Caveat Invidia

[Csephion Draxus]

After the carnage of the Arena, the Satrap had taken his guest's desire for repose to heart, and obliged not only Ariadne, but himself as well. There were walks through the gardens, decorated and perfumed with metaphysics and introspection as much as the eel pond smelled of delicate pink dragonlillies floating on the surface. The paramours continued onward from there, catching a private barge just a scant two miles off shore to a private island, where the evening blended into a sublime parade of beautiful young men and women, heavenly music, exotic food, and the sort of sophisticant's debauchery that comes from the escape of ever-quickening ennui.

As dawn crept across the contours of the island, Draxus willed himself awake. Whatever delightful magic was at work the past day, it had waned noticably now. He felt the vigors of yesterday, but he was also once again remembering his age.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

He had showed to her a world rich in a beauty all its' own, and Fyrian had drank of it deeply. She was not used to such things, and enjoyed herself far more than she thought she would have. It was such a different experience than what she was used to from a life at sea; drunken carousing, tavern fighting, barely tolerable ales, and of course the random men that she had often-times woken up beside the next morning. So completely unlike all of what she'd grown up with, she took great delight in not only the Satrap's presence, but where he took her.

Far from the stories of Necians that her father had often told her, Fyrian found that Draxus held a softness to his core that she was now utterly taken with. Was it his years, and the hardships of war that he'd known that made him appreciate the gentler and more beautiful aspects of life?

But it was the nagging question of what she would do once away from Necia that troubled her more. She would be able to flee; able to find Glasswater, and the Lantern that he carried for her still. Would she be able to finish what her Kariun had wished with his dying breath?

Rolling over in the bed, Fyrian groggily sought comfort in the crook of his arm.

"Tell the sun to go back behind the mountains," she half-slurred.

[Csephion Draxus]

"I would have stopped years from passing were she to listen."

Draxus felt parched, but was not so ill prepared as to be hung over. He gestured to an ever-attending slave.

"Water."

The slave retreated to fetch a pitcher and cup, and Draxus followed Ariadne's line of sight to the view of the sunrise. The salt air at his nose smelled nostalgically pleasant. Was this a positive omen from Denetion?

[Ariadne Fyrian]

For a few moments more she stared, then slowly sat up. Wiping hands over her face, she then swept her fingers up and through her hair. The previous evening had been a whirlwind of fine wine, entertainment, and of course other activities.

"It is her way of mocking those she watches over."

Fyrian was loathe to let it all go just yet, and she hunched forward to stretch the muscles of her back.

[Csephion Draxus]

"One could see it that way, but I imagine even the best moment frozen in time would draw one to madness if held unmoved."

The slave returned with water, and Draxus drank deeply, passing the cup to Ariadne.

"The yearning for a new moment, be it good or bad, is what drives us on."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

She accepted the cup and took a tentative sip. The water was cool on her tongue, and she tipped it up once more, this time taking it in hungrily. Finally satisfied, she returned the cup back to Draxus.

She regarded him for a small amount of time, green eyes searching his face, looking for nothing in particular, and the look she gave him was one full of curiosity.

"What new moment is it that you now push yourself towards, then?"

[Csephion Draxus]

"That moment will be to see you returned to me soon, safely, with the Imperator and our prize in tow. Each day that I rise and fall will be in deference to that day."

He rose from bed, stretching gradually as he walked closer to the window. Here, he breathed in deeply, and surveyed the steeply-dropping descent to the waves below the villa's window.

"Regulus Varo makes by far poorer company in your noted absence, but I resolve to persevere in the face of his small-minded rancor."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

What was she to say to that? Fyrian frowned; it was an expression he could not see as he stared out the window, and she turned to look away at the far wall.

Once she had found Glasswater and the Lantern, would it be wise to return at all? While he still had her crew, he was turning her loose to travel southward, and the presence of the Necian force he'd planned to send would not be able to stop her from simply disappearing in the night.

Wiping the frown away, Fyrian slid from the bed as well to approach the Satrap from behind.

He was so sure that she would come back.

Stopping at his side to follow his gaze downward, she spoke softly.

"It is a shame that you are who you are and I am who I am."

[Csephion Draxus]

"What do you mean"

Torn from his vantage, Draxus looked back at her. He reluctantly retreated from the window as she spoke, and proceeded to dress himself, this time in a more austere covering.

Something grew like a storm on her mind, and Draxus could tell she was deep in thought.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Her fingernails scraped lightly over the window sill as she turned back around to face him while he dressed.

"I'm a merchant, and very much not high bred. You wish for me to come back to you after this endeavor, but what will your fellow Satraps - the people of Necia even - see out of that. You have told me that how you present yourself to them is of the utmost importance."

An itch grew along the uppermost gill slits on one side of her neck, and she reached up a finger to delicately scratch at it. A small amount of silence settled between the two as she thought.

He would know at some point; whether told by someone else or by discovering the truth on his own.

"To return... is that your choice, or mine?"

[Csephion Draxus]

"It is my wish."

He stated at last.

"Nevermind the small expectations of others. You're a woman who can speak with sophistication on her own accord. If the consensus is that I should be seen with a rich woman, then I shall make you rich. If the consensus is that I should be seen with a powerful woman, then I shall make you powerful. I have more than a talent for either."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"That is comforting to know."

Yet the look on her face was still worried. Worry at something only she knew. Worry at, despite his words, what he would do after this whole charade of hers ended.

Pushing away from the window, she moved to where a fresh change of clothing had been laid out for her. Far unlike Draxus' more proper apparel, hers was for traveling; they her own in fact. Her shark leathers and other weathered garb.

"I will pray to Denetion that you are given your wish."

It was all she could think of to say.

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus watched her change, deep in thought over the exchange. He didn't say a word further about it, and they continued their morning ritual.

The ferry to Demos was waiting below, and they both boarded on the morning excursion, headed back to the Necian capital. At the massive port ahead, a contingent of armed soldiers could be seen assembled around a squadron of triremes.

"It looks like our Imperator is up early as well." Draxus commented as they negotiated the last hundred meters of water before the pier ahead.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"It appears so," Fyrian agreed. Her attentions were elsewhere howver, and she gave glances up along the line of piers that extended in both directions. She squinted into the sun for a few minutes, then tugged at the wide leather belt around her middle.

"Fyrian's ship, the Chiron... what have you done with it?"

[Csephion Draxus]

"Stripped clean and scuttled at sea."

The waves chopped audibly this close to shore, and Draxus watched the figure of Mako growing as the boat neared the dock.

"Keeping such a thing seaworthy in our wake would be an ill omen."

The boat finally approached close enough for slaves to toss mooring lines to the pier, and the ferry was brought close and held fast.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

The look she gave him at such news she could not hold back, but Fyrian was still quick to cover it up with a sharp turn away, looking out to the side and down to the waves below. Scuttled! Her ship! Sent to the ocean floor. She would never see it again.

She caught herself mid-scowl, and returned her features to a more neutral appearance.

Still; her boat had been sunk below the waters. It was the last crushing blow to her pride, and she sighed.

"Of course it would."

The murmur was all she was willing to give to him, and the sight of Mako only made her brush a hand over the pommel of her sheathed blade. It was a curious weapon, the blade swept forward and sharp on only one side. The pommel itself was a simple circle, quartered by a cross.

It was the same symbol that was the head of the raven tattooed upon her back.

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus had caught her look of concern, and made a curious expression.

"Why does it trouble you so?"

She seemed almost sympathetic to the pirates' plight, but perhaps it was just a shared affinity for the sea at work.

Draxus climbed from the ferry, and extended a hand to Ariadne to come with him.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"It was a fine ship."

Taking his hand, she stepped easily from the gently rocking ferry to stand solidly on the pier.

"I would have taken it off your hands."

And indeed she would have.

[Csephion Draxus]

"If I had only known your affections for the belleaguered vessel, I would have spared it."

The pair walked toward the amassing of soldiers, escorted as always by the Satrap's retinue.

"I will endeavor to build something even fleeter upon the sea."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"That is kind of you, but unnecessary."

Staring ahead, Fyrian let her eyes wander over the men that had been chosen to march south. They looked well-traveled and disciplined, and she was briefly reminded of facing down such men whenever she spent time raiding with her father. They were formidable, but able to be defeated with determination.

Her gaze went to Mako for a moment, and she gave the Captain a look from head to toe, trying to gauge the man by how he held himself in uniform.

Eventually she gave the Satrap a sideways look.

"There is no need to build another boat. It would mean more to me if you simply held the same opinion of myself after I return."

If she decided to return at all.

[Csephion Draxus]

The Satrap nodded deferentially.

"Return, and it shall be so."

He clasped her hands with his, taking the last brief moment of solitude they had before being thrust upon the larger mission.

"I will give a ram to Denetion every day until your return, in good health and spirit."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian gave his cheek a soft kiss, and his hands a gentle squeeze. So soon after their meeting on the road to Tirgatia, she had developed a strong fondness for the Satrap; a fondness that confounded her sensibilities and instincts. Kariun no doubt was writhing in his watery grave as his daughter consorted with his hated enemy.

Her lips whispered in his ear then.

"My time here has been a wondrous thing, and my host a man apart. My utmost thanks go to him for not allowing me to leave Tirgatia."

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus smiled and whispered back.

"You have given me a new and unique appreciation for life that I had too long ago feared had succumbed to atrophy."

He released her without a kiss. Not here. That would await her on her return.

He looked to Captain Mako, and nodded with authority.

"See to it that she is well protected, Imperator. On your honor."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

A smile, and Fyrian stepped away from Draxus. She was leaving Necia, and though it was in the company of Necian soldiers, the fact remained.

She harbored regret at her subterfuge, and the feelings for the Satrap that had grown like weeds around the game she played. But no, such things could not be followed. She knew why Kariun had taken the Lantern - indeed he'd been allowed to take it; what looked like theft had been merely a ploy staged by Cano Draxus of the Csephii. And now Kariun was dead, and his daughter largely smitten by the orchestrator of this grand scheme.

She clung to her duties however.

Blood was thicker than Denetion's waters, or so it was said.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako, now risen to Imperator, wore armor fitting of the station, which gleamed in the morning's light. His helmet, plumed with large tail feathers from the Velliphrax, was held fast in the crook of his arm.

The small alottment of soldiers at his command were already finished loading provision onto the ships in the Imperator's command. Glaucan sailors tested the timbers and rigging meticulously, as the troops milled about on deck, eating hard tack and saltmeats, sharpening swords, and other such things.

The Imperator acknowledged the Satrap with a sharp salute, and turned his attention to his charge.

"Lady Ariadne, we're ready to launch."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

A look was sent to the ships moored, and Fyrian only gave Mako a nod. She had no words for him at the moment, and quietly passed by him. His armor was a thing to behold without doubt.

Stopping, the Glaucan turned back to Draxus, a look of thoughtful sorrow on her features before reaching up to unclasp the waterstone charm around her neck. She approached the Satrap once more, and taking his hand, she turned his palm upward.

Fyrian placed the necklace in his hand.

"It is who I am."

Her voice was low, meant only for his ears, and she opened her mouth as if to speak once more, but shut it just as quickly. Without another word the Glaucan woman turned about and walked once more past Mako, making quick work of the boarding ramp leading up to the ship's deck.

The waterstone charm she'd left in Draxus' hand caught the sun in only the way that waterstone could; the wellworn leather thong that had kept it around her neck and its' simple design plain to see.

A circle quartered by a cross.

[Csephion Draxus]

Draxus let his hand close around the amulet, and watched Ariande take her place alongside the Imperator.

"I will keep it close, always."

The Satrap moved to leave, paused, and looked back.

"Come back victorious. I will be here to await you."

He gave her a smile, and stood at the pier, ready to watch her slip onto the horizon and beyond.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Her eyes were on the Satrap for only a moment longer before she turned partially to regard Mako. He gave off an air of quiet authority and steadfast duty.

"There is a young Glaucan girl who was supposed to be given to me. Is she here yet?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"She's in the officers quarters."

Standing on the command deck of the lead trireme, Mako looked sidelong at his guest.

"I'll have her brought up at once."

With a gesture, Mako dispatched a nearby soldier to complete the task. In a moment, he returned with a doe-eyed little Glaucan girl.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Erifa-Nimshi had been sure to make as much trouble as possible for these Necian's, and had even tried jumping over the side of the ship twice now. She was a helion, a Glaucan child full of hellspawn and hate. Far removed from the quiet and quirky little girl who'd been aboard the Chiron.

She pulled against the hand of the Necian who'd brought her up onto the deck, and she strained in the direction of the ship's railing. Crystal blue eyes stared off over the watery horizon.

Fyrian nearly called out at the sight of her, but she was quiet for now. It would take some explaining to the girl, but she knew that Erifa would understand; once her little rages had passed.

Watching on as the soldier grew closer, the elder Glaucan saw Erifa's gaze sweep up towards herself and Mako. Those eyes of hers widened, and she stopped suddenly, pulling at the grip on her arm.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako watched the defiant child as she was delivered to Ariadne. While watching this, he glanced to a Glaucan with a full beard, who was stepping up to the deck.

"Our course is plotted?"

The Trireme's captain nodded.

"We will arrive in Peer within the week."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian reached out a hand to take Erifa's, and with her other, the Glaucan gently eases away the Necian soldier's firm grip on the girl's arm. She knelt low so that she was mostly level with Erifa. The little one had grown strangely still, staring at Fyrian with wide eyes and quick breaths. Her lips parted only a small bit, but she said nothing.

Fyrian ran her free hand over the girl's face, inspecting it for any bruising that might have been given, but satisfied that the little Glaucan was well enough, she settled for pushing back a few of Erifa's unruly locks of hair.

And then she smiled, pulling the girl into a strong embrace and whispering in her ear.

"I thank your great father that you're safe."

[Cneidon Mako]

The Triremes spread out as they made headway from the Amethyst Bay and into the eastern seas, ready to follow the contours of Asga down to the southlands.

The flotilla kept barely within sight of land, so to take advantage of any advantageous stops that may need to be taken.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian kept herself and Erifa in her own quarters for most of the time. There was much that had to be explained, and the girl had been angry at first. It was no surprise to Fyrian, and she bore Erifa's curses and ill words stoically. It would pass. And it did.

She gave the girl profuse apologies, and told her of how she'd been spared the prison cells that the rest of the crew found themselves sitting in. She needed Erifa's help... she needed to fulfill Kariun's last wish.

"Kariun would flay you for what you've done."

It was the early morning of their second day at sea, and the first thing that Fyrian heard before she even opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep at a small desk, a bottle of wine still gripped loosely in her hand and a half-eaten meal before her. Erifa she had given the bed.

Groaning, Fyrian straightened herself up. She slowly turned about on her chair, her shoulders sagging as she cast a heavy green gaze to the little girl.

"I know that."

It was not the type of morning conversation that she would have wanted.

"But Denetion holds his anger to Kariun for what he did himself."

Fyrian leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. What was this about now? She didn't say anything in response; it was best to let the girl ramble on until finished.

"Kariun mocked Denetion. He stole something that none have a right to steal. Your Satrap also mocks Denetion, though not as blatantly. He allowed it to happen, but it was Kariun who did the deed."

Her gaze narrowed then, as Fyrian realized that this was more than the girl's normal ramblings.

"You have to atone for Kariun's transgression. When you have done that, Denetion will lift the curse he placed upon the Fold."

[Cneidon Mako]

The days passed, and further down the coast the flotilla sailed. The waters were serene and the skies were clear, which was a fortuitous event. Mako spent a late morning hour pacing the deck, willing himself to move his feet in this confining place. The Glaucan sailors were used to such confines, but the Men stirred, eager to arrive at their destination and to give their ill-used feet a good working.

Periodically, the Imperator would draw up his spyglass, and view the coast. It was mostly sand, some wildgrass and the occasional palm. Some lengths of coast rose into hardscrabble and sheer rock faces, and the waves peeled apart before them in a saline spray.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

It was early morning of the fourth day at sea, and Erifa was soundly asleep in Fyrian's bed. She'd taken to sharing the bed with the girl, and the two were nearly inseperable whenever seen up on deck during the daytime hours. In Fyrian's cabin, more often then not they spent their time whispering prayers to Denetion and going over Fyrian's initial plans of escape. Erifa often asked about the Satrap, and Fyrian was hesitant at first, but the girl's persistance caused the elder Glaucan to finally open up and lay bare her soul.

Slowly, so as not to disturb the girl, Fyrian rose from bed. She dressed quietly, and with a parting kiss to the slumbering Glaucan's forehead, she made her way from her cabin and up on to the deck. Mako, of course, was already up and about, and she gave him an odd look as she slowly approached him. A passing Necian handed her a small clay bowl of water, and she thanked him before taking a sip, continuing onward.

Stopping at Mako's side, she offered him the remainder of her water. Perhaps it was her own form of olive branch to the Imperator, but whatever it was, she felt it necessary to have more than the rather brief interactions with him that she'd had in the recent past since first laying eyes on him.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako looked at her approach with curiosity. She had been conspicuously aloof through most of the voyage.

"Thank you."

He took the water bowl, and drank from it, returning it to her with a balance still remaining. With affinity magic, it was not a hardship to distill seawater to be fit for drinking, therefore no one at sea endured for want of drink.

The sun rose at their backs, casting faint illumination to the shore at the ship's starboard.

"The child is well?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Accepting the bowl, she stared at its' contents for a moment before answering.

"She is."

Fyrian cast a gaze out over the water. It was serene and calm, and she found herself longing to submerge herself beneath the waves. It was a fleeting notion however, and she turned her eyes to Mako.

"She tells me that she recognizes you. She said that you were one of the ones at the beachfront, before her ship and crew were captured."

And indeed, Erifa had told her that.

[Cneidon Mako]

"I was."

The Imperator nodded.

"The child is very gifted in water affinities. She managed to secure Fyrian's escape."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Leaning on the railing, Fyrian gave a sigh.

"Fyrian was already in Tirgatia long before you and your Satrap had arrived on the beach. If she did anything, it was to prolong the Chiron from being taken."

She knew that she had not made herself well-known during the course of the voyage. A quiet settled between them as she thought.

"You do not say much," she finally spoke up after a few moments of silence.

[Cneidon Mako]

"I am not the Satrap." Mako conceded.

He looked at her, and allowed a smile.

"I'm afraid you'll find me a more dull companion by comparison. My life is in my work."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"An admirable way to live regardless."

She had a feeling that he would be far less prone to talk as Draxus had; it only meant that trying to get a better feel for him would be difficult.

"I am used to drunken oafs and dim-witted men, so my time here has been an enjoyable thing."

She tipped the bowl to her lips, finishing the rest of the water it held.

"Do you have a family? Or are you too busy playing with swords... ?"

There was no derision in her tone, but rather a simple playfulness.

[Cneidon Mako]

"I don't have the time for a family."

He turned to her fully, leaning against the railing slightly.

"Perhaps some other day, when I retire from service."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian gave him a shallow nod.

"You do not seem to me to have any intention of rushing to that day. Are you so content in your post?"

He'd been made Imperator in light of Denix's absence, and for however little she knew exactly of Necia's military heirachy, she knew well enough that it was a great honor.

[Cneidon Mako]

"This has been my family for nearly half my life."

Mako gestured to the assorted men and glaucans.

"I'm sure that will pass one day, but I still have my duty. That, and I have some undesiarable scenery."

He gestured to the scar that ran down the side of his face.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian waved away his last words.

"Fishrot. A woman worth having is one that looks past something like that."

At his gesture though, she gave his face a longer stare than she had previously. There was no doubt a tale behind the scar, and while curious, she had no desire to ask of it just yet.

Her fingernails picked at the railing, and Fyrian chewed idly at her bottom lip. The morning air was crisp, and the sea air a welcome aroma. She thought of Glasswater, and where he was at the moment; how far south he'd been able to travel.

Turning to look out over the water, she leaned over the railing to gaze down at the waters lapping the ship's sides for a few moments. Pulling away then, the Glaucan found herself startled by the appearence of Erifa on the deck.

The girl was still rubbing sleep from her eyes, and hopped to the side as a Necian soldier passed by her. She was nervous in the presence, but the sight of Fyrian calmed her somewhat, and she started towards the two at the rail.

Watching Erifa, Fyrian gently smiled.

[Cneidon Mako]

"You think we'll find these pirates in the southlands, then?"

Mako changed the subject, never entirely comfortable about it being on personal issues. His careful eyes scanned the coast, now slightly more illuminated in sunlight.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"I don't know. It could be that Fyrian cut westward from Tirgatia's southern gate. All I know is the direction I saw him leave."

Erifa slowed up to stand at Fyrian's side, and she leaned against the Glaucan's leg in the attempt to look for comfort in the familiar. Apparently she'd not wanted to be left alone. Letting her hand fall to rest atop the girl's head, Fyrian kept her eyes on the Imperator.

"Where Fyrian goes is truly anyone's guess. He takes the Lantern where he wishes, and only he and Glasswater know for sure. He could be headed for Ha'lainn Inniu, or Ankaarizad. Or Aureska, far to the west. Even the Ruins of Nusakar are a possibility."

Sending a knowing smile down to Erifa then, she continued.

"Either way, I do not see this outing as being very short-lived."

[Cneidon Mako]

"I prefer to keep possibilities open."

A settlement began to appear on the horizon as they continued to sail south. The Imperator scouted it with his spyglass.

"We're beyond the peninsula here. Tribal coasts now. Do you know this settlement?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Looking out to where Mako stared, Fyrian squinted her eyes.

"They are the Jat'ta."

Erifa's small voice was startling, and the elder Glaucan took her eyes from the coastline and down to the girl. Those crystal blue eyes stared up at her for only a moment before going to Mako.

[Cneidon Mako]

"What do you know about these tribes?"

Mako asked Ariadne tentatively, but the young girl had an uncommon wisdom, and it was possible she also knew of these inhabitants.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

They had visited the Jat'ta tribes often during their travels, and it would be folly now to recommend the Necian fleet do the same. Most Jat'ta knew Fyrian well; no, they could not stop here.

"They're simple coastal folk. They survive on the fish of the sea and little else."

Erifa gave a little huff, but knew well the reasoning behind Fyrian's words.

"Denetion lets them live as a mere curiosity to himself. Not worth soiling your soldier's feet on their beaches."

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako returned to his spyglass, and paused, looking back to Ariadne. He considered for a moment the notion of putting aground, but decided against it. Collapsing the spyglass into a cylinder, he nodded curtly.

"Very well."

He looked down the coast.

"How far until the next coastal village?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"We're in Jat'ta waters for another two leagues."

Well then. Erifa it seemed had awoken with chatter upon her tongue. Fyrian nodded in affirmation to Mako.

"Further south there is not much else until Peer. Maybe a few isolated settlements that have no ties to any tribe or clan."

Lifting her hand from the girl's head, Fyrian crossed her arms over her chest in thought. It was true, that there were not many other villages along the coastline; there were a few, but she was having a hard time remembering exactly where they lay.

It was marginally obvious that Mako wished to take the ships to the shore and give his men a short respite from the sea. Even Erifa could see that, and her next words caused Fyrian to snap her head down to stare at the girl, a funny look on her face at such audacity.

"You wish to leave Denetion's waters. Good. He does not want you upon them either."

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako turned sharply to look at the girl, and his jawline tightened.

"I'll leave Denetion to the water mages."

He looked to his trireme Captain.

"Captain, bring us about."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Her strange look to Erifa went to the Imperator. Fyrian gave him a quizzical eye while mindful to lay a stern hand to the girl's shoulder.

"Denetion is above- "

Fyrian's hand went over Erifa's mouth then to silence her.

"About? Why?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"To gather intelligence. This is the largest settlement before we arrive at Peer, so it's logically the best spot in which to look for signs of our quarry."

He looked at Ariadne expectantly.

"Wouldn't you agree?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Giving a worried look to the coast, Fyrian bit her lip. Going ashore would be a disaster. Too often she'd stopped at the Jat'ta settlements; they knew who she was by sight.

Taking her hand from Erifa's mouth, she rubbed at her temple.

"Yes of course. It would be best."

Erifa however gave Fyrian a rankled look at having been silenced, but she knew what lay in store for the two if Fyrian was found out now.

"Landsickness?"

Fyrian rolled her eyes at the quip, pushing the girl away with a shove and pained groan.

"No, none of that."

She looked to Mako.

"But I've no wish to go ashore right now. I'll stay on the ship, and you go without me."

[Cneidon Mako]

"I agree. Your safety is paramount."

Mako looked to his trireme captain, who had already passed the order to come about. The Jat'ta settlement loomed larger as they neared the coast. Already villagers were milling at the shoreline, watching the strange ships come aboard.

"Keep the other triremes at a respectable distance, but ready to land at an order."

The Glaucan captain passed the order, and it was signalled with a flag to the other flotilla ships, which pulled up, allowing the lead ship to enter the small inlet, and ease into the shallows.

Mako then leapt from the prow of the ship into waist-deep water, and trudged the rest of the way through the surf towards the village.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Ducking below to make her way to her own cabin, Fyrian made no move to stop Erifa from darting away and running to the siderail. The girl watched as Mako went over the side of the ship, and without a second thought she too followed after him.

It did not matter if those in the village knew her, and coming up to the surface, she swam easily towards the Imperator. She wanted to go ashore at least, and would not be denied.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako paused mid-stride, noticing the little scamp in pursuit.

"Go back to Ariadne." he commanded.

He didn't have time for this paternal farce. She wasn't his responsibility.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Erifa smiled, an odd smile that was slightly disturbing.

"You need me right now, she does not."

The girl seemed to glide through the water, and she stopped at his side, eyes staring at the shoreline with intent.

[Cneidon Mako]

"I need you?"

Mako asked with mild incredulence. He continued along, heading toward the villagers.

"Ariadne would be upset if anything were to happen to you."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"She knows that nothing will happen to me. I'm Denetion's favorite daughter; he would not allow me harm."

Her stride through the water seemed like something unnatural, and she kept pace easily with the Necian Imperator.

"And yes, you do need me. The Jat'ta would not tell a Necian anything of Fyrian, but they know me as well as they know him. Don't you think that they'd have looser tongues if one of Fyrian's own was with their Necian guests?"

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako glowered, ill at ease with this proposal.

"Stay behind me, then."

He walked ahead, greeting the lead villagers with an outstretched hand in the air.

"Greetings from Necia."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Ever-defiant, Erifa refused to stay behind him, and instead she kept pace with the Imperator. She stared ahead at the villager who'd taken the lead to meet the Necian, and she gave a whisper to the Imperator that only he could hear.

"That is Ket'tek. He is the son of the town shaman. So be respectful."

And to punctuate her own words, the girl gave a slight bow, tugging on Mako's sleeve for him to do the same.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako did as she suggested, bowing somewhat in his salutations to the leader. He then rose, regarding the villager fully.

"We have come in search of news, regarding a traveler. Have any persons cme by this town of interest within the past week?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Ket'tek gave the Necian a stern gaze before his eyes fell to Erifa. In deference to what most peoples of the coastal regions believed, he favored her with a bow of his own.

"You bring Denetion's daughter with you," he started cautiously. His voice was deep, and his blue eyes piercing.

"She travel's with the Fold, not Necian soldiers."

The suspicioin his voice was unmistakeable, and demanded an explanation.

[Cneidon Mako]

"Today, she travels with us."

Mako wasn't about to play games over this. This villager would help them or would deal with the consequences of not helping.

"Have you any news of travelers?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Ket'tek crossed his arms as he stared at the Necian, and Erifa found her gaze switching from Mako to the Jat'ta man. Finally, he spoke.

"Many travelers pass through our village. Is there one in particular that you wish to know of."

Oh he knew who this Necian was looking for, but was determined to hear it with his own ears from the other man's mouth. Erifa gave a little smile as she looked to the Imperator once more, and reaching down, she idly passed her hand over the water. It made small swirling patterns at her silent beckon.

"Fyrian," she said finally... and not without a small bit of a grin.

Ket'tek looked down at her, an odd sort of look descending upon his tanned features.

Another moment of contemplation, and he spoke.

"Fyrian has not passed through in a long while."

The shaman's son leaned back a small bit as one of the men behind him whispered in his ear. A nod, and he looked back to Erifa.

"But his navigator, Glasswater, has."

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator arched an eyebrow.

"Do you know where he travelled?"

The obvious possibility of this being a ruse was not beyond Mako's consideration, but he wanted to consider every possibility ahead of him.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

For a long moment Ket'tek stared at Mako.

"South."

Erifa's eyes lit up. South! That meant he...

"He travels to Peer... ?"

Ket'tek nodded.

"Possibly. He spoke little to my father, other than to ask what the fates had in store for himself and his captain."

At that, Ket'tek paused to think. He furrowed his brow and looked carefully to Erifa. He knew Ariadne by sight, and also knew that the woman's little winged pet was not often far from her.

"He was traveling with the raven on his shoulder. Fyrian's daughter... she is well?"

Erifa waved a dismissive hand at that.

"She is safe."

[Cneidon Mako]

"I thank you for your cooperation."

Mako bowed his head slightly, and turned to leave.

"Erifa, come."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

The girl made a face behind his back, but obeyed without a word. When the water had reached the Imperator's thighs, Erifa was already swimming. She was short for her age, a small wiry little thing full of the sort of quiet energy that a person had to be cautious of.

She stared at the lead ship they'd come from, still a short distance off. A devious smile was sent to Mako then, and her voice sickly sweet.

"Shall I make an ice bridge so that you needn't trouble yourself with the water?"

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako ignored her, and returned to board his ship. The child followed soon after, and the Imperator nodded to his Captain.

"Depart. We head for Peer."

The triremes once again began to move on a southerly course. The Imperator stood quietly at the prow of the ship, deep in thought.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Standing like some wet cat aboard the trireme's deck, Erifa wrung out her hair for a moment, creating small pools of water on the wooden deck plates. Looking up, she saw that Fyrian stood at the far rail, her eyes cast out seaward. Her back was straight, and her arms crossed over her chest. The girl moced close then, standing beside her captain.

"Ket'tek asked about... Fyrian's daughter."

A silence, then the elder Glaucan looked down to Erifa.

"He did?"

"Yes. He said that Glasswater passed through. He had Matraca with him."

Fyrian smiled at that, but it wasn't long before her eyes went to the Imperator as he stood at the prow.

"I am safe?"

"That's what I told Ket'tek."

"Good."

There was a look of excited anticipation in the girl's eyes, and Fyrian knelt in front of her, absently toying with wet locks of hair.

"At Peer," she whispered before pulling the girl into an embrace, "We end this charade and leave these men behind."

[Cneidon Mako]

Once Jat'ta had disappeared to the horizon behind, Mako signalled for his captain.

"Bring us to land."

The Glaucan man nodded.

"At once."

Again, the helmsman adjusted, and the triremes maneuvered to approach an inlet.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

The change in direction made both Fyrian and Erifa look up. They had occupied themselves with sitting against the side of the ship and playing a few games of dice.

Their game forgotten, Erifa was quick to her feet, staring over the railing at the approaching inlet.

"He takes us to land."

Fyrian cast a curious look to Mako, but said nothing for the moment.

What was he doing?

[Cneidon Mako]

The triremes glided to the sandy inlet, landing in such a way to allow troops to debark.

"Talons two and three, debark. Scout the area for any sign of our enemy. If you meet any resistance, destroy them."

The captains of the respective Talons, Aton and Clidus, saluted their Imperator, and masses of men began to depart to the shores at once.

Mako consulted with his Glaucan squadron captain.

"We should prepare for the possibility of resistance, should the Mer be of an impetuous sort."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Rising to her feet, Fyrian made her way to Mako. Stopping at his side, she watched as Necian soldiers poured from the ships and out onto land.

"You intend to travel to Peer by land?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"No."

He glanced back to Ariadne.

"But I suspect that Fyrian may have done so."

He watched the last of the appointed troops move out from the beach, and then ordered his triremes to push off.

"We will travel to Peer and investigate, while the others cover possible leads in Asga."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"I see."

Still staring out over the shoreline at the Necian soldiers, Fyrian angled her neck to the side, rewarded soon after by a popping sound. Setting foot in Peer would be far more dangerous than the Jat'ta village had been, and her thoughts raced. She could not simply stay behind as she'd done previously. And if Mako ordered her aground, the inevitable disaster would be a terrible thing.

There were not many options opening themselves up to her, and desperate thoughts began to grow in her stomach.

"And after Peer? If you have found nothing?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"After that, we'll try Mill to the south, and continue west to the southlands."

The ships continued onward, and he looked at his guest.

"You've been largely silent. I want to have the input of a seasoned merchant in these waters. Tell me of Peer."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian gave the Imperator a lazy stare before turning her eyes once more to the water.

"Peer is Peer. There is nothing quite like it. A cliffside city for the most part. Traders come from all over to do business, and the Mer are always happy to have new faces about."

She was quiet for a moment.

"I'm not sure what it is that you wish to know of it. It's said that Fyrian is seen there often, and has a particular liking to Mer artisans."

Erifa had come up to stand between the two, and she leaned over the railing to sniff at the salty sea air.

"It's where he and his daughter get all their skin-patterns."

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator glanced at the tattoos on Ariadne for a moment.

"Will these Mer offer resistance to our search?"

What he knew of Mer was that they were diminuitive, playful beings, but they were not a common sight in Necia. Necian trade did reach this far south, but the military rarely had cause to extend their power this far down the continent.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Catching the look to her own markings visible, Fyrian gave the Imperator a cautionary look that bordered on ridicule.

A flick to Erifa's ear, and she answered him.

"They would give you most of whatever you want. They don't aim to cause trouble with anyone. They exist with the sea, and in all my years visiting them I've never seen any with an ill disposition."

Erifa snickered.

"Necia has taken all of that behavior from the whole of Asga and beyond- "

A scowl was the girl's only warning, and before she could say another word, Fyrian reached down with both hands; one clamping onto the girl's arm and the other gripping an ankle. With a quick heave, the little Glaucan was lifted up and tossed overboard.

When she'd surfaced, Fyrian leaned over the railing to scold her.

"Swim alongside for the next hour."

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator held a perplexed expression at the sudden application of harsh discipline. The imp had it coming, but he didn't expect it to actually be dealt with.

With that done, Mako nodded at the previous topic of discussion.

"Good. We should have happy dealings then."

The triremes continued onward toward the last leg of their voyage.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Stepping away from the railing only slightly, Fyrian gave a laugh.

"Happy dealing perhaps, but unless you are careful, it will turn frustrating very quickly."

With an outstretched hand, she tikked the cuirass he wore with a fingertip.

"Anything that glitters significantly in the sun I would not recommend you wear. Over-excited minds and bright shiny objects don't go well together."

From down below, a small voice called up.

"I could swim to shore and be gone!"

"Then do so!"

It was a hollow threat Fyrian knew, and true to form the girl stayed with the ship.

Turning back to Mako, Fyrian smiled sweetly.

"Standards, armor, and anything else of that sort would be best kept inside the hold and away from Mer eyes."

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako's brow furrowed, and he slowly undid the bindings on his cuirass, gauntlets, and greaves, shedding them until he wore only his military tunic and sword. He then instructed a detachment of his troops to do likewise. The remainder of his soldiers would hold in reserve. If the Mer gave cause to use them, then their sensibilities would be moot.

"Anything else?" He queried.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

With an eyebrow raised she'd watched him discard the gleaming metal armor. She shook her head then.

"Nothing comes to mind at the moment."

She'd taken note of his furrowed brow, and turned away from the railing.

"Does it upset you to not wear such things?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"Not at all."

The Imperator looked at the discarded armor, arranged at his feet.

"It's just a curiosity. These Mer are so changeable as to be affected by such things?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"Oh not all the time, but it's best to err on the side of caution."

She gestured to his sword.

"I'd even go so far as to make a wager that at some point you'll get an offer to trade your weapon."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Perhaps I may at that, then."

The triremes continued ahead, and the Imperator picked his armor up, and toted it into his quarters to stow it.

That task done, he sat down in a small corner, unfurling a large and detailed map of Midgard. It was his regular ritual.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

His abrupt departure was not entirely expected, but Fyrian took it in stride before she too retreated to her own room below deck.

An hour passed, and Erifa climbed back aboard, water falling from her small frame as she huffed past Necians and other Glaucans alike without a word. She found Fyrian in the cabin they shared, and at the elder woman's bemused look, gave a pout.

Fyrian, for her own part, dismissed the look with a snort.

"Denetion's daughter should be used to the water."

"Denetion's daughter does not get thrown off a boat."

"Well then, perhaps she will behave herself the next time?"

Erifa glowered at that. It was a fine line that she walked, and a dangerous game that her captain was playing. Stripping from her drenched clothing, the girl was quick to burrow herself into the comfort of the bed's blankets.

"At Peer... we are done with these Necians? We will leave them?"

Fyrian gave a nod.

"Yes."

"What if Weeta sees you?"

"Then I should be careful, I would imagine."

"That's not good enough. If they discover your ruse, it would mean our deaths."

Fyrian gave the girl a frown then as she stood up.

"Let me worry about that."

Where are you going now?"

Stopping at the door, the elder Glaucan's shoulders squared back, and she answered without turning around.

"To find a drink."

"You should not drink so much; it would loosen your tongue. My life is at stake too, you know."

Closing the door behind her, Fyrian cast a sad look to the side.

"That is why I do," she mumbled to herself.

[Cneidon Mako]

More days passed. The shoreline of Asga slipped by, seemingly without end.

Mako had just retired for his midday ration and map reading when an officer rapped at the door to the quarters.

"Settlement coming up ahead. Looks to be Peer."

The Imperator sighed, hopping up from his bench energetically, and marching past the messenger.

"Finally. Sound the horn, and announce our intent to land."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian and Erifa were napping, both curled up together on the bed when the sound of a horn pulled them from slumber. The girl was first to open her eyes, feeling as the older woman rolled over in the hopes of ignoring the sound.

The little Glaucan, slipping from bed, padded silently out the door. She knew Fyrian would follow at some point, and so she didn't see a need to wait.

Stepping up on deck and into the sunlight, she shielded her eyes from the sun as Necian soldiers moved around her. It wasn't hard to find Mako, and the girl was quick to make her way towards him. In the distance she spotted Peer; it looked much the same as always.

Erifa gave no smile or word of greeting to the Imperator as she stopped at his side. Instead, she brought in a deep breath.

"There is no scent so beautiful as the one without Necian undertones."

[Cneidon Mako]

The triremes fanned out, drawing up their sails as they took to oars at a slow clip, easing toward the natural harbor that Peer rested within. Here, the water was a light blue, and palm pontoons and other small craft skirted gently across the lazy waves. It seemed like such a quaint, idyllic place.

"The Imperator of the Necian League requests passage to land his vessels!"

A Glaucan crier climbed the mast for a vantage, and to better let his voice carry. All around, Mer who swam or rode in their little boats watched the squadron of triremes gently ply the waves.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

By now Fyrian had come up from below, and she felt the warmth of the sun wash over her skin. It was a delightful thing normally, but at this particular moment, the Glaucan found no comfort in the feeling. It would be a hefty gamble should she go ashore.

A quick glance to the water below showed a myriad of Mer all about. They stared at the Necian ships with wide eyes and expectant faces. It was not often that military craft stopped at Peer, and so such an event was almost what one could call a spectacle. The waterfolk gathered in groups to gaze on, but none made a move to answer the the call put forth.

It wasn't until another few minutes had passed that Fyrian made her way from the railing to where the Imperator stood with Erifa. Following the girl's line of sight, she spotted a small wave begin within the crowds of Mer. It grew then, until most all looked to be calling the Necian vessels closer. They gave no shouts in return, but instead simple, excited gestures that seemed to undulate like a living thing through the amassed crowds.

Fyrian turned a half-smile to Mako.

"It seems they've granted your request."

[Cneidon Mako]

Not sure what to make of the strange spectacle, Mako bade his Captain to continue forward, and the Triremes eased towards berths at the harbor, nearly too small for the warships.

The corvus ramp extended down to the pier, and once the ship was secure, Mako exited the vessel, followed by a half dozen soldiers, all with their armor left behind.

He paused, and looked back up to the vessel at Ariadne.

"Are you coming?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

She stood at the top of the ramp, staring out over the sea of Mer faces awaiting them. Most she did not recognize, but there were a few she did. Weeta was nowhere to be seen, which meant that for now her fortunes would possibly hold.

A beckon to Erifa, and the two Glaucans started down the boarding ramp.

They were halfway down when a small cry rang out - it was easy enough to distinguish her name being called, and soon enough two more voices joined in the yell. By the time she'd stepped foot on the pier, a half dozen youngsters had bullied their way through the Necian group to swarm Fyrian, many demanding to be picked up and others demanding to know where she'd been and what stories she had to tell.

Sweeping one of the shorter Mer up into her arms, she gave a wide grin to her 'admirers'.

"Little Cousins!"

Another barrage of questioning, and Fyrian waved a hand to settle their voices before settling the girl she'd picked up into a more comfortable position on her hip.

"Where are your manners, little ones?"

She gestured to Mako and his men.

"Say hello to your guests."

Ever eager, the small contingent of Mer children did as they were told, waving happily to the Necian soldiers before turning their attentions back to Fyrian, who dutifully gave an apologetic shrug to the Imperator.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako smiled out of formality, but the silly spectacle was a distraction that wore thin. He nodded here, waved there, and in the midst of it, glanced to Ariadne with an unspoken request to not let the festivities dawdle here.

Looking back at the ship, he also noted that his soldiers and sailors alike were transfixed upon the Mer folk, though with markedly more reserve.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

It was certainly a task, but Fyrian managed to shed her small Mer following, and she caught up with Mako without much more hindrance. She still held a Mer in her arms, tweaking the girls ears playfully.

"Come now," her tone of voice was mildly exasperated as she addressed him, "... there is no need to be so sombre. We may be in search of the Lantern, but in this place, at least try to act pleasant."

Erifa, who'd been caught up with a small group herself, trotted up to Fyrian and the Imperator as well.

"I do not recommend you retire here... "

The little Glaucan - acting much more her age in some company - chased after a group of Mer boys down the long stretch of the dock that led further up into the cliffside city, but not before leaving the Imperator with parting words from over her shoulder.

"It is much too happy a place for you!"

[Cneidon Mako]

As usual, Mako let the little girl's snide barbs go without incident, and continued along with Ariadne.

He allowed himself to smile as the Mer children ran laps around them as they strolled toward the city proper.

"How many Mer live in this place, would you say?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian thought for a moment, having to seriously consider the Imperator's question. Truth of the matter was that she had no idea how many Mer lived in Peer.

After a moment, the Glaucan shook her head.

"I couldn't give you any sort of correct answer, other than to say a lot. They're a very familial society, so there's no way to know for sure."

A few Mer turned to look at them, and Fyrian kept her eyes forward. Every once in a while she found herself casting furtive gazes left and right, expecting at any moment to be surprised by Weeta, but so far the Mer girl hadn't made her appearance. Strange; she was usually the first to greet her.

Setting the Mer child she was carrying down, Fyrian watched her run off with the rest of her little friends.

"Why do you ask?"

[Cneidon Mako]

"To satisfy naked curiosity."

As they were led on, the Imperator inspected the city, which seemed to be etched out of an expansive cliff's face, almost as if it was stacked upon itself by the hands of Gods.

The group meandered about, being led by some Mer that Mako could only guess were responsible parties.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Up the winding bridges they were taken, through shallow rock passageways, up stairs carved into the cliffside, and across more wooden planked bridges. The whole of Peer was a beautiful thing in its' own right, like the Mer had taken the cliffs and turned them into a living monument, teeming with families and traders. It was the ultimate gift to Denetion in her mind.

Erifa, still absent, was pushed from her thoughts as the sight of the Elders' Hut came into view. An aged Mer stood on the deck, his hands on the railing looking down at them.

It was the look in his eyes that gave her pause, and Fyrian slowed her pace.

Something was not right.

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator slowed as well.

"What is it?"

He followed her eyes to view the elder, watching their approach. For such short people, this one seemed to possess some sort of intangible stature. Mako hoped this was the person he needed to speak with.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

The recognition in his eyes was worrisome, as was the way in which he held himself, and Fyrian furrowed her brow. For a few moments, Mako's query went unanswered, and the Glaucan laid a hand on the rope railing of the bridge they stood upon.

Finally, she spoke.

"I don't know."

Despite the happy greetings recieved from the younger ones, the elder Mer had seemed very much preoccupied... and the gaze fixed upon her now by one of the Elders made her wonder if something truly had happened.

There was an ill wind passing through Peer, like some undercurrent.

She started forward once again, catching sight of Erifa. The girl was with the same group of youngsters, making their way up to the top of the cliff. But what the little Glaucan did right now was unimportant in the face of whatever elusive danger had settled in the cliffside city.

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator cast a look to the half dozen men who walked in tow with them, and they got the message: keep alert. It was distressingly easy to become at ease and distracted in this place.

They continued to walk along, heading to the summit of the cliff city.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Approaching the hut, they were met by the same Mer who'd been staring down at them.

Fyrian gave him a slight bow, and he in turn gave her a gracious nod. To Mako he gave an odd look before turning back to her.

"You come at a most distressing time, Ariadne."

That much was obvious, at least, but she said nothing as he went on.

"There are magics disturbing the Bowl Reef that are beyond our understanding. We have sent Weeta to Ha'lainn Inniu."[/i]

Fyrian's heart skipped a beat at that; the thought of Weeta trekking across land!

"And now you arrive here," he gestured to the Imperator, "... bringing Necians with you."

[Cneidon Mako]

The Imperator let the two exchange words before arriving at his own terms. The Mer leader seemed uneasy in his presence, which was an experience not completely foreign to a Necian Pontifect, much less an Imperator. For now, he was content to simply listen.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"It is a delicate thing," she tried to explain.

The Mer waved her off however.

"We have read the bones, and have done as they asked."

And from behind them skipped another small group of children, oblivious to the nature of seriousness around them.

One of them, a boy, grinned widely up at Fyrian while gesturing upwards to the cliff's edge above them.

"Weeta left this morning," he grinned, "... with Glasswater and your bird!"

Fyrian's mouth went dry.

[Cneidon Mako]

"Glasswater?"

That name brought out the Imperator's voice. He looked to Ariadne, and back at the elder.

"Who else travels with them?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Shooing the small gaggle of Mer children away, Fyrian kept an ear open as the Elder spoke. This was becoming dangerous.

"Just the two."

The Elder looked as startled as Fyrian had at the youngster's outburst, and folded his arms across his chest.

"They go to see the Fian about the magic that has disrupted the Bowl Reef."

The boy, not to be brushed aside so easily, gave Fyrian a childlike scold.

"You should be in Ha'lainn Inniu anyway, not here. Glasswater said that's where you were."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Make sense of this."

Already, the Imperator's mind was racing. Glasswater knew Ariadne? He returned his attention to the Elder.

"I'm looking for the Pirate Fyrian. Where is he?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

At that the Elder only shook his head, retreating into his hut once more as a signal that their conversation was over.

Fyrian however, had felt her blood run ice cold at the boy's words, and she froze. It was all coming undone.

The small group of Mer children, seeing the look on her face, scattered to the winds, and Fyrian straightened back up, her shoulders going back as she turned to face the Imperator partially.

Her green eyes grew dark beneath a suddenly heavy brow, and she locked eyes with Mako.

[Cneidon Mako]

If the Elder refused to answer, then she would.

"Where is he?"

However it happened, he must find the answer.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

There was a laugh from above, as Erifa came into view at the edge of the cliff high over their heads.

"Open your eyes, Necian!"

And to Fyrian, the little Glaucan clapped her hands together.

"Horses saddled and ready, Captain!"

A hmph, and Fyrian took a step back, towards the bridge that led up to the upper cliff's edge.

"My father is dead," she answered finally, her eyes still set on the Imperator.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako's eyes fell to the ground, and he laughed slightly.

"Of all Csephion Draxus's cunning, and he gets baited by a pretty face."

He looked back up at Fyrian.

"Where is the lantern?"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"It is safe, for now."

Her heart raced, but her mind stayed calm. Undone by a child's innocence, of all things!

[Cneidon Mako]

"Take me to it."

Gone were any pretenses of being coy. This wasn't an attempt at making a bargain. The soldiers at each flank of the Imperator made no overt move against Fyrian, but it was clear that the demeanor had shifted.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Flight was her only option, and Fyrian took it. Spinning on her heel, she set off at a dead sprint, up the winding bridge that would lead her to the top of the cliffs.

Erifa, seeing all that happened below, ducked away from view and pulled the two horses she'd had saddled. Hopping up into the saddle of the smaller of the two, she held the reigns of the second, waiting for Fyrian to to make her way to the top.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako's sword was out the moment Fyrian's shoulder turned to flee, and his soldiers followed suit. They pushed onward and up the bridge, at her heels.

"This city will pay for your crimes, Fyrian!"

[Ariadne Fyrian]

His words made her wince, and she veered to the side, ducking beneath the knotted rope railing to drop a short distance, landing on a carved pathway in the rocky cliffside.

She looked up at the Necian Imperator.

"I am already paying the price of my father's transgressions!"

She pointed a finger up at him.

"I aim to wash my hands of his deeds, and lift the curse Denetion placed upon my crew for stealing your lantern.

"Leave me be to right the wrongs, Mako!"

[Cneidon Mako]

"If that is what you want..."

Mako paused on the bridge, looking down at his newfound nemesis.

"...return the lantern to Necia, together with me. Draxus needn't ever know your treachery."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

She considered his offer, but her eyes remained like steel.

"You would return me in chains."

[Cneidon Mako]

"I have no reason to do so, if Fyrian can be found."

The inference in the Imperator's voice was evident.

"Draxus doesn't know."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"Of course he doesn't know."

Her reply was snapped off quickly, and Fyrian scowled up at the Imperator. His constant mentioning of the Satrap wore on her senses. It was a raw subject for her, that much was evident.

But the far more perplexing problem - as much as the lantern - was the fact that her father's body had been returned to the sea. There was no hardship on her part to find it, but sifting through the seabed for a corpse was still a tiresome and time-consuming task.

She shifted her stance, chest rising and falling.

What real option did she even have? If she fled, Mako would tear Peer from the cliffs and send it into the sea.

The Glaucan slowly moved upwards, ascending the carved steps while keeping her eyes on the Imperator.

"But a body beneath Denetion's waters does not stay in one spot."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Does the late Fyrian have any among Satraps who can testify on his behalf?"

The Imperator's idea was making itself plain to Fyrian at this moment.

"It is enough that the Imperator says it is so, and doubly that you do. What you say, Draxus says."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Reaching the spot where the cliffside stairs met the bridge, Fyrian eased her way back on to the wooden planking. Her stance was cautious, unsure. Could she could truly place her trust in Mako... ?

"What assurances do I have that you will keep your word."

[Cneidon Mako]

"All I care for is victory. With the lantern in Demos, and the name of Fyrian buried, what motivation do I have for treachery?"

The Imperator searched her face for any notion of thought that might be forming in her mind.

"For Ariadne to live, Fyrian has to die."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Her face contorted into a sudden snarl.

"Ariadne is Fyrian; one and the same."

Her head angled down, though her eyes remained on Mako.

"But I am not my father, and even if I suffered through the deaths of four of my crew. I cannot cling to any ill thoughts for Necia."

It was the closest admission of feelings for the Satrap that she was willing to give him in such a public place.

[Cneidon Mako]

"Take me to the Lantern."

The Imperator repeated, this time with a more neutral tone. He was close to coming to an accord with the pirate princess.

"You know it must be done."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Fyrian closed her eyes tightly.

"I will do what I can... "

It was the best that she could offer, as even she did not know how far Glasswater had ridden; how close to Ha'lainn Inniu he was.

She turned away from the Imperator then, starting back up the bridge. Erifa would not be happy.

"... but I will not return to Necia with you when all of this is done."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Draxus will look for you."

Mako stated the obvious.

"You should return with me."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

"If I return to Necia, it will be to demand the release of my crew."

Her pace slowed only somewhat, and she sent a look to the Imperator from over her shoulder.

"Csephion Draxus may do as he wishes, but you and I both know that he will learn the truth regardless."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Do as you will, then. As long as I have the Lantern and Fyrian both."

The Imperator walked away from Ariadne, returning within earshot of his men.

"Bring up the infantry. We'll be traveling overland. If the Mer resist, destroy them."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Saying nothing more, Fyrian made her way up the rest of the bridge to the top of the cliff. Erifa, poised for a quick getaway, gave her captain an odd look before realization dawned on her. The girl looked crestfallen at first, then disbelief clouded her features.

"You mean to continue on with them?! Are you mad???"

Fyrian snatched the reigns from Erifa's hand, scowling at the ground as she double-checked the saddle rigging.

"I have no choice."

"Yes you do! All you have to do is get on your horse and we can leave."

"And if I do that, Mako will send Peer into the sea and slaughter the Mer."

Erifa growled in disgust, choosing to say nothing more.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako scouted the nearby stables, finding suitable horses for himself, and his personal guard. By this time, the Necian troops were filing inland, and the vanguard brought armor with them.

"Reinforce a garrison outside of Peer. The reserves will meet you overland in a day or two at most."

Gephrax, a swarthy-skinned Captain, offered advice on the strategy.

"Imperator, you should travel with heavy infantry further inland."

Mako shook his head.

"Our enemy travels by horse. This is now a race. I will keep in touch by courier, but do not dislodge from Peer."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

By now she had mounted, and Fyrian settled herself comfortably in the saddle.

She frowned at Mako, but only for a moment before turning to look westward. Glasswater could not be far ahead, and Weeta with him. She sighed then. This was not what she had planned, but the Glaucan was determined to make the best of this rotten situation. The Imperator knew her secret; she supposed that she shouldn't have expected to remain hidden for too long after leaving Necia.

He meant to travel light, which meant that he intended for them to travel fast.

Erifa glowered at the Imperator, curling her lips back over her teeth.

"So self-assured," she grumped at him.

[Cneidon Mako]

Regaining his proper attire, Mako buckled his cuirass, and slung his feather-crested helmet atop his head.

He allowed himself a moment to glance at Erifa, and smiled flippantly, no longer burdened to put on airs.

"Is this little one your child, Fyrian?"

The dozen accompanying Necian guard, now mounted and armored, slowly assembled behind them, as the group readied to ride out.

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Both Fyrian and Erfia replied in unison with a firm 'no', each looking at the Imperator.

"She is Denetion's, not mine."

Fyrian's horse pawed at the ground, sensing its' rider's restlessness. Steadying the animal with her reigns, the Glaucan woman gave Mako a neutral stare. For a brief moment she looked back at the rest of their small group, but it wasn't long before her eyes were on the Imperator once more.

[Cneidon Mako]

"So you say."

With a smirk, Mako drew up the reigns.

"Lead on, Fyrian."

The sun was on their backs, and there was plenty of daylight ahead for them to ride along."

[Ariadne Fyrian]

Nudging her horse forward, she sighed, her shoulders falling only somewhat. He could think whatever he wished about who Erifa's birth parents were; it bothered her none.

The girl, however, was far more vocal about the matter as they started away from Peer.

"She has as much a chance of being my mother as you do of being my father."

A sour face was sent in his direction.

"And if I was your child, I would slit my own wrists to be rid of you."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Were I but to adopt you..."

The Imperator growled out with acidic disdain, as the riders picked up speed. With any luck, this expedition would find its prize quite soon.