Prison of Glass: Traveler's Luck, #3

Chapter One

Cabbeling Hall North, trefoil arch

Wellstone grew more nervous as the number of fish folk doubled, and still, they had made little progress communicating their needs. The trio of envoys were polite, though very cautious. If they didn't come to an understanding in a very short time, the seven travelers would have to do something desperate to survive. They escaped confinement driven by desperation to find drinkable water, but found themselves nearly out of an even more immediate necessity. Air. It was shimmering above, right past the fish folk's arch. Voorsh, Meese, just wear them down. Show them we're patient but we urgently need to pass through. Pel, impressions?

They don't strike me as dangerous, though anything in these numbers shouldn't be underestimated. They seem a bit timid, even the guards. All those fancy fins give them the appearance of size, but they're even smaller than the eel-men. Finer spears, though I don't know why they hold them like that. She was referring to how the guards held the butt of the spear in one hand, resting the shaft on the other, letting the entire length of the spear jut away from them. Perhaps the reduced weight of the weapons underwater made it less awkward than it looked.

Wellstone asked, Carlin, have you noticed anything?

Well... they're not the builders, not if the skulls we've found were. Besides, everything is the wrong scale. Umm... I don't know if this applies to people, but they have the look of lake dwelling fish rather than marine. Which is surprising. The water here is rather salty, though less than the ocean, I think. Those teeth are a lot like ours, probably both meat and plant based diets. Their eyes are set wide like prey, not predator.

During this, the conversations had gone on in earnest if not anything resembling success. Wellstone asked, Nowen, how does it look?

The Elf looked annoyed at having his attention split, though they all knew he wouldn't miss anything. Good actually, they're curious. As you can imagine, they don't have many visitors. One opinion is that they should send us back. That the smallest burden could end everything. Not sure what that means. I think they're talking about security, but it's not clear. Sounds like it's the dominant opinion that they only survived by working with brethren... there's something more to that word, 'Ori.' I think sometimes they use it as the name of these other people, and sometimes they use it to mean good neighbors.

The crowds parted, with the spear wielders forming a path, and the third envoy spoke, Kin ye come, in his groaning, clicking voice and led the way. He or she was one to keep an eye on, having successfully identified and used a phrase from Meese's embarrassing Southy impression.

Wellstone said, Just follow, we still have time to surface if it looks safe. Her warning wasn't necessary. They were led into a well lit, open space, the water from surface to seabed still the same depth. There were some sort of underwater lanterns placed strategically, giving a clear view of the vast space. The water was just a bit cloudier than the crystal clarity of the brooder room.

Voorsh said, It is a village. The little lizard was right of course. Wellstone realized the different lit areas took the place of buildings, each pool of light delineating a crop of plants or a pen made from carefully interlocked stone and coral. The nearest held massive crabs the size of pigs. The purpose of other areas was less easy to decipher, but they looked to be for different activities all dropped in order to rush to the gate. The group was led, in a well contained cluster, across the width of the settlement. It was a long enough swim for Wellstone to regain her worries over their time limit, but the destination was in sight. The sea floor rose at a steady angle until they could gracefully stand and wade from the water.

Gods above and below, I've never seen anything like it, Nowen said as he finished hacking up water. In a cross between a beach and a palace courtyard, stone benches rose from the sand, framed by three-story pillars decorated in the mysterious builders' now familiar style of wave patterns. It was easy to forget, when traveling the vast expanses of water, that they were in a gargantuan structure embedded in a mountain, not some city lost below the waves like legends of old.

Gladlow said, This area has been partially drained. You can see the old waterline there. Above that was designed to be dry. He referred to the top of the massive steps at the far end of the beach where walls of the same jade-like stone replaced the open air of the rest of the cavernous space. It was impossible not to think of it as a palace, but it blended seamlessly into the borders of the sector.

Carlin said, Look, they can breathe air like the Siyokoy. It looks like they work up here as well.

Nowen said with obvious relief, I can see plants there in the dark area, and that means fresh water...

Wellstone said, That's the best news so far. We have nothing for tomorrow. They continued to wade slowly from the water and as soon as it became clear the beach was the final destination, she slumped down on a bench. It was designed for beings several feet taller than herself and even the Humans would find them a little high. The villagers looked pathetic out of the water, their vibrant blue darkening to near black, and their elaborate fins hanging down like floppy robes accentuating their diminutive size. The armed ones marched the perimeter and posted themselves strategically to block the steps and from straying further than the little park on the beach. Wellstone saw the way to the lake was left open as if to let visitors know they were free to piss off back where they came from. The fish folk went back to their work or returned to the water, but all of them stayed near enough to hear and see any goings on.

Pel asked, So, who made the most progress communicating?

Nowen spoke up, I think the common route is working best. All of the envoys seem to speak this Ori and I can listen in on their conversations as long as my spells last. The elder isn't making much sense. Voorsh, what language is that? It's obviously not just the dragon turtle's language.

No, it is the oldest language. Long before creatures walked the land. Boazoch has spoken of several peoples that he is able to command, although my tribe does not know them.

Gladlow asked, How are your people able to speak it?

It has always been known. The children who might bring Boazoch's tribute are taught. My lessons ended when I failed to reach mature height.

Carlin hugged her and said, You're only a bit shorter than me, and I think you're gorgeous.

Oh yes, I am quite beautiful, but it is dangerous to send anything less than perfection to Boazoch.

Pel said, Well, they seem to be waiting on us. She pointed to the three envoys who were then the only villagers remaining in the park area. The rest either held spears at the ready or watched them while pretending to weave this or grind that.

Gladlow said, Meese, you're up.

Wait a minute, you know more old common than I do.

Nowen was right, it might be wise to emulate them. It can save us from making an offensive mistake. Meese, myself, and one other makes three. Helena?

Hmm, I think I'll stay back with Nowen's translation. Voorsh is your third. A handmaid, a brethren, and a mage. I think they'll respect that.

What transpired was equal parts boring and fascinating, bread and butter for the likes of Carlin and Gladlow. Nowen recast his language spell and kept a running commentary on the conversation while pointing out words and phrases for Carlin to take note of. Meese seemed determined to be worse than useless, only throwing in jokes and asides in his ear-grating impression of the Southy dialect. It seemed to help as much as anything else in the frustrating task of understanding between two cultures whose only link was to a third who hadn't shown up to the party. At the very least it seemed to speed the process of building a vocabulary of words that both sides knew. After two more hours, Nowen was forced to dig deep in order to recast the language spell one last time. Gladlow gave him the nod knowing Meese was nearly fresh and he himself could cast a few more if the need arose. Occasionally something seemed to click into place and both parties made themselves clear.

Gladlow was pantomiming a drink and running through every word he could think of to portray fresh water and their need for it. Nowen told him, They understand what you're saying but they just keep looking at the lake.

There isn't exactly a shortage from their view, is there? Gladlow dug out a flask and took a drink leaving the smallest bit. He handed the flask to the one called Gugl, the most enthusiastic of the three. The little fish-man took the flask and poured the small dribble of precious fluid into his webbed hand. He sniffed it and slurped a tiny sip from his palm. Smacking his lips experimentally he spoke. Nowen said, He calls it dead water. The Ori drink it. They are chastising each other for not realizing that was what we needed. They understand now, but they have none.

Gladlow gestured to the nearby crop of plants. Gugl led him over and touched a stone shard jutting out of the ground. A bright, clear light sprang into being in a similar fashion to Gladlow's most used spell. The circle illuminated clusters of leafy green plants and similar slabs of stone with the same objects affixed to them. Gladlow said, It's a magic lantern. He hesitantly touched it, but the envoys didn't seem concerned. The light went on and off with each touch.

Wellstone said, Gladlow, focus. The young man spoke his string of old common words while pretending to pour his empty water flask over the plant.

Gugl went to the lake, brought back a double handful of water, and unceremoniously dumped it on the plant. Gladlow sat back on his heels, despondent. They water their godsdamned crops with saltwater.

Carlin carefully excavated the sand from the base of the plant, watching to make sure the villagers weren't upset. She said, These are just potato plants. There's fish bones and... yes, that's shit. I'm digging in manure sand. She used clean sand to scrub her hands.

Meese asked, Are they magical salt-proof potatoes?

I don't know, they're growing under magical light, in a watery hell, and I really need to wash. She couldn't resist smelling her fingers in disgust, finally marching to the edge of the water.

Gladlow said to the envoys, "Geceapian purfan acennan gebeorscipe."

Nowen said wryly, I suppose that covers it. He explained to the others, He told them we desperately need to pay for a beer party. Strangely, it worked. The following discussion between the envoys made clear they now understood the group's need for fresh water. The Ori diligently brought their own and there was none to be had here. They spent until the end of Nowen's last spell trying to make progress, but both sides were tired and frustrated. They were left by the envoys to rest on the beach, the guards retreating to a more polite distance to watch.

Wellstone said, We'll rest up and see if they'll let us through in the morning—or whatever damned time it is.

Pel said, It didn't sound to me like they were preventing us. They specifically said there was no way out.

Nowen slumped on the ground with his back against her bench and said, That's true, but it likely means the path is blocked or too dangerous. Most of the disagreements amongst them were about bringing danger to their village.

Meese said, We don't have a choice. We'll try to get some directions from them, and just go. The rest we'll be sort out on the jog. They all quieted for a moment as the lanterns over the potato plants began to light. A pair of farmers were meandering through the patch touching each artifact in turn. Meese said, It must be dawn. A number of other lights around and above the park began to flare up on their own.

Wellstone asked, Nowen, are you feeling alright? You're touching your head a lot.

Little headache. It's been a rough couple of days.

You have any water left? Wellstone knew the answer before he shook his head.

Meese said, Here lad, and tried to pass him a flask but Nowen waved him away. Meese stood and asked gently, This is important. Where does your head hurt?

It's a dull pounding in my temples—ow! Meese slapped him across the head and held out the flask. Nowen glared at him. Meese kicked sand into his lap and waggled the flask. Nowen hissed, You absolute prick. Meese dropped the flask and Nowen caught it with a defeated look. He drank the two gulps of water and set the empty flask in the sand.

Meese said, I meant for you to rinse your mouth and spit it back... it's what I've been doing.

Gods, you're such a child.

Wellstone asked, Anyone else feeling poorly? It's best to tell the truth...

Pel said, Gladlow made me take half his ration, but I still have it.

Oh, you nasty little snitch, he said good-naturedly. We talked about this... He tried to counter the perturbed looks he was getting. She needs to be in top form to fight, but my casting won't be affected for some time.

The last thing we need is for one of your spells to fail—

Meese sang along with him in a snide voice, My spells don't fail.

Gladlow said, Alright. Carlin, look me over. As she came back trying to dry her hands on her wet clothes, he pulled down one eyelid and stuck out his tongue, which was a rude gesture in several cultures.

She said, You're just making everyone else feel like a heel for having theirs. Drink your ration.

He bared his fangs and snarled in the way that had made her laugh on several occasions. Make me.

Grow up Gladlow, she said, sounding more defeated than angry. It doesn't matter anyway. Wellstone tried to stop her from leaving, but the girl said, I need to be alone for a while, and took her bag to sit in the sand by the unlit side of a pillar.

Pel stopped Gladlow from getting up. She's not angry with you. Give her some time and I'll check on her in a bit.

Wellstone said, She's right that there's nothing for it now. Rest. I'll take first watch.

Pel said, We're going to look around a bit more.

Right... don't go far.

Pel held Gladlow's hand as they walked the perimeter of the beach. The guards paid them no mind and it seemed the great steps were the only forbidden direction. Over the next half-hour, the illumination increased tenfold as magic lanterns blinked to life revealing a riot of colorful decorations on nearly every surface.

Pel said, This is the brightest, most cheerful place we've seen since the Lizard village.

Gladlow said, It's certainly bright, but I'm not sure how cheerful. He squeezed her hand and said, I'm sorry, you were being sunny and I rained on it. They watched a few of the fish folk dragging bundles across the sand as they circled to the other end of the beach. The whole length of sand was surrounded by water at the bottom, steps at the top, and bracketed by stone walls. They hadn't crossed the potato field, instead working their way to the other end where the villagers were letting a flock—or herd?—of waddling blue-grey birds out of a stone door to stomp their way to the water and dive in. The sand near the door was littered with circular nests each with a single resident. They stood and watched as a farmer pushed a bird out of the way to retrieve an egg. The fat, flightless seabird didn't seem to mind, it just tidied the depression serving as a nest and settled back on the two remaining eggs.

Gladlow said, Those are the first birds of any kind we've seen, but the villagers use a lot of different feather decorations.

Pel asked, When you said it wasn't cheery, did you mean our dilemma?

No, I meant theirs. This village is a couple of setbacks away from starvation.

Really? They seem to be farming a lot of different foods...

Gladlow said, They're very clever about it too, but look at those plants. There's enough there to keep six Humans alive. I'm guessing it's a similar number for their blue sea-chickens, and there isn't much room to expand. Underwater it was the same, they just aren't producing enough food.

Pel said, So there must be something we haven't seen, an area where they hunt.

True, and it must be dangerous, but this might prove they have a way out. Meese was right, we have to make one attempt to ask for some sort of direction, then we have to go. They reached the wall and a few villagers stopped what they were doing and stood out of the way. Pel peeked in one archway while Gladlow checked another.

She said, There are no exits, they seem to be using them for housing birds and storing materials. Looks like a rubbish heap at first glance, but it's well sorted. She tried to smile politely and let the villagers get back to work, but they stared and carefully kept their distance.

Gladlow must have noticed her frown. He said, I can't read their faces yet, but they aren't as nervous as I would have expected.

They seem nervous to me.

I'm starting to get the impression they're very nervous as a people, but not terribly frightened of us.

Pel said, I suppose there's nothing more frightening than your family going hungry. She usually tried to lighten the mood when things reminded her of the war, but had realized recently that she felt better, more often than not, when she said what came to mind. The Sorceress used plague and famine as her weapons. She took control of her predecessor's undead, but she never did anything clever with them. She marched them along to new territories, setting up blockades and using them as a moving barrier between her and her enemies. She caused ten times the deaths by destroying crops and the laborers who tended them. Plague and famine.

Gladlow said, That is an incomprehensible level of evil.

It felt like we were attacking the wrong enemy when we marched past a dying town. It felt evil not to help.

You must have been very young during the last plague.

I was. I only have these feelings when I look back. I don't know that I felt anything then. Most of my fighting was against the rogue undead left to themselves after Her death. It's all a blur of combat, not always sure which fight was where. I think I remember things more clearly from when I was a child.

He said, I'm the opposite in that regard. My childhood is this disorganized mess of sights and feelings. Every event after I began to study is still as clear as when it happened. Sometimes I think I was trying not to commit anything to memory. He tried to laugh. I wish it had worked better.

Pel asked, Was it so bad? Was there anything good?

It wasn't the worst I've heard or seen. I remember I was always cold, always hungry, but it was more lonely than anything else. The one thing I've never been able to leave behind is how hard it is to make friends. If I have one, I rarely even try for another.

She said, That's me as well. I'm not shy really, but it feels like I'm missing a step somewhere. I start to get to know someone and it just fades back to nothing. I was starting to get better at it, I hope.

"It's proximity, I think. It sounds like you were a little more stuck on the Indomitable than you usually allowed yourself. With nowhere to run, friends can just start to happen. School was like that for me. I only just figured out that the easy part is getting to know them. If you don't let them know you, they'll wander off."

Pel said, Meese didn't wander off, did you let him get to know you?

"You have met him, right? You don't let him, he just does."

Wellstone is like that too, she's just determined to make you think she doesn't care. Is that how all Dwarrow are?

Gladlow said, I don't think it's common with any people. I think the both of them are just good friends.

When you put it like that, I have to ask. What is going on with those two? Are they just friends?

He said, "Definitely not. Either they're better at keeping a secret than you are, or they're in some version of a courtship. It's useless to ask them about it."

I didn't realize I like to gossip, but I really do. I want to stay friends with Carlin just because she finds out everything and will tell me about it. Why do you think 'definitely not?' I think they're pretty convincing.

Gladlow said, I'm ninety-five percent sure they aren't sneaking off to fool around, but when you look at them do you doubt they plan on being friends forever?

You think that everyone will eventually jump in bed together?

He said, No, it certainly hasn't worked for me that often. I meant, what can we understand about a friendship that lasts longer than we can ever live? Can we call that being just friends?

Hmm, is that why you don't approve of Carlin and Nowen? She saw his worried look and said, She didn't actually say that, it was just my impression. She said the two of you spoke about her going with him to his home. Is that some special Elf thing?

It's a special thing for anyone, isn't it? She was surprised and wanted to know his intentions. I don't think I made my point very well. It would have been better if I just said she was safe with him.

I thought you sounded a little jealous, but I don't mind. I know you and Carlin are close. I hope it's more brotherly?

He said, I know it's hard to believe, Carlin is very... desirable, but it would have been a long time before any woman had my interest after meeting you. Gladlow always said those things in such a serious manner.

Why didn't you want the two of them going off together?

I think I just didn't want her to leave. I don't want anyone to leave.

Pel gave him a squeeze knowing he wanted them to stay for her as much as for himself. Do you have an issue with an Elf and Human being together? You did say that Elven moiety have a tough go of it.

Hmm, no, at least not because of that. I think there are things we can never understand about one another. Whatever the relationship, they could dedicate their lives to each other...

And when she dies of old age, he will have given up almost nothing. He could have another ten Human wives. It's sad.

He said, I think so too. It's not a very equal place to start from.

She said, I meant sad for him. If you love me so much you can't look at another woman—

Presumptuous, but go on.

How would you feel to know I was certain to die leaving you to live six centuries without me?

Gladlow said, I would feel like throwing up while killing things. I don't care for even hypothetical talk about losing you. Let's not, please.

Pel said brightly, Fine, but I plan to go first... if you don't blow your idiot head off your shoulders with a spell gone wrong.

Oh godsdamnit... that makes me so angry. Maybe we should stuff a cork on the end of your sword so you don't hurt yourself. She laughed and hugged him before dangling the water flask in front of his eyes.

I'm good for now.

I think Carlin was right, it's a bit obnoxious not to drink your ration. Congratulations, you drank less water than anyone else. Pfft. Drink it or we go to sleep without so much as a goodnight kiss. She tapped him on the nose with it.

He said, That threat isn't going to get your way every time.

You're right, it's not a very mature way to deal with a disagreement. Drink it and you can have half an hour before we go to sleep.

I'll take a sip for five minutes.

I'll break your arm, force the water down your throat, and you can go to bed with your one working hand.

Gladlow nodded respectfully and said, You're a strong negotiator, I like that in a woman. We split it and fool around until someone interrupts us.

She took a small sip and he finished the last of the fresh water. She was content to find out he was mostly bluffing this time. They were both tired and thirsty, every activity requiring more energy than it normally would, and she didn't want to risk that particular activity being a disappointment to either of them. They sat and talked in one of the buildings for a little while before falling asleep shoulder to shoulder against a mound of the strange grey tarpaulins.

They woke to the sound of a pitched moan that made Pel's skin crawl. In her sleepy state, it wasn't until they stumbled outside, Pel with her sword drawn, that she realized it was some sort of horn. Several more joined it and every little villager scrambled about performing work they had obviously been drilled on.

Pel asked, What could it be? Is it an attack or a disaster? She followed as he ran down to the water.

Gladlow said, I think it's both. Looking out over the brightly lit lake, they could just see the far corner by the gate. The water was churning as hundreds of shapes leapt from the water and dove back down. They just kept coming. He said, Dorcas. They've figured out the currents— They both jumped a mile as a dozen birds shot out of the water and waddled across the beach. A couple of fish folk were following, making high-pitched screeches that seemed to effectively hurry them along. A group of twenty folk with half-spears followed to stand along the nesting ground. They looked different, more silvery in color, with fins more erect than their fancier, dark blue companions. Pel assumed it was the opposite sex, but not realizing which they had been speaking to all along, chose to grant them the badge of female.

The others gathered near. Meese asked, How do we handle this?

Gladlow said, They'll eat everything in sight.

Wellstone said, Gladlow, Voorsh, go. Do what you can. Come back to us if there's anything more we need to know.

Gladlow had already cast his change spell, gills gaping along his neck. He was right on the little Lizard's tail when she dove into the water.

Pel said, They'll be on us in seconds. Do you want someplace tighter to defend?

Wellstone said, Meese, Nowen, and I will stay in the shallows and do as much damage as we can at range. We'll pull back and help you defend the beach

Meese waded into the water and just before he ducked under, he said, "We let those things in.