What Magic Lurks Beneath the Waters

[Naiya]

25th day of Winter, 515 AV
Namak Springs
11th bell of evening

Evening found the Drykas stirring, some plucked from the warmth of their lover's embrace, others had made no attempt to sleep, kept awake by the sense of uncertainty that permeated the city. The air, cooled from the day's warmth, shambled across the grasses, hefting its weight against the tall stalks. Taunting winds breathed heavily on those awake, daring them to follow, pushing them onward towards their unknown destination.

Leth hung ominous in the night sky, his pale face illuminating the night. The glow was not the usual, instead it shone with an unearthly brightness, leaching color from the land and dusting only specific paths with light. "Come," he dared those who listened, "Follow me."

The cadence of night-prowling creatures was absent, the drone of crickets, the song of winter nights, silenced. It was a hollow absence that was nearly impossible to miss. There were no animals to follow, no gentle, easily forgotten sounds to soothe the ears. Animals slept in a hush, muted noises of shifting weight or scratching at irritations seemed not to carry their corresponding sounds.

For the ones who followed the bidding of the night, the shifting light trails, or the battering pushes of the wind would find themselves at the Namak Springs. The many pools promised warmth against the chill wind, the flora and fauna offered temptation as well. The moss, so filled with the healing waters of the pool, often could be used.

Zintilla's gossamer cloak of stars decorated the many pools, but even her cold beauty paled against the only color left in the night. A large pool, pressed tight against the base of a tree. It seemed the center of the stage, Leth's too bright light settling over the still water. Rather than his bleached reflection mirrored in the pool, the opaque surface shone with an amaranthine radiance. A luminescence that cast skeletal shadows across the springs.

It was a glowing beacon, the source of the eerie echoes that danced across the web. It seemed to call the names of those who found it, whispers that beckoned them closer. Shredded ribbons of steam seemed to curl like fingers, bidding they come close, examine the changes that had been wrought. Unveil the mysteries hidden in the depths of the pool.

The pool was a tantalizing offer, yet there was a certainty that something was wrong, something that could be examined and picked apart. The daunting shadows, the secret of the whispers, they lent a foreboding chill to the air. Still, the pool seemed to ask, would it be so bad to take the plunge into the water?

[Colt]

At first, Shahar wasn’t quite sure what had woken him. He was sleeping, until suddenly he wasn’t, and then he was aware of beneath him and Naiya’s breath on his skin. He remained there for a few moments, eyes closed, wondering if perhaps he had dreamed something. There didn’t seem to be anything immediately amiss; there were no snarls of grassland beasts, no shouts of anger or scents of danger. There was nothing.

There was nothing.

And that was what had woken him up. No rustlings, no whuffing or scurrying or chirping; the sounds of the night which had sung him to sleep were suddenly no longer there. There weren’t any alarm calls in response to something concrete, which was most puzzling of all.

Snow was stirred by his confusion, but soon enough her senses brought her the rest of the way into consciousness and she was awake as well. She was similarly uncertain, but soon noticed the oddity of their situation as well.

She listened, and, like him, got the gradual sense that something was wrong.

Agreement, Shahar confirmed. Wait.

He reached out for the strands of djed around them, tapping into the Web and pulling himself inside. It was as jarring and uncomfortable a transition as ever, but the lingering sleepiness made it somewhat easier to move past the sensation. Through the threads he went, circling the camp first, trying to sense any approaching danger that might be the root of the unusual silence.

There weren’t any threats, at least, not that he could see. There were no unusual bodies about the camp, and upon counting them he could be sure that all were present and accounted for in the Dawnwhisper pavilion. Nothing was hunting them down or sneaking up on them.

So what was the problem?

Returning to himself, Shahar blinked open his eyes and reached out for Snow, who was still here.

Get ready. This night would not be a restful one.

He disentangled himself from the warm embrace of his wife, murmuring unworried reassurances that he would be back soon. He pulled on enough clothing to ward off the winter chill, taking up his axe and javelins for good measure. The new space of the pavilion tent afforded him enough area to conduct his business without disturbing any of the others, and soon enough he and Snow had slipped out into the open air.

They made their way down to the herd and woke Akaidras, who was somewhat annoyed but nevertheless cooperative as his rider tacked and mounted him. Into the open grasslands the trio went, to track down the source of the mystery.

It was odd, the way he followed it. Following the silence tonight felt almost like following a sound, as if there was a specific point from which it came. The wind urged him to follow, and he did so with caution. To the west, away from the city and towards the coast. Something was amiss, something that made his right arm twinge.

He came upon Namak Springs, small utterances of warmth against an otherwise chilly night. The barest traces of steam curled off particularly hot areas, but the majority of the pools held little interest for him. Life crowded at their borders to feed off of the mineral-rich water or the heat, or else they filled the heart of the pools and bred en masse within the protection of the depths.

But there was one spring that was not like the others.

Snow and Shahar spotted it at the same time, and it filled them with a similar unease. Wandering closer to the mysterious glowing pool, Shahar scanned the area around it to see if there were any surprises getting ready to leap out at him. None did, and he reached the edge of the pool without incident.

Shahar dismounted and knelt at the water’s edge, leaning closer to examine it further. It wasn’t supposed to be here, of that much he was certain. But he was nevertheless intrigued.

First, he would draw a javelin and dip it into the water, swishing it around with the express purpose of disturbing anything that might dwell within.

If nothing happened, he would stick a hand in and do the same.

[Amunet]

She moved around in the silence of her tent. Amunet was on the edge of sleep and semi consciousness. The red head was warm as she had the half grown hunting cat with her and the silkena close to her. The chill of the night nipped at her cheek as her eyes came open. Even the animals that slept were a bit uneasy in their sleepy movements. They however remained asleep. The young healer made a face as the disquiet within had her senses alert and she was awake. The girl got out of the warm comfort she had built up around herself to dress warmly and exit her tent.

The moon was full and very bright. Leth seemed larger than life at the moment and it caste a silvery glow across the grass. The crunch of the cold frozen soil was a light sound as she moved a bit away from her tent and towards the open. The wind flowed to her tugged at her cloak and her hair, pushing her body even as she braced herself against it. She watched the crystallized dust and frozen water droplets that mingled with the crystalline dance that swirled beneath Leth’s light. There was a word on the air. That pretty little head turned towards the word uncertain that she actually heard it.

The wind kicked up again and there was an urging, an insistence and a barely perceptible voice, words that the young woman couldn’t shake. She looked towards the west. It seemed the path was illuminated or marked or brighter. Was it a trick of the eyes? Amunet blinked a few times. She moved forward a few steps towards the path. Something about it was reminding her of something. Something was odd about the night air and something was markedly different about the feel. The cold ephemeral fingers reached for her beckoning. The red head took a deep breath and exhaled long. Maybe the Gods designed this night and not listening to these signs simply would not do. That is what she thought.

She moved to yvas her Strider. She moved her slowly to waken the joints. There was plenty of light for her to see, but she wasn’t going to run her in this cold. Like a human, joints and muscles needed to get moving first before they are used with more stress. She mounted her mare and edged her towards the odd path. The illuminated signs that edged her further west. The cold icy wind made her red hair dance as the illumination gave the fiery tresses an odd shimmer. The words were more suggestions like ‘this way’ and ‘the glowing edge’. The young healer felt the words more than heard them but as she grew closer the words stopped and the purplish glow spoke for itself.

It was not an unsettling purple but its very presence in the illuminated darkness bedecked by Leth’s powerful grace gave it an eerie feel. Yet what lurked there? What would cause something to do that? The urge to know was quickly overpowering her sense to avoid creepy and eerie things as she edged closer. The disquiet passed to Shetanae as she crab stepped more in a half walk half trot snorting her complaint that all of this was just too weird. Amunet patted her neck in reassurance, but rather it was to reassure the horse or herself was unclear. Her own awareness was hyper sensitive as she looked around as she got closer to the pools of water. Steam rose from all of the pools including the one glowing purple. Shetanae would not get any closer as she balked making fearful noises and backed away tossing her head up in that she felt this was dangerous. Amunet had to squeeze and settle more back to ride out the startled movement. When the horse was far enough away to feel safe and stopped, she relaxed as she truly tried to ease the mare.

She was off of the mare in but moments to look her in the eyes as those comforting hands that held in it a different kind of grace. “Easy girl, stand right here then. “ She said to the horse. ‘stand, safe, stay calm’ was signed to the horse. The mare edged her ears back as she looked at the glowing purple and back at her companion. The snort that followed was a resignation that the horse very well knew her rider was going to investigate. It has happened before. This did not mean the Strider was used to weird. Her teeth gently garnished some material of the red head and pulled it lightly back as she was clearly worried.

“Shetanae it will be ok, I will go to the edge and just take a peak. I will be only a minute. “ She said to her hugging her big head and stroking the sleek long neck. Amunet started off towards the glowing pool. What caused it to glow like that? Why? Was it of the gods? As she neared the pool, she crouched at the edge and looked closely at the water. The surface was still like glass. Like glass? The girl looked around as now she remembered where she saw this. It was the vision from Caihya. The memory of it came flooding in as if it freshly happened. The red head had two gloves on. One that was wool with the fingers cut out and a set of leather ones over that. She took both off of one hand . Made bold by the remembrance of the vision, her hand would lay flat on the glass like surface of the pool.

The words came in with more clarity, inviting her to plunge into it. Plunge? Its winter, she would freeze to death. The vision did seem to indicate that she went into it. She took it as to be symbolic but seems this was literal. Visions seemed fickle that way. Does she trust the vision and plunge into the water or does she turn away. The sensation to do so, the invitation was seductive and enticing. It grew stronger as she breathed in the air in a long breath of air. Yes she wanted to know? Yes she was afraid, very afraid. She was alone, but that never stopped her before. Why now? So much had happened. She sat down and closed her eyes. The disquiet was hammering into her being like a well honed blacksmith chiseling at a design on a piece of armor. The questing, inviting trance like words beat upon the walls as she tried to find her own self in all of this chaos in the quiet.

It was then she laughed. In the still silence of the night there was more noise than the noisy day of the active. The girl laughed again in that musical way as it sounded like water flowing over crystal. Shetanae would be alright as she well knew how to take care of herself. The mare took care of the little healer more than anything. She stood up and looked at Shetanae as she smiled. With no warning and the startled squeal of the horse, the little healer turned towards the glowing purple pool, bunched up her legs by bending at the knee and launched to plunged into the water.

[Azmere]

It had been a hazy day which yielded little in the way of quarry. The strange heat, though still winter weather, made the sea lions restless and when the colony was uneasy, hunting was all but impossible without large numbers. That had been the day but as the cooler air of night crept along the grass and swirled amidst the springs; the animals began to rest and relax. When the light of Syna was lost, Leth came to brighten the world. Indeed, his face was shining in a way that turned the land to bone and the air to dust. The callous breezes were enough to make the water mammals form clusters and attempt sleep which was a gift to the hunters.

They had parted ways but Azmere was not ready for slumber even though the day had been taxing. He had bled out his catch, wrapped them up in a blanket and tied them to the back of the yvas. So here he stood next to his strider wondering at the strange sky. The gods truly were creative. The Drykas struggled to come up with a time in his memory when the night had been so bright and yet so desolate at the same time. It was almost like the world was rejecting Leth’s rays because he was too near or Semele withheld her colors because Leth offended her with his proximity. Still, Azmere could see for miles, unhindered, in all directions. Towards Endrykas, he could almost hear the sounds of breathing. It was strange how quiet everything was tonight. Even in winter, one can hear the bugs and critters of the grasses. This often meant that some kind of predator was nearby but even if one or two was about, no predator eats everything…none except for humans, anyway.

Contemplating nothing and becoming bogged down by logic, Azmere turned back to face the direction from whence he’d come. His eyes pierced the well-lit fields of grass with a narrow gaze until they were filled with a purple glow. That wasn’t there before. Hephiestian stomped as if reading Azmere’s mind and then again with a resounding ‘no’. The archer smiled and patted the beast on the neck. “Too bad, wimp. I’m awake and we’re going.” With that being said, Azmere started in the direction of the pools. He talked with Hephiestian about everything that has happened recently and found himself wondering what other types of experiences may present themselves to the young man.

After twenty or so chimes, the duo came over a rise to find the springs. Azmere’s gaze went from casual indifference to absolute shock. The water in one of the pools was glowing a shade of purple that screamed ‘Come and play with me’. While this was enticing, every sensibility in the young man’s body was trying to scream louder. ‘Don’t be a fool!’ In an effort to make his decision, he turned to Hephiestian was regarding his master with a quiet irritation. Azmere got the impression that the horse should be asleep. Azmere took a step away from his companion and began a slow descent towards the unnaturally vivid water. The sounds of game or anything else was absent here as well so he took extra care to not make noise. ‘Tread softly’ was a cautious thing to say to someone. Azmere’s family had taught him the value of stealth and his great uncle would often say “Don’t tread. Float.” These were the steps made. Padding like a thief in the night or a wolf on the prowl, the archer made nary a sound. This process was slowed for a few ticks while he slipped Vihar off his chest and thumbed an arrow from his quiver. He moved the entire time though not quickly and soon had a broad-tipped arrow notched and slightly drawn for that just-in case moment.

Starbursts flickered over the landscape taking in the scene and whether it was sheer luck or practiced skill, he noticed something large and white moving near the reeds but it was gone so swiftly that he couldn’t be sure what he had witnessed. Azmere gave up some of his silence for speed and closed the distance quickly. Experience has taught the hunter that you don’t go directly at your prey. Azmere circled up and away from the trajectory of the white object. This gave him a slight advantage but only very little because there was no cover in that midrange field near the springs. The rocks and hills around the area were decent cover and the reeds and tall stalks of grass on the waters’ shores were excellent cover but the space in between was a no man’s land.

That is where Azmere found himself. Another flicker of white let him know he was on the trail and so he drew the arrow back two-thirds a complete pull. A slight splash in the water was reminiscent of stirring and this made the Drykas pause his approach to the reeds. Unsure why; Azmere felt like he was intruding. The purple glow was inviting but the white creature might be doing something that Azmere didn’t want to be a part of. On a whim, he whispered in a short burst “Drykas.” He lifted the tip of the arrow and pulled back a bit more just in case. He had no idea what to expect but if anything came out of those reeds too quickly, it was going to have another hole to from which to draw breath.

It's you and me against the world.

[Seirei Dawnwhisper]

Seirei roused from a light sleep, and lay in her bed roll wondering what had awoken her. Her first thought had been that one of the twins was awake, and wanted something. But that wasn't the case. Lukar and Lira were sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to their mother's wakeful state. After watching her children sleep peacefully for several chimes, Seirei decided to try and go back to sleep.

But sleep eluded her. Seirei felt a restless sense of unease that made sleep impossible. Something felt...wrong somehow. Troubled, Seirei listened intently for any sign of what might be making her feel so anxious. It took her several chimes to realize that it was too quiet. She should be hearing the cries of owls as they hunted their prey. Or cricket song. Or the rustles of night dwelling creatures going about their lives. Even the sounds of the horses, and zibri breathing as they slept. But there was nothing. All was silent. And silence that complete meant danger.

Seirei checked the twins once more to make certain that they were all right. Then she grabbed her bow, and a yvas bag filled with arrows. She didn't really believe that she could drive anything off with it, but having it in her hands made her feel safer all the same.

Nothing looked out of the ordinary, as Seirei searched for signs of danger. But the night seemed brighter than it should be. Seirei glanced up, and her eyes widened as she saw Leth. His glow was unusually bright, and he looked eerie to her as she stared up at him. Instead of calming, his presence seemed almost...threatening somehow. But at the same time, he seemed to challenge something deep within her spirit. It was almost as though he was daring to follow what looked like paths of light leading off into the darkness.

A sharp snort caught her attention. Kairi was awake as well, and she too, had her ears perked as she gazed off into the distance. The mare was tense, and alert for danger. But Seirei thought she could see an eagerness in her as well. The paths seemed to call to her as much as they did Seirei.

Kairi didn't even offer a token protest as Seirei put the yvas on her. Nor did she attempt her usual trick of trying to exhale deeply as she was fastening the strap so that it would be too loose. Instead, she seemed impatient for Seirei to mount her so that they could be on their way. Seirei complied, mounting as soon as she had finished tightening the yvas strap, and settling herself on Kairi's back as quickly as she could.

Leth's light was almost mesmerizing as they rode. Seirei tried to shift her weight to better suit the strider as needed, but she wasn't certain how well her attempts were working. She also practiced leaning forward, and back, to ask for different speeds as the mare walked. Seirei was so focused on what she was doing that she didn't notice where they were going, or how long she had been riding. And before she knew it, they had arrived at the end of the light paths.

Seirei looked around, and saw several pools of water. Some were connected to each other, and others were not. Some were slightly larger than the others, but they were all roughly similar in size. And they were all circular in shape. Each one had steam rising slowly from its surface.

Teisaia had told her something of this place. It was called Namak Springs, and there was a legend that said that Laviku himself had created these pools so that Caiyha would have a safe place to raise the young of the animals that made their homes in the sea. It was also said that the pools had healing properties. Seirei couldn't help but wonder if they would have an affect on the morning sickness that plagued her, or some of the other symptoms she was experiencing. Swollen ankles, and an unpleasant variety of aches and pains that never seemed to leave her, instead growing worse as her belly grew. She would be happy if it helped ease the pain of her broken toe, as well.

As Seirei looked out at the pools from Kairi's back, she noticed that one of the pools was different than the others. Most seemed to reflect Leth, and the stars in their surface, or glow with the vibrant blues and greens of the ocean. But one glowed a strange shade of purple. And that was the one that seemed to whisper Seirei's name, beckoning her to enter its depths.

The thought of the springs' healing properties was too much to ignore, no matter how loudly the inner voice or reason screamed that she should leave this place immediately, and return home. Seirei hesitated for a few ticks, then dismounted. She limped towards the purple pool, almost as if in a trance. When she reached the edge, she sat, and dangled her injured foot in the warm water for a few ticks. When nothing bad happened immediately, she slid into the water hoping to ease all of the aches caused by her pregnancy.

.
.
.

[Ife]

Married life suited Ife remarkably well. There was something comforting about knowing that her beloved husband would forever be there at her side, a sense of security and affection.

So why was she having such trouble sleeping?

In truth, there was little reason behind this current bout of insomnia. Ife had suffered from restless nights every so often for the entirety of her life. She would be sleeping fine for an entire season, perhaps even longer, but then suddenly sleep would evade her for a few nights. Some claimed that it was due to anxiety of nerves, but in all previous cases Ife had merely shrugged and rejected this suggestion. She was hardly the nervous sort, and even if she was struck with worry, she was far more likely to stomp her stresses out then bundle them up and bury them deep inside herself, where they could interrupt her sleep.

But now, on the third night of poor sleep, Ife found herself growing in concern. What if this current stint of poor sleep was due to sudden, uncharacteristic nerves? And if it was, where was the cause of these nerves? She considered how this might appear to Graham, or his family. Would he presume her apparent anxiety was due to him and their recent marriage?

Like a roll of thunder, she rejected this idea. She wanted to be Graham’s wife, and though their marriage had happened quickly over the past season, Ife had no doubts over her desire or love for the Drykas male who was now her husband.

But regardless of her own confidence and happiness in their marriage, sleep danced away from the Inarta. Eventually she grunted and rose to her feet, sidling away from the sleeping Graham and trying her best to step silently. But Stealthy she was not, and after several bumps and whispered curses, Ife tumbled out of their shared pavilion.

The night was dark and immediately she felt more relieved and relaxed for being outside. It was freeing to feel that tickling breeze, and Ife released a steady, thankful sigh. She would not wander far, but far enough to clear her head and tire out her body.

But, ten chimes later, Ife was chasing an altogether different idea. Something was calling out to her, appealing to a rarely seen aspect of her personality that was intrigued with mystery and magic. She was heading towards the Namak Springs, a small collection of pools of water that had not caught her interest until now. The waters were serenely peaceful, and promised respite from the chilly air that nipped at Ife’s pale skin. She scanned the water of the closest Spring, feeling a strange pull towards the aquamarine world below.

But— no. Something else caught her attention and Ife stepped towards it. Another pool in the Springs, but utterly unlike the others. The water was glowing in this one, an ethereal light that, whilst not painfully bright, made Ife wince as she surveyed her immediate surroundings. Glowing water, she knew, was far from natural and the Inarta temporarily wished she had bought something with her - a bow, a sharpened stick, anything that could be used as protection.

As quick as her worry had come, though, it was washed away. The water looked peaceful enough, almost beautiful in it’s silent promise of respite and comfort.

So Ife crouched down, dipping her arm into the water to test the temperature and depth. After this, she swung her legs around and dipped them into the pool, smiling as her prickled skin was embraced by the warmth of the water.

Something so comforting and pleasant could hardly be dangerous, she figured.

[Naiya]

Edit: I would begin your post from where your individual response ends.

Shahar

The man's careful approach was distinctly noticed, the ebbs of energy from the pool carefully harmless as they drifted across his skin. As his weapon disturbed the water, the color changed, a gemlike trail followed the path of the Javelin tip, silver and light it danced across the pool.

When he removed the weapon from the water it had greater heft, perhaps because it was wet, the pull of the water adding to the weight. Imperceptible changes had begun, the composition of the javelin changing. He couldn't know it now, but over the course of the next day the weapon would change, the parts dipped into the water hardening changing. Wood to amber, stone to cold iron, and metal to fine silver.

Appearing for all the world as though nothing had changed, Shahar then reached his hand toward the pool, reaching to feel the glistening trail that slowly dispersed across the waters.

The moment his fingers touched the surface the world shifted, spinning and flipping. For an instant he fell, the water surrounded him and still the world turned independent of the hunter. He worked to orient himself, to no avail as the world twisted and warped.

As quickly as it had begun, it ceased, Shahar's fingers breaking through the surface of the water from beneath the pool.

Amunet

The petite redhead launched herself into the pool, her hands breaking the purple surface with a splash that seemed to rebound across the distance. The water swirled, twisted, and the woman delighted in it, excited by the fruition of her vision.

The water engulfed her, swirling her hair and tugging at her clothes. She sank for ticks, each one passing ever so slowly, growing slower as she dove deeper. Eventually she hung in complete stillness, her breath growing tight in her chest. Despite her efforts, Amunet could not change her position, forced instead to watch the water twist and swirl around her. It was clear that something was happening, what it was was as murky as the water.

Slowly she began to move again, her body following the same course as her dive, but suddenly the pressure of the water was growing lighter, no longer pressing her down. She gained speed, moving through the water faster than she could have imagined on her own, she was launched into the air above the pool, having only seconds to take in the new surroundings before she fell back towards the earth.

Azmere

The reeds were still, Azmere found himself too nervous to stay still in the dead space between cover. He moved, creeping slowly, eyes focused on the reeds where he'd last seen the flash of white that he pursued. He circled once more, coming towards the reeds from the side.

The ball of light jumpped at him from the reeds, before he'd even thought about the consequences, Azmere loosed his arrow, his aim was true, the path of the tip driving through central mass.

His eyes tracked the arrow, even as he readied another, the tip charred, slowly melting into a puddle where it landed. The shaft and fletching never even made it to the ground. The orb was undeterred, continuing towards Azmere. He dove for the ground, dodging the light. They circled, a battle between the two, the fleeting movement, flashes of white the only warning Azmere had to judge his esxape by. Each run putting the two closer together. Azmere continued to circle, keeping his eyes on the flash of white until it disappeared.

He froze, searching for the ball, but it was too late when it showed itself once more, it was too close, he took a step back, seeking room to maneuver, and his foot sent dirt crumbling into the pool. The ball rushed him, out of time, he had no choice but to fall backward into the pool.

Seirei

Seirei's descent into the pool was unique, her state pronouncing a special air of both fragility and strength. The pool, aware, sentient, beckoned to the woman, and when she lowered herself into the pool, it cradled her, lifting away her pain and discomforts, waiting on her to submerge, allowing her the rest she desired.

Once her head ducked beneath the water the pool twisted. The fastest turn yet, spinning the woman and the world a single time so quickly that if it weren't for the feeling of displacement she might not have known anything had changed as her head broke back above the surface.

Looking around her she found herself in a different place, feeling refreshed, her aches, pains and minor injuries washed away by the gentle waters.

Ife

The lack of danger courted the woman, the oft spoken of bliss of the pools enticing her. The prickling warmth spread, dancing across her skin, dragging her into the pool most unceremoniously.

Once submerged trails of glitter followed her movements, holding her in the depths, there was a serenity, peace in her motions, and when she ran out of air and gasped in desperation she found that the water spilled into her mouth and lungs bet did not leave her sputtering.

She was gifted ticks of floating in the water, breathing as though in air before she surfaced, pushed by the cradle of the water.

All

One by one the party arrived, each of them finding themselves in a new place, a reality different from the one they lived in. Each Drykas became aware of the others as they escaped from the pool, greetings made, inquiry shared amongst them all.

The bank was grassy, the pool disappearing as the Ife emerged, before them lay a wooded area, breaking out around them, their clearing lit by the same usually bright light from Leth. Directly before them a path, brightly lit by Leth, winding away deeper into the trees. There was a promise of something there. Whispers beckoned them, promising to show them something.

To some it might be too much, surely after their last following of the whispers had brought them here they were more skeptical, perhaps the densely packed trees were foreboding. There were other paths, less marked, game trails perhaps.

Further still there was sound, coming from behind them, all too familiar after their arrival near the coast back at home. Waves crashed upon a shore, should they seek the sound, their path backwards might lead them sand, and eventually to the waves.

[Azmere]

Falling…

Is this what flying feels like? No, it was different in the way weight was transferred. Azmere had flown once or rather, he’d been thrown several body lengths off of a Zibri bull as a young man and that was a different experience altogether. The present left Azmere feeling exposed. His boot that once held onto dirt was now filling with water from the eerily lit pool. The flying orb of light had done its job well, apparently, for the Drykas could no longer see it. He could no longer see anything but Zintila’s cloak. It dawned on him that everything seemed to be in slow motion. He was still holding his bow but had dropped the arrow and the first one had been incinerated. The archer frowned. Is this what dying feels like?

Splash!

Azmere felt the warm liquid rush around him and the swirl created by his body’s displacement forced him down for a chime like a large invisible hand. Fighting back by kicking and swinging in the water, he managed to get his head above the surface allowing his body to right itself until his feet could touch the bottom. This was not as easy as it sounds since he was still wearing his cloak which acted like a big soft anchor. Azmere pulled and punched at the water until he could stand then clutched at his burning lungs. He coughed and sputtered for a few ticks and tossed his bow onto the grassy edge while trying to catch his breath. Azmere was so disoriented. He’d never been swimming before and only ventured into the water to wash his clothes or himself and even then it was limited contact in a controlled environment. He gritted his teeth and let out a low rumble from his chest. He would never admit it but the unexpected plunge frightened Azmere. Not knowing how to swim breeds an inherent fear of submersion.

The Drykas looked about and noticed his weapons still intact; bow on shore, club on his hip and dagger in his belt. Azmere inspected his quiver and found it to be fairly well stocked. He slipped it over his head and tossed it onto shore with fifteen arrows. There should be twenty. Azmere removed his soaking wet cloak and heaved it onto the grass with his other things then peeled off his shirt and flung it ashore. He was not happy. ‘Like a fish out of water’ was a saying he had heard a few times by some of the older Drykas who had traveled extensively. It meant that someone was out of his element and Azmere was there right now. The air was warm and as his breathing returned to normal, he scoured the area for the other Drykas he had initially seen. He was shocked to find himself not where he was. It sounds confusing but it is confusing. Azmere fell into the water at the springs but where he surfaced was another place entirely. There was a thick grouping of trees that stretched on far beyond what he could see and the weather was so much warmer. If this was the Sea of Grass, it should be winter but it felt more like late spring or early fall.

He relished in the feeling of the warmer air but soon felt a chill. He needed to get out of the water and dry off. Azmere was about to do so when he heard a peculiar sound. He turned and took a step back towards shore. The splashing noise was a projectile flung from the depths of the pool. Did it just squeak? The warrior reached down for his club but did not have the time. In a flash of Leth’s light, Azmere saw the shape of a woman with long hair. “What in-“. Out of sheer protective instinct, Azmere released the club and moved his arms up to form a cradle. He dropped his right leg behind the left and bent his knees to brace for the impact.

It's you and me against the world.

[Amunet]

The swirling soft purple water wrapped around her like a blanket. It was warm and gentle. It swirled around her as it made her hair dance. Deeper her body sank into the water or was it pushed? Her mind had little time to ponder these things as her body reminded her that it liked to breathe. There were moment were her body stopped and there was a pause. The want to kick back up to the surface was getting stronger but she couldn’t move. The waters continued to swirl and press into her form like a cocoon. Her chest ached and tightened to want to take a breath of air. Her mind fought against it but the body’s instinct to breathe was a strong one.

Just as she was about to lose that battle, the sudden forward momentum robbed her body of that instinct as she was suddenly launched and propelled out of the water. Not just out of the water but airborne into the night, the warm night. Warm? Her sharp eyes looked around as she went up into the air as the thickness of trees was in one direction and the shapes of ground under brush and stone was in another direction. Her body hovered for a fraction of a tick or so before the rules of gravity, just like the rules of breathing took hold.

The red head’s soaked and wet body made their descent. The little eep of the danger of the fall had her arms flailing grabbing at something. There was nothing to grab, nothing to get a hold of in the air, yet there was her hands grabbing for something in futility. There was another high pitched eep as she rapidly descended as she braced herself for the impact of the ground. Only that didn’t happen. Her eyes closed tightly shut as she felt something less than the hardness of the ground though not by much. It cradled her gently. Her eyes came open to find herself staring into the differing colored eyes of a friend.

It took a chime or two to accommodate their selves as it seemed they were in a strange place and the comfort of the known was in each other. Once the initial shock wore off of their exit of the pool, she checked Azmere by patting his chest gently and looking him up and down in Leth’s light to see if he was injured. Others had emerged from the purple waters. This gave rise to more inspections on a medical side as she checked each one for injury, pain or discomfort that needed attention. It was a good distraction for her from their unknown precarious position. It was what the red head did when she had no idea what to do. Fall back on what she did know and that was medicine, herbs, taking care of something, someone.

[Colt]

The bizarre pool became distinctly less threatening the closer he came, lighting up playfully when he swished his javelin through it. The weapon was heavier when he lifted it, but it didn’t appear as if anything outright bad had happened––whatever the nature of the water, he didn’t feel threatened. He even reached his hand in to touch the water with skin instead of weapon.

And then everything changed.

The world pitched and dragged at him suddenly, digging unseen fingers into the lines of his clothes and hauling him forward, into the pool. He felt Snow’s fear, before feeling her race through the grass and do her best to follow him into the water, her usual puppy-like thoughts all of the sudden overtaken by a blazing protectiveness.

And then the spinning and whirling was over, and he was clawing his way upwards back to the air. What had happened? He needed to get out.

Hauling himself to shore, Shahar coughed up what water he had accidentally swallowed and wiped his eyes clear. It became immediately clear that something was wrong. This wasn’t where he was supposed to be. What had happened? Where was the ocean? Where was Snow? He called out for her, but heard nothing in reply. What had happened?

And who else was with him?

There were others, people he didn’t recognize. Strangers, although he could see the distinctly Drykas style of their clothes and hair. One, a petite red-headed woman, he thought he recognized.

“You,” he said to the air at large, righting himself. He made a gesture that directed his word at all of them, with undertones of worry, disorientation, who are you, where are we, confusion. Over that, however, he was already trying to rationalize; they were obviously quite lost, wherever they were. He had a desire to move, fix, figure out. Desire to go home.