“Who goes there?” A voice called out. Two figures were standing on the same shoreline their boat was rapidly approaching.

Their silhouettes were outlined by a series of torch lights standing out the outside of a wooden perimeter that blocked off what looked to be several buildings nearer to the middle of the island.

“I asked you first, Cod.” Replied Keith.

“N-no… no you didn’t.” The guard’s hooded head turned toward his partner.

The hull of their small vessel hit the sands. Both Keith and Elenore placed their paddles on the inside of the boat. Caster hopped back into his hiding spot in the rucksack, and the three of them departed. Standing in the sands, Keith continued.

“It’s a joke, Cod, you smooth-skin.”

“Okay, now I know it’s you. Did The Agency already fire you?” The guard huffed.

“Not yet.” Keith both guards with a handshake. “This is Elenore, you may have seen her during the Arena casts. She’s safe.” Keith turned and motioned at Elenore, who waved back.

“What brings you back to Arder? Trying to cozy up to royalty again?” said Cod, peering around their surroundings to see if anyone else was around.

“No. We’re just passing by so we can get to the city. Did you see the match tonight?”

“I was on post, but I already heard the rumors. Think they’re finally making their move eh?” Cod glanced toward Elenore.

Elenore was staring up at the top of a nearby coconut tree, her eyes focused on a huge crab with elongated limbs snapping at a ripe coconut. She was completely oblivious to the conversation.

“We’ll talk about it privately, soon I’m sure,” nodded Keith.

Well, that’s ominous. First, he tries to stab me, now he’s using vague pronouns to conspire with other hooded men? What the hell is going on in this world?

“My reason for coming is that The Agency has a problem they need me to repair, or neutralize,” Keith continued.

You can neutralize my nuts, Keith.

Something appeared from over the top of the fence that separated the beach from the buildings in the middle of the island. A figure was climbing over the top.

“Sir!” Cod stood up, along with his companion guard. Both rushed toward the figure wearing the same hooded robes they were. Though the new person was at least 3 heads shorter.

Is that a kid-

Caster’s thoughts were interrupted as Elenore suddenly jumped, her rucksack going upward with her. Caster could only put his hands over his mouth as his stomach churned from the sudden movement. Elenore landed on her feet, then crouched.

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“Hehe, yeah boy.” She mumbled to herself.

“Elenore! What happened?” Caster asked, risking the others seeing him as he poked his head out of the rucksack to see what it was that Elenore was inspecting on the sand. In her grasp was the huge coconut crab, now split in half. Elenore ripped off one of its pincers, then split the claw into two prongs. She handed the smaller one back to Caster.

“Take this, these crabs have shells that are used in all kinds of magic equipment and rune stuff. You can use this claw like you would your old Minion wand. You ain’t got much magic power now, but I’m sure with a passive like that you’ll catch up to me and Keith real quick. Hopefully sooner than later. I may be slow, but I ain’t stupid. I don’t trust them anymore I would a siren.” Caster took the crab’s pincer. He wasn’t sure what to say.

“Thanks,” he mumbled.

Crab Claw Staff Equipped! All Abilities do an additional 2 Arcane damage

Clever - Knowledge is Power, activated! +1 Arcane

“Hello,” a new voice spoke just as Caster hid back under the flap of Elenore’s rucksack. Elenore turned toward the fence and the three hooded Dagonians.

“I’m Barracuda. Can I see the Minion?” said the smallest one. Elenore blankly stared at the child-sized person, wondering if she heard him right.

“Elenore, please keep this between us but… this is prince Barracuda. He and his mother are visiting extended family here in Arder. I’m a distant cousin and the emperor himself chose me to be his mentor after I joined The Agency. You can understand why I wouldn’t disclose this information unless… he introduced himself to you.” Keith was annoyed.

“Sorry,” Barracuda looked up. “My dad said, um, the emperor said there was a Minion that escaped The Arena and Mr. Keith said he’s in your bag. Can I see him?” The child could hardly contain its excitement.

“Come on out, Caster.” Elenore sighed.

Seriously? So much for being covert.

Caster flipped open the flap and peeked over the rim of the rucksack. Keith, Barracuda, and both guards – with lances in hand – were staring at him. Elenore again grabbed him as one would a helpless puppy, then placed him on the ground.

Even the child was taller than him.

Barracuda put his hands to his face and gasped.

“Oh, sorry, I’m rude.” He pulled back the hood and veil that covered his face.

He had no skin. Only scales than neatly flowed from under and below the next, like a snake. His tone was a shining albino white, even from a distance, the light of the torches gleamed off his body. His eyes were easily twice the size of a normal child's. Most strikingly were his vivid yellow pupils that slit vertically like a cat, but his expression held nothing but wonder. On the sides of his neck were gills, though subdued, as if not fully matured.

Caster nearly fainted.

“I’m Barracuda. What’s your name?” He asked, none of his excitement was lost.

“Hold on, I think I… just one second. I need a minute.” Caster turned away for a moment, keeping the balance over his wobbling legs by holding his hand against Elenore’s shin guards. After clearing his throat and taking a deep breath.

“Is something wrong?” Barracuda glanced up at Keith.

“The Minion is chronically shy and is afraid of new people,” Keith shrugged.

“No, well, yes. I’m sorry kid, I'm not trying to be mean but you're the scariest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. What happened? Is it a skin condition?”

“Oh, this?” Barracuda rubbed his forearms. “I’m albino.”

“But your eyes! And your scales? You don’t look remotely human. Are you alright?”

“Says the Minion,” Elenore chuckled.

“He’s not human. None of us are.” Keith spoke in his colorless tone, flipping back his hood. Both guards followed suit.

All of them shared the same scale patterns as the prince, however, none of the three had the same slit yellow eyes or moon-pale skin. Their scales were varying intensities of faded blue. Their eyes were round but lacked the feline slits and instead stared emptily down into Caster’s soul.

“We are what the surface dwellers confuse as Dagonian. We are Thuum’ha.”