up to us as she could and remain covered by the water. Between Bo, Dawn, and Echo, they provided enough concealment to get her out of the water and wrapped in a cloak. We sheltered her as she dressed. Her mood was much improved.

We were sitting by the water when Aoushlunia found us. 

"Greetings, Sisters. The elders and I were discussing the Faerie door you proposed. We have examined our entire grotto and cannot locate a single suitable place for such a construct. We wish you all to also examine our grotto. Perhaps we are unclear of its requirements."

We accepted the invitation. Aoushlunia told us to return to the water's edge in about an hour for our "transport".

Inside the outpost, our swimmers complained of hunger. We had never seen Sarah eat so much. It seemed none of them could get enough until they stopped, some in mid-bite, and stated they had their fill. From Sarah's face, I feared she had eaten too much too fast. She kept from getting sick by sipping some tea.

Back at the water's edge, we found Aoushlunia outside an aquatic carriage. She explained that the grotto's entrance was a long underwater tunnel, too long for us to simply hold our breaths. This carriage could take us safely underwater to the dry part. We piled inside. Aoushlunia went to the driver's seat.

We traveled most of the way above water. We were all excited to see a real mermaid grotto. Aoushlunia warned us as we started to go under. True to her word, not a drop entered the carriage. During a turn, we got to see what pulled the carriage. Two extremely large sea horses were bridled and harnessed similarly to land horses, save they were vertical where land horses are horizontal. The carriage did not seem to be a great burden to them as they swam into the tunnel entrance to the grotto.

Holes and cracks in the in the roof made this part a twilight ride. Small fish and other sea creatures swam and scurried in the faint light. Callie told us, despite the broken roof, the tunnel was strong and safe for normal stresses. We came to a stop then rose up to a cavern. Two people placed a plank from the carriage door to the dry beach. We exited. Aoushlunia joined us.

"Ladies, my court is this way," she motioned for us to follow her.

They, obviously, dealt with Stahendrig as suncrystals and glowing grubs provided light to this cavern. Feeling out, I could tell we were still underwater, deeply underwater. Since Callie was calm, I knew this place was secure and sturdy. Cargo lay piled upon the dry area, heavy items close to the water while lighter ones went progressively deeper. We walked a corridor between this stuff towards a corner of the cavern. I felt a group waiting for us. We entered a smaller cavern with less than a dozen of elder merfolk "sitting" in a pool of water that was fed by a slow drip from the ceiling.

"Council, you remember the Sisters from the ritual? Ladies, my court," Aoushlunia introduced.

We greeted each other almost formally. Once done, we all sat on the stone lip of their pool to discuss Faerie doors.
"Sisters, do you know where you are, precisely?" one man asked.

"Yes, sir," Callie began, "We are five and three-quarter miles from land, one hundred twenty-six and one eighth feet below the surface of the ocean, one and one tenth miles from the entrance of this grotto, and under nineteen and five eighths feet of stone."

The merfolk silently stared.

"You did say 'precisely', sir," Callie reminded him.

They burst out laughing. The man was jabbed a few times for his question. When they could speak, another addressed us.

"As you can see, obviously, this dry part of the grotto is precariously fragile. Your Faerie door, we fear, would undo its balance and ruin all we have managed to salvage."

It was our turn to laugh. They, however, did not see the humor.

"Council," I began, "your fears, while understandable, are unjustified. Faerie doors do not damage the place where they are located. Not a stone nor a grain of sand need be moved nor disturbed."

Confused silence. I found a painting nearby and demonstrated that it, like a Faerie door, did not require a hole in the wall to be attached. It took a bit, but they seemed to understand.

"So, if no doorway is carved, how is it constructed?" the first man asked.

"The Faerie build it out of magic. Once a place is chosen, they work from both sides to open the door on this realm and attach it to a door in the Faerie Realm. It is, then, almost permanent," I told them.

" 'Almost'?" Aoushlunia repeated.

I explained how it could be removed, moved, or sealed.

They talked for a few moments, trying to reach a decision on this matter. Finally, they decided to allow it.

"Excellent, excellent, always looking for a challenge," an unknown female voice sounded, echoing in the cavern.

We all looked around. Not far from us, a silver circle appeared on the floor. A "young" female Faerie rose up. She wore very little, just enough pale yellow material to cover her breasts and groin. The bag at her side covered nothing. Coal black hair, dark orange eyes, and caramel skin, she stood eye-to-eye with Gretta. Her perfect teeth shown starkly white when her dark lips smiled.

"Greetings, all, greetings to one and all, I am Sella, door builder by trade and vocation. Aloriana, the Faerie Queen, told me to keep an ear out to the River Mouth Clan in the event the Sword Sisters convinced them to allow a Faerie door. So, where shall it go?"

Once they got over their shock, the council began discussing location. Changing from tails to feet, they led us all around the grotto. Knowing now that no physical hole was needed to construct the door, it simply became a matter of being able to reach it from both land and water. It took some time, but we all agreed upon a spot at the water's edge that even legless merfolk could get to easily.

"Good, good, good, wonderful spot. Now, my turn," Sella stated as we backed out of the way.

She began pulling small nails out of her bag. She touched them to the wall, forming a tracing of a doorway. She adjusted its width to accommodate long tails and fins. When she was done, she stepped back to admire her work. 

"Now comes the important part," Sella said to no one in particular.

She took out a long, wand-like crystal. She touched the end to the center-top nail. Both crystal and nail began glowing. Sella pulled back, drawing the light with her. She proceeded to weave a string of light back and forth until every nail glowed and a web of light filled the doorway. With the crystal still glowing, Sella wrote, in Faerie, the location of this new door. The web strands expanded and filled the frame with a solid light. The light shifted to the familiar shining silver. Talris walked through.

"Greetings, all. I am Talris, Keeper of the Doors. This door is to only be used by non-Faerie in emergencies. Calling for help while near the door will alert me and I will open the door. Tell your clan that I can tell liars from those truly in danger. Trying to fake injury or distress will not succeed. Any questions?"

"Who can get in from your side?" one man asked angrily.

"Only those with a legitimate reason to visit your grotto. No one can bypass me from one Faerie door to another. Even gods must see me to open these doors."

Satisfied, the council thanked Sella and Talris, who walked through the door and it "vanished".  The merfolk examined the wall to make sure Sella's nails had not weakened the stone. No marks could be found. To remember its location, Aoushlunia scratched the merfolk words for "Faerie Door" into the rock.

"Sisters, we thank you. We shall not have a Black Water in our grotto with a Faerie Door here now. Let us get you back to Arvocan. It is nearly nightfall and others have wondered about your location," Aoushlunia told us.

We said our good-byes and returned to the carriage. Aoushlunia stayed behind, sending a frog-man to drive the carriage back. The tunnel out was pitch black since no sun shone through the riddled ceiling. Even above water, the ride was in near total darkness. Arvocan's lights were a welcome sight. Sarkin and Corina met us at the water's edge. They told us that many feared we had grown bored with Arvocan and left without a word to anyone. We assured them we still loved Arvocan and had not yet decided on our next move.

We ate at a leisurely pace, explaining many times where we had gone and what we had done. By the time we went to our room, we were all exhausted.

Days 347-350 (325-328):

These few days have sort of melded together. Sarah woke, ate, and swam every morning to keep her feet and legs healthy. The rest of us found small jobs to occupy ourselves. Set was now up to my chest when he sat back on his tail. His fire melted every metal we could find. His ice was shattering stone. His lightning was beginning to branch, hitting more than one target at a time. The compounds his tail barb could produce astounded all of us. Even grown sea dragons could not match him. A second barb was slowly erupting on the opposite side of his tail. It was unclear if it, too, would produce the same types of compounds. We traded components, scales, feathers, and talents for replacement garments and unique aquatic items.

Day 345 (323)

Day 345 (323):

We each woke on our own, I being the first as usual. Alice walked up next to me as I watched the sunrise.

"I meant to ask you last night, but Sarah's chatter got in the way. Who or what was that turtle woman?"

I, lightly, chuckled, "I don't know the name she uses, but she is Katanokami, aquatic helpers. Not Faerie, but immortal just the same. She and other Katanokami will be the ones who 'cleanse and purify' Sarah of her 'land life'. Their other duties include guiding migrating water creatures to new feeding areas."

Alice giggled, "Perfect, just the one to proclaim Sarah's fitness for everyone to hear. That explains all the people I saw around her. She has been doing this for ages."

"Did they seem happy?" Sarah asked as she joined us, "I am not questioning whether or not to do this. I would just like to know if others were happy they made the choice."

Alice pulled Sarah between us, "I only saw tears of joy. They do not transform the unsure."

We stood there, joined by each Sister as they woke. At our leisure, we all went to breakfast. The atmosphere had the taste of anticipation. They were waiting along with us. While the majority were familiar with this ritual, they recognized the uniqueness of our situation.

While exiting the eating area, we met Fabian and Aoushlunia. They were both carrying bundles.

"Dear, it is time. We will get you dressed. Sisters, Merroc has a vessel to carry you to the ritual site. We will be along shortly."

Sarah parted with the pair. The rest of us went outside and found Merroc, standing near the water equivalent of a horse-drawn carriage. In place of wheels, a boat hull supported the enclosed seating compartment. A ramp cut into the side of the hull took the place of the steps. The harnesses trailed into the water, twitching occasionally as whatever was down there moved restlessly.

"Ladies, let us be on our way. Another is en route to carry Sarah and the others," Merroc told us as he helped us enter.

Inside was comfortable and spacious. Set took up a lot of the floor between the two seating areas. Bo curled in Lisa's lap. Dawn, likewise, nested in Alice's lap. Echo was too nervous and could not settle into any one place or position. She didn't like not knowing where we were headed or what was pulling this "contraption". Fortunately, the trip was over quickly and we exited onto a small island, the only land in sight. A group of Katanokami greeted us and escorted us to a small pool. Here, they washed our feet and legs. Our companions were given full baths. From there, we were taken to an open-sided hut to sit and wait.

We were not alone for long. Soon, merfolk bearing Aoushlunia's broach arrived. Some changed into land form while others chose to remain in the water. Those in land form also went through the foot washing process.

Sarah's carriage was announced by horns sounding from large shells. Aoushlunia and Fabian helped Sarah out of the carriage. She looked as if she was getting married. Her gown was long, very pale green, and wrapped loosely around her body. She was led to the foot washing pool. Her gown was held up as her feet and legs were cleaned. She was led between a deeper pool and our hut. Lust floated at her shoulder, slightly behind her. Across the pool, a stage-like area lay empty. The Katanokami, after carefully arranging Sarah's gown, ambled over to face the stage. They began singing in ancient aquatic.

Upon the stage, beings materialized. As she looked like Scotvla, we guessed the largest being to be the Goddess Ocean. The others I could only guess their names and stations. Apparently, divine beings can block their natures and pasts, as Alice and Anna were struggling to read them. Where merfolk are human from the waist up and fish-like from the waist down, one of the smaller beings, a male, was human-like on the right side of his body and fish-like on the left. We found him hard to look at without emotion. A female stood next to him. She looked like Rheana, the neriad seer in Arvocan. Her dress looked like fresh, living sea plants sewn together. The last was an ancient looking woman dressed in a garment that shifted like waves and, if you were watching, various sea creatures appeared and disappeared among the "waves". It was this ancient that spoke to Sarah.

"Child, state your name, home village, and family line for us."

"My name is Sarah. I have lived most of my life at the Lady of Heart Convent as both my parents died when I was young. My mother was named Rain who was the half-blood daughter of Orraia who was the full-blood daughter of Chief Cleric Merroc and Aoushlunia, Matriarch of River Mouth Clan."

"I see. How long have you known of your bloodline?" she asked sincerely.

"Less than a year have I known I had mermaid blood. Only a couple of weeks ago, I met Matriarch Aoushlunia and confirmed our blood tie, Ma'am."

"You have not spent years pining for the life of a mermaid?" she asked, truly puzzled.

"I didn't know it was possible, until a couple of days ago, to be a mermaid. At the Convent, my life was strictly regimented. Any daydreaming was punished. 'Keep your mind in your body' was a daily chastise from the Mother Superior," Sarah answered.

The deities looked at each other, exchanging information and opinions. I could "hear" them, almost understand them, but they were finished too quick for me to grasp.

The lady in the sea plant dress stepped forward as the ancient stepped back.

"What skills do you bring to your clan? How does your clan benefit from adding you to its membership?"

"Bonding with Lust has granted me the powers of a healer. I can diagnose, treat, and cure nearly all maladies, injuries, and diseases. This works for people, animals, plants, bodies of water, and areas of land. This healing can also put undead to rest."

"If you and Lust separated, this power would disappear?"

"We are bound. Only by my death can we part," Sarah replied, voice cracking with emotion. Lust vibrated in sympathy.

The deities conferred again. This time, I began to catch sounds and short words. Still, they spoke so fast, they were done before I could grasp the subject of their conversation.

"Lust was aquatic?" the sea plant woman asked. 

"Yes, Ma'am. She was merfolk as well."

"Full-blooded?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Was she of the same clan?"

"No, Ma'am, she was Black Water Clan."

Gasps sounded from all the aquatics, Katanokami included. The deities did not converse, but nodded to each other. This seemed to conclude the questioning.

From somewhere, the Katanokami produced a chalice of sea-green stone and one of them took it to Sarah, but did not hand it to her. The rest of the Katanokami surrounded Sarah and guided her to the steps that led down into the large pool. As she descended, the Katanokami held her gown out of the water. The one with the chalice preceded her but stopped at the next-to-last step and stood to one side to allow Sarah to continue unimpeded. We noticed, as Sarah continued, that they were actually lifting her gown off of her letting her enter the pool completely nude. Fortunately, the water was at the right level to cover her nudity. Lust floated in the air by her side, right above the water. When she reached the one with the chalice, she was almost shoulder-deep and the gown was being taken away by the other Katanokami. The deities went to the four sides of the pool. Ocean stood at the far end. The fish man was on the side opposite our shed. The sea plant woman was directly in front of us. The ancient was behind Sarah, at the top of the steps. It was she who spoke.

"Sarah, daughter of Rain, granddaughter of Orraia, great-granddaughter of Aoushlunia, by drinking this elixir, you step away from the land and into open water. This is your last chance to change your mind. If you are ready, take the chalice and drink it all."

Sarah took the chalice, which allowed the Katanokami to climb out of the pool. Lust floated over and dipped the tip of her blade as deep into the chalice as she could go. Upon rising, Lust rotated to let the elixir run the length of her bland and over her handle. As Lust did this, Sarah drank the chalice dry. She made to hand it back, but it dissolved and joined the water in the pool.

"This pool will cleans you of all taint from the lands you have walked upon. At the other end, you will receive Ocean's kiss, imparting all the blessings and banes of life as a mermaid," the ancient instructed.

Sarah and Lust descended the last step, submerging completely under the clear water. We six could feel her change. When she would have had to surface to take a breath, we felt her joy at realizing she could breathe underwater. In spite of her elation, she continued at a steady pace. Lust kept pace with her easily, also underwater. By halfway, Sarah found that she was more buoyant and, though still upright and "walking", she had to force herself to stay on the bottom of the pool. The last half of the pool was far deeper than the first half. This allowed Sarah to experience pressure changes and her response to them. While she did not sprout a tail, her legs were moving like one when she reached the other end of the pool. Ocean bent and lifted Sarah out of the water. Lust hung in the air at her side.

"Sarah of the River Mouth Clan, I claim you as a citizen of the sea and welcome yo into this great family."

Ocean pressed her lips to the top of Sarah's head. For a brief moment, I "saw" Sarah in her final mermaid form. Setting Sarah down, Ocean looked at Lust.

"Lust, who in the flesh was Teraia of the Black Water Clan, I reclaim you and re-welcome you to this great family. As your clan is no more, I have no doubt the River Mouth Clan will accept you as a wise elder into their number."

Ocean then clasped Lust and kissed her as well.

The Katanokami brought Sarah's gown back, but it was now a rich blue-green. They covered her up and re-draped her as before. The four deities returned to the stage and faded away just as they had appeared.

As if a signal had been sounded, the aquatics who were in land form rushed upon Sarah, hugging her, praising her, and introducing themselves properly. We waited until the majority had finished before we approached her. She was speechless with joy. We told her to enjoy her new life and that we were happy that she had found her place at last.

The aquatics filed into the water. The Katanokami walked us back to the water carriages. Sarah rode with us as Merroc, Aoushlunia, and Fabian took the other carriage "back", wherever that was. We told Sarah how we felt her change and the joy she experienced. She told us how worried she had been during Fabian's tutoring over the whole process and how glad she was for his instruction.

It was afternoon when we returned to Arvocan. Now, the aquatics who had been indifferent-to-hostile were open and friendly. In the outpost, Sarah found she had a "craving" for some of the stranger food that they served. Still not up to eating the living selections, she did scarf down some of the raw choices.

In our room, a different bed was left for Sarah. This one was a large bladder filled with water. She settled upon it quickly and was soon fast asleep. The rest of us were not far behind.