Chapter 20
Envelopment
The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness. -Joseph Conrad
Lorelei found herself on a ship. The wood creaked under her every step, and faint red paint seemed to be peeling off every plank. The sea was grey and choppy, and there was no land in sight. The otter found her sea legs easily - she had travelled far more than any beast was expected to, even before she learned how to make Pathways.
On the carrack's railings was another otter, clad in a wine-red cloak that did not hide his face. "Fancy meeting another one of our kind here… though I suppose otters aren't exactly uncommon. Especially at sea."
"Thordan?" asked Lorelei, tapping into Conjury.
A shrill laugh came out of the second otter's dark grey muzzle. "No, it's back to Oswin again."
Before Lorelei could do anything she found herself being flung across the ship's deck, and were it not for the railings she could have tumbled into the sea. Could she have drowned in a dream without a drop of water in her lungs? She was in no hurry to find out.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to give killing you a try again," said Oswin, twirling two spheres together with the string that attached them - an Amplifier Lorelei had never seen before. "Admittedly, last time was not my best performance, but enough about that."
"Then what is this? A clumsy attempt to bore me to death? Better beasts have tried and failed."
"No, a chance to exchange information." Oswin stopped twirling his weapon around and tucked it back within his cloak. "It is quite apparent that things went awry weeks ago, and now some sort of bond holds us. Not like the one that held you before, but not exactly completely distinct. I see you have peered into a few strands of my past, and I can assure you I have seen things better left unseen as well."
"Mostly an otter in a dream and a fox with a strange name," replied Lorelei, careful not to give out too much.
"I see… I'm sorry that part of my life's boring you." The other otter shook his head. "On my side of things I am enjoying your family drama. While I do admire your patience I wonder why you still tolerate his presence."
"I'm used to it. Now get to the point."
"The first thing- fine." Oswin rubbed his paws together. "You are going to observe the fox for me, the one who was with Thordan. Note down every detail and report it to me."
"It isn't much to ask, but then, you have nothing to offer in return."
"I can leave you and your father alone for the rest of your long and not-so-long lives respectively, and you two can rest easy. No more splitting headaches due to lack of rest and all the suffering that comes with it."
Lorelei cocked her head to the side as Oswin walked forward, stretching out his paw. "What about Hirsent?"
"What about her? You should know that she's not who she claims to be, yes? Not entirely."
"I do know, but I do not care." Lorelei's rudder swished around as the ship began to rock in the wind. "She's young enough to be my own pup, and you'd best stay away from her if you know what's good for you!"
"Finally, a mother's fury! I haven't seen it since- oh yes. The deal's off, and rest assured I'll pay you and your associates some more visits across the months. Oh, and remember that there's not going to be any more freak accidents to save your hide. Rest well and submit to your fate, or rouse yourself for the fight to come! Give me the entertainment your father withheld!"
A shield found itself in Lorelei's paw. "Shut your muzzle!" she shouted as she launched herself at the grey otter, knocking him off the vessel and into the churning waters below. The Conjurer took a deep breath and turned around, only to bump into a very familiar beast.
"As predictable as always," said Oswin, soaking wet and massaging his bloody snout. "You cannot expect to defeat me in my own dream. Not when I am here in the fle-"
Lorelei suppressed the urge to approach him and spoke. "I stopped listening the moment you opened your mouth!"
The younger otter grabbed a railing with one paw while his Amplifier popped into the other. "Apologies, I forgot that. Now let me forget you as well!"
With a creak the ship suddenly turned onto its side, and Lorelei tumbled down. She hit the water with a thud, and was surprised to find that she was in freefall, even as water slammed into her fur and skin, and every attempt at surfacing was futile.
When Lorelei finally awoke she huddled in her sheets, thoughts of newfound vulnerability infesting her mind, and she wondered if she could ever sleep soundly again.
The rays of sunlight pierced the blinds around Lorelei's room. What little private space she had was swiftly illuminated, including the desk she had used since her teenage seasons, the shelves full of books her father had given to her, and her long-neglected bed, supported by columns of sturdy oak and adorned with yellow curtains of its own.
The otter did not go back to sleep again. Six hours of slumber was not truly nourishing, but it would be enough to continue her daily activities until she could finally rest again. Quickly washing her face and grooming her fur, the otter was ready for all the trials she was to undergo.
First, though not foremost, was to arrange for her travel to Gystra. That part was easy enough. As long as Corrado was willing to stay in Wossaham to govern the Otharnic side of the realm, Lorelei could gather Sigurd, Rissos and a few retainers and cross the strait quickly. She could either launch her ships across the sea directly towards Lamont's city, or she could move to Kaldos and make the remainder of the journey overland. Judging by the unpredictable winter weather the latter option was more likely to not have them all drown - and after the events of last night drowning was at the bottom of any of Lorelei's lists of priorities.
Before Lorelei could talk with Hirsent she would have to deal with Rissos first. By the time Lorelei had made her way towards the diplomat's accommodations there were two otters standing outside, chuckling to themselves. Otters usually don't dress in the Laskarine style, thought Lorelei, unless…
"Welcome to Wossaham, Theodore Komessos. Or is it Theodoros now?"
"Good morning to you, Your Highness," replied the taller otter, while his wife nodded alongside him. "I apologise for not meeting you yesterday - we were touring the city."
"It is truly a marvelous place," said Theodore's wife, flashing a smile. "It does your house and realm great honour."
"Ryksa, you haven't introduced yourself yet."
"Oh, I'm sorry." The otterwife extended a paw. "Ritseza Komessina, at your service."
"Lorelei Skyward." Lorelei quickly took it. "Your name isn't Laskarine though."
"Neither are we, to be honest," replied Theodore. "Our seat is in Phaleon in the southern reaches of Valence, and my wife is from Lesno, but we have been residing in Kalopolis as of late. Life in the mountains is nothing compared to that of the city."
"I see." Lorelei turned to Ryksa, and winked. "You were born in Skela, hm? Must be one of my mother's relatives. What are you here for?"
"We are trying to locate unmarried otterboars."
"You have daughters?"
"Two," answered Ryksa. "You just so happen to have two sons, right?"
"The elder is married, and the younger could be too young at seventeen. Or too old - it depends on how old your pair are."
"Twenty. And twenty. Though they may not look the same, they are twins," said Theodore. "We intend to obtain as many names as possible across the sea to Southsward and back into Tarelis. Valeria and Eudokia can make their own decisions, after they deal with life at the Stoudion in Kalopolis."
"I wish you two luck on your search then," replied Lorelei. "Where is Rissos?"
"Asleep," replied Ryksa. "He spent most of the night sending missives to Emperor Gregorios, and we had to move him to a proper bed once he collapsed on his desk."
"When he wakes, tell him that we're moving across the sea tonight - the weather's too calm to not take advantage of."
Traversing the corridors of the palace was something Lorelei had learned to enjoy doing every visit. Having been pinned down in Garlesca by her duties and two pups, her chances of crossing over the Imperial Spine were further diminished by the Ilsadian disturbance. But once that was over she found herself darting over mountains and seas to remedy her father's many mistakes.
Thus, whenever Lorelei returned to her city of marble she always felt some sort of affection towards it. From the halls decorated with old tapestries and new paintings to the arches that decorated the corridors, every single section of the building was a marvel to behold. However, to Lorelei the truly fascinating part was the sea right next to it.
The ocean called out to her as the tides rolled in and out, and even though the otter knew the night sea was not interesting compared to the daytime waters. There were no otterpups playing in the shallows, nor was there sunlight reflecting upon the many-shaded waters, and Lorelei could see no ships with their many-coloured sails entering and leaving the city, but she could still see the waves roll across the stones below.
Finding Hirsent was less of a hassle than Lorelei had expected, but removing Sigurd from the conversation proved to be impossible. "I don't want to explain my own marital situation to the Komessoi," the male otter had said, crossing his arms. "None of us would be comfortable with the whole picture." As of yet, Lorelei did not see any reason to ask what 'the whole picture' was, and had decided to focus on Hirsent. The more the Conjurer spoke the more puzzled the wolf's expression got, and in the end she decided to sit and take everything down slowly.
"I don't really understand why Oswin let you live," said the wolf. "Again."
"Last time he didn't really have a choice," replied Lorelei. "Maybe he just thinks that a cowed foe is more willing to work with him than a dead one."
"That makes a bit of sense," said Sigurd. "Can you make him regret it?"
"Not by myself, and even with the right help it's going to be close."
"We need to find out what he wants," said Hirsent, dipping her head. "Which is probably me. But he did also mention the fox in your dreams, yes?"
Lorelei nodded. "Looks like he's interested in knowing who, or what, he is."
"Shouldn't he already know?" asked Sigurd. "You've seen him travel with the brushtail for a while now."
"No, she didn't," replied Hirsent.
"Oh?"
"The Oswin you encountered last night is probably the same soul as the Oswin we encountered before either of you two were born, but in a different body which just so happens to resemble this otter called Thordan."
"Wait, you were here before Lorelei?" asked Sigurd.
Hirsent's whiskers drooped. "Beasts I know were. In any case, Oswin and I share a rivalry that goes way back, and unfortunately I managed to drag the Skywards into the mess, and a significant portion of me still hasn't forgiven myself over it. Teaching your father the ways of a Thaumaturge isn't the best idea, especially since it has yielded more risk than reward for him."
"Why not just reveal your abilities?" asked Sigurd, rubbing his cheek. "It's not like other beasts can stop you."
"One day no Thaumaturge shall remain in our line. Corrado does not have the gifts, and little Kio's are not pronounced - and I doubt he can manage this - or anything."
Sigurd shook his head. "Give him some confidence, would you? Father's giving him an opportunity to learn how to rule properly."
"Ah yes, Helskerland. Tell me: has your father ever been to the islands themselves?"
"I don't think so."
"Then it's the blind leading the blind, is it not?" spat Lorelei. "It's a dangerous place, and I fear my son's woefully unprepared for the task."
Sigurd's brows furrowed. "Then have you been to Helskerland?"
Lorelei's tail shook. "No. The best harbour usually charges an exorbitant toll, so most beasts sail directly to Kaldos unless they have business there."
"Which we do, don't we?"
The older otter shook her head. "Which we do. You can go pack your bags - we're setting off later tonight." Sigurd nodded, sprung up onto his footpaws, and left the room.
"He's a spirited one," remarked Hirsent, rubbing her whiskers. "Though he is no help in dreams."
"But you are. Better than Isangrim, in fact."
"I'm not so sure. How so?"
"By virtue of having actually saved me once." Lorelei flashed a smile. "And by virtue of being well and truly alive."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments before the Conjurer shook her head. "I need somebeast to protect me. Somebeast to watch over my waking moments as well as my dreams, and who better to do so than the beast I trust the most?"
"I- Last time didn't work out well for either of us."
"Well, it's Isangrim's fault, not yours. And this time let me do the heavy lifting."
"Very well."
Lorelei's ring gleamed as she put a paw on Hirsent's muzzle and let Conjury overwhelm her. It was as if she was floating atop the sea, her cares and worries being carried away by the tides. For the briefest of moments she felt like she could remain there forever, but she had things to do. Quickly recovering her bearings, Lorelei allowed Thaumaturgy to flow into her body, like water over the falls over Eichfurt, and she struck.
Hirsent gasped as the Bond wrapped itself over her, but after a deep breath she was her usual self, with a calm smile draped over her face. But through their newfound connection Lorelei knew the trepidation underneath.
"You've changed as well," said Hirsent, shaking her head. "Like a fire that's almost going out."
"I'm not that old."
"No, not like that. The Lorelei Skyward Isangrim knew twenty seasons ago is almost completely different from the beast sitting in front of me. Youthful vigour has been replaced with mature resolve, but you're hurt. Seasons, what happened?"
"You haven't tried taking care of two pups while having to administer a realm, all while witnessing siege after siege and nobeast ever appreciates you for your work? That's quite a surprise. At least you do have somebeast snaking around in your dreams, looking for an opportunity to pounce."
"I know it's very stressful for you," replied the wolfess, tail curling around one of her own legs. "And we both know your father was not the best at parenting since the first day he became, well, your father. But one day he'll come to understand that you're not the helpless pup that you began as, and soon you'll be something more than just his daughter and heir - his friend."
"Surely one can go further than that?"
Hirsent's ears folded as Lorelei felt her cheeks burn. "Um… back when I was Melisse Kiordan had a not-so subtle infatuation on me. Because he was raised by ra-"
Lorelei's face burned under her fur. "I've heard enough, thank you!"
The Sorcerer nodded. "'Best friend' is a good place to stop then."
"I'm not happy about it," snorted the otter. "Forty whole seasons have passed, and I still feel constrained by his decisions."
"He had nobeast to learn from. His own father passed away when he was an infant."
"I know. He talks about it often." Lorelei shook her head. "But what matters more is that he is a beast who always lives in the present."
"And so he's not the best role model."
"Of course not! Life is more than an adventure - it's to set an example for the next generation, to see them follow in your pawsteps." Before Hirsent could speak Lorelei held a claw over her muzzle. "I know I'm sounding very much like a hypocrite, but I tried. Fates know I did."
"But you can try again and succeed! Corrado's not a bad parent, and Kiormund could live up to your expectations if you give him a bit of prodding."
The otter crossed her paws. "What would you have me do?"
"Absolutely nothing," replied Hirsent. "What would you have yourself do?"
The two stood in silence for a few long moments before Lorelei nodded. "I shall go to Helskerland and see to it that Kio's rule is without trouble. Then I'll head up north, and give my father and Erlend at least one piece of my mind."
C/N: Welp, turns out splitting a chapter into two halves was not the worst idea my author had come up with. Especially since he apparently caught the plague, exactly like a total schmuck. But apparently he has recovered enough to give me, the main character, some well-deserved pagetime.
My performance here was not my best, I know, and perhaps it should be a good idea stay away from the supernatural for the time being and leave that part of the story to Hirsent. I'm just focusing on all the stuffs I can control, thank you very much.
Oh yes, the Bond's back. Thank Fates Hirsent is no Isangrim. Well, she is, but for all intents and purposes she isn't. My author just couldn't let dead Prologues die, can he?
