General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.

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Trouble at Sea

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Imoen didn't seem too bothered by the choice of having to share a room with Anomen or bunk down in the crew's quarters, but the Helmite appeared very bothered by the subject. He tried to insist that he would take a place with the crew and leave Imoen to have the room to herself but she shook her head.

"There are two beds in there," she pointed out, "and at least if I know you're near, I feel safer. I don't entirely trust Saemon to not suggest he shares with me to keep me company, if you don't."

Anomen nodded slowly and relented. The captain had taken a shine to the young thief, appearing by her side regularly as the ship steadily pulled away from Brynnlaw. Despite her exhaustion and the late hour, Imoen was reluctant to turn in, and insisted on sitting on the deck to look up to the moon and the stars for a while. Anomen had been pleased when she agreed to share his company.

"It feels like it's been such a long time," she said softly, her head turned up to study the constellations. "I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever see the moon again, or the sun, or... well, anything outside of the prison."

"It must have been hard," murmured Anomen gently. He'd removed his restrictive armour and was lounging on one of the benches by her side, also gazing up to the night sky.

"The hardest part was being alone. At least... at least last time we were captured, I had the others with me. But then Khalid and Dynaheir..." Her voice trailed off and Anomen gently reached out to touch her arm.

"Everyone is safe this time," he said, trying to assure her.

"Are they? We can only guess what dangers they'll face in the Underdark. I should have gone with them. We should have."

"Maiyn wanted you to get to safety -- they all did. What you've been through... we can only guess at how hard it was, but you need to rest and recover."

"Maiyn had-"

"You suffered longer than she did," interrupted the knight, "and she was determined to go on. Jaheira and the others won't let her falter."

Imoen sighed. "She's stronger than me."

Anomen shook his head. "No, I think you are both strong women. But you have had more to deal with than she has, and she wanted you to be safe after what happened. There is plenty we can do in the city to prepare for their arrival and make sure we are ready to help with whatever lies next."

Imoen perked up a bit at that. "I guess you're right," she admitted. "And I do feel like I'd have been more a hindrance than a help right now. But... I miss them."

"I know."

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while as the waves gently lapped against the side of the ship before Anomen suggested they get some sleep. Imoen nodded her agreement, and together they made their way to their room. The knight waited outside patiently until Imoen called to say she was in bed, and he quickly made his way to his own bunk, swiftly extinguishing the lantern as he clambered into his own bed fully clothed. Imoen giggled slightly at his obvious fluster, and wished him a good night as he shifted around, trying to get comfortable.

"Good night, my lady," came his reply.

"Anomen..." she said warningly.

"Sorry... Imoen."

-----------------------

Despite their late night, both Imoen and Anomen rose early the next day and accepted Saemon's gracious offer to breakfast in the captain's room with him. The food was basic -- plain seaman's rationings of some bread, slightly hard cheese and some of the fresh-water they'd found deep in the hull -- Saemon himself preferred a goblet of wine, but his guests politely declined. The hour was still too early to contemplate alcohol.

"Were your quarters satisfactory?" the captain asked Imoen, completely ignoring Anomen's presence whenever possible.

"Yes, thank you," the young girl replied politely. "I think I would have slept no matter where I was, just as long as I wasn't back in Spellhold." She shuddered slightly and Anomen looked at her with concern.

"Aye, there's no need to worry about there any more," said Saemon smoothly. "We'll get you nice and safely back to shore, and you can see the delights of Athkatla for yourself. Have you seen much of the City of Coin?"

Anomen glared darkly at the captain.

"No," replied the girl. "I was taken in pretty much as we arrived."

"That's unfortunate," Saemon continued. "There's many a sight to be seen, and I'd be more than happy to show you around if you could find the time to make an old sailor happy."

Imoen smiled pleasantly to him as Anomen viciously sliced into his cheese. "Thank you for your kind offer," she said, ignoring Saemon's dazzling smile, "but Sir Anomen has already promised to give me a tour since he grew up there, and I agreed."

"Oh, I see," muttered the captain, managing to look vaguely disappointed. "Perhaps your holy friend will... neglect to show you some of the more interesting sights, though, eh? And then, Saemon here can have that pleasure at least!"

Imoen grinned crookedly as Anomen choked on some bread. "We'll see," she said enticingly, fluttering her eyelashes ever so slightly at the sailor. Saemon smiled dreamily for a split second, then stood from the table and excused himself to see to his crew. Imoen watched him leave then regarded Anomen with some amusement.

"You're funny when you're annoyed," she noted, delicately breaking off a bit of bread to take with her as she rose. He raised an eyebrow. "You're chewing whatever is in your mouth so hard -- I've never really seen anyone eat with so much anger."

She left the room and climbed up through the hatch to the deck to enjoy a day in the sunshine. The sky overhead was blue and clear, but there was a chill in the air that swept past and made her shiver. She felt the cloak Anomen gave her being draped over her shoulders and she offered him a smile as he leaned on the railing next to her.

"I'm not annoyed," he said simply.

Imoen giggled. "You do a very good impression of someone who is, then," she remarked with a twinkle in her eye. He looked at her reproachfully, but even he couldn't quite keep the hint of a smile from his face.

"Are you feeling better today?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I am," she nodded. "I wanted to say thank you."

"What for?"

"For lots of things! For helping to rescue me, for coming along with me now to protect me -- though I'm a powerful mage you know, and a very clever thief!"

The priest chuckled. "Perhaps it will be you looking out for me, then."

"Just... thank you for everything."

Anomen smiled to her. "The more I travelled with your sister, the more I felt part of... well, her 'family'. I suppose," he said thoughtfully. "It was hard to begin with -- Yoshimo and I were strangers while everyone else had such established relationships, but we were trusted quickly and never made to feel like outsiders."

"What happened with Yoshimo?" asked Imoen quietly. "When I was with them he said he'd been imprisoned too. I don't understand why he did what he did."

"I don't think any of us did, least of all your sister. He seemed to be loyal to us, and helped however he could when we were trying to raise enough money to find you."

"How did you raise the money?"

Anomen fell silent for a moment. "We battled a dragon," he eventually said.

Imoen's eyes widened. "You're kidding me... right?

Anomen laughed lightly. "No, I jest you not. We were employed by a nobleman to clear his lands of ogres and orcs. When we got there, he'd placed an illusion on us and some other Knights of the Order. We ended up slaying them, not realising their true identity until the last one fell. With the aid of some paladins we brought the nobleman to justice -- in reality, he was an immense red dragon."

"Wow," said Imoen softly. "Sounds like I missed out on all the fun."

"We freed some slaves before that encounter," added Anomen. "I could take you to the Copper Coronet -- the inn where they were being held -- and introduce you to Hendak, the former slave who now runs the establishment."

"You were busy," noted Imoen. "I wish I'd been there..."

"So did... we," replied Anomen quietly. "What... what happened while you were imprisoned?" Imoen tensed at his question and he immediately berated himself for his tactlessness. "I am sorry, I should not have-"

"No, it's fine," she interrupted. She took a deep breath before she spoke again. "At first it wasn't too bad -- I would spend a little bit of time in my cell every day, then Wanev would let us out for 'recreation'. He was the co-ordinator then, and he was sane, no matter what Irenicus said. He was strict, but fair -- firm, but always kind to me. He said he didn't know why they'd taken me in too, and I'd just been unlucky. He even hinted that he'd try and find a way to see if I could be released.

"But then Irenicus took over and did something to him -- Wanev went mad with the torture. Irenicus had been kept away from us until then, and I still don't know how he managed to get free. One day the wizards just never showed up to question us and check in on us. Then Lonk appeared, allowing us to go free, saying he would be looking after us. It was another day or two before he came to get me -- I couldn't believe he was walking freely around the corridors. I called to Lonk, tried to tell him he'd escaped and he just looked at me all pityingly. 'He's the new Co-ordinator' he said, and I was taken to the room... the room where we fought him."

"You don't have to go on," said Anomen quietly.

"I... I'd rather," Imoen said hesitantly. "He would make me watch as he cast spells on these men and women in the other glass cages. When they were dead he'd make me stand there and watch as he dissected them. The more upset I became, the more I felt him in my head, and eventually I couldn't fight him any more. He did something to me, and when I woke up he said I had no soul left, that Bodhi had been given it. Then... then he did the same to Maiyn when she arrived. He'd put a charm spell on me when he knew you'd arrived at the island so I wouldn't talk to you. He wanted to get to her before I was able to warn her."

Anomen reached out and put his arm around the young girl's shoulders. She huddled into him and let a few tears slowly trickle down her cheeks. "It's almost over now," he said quietly. "We'll get your soul back, and Maiyn's, and it'll be over. We won't rest until it's done." Then he held her as she cried, ignoring the curious stares of the sailors who wandered past occasionally.

-----------------------

The sun was high in the sky when Saemon appeared, nervously looking over the port side of the ship. Anomen and Imoen had spent an enjoyable few hours chatting about various things; the knight had told her about his sister's death, then reminisced fondly about the times he spent with her before he left to squire with the Order. Imoen shared tales of the upbringing she had with Maiyn at Candlekeep, and the pranks they would get up to. Neither paid much attention to their captain until he called over some of his crew and began talking to them in urgent and hushed tones.

"Something is wrong," murmured Imoen as she peered at them. Anomen nodded his agreement.

"I am going to prepare for the unexpected," he decided, rising from his seat and helping Imoen also to her feet.

"I think I'll do likewise," muttered the mage.

Together they returned to their room -- the sudden change in atmosphere was enough to distract Anomen from any self-consciousness he'd had previously, and he donned his armour while Imoen was present, grasping her spellbook close to her chest. Just as they were both about to leave for the deck once more, the knight looked at their packs and picked them up.

"Won't they be better being left here?" asked Imoen. "There's nowhere for us to go."

Anomen nodded slowly. "I know, but... I just think we should keep them close to us right now."

Imoen shrugged. "If you think it's best," she replied, accepting her lighter bag and heading back to the hatch as she strapped it to her back. Anomen followed her, doing likewise with his own bag, his jaw set determinedly. Something wasn't right at all.

-----------------------

"All right men, prepare to be boarded," shouted Saemon to his crew. "All weapons ready." He turned to see Anomen and Imoen staring at him and the large ship that was now aligned with their own vessel. "Don't worry; I'm sure this won't be any trouble at all."

Imoen wasn't convinced, and she didn't think Anomen would be either. The strange boat was strange to their eye -- it was different to the ships they were used to seeing -- it had no sails, no masts, only a sleek hull, made from a shining material with a green hue. A hatch on the surface was opening slowly, and Saemon's attention returned to the aggressors.

"Ready yourselves!" he called warningly to his men, before muttering more quietly to himself. "I know not who these ruffian pirates are... Desharik's men, perhaps?"

A large figure lumbered from the hatchway and a plank extended automatically from the enemy vessel, easily reaching over to their own ship. Imoen watched as the stranger approached -- it was definitely humanoid, but it most certainly wasn't like any creature she'd seen before. Easily eight feet tall, its arms were long and thin, its build was lithe but appeared to be incredibly strong judging by the immense weapon held in its hands, and its face was almost skeletal in appearance; there was no nose, as such, just nostrils, and its eyes glowed vividly red. Sharp teeth protruded from its mouth, and black hair had been swept back, a golden circlet settled around the crown to keep it in place. Imoen wasn't even sure if it was male or female.

It paused as it reached their ship, and looked over to the nearest crew member. It made no physical move, but within seconds the man had fallen to the ground, screaming in agony. Slowly its gaze shifted to his nearest comrade.

"It's no use," whimpered the man, curling up into a ball and dropping his cutlass.

More of the strange creatures appeared from the hatch, slowly making their way across. The leader looked to Saemon and spoke.

"The githyanki demand! You have the relic of holies!"

Saemon cleared his throat. "Pardon? I am sorry, but I do not know what you are talking about. Speak clearly that I might understand."

"Understand!" snarled the figure. "We see all that you do! Say-mon Ha-Varan, you have trespassed and taken what is not yours!"

"Please, the name is spoken with more of a flourish, and a good deal less spittle," protested the captain, seemingly oblivious to the very real threat that stood glaring at him.

"Your name will be spoken with blades for tongues! You took the relic of holies! We will follow as we must!"

"Now who would be foolish enough to steal from the githyanki..." said Saemon, suddenly pausing. "I plead innocence, and demand you search me that I might prove it! Search all aboard if you wish!"

"That is the intent!" affirmed the approaching gith. "Inside and out!"

"Search if you must, we delay our journey needlessly!" exclaimed Anomen furiously.

"Now, Imoen, Sir Anomen, you'll have to trust me on this matter," said Saemon quietly. "I will provide for all those concerned."

Imoen looked at him with narrowed eyes -- something about his behaviour was striking her as very odd indeed. He only had to speak to confirm her worst fears.

"Search away, Captain! You'll not find any such object on me." He winked to the mage and continued. "Although I don't know about these ruffians on deck! I don't like the look of them. Give them a thorough look!"

Imoen's jaw dropped open at his audacity. "You double-crossing, dung-smelling, beetle-breathed-"

"Cur!" finished Anomen strongly for her.

"Yeah!" she agreed.

"Just providing for those concerned..." said Saemon apologetically. "And that would be… me. My apologies, fairest Imoen."

"You will pay for this, Havarian," warned Anomen.

One of the other gith called out in a tongue incomprehensible to the two companions. Their leader paused to listen then looked directly at them. "The blade belonging to the githyanki is aboard! Detection does not lie! All will perish for this insult!"

"But you can search and take the true thieves!" exclaimed Saemon somewhat desperately. "Take the whole crew if you must!" Several of his men glared at him.

"Examples must be set!" roared the githyanki. "None must tempt such a crime again! Destroy them all!"

"This just isn't a good tenday," sighed the captain as he brought up several magical protections around him. The other githyanki were now pouring onto the ship and Anomen quickly pushed Imoen back towards the rear of the ship to buy them some time -- most of their foes, including the leader, had entered into skirmishes with the nearest sailors, and they were demonstrating their superior swordsmanship very clearly.

"This is not good," said Imoen, stating the obvious.

"Indeed not," agreed Anomen as he desperately looked around, searching for some idea on what to do next. His eyes settled on the enemy ship.

"How many of the creatures do you think have stayed behind aboard their own vessel?" he asked.

Imoen shrugged. "They seem pretty desperate for whatever they've come for," she pointed out. "I'd be surprised if any have chosen to miss out on their vengeance mission."

"Exactly what I suspected," nodded Anomen grimly. "Do you think you'd be able to help me clear away the bridging plank if we managed to reach it?"

"And leave them stranded on here with us? Is that wise?"

Anomen smiled dryly. "No, to leave them stranded on here with Saemon. The longer we stay here, the less time we have -- we don't have a chance against so many of them, and our options are limited. I say we go for their ship, pray not many are left on board, and try to get it from them."

"That's quite, quite mad," Imoen pointed out.

"You have an alternative plan?"

"Well, no."

"Come on then!"

Imoen let him take her hand and allowed herself to be dragged across the deck, deftly avoiding the swords that were swung in their direction. Anomen showed a remarkable dexterity as he dashed across the narrow strip that led to the alien looking ship, and Imoen searched frantically for a way to withdraw it from its location as the knight tried a more physical method of disengaging it.

"I think I've found it!" called Imoen, pushing at an intricate button located to the side of the hatch. Surely enough, the gangplank raised itself slightly and retracted back quickly, bringing over a githyanki that had crossing back to deal with them. Anomen managed to block the vicious blows aimed at him with his mace while Imoen began to quickly chant the words to her spell. Her magic missiles flew from her hands, enough to knock the creature off balance where it was easily pushed overboard and into the sea by the knight. He looked over to her and beamed.

"We might just do this-" he began; his words were cut off by an ear-splitting cracking noise as another vessel joined the grouping, surfacing from the water almost directly under their former ship and causing the hull to split. The ship instantly began sinking as water poured into its confines.

"Sahuagin?" roared the gith leader, surprised and confused at the sight of the newcomers. "I did not anticipate this! Back to the ship!" It turned to retreat to discover their way to freedom was gone. With a shriek of rage it turned and neatly decapitated the nearest crew member. Saemon immediately leapt back and disappeared in a flash of light.

Imoen and Anomen watched from the gith vessel as it slowly drifted away from the scene. Lizard-like men began clambering across the Pirate Lord's ship, killing what githyanki they could, pushing the others overboard. The two companions held each others hand tightly, unable to look away from the scene. Neither of them checked their new vessel for intruders, so when they both received sharp blows to the back of the head, it came as a complete surprise.

-----------------------

Imoen almost wished she hadn't opened her eyes. She was lying on her back, gazing up to where the sky normally was. Except there was no sky above her; instead, there was the sea.

She groaned, feeling the tender point on her head where she'd been struck. She didn't want to think of the dynamics that would lead to the sea being above her as it was -- especially not when she appeared to be surrounded by air and able to breathe normally. She was pretty sure drowning didn't feel like this, anyway. A noise to her side told her than Anomen had also been deposited here, and a shuffling noise signalled the approach of their captors.

Imoen almost cried out as a large fish-headed creature loomed over her, looking down at her intently. Its blue scales glistened softly in the light, and its webbed hands waved around slightly.

"Ta'risslysa, ss'uri. Ssivilis y russyla!" The noise it made sounded more like a slithering, hissing noise than any language Imoen could hope to understand. Another of the creatures was obviously present as Imoen could somehow tell the difference in the sound of the reply.

"Vass, ss'uri! Vass! Illuryssallya mer temas vur pasynar ssaraii!"

"Shur'e..."

The exchange went on for several minutes. Eventually the thief decided to sit up, and the nearest creature recoiled away from her slightly. Imoen peered at it and recognised it when her eyes decided to focus. It was a sahuagin.

It looked over to its companion, then waved its arms around in what was obviously meant to be an arcane manner. A light glow enveloped both Imoen and Anomen, and the knight joined Imoen in sitting up, scowling around at his surroundings.

"So can they understand me now, High Priestess?" the far creature asked nervously. "They must be able to understand! The King awaits!"

"I heard you the first time, Feerlattiys," replied the nearest sahuagin. "And, yes, I have called on Sekolah to grant these beings the ability to understand our tongue."

"So... they understand, High Priestess?" Feerlattiys peered suspiciously at the two humans. "Are... are they dangerous to us? Shall we be forced to collar them?"

The priestess sighed. "The surface beings are varied in their ways, Feerlattiys, but they are quite intelligent. You can, I am sure, speak to the creatures directly." Feerlattiys looked appalled by this and the priestess turned to Imoen. "My apologies," she continued. "Captain Feerlattiys performs well as protector of our Shark-Father's Temple, but has little experience with your kind. I am sure this must come as a shock to you, after your recent harrowing experience. You must brace yourselves, soft ones, for your journey gets no easier."

"High Priestess, we must take the surface beings before the King!" exclaimed the captain skittishly. "He commands it!"

"In good time, Feerlattiys," urged the priestess patiently. "Allow them to gain their bearings and discover why we have brought them here. Otherwise, they may resort to hostilities."

"No... no, that must not be allowed..." murmured the other sahuagin.

"Indeed. Sekolah has spoken of these ones to us, so let us treat them not as prisoners for the banquet table. Let us instead make them welcome."

Anomen and Imoen exchanged a worried glance; the girl was relieved to see that the knight appeared to be unhurt by whatever had befallen them. Now they had no choice but to listen to these strange fish-folk and find a way out.

"I shall introduce myself to you," the priestess continued. "I am Senityili, Royal High Priestess of Sekolah. And you are in the City-of-Caverns, one of our most ancient places. You are fortunate, surface dwellers. In the normal course of things, creatures captured from the sun lands would be dinner for our plate. This once, however, is different. Sekolah has told of your coming in an ancient prophecy, and I have scryed that you are whom the Shark-Father speaks of. The most exalted King Ixilthetocal calls for the presence of the prophesied ones, now, but there is time for you to ask questions if you have the desire."

"City-of-Caverns?" asked Imoen, feeling slightly dazed.

"You are in a great cavern of air, far beneath the surface of the sea," replied Senityili gently. "This is where we have made our city and where we have ruled for countless generations. There is no escape, surface dweller. The only exits from the City-of-Caverns lie up through the depths in which you cannot live... or down into the Underdark." The humans exchanged another look.

"What manner of creature are you?" asked Anomen with a frown.

"Your kind has many names for us, I believe. We are called the Sea Devils and our eel-kin the Anguiliians, although I believe the merman word is most prevalent: Sahuagin... We are the raiders of the shores and hunters without equal, surfacer. We please the Shark-Father with our ruthlessness and our cunning. As I said, you are lucky to live... and it galls us that the prophecy calls on surface dwellers to aid us."

"What prophecy?" enquired Imoen.

"Sekolah visited the City-of-Caverns long ago... all raised their arms in rejoicing as the Great Shark's song filled our hearts," murmured the priestess dreamily. "Sekolah told of a time when the City-of-Caverns would be no more. He also told of signs that would precede the arrival of surface dwellers in the depths. Sekolah said these surface dwellers would be all that stood between the City-of-Caverns and destruction, and we would do well to watch for them. We have watched and waited from our temples here in the city. The signs have come, surface woman, and now you are here. You have come... and the City-of-Caverns does, indeed, stand on the brink of destruction. You will save us, as Sekolah has promised."

"Most sacred Senityili, the most exalted one will wait no longer!" interrupted the captain nervously. "We must bring the surface beings to him quickly, lest we be punished!"

"The most honoured Ixilthetocal will not punish us, good Feerlattiys. But... we must hurry, lest Tlyysixxous convince the King of her views in my absence. Come surfacer, meet our King. Your survival depends on how you choose to act on this matter, just as our own existence shall. Captain Feerlattiys -- we shall now proceed to the royal chambers. Lead us."

The other sahuagin nodded enthusiastically. "At once, most sacred one! I shall also bring the equipment we took from them. If they pass the test, they may have their belongings returned to aid them in our struggle."

Anomen helped Imoen to her feet and held her hand comfortingly as they followed the captain down the narrow walkways that seemed to be predominant in the cavern. Imoen took in her surroundings as they walked; the floor was marbled and covered with dark patterns. Most of the cavern appeared to be on one sloping level, allowing the humans to see across the city. Tall domed structures could be seen at the edges, the only thing that looked as if they might serve as homes. Huge stone statues rose from the ground, each with unpleasant expressions, and in the centre of it all was a carving of a fish head -- large enough to swallow either of the humans in its gaping maw. The young girl looked away from it uncomfortably, absent-mindedly gripping her knightly companions hand tighter. He threw her a worried look, and she smiled weakly in return.

Soon enough they found themselves upon a circular dais being eyed by several more of the fish-like creatures.

"We are here, most honourable Ixilthetocal, at your command," said Senityili serenely.

The largest of the sahuagin peered at the two humans and giggled. "And... and these... (heh heh heh!) ... these are the strange creatures from the surface? (heh heh!) These are the ones you claim... the mighty Sekolah has promised us?"

"They are, most honourable one," replied the priestess patiently. "They are one of each, what I believe they refer to as a 'man' and a 'woman'."

"It seems most... most strange!" remarked Ixilthetocal as he leaned forward to gain a better view of them. "They have no scales! Look how small and puny their teeth are!"

"You must kill them, most exalted one!" exclaimed another of the creatures, shuddering as he looked at Imoen's indignant gaze. "They should not have remained alive! You must kill them; sacrifice them to the Shark-Father!"

"So you keep telling me, Baron Thelokassyil," stated the king gleefully. "Shall we turn away a gift of Sekolah, do you think, then?"

"The surface creatures are not sent by Sekolah, most exalted Ixilthetocal," replied another sahuagin firmly. "They are not the ones spoken of in the Shark-Father's prophecy. They are nothing more than spurious beasts that have fallen into our lap. We should sacrifice them and feast upon their meat!"

"Oh?" asked Ixilthetocal.

"No!" interrupted Senityili. "Most honourable Ixilthetocal, the signs were clearly seen! All has come to pass as Sekolah had foretold!"

"Not all the signs have come, Senityili," stated the other creature coldly.

"I do not see what I wish to see, Tlyysixxous," replied Senityili calmly. "I see only what Sekolah has shown me, and these are the saviours of the City-of-Caverns!"

"So... (hee hee!) We have a disagreement, do we?" The king appeared to be highly amused by the bickering. "The high priestess and consort of my Baron Thelokassyil contests the belief of my own high priestess, does she?"

"I do, most honourable one," affirmed Tlyysixxous.

"She does," agreed Thelokassyil. "It is as we have been trying to tell you, Ixilthetocal... these creatures are no more worthy than a meat crab, meant for consumption and nothing more!"

"No, Ixilthetocal!" exclaimed Senityili, raising her voice for the first time. "Do not listen to them! They are sent by Sekolah, I swear! To refuse them is to pledge the City-of-Caverns to its destruction!"

"Oh, I shall be the judge of that, good Senityili," remarked Ixilthetocal genially. "Oh, yes, I most surely shall! (Heh heh heh!) What do you think, woman?" he asked, looking directly at Imoen. "Yes, you. Do you think you are more worthy than a sea crab, hmmm? Do you think you are who the prophecy speaks of?"

"We could be," replied Imoen confidently. She sounded more sure than she felt.

"Aha! Well, now, that sounds promising," replied the king gleefully. "I don't suppose either of the most favoured priestesses will change their minds? (hee hee!) Relinquish their position in this arbitration, perhaps?"

"Most certainly not!" snorted Tlyysixxous.

"No, most honourable Ixilthetocal," said Senityili smoothly.

"Ah, I didn't think so," gloated Ixilthetocal. "So be it! We shall decide this with a challenge, we will! Although... not a challenge between our dear priestesses. That would solve nothing! We wish to see if these surface beasts are truly the ones the Shark-Father has spoken of, yes? So I shall offer them the chance to prove their power! Well, surfacer? Will you take this challenge? Will you fight a creature of my choosing, a slave from the surface... and see if you survive?"

"We accept the challenge," came Anomen's voice strongly. Imoen nodded her agreement.

"Excellent! Excellent!" exclaimed the king, clapping together his webbed hands. "Sport for us all! Take them away, and let us see what they do against our freakish surface slave!"