The next day, aboard the Drowned Goddess…

The waters are calm, gentle waves easing us slowly towards Sharmarli, the Holy City. The sun’s high up in the sky and a bit too bright, and there’s a chill in the air. And there’s also… snowflakes from the sky?

Huh, okay. I wasn’t expecting that last bit. It’s a little over a month into springtime, but winter lingers. Or rather, it’s returned. I think of Arcadia and its frozen hellscape of ice and snow, and I feel a little uneasy. Only just a little, though!

Oh well. I’d worry a bit more, but it won’t do me any good. For now, it’s a two-day voyage with fellow adventurers and travellers headed for the Holy City. Most of them are resting below deck in their cabins right now, thanks to the not-so-pleasant combo of shining bright sun and chilly cold air. But not Anna and I! We’re made of sterner stuff!

So, we’re keeping a watchful eye on what lurks below! Never know what’s waiting down there, y’know? Monsters like the Mer-men, for example. Just like their eldritch cousins swarming the corpse city of Dagon, the Mer-men lurking in the depths of the Silent Sea are evil bastards. They attack in raiding parties and take everything they can underwater. It’s why every ship goes heavy with an armed guard if they can help it, supplementing their numbers with adventurers. Can’t ever be too careful!

There’s a leader among these Mer-men – a Pelagic Warlord the sailors call Xarak’ahn, the Scourge of Silence. He’s a big, ugly, hulking, scaly fiend with bulbous, milky, lidless eyes. One look at him, and you’ll have your breakfast rushing back up your mouth! He had an enchanted trident and sword with an icy enchantment that could freeze anyone solid, and plenty of lackeys to do his bidding.

I remember what happened. He and his warband of Mer-men attacked this ship in the previous timeline when Anna and I were heading for Sharmarli on this ship. With the adventurers and sailors on board fighting alongside us, we sent them packing. I’d love to say that it was easy and that I wasn’t even trying… but it was a pretty intense battle, all things considered. There’s a reason why the sailors of the Silent Sea speak fearfully of the Scourge of Silence, after all.

He got away when we fought him that time, though. Took his sword and trident home with him, too. Real shame, since I bet those enchanted weapons were easily worth a heavy sack of coins. That, or it’d be a nice gift to the Mage Queen. Y’know, to soften her up for that Lesser Shard she’s got! Oh well.

Hmm. Good grief. I’m thinking I’d kick Xarak’ahn’s ass and take his stuff, if he and his merry band try to plunder this ship. And so, I’m waiting above deck for round two! If it happens. I’m more than ready, and so is Anna! We didn’t train for this specifically… but we’re pretty tough! Stronger than we were, the first time round in the previous timeline.

Nothing so far, though. Not a Mer-man’s eldritch fin nor any weird stirring from the waters below. Hell, I don’t even sense anything vaguely out of the ordinary, aside from the weirdly wintry air. Maybe it’s because we’re way ahead of schedule, or maybe, just maybe… they sense me! And this time, they’re afraid.

I dunno, man. It is what it is. But hey, I’m just digressing here! I’m thinking hard and waxing poetic to keep the queasiness away. Honestly, I’m more worried about this sense of great unease I’m feeling as the waves gently sway us along, over and over. Staring at these rippling waves below, almost mesmerising in their rhythm, isn’t helping matters either.

Ugh. The sea and I just don’t get along, I’m afraid. It’s been like that, both in my world and this one, and in both timelines. Feel like I’d do better in a nice bikini, lounging on a deck chair with the sun on my skin. Preferably on dry land, at the beach!

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

Hey, one can dream! And maybe that’s all we have right now. Hope, for what it’s worth.

“Arisa! I’m back!”

Lazily, I tilt my head to the side, playing it cool as I smile at Anna. Unlike me, she’s not bothered by the sea at all. But she watched me do this for a bit, and she asked me to hang tight before heading below deck. Said she’d get something to help me keep things together. And she’s back!

“Yo, is that hot stuff for me?” I ask eagerly, my eyes on the mug of freshly boiled water in her hands. “That smells so damn good right now.”

“Yup, enjoy!” Anna exclaims enthusiastically as she hands me that piping hot beverage. “But drink it slowly – it’s really, really hot!”

“Will do!”

I take slow, careful sips. Like she said… it’s pretty fucking hot. I feel a lot better now, despite the waves and the sea. The heat’s a welcome distraction from the cold, too. It’s pretty chilly out here in the early morning, and I’m feeling it a little on my palms, even with my hands and arms nicely covered up in gloves.

“Feeling better, Arisa?” Anna asks cheerfully. “I see colours coming back to your face.”

“Yeah. I’m feeling that. Damn, this is so damn good…”

“That’s good to know! Mom told me that staying hydrated helps to ease seasickness.”

“Lady Iris is chock full of good advice, eh? Oh, but you didn’t get a mug for yourself? You’ve earned it!”

“I’m good! It’s my first time on a boat… but I don’t mind it at all!” Anna answers sweetly. “In fact, I think I could get used to this…”

“Used to what?”

“The gentle swaying of the waves… the scent of sea salt in the air…”

“Holy fucking Rinnah…” I groan as I think of the sea, envisioning it and its tides in all their salty and wavy horror. “Ugh…”

“Oh no!” Anna exclaims worriedly, hand on her cheek. “Umm… I didn’t mean to aggravate your seasickness… I’m sorry!”

Good-naturedly, I shake my head and smile. Well, the best smile I can muster… given these queasy circumstances.

“It’s alright! I’m just not used to all this… water. I’ve lived on land for all my life, you see!”

“You said you live in a big city back in your world, right?”

“Yeah! And before that… a village close to the mountains.”

“Countryside?”

“Yup. Born and raised!”

“Oh? What’s it like? I’ve never been to a village of any kind… yet! So tell me, Arisa!”

“It’s a nice place, a little bit like Light’s Hope. But a lot quieter. Fewer travellers. Much fewer. Mostly farms and small shops and houses connected by country roads.”

“That sounds rather… quaint! What was life like in there?”

“I attended a Branch School – it was the only one in town! It had only one classroom for everyone in our little community. And the floor had so many damn holes in it!”

“Oh my…”

“But it was good times, Anna. We were real tight in there, all of us. Looking out for each other like family. It was the good old days before I moved to the city.”

“What about your parents? They’re from the village too?”

“Right on! My Mom and Dad… they run the village clinic. It’s also a vet for sick farm animals! Dad’s the doctor and Mom’s a nurse. That’s how they met!”

“Oh my! I’d love to visit someday! They must be good people…”

“Yeah, I’d love that too! They’d love you for sure, Anna. You’re what they want me to be. Kind, gentle, compassionate, brave, a proper lady…”

“You don’t think you are, Arisa?”

“Heh. Maybe not a proper lady yet! It just isn’t me, y’know? I’m just… plain old me.”

I tilt my head towards Anna, looking her in the eye momentarily, only to shy away towards the radiance of my Candlelight and those quiet, ever-shifting waves of the Silent Sea.

“You’re Arisa Ishii,” Anna answers warmly as she moves in a little closer, holding my hand. “Wise beyond your years and blessed with a big heart full of courage!”

“Anna…”

“Oh! But what about the big city!?” Anna exclaims, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. “Now that it comes to mind… I’ve never been to a city either! Or anywhere off the Isle…”

“Heh. You’ve got much to see, eh?”

“Yes! And I’m looking forward to it! Especially if it’s with you!”

“Good to know! I’m looking forward to it too!”

“So, umm…” Anna adds sheepishly, hand on her cheek. “Tell me about your big city, won’t you? Is it like Sharmarli? ”

“Somewhat, yes! It ain’t as holy, though,” I answer warmly, shrugging my shoulders. “But yes indeed! My city’s big and bright and fast and glitzy! Just like the Holy City, in some ways! More ways than one, I reckon.”

“I see. So, what was life like in the city, Arisa? I’m guessing you went to another school after moving there?”

“Yeah, I did!” I exclaim with a big smile. “It was St Elicia’s Academy! It’s the one with that uniform you’ve seen me wear before I got this fancy gown. And uh…”