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Chapter 24: Against the Elements

The bloody mermaid was a tiny gnat before the vast twilight. Oppressive storm clouds appeared to choke the sky. They twisted, wound, and coiled, as if thousands of gigantic serpents dwelled within. Thunder shattered the silence with its mighty clap.

Nivra woke groggily, blinking away her fractured dreams. They’d been so lucid and pleasing, a searing fire had built within her chest. She’d been back on a hillside of Lumara, tucked close to her feathery love. Her cheeks were smushed into his feathery neck, pulling him ever so tightly. She glared at the blanket she clutched tight, cursing the warmth and comfort it lacked. It made a poor substitute for her love. She yawned and searched through the darkness of her quarters.

Feku swayed peacefully in her hammock as the ship creaked. She was curled up in a sea of wool, only her snout peeking through the blanket. Asterion rested close by upon the floor, his limbs all splayed, his blankets forgotten. He snored loudly, almost enough to rival the thunder clattering the sky beyond their window. The mage scoffed, amazed he’d even made it to their quarters with the amount of reveling he’d done with Tehya. The first mate had met him drink for drink, even matching the minotaur in an arm-wrestling competition. The cleric twitched, knocking over a satchel of coins won by Feku, that glittered in the next lightning flash. Thunder stampeded through the vessel, quivering the floorboards in it’s passing. Then came the battering of the rain, a torrential downpour being summoned.

She turned and found herself admiring the splendor through the window, counting the seconds between each bolt and the thunder that ever chased it. Her blanket seemed to grow cold as memories of drifting off to the rain with Voidwing taunted her. She sighed, trying to shake free her longing and the remind herself of the night’s activities.

From singing and drinking to storytelling, the crew had seemed determined to tie an anchor to the story of the creature below deck and loose it to the depths. Though try as hard as they might, a shadow rested upon each of their faces, fear glinting in the candlelight. She’d done her best to humor them, insisting what they’d encountered was not an issue to concern themselves with. Unfortunately, this round of merriment had cost them another table as Tehya roared and cracked it in two at another joke of a mimic in their midst.

“Who keeps doing that?” She’d demanded with a stomp of her hoof, leveling a hardened eye and forceful finger to a snickering mass of her shipmates. “It not be funny!”

“Quick, smash this table! I think I heard it snicker!” A drunken sailor had replied, smacking the wood with a laugh. The others joined in as the first mate’s eyes brimmed with fire, but her aggravation died as Asterion had promised her his company.

Lightning flashed across the room, pulling the mage back to the present. She pulled her blanket close, trying to hood her eyes and will herself to sleep. It ended as the ship gave a terrible lurch, and the howling wind seemed to pierce through the hull like a spear. Anything not secured by belt or rope found itself tossed to the floorboard. Books fell open, loose parchment scattered every which way, coins rolled till they fell and worst of all, those in their beds had quite the rude awakening. Nivra and the others found themselves among them.

“What the hecken was that?” Feku groaned, clutching at her sides.

“Turbulence. The ones at the helm appear to be failing their duties.” Asterion replied with a growl, holding his shaking head. “I’m going to throttle them.”

“That’s your fault for getting so inebriated.” Nivra quipped back, though pushing her now aching body upright. She lit her palm with a quick casting of light, finding her staff among the pile of scattered items around the floor. She struggled to stand as the entire ship shook once more, the howling wind dragging it’s shrieking claws across the hull. It was like the sky itself was trying to swat the eye sore of a ship from the sky, send it crashing back down to the sea. The ship almost tipped over.

“I think we need to see about landing!” She sputtered, falling into Asterion’s arms as her heart threatened to leap from her chest. Her feather fall spell might save a handful of people, but not the very ship itself! They’d be lost to the sea, dragged down by the ocean’s terrible tendrils. That was if they even survived the horrendous crash.

“That would be my assessment as well.” Asterion replied, helping the fumbling mage stand. “We should see the captain.” He started to guide her towards the makeshift door.

“We flip over?” Feku followed them, clutching her blanket for dear life. “Please no!”

Could they? Nivra contemplated the fine piece of engineering they traveled in. The finest minds of Lumara had surely worked on it, it had to have precautions for weather such as this. Rivers of lightning spread out through the windows she could see, reaching to end the bloody mermaid’s journey with but a flash. She yelped as the ship shook once more, groaning at the effort to stay upright. Before Feku’s prediction could come true, Nivra put her hands upon the others and enchanted them all with a spider climb spell.

“Now we don’t have to worry about that problem.” She said grimly, hoping that it wouldn’t be needed. “If we tip over we’ll cling to the floor.”

“Like a spider.” Feku said hesitantly, pressing closer to the mage.

From above they could hear the demanding bellows of Tehya, trying to keep the crew to task. There were no words of chastisement, no belittling, only the desperation to survive this obstacle.

“Were they not watching the horizon?” Asterion growled as they neared the deck, stumbling forward with another lurch. He caught himself on the wall. “Last I was aware, storms couldn’t sneak.”

“I was of the same mind.” She replied softly, the cleric’s thought troubling her as well. She wasn’t aware of such an experienced crew being blindsided, it must have been something beyond their control. Sure enough, when they marched up the stairs she got her answer. There was a chorus of voices upon the wind, something only a mage would catch. Her eyes widened as the realization sank in, this spell was controlled by a spellcaster.

“Captain!” Nivra shouted at the top of her lungs as terror knotted in her gut. She searched the deck, shielding her face from the constant bombardment of the freezing rain. By the wheel she found Biyu and Tehya, their faces twisted with effort. Roped were tied around their chests in a makeshift harness, attached to an anchor point on the deck. Their muscles were bulging, straining from the effort to keep the ship from flipping in these malevolent winds. “We need to land the ship! Some foul force controls the storm!”

“Ya think?” Biyu sarcastically shouted, “Here I was just thinking me men were blind! That right Tehya?”

“That’s right ma’am!” The minotaur grunted, her arms trembling at the effort. “Cause we just be so unprepared!”

The ilbir searched the trio, instantly noticing they didn’t seem to be worried about falling to their doom. “If you want ta be helping, make sure the rest of the crew be secured! Or if ya have a spell that can solve all this, by all means cast it!”

Men and woman were up in the rigging, the same harnesses attached to them as the captain. With pale faces they struggled to keep themselves from slipping as they worked to secure the sails. They were ever so grateful when Nivra and Asterion leapt to their aid. Together the cleric and mage made sure that every line was secure, the knots fastened tight. Who would have known the summers spent with her brother would have proven so useful? The wind plucked several crewmates from the sails, but Nivra was there to catch them with a feather fall. As if to spite their continued resistance, the chorus of voices twisted in the wind grew deeper.

The ship was buffeted with winds of terrible speed, the paint along the wood starting to peel. Loose clothing was blown backwards, hair was fluttering with each passing second, eyes teared as they squinted to protect them. Whines coursed through the wooden boards, threatening to tear the vessel apart in nature’s fury. With a malevolent chuckle the wind’s fury only increased, tipping the bloody mermaid up and over.

Ropes pulled taught as the crewmate’s screamed, begging the gods for their only thread keeping them from death held. Before the storm they were helpless, insignificant as the voice had warned them. Tehya held onto the railing with as much strength as she could muster, the captain right by her side. Even if they could reach the lever now, decent to the waves below would only oblivion. They’d be lost to the terrible sea that threatened to gobble them up.

“Mage!” Biyu screamed over the torturous winds, her nails digging into the wood. “Is there anything that your mastery of the arcane can do?”

She caressed her chin, trying to keep a level head. Calmly she paced about the deck, unburdened by the effects of gravity thanks to spiderclimb. Asterion was beside her, muttering things about spells he possessed that would prove no benefit to this terrible situation. He was as powerless as those that lacked magic to call upon, Feku equally so. Though she’d taken to clinging to the railing, not trusting the spell to hold.

“Quick get back to deck!” The kobold shouted, “Before you do a falling!”

Nivra rested against the rain slick railing, ignoring how her hair dangled. Just like the cleric she was bouncing spells around in her skull, trying to seek out a plan as the crew dangled uselessly below her. It was flattering to know all eyes were upon her skills in this moment, but silently she wished they’d instead focus elsewhere. “I got it!” She finally snapped her fingers, turning to Asterion with triumphant look in her eye.

“And what would that be?” His brow rose as lightning flashed behind him.

“Conjure elemental.” She replied coolly.

“Good idea, if the elements decide to answer your call.” He countered. “But lose concentration on the spiderclimb and we all go plummeting to our deaths.”

“I’ve thought of that of course.” She touched upon his broad shoulders, curling around the muscular warrior. She tapped his chin. “That is where your strength comes into the equation. If I am to summon an elemental to aid the ship, I need to see and command it.” She sighed as Feku cried out in protest about how risky the plan was. “I need you to hold me.”

“On the off chance that an elemental is conjured by the spell.” The minotaur looked down, searching the raging storm around them. Seeing no other choice, he turned to her with a sigh and made his way over to the railings and offered a hand. “What kind of elemental were you thinking?”

“Air.” She took his hand, letting the strong warrior wrap his arm around her thin waist. With a squeeze she was secured against his chest. “You sure you have me?”

He almost looked offended. “I’ve lifted things much heavier than you.”

“Delightful.” She smiled, taking a deep, calming breath.

“If you wouldn’t mind hurrying up!” Aeros called from the deck opening, his ears pinned to his head. “All my crewmates are dangling like fruit waiting to be picked!”

“Give her time! She do good!” Feku shouted back, baring her teeth.

She ignored the uncouth tone of the crimson gryphon, reminding herself it was fear that formed his words. Another breath passed through her lips, calming the ever fluttering of her heart.

“Nivra do you have this?” Asterion whispered and she nodded without a thought.

She reached into the pouches at her waist, pulling free a stick of incense. She lit it with a flick of her finger. Out went her free hand to form the motions as she spoke the powerful words required. They came like hisses from her tongue as crackles of green light kissed her fingertips. The magic from spiderclimb had to fade as she let the other spell fill her. Asterion grunted above her, muscles straining from the effort.

“Sulua Lirgem.” She thundered, flicking her outstretched palm. The magic raced outwards like an arrow, exploding in a shower of emerald light. It formed a shimmer door upon the air which a beast of swirling clouds strolled through, twin eyes rested within that shone with the brightness of the moon. The elemental was the size of a large dragon from head to tail. Unaffected by the violent storm the elemental gracefully glided over to the mortal that’d demanded it’s service. It came to rest mere inches from her head, staring up at her blankly.

“WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?” Aeros squawked in alarm, “I’ll get a rifle!”

“Do it and I swear to the gods I’ll smack you!” She snapped, having to catch herself from falling out of Asterion’s grip. Any threat on their part might sour the spell and cause their savior to be instead their doom.

“What do you wish of me mortal?” The elemental hissed in the language of the winds, the magic Nivra cast granting her the ability to understand.

“We need you to tip the ship over!” She cried out, in the same tongue, ignoring the strange glances she received. “Then protect it from the storm long enough for us to reach the sea!”

The creature peered around with a blank expression, taking in the dangling mortals around its form. Though it may have looked to the untrained eye like the creature was resisting, the magic compelled it to obey. The elemental let its shape twist and turn to curl around the vessel itself, hoping to right their predicament. The ship’s creaks and groans became evidence of the creature’s struggle as it used all the strength that it had to press against the hull. It wasn’t enough.

“Here, I help!” Feku cried out from her hiding place, waving her claw at the elemental. Her eyes shimmered with a crimson light. “Rhyvos Tasdur!” Her magic struck the elemental and doubled its already formidable strength.

With a final creak the ship began to right itself, bit by bit until the crew and the companions were happily crashing to the deck with a chorus of cheers and relieved sighs. The elemental didn’t wait before splitting its form once more into a protective shield, wrapping around the ship and keeping it safe from any more aggressive gales seeking them ill.

“Get the ship down now!” Biyu was back to her feet, dusting off her soaked coat. “Before the elemental here decides to take a break.”

“Or our attacker decides to think of a different plan.” Asterion growled as the ship started descending towards the ocean below at the command of a lever’s hasty thud.

*

The sea below them churned and swelled with eager anticipation, awaiting their arrival. The hull kissed the water, spraying all those atop deck in a cold, salty spray. They were then adrift, rocking back and forth from the ocean’s terrible fury. They’d traded one natural obstacle for another, they were far from safety’s embrace.

With an unfurling of a storm sail and pushing of the air elemental, Biyu navigated them into the waves, piercing through with a resounding splash. Grim reality was held in the ilbir’s gaze, knowing to travel horizontal to the waves meant certain doom. They’d be back where they started above, rolled right over into the sea.

Dutiful to the last, the air elemental kept them protected from the burdens of the elements. Rain knew no passage, the winds were blasted away, there was no howl or whine. The only way to tell the trouble they were in was the ever-increasing fury of their rocking, and the gradual rise of the wave’s size. In minutes what had been little hills in which to cross were now perilous slopes. Worried murmurs spread through the crew, wondering when they’d become mountains set on swallowing them.

Leaks were found within short order across the many decks, signs of their little journey in the sky. Wedges were hammered into the openings long enough for wooden planks to be hammered down to secure them. Nivra lended her talents to the crew, sealing holes with her rays of frost. With each one secured she could feel the weight of the night upon her shoulders, dreading what could possibly come next.

When she’d returned to the deck the waves were only larger, it was as the others had feared. Mountains had replaced the hills, gigantic masses of pitch-black sea. The ship threatened to be tipped with the latest wave, drawing out terrified looks from the crew. Had all their struggles and prayers been for nothing?

“Do what you will mister Asterion!” Biyu shouted, standing resolute behind the wheel. Unlike the others she was a pillar of calm.

The bull surged forward, fire within his brown eyes as he brought one of his hardened hooves down. Swiping some droplets of water from his arm, Asterion combined them with a pinch of dust from his pouches. He chanted magical words of strength, his voice low and guttural.

“Rihlig Pab.” He slammed his palms together, then shot them back to either side of his hips. The mountain of darkened water before them parted, forming a valley in which they could pass unhindered. The crew cheered with Nivra among them, fueling his spirit to continue. Time and again he preformed the same motion, allowing the ship to snatch victory out of death. The spell however only lasted an hour, and each renewal weighed heavily on his body. He only began to slow and tire when it felt as though rocks were tied to each of his limbs. With labored breath he still continued, knowing his weakness would mean death.

Protection from the air elemental had long since parted, the being returning to the plane from whence it was plucked. With it’s passing returned the rain with a vengeance, bringing it’s friend the gale with it to batter the foolish mortals that eluded them both. The brave of the crew remained on the deck to share in Asterion’s burden. Others returned to the deck, holding tight to precious objects and praying for the cleric’s victory.

“How much longer can he last?” Aeros asked with a squawk. Though his voice was hardened, worry danced across his eyes. He flicked his attention to Nivra when the answer didn’t come swiftly, the malice for her forgotten.

She shook her head as she watched the cleric’s furry muscles tremble, using every ounce of his strength to keep them safe. Part of her wanted to shield him with a cloak, offer her assurances of his success.

“Can’t you like summon a bleedin elemental again or something? Instead of just quiverin in fear?”

She certainly could, but too many attempts to the elemental realms ever increased the likelihood they’d be aggressive. If they thought the situation was rough now, having an irritable being made entirely out of water would exacerbate the problem. “Would you enjoy risking our ship being capsized by an out-of-control water elemental?”

The gryphon’s ears flicked back behind him, eyes desperately traveling between herself and the cleric. “You might have to queenie. Bloody cunts behind the storm don’t want ta let up.”

“Let me talk with airman.” Feku announced proudly, thumbing at her damp vestments. “I could talk down. Who could stay mad at me?”

“I could think of a few reasons.” Aeros grumbled.

Nivra sighed and clasped the kobold’s over eager shoulder. “You’d need the spell to converse with them. Otherwise, you’re better off talking with a wall.”

“Talking with a wall?” She tilted her head, “Silly Nivra, I mean with airman!” She crossed her arms, scales turning red. “Sometimes I speak better human.”

Aeros chortled under his breath as Nivra rolled her eyes and made the exact point clear.

“Then why didn’t you say so!”

She sighed and stood tall, wishing there were a way to assist in the cleric’s troubles. Feku was quick to the cleric’s side, offering what encouraging words that only a bard could let fly. They were not of the common variety either, some even leaving Nivra surprised that the little kobold even knew such words. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the bard was planning to seduce the cleric with how she praised him.

“And don’t forget! You’re the beterest there is, and muscles. Oh such muscles!”

“You’ve mentioned.” Asterion groaned, planting his trembling hoof to the deck as he did another motion to part the waves. He nearly collapsed in exhaustion. He pushed Feku away and snapped to Nivra that he was fine. “Do not trouble yourself with my weakness.” He stood tall, his once composed stature wavering. “I have this under control.” He reentered his combat stance.

“Like hell you are!” Nivra countered, her eyes sharp as a blade. “You’d have to be blind to not see your fatigue. You’ll lose yourself to your magic. You’ll up and die!”

“Got another plan? I am all ears.” He eyed the lantern lit waters beyond, his muscles screaming at the mere thought of another motion. Before another word could be spilled, it seemed as though luck were ever on their side. As he sighed the wind’s fury all but quelled, the rains ceased their endless barrage. The seas started to calm, the mountains once more becoming flat far as the eye could see.

Stunned silence wrapped around the crew as hey watched on through window or from the deck. They exchanged confused looks, smiles starting to sprout from their lips. Against the fury of the elements they’d emerged victorious, to hell with whatever dark powers had sought to snatch them. With a series of cheers they swarmed around Nivra and Asterion, bombarding them with praise and cheers in their honor.

There were promises of future drinks, meals when they returned to shore, even oaths that their future children would be named in their honor. Even Aeros had come forward with a reserved huff, letting down his hardened personality to offer his gratitude.

“Just make sure you don’t forget it.” He’d chirped, slipping down the stairs to tend to the ‘travesty that were his feathers.’

The mage pushed her adoring fans to lean against the ship’s railing, lending her diligent ear to the gentle winds. Gone were the voices, gone the malevolence, all that remained was the caress that she’d come to know and adore of the sea. She sighed in relief, taking in the salty air. With a series of presdigitation spells her soaked robes were good as new, even a glimmer of warmth to spoil her. She turned to the gathered others as they conversed, a smile forming to her lips. Asterion was at the center of a certain cow’s attentions, and if the lustful look in her eye was any indication, he’d have his hands on assaulting a certain gate.

“Gizeiten might have shined on ya to save yer hides, but that is no excuse to be slacking !” Biyu ended the cheer with a handful of commanding orders. They had a ship to secure and maintain, and any water that snuck through their defenses needed to be pumped out. She snapped to Asterion with eyes of steel, chuckling at how exhausted the warrior appeared. “You be resting for the rest of the evening mister Asterion. That be an order! You understand?”

The bull nodded with a snort.

“Besides.” She gestured to Tehya with a salacious grin. “I think you might be in for some relaxing tonight. Tehya, see to it he gets your full attention.”

Tehya grinned, sliding a muscular arm around Asterion’s back and guiding him towards the stairs. “You heard the captain.” She chuckled, starting to descend. “You’ll not be escaping me tonight.”

“And if I catch anyone bothering them.” The captain rounded on all those still on the deck, “You’ll be strung up and keelhauled! I make myself understood?”

“Aye!” answered the crew, springing to obey the captain’s commands. Just as a handful had slipped below deck, one sailor stumbled to the deck, his face pale as fresh winter’s snow.

“Kraken!” The man yelped, scrambling to his feet and gesturing to the waters below.

From the surface came dark tendrils of the blackest void, spiraling upwards to tower above the ship. They were thick as the mightiest oaks, glimmering malevolently in a flash of distant lightning. Forming a prison they surrounded the vessel, ensuring no escape was to be had. Their tips drifted downwards, predators seeking out their latest prey.

Adrenaline struck Nivra like a bolt of lightning, her limbs flinging out on their own accord. Digging through her component pouch she procured a bit of gryphon fur and a shard of glass. She touched the shard as lightning coursed around her, dancing over the slick wooden boards. With a thrust of two of her fingers she sent a flash of electricity in a deadly spear. It crackled and spread about one of the tendrils with deadly purpose, starting the attack. The creature didn’t seem to regard her attack.

“We can’t let this be for nothing! Men, to your weapons!” Biyu shouted at the top of her lungs, pulling free a harpoon strapped to the deck. She entered a defensive stance, her eyes like fire. “Ya won’t be havin me ship your devil!”

Floorboards cracked, whined in protest as the beast of legend attached itself below the waves. It’s appendages snapped to those who clutched weapons, coiling around their heavy swings and tightening around what limbs they could. With savage motions those caught were flung to the sea, screaming out in terror before landing with a resounding splash.

Asterion returned to the deck, brandishing his Warhammer but strength had all but left the cleric of korde. He stumbled to the deck, landing face first with a painful groan. Tehya charged over his prone form, a great axe of steel held tight in her iron like grip. The kraken tried to snatch at her.

“Not today ya blasted beast!” The minotaur woman struck true, cleaving the devilish tendril in twaine. Instead of blood that poured from the wound, instead came water, drenching her fur and clothes. “What in the hells is this?” She roared, cleaving her way to Nivra’s side. “What kind of kraken is made of bloody water?”

Her mind was reeling as the defenders surged to the deck, brandishing weapons of various sorts. They formed a protective ring as the tendrils swayed above, searching for the moment to strike. From a dozen there grew many, until they had a maze of twisting, watering snakes above. Nivra answered the appendages with firebolts, lightning whips, having to cast aside some with her staff. As the lanterns were faded out, her staff was the only source of light in which the defenders could rely upon. No kraken had she ever heard of was made of water! This had to be another magical trick!

Combined in their efforts the defenders held the line, jabbing, slashing and hacking apart what this beast could strike them with. Their defenses could not be everywhere at once however, as some sailors soon learned in a terrifying way. With each loss the crew was down another defense, another hand to parry the kraken’s attacks. They were being methodically wiped out until only a handful of their number remained. As it was before, it was down to Nivra and the other adventurers to formulate a plan of escape.

Time was not on her side, Nivra knew this to be true as another sailor’s screams ate away at her senses. She was running out of her combat orientated spells, whatever she assaulted this beast with it never seemed to still. Electricity, fire, even her disintegrates, it powered through them as if she were a mere rat before a charging rhino. The strain of her lack of spells was starting to become ever more apparent, as she pressed closer to the others she knew, it would only be a matter of time until she was just as tapped as Asterion.

Either by adrenaline or fear, the cleric of korde wasn’t yielding. He roared and struck with the force of what men longed for, setting an example for no fear. Tehya was right as his side the entire time, echoing his sentiments with savage swings of her own. Twisted around them was Feku, chanting away to assist them. Perhaps it was she the cleric was fighting for?

“Any plans would be most welcome mage! Your spells seem to not be working!” Aeros screamed, ripping apart a series of tendrils with his beak and claws. He was like a blur, never ceasing to rest more than a second along the deck. He pounced, ripped, tore, when the tendrils tried to wrap him it was Feku that saved him with a slash of her firey, dwarven sword. They shared a moment of understanding, he thanked her with a nod.

Despite this, the survivors were reduced down to a mere handful. Their defeat was soon at hand. Weapon swings tired, their movements slowed, desperation was painted across each of their faces. Nivra gasped and groaned, collapsing to the deck, a tendril wrapped around her waist. She was saved by a heavy blade, and Biyu’s sad smile.

“Anything you can bring to this?” The captain offered her a hand as the others fought a losing battle around them. “Were at our ropes here quenee. The bell tolls for us and I really don’t want ta be answerin it.”

She stared around to their dwindling numbers, fear forming a knot within her gut. It was hard to think just moments ago they’d thought themselves safe. Her hand tightened around her staff, her thoughts fractured and spiraling out into the ether. She could almost feel the skeletal hand of death reach out to drag her to the depths below.

“Nivra.” Asterion pulled her from her shock with a hand to her shoulder. “I have not the answer for this. I believe it is a water elemental.”

Of course! The answer had been staring her in the face! How could she have been so blind? Was it the shock or the fear of getting tugged below the waves? She would have smacked herself in the face if not for the dreadful state they found themselves in. She had just the spell to finish it off for good, she just needed to see and a chance to cast it. She sprung up, light swelling in her staff, bathing all those around in a golden light. “I need cover!” She bellowed as her companions pressed close beside her, fighting for every inch of ground. “I have just the spell to solve this!”

They looked to with skepticism, they’d heard that before. It was Aeros that put an end to it, chastising the survivors with a hearty squawk.

“Well what are you waiting for? You heard the blasted blue blood! Make sure she gets that spell off!” With a flare of his wings and flick of a tail, the gryphon was Nivra’s personal bodyguard. His talons warded off anything heading towards her.

As if informed of their desperate plan, the elemental surged forth to assail Nivra with what strength it could muster. It’s tendrils met a solid wall of weapons and shouts, the survivor’s courage and force blunting it’s attacks. Water spilled to the deck, the ship shook, the seconds passed like days as Nivra continued her chant. It was for a spell made specifically for such an occasion, banishment.

Just as there was ways to summon elementals to this world, mages could reverse the process. One just needed time and the skill to manage it. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on the movements and the words, blotting out the ever-increasing desperation of her companions. The water splashing from their attacks was falling on her, she let it go.

“Kolri!” She bellowed at the top of her lungs, letting magic fly to her fingertips. She flung herself forward, shoving her whole arm into the closest tendril. The only wish she had was that this all belonged to the same creature, she didn’t have the strength for another spell. White light flowed from her into the elemental, spreading through the malevolent water like a terrible wildfire. The tendrils recoiled, flopped to the deck, some performed a strange dance. It would appear that in her luck, they were all attached. As the crew stood panting, bewildered, and exhausted, the water demon that had their fate sealed disappeared whence it came with a gentle pop.

“You got to be kidding me.” Aeros sputtered, flopping to the soaked deck on his belly, every inch of him exhausted. “We could have opened with that to save the day?” He chortled and looked to Nivra, genuine warmth found within his pools. “I could kiss you blue blood.”

She offered the gryphon a relief filled smile and joined him on laying upon the water drenched floorboards.

Though relief coursed through the rest of them, the captain was cold as the winter winds. The ilbir surged to the deck, eyes of fire lost to the darkened waves. She was silent and still, lost within her darkened thoughts. Without magic or other means of ease, to be lost overboard was certain death. Even on clear days without the large waves it could be hard for two sailors to be found, but at night with the churning waves? She swallowed hard and bitterly, maintaining her strength for the survivors.

What joy could be found within them was soon lost to the winds themselves. The laughter died, the prayers to the gods soon after. All that remained was the sinking despair that settled in around them and chilled all in attendance to the bones. Oppressive silence fell over them as Nivra found her friends and pressed close against them.

“There were so many.” Nivra said softly, clutching tight her robes. Never had she witnessed death in such a number. Though she’d read reports countless times over the years from her father’s reports, it had never seemed quite real as this. Though she’d found the sailor’s activities irksome through their journey thus far, she hadn’t wished death upon them. She shivered and Asterion held her close, pulling her in protectively against his chest. His warmth was welcoming as the cold tried to creep further. Feku whimpered and joined them as Tehya bowed her head for those lost.

Biyu’s voice cracked as she faced the remains of her crew. “Though it pains me to say this, we must return. Our numbers have dwindled far too few for my liking.” She paused for an objection, but there wasn’t one. The others nodded in a grim silence. For a moment she was stunned, not expecting such acceptance. “I know some of them would want us to continue, but they don’t have the burden of carrying forth. We’ll get this place cleaned and secured, limp back to shore.” She turned to Nivra with a defeated sigh, placing her hands behind her. Her voice grew softer, “Do I make myself clear?”

She nodded, swallowing down the hard ball of her disappointment. Turning on her heels the young mage crept below deck, her thoughts scattered, her face pale. Asterion was helping her with an arm around her shoulder despite his apparent fatigue. She smiled and thanked him, though he insisted that ‘You’re helping me stand as well.’ They’d tried to offer their hands to help clear the debris from the deck but Biyu and Tehya were quite stern in their command to get some sleep.

“We don’t know what else is waiting for us.” Tehya replied bitterly, glaring daggers at the waves. “If only Storm hadn’t killed our druids…” She drifted off, clenching her hands till her knuckles turned white. “Just get some rest. We’ll need your strength.”

Returning to sleep was a troublesome affair, the young mage had spent hours staring painfully at the creaking wood above. In its features she could see the terrifying night played before her, practically hear the men’s screams and shouts as they were plucked away by the elemental. Nivra had bit her lip, chastising herself for not realizing the solution sooner. Despite her years training, more people had paid the price for her lack of knowledge. She’d tried to tell herself that it was needed, sacrifices had needed to be made.

Then why does it bug me so? She’d thought, tossing in her hammock. Within the events her arrogance was laid bare, born from her need to press on without help. If she’d waited within Struport, perhaps Veledar and the others could have followed her on this quest. They’d have been capable enough for her to figure out the solution, or perhaps they would have in her stead. Now her brashness and arrogance had cost her the quest she’d set out on, and the lives of most of the ship. Though she tried to insist they knew the risks, the fact still gnawed at her like a pack of ravenous wolves.

“Shandalar would have figured it out.” She whispered bitterly as Asterion’s snore filled their quarters. The mage’s absence was an empty valley wrought with guilt and despair. How she longed to hear the wise and stern council from her in this moment. Instead, she was left with the creaking of the ship and the emptiness found within her. With her spirit ever lowering she finally found sleep, hating the choices she’d made. Tomorrow would bring new choices, and hopefully she made better ones.

*

Quiet as a mouse a series of figures crawled up along the outside of the bloody mermaid, darkness hugging them like a treasured friend. Water clung to their scaley appendages, glimmering in the flickering lantern light. Predatory, shark like eyes fell on the few sailors that remained from the elemental’s attack. These creatures were once the sea elves, now corrupted by some dark entity below the waves. Silently they gestured to one another, flashing their sharpened teeth as they freed blunt weapons from their holsters. Then they waited for their oblivious prey to draw near.

In a flash they were upon the sailors like a pack of wolves. They tried to shout for help but it was no use, the words died within their throats as clubs battered against their heads. Limp bodies went to topple to the deck, but were caught and brought low with the care a lover might share. The sea elves nodded at their success, knowing that killing was out of the question, unless it was truly needed. How else where they to be interrogated?

Down through the ship they worked, creeping at a snail’s pace through the lantern lit quarters. They found an unwitting ally in the ship’s creaks and groans, masking their approach. Around barrels and boxes, they readied traps, springing onto those that still found themselves awake. One by one the sailors were subdued, the hardest being a muscular minotaur female. They’d swarmed around her their weapons clutched tight in their webbed hands, knowing a mistake could ruin their success. Though tension weighed in the air, they sprung with but a look from their leader. The female’s limbs were held down by coarse ropes, her muzzle stuffed with seaweed. As fire in her eyes swelled and she tried to break free, she was brought low with combined strikes to the head. Relived sighs escaped them as she slumped into her bed, tongue lolling out the side of her snout. None could stand against them.

Lastly, they’d come to a cramped section of the ship, with a human woman, a kobold, and a minotaur. The gills on their neck trembled with worry as they exchanged glances, eyeing the regents and other signs of magic users. They’d come to fear and respect those that’d mastered the magical arts, and if these two even got out a word they might have more trouble than they’d been expecting. The pale faced leader gestured to the others to fan out, they couldn’t let their fear stop them. They had a job to do after all. They drew weapons that gleamed in the moonlight. That’s when the Kobold yawned and opened her eyes. She flung up her hands and screamed louder than a banshee as her little scales flared white.

The woman stumbled from her hammock, landing with a thud against the floor. From her fingertips flared crackles of electricity. The kobold rushed to her violin that lay close to her. The minotaur sprung at the knife eared assailants and made two eat his fist with a sickening smack.

The mage was tackled by three of their number, and forced to the ground with a heavy thud. There they rolled and wrestled, ceasing any of her spells from being loosed. One of the sea elves groped for something heavy, finding a thick tome and slamming it across the young girl’s face. Blood poured from her nose, she grunted in pain. It took a solid four hits before the mage’s struggling died and she slumped to the floor.

Spears found the minotaur before he could cause any more trouble. They jabbed into his gut with terrible force, bringing the bull to his knees. He gasped and bled in copious amounts, surprise painted across his muzzle. It lasted for but a breath before his eyes glimmered with hate, finding fuel in his pain. Before he could act he was felled with the same ferocity of the female, the sea elves combining their attacks into one powerful flurry of blows.

“Step back! I warn you!” Feku pulled up her violin and held the bow against the strings. Her eyes darted from her fallen friends, wide and filled with fear. The figures laughed in cruel tones with their sharpened teeth, smacking the instrument from the tiny lizard’s claws before she could even utter a spell. She found herself faced with four spear heads resting upon her snout. Her resistance died one moment later.

One by one the crew were dragged to the deck, their arms and legs bound. They were searched for goods, healed of their wounds with dark red potions and tossed to the darkened waves below with a series of resounding splashes. It wasn’t long before the ship was silent, only the sound of the wind gently blowing through the bell.

With their job complete the assailants took final looks at their handiwork, letting pride course through their pale, scaley flesh. Their master would be pleased with their success, and the monument they’d added to his dominion. Like shadows they descended back to the waves as quietly as they’d emerged, leaving only but the empty, creaking vessel in their wake.

*

Apologies in taking so long to get this one out. I typed it up and decided I didn't like it enough and had to rewrite the entire thing. Hope everyone is having a wonderful time during this month of december. Hope you stay well, I wish you all a happy holidays with what we can have. Don't forget to favorite, vote and leave a comment. Your kind words keep me motivated to keep pressing on with my typing.

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