Ancient Blood in Ancient Veins

[Mr. Glasswater]

Just as Fyrian had ridden North without looking back, so too had Glasswater headed West. He fled without a second thought, knowing that it was his life if the Necian's recaptured him. But, that had been one of the more prevailing reasons for Ariadne's wish for them to split up. Surely the soldiers they had been with wouldn't divide themselves!

He rode fast and hard, intent on reaching Ha'lainn Inniu.

If the magic in the Bowl Reef was truly skewed as the Mer elders had said, then it was necessary for the Fian to intervene. They were the oldest, the most ancient of all the races.

But, his task extended beyond simply requesting their help. Weeta's condition was as such that she needed the Fian magics. But, she needed the Necian mages as well. With the two, there would be hope for the poor Mer girl.

He prayed to Denetion Medivantis. He prays for mercy. For the life of Weeta. For the life of his captain. For them all.

Glasswater prayed for Asga.

[Cneidon Mako]

One path diverged into two.

It soon became obvious to Imperator Mako that he had a choice to make. Follow Glasswater, or follow Fyrian. The choice had to be made in an instant.

He chose Glasswater.

As the dead of night melted into the early rays of dawn, his men rode hard, leaving their camp provisions behind in exchange for speed. They pushed down a trail that led, supposedly, to a lost city of the Fian.

He sent a rider back to Peer, with news that he was pursuing the renegade pirates into the interior. He made no mention of Ariadne, or her betrayal. He had a feeling exactly where she was headed.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Through forests rich with foliage he rode, pressing his mount to greater speeds. The animal gave a snort and obeyed, legs eating up the distance hungrily.

More than once he thought he heard the sounds of pursuit, but Glasswater was determined. He would reach Ha'lainn Inniu untouched. He had to. The Fian would grant him some modicum of sanctuary he hoped, and further more, with the knowledge of the twisted magics plaguing the waters around Asga they would send one of their own to Necia with him.

Forest gave way to a stretch of open land, and stealing a glance over his shoulder as he broke through the treeline, Glasswater watched for any sign of his Necian pursuers.

[Cneidon Mako]

"The horses ride raggedly."

Mako frowned at the state of his pursuit. The horses were indeed exhausted. If they persisted, they would lose ground, or their horses would fall from the effort.

"Look at the way the trees grow in that direction. I believe we shall find a stream, hurry!"

The Necian pursuers quickly diverted from the path to reach the thick cluster of trees in the distance.

[Mr. Glasswater]

His mount covered in a sheen of sweat, Glasswater finally allowed the animal to slow to a walk. With the slower pace, he dismounted to stride alongside, he at least maintained a clipped gait.

He had to be near the Fian city now; or at least by his own calculations he was. There was no true way to know.

He found himself once more in the forest, and kept a sharp ear ready for any signs of his pursuers.

So close to his destination, it would not do to be taken by Necians.

[Cneidon Mako]

The horses were soon put to graze and drink. It was a momentary stop. Even still, Mako chafed at the delay. He paced back and forth, eventually selecting one of his soldiers.

"You, come with me. I won't waste any more time. Let's scout ahead on foot."

The soldier obeyed, and the Imperator surged on, pausing only to take of his waterskin and a dried biscuit.

[Mr. Glasswater]

He trudged onward, still walking beside his horse. The forest was dense, but the sounds of wildlife thankfully not too overpowering. Coping on land was a skill one had to learn when your entire life is spent at sea, but Glasswater had been away from the waters for long enough that he was able to manage well enough.

Each minute that passed seemed to be an eternity, as he expected the thundering of Necian horses to overtake him, yet with each glance over his shoulder he was further convinced that they were perhaps not so close behind as he'd thought.

It was the sound of a brook - to the left of him - that caught his attention, and the Glaucan paused. His mount had also heard the sounds of running water, and with a nudge the chestnut mare made the decision for them both.

The stream itself was small, but it was full enough as both drank deeply.

Glasswater was ever mindful however, and instead of dipping his head to drink, he cupped handfuls of the cool liquid, bringing it to his lips as he knelt carefully by the water's edge. A wet hand was passed over his gills to moisten the delicate flesh, each slit opening and closing at the sensation.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako and his scout followed the contours of the small stream as it meandered through rolling hills. They ascended a particularly tall hill that afforded command over perhaps kilometer of land ahead. The Imperator squatted on his haunches, looking carefully over the landscape.

"Sir!"

The scout had picked up on the movement about as soon as he did. It was nearly too far to see, but nonetheless visible.

"My spyglass!"

The soldier produced a copper tube with a smooth crystal in one aperture. Mako took it, and eased it in front of one eye as he squinted the other.

"A horse."

If there was a rider, he couldn't see any. The Imperator eased the spyglass down, and considered his options. His own mount was some distance behind him.

"Return back and bring the horses."

He looked up at the soldier as he drank again from the skin.

"I will be much quieter to approach on foot. Perhaps our enemy is near, and we can achieve surprise."

[Mr. Glasswater]

It took only a short time to quench his thirst, and rising to his feet, the Glaucan gave his mare a gentle pat to her muscled neck. She was still coated with sweat, and he was beginning to doubt whether she was ready to resume the frenzied pace he'd originally pushed her to. With the reigns in one hand, Glasswater began once more, following the creek as it cut through the forest.

After a few minutes he pulled himself up into the saddle, but refrained from urging the horse into anything but a brisk walk.

Through the sounds of rustling undergrowth and the chirps of birds, he was mindful to listen for anything not belonging to nature.

[Cneidon Mako]

Easing down the hill's far side, Mako again moved toward the stream. This time, he reached the bank and stooped down, stretching his hand out to the water's surface, just barely breaking it. Calling forth his affinity powers from Denetion, he let the water itself become his ears, stretching his senses far beyond their normal reach. In such a manner, he could hear all the way to the horse, and perhaps the horse's master, if it had one.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Glasswater followed the stream for a short way, and presently turned his mount to begin across. It was a small brook, and so crossing was a simple task that went no further than a few nimble hops, and in little time the Glaucan was once more headed onwards.

He'd deviated from his previous path, hoping that by going through areas of the forest with little to no trail would buy him at least a short amount of time.

[Cneidon Mako]

The sound of a voice urging the beast on, and then the tromping through water told Mako what he needed to hear. He withdrew his hand and jumped into the river itself. At his command, the water began to surge behind him, catching him as he swam into the shallow stream so that it propelled him along its course with good speed.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Continuing along the streambed, Glasswater heard the rushing of water before anything else. Twisting in his saddle, he looked behind him in the hopes of spying the source - it sounded forced, as if the water was being commanded to move and swell the banks.

Cautious, he pulled his horse to a stop, turning the mare around so that he partially faced whatever might be coming his way.

[Cneidon Mako]

In the distance, Mako spotted him. The Glaucan had paused at the sound of the water, and was waiting for his approach. So much the better.

With a focused effort, the Imperator bade the stream to launch him over the bank, and he landed on his feet, a slight distance away from Glasswater.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Was there any need for him to be surprised at the site of the Necian Imperator? No; perhaps not. Instead there was a sense of concern at the fact that it was only the one, and not the group as a whole.

His horse pawed the ground, shifting to the side in nervousness - she could feel the emotion from her rider easily through the leather saddle, and despite Glasswater's stern expression, his mount gave away what lay beneath those hard-edged lines.

He said not a word, and stared at the Imperator for a short moment before allowing the horse's exertions for flight overcome. He didn't even need to put heel to side; the animal was already turning and digging into the ground, boosted by fear and surging forward into a fresh gallop.

[Cneidon Mako]

The excess water dripped off his body, snaking its way to his hand, where it pooled into a sphere. The sphere then elongated, and then in a snap froze into a shaft of ice.

Now completely dry, Mako let his makeshift spear fly. He doubted he'd hit at this range, but he wanted his quarry to be under no illusions about what awaited him now.

[Mr. Glasswater]

The mare stumbled, and Glasswater swore as both horse and rider crashed to the soft ground, skidding to a stop. It was an unexpected turn of events, but as soon as his eyes fell upon the shaft of ice protruding from his mount's back - just behind the saddle - he knew that the Necian had abruptly put an end to this chase.

One leg pinned beneath the dying horse, Glasswater strained to release himself. With each second that passed he grew more frantic, and in a wild movement his hand scrabbled for the dagger on his belt.

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako unsheathed his own short stabbing sword, feeling the end was at hand. He paced around the mare until he stood to the side of the Glaucan.

"I should have killed you when we first met, Pirate. I knew Ariadne would never be trustworthy."

[Mr. Glasswater]

"She is more trustworthy than any one of your soldiers," Glasswater spat back.

Propped up with an arm, the Glaucan still tried to pry himself loose.

"Moreso that she seems to be taken with one of your own."

His leg finally free, he rose slowly to his feet, favoring his leg. Standing somewhat awkwardly, his eyes went from the Necian's face to his sword.

"... which is more than I can say for myself."

[Cneidon Mako]

Not quite ready to kill the man, Mako looked at the Glaucan as he favored weight onto one leg.

"This is ludicrous. How far inland of the continent are you? What did you expect would happen?"