“Sherri? Captain Kastel? Jedda?” I called down the cavernous hall. “If any of you can hear me, make some noise! I’m trying to save you!” I cupped my hands around my ear to better listen for responses, but all that came was a distant rumble of my voice’s echo.

“Tuet! Clance! If my words are reaching you, make yourselves known right this instant!” yelled Priss from the hall’s other side. I froze and listened intently for any sign of life. All that graced my ears, however, was the burbling of the large, multi-spouted fountain between us. I put my hands on my hips and frowned. We were getting nowhere.

After getting our weapons back Priss and I had rampaged down the prison tower and escaped in a matter of minutes. The patrolling golems proved no threat when we could just cleave them apart, and the knowledge that there was nothing to find meant we could just beeline for the stairs at top speed. The only hurdle was crossing the long, narrow bridge back to the palace, and that was only a peril due to its lack of guard rails and the assurance of doom should one of us slip off. Oh, and the thorns from the plants in the garden. We’d had to fight our way through those again, and I was still pulling their little purple spikes from my flesh all that time later.

I ran over to Priss, weaving through short stone benches as I went. We were in a tall, arched hall dominated by a line of benches and small round fountains flanking a larger fountain in the center.

“I guess they’re not here either,” I said.

“It would seem so . . .” she said. She crossed her arms and frowned at the polished tile floor. “I suppose this will take more time than I’d anticipated. I just hope Tuet and Clance are all right . . .”

I knocked her on the shoulder and smiled. “I’m sure they’re fine,” I said. “Clance got frozen, but that means nothing can hurt him, and I’m sure that Tuet guy is busy trying to smooth talk Nestemed or a golem right now.”

I was making light of the situation, but I was just as worried about Sherri and the others. There’s no telling what Nestemed was doing to them while we puttered around looking for them. I couldn’t let Priss know that though.

Priss exhaled through her nose and straightened up. “Ha! I know you’ve little knowledge of his personality, but you’ve got Tuet pinned,” she flipped left hair drill and grinned cheekily, “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already been brutalized by that eye-patched compatriot of yours.”

“By Jedda?” I asked. I imagined any guy trying to hit on her in such a dire situation and shuddered. She’d probably pound his face so hard you wouldn’t be able to tell his nose from his ears. “For his sake, I hope he knows when to keep his mouth shut.”

After a short rest and a few reluctant sips of crystal-clear fountain water, we left that overly long hall to continue our unending search for our companions. We didn’t have any idea where we were going or where they might have been, but we weren’t about to let that get us down!

The next interesting thing we stumbled across was a sprawling, ornately decorated dining hall with enough row tables to seat hundreds at once. There were potted plants and small fountains (which seemed to be Nestemed’s decoration of choice) placed between the tables, and hanging from the ceiling were chunks of glowing crystal that cast a pure white light over the whole area. A few golems, these ones dressed in short, colorful dresses, were sitting at the tables partaking of an imaginary feast. We were so bewildered at the sight that we walked right up to one to get a closer look. She was holding a small, intricately detailed fork carved from a single bone and was bringing it towards her unmoving mouth like she was chowing down on a thick-cut steak. I say a steak because she also had a serrated knife next to her empty plate.

We spent the next few minutes frantically searching for whatever kitchen or storeroom was meant to provide for such a large crowd, but sadly when we did find the kitchen (which was nestled away in a far corner), it was all dust and empty crates. I guess they’d have been pretending to eat real food if they’d had any to waste.

After that, we strolled across one of the palace’s many hanging outdoor walkways and came across a broad, sweeping veranda that was dominated entirely by round open-air baths. The water was soupy, steamy, and gave off a sharp acidic smell that lingered in your nose until you became numb to it. Thick steam coated the entire place and gave it a distant, ephemeral air like you were in some cozy dream. At the far end of the veranda, jutting from the wall, was a squat structure that I assumed to be for storage and changing, and sitting in each bubbling pool were nude golems carefully washing their stone bodies. I imagine The Captain, Tuet, or Clance would have gone gaga at the sight.

Priss suggested we stop and wash ourselves as she’d gotten “bogged down in grime” during our time searching, but a couple of sour looks made her give up. I tried to explain to her that she could take a bath any time after we left that palace, but that just made her angrier. She went on and on about how we were passing up the chance to “partake of a remote hot spring unsullied by the grime of the masses.” When I finally said I didn’t get why she cared so much, she stomped her foot and announced to the heavens that she’d drag me to a high-class hot spring to teach me a lesson I’d never forget.

Then things got boring for a while as we wandered aimlessly through bone-lined corridors, went up and down stairs, walked along outdoor passages, and trekked across more impossibly large halls with little more than a few chiseled columns to break up the void. There were plenty of beautiful carvings, murals, and statues to look at as we passed by, but it all blurs together in my mind. You can only be struck with awe so many times before you get desensitized.

For that matter, despite all its mysticism and grandeur, the palace was oddly barren and lifeless. Most of the rooms lining its corridors were completely unfurnished, and the few furnishing that did exist looked like they’d never been used. If it hadn’t been for the golems wandering around, the place would have been so lifeless it’d suck the air from your chest, like you were intruding upon some space that no living person was ever intended to enter. Like we’d stumbled into a sprawling crypt meant only to service those who had had already passed.

We slid down the railing of a tall spiral staircase like a pair of rambunctious children and found ourselves in the center of a library or archive of some sort. Towering white shelves, each almost grazing the looming ceiling, were packed together so densely Priss and I could barely walk side by side. Each shelf was home to countless dusty tomes, frayed grimoires, and loosely bound scrolls that threatened to rain upon us with the slightest jostle. I grabbed a thin green book with a colorful spine out of sheer curiosity, but the pointed script inside was completely alien to me. I handed it off to Priss hoping she’d go, “What, you can’t even read something as simple as this?”, but she was just as ignorant of its nature as I. I replaced the dumb book and puffed out my cheeks indignantly. What’s the point in storing so much knowledge if nobody could read it?

We wandered the library looking for the exit, but its shelves were so tall and their contents so indistinguishable that we were lost in minutes. Even the spiral staircase we’d entered from had disappeared from sight, never to be found again. We must have spent half an hour desperately rushing around, our hands clasped together as to not get separated, before we finally stopped in a junction between several volume-packed aisles.

I put my hands on my knees and panted heavily. Our panic had quickened our pace to a frenzied sprint that I’d barely been able to maintain. “How have we not reached a wall yet?” I asked the floor. We’d decided it’d be prudent to go in a straight line after a while. If we reached one of the outer walls, we could just skirt the edge until we found a doorway, right?

“Perhaps we’ve been going in circles without realizing?” asked Priss. She was panting just as hard to my right.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

I stood up and took a deep breath. “Maybe,” I said. “Do you think it curved or something? If its big enough we might not have noticed.”

Priss shook her head. “This palace is fraying my nerves beyond repair,” she sighed. “I’ve half a mind to send a fleet to sink it when this is all said and done!”

I smiled and said, “I wouldn’t stop you if you did. Did you notice we haven’t found anything to loot either? This place is completely worthless!”

Priss whirled around and stared at me intently. She rubbed her chin, then said, “Yes, it’s quite curious, isn’t it? All this nonsensical architecture and nothing worth taking. Mayhaps others have scoured it of its valuables before us?”

“There wasn’t ever anything to take,” came a voice from above.

We both drew our weapons and looked up at the speaker. To our surprise, it was Nestemed, though she was wearing a mask made of wood rather than the stone one she’d worn previously. Aside from the material It was the same though. Even had the little gem where her mouth would be. She was floating overhead with her arms held out at her sides. A thin veil of fog coated her entire body.

“Lower your weapons, please,” she said.

“What, so you can have your cronies throw us in jail again?” I barked. “Tell us where the others are right now! If don’t I shove Bravesreign so far up your—"

Priss stepped in front of me and held her arm out. “That is no way to get answers from someone, Darni Voker!” she snapped. “We first have to restrain her! Then we can squeeze our desired knowledge from her!”

“I am here to make peace,” said Nestemed, “Nothing more.” She descended in front of us and hovered just a few inches from the ground. She lowered her head slightly and tugged at the edges of her skirt in a light courtesy. “Take my hands, visitors from the mainland, and know that mean no harm. I may have shown you no kindness previously, but I have come to make right.” She held her hands out towards us and shifted her glance between us rapidly.

I inched backwards just a little. What was she planning? Was she going to encase us in crystal the moment we made contact? Was she trying to lower our guards so she could have golems jump out of the shadows and drag us back to our cell? I glared at her hand intensely, then saw Priss grab hold of her other hand from the corner of my eye.

“W-What are you doing!?” I asked.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Darni Voker,” she said. “If anything happens to me as a result of this, you’ll be there to free me in an instant, won’t you? I’m just being rational.”

“And what would happen if I took her hand too!?” I barked.

She looked to the side in thought, then frowned. “Hypotheticals are meaningless when speaking of the past, you know,” she said flatly.

Nestemed released Priss’ hand and looked at me. “Would you be more willing if I knelt to the floor and begged?” she asked. Her eyes were sharp and serious like she was hedging her bets on my reaction. She lowered herself until her feet touched the ground, then bent her knees slowly.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said. I swallowed heavily, then grabbed her hand and squeezed it so tight it turned white. After an all-too-long second, I drew it back and pointed Bravesreign at her.

“There, I did it! What do you have planned now?” I asked.

Nestemed shook her hand to ward off the tingles of numbness, then held her arms at her sides again and stood up straight. “I have no plans I cannot share. I will lead you to the other visitors, as there is still time. I have yet to grant them preservation, nor have I brought them any harm. I will bring you to them. Do you understand?”

“Yeah, I guess . . .” I muttered.

“Why are you helping us all of a sudden?” asked Priss. She squinted at Nestemed sidelong and extended an accusatory finger. “You’re acting incredibly different from our initial meeting! It’s suspicious!

“Yeah!” I added. “What’s your deal, Nestemed? Be honest, otherwise I’ll make you regret it!”

Nestemed was silent for a moment. “Your ignorance is more refreshing than you realize,” she said. She covered where her mouth would be and chuckled silently. “How amusing! Fine, I will drop my remaining airs.” She raised her clenched fist next to her face. “You have met Nestemed once previously.” She raised one finger. “Just as I am Nestemed, I am Nestemed.” She raised a second finger. “And just as I am Nestemed, I too am Nestemed.” She raised a third finger. She put her hand on the cheek of her mask. “Born of one mind, born of three bodies, I am Nestemed.”

“Are you saying there’s three of you?” I muttered. Great. That meant we’d have to fight her three times if we wanted to get out of here! One or two would be no issue, I could handle one while Priss handled the other, but three would put us on the back foot!

“Three of you? How preposterous! Do you really expect us to believe this load of nonsense?” spat Priss. “I’d sooner believe that Darni Voker here had chatted with a greater spirit before!”

I froze like a million pounds of ice had been dropped right on top of me. “Haha, about that . . .” I said. I rubbed the back of my head and smiled nervously.

Priss’ face fell. “Don’t tell me you have . . .”

“Yeah, a few times now. I’m kind of buddies with Seren,” I admitted. I scratched my cheek a couple of times. “It’s a long story, or well, not that long. I’ll tell you about it when we find Sherri.”

“Buddies with Seren . . .” she mumbled. “Of course you are— of course you are! Hahahaha! Of course you, Darni Voker, are a friend of Seren, Queen of Bottomless Seas!” she shouted. She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead so hard it left a big red mark. “Fine, I’ll humor you for a moment, Nestemed, but I still don’t believe you! Even if what you say is true, why are you aiding us now of all times? Why did you stand idly by while the other one was berating us, or when she had us locked away to rot?’”

“I’m curious about that too,” I said. “Why did you let her treat us like that? You obviously don’t agree with her methods.”

Nestemed looked down intently and clenched her fists. “I did what I could, but I can only do so much,” she said finally. “I am sorry but I can’t explain any more than that.” She shivered harshly and clutched her chest like someone had thrust a spear through her heart. “There is little time! I have become aware of my actions! Your friends are currently located—”

DING— DONG— DING— DONG—

The din of the palace’s unseen bell reverberated through the entire structure. Nestemed froze in place, her fingers twitching as her hair swam through the air like a gathering of serpents. In the distance came the chiming of the golems, and all around us the items on the shelves danced in place. After a few moments the reverberations died down and everything returned to silence.

“The Shaper has come to a decision,” said Nestemed in a monotone. “The Shaper must not divulge the location of the yet-preserved. Visitors need not know such information.” She fell to her knees and gasped for air, then shambled back to her feet and clutched her chest again. “I have made a grave mistake . . .”

“What was that? What happened?” I asked.

“Obviously it was related to the bell,” said Priss.

“You think I didn’t pick that up?” I said sharply. “I’m asking Nestemed about what she said!”

Nestemed floated a few inches from the ground and extended her arms. “The Shaper has come to a decision, and The Shaper’s decisions are final. I must return,” she said. “I am sorry, visitors.”

WHOOSH

A storm of fog rolled in from every direction and coalesced around her form until it was a churning cocoon. Her silhouette dissipated and dispersed until she’d entirely disappeared, and then, all at once, the fog burst outwards in a blast of cool, wet air. Priss and I stood there shielding our faces, then sucked our teeth. Fat bit of help she’d been! All that and we were still stuck in the library!

“Leave the archives and continue on, visitors,” echoed Nestemed’s voice. The shelves around us were pushed aside by an invisible force and created a path straight to a pair of tall double doors. “Beyond the window . . . upon the balcony . . . I await . . .” Her voice then trailed off like she was being pulled away.

Without another word Priss and I followed the path and exited that maze of a library. What greeted us was a thin hallway flanked by lightly-filled storerooms and capped off by a wide window that looked out over the whirlpool. I stopped in front of the window and poked my head through. The wind was humid and whipping left and right rapidly like the air itself was enraged by our presence. I glanced down at the balcony. It was about fifteen feet beneath the ledge and protruded far enough that I wasn’t worried about missing. The question was how to drop down without injuring myself.

“I’ll go first,” I said. If I landed poorly, I’d at least have my aura to protect me.

I climbed through the window and dropped onto a ledge below. It was just barely wider than my feet are long. I took a deep breath and steeled myself. My bad history with falls was flashing in my mind.

“Is something the matter? Why aren’t you jumping?” said Priss from behind.

“Calm down, I’m just trying to figure out how,” I said over my shoulder.

“Hmm, I didn’t take you as the kind to get cold feet, Darni Voker,” she said. I could hear her twisted smile. “Here, I’ll give you a push.”

“What!? Don’t you da—”

She then pushed me with both hands and sent me toppling down to the balcony below. I slammed against its shell-covered floor with a thud and groaned. My runic aura ate most of the impact, but it still hurt! A moment later Priss landed on top of me butt-first.

“See, all you have to do is jump,” she said. She stood up and brushed herself off. “Come now, Darni Voker. This is no time to lollygag!”

I shambled to my feet and hung my head. She could at least thank me for being a cushion!