The sound of the singing echoed around them getting louder as they went. The glowing stones around them, reacting to the music, now provided enough consistent light that they no longer needed their torch or lantern. Each was snuffed and stowed for stealth as they crept through the long hall. They reached the end of the corridor and saw that it emptied into a massive chamber. The heat was stifling, and steam seemed to billow around them. Suddenly a gently floating pink light appeared in front of them.
A fairy!
It drifted by serenely in the mist bobbing as if in a dance.. then another, and a third. They looked and saw that the space was filled with them.. It must be some kind of fountain! The trio visibly relaxed, buoyed by the presence of the fae. They moved around the huge domed room in a lazy current, their soft glow giving the already ethereal space a cheerful rosy magical glow. The gentle sound of lapping water reached their ears along with the tangy scent of wet stone. The spring itself must be right around these rocks. They moved slowly so as not to startle the tiny denizens of this special place. When the three men reached the clearing with the spring, they all gave a small gasp of surprise. There was a woman in the water! She was like no fairy they had ever seen, Great or otherwise…
She appeared to be bathing. The woman was tall and lean with her back to them. Strange markings covered most of her skin like tattoos. She had yet to notice them and was still singing to her heart's content as she washed. The sound was undeniably beautiful... legend felt like he was rooted in place.
Wind was the first to move towards the edge of the water. Wild's eyes went wide and he made a brief grab at the teen before he was out of reach but he too seemed somehow reluctant to move any closer..
"Uh..P- (Wind Cleared his throat causing the girl to whip around and snap her mouth shut. The sudden silence was deafening though the stones still glowed bright) "Pardon me Ma'am… are are you a Siren?"
The girl cocked her head to one side and eyed the men.. Standing there waist deep in the water upon a large jutting crystal, Legend though she cast a very fetching shape. Hey skin glistened in the fairy light and seemed to shimmer.
"A.. Siren?" She replied slowly.
"Yeah." Wind continued "Is this your fountain? We didn't mean to disturb you! We were just exploring… my friends and I and-"
She spoke again with a tinkling laugh, "No sweet boy… I am no Siren." She sunk lower back into the deeper water around her perch and swam closer to the edge nearest to them only her head above the pool now. She reached the lip of the pool and rested her arms on it calmly her chin upon her hands looking up at them. "How did you find this place?"
"Uh.. there was a cave.." Wind began but trailed of losing himself in the eyes of the pretty apparition before him.
"We followed a long series of tunnels here." Legend finished for him causing the woman to turn her head to him. He flushed beneath her gaze and tried to steel himself against it. He pushed on. "We saw the stones glowing and followed your voice…the song- I.." He too trailed off.
"It was a very pretty song." Wild sighed adding his own thoughts onto the end.
The mysterious woman tinkled her laughter again this caused a group of nearby fairies to cluster around her head in a small ring almost like a glowing crown. She tilted her chin down and smiled up at the trio warmly. "Well, thank you.." She waved one elegant, tattooed arm behind her to the pool, "This spring is full of good strong magick.. old magick and the waters here are restorative. You all look weary from your journey and are welcome to join me." She swam backwards towards the middle of the large pool again, eyes half lidded and began to dreamily hum her song again, softer this time.
The men exchanged looks ranging from joy and excitement to wary nervousness. A wide goofy grin spread on Wind's face as he began to wrestle free of his weapons and shirt. "You don't have to tell me twice!" He laughed
Wild began to do likewise, removing his gear leaving Legend alone in his hesitation. "Wait.." he said sharply but the others we not listening. They sloshed happily into the water. Wind gave a small yelp as he hit the water, momentarily freezing Legend blood. It was followed by a whoop and a laugh. "Ohhh Boy! This water is hot!" He chortled as he swam out further.
"Its Amaaaaaaaazing" Said Wild as he settled in right on the edge. "Man, I bet the old man would Love this place… When we find them we should bring the whole gang here." He sighed and leaned back on his elbows looking up expectantly to their remaining companion. "You coming, Vet? It feels niiiice.." He began to wash his arms. "No telling when we might get a proper bath again…"
Legend hesitated, clearly torn, before making up his mind… at least partly. He removed his boots and sock and dunked his legs into the water next to his grinning friend. The effect of the water was immediate. He felt both his spirit and body lighten and overflow with warmth and peace. He let out a soft sigh.
"OH MAN!" Wild laughed pinching his nose in a mocking tease. You need this worse than I thought! You feet could kill Moblins with that stink Alone! Is that some secret weapon you've been saving for emergencies or just your vintage toe cheese?"
Legend looked mortified and was sputtering trying to form a cohesive rebuttal. "I do NOT stink!" was all he came up with. "HEY!" He cried out angrily as Wind splashed him hard soaking his front.
"You SO do!" The boy laughed bobbing in the water. Worse than Time! And that man can carry a fuuuunk..."
"Just get in here." Laughed Wild. "You're already wet... May as well get clean too."