I felt as if I'd run a marathon when I woke up. My body was contorted with stress, and my pulse threatened to burst through my skin. Confused half-memories swirled through my head as I opened my eyes. Lilika was leaned against the far wall, observing me with a worried expression, and Betiara was opening the door to let morning light shine my fears away. They expressed their concern over my fitful sleep. I was ready for this to be over; with a little more time, a bit more knowledge, I felt that I could forever rid myself of these nightmares. Experiencing them was bad enough, but causing the others to worry was a bridge too far for me. Shame and regret matched the quiet fury of our candle's light within. My head found gentle solace against Lilika as she passed a soothing spell over my aching body. The warmth of her care loosened my clenched muscles and slowed my heartbeat to rest. I was silent as we gathered in the loft for breakfast.
"We're due for another check-in," Lilika commented as she scanned our reactions for readiness. "It's been a little while, and a lot's been happening for us. What do y'all think?"
"Alright," said Keff as he gave his face a wakeful tap.
"I suppose we..." Sekvi began, only to be interrupted by a yawn. "We could benefit from a good catching up!"
"Sure," Betiara offered, and met my gaze in askance of thoughts. I merely nodded my head. Rags lay himself across my lap, which had distracted me from my food; I didn't feel terribly hungry anyway.
"Alright then, I'll start." Lilika took a swig of water before recounting her recent experiences. "Yesterday I spent time as a fish so I could understand the ocean better. I'd only ever seen it from a distance, so I wanted to get a good idea of what it's like, and I bit off more than I could chew! A bigger fish took interest in me until I came out of my Wild Shape and scared him off." It sounded like a terrifying experience to me, yet she was telling her story as if she found humor in it. Keff and Sekvi found the tale to be more entertaining than Betiara and I did.
"You weren't hurt, were you?"
"Only a little bit, I patched it up just fine. It taught me something valuable," Lilika illustrated as her tone settled into calm. "I was afraid at first, but if I hid from the world instead of understanding it, I never would have understood the ocean. The ocean can be unfeeling, but it can be healing, too. I had a lot of fun that I can channel into stronger spells now!"
"Fantastically inspired! I couldn't have said it better myself."
"Well thank you, sweetie. How have you gotten on?"
"Apart from bearing witness to an impressive work of literary magic yesterday, brokering a trade agreement and assisting Madison with a spell that will see our home safely enshrouded from prying eyes, I'm doing quite well. My repertoire grows both in songs and magic. I believe I can facilitate a marked demonstration of anti-war sentiment in the villages." Sekvi's effortless smile made me feel a little more at ease.
"I stand by what I said last night."
"That is very much appreciated, Keff, thank you."
"As long as it doesn't cause more fanfare in the city," Betiara added after taking a bite of her sandwich. "We don't want to call too much attention to ourselves."
"Oh, that was just a bit of fun!" Betiara's insistent gaze prompted Sekvi to raise their hands in easement. "Point taken, however; I shall keep a lid on my bardistry within city limits."
"Thank you. I worry, with war looming over us. We need a backup plan that gets us out of Nereved."
"What do you suggest, sweetie?"
"If Alanuwa attacks, it'll likely be from the South. We're above an entrance to the Interior; we should use that to cross to the West hill, then follow the Rings to the Northwest gate." I could tell Betiara had put thought into this; her words were confident and precise. "We can safely survey the situation from Alpos and decide what to do next. That's what I've been working on lately." Her plan was readily accepted by the others, as we found it sensible and easy to remember. I didn't enjoy the thought of having to run for our lives. War, however, was of a scope that I didn't fully understand. America hadn't been invaded in hundreds of years, and with its absolutely ludicrous military spending, it wouldn't be invaded for some time. There were no such guarantees here.
"I can tell you're nervous about this," Lilika said. "I'm glad we're all agreed on what to do."
"Betiara will undoubtedly lead us to safety; good thinking, friend."
"I'll make sure nobody follows us," assured Keff as he gave his hammer a rap with his knuckles. "I've been busy at the library. It feels like I'm close to something big, with the way the genealogy’s tapering upward. Turns out the Suffoto lines go way back." I wondered what it was like to have ancestral resources to read through and connect with. Keff hadn't had an easy familial experience, but he still retained interest in exploring this part of his existence. The inspiration I gleaned from his work felt hollow until I reminded myself that the people that surrounded me were my new family.
"That sounds exciting," Betiara offered.
"We can learn a lot from history. What to do, what not to do... what works and what doesn't. My dad didn’t leave much of a mark, but some of his ancestors did some impressive things, like my great grandfather Burtak. He helped design Nereved's heating system! Well, the most recent update, at least."
"I recall a tune Madison once sang in jest: 'It's a small world after all!'"
"Sure is. Speaking of, you doing okay, Madison?" I wasn't sure how to answer Keff's question. Everyone was asking me the same as their eyes searched me in unison. These people were family; I could trust them with my difficulties.
"The healers couldn't do anything, but I have an idea for how to sidestep the nightmares," I explained as I gently stroked Rags' back. "If I take principles of Divination magic and extrapolate them through a lens of Illusion, I think I can reverse engineer dreams to make, like... to affect a pre-determined outcome before I go to sleep. For the whole dragon thing, I have two leads: that instinctual feeling I got the other day, and pushing my Transmutation magic further. I have ideas on how to do that, too." My eye ridges furrowed as I began sinking into the various possibilities before me.
"What are they?" Betiara's question immediately pulled me out of my reverie. I hadn't expected her to ask, but the others were looking on with genuine interest.
"Well, I guess, um... I could kill two birds with one Transmuter's Stone," I joked. Only Sekvi laughed. An attempt was made. "In the course of forming it, I used a Transmutation spell and some of my own wild magic to imbue the stone with my signature. More than dreams, I could find a way to reverse engineer myself."
"I had no idea that your work was so involved, love. That's impressive." Sekvi leaned their back against the wall with a smug expression. As far as I was concerned, they had earned it.
"You're a much better fit for books than you are hammers."
"Thanks, love, and Keff. I hope so, I mean, you've all said my growth has been... uncommon. I guess I just have a knack for it."
"You've more than a knack, Madison. If you'll pardon the question, did you partake in puzzles as a child?"
"All the time. Physical ones, simulated ones in video games, thought experiments, riddles, all kinds of stuff. I guess I've never been content with the idea of 'the way things are.' People see anything from instinct to government as immutable; I never really agreed with that." It was no wonder that I felt a draw toward Arcane magic; I had been thoroughly predisposed toward its possibilities. "Our understanding of things is fluid, and it grows with age, experience and interacting with the subject. It doesn't even take imagination, it just takes willingness to imagine how things could be different." Betiara offered a resolute nod of her head as I concluded my self-evaluation. Sekvi and Keff exchanged a look, and Lilika simply beamed at me.
"Maybe that's all it'll take for you to figure this out, too. It was very similar for my ex-husband." Our attention fell to Lilika. We knew that any mention of the bear meant that she was imparting something very meaningful. "I remember he said that... oh, that once he stopped trying to be a bear, it happened when the time was right. He said he met a stone wall that he couldn't break. When he became water, he could seep through the pores. You go about things differently, so I'd say you should find a way to accomplish that within your kind of magic." This wasn't an approach I was familiar with, but it lay very much outside the box. I met Lilika's eyes with a look of gentle consideration as I attempted to contextualize her advice within my magical understanding. If will was pressure applied to stone, then transmuting myself into something that held inherent pressure within could be a way to press myself through the wall. Perhaps I had to make a transmuter's stone out of myself. This was the way in which I could reverse-engineer myself!
That was it! I was on the right track. "The dead have a lot to teach us, don't they?" My eyes momentarily flicked to Keff. He offered a smile in return.
"As much as life itself, sweetie," Lilika answered. We sat in contemplation of this fact for a moment. Betiara's expression didn't change, but I could tell she was thinking, too. Keff was happy to have his interest understood. Sekvi's expression fell, ever so slightly, into silent mourning. "So, all that said, I think we should spend the day together. What do y'all think?"
"Sure."
"I would honestly enjoy that very much."
"That sounds good to me."
"Doing what?"
"That's my next question," Lilika announced as she slapped her thighs. “Ideas?”
"I think we should go out again," Keff insisted without skipping a beat. "We know we can handle danger now, and we need to get the word out before it's too late."
"I agree," Betiara affirmed, "as long as it's unanimous."
"The villages await our shining faces!"
"I..." Finishing the sentence was difficult. I was far more wary of said dangers after seeing so many of us injured by hungry dentridi. What else lay waiting for hapless travelers? Still, I wanted to spend time with them. Given that I was already outvoted, I decided that I'd compromise my plans with theirs. "...I need to run some errands first, if that's alright. Padip needs the first 250 copies of Star Wars and I need to do some reading today. I don't know how I'll do that while we travel, but, I'll, deal."
"How would you read them to begin with? They're most likely in Common." Betiara made a very good point.
"Christ," I whispered as my hand met my face.
"Relax, we'll split the reading between us while we walk," Keff offered. "We won't leave you out in the cold; go get your books."
"I'm coming with you," Betiara stated. It wasn't a request, but a stated fact. I wouldn't think of discouraging her company in either case.
"Well, let's get to it. We'll be back soon." I quickly donned my fineries and gathered the rest of my breakfast to eat while I walked. Betiara's armor was on by the time I emerged from the room. We left together for Padeji Publications, arriving after a brisk journey through a cool breeze. The morning's clear sky promised a pleasant day in the plains. Knocking on the door provided us no timely answer, so we decided to enter of our own volition. I soon ascertained that no one had heard our knocking; the bindery was a flurry of activity. Piles of unbound books were quickly remedied by practiced hands along sizeable tables. Further inside the building, workers wearing thick gloves, goggles and masks processed dyes under fume hoods. Betiara's nose wrinkled at the smell while I held my breath. The dyes likely weren't harmful, but they hardly smelled pleasant. We eventually arrived at Padip's office and gave this door a knock as well. This time, we were swiftly answered.
"Madison," he announced with enthusiasm.
"Hi Padip, I'm here to make the first pressing."
"Good, good. And who is this?" The man's eyes were wide as they inspected Betiara's beautiful, wild, intimidating form. "Never seen a werewolf up close."
"Betiara. There aren't a lot of us here."
"Are you from Arborea, Betiara?"
"No." When she declined to offer more specificity, Padip motioned for us to follow him back up the hallway. Betiara leaned over to whisper in my ear.
"He passed the test. Seems alright."
"Do you think werewolves are common in Arborea?"
"Probably, I've heard it's a temperate rainforest."
"Plenty of places for elves and others to hide," Padip offered without an ounce of bother in his voice. "Anyway, material storage, take this table. How long did you say this will take?"
"Like, ten...? Minutes, I think?" Padip clapped his hands together and leaned out into the hallway.
"Teratha? Ten, no, fifteen minutes," he shouted in a language that wasn't Common. Judging by Betiara's expression, the notification was provided in Elven. "Please, I must watch." He ushered the two of us over to the table. After taking a seat on an empty section of shelving, both my love and my business partner looked on with interest. I noticed a crate of ink vials on my left and a stack of perfectly cut paper on my right, alongside a stack of pre-stamped covers and a tub of resin. Without any further ado, I began to work my magic. The first copy of my book lay open before me, and as I worked, I requested that Betiara turn the pages so that I didn't risk breaking my concentration. Materials hurried themselves through the air as I chanted away in Draconic. A cover laid itself over the table first. Pages, 250 at a time, were inked with each dutiful motion of Betiara’s paw. These pages were then reverse-collated into their proper order while glue evenly slathered itself along the inside of the cover's spine. Each page slid perfectly into place. After a short time, the first edition was complete, its contents neatly stacked upon the table.
"I've never seen anything like it," Betiara laughed. "That was amazing! Wow. How many can you make at a time?"
"According to last night's calculations, 42,000 a pop." Betiara's mouth hung open.
"What a spell," Padip exclaimed, his fists pumping into the air. "What a mage! You're a bookbinder's dream! My lady, please tell Sekvi that I am very impressed!"
"Ah," I replied, my cheeks burning purple. "I'm just happy I can make this happen." It was the truth; at the core of everything, I was excited to share something I enjoyed with this world. My misgivings over monetary involvement were eased as I beheld the pride of my love. I offered her the master copy with both hands, and we met in the middle for a quick kiss.
"So this is your wildest heart! Very good," Padip said in approval as he set a heavy box upon the work table. "For the happy couple. Madison, return in a few days so we can assess sales and pay according to the numbers. Betiara, good to meet you. I've got work, goodbye for now!" Without a further word, he began transferring the finished books to a nearby cart and calling staff into the room. Betiara and I, in the interest of speaking softly, quickly left the building so the professionals could work their own magic. The 1,000 gold pieces were safely stored inside the Bag of Holding by the time we breathed fresh air again. We walked hand in paw on our way down to the Arcanist Conclave. As always, we were followed by a guard. I briefly entertained using Invisibility to shake them from our trail, but we would undoubtedly attract attention by the entrance of the building, and I wanted to save my energy in case we encountered trouble today.
Betiara remained as alert as ever. Fithi was nowhere in sight as we made our way to the Transmutation department. Not even Gwyl questioned Betiara's presence; I assumed having guests was a perk of the royal crest that adorned my new sash. We quickly gathered three books: Nereva and Alanuwa: a History of Conflict, Bodies as Water, and Children of the Stars. I was eager to leave in spite of Gwyl's gentle protests. We had things to do today, and sticking around would invite an encounter with Fithi. Assurances that I'd soon return to compose new spells bought us a pleasant exit. Fortune wasn't with us as we left the building, however; the person I least wanted to encounter passed us in the hallway. Fithi was flanked by two attendants dressed in royal garb. The three of them passed us without stopping. I was sure to keep my staff held just above the ground so that she wouldn't hear its potentially telltale tap against the stone. This earned me a look of concern from my love, which I returned with a stern, but subtle nod of my head. Her hackles were raised.
"That was her," I whispered once we had left our trailing guard at a safe distance. "The one with the consort and the cane."
"I thought so." Her murmuring tone suggested a busy mind. "I see why you're worried; she's not just a painter."
"She's a member of the Conclave."
"No... she's strong, and it's obvious that there's something off about her. Her scent is wrong. I don't like it."
"I don't want to say 'I told you so-'"
"I wasn't down there," she stated in conclusion of the matter.
"Is she stronger than I am?"
"Stronger than Sekvi."
"How do you constitute that measurement?"
"Consider my past, love." My eye ridges rose in recognition of Betiara's point. She had been a member of a criminal organization and a mercenary, as well as captain of the Karthos Bend guard. If anyone knew trouble when she saw it, it was Betiara. "I noticed you lifted your staff when you saw her. Did you expect a fight, or were you avoiding a conversation?"
"The latter... I dunno," I sighed. "Maybe I don't need to be so freaked out. She's sharp; she wouldn't try to fight me here, and I don't think she has a reason to unless..."
"...unless you're worried about Therimurk?"
"Her scales were blue. I got it bad enough; she let him in." I could feel my pulse beginning to skyrocket in consideration of the topic. "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Sorry." This was clearly out of character for me, which Betiara noticed without hesitation. She draped her arm across my shoulders and pulled me close as we returned to the apartment. I felt sick to my stomach, fearful, and angry. With any luck, Belot was underground putting an end to Therimurk's withered shade. The strangeness of the situation crystallized into a moment of uncertainty. A few short months ago, I never would have believed such events were possible. All I had to deal with were hateful roommates, a job I couldn’t stand and bad memories of my childhood. Even those memories had silver linings, however. The notion of 'bootstraps' and 'hard work' were, of course, bullshit, but lengthy shifts at Taco Bell had allowed me to transition and free myself from my parents' grip. I hadn't enjoyed it, but it meant that I'd made choices in the face of trauma long before I arrived in Nereved.
My pulse had calmed by the time we reunited with the rest of the group. Sekvi praised the quality of Gwyl's literary recommendations with wanton enthusiasm. It was quickly decided that Sekvi, Keff and Betiara would read a book each as we walked or experienced idle time, and would relay their findings to me when able. I preferred reading the books myself, but we didn't have that kind of time. Lilika and I would be required to watch our surroundings while the others were occupied, which meant that while my thoughts could wander, but my focus could not. We left through the Northwest gate with marshland on our distant right. The road led closer to the sodden shore further ahead, revealing fishing villages in the distance. I smelled salt on the air, and Lilika assured us that the scent would get stronger as we left the plains' windy span. Our gradual path toward the shoreline granted me visions of ships sailing over the horizon.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye. My instincts once again begged me to spread wings that I didn't currently have. An impatient frustration settled in my stomach. I had to figure this out, not just for my comfort, but for my development as a mage and as a person. "Can we stop for a second?" The group paused to look at me, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. "I um... I want to try to be water. Um, I'll, step away in case something happens." Curiosity met my hesitant assertion, but no one protested as I put moderate distance between us. I closed my eyes and pictured myself as a dragon. It felt strangely familiar to me, as if I had always been such a creature. Stillness filled me with empty air as my being came to rest, and I breathed. I opened my eyes to see trailing wisps of multicolored magical strings float from my mouth into the air. It was such a simple thing to see, but it filled me with the gentle wonder of an innocent wish. I was getting somewhere.
"You're getting close," Lilika observed as she approached. "How does it feel?"
"It feels like a home I've never had," I explained, the words forming effortlessly in my mind. She placed a hand on my arm and smiled up at me in that wonderful way.
"You're almost there. Until and after that, you have a home with us." Lilika could cut through every wall within me. My heart felt so open to love, and it grew wider every day. I gave her a hug that carried us back to the others. We resumed our trek in hopeful silence. No danger made itself known along the road, leaving me easily able to study my environment. Tall, thin grass on our left contrasted a sea of reeds on our right. This amount of unspoiled land was a rarity on Earth, but here a simple dirt path was all that lay between the city and the villages. Everything in between was open, fresh, and intact. I felt so calm in the sun and open air, and everyone else seemed to feel the same way. Memories of watching the night sky from my perch returned to me. These moments carried a similar peace, with both now associated with my goal to assume my truest shape. Memories... some day they would be all I had of these times.
"Well, this is very interesting," Sekvi began as they looked up from their book about the Weave. "There are tales of travelers, such as yourself, assuming different forms when they arrive here. The phenomenon appears to be infrequent, but it occurs nonetheless. Isn't that interesting?"
"Do you think that's a passive effect, or a consequence of touching the Weave? I remember you wondering if I made a wish when I touched the string." There were others through history that had experienced the same thing I had. Knowing this made me feel more grounded to this world, though I worried for the wellbeing of those that had suffered worse introductions than I had.
"I've not the slightest idea. However, it's certainly left its mark on you! Your breath is comprised of wild magic, and some would assert that wild magic is the purest form of magic itself." Sekvi showed me a page illustrating the appearance of the Weave; much like I'd seen in other books, it was a perfect recreation of my dream. "The Weave is believed to be the source of magical energy in our universe. Whether divine, natural or artificial in origin, its presence is woven into all physical and spiritual matter here. Due to the immense magic at play, someone universally transmigrated would likely first appear at a space of its greatest confluence. That is, in unmitigated presences of wild magic... untouched forests, the depths of the ocean, or among the very stars themselves." The idea was difficult to grapple with. I knew that the presence of life drew magical energy from the air, which would lead to a flow of influx similar to that of water into a lower point. There weren't many wizards in space.
"So that's why we're called that; sometimes we appear in space before going elsewhere. Has... anyone gotten stuck out there?"
"If they have, we'd little way of knowing it." A look of worry came over Sekvi as they considered my question. "Regardless, I hope this information gives you perspective on your experience."
"It does, definitely. Thank you." Meeting others like me could provide insight into the reasons or the mechanisms by which we arrived here. All kinds of people could have come from anywhere on Earth, even from different time periods. Was there a chance that others had come from still other worlds? Reading the book myself could give me the answer, if only I could find some time; undermining a war effort and composing spells had become part-time jobs in themselves. "How long ago was the last recorded instance?"
"I haven't finished the book, but it told of an arrival some 400 years ago: Morris Cobb. He is listed unfavorably as being 'disturbed,' and disappearing a short time after his arrival."
"That's an English name where I come from. He was probably from Earth." People likely thought I was 'disturbed' when I arrived here, too.
"Probably got eaten by something you don't have on Earth," Keff observed. He was probably right.
"I'm really glad you found me instead of a volg."
"Yeah, me too. So I'm getting that Alanuwa and Nereva have a history of land disputes, mostly over resource availability. The former had some farmland here that the Sun King annexed a while back... broke a treaty."
"He was trying to impress his father," Sekvi added while rolling their eyes.
"The wealthy make an object out of nature," Lilika lamented. "A tale as old as time."
"It gets worse. Alanuwa's mostly in a dry belt, so there's not a lot of farmland or forest there. The book was written five years ago and it's talking about economic troubles outside the islands. No wonder they're upset."
"The Alsakar islands?"
"Yeah, in the South. The volcanic soil's good for plants."
"Does it get much rainfall, Keff?" I appreciated the practical nature of Lilika's interests.
"It says here, yeah. The Southeast winds that come from Ygsild get warmer and wetter by the time they get here, then they head South."
"So they have trans-oceanic trade there, too," I ventured. "If the wind pushes Southeast, that's why voyages from the West Furrows aren't so common."
"Right you are, Madison!"
"It's part of what took Earth so long to explore the Northwest Passage," I explained. "The currents come South from the arctic between Canada and Greenland, which is a problem for everyone East of North America. It's barren and cold, too." The amount of time I'd spent researching shipwrecks on YouTube was unreasonable. I had no idea why I watched such videos, but they had given me a very healthy fear of the ocean.
"Is there a comparable equivalent of the Alsakar islands on Earth, then?"
"If it's green, probably the Caribbean islands... and maybe New Zealand, but that's on the other side of the planet."
"Fascinating... our planets have much in common with each other," Sekvi said with a smile.
"Nature is nature, after all."
"So that's mostly what I got out of this book so far. You find anything, Betiara?"
"It talks about different kinds of shapeshifters, but it doesn't explain much in the way of methodology."
"How did you learn to do it, love?" My question prompted her to close the book so she could focus on her memories. She gave our surroundings a quick sweep before she answered my question.
"It was difficult at first. Shifts would happen without warning regardless of the moon's phase. Something instinctual was there that wasn't there before... over time I found a balance with it, and that lets me tip the balance when I choose to." That was likely my answer, then. I had to find a way to make peace with what I was, to find understanding and precipitate balance from its solution. This would not be an easy task, but I'd already made the first step in doing so. I just needed to keep walking.
"I think that confirms what I tried earlier." Betiara's right arm rested over my shoulders while her free paw slipped the book into my Bag of Holding. These simple actions told me everything that I needed to hear. I breathed, secure in the fact that I had love and support even I could have never dreamed of. "Thank you, love. I'll figure it out."
"I know." If I were to make peace with myself, I needed to understand what I was. Some part of me was a dragon, but what was the rest? Recent choices flooded into my mind as I observed my friends. Sekvi's grace met Lilika's wisdom as they spoke of craft together. Keff's practical observations made Betiara laugh, and she provided insightful counterpoint that led her conversation partner to join her. I found myself smiling as I watched my friends exist. They came together as they had countless times before: centered around me. My tiny life and my tiny problems were only that in reality, but the world around us made me feel so much larger. Dragons weren't immune to inevitable commonalities of all living beings; even so, there was a price to be paid for that comfort. I would have to watch everyone wither and die long before I'd be able to join them. Was that worth the confirmation I could feel once I finally got my wish? Would it be worth the responsibility of being a dragon?
Opportunities to introspect like this were so rare. Being transgender had taught me that one could try to live life any way they wanted, but the truth in one's existence would make itself known somehow; it was best to lean into that truth and figure the rest out later. Part of me wished that life didn't have to be such a complex endeavor. The act of living was a simple, singular choice that we made every day, and I felt I could be content with that. Beyond that, social obligations, morality, wants and needs painted a tapestry of contrasting colors. These colors, with the glowing highs of my recent life and the cool lows of my past, threatened to overwhelm me. If only I could choose to have a comfortable body without being subjected to the complication that came with it! My quest to make the inside match the outside felt infinite in scope. I felt that I had made all the progress I was going to make right now, and decided to shift my attention back to the others.
We were approaching the edge of a coastal hamlet by the time I realized myself. A well-trodden boardwalk led to a pier on our right, safely elevated above the marshland. Houses made of wood and brick, much like those elsewhere on the plains, gathered around an intersection in our dirt path. The eyes of strangers lingered on our collective as we crossed the hamlet's boundary. Sekvi introduced us and our purpose, and we set about providing various aid. Keff sharpened and oiled tools, Lilika communicated the needs of animals to their tenders, Betiara helped prepare fishing boats with a grimace on her face, and Sekvi entertained the children with song. I found solace in cleaning blankets and clothing with my magic. I found drive to provide practical and necessary benefits for people that needed it the most. This simple work made me feel connected to the people of this world. Far from the symbolic nature of dragon kind, I preferred to have my boots on the ground while making real change where it was most needed.
The hamlet held little ground to cover, so our tasks were completed in short order. Lilika suggested that we spend some leisure time by the shore. In unanimous agreement, we located a sandy area on the other side of the marsh and made ourselves comfortable. Betiara, Keff and Sekvi enthusiastically plunged into the water, splashing each other and laughing. I imagined my love didn't want to sit with Lilika and I; sand would only gather in her fur. It felt awkward to see everyone in their underwear, so I kept my eyes focused on the nearby fishing boats while clutching the cinder block in my hand. The predictable wash of the ocean inspired gentle calm. Vibrations of sound, some beyond my hearing, grounded me in a way that I never expected. Until now, the ocean was merely an environmental concern, but it bloomed into a dimensional force as waves curled and rolled against the shore. I looked over to Lilika. She understood my expression far better than I did.
"You feeling it, sweetie?" I blinked and made a mental note to speak to Lilika about her phrasing.
"Yeah, I think so. The way it..." I traced a pointer finger over a ridge of sand, leaving a small divot that evened its surrounding plane. "It's just molecules of water, rising and falling. Waves." Lilika smiled, but her glow quickly faded into concern.
"I have something to say, but I'm not sure how to say it."
"Is it about how I'd make a good Druid?" Her smile returned as she nodded her head. "I wonder about it sometimes. I'm content with my study and where it's going, but I mean, the grass is always greener, right?"
"As long as it has enough water."
"Hah! I hope so.... but yeah, I think about it. It amazes me how you can have a connection like that. You cast so effortlessly, and you protect us and heal us. It's really special."
"So is your mind, Madison. You know so much about why magic works, it comes to you naturally! It makes me wonder what else is possible." I couldn't help but smile. My cheeks started to burn. Knowing that I inspired others felt like the greatest gift that anyone could give me.
"Thank you, mom. I know you're not trying to sway me or anything. Diversification is helpful; maybe once things calm down, we can exchange, um, methodology."
"I'd love that. I really would." She gestured for me to come closer, and I met her in a hug in spite of my shyness. "I see the progress you're making. You're dealing with so much at once, but you're overcoming it, taking it into yourself and making a choice. That makes me so proud." Words fled me as I tried to meet hers. I felt my eyes grow wet, and I hugged Lilika a little tighter.
"I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Well... you'll find out eventually, but I think you'll be okay."
"What if I don't want to? Lose you, I mean." Pats upon my back gave me the stillness I needed to feel her next words.
"You've learned the ground without falling, which leaves the sky. Every baby bird leaves their nest one day." We lingered, embracing, until we heard a familiar voice shouting from the water.
"Ho, out of the water!" Keff was ushering an eager Sekvi and a reluctant Betiara toward the shore. Lilika and I stood and scanned the horizon for trouble. A short ways into the water lay a single-occupant fishing boat, and it was rocking in an unnatural fashion as dark shapes folded over its sides.
"Sure, let's run away from the person that needs help," Betiara groused as she watched the situation unfold.
"We would welcome another course of action, then!" Sekvi's sarcasm earned them a roll of Keff's eyes.
"You two can argue; I'll swim out there once it's clear."
"And get eaten?" I stood with staff in hand. A catalogue of spells rushed through my head. Perhaps I could Enhance Betiara's Ability to swim, but whatever had hold of the boat could likely chase her down.
"I have an idea," Lilika said, her firm tone drawing the group's attention. "Madison, Sekvi, y'all got something to sharpen my reflexes?" I drew a languid string of magical energy from my staff. It wove around my hand, turning green as I lay my hand on my mother's shoulder.
"What are you gonna do?"
"Wait for the right moment." Lilika's eyes honed on the boat, and she settled into a casting stance with her staff pointed forward. "Just the right moment. Get ready!" None of us had any idea what to do, but I could see that Betiara was getting impatient. Without further warning, green light flashed as Lilika swung her staff up and back in a purposeful motion. An enormous rogue wave rose out of the water just as the boat's occupant leapt clear, carrying both the boat and the creature high into the air.
"What are you doing?!"
"She's doing magic, fluffy!"
"Spread out," Betiara shouted. We scattered to avoid being washed away by incoming water. Betiara and Keff went left, and I went right with Lilika and Sekvi. The crashing wave left a terrifying monolith of a creature beached before us. Blue-green skin covered its enormous, bulbous frame. Its comparatively stumpy tail lashed around the sand as it struggled to rise to its two claw like fins. Countless teeth were revealed as its long, flat head loosed a cry of anger. Luminous yellow eyes bore down on us as it assessed its new position.
"What the fuck is that," I shrieked.
"No idea," Lilika replied. "It's deep-sea; probably sick in a way I can't fix."
"Can you talk to it, help it or-"
"Nope!" A spray of sand coated us as the creature's fin swiped in our direction. Keff gave his hammer a twirl and rested it on his shoulder. Betiara was scanning the creature for weak points. I had no idea how to proceed. Sekvi, having taken cover behind the pier with Rags, leapt into action. Their symphonia sung a livening tune. I felt a strange sensation come over me, as if caffeine had joined the adrenaline in my blood.
"Stay lively," they suggested, ducking low while they continued their song, "and stay out of its way!" Considering the situation at hand, I was concerned that the monster's aquatic nature would discourage fire damage. Restraining it would aid in staying lively, so I flung a rose gold whip of thorns toward its neck. Its lashing form now restrained, I made a break for the pier to take cover with Sekvi. I heard a mighty declaration of battle soar from Keff's throat. He rushed in, head-on, and readied his hammer to strike. Three mighty strikes came down upon the creature's right fin. Sickening cracking sounds arose from enormous bones, prompting a roar of fury.
"There's more where that came from, you overgrown flounder!" Keff's insult primed Lilika to follow up with a signature blast of starry energy. Her cloak began to glow with the same power, which pulsed another blast at the creature. Both spells found their mark and paved the way for Betiara to strike next. She rushed the creature with arms poised as she pounced upon its side. Each strike of her claws was lightning fast, carving a precise matrix of scratches into the monster's skin. Our barrage inevitably gave way to the wrath of the displaced creature, and it turned its sights to Keff first. I had never seen Keff suffer grievous injury before, and that event would mercifully arrive another day! He shouted, more in protest than in pain, as a clawed fin closed around him. The other claw closed around Betiara. She was less durable, and her responding snarl quickly turned into a yelp of pain. I heard cracking bones that were much smaller than before. The following scream sent me scrambling out of cover, but Sekvi pulled me back.
"Do something," Betiara whined, her breaths constricted by shock.
"We have to kill that thing! She's gonna die," I urged without restraint.
"Steady, Madison. I've created a potent spell, but I'll need you to stay apart from me in case it becomes incensed."
"I'll blow it apart before it gets close. The beast will know fire!" I recoiled at the sound of my voice. It was, for the lack of a better word, draconic in its ferocity.
"We'll discuss that later. Cover your ears." Sekvi stood from cover and leveled their gaze at the monster. A screeching overtone erupted from their symphonia. Invisible energy gusted through the air, noticeable only by the ruffling space that parted around it. The creature flinched, grunted, and quickly shook its sense of confusion away.
"Cover your eyes," I shouted to everyone, and passed a look to Sekvi to ensure their understanding. The spell I readied had been used for a wonderful purpose, but had not yet carried the purpose for which it was created. This purpose was to impart the lesson of destruction I experienced in Karthos Bend. Now that Betiara's destruction was imminent, I felt that purpose awaken in me. I stood and wrapped my arm over my staff, holding it across my shoulder to steady my back while I aimed my free hand at the monster. I formed a finger gun, closed an eye, and fired. Far from the minimal effect I expected, the creature wailed in pain as fire singed through its skin and began burning the thick layer of fat beneath. It immediately set its sights on me. Before I could escape, it dropped Keff and Betiara and made a beeline for the pier. The fear of destruction made a home in me for the second time. Its approach was far faster than I expected. I felt the ground disappear below me as I was whipped into the air. A horrible crunching sound filled my ears... the last thing I remembered.
Familiar warmth coursed through me. I opened my eyes, finding myself in a wide open field of grass and wildflowers. This was the Karthos Valley I remembered, save for one change: it was entirely unspoiled. No settlements dotted the horizon, and no crags remained from the earthquake. Awe struck me as I realized the utter peace of this place. I felt the ever-present breeze strangely caress my form, which prompted immediate investigation. Wings ran along my back, leading to strong legs and a thick tail. As well, my neck bent in strange new ways. I was a dragon! I'd done it! Disbelieving laughter flooded the air as I instinctually rose to all four of my feet... paws! I ran without hesitation, bounding across the ground with my head held low. My wings spread as if on their own. I could feel every subtle shift of air against their membranes, and with a jump and a mighty series of flaps, I rose into the air. A roar of triumph echoed from the mountains on either side of the valley. I was finally whole... I was finally myself!
The vision came to a jarring end as I opened my eyes. A similarly clear sky and the relieved faces of my friends greeted me. Pain arrived immediately after; burning, searing pain contorted my expression. "What the hell? It hurts."
"Easy, no need to rush yourself," Sekvi urged. "Lilika will-"
"I was so scared, sweetie."
"She's almost as tough as me," Keff remarked with a clap on my shoulder that inspired further pain. "Stay with us, kid."
"Love, I-, Lilika?"
"It's coming." Her staff's emerald focus shimmered to life, and another wave of warmth came over me. I heard Betiara grunt as her ribs settled back into place. A relaxing song provided by Sekvi aided Lilika's efforts as all the pain in my body was swept away by a sphere of healing wind. "How's that, everyone?"
"All good here."
"My ribs are set again," Betiara sighed. "Thank you. Love... I'm so glad you're alright. Can you move?"
"Yeah," I answered, carefully sitting up to examine my surroundings. Water, only a few inches deep, gently lapped at our sodden clothing. Betiara descended on me with a tight hug. The world slowed as I returned the gesture. "What happened? It came at me and... it was loud and that's all I remember."
"Don't, and don't look behind you. We should go home," she announced with a surprisingly urgent tone. A man approached us, dripping wet and breathing heavily.
"Thank you for saving me from that thing. You even saved my boat! I have to give you something."
"Good sir, it is all in a day's work," Sekvi assured him. "The greatest reward would be to spread the word of coming war, and to discourage its participation. Alanuwa grows restless."
"I could have told you that," the man replied with a worried laugh. "But, sure, I'll make sure everyone knows. Thanks again." He was off without a further word. A gentle nudge raised my elbow; Rags had come to comfort me now that I was awake. I transferred my hug from my love to my fuzzy, braided friend.
"Hey Rags, there's a buddy. I'm okay, I'm okay. Are you alright?" Lilika spoke to Rags in her druidic language, earning a bark in response.
"He's ready to go home and eat. So am I!" Worry lingered on her face as she offered me her hand. I gave Rags an affirming pat after I rose to my feet.
"I can clean our clothes off. I'm all wet..."
"That can wait," Betiara said a little too quickly. "Just don't look behind you. Let's go." We departed without further hesitation. Betiara's arm lay firmly over my shoulders as we made for Nereved. I wanted to look behind me, but my subtle attempt at doing so was met by a paw turning my head forward. This felt odd to me; what didn't she want me to see?
"Why can't I look back?"
"Madison, I daresay you endure enough nightmares." My concern must have been visible. Sekvi took it as an opportunity to offer reassurance. "It's nothing bad, in of itself... but please, trust us."
"This just feels weird. Come on."
"She won't leave it alone," Keff insisted. "When she gets an idea in her head, it stays there. Remember when she thought she died?"
"Yes, I do. That lasted for some time."
"I'm still not entirely sure... it's hard enough to believe that I have friends now."
"Well, since you almost died today, you would have had to die twice. Does that make sense?"
"Keff," Betiara protested.
"She was going to figure it out."
"Was it... close?" A hush fell over the party. Sekvi and Lilika began to speak, but thought better of it. Keff caught an elbow from Betiara. This told me almost everything I needed to know, and the rest of the story arrived while Betiara was distracted. I turned around and immediately wished that I hadn't. The monster's corpse was facing the ocean. Its Fireball wound was substantial and smoldering, but the enormous gash in the center of the wound and its spilled entrails clearly explained what had transpired. My eyes went wide as I turned back around. I held my staff to my chest and began to shake. Never again would I square off with a giant monster without adequate protection; I hadn't even cast Mage Armor before engaging in battle. My love squeezed my shoulder and parted with a sigh. A closer inspection of her paw revealed that some of her fur was matted with blood.
"She looked."
"Oh, sweetie, are you alright?" Lilika was already coming in for a hug, and I accepted it. Keff merely shrugged while Sekvi cast a worried look in my direction.
"I don't want to think about it. How did, um, we save the guy? There's currents and shit." Sekvi was quick to accept this change of topic.
"Lilika used her druidic prowess to shape herself into a strong swimmer! It was quite the gallant affair."
"Oh, well, I couldn't leave him out there to drown."
"Maybe we shouldn't pick fights like giant monsters anymore," I ventured. "This one wasn't even attacking us."
"He was attacking someone else," Lilika insisted. "Plus, you saw how your Fireball burned all that blubber?"
"It wasn't supposed to be here?"
"Exactly. It's from the deeper sea; something was wrong with it. I noticed cysts under its skin, probably parasitic, so its pod probably saw how sick it was and left it behind. If it was hungry and confused enough to come to the shore and attack a fishing boat, it was already on its way." Lilika gestured to her staff. "Druids do more than commune with nature; we preserve it in a way that helps more than hurts. All those animals in the shallows will have food now, and that means more food for the villagers, too. I don't like their choice of diet, but keeping the energy moving is part of the job sometimes. Nothing else calls to me like this does." I recalled our trip into the snowy forest outside of Letvel. We discovered a flaming lip flower, and I was cautioned to avoid harvesting too many of them for their scarcity and lack of longevity. This focus on preservation likely contributed to her decision to not bury her ex-husband upon putting him out of his misery. The death of the sea monster had been another mercy killing.
"Are you okay, mom?"
"We're all safe, and the sun'll rise tomorrow. I'm just fine, sweetie." Rags punctuated the assertion with a bark; Rags was a very good boy. I breathed a little easier as we made our way back to Nereved. After casting Prestidigitation on Betiara's cuirass, I leaned against her to steady myself. Keff prompted a discussion about Star Wars to keep me distracted from the fact that I had been eaten and nearly carried out to sea. It worked very well, and even garnered interest from those that hadn't yet read the book. With a trip to the bath house and supper being completed by sundown, we all sat together while Sekvi read the story aloud. Their charismatic gusto easily carried Keff and Lilika's interest while I supplied occasional notes. Han Solo's interaction with Greedo was captured in a moment of inspired perfection. I felt safe enough to doze against Betiara's shoulder. Tomorrow could bring a delayed emotional reaction to the events of today, but for now, I was happy to be alive.