From the Shore

by Dieced

When Kytheon finds a lost merfolk in a lake, injured and frightened and with no memory of how it got there, he knows he has to help somehow. Although helping is easier said then done when the merfolk refuses to let him even get close. But Kytheon knows that leaving him in the lake is a death sentence, and vows to return him to the ocean. Mythical Creature AU

Kytheon slowed to a light trot as he neared the secluded lake. The unusually hot summer day had caused him to work up a sweat during his run out, and he was grateful for the cool breeze coming from the lake. The way the nearby mountains funneled the air over the water made it an ideal place to train, and the hour-long run needed to reach it was a perfect warm up. With nothing but the sounds of the wind and wildlife to disturb him, Kytheon drew his sural and began his familiar routine, but paused after only a few swings. Something felt off.

Lowering his weapon, but not putting it away, Kytheon began to walk slowly around the lake, looking for anything out of place. It had barely been a week since he'd been here last, and nothing looked amiss, but he knew better than to doubt his instincts. He didn't feel as though he were in any danger; the birds were still singing, and he could see several deer grazing on the other side of the lake. But still, he almost felt as if he were being watched.

Aha! There!

A large patch of flattened grass finally caught his eye. Racing to it, he knelt down on his front legs for closer inspection. A large trail of crushed grass ran from the lake's shore into the woods. Something dark was smeared against the grass, and he plucked a few blades and brought them up to his face. The smell was faint, but..

Dried blood? How long has this been here? I'm sure I would have noticed this last time, but there hasn't been any rain since then.

The amount of blood wasn't massive, but was still alarming. Kytheon stood up and followed the trail away from the lake, but he didn't have to follow it far. Only a stone's throw away from the shore the flattened grass stopped beneath the trees. Kytheon looked up and saw a trail of broken branches all the way up to the forest's low canopy. Peering at the lowest branches he noticed that they too were lightly splattered with blood.

He headed back to the shore and stopped at the water's edge. The lake was calm and hadn't completely washed away the other end of the trail. There was more blood and a large dip in the sand leading into the water, but it was too faded to tell much about what had caused it.

Something broke those trees then went into the lake. Why? No bird would do that, or leave such a trail. Some other flying creature, perhaps? But what creature would head for the lake instead of seeking shelter in the forest, especially if it was injured? Is it still here?

Kytheon waded out into the lake until his front hooves were submerged and stared out at the water, almost willing the lake to tell him what had transpired.

The lake remained ever silent.

He stepped out of the water and shook his head. If something was in the lake, there was no way of telling if it was dangerous. Looking around, Kytheon considered his options. If he continued following the shore to his left, he'd reach the waterfall that fed the lake. But it was a sheer drop, taller than four of him stacked together. To the right was the stream that flowed out of the lake, towards a larger river that he knew lead to the ocean. It seemed the better option.

Reaching the stream, Kytheon was surprised to find that the usually powerful flowing waters were reduced to nothing more than a trickle, barely above his hooves. Although, considering the unusually long drought they'd been experiencing this summer, he supposed that was to be expected. Stepping easily over the low stream, Kytheon continued searching the grounds around the lake. He reached the waterfall, then circled back and walked all the way around again, but he found nothing else. If some creature was in the lake, it was surely trapped. There was no way out, and no signs that it had attempted to leave. It might have flown off if it could, but Kytheon's gut told him that wasn't the case. Through all his searching, the feeling of being watched had remained.

Kytheon rubbed his forehead and raised his sural again. He needed to think, and practicing always helped clear his thoughts.

If there was an injured creature in the waters, Kytheon didn't want to leave it. Dangerous or not, if it needed help then he had to try. But how to reach it? He couldn't swim very well, and even if he could, he didn't want to enter the lake. Cornered and injured, the creature might try and attack him. Maybe he could draw it out somehow? Of course, that would be easier if he knew what it was. But there was no flying creature he knew of that also lived in water; at least, none of that size. Perhaps Hixus might have been able to help, but he was traveling with some of the city's merchants on official business, and wouldn't return for at least a month.

Concentrating on his movements and his thoughts, Kytheon still allowed himself to glance over at the lake occasionally. A few times he spotted unusually large ripples on its surface, but nothing that couldn't have been explained by a fish. Once he was almost certain he saw something bright blue beneath the ripples, but it was gone by the time he'd fully turned to look.

After several hours of jumping at every ripple or splash, Kytheon began to grow frustrated. He was beginning to tire, and he still had no idea about what was in the lake or what to do about it. The only plan he could come up with was to check the city's library on his return, and he ought to return soon anyway before the sun began to set. Waiting by the lake didn't seem likely to do him any more good. Still, when Kytheon waded into the water to drink and wash the sweat from his face, he found himself going deeper than he usually would have and taking his time. When he looked up from splashing water on his face, this time he was certain that he saw something blue move beneath the surface of the lake.