The ship that their party has boarded is emblazoned with the words ‘Fish and Tonic’ on the side, a fact that Ulgrin finds amusing as they sail up the channel towards Lake Andire. For all intents and purposes it’s just another fishing vessel among many that ply their trade in these waters. In reality the crew are hardened veterans hiding high quality gear and weapons amongst their nets.
Trustworthy souls, their leader is a woman named Venora who served as a man-at-arms alongside the Baronetess Sarisa back during their fighting days. They’ve each been entrusted to secrecy and service for one last job in the Lady’s name. Ironically half of them are actually fishers who have moved here in the years since. It serves a good cover for having extra muscle on their side should any pirating ships try something.
Not that they’re expecting much. The lake water is calm, fiercely patrolled by the members of the Andiran navy. These waters are the lifeblood of the country and any interlopers are harshly dealt with.
The Fish and Tonic passes back through the network of channels and lifts that separate the capital’s lake from the proper one. Ulgrin takes the time to properly marvel at the impressive feats of engineering and magic now that they’re passing during the day. Pumps transfer truly massive quantities of water from one location to the other. It’s a scale that certainly rivals some of the Dunvi’s projects.
Soon enough they arrive back on the great blue. The location they have for the ruin isn’t exactly precise, but their first goal is getting into contact with the Murky Court. Try as he might, Ulgrin couldn’t find any proper details on the location, just a vague ‘the entire lake is their realm’. It’s at least common knowledge that the fey folk don’t often approach the shores or higher waters.
As it stands their only plan thus far is to head for the rough center and start delving, or at least until Fleeting Wind approaches their group as they rest off another training session. The changeling clears his throat, interrupting their sun basking. “I was hoping to get to speak to you regarding matters of the Murky Court.”
“Ah.” Ulgrin responds, stretching his limbs and getting up. “I was hoping you’d have a better idea than my plan of just sailing until we find some kind of city.”
“You’d likely be sailing for weeks.” Wind says with a slight grin. “The land of the fey does not work the same as the rest of the world. It exists alongside, intertwined with this land. It is not a matter of looking plainly, but looking sideways. There are areas where this is far easier as the boundary is weaker. Most of them are located far from civilization, in the deepest groves and most isolated valleys.” He pauses. “You’re actually correct in heading towards the center of the Lake. That is by far the most accessible.”
“Sideways?” Ulgrin furrows his brow, confused. It has to be similar in a way to looking at magic itself. “I’ll take your word for it. Is there a procedure we’ll need to follow for this? From what I’ve read and told my fellows there are rules to be followed that differ from the land of the mortals.”
“Quite. Respect is something the Courts take seriously. Words and truths hold a great deal of meaning, enough so that they are magically binding.” He searches for the words. “The fey have influence over their realm. Be sure not to make any promises you can’t keep.”
“That sounds annoying.” Raelza mutters. “What, if they ask for my name I can’t give them it because they’ll take it or some other inane crap?”
“They’re not all powerful.” Wind replies. “It is safe to speak plainly, but be wary of any serious investments. The feywilds, as their land is called, had an entirely different sent of physical laws and limitations. With the Shattering many of those rules have broken or been twisted as their realm intertwined with ours. Things like time are the most odd. Very little of it will pass while we are in their realm.”
Alyss shrugs. “At least if we’re trapped there for months we won’t be missing much here. We’re sort of on a time limit, after all.”
“Saezz would prefer we not be trapped there at all.”
“You think that’s a possibility?” Alder asks, suddenly worried. “I’ve heard all sorts of bad things about the things that go bump in the night.”
“Children’s bedtime stories are meant to scare you.” Wind said, bemused. “The truth is far stranger, if not so dire. Still, it is best that we take precautions. Don’t go anywhere alone. Politely refuse any offered food or drink, no matter how tempting. And I shouldn’t have to say this but no going gallivanting with the locals.”
“Damn.” Raelza said, shaking her head. “There goes my plan to hook up with a cute dryad lady.”
“We all mourn for your loss,” Ulgrin replies with a shake of his head and a grin. He reached down and put his helmet back on, staring down at his lazy family. “Now it’s time for a bit more practice. Don’t groan at me. Who knows what kind of skills we’ll need down there? Now grab your weapons and get ready!”
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As the day passed into night, the setting suns heralded the disappearance of land as they sailed far enough away from the shore. It reminded him of just how big the Lake of Andire was. Entire fleets could disappear into its foggy waters, missing each other by mere miles. Looking down into the waters one could see trailing tails of kelp fade into the black depths below.
Fish of all colors swam through the salty jungle. An entire ecosystem lived just below the surface, thriving in the lake and rivaling the oceans in terms of scale. Titanic creatures like the Spinosaurus paddled along, their colorful spines served as anchoring points for many birds. Occasionally the long necked dinosaurs would scoop their heads below the surface and snatch up food. They were fattening up during the spring, swimming out into the depths before their yearly mating seasons.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Their ship strayed well clear, but the stork-like carnivores weren’t a threat to their ilk. Scalefishers were content to bask in the sun and ignore their vessel. Eventually, however, their journey began to approach a low bank of fog that seemed to go on for mile after mile. Upon being notified, they all gathered atop the deck.
“That is where their ‘main’ territory begins,” Wind spoke, gesturing to the fog. “It is where the leylines intersect and as a side effect create this fog. Here it will be easiest to enter the fey realm. But in order to bring the whole ship we’ll need to all enter a… trance-like state. I’ve brought along incense and herbs to aid the process.”
“Did you bring the good stuff?” Raelza asks, winking. “Alyss refuses on principle to make any quality stuff, despite her talents.”
The alchemist glares at her. “Because it’s a waste of my time and gives my career a bad name. Just because I can make stuff that would blow your minds doesn’t mean I will.”
Wind speaks up before they can get into it. “Simple aromatics and sleeping aids that will ease the mind. I have brought a child along, after all. But the entire crew will need to gather as we sail into the fog.”
Captain Venora shrugs. “I don’t mind, but it sounds like we’ll be pretty open for attack if everyone’s focused on this and not the sails. But if it’s necessary, then I’ll tell the crew to get ready.” The human stares at the fog for a moment before nodding.
“It will not take long, I hope.” Wind quickly begins to set up various burners and porcelain trays. As the crew gathers together he gestures for them to all take a seat and get comfortable. Everyone pops a squat and gathers in groups, patiently waiting. He begins to light the various candles and incense, filling the air with a heady scent. Not an unpleasant one, but definitely a smell that fills the sinuses to their brim. It easily begins to overpower the smell of the waters and the ship.
Fleeting Wind nods as he finishes, taking a seat in view of everyone. “Calm yourselves as we sail towards the fog. Take a moment to breathe deeply.” He sets a simple pair of drums before him. “Focus on the world around you. It will change, but do not be alarmed. Simply allow yourself to become part of the world. Don’t fight it.”
He begins to play a beat, filling the air with thrums. Beside him, Maya lets out a yawn and quickly falls asleep, leaning against the changeling. Wind continues playing. The fog approaches, practically a wall in the middle of the lake. It looms over them all like a storm, ready to swallow their vessel whole.
Ba-bum. Ba-bum. Ulgrin begins to feel his heart beat more clearly. As he stares out and into the fog he can see something. Shapes and shadows flitting through the air. Columns rising out the waters. Distant sounds and calls, harkening their vessel. The bow of the ship is swallowed whole. Ba-bum. Ba-bum.
“Close your eyes.” Wind orders, his drum upping the tempo. “We are entering the feywilds. Prepare yourselves.” Ulgrin complies, waiting and listening. Eventually a wave of condensation washes over him, drenching him in water. It’s oddly warm, not unlike a late spring shower. The drums continue. Something shifts. His stomach lurches, and a wind hits their ship.
The drum stops. “You may open your eyes now.” The changeling says, letting out a breath. “We’ve successfully arrived.”
Opening them, Ulgrin is met with a world of chaotic colors. The fog seems to have lifted somewhat, allowing them to see quite some distance. Where before it was a simple lake now is a vibrant and verdant world. Trees rise from the water and grow upwards, disappearing into the fog high above. Flowers sprout from almost every inch of their trunks. Every color of the rainbow is on display here. Below, the lake is filled with lily pads and lotus that are gently pushed aside as the ship moves past.
Creatures unlike any Ulgrin has seen before flit from tree to tree. They seem to shift with their environment, sometimes blending in and others standing out. Scales and fur change color before his very eyes as the fey beasts move. Some watch their boat warily from the treetops, while others playfully fly or run alongside.
Stunned silence falls over the crew as they all stare into the feywild. The place is overstimulating, shocking their minds out of the trance-like state they had fallen into. That lasts for all of a few seconds before Captain Venora shouts. “Back to your stations or we’ll crash into that damn tree! Quickly, now!”
What follows in a panicked rush as the crew makes for the sails and rudder. Thankfully they manage to get the ship back onto a stable course and avoid crashing. Ulgrin lets out a weary sigh of relief and rests against the railing. There’s an odd distant noise. Is it singing?
“Don’t listen for too long,” Wind says, calmly brushing Maya’s hair as he sits. “Even the most willful of man can be swayed by the songs here. But it means we’re close to where we need to go. Or at least as far as distance matters in a place like this. It may take hours, it may take days.”
“Hopefully the prior.” Ulgrin says. “Have you been here often? It’s quite the surprise, to think a place like this exists. Certainly the most odd looking area I’ve ever been to.” He watches a monkey-like being leap across a fifty foot gap, twin-tails grabbing onto a branch. “Is it always this colorful?”
“I’ve only been to the Murky Court once.” Wind replies. “But yes, it is always this colorful no matter where you go. Fey actually find our world to be depressingly bland which is why most stay away. But some can see past that. The other Courts are similar to this in scale and form, but each has their own quirks.”
Ulgrin stays silent for a moment, content to stare and observe. “Any threats to look out for?” He asks after a moment, suddenly worried.
“Quite a few, but we should be relatively safe. Predators of the feywilds will likely be more confused by our appearance than hungry. The rarer kinds don’t feed on meat, however. They are attracted to emotions. I’m hoping we’ll remain safe for the time being until we arrive at where we need to go.”
The dwarf looks down over the railing and into the murky waters below. He shivers. “Let’s hope, aye?”
Several hours pass in bated breath as the crew man the ship and his friends stay on watch. Their travel is slow and deliberate, having to resort to rowing around trees and avoiding patches of thick vines. The cacophony of noise keeps them all on edge. Especially the undercurrent of the song, just barely audible. Sometimes it’s a woman’s voice, other times a male, and often either or.
Flitting wings break the relative monotony as they get their first sign of residents. Fairies fly through the air, ooh-ing and awing at their ship. Tiny creatures, barely larger than one’s hand. Far more delicate than the pixies they’d battled not long ago, the diminutive humanoids shout at them.
“What do my eyes spy? Why, visitors standing high!” They speak in high-pitched tones, but are surprisingly understandable. Each has colorful pupils and a youthful figure along with insect-like wings. “Sister, it has been so long. But there is something wrong.”
Next to it, another fairy replies. “Of course, they’re the main course! In their foolishly fleeting lives, they’ll allow the land to thrive.” A laugh runs through the flock of fairies. “It seems there will be much room for gloom, soon.”
Ulgrin raises an eyebrow, momentarily confused at their strange way of talking. After glancing at Wind for confirmation to speak, he clears his throat. “What do you mean, oh honored fey of this realm?”
“The runty one speaks!” One of the fairies gasps. “Perhaps he’ll taste best with leeks? Oh, but we’ll not be having turtle soup today. Their group shall be on display. Flee for your lives, for you certainly won’t be served with chives.”
Saezz suddenly stops. “He would not dismiss them for being strange. They’re warning us. Turtle soup…” The lizardfolk rushes towards the edge of the ship and scans the waters below. His eyes widened in horror. “Dragon Turtle! Tell the rowers to speed up, or we’ll be going down with the ship!”
At that, the flock of fairies laugh, filling the air with their mocking tones. Ulgrin gets a glimpse of a gargantuan creature lurking in the waters below. A huge shell covers its back, from which a draconic head emerges. The form of a Dragon Turtle, an aquatic specimen of draconic lineage, rears back its head and readies itself to attack.
Chaos breaks out across the ship.
Ulgrin and his friends arrive in the feywilds. Quite the eccentric place, hmm? The Murky Court is inspired by Subnautica and its various biomes, especially the kelp forests. Great game. Lots of interesting flora and fauna. Thanks for reading! See you all next chapters.