Jurao stepped outside and braced himself against the cold - there was certainly a beauty to the sheer cliffs jutting out of the endless gree seas of the Troll Realm, but it could be hard to appreciate when the air hurt his face.
“How is it?” Braelin asked, soft voice muffled.
“Not as bad as yesterday,” the King replied, moving aside.
His human partner was bundled up in furs, being more susceptible to the cold - but of course, he’d never pass up the opportunity to get a look at new plants.
“The wind died down,” Braelin said, only his eyes visible with the face mask connected to his cowl hood. Somewhere under the thick layers, he wore a magic amulet that allowed them to understand each other even without the Mutual Understand Wish.
Jurao reached out to wrap an arm around his partner’s shoulders, “The slope is still steep.”
He could see the smile in his gardener’s eyes as the human leaned into him for extra support, “That’s true.”
Closing the door to their guest house, Jurao led the way down the side of the outcropping - they had the entire small island to themselves as honored guests of the Ouhm Rookery. It was one of the largest of the Trollish extended family groups, and the one that did the most direct trade with the Demon Realm.
This was why when the Bull of the Ouhm Rookery had requested Jurao’s aid concerning one of their Divine Beasts, he’d come as soon as he was able.
“Good morning, King Jurao,” Duhruhn Ouhm, said Bull, greeted as they reached the shore. He nodded his head, “And the King’s guest.”
He stood at an impressive thirteen feet of height - taller than most of his kin, even. Like all trolls, he was bipedal - his feet large and webbed, with a thick tail dragging against the ground behind him. His knuckles rested on the ground as well - the heritage that had led to Jurao’s upper arms being disproportionately large compared to the rest of his body.
Duhruhn had two solid black eyes, and a large protruding nose that hung over his mouth, his back covered in dense, waterproof fur.
“Good morning, Bull Duhruhn,” Jurao replied, in the way trolls tended to use titles, “I had thought we’d meet yesterday.”
“I apologize, there was a raid by a rival Rookery,” Duhruhn hummed, his voice low and ponderous, “I was needed there, and unable to greet you upon your arrival.”
“I understand,” the King replied, then added, “This is my romantic partner, Braelin. He’s also the Royal Gardener at my castle, and has an interest in all plant life.”
“Nice to meet you,” Braelin said, inclining his head.
Duhruhn nodded back, “Well met. When I heard you had brought a guest, I made sure to obtain two of these.”
The Bull held out two amulets, each a spiral-shaped shell that gleamed in the bright light f the cloudy gray skies. Jurao accepted them, handing one to Braelin as he looked it over - he could feel the divine magic it was charged with, after so many interactions with demon deities.
“The Divine Beast is far below the depths,” Duhruhn said, waving a hand towards the water surrounding them, “Those amulets are blessed of Amehum, our Goddess of Change. When you wear them, they will give you forms that will allow you to survive our waters.”
“I see,” Jurao said, and looked to his partner.
“I’ve never seen ocean plants,” Braelin said, looking intrigued by the amulet.
“I called on you because you often interact with the gods directly, or so I’ve heard,” Duhruhn said, “Perhaps your experience will give you better insight than our mundane knowledge.”
“I will do what I can to help,” the Demon King assured, “Though I have little experience with Divine Beasts, rather than deities.”
“I understand,” Duhruhn said, then turned to trudge into the surf, “The amulets will only change you within the water - I recommend putting them on before entering. Also, the ancient texts recommend not wearing anything below the waist when using the amulets.”
“Will you be alright,” Jurao asked, turning to Braelin.
“If it’s only for a short time,” the human replied, putting the second amulet around his neck before attempting to remove his gloves, “Before something changes, I suppose.”
Jurao hummed in agreement, slipping his own amulet on. He was wearing thicker clothing than usual, but not much more - so he quickly slipped out of his longer-than-usual pants before helping his more bundles partner do the same.
With the choppiness of the waves, the Demon King elected to pick Braelin up and carry him into the surf, rather than have him struggle against his furs wading in himself.
“Ready,” he asked, when he was waist-deep in the water.
“Ready,” his partner replied, adjusting his grip around Jurao’s shoulders as he shivered at the freezing water.
The Demon King took a deep breath, then plunged them both under the surface.
The divine energy burst from the amulets at once - Jurao felt it envelop the two of them, the chill of the trollish oceans fading in the warm, golden glow.
Under its influence, Jurao’s body felt like it had turned back into the clay Maenscul had used to craft demonkind. His tail and legs twisted and pressed together, changing shape into a tail much like the trolls he shared ancestry with - thick but short black fur that matched his hair swiftly covering it.
He could watch a similar change happen to his partner - releasing Braelin enough that his body wouldn’t hinder the divine transformation.
Rather than a deep sea mammalian tail, Braelin’s legs formed a fishtail - orange scales broken up with black-bordered white bands.
Duhruhn swam over to them, and signed, <
Jurao opened his mouth experimentally - but found the instinct to take in a breath caused gills on the side of his neck to open instead. It was an odd, slippery sensation - but not uncomfortable.
Braelin ended up pulling off his cowled mantle, stuffing it partway into belt to facilitate the use of his own newly formed gills. His hair spread around him under the water, and he pushed it back - pausing when his hand hit one of the frills his ears had changed into.
Trolls, Jurao knew, did not have gills - rather, they were able to hold their breath for hours at a time. Hence the sign language they used to communicate beneath the waves.
It would appear so, Jurao replied - startled when he realized his attempt at speech projected his thoughts instead.
Duhruhn also seemed taken aback, but quickly recovered, signing, <
Jurao kept his grip on one of his partner’s hands - while they’d both changed, he was still larger and faster than the human.
Doing alright? the King asked.
This is, Braelin was looking around them mainly at the tall columns of kelp they were swimming towards, Different. Not bad, though.
Good, Jurao replied, keeping his own gaze focused on Duhruhn.
While he was also much larger, the Bull swam most every day - he was faster, and surer of the way his body cut through the water. Jurao was… unaccustomed to the kind of undulating motion the tail necessitated, and the flippers at the end were not exactly like feet. As long as he moved instinctively, there was little issue - but whenever he started to think about the way he was moving, he would throw himself off at the subtle differences.
When he started to correct for one such instance, frowning down at his changed body, he felt his arm move ahead of him.
Sorry, Braelin called out in thought, Could you slow down a bit, Bull Duhruhn?
The Bull circled around, swimming back towards them. He signed, <
I am, Jurao sighed, bubbles escaping from his mouth, Not used to this body.
<
Thank you, Braelin replied with a smile. The human took the lead as their guide began moving again, easily able to pull his demon partner along underwater.
They had traveled down far enough for the light from above to dim significantly, but it was still there. Much closer were bioluminescent plants that waved gently in the water, and their light glinted off the scales of his partner’s tail as he trailed after Duhruhn at a more leisurely pace.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Braelin ambled - closer to one plant then the other, but without losing track of the troll wearing strands of bioluminescent plant life himself. The human let his free hand trail against the wide, dark kelp leaves, gently traced the smaller tendrils of coral flowers, and seemed entirely at ease with his vastly altered form.
Watching him, Jurao didn’t have trouble not thinking about anything else.
<
Jurao looked away from his partner at that - and was awed by the sight of hundreds of glowing, gently floating jellyfish above them. Each was a few feet across, all awash in soft blue and purple hues - though some had yellow frills in the center of their other tentacles, making a colorful but gentle counterpoint.
As Duhruhn led them ever deeper, schools of bioluminescent fish swam by them, and the plants showed up in sharper relief to the dark waters around them. Similarly, the amulets he and Braelin wore began to light up, creating small beacons of light for them to see by.
Duhruhn stopped in front of a cave, which had a brighter glow coming from it. He signed, <
Understood, Jurao said. He thought it was likely safer for Braelin to remain outside the cave, yet he was loathe to leave his partner alone in such an unfamiliar environment.
I’ll stay close, Braelin said, likely able to guess his partner’s mind.
Jurao pulled his partner against his side, Thank you.
<
Braelin is Beloved of a Goddess, the Demon King offered, He may be able to help as well.
<
With a final nod at the troll leader, Jurao swam into the cave with his partner.
They had to swim down a long tunnel before finding the Divine Beast in a large open area. It was huge - Jurao estimated it was thirty or so feet long, but it was difficult to be sure with the way it was piled onto the floor of the cave. Its body glowed with gentle white light, though its ten tentacle legs that waved around the edges of the cave seemed to flow through various colors down their length.
And it was… sobbing?
Jurao really wasn’t sure what to make of the giant, divine squid that was clearly bawling, rolling its body around the cave.
As such, it was Braelin that thought out, Ah, excuse me - why are you crying?
Who’s there? the squid demanded, suddenly surging up - catching Jurao and Braelin in one of it’s arms before the Demon King had time to react, Who dares disturb the great Uhrouma, Divine Beast of Maruhm?
The Beast’s voice was painfully loud in Jurao’s head, making him wince with the force of it. Still, he introduced himself, I am Demon King Jurao - and this is my romantic partner, Braelin.
The Demon King? Uhrouma questioned, then scoffed, That Duhruhn, I told him to leave me be and he sends in someone else…
He seems really worried, Braelin said - managing to wiggle out of the Beast’s grasp thanks to Jurao shielding him from it. The human stayed around his partner’s shoulders, however, as he went on, And you seem very upset - it might help to talk about it.
What would mortals know about my problems? Uhrouma replied, but didn’t try to reinstate its hold.
It’s true whatever you’re feeling may be beyond our understanding, Jurao said, But we won’t know anything if you don’t tell us.
Uhrouma seemed to consider this for a moment - then released Jurao with a sigh, Well, the sooner I tell you, the sooner you’ll see that there’s nothing you can do for me.
If there really isn’t, we’ll leave, Jurao promised. He had a feeling his experience dealing with deities wasn’t going to help him as much as Duhruhn had hoped.
Well, you see, Uhrouma started, then burst out sobbing, Moumoum won’t talk to me anymore!
Moumoum? Braelin asked.
Another Divine Beast, Uhrouma sniffled, She won’t talk to me!
Jurao and Braelin looked at each other.
Are you… friends? Jurao asked.
Did you have a fight? Braelin followed up.
She’s supposed to be my best friend! Uhrouma sobbed, But she got mad at me for no reason and won’t talk to me!
Well, Braelin started, What happened just before she got mad?
Nothing! Uhrouma insisted, tentacles slamming against the sides of the cave - then it seemed to deflate, Well… there was this… offering…
An offering? Jurao prompted.
The trolls give us offerings, as thanks for protecting them from the leviathans in the depths, Uhrouma said, waving a few tentacles dismissively, And there was this offering of whale milk pearls with bell berry jam on the altar - I only meant to take one, but they’re so good! I ate all of them before I knew it!
So, she’s mad at you for eating her treat, Braelin concluded.
Ridiculous! Uhrouma scoffed, Altar offerings are for everyone! First come first serve, as always!
But you’re her friend, the human went on, Wouldn’t you be upset if she ate the best offerings without saving any for you?
I think it’s best if you just apologize, Jurao agreed, Especially since you didn’t mean to eat them all.
But, Uhrouma’s tentacles waved uncertainly, I didn’t do anything wrong. That’s really the way it is. Even Bull Duhruhn agreed! If she wanted some, she should have come earlier!
What if she did? Braelin suggested, And she chose to leave them so you could share?
Oh, Uhrouma stilled, She did call me out that day…
As they mulled it over, Jurao asked, What are whale milk pearls?
Only one of the best treats in the Troll Realm, Uhrouma said cheerfully, When trolls freeze whale-cow milk with salt and wrap it in bubble sugar - oh! It’s so good! And it’s Moumoum’s favorite, but bell berry jam is my favorite! She prefers it with sea grapes, but she likes bell berry jam too.
It took only a momentary pause before the Divine Beast seemed to realize what it had said.
Ah, Uhrouma wiggled it’s tentacles in a way that seemed… sheepish, and said, Perhaps I… do owe her an apology…
Maybe Bull Duhruhn would be able to make some more whale milk pearls to help? Braelin suggested, The kind with sea grapes?
Yes! Uhrouma agreed, grabbing Jurao and Braelin again - whisking them along as it sped out of the cave, Bull Duhruhn! I need whale milk pearls with sea grapes in it!
The Bull seemed startled by their sudden appearance, and quickly signed, <
But I ate them all after Moumoum was going to share with me! the Divine Beast huffed, gently tossing Jurao and Braelin away from themself, I can’t apologize without them!
Perhaps just this once? Jurao suggested, before Duhruhn had a chance to refuse again.
<
Yay! Uhrouma danced around them, tentacles pulsing with multicolor light, Moumoum will definitely forgive me if I can give her the treat I accidentally stole!
<< We’ll take it to the alter within the week,>> Duhruhn signed, <
Okay! See you soon! Uhrouma replied, still dancing as they waved one tentacle at their retreat.
<
How old is Uhrouma? Braelin asked, They seemed… childlike.
<
But they fight leviathans, Jurao confirmed. He knew about those - the demon city of Lajaonor had been built using the bones of half a leviathan that had pushed its way through the boundary - and that half was at least fifty feet long on its own. The bone structure was reminiscent of an eel, with a lot more teeth - he could only imagine how fast it could move underwater.
<
The rest of the return trip included Duhruhn taking the time to explain the aquatic plants they passed by - their names, uses, and any other questions Braelin had about them. Jurao was content to make their slow progress back to the surface - as it seemed his help had been useful in the end, though he did not feel like he’d accomplished much.
When they did arrive back on the small island they were staying on, the Demon King ended up carrying his partner back to their guest house. Divine energy could put a lot of strain on the body, and Braelin didn’t have a physically enhancing Greater Blessing like Jurao to balance it out.
After a hot bath and light meal, Jurao was surprised by a knock at their door.
“I wished to thank you properly, King Jurao,” Duhruhn greeted, holding out a covered stone pot, “You and your Partner Braelin. While we are still working on the Divine Beast sized whale milk pearls, it was a small thing to create average sized ones.”
“Thank you, Bull Duhruhn,” Jurao inclined his head, “I believe we were both curious about them.”
“These are not flavored,” Duhruhn added, “Also, if your Partner Braelin wishes to study our plants more, I suggest a water garden. There is one in your Lajaonar city - many of our plants have medical purposes that can apply to demons.”
Jurao smiled, sure there would be a future such addition to the castle, “We’ll look into it, thank you.”
Duhruhn nodded his head before taking his leave of them.
“A water garden,” Braelin sighed wistfully. He was seated in front of the hearth, wrapped in a blanket for good measure, and added, “I wonder what that looks like…”
“We can stop in Lajaonar before we head back to the capital,” Jurao chuckled, taking a seat next to his partner. He opened the lid of the stone pot, and blinked, “They do look like pearls.”
Braelin sat up, leaning into the King’s side to get a look - pulling out one of the ‘pearls’ for inspection, “Very big pearls.”
“By human standards,” Jurao agreed, picking out one for himself - the outside was glossy, but had a spongey squish to it. Without further consideration, the King popped one of the ‘pearls’ into his mouth.
The outside was chewy and sweet - but the inside was cold and ridiculously creamy, only the slightest tinge of salt about it.
Braelin had to bite his in half, the outside stretching a little as he ripped it apart. He hummed, sitting back again, “A little too rich for a regular treat, but it is good.”
Jurao ate another, nodding, “It’s sweeter than I usually prefer, but I agree that it would be nice to enjoy occasionally.”
“I hope Uhrouma and Moumoum make up,” Braelin said, “It seems lonely - to be a kid for thousands of years, and have only a few other people your age.”
“I can see that,” Jurao agreed, “And I’m sure they will - Uhrouma seemed very sincere.”
“They did,” his partner agreed, leaning into the King’s side again with a yawn, “I wonder if you could make the pearls with other milk…”
“It would be an intriguing experiment,” Jurao said, wrapping one arm around his partner’s waist and the other around his shoulders.
And, he thought, happily cuddled while enjoying some more of the sweet treat, It would be even better to enjoy this together at home.