Uncharted Waters

By 3DD Copyright 2023

COLD!

It was so cold!

He could hear a voice complaining about something. He tried to open his eyes but they seemed glued together. “Why would someone glue my eyes shut? Maybe it was to keep out the light?”

He frowned in confusion as his thoughts didn’t seem logical for some reason. A crackling and tinkling sound together with the sensation of cold slivers of something falling off his face distracted him from pursuing his prior aberrant thoughts. He had a moment of clarity, “It was ice! On my face. No wonder I cannot open my eyes, they are frozen shut!”

Ah!” A feminine cry of distress distracted him from further thoughts of why he would have ice on his face. 

Thump!

“What the?!” He wondered. The sounds came from behind him or above his head as he was laying prone on the ground which he realised was covered in snow. No wonder he was so cold!

Crack! Splash! Freezing cold water drenched his face. 

“Eeek! Ahh! It’s cold!” Someone shouted from very close by his head. Sounds like someone, and female at that, had fallen through the ice.

“Why aren’t my ears frozen? I can hear. I must have become frozen on dry land.” He surmised.

A wet hand grabbed him by his face and pulled but the hand slipped off due to the remaining ice still adhering there. 

“Mother of all eels! Why are you so slippery!” Came a girl’s voice from just above his head. 

He couldn’t work out what was happening. Splashing sounds intensified and another wet hand grasped his face again but this time by his slightly open mouth. His head tilted backwards due to the force exerted by the wet but warm fingers. Gasping and panting sounds preceded a second hand taking hold of his head, this time by his chin. 

“Ah! Bick! Bick! Why are your teeth so sharp? Are you a Tippler?! I’ve never seen such a strange looking being before and I’ve seen my fair share!”

The coppery taste of blood flooded his tastebuds. He swallowed convulsively resulting in a thin stream of light flowing down his throat. The light expanded once it reached his stomach, spreading out to suffuse all of his body and limbs. “How can I see inside of myself? What is this light? Is it from the blood?” he wondered.

The second hand grabbing onto his chin had caused his teeth to close down hard on the first hand’s fingers which were lodged deep in his mouth. A prompt withdrawal of the fingers and further cursing gave him a brief moment to become aware he was naked! “What! This isn’t right?”He thought in shock. 

He was starting to find it hard to breathe as the fingers wrapped around his chin were also strangling him. A final strong pull on his chin and then freezing cold water splashed down onto his face. The extra water melted his frozen together eyelids and he painfully blinked the mixture of water and ice away. Gorgeous purple eyes stared into his. A girl’s very cute face was hovering over his, her skin was a flawless pure white as was her long hair - not blonde but snow white. 

He blinked again, this time in surprise, “Who?! What is going on?” He thought. 

ROAR!

The stunning purple eyes widened in alarm! Suddenly the face disappeared towards his feet and he had a wet body draped over his. He had a brief sensation of warmth on his body before she seem to levitate away from him into the air. 

SNAP!

Long wicked-looking teeth had snapped shut just above his head. He had a brief glimpse of the all-white girl turning to look back at him before the beast opened its mouth and engulfed his head and upper body with a loud crunch!

Surprised he didn’t feel any pain from the sharp teeth he was starting to wonder if he was so cold he couldn’t feel the pain when he felt himself being swallowed. Warmth suffused his body.

“So good!”

He felt something stirring deep inside himself. It seemed to suddenly awaken as some barrier gave way and a force shot out to draw in all available heat. Heat blossomed in his body, “So warm!” The power hidden in his body exploded in greed, rapidly increasing the amount of heat being drawn into his body from the surrounding flesh. 

The creature which had eaten him jerked in response. Strong vibrations battered his body. The beast was roaring in obvious anguish as its insides were rapidly frozen!

Splat!

He was forcefully ejected from the beast’s stomach. The beast obviously didn’t like being frozen from the inside out!

Cold slime dripped from his face as he sat up to take stock of himself. He didn’t seem to be injured anywhere and his body felt warm now, though his fingers and toes were tingling with the return of blood to them. He looked up into the purple-eyed and stunned gaze of the girl. 

The girl opened her mouth a number of times trying to say something then finally managed to speak, “Who are you? What are you? How can you survive being bitten and swallowed by a Grump?! And being frozen stiff?!”

“I’m - -“, he paused, “I don’t know actually.” He looked down at himself in puzzlement. The ice had all melted revealing a slender though strong looking humanoid body covered in thick, long, electric-blue fur. Almost blood-red shoulder-length hair swung forward to partially obscure his vision as he examined his body. 

He looked up at the girl in some embarrassment at his naked state, though his long dense hair hid all the delicate bits. She was examining him with equal intensity but without any sign of embarrassment from seeing his nudity. She pulled a long white cloak out of nowhere and held it out for him to take.

He smiled in thanks and stood to don the warm looking cloak. Threading his arms through the cloak’s sleeves he found, considering his body’s shape and size compared to the petite girl, the sleeves were surprisingly too long. He was about to roll them up when he was startled by the sleeves shortening as if by magic!

A merry and melodious giggle caused him to look up. The girl was smiling at his shocked look. She winked at him and asked, “Don’t you have Higglers where you come from?”

He blinked rapidly in confusion as he strained to remember anything of his past. Blue. He could remember blue. Stumbling over his words as he tried to explain, “No Higglers that I know of. Not even me.” Realising the absurdity of his reply he sought to clarify his statement by stating, “Nothing comes from where I come from as I don’t come from anywhere.” Seeing her frown he asked, “Where am I?”

“My brain must be still frozen.” He thought in dismay. 

The girl’s puzzled look changed into a smirk, “You are standing in a puddle of Grump drool, by the never seen before now, frozen Lake Artem, and near the city of the Silvers who would love to drain your spirit force and devour your soul!”

“Thank you.” He replied humbly. She was very confident in her demeanour; almost like royalty so he sketched a hasty bow to show his respect. 

The girl jumped backwards in alarm. “What are you doing?!”

He frowned in response to her reaction but decided to gloss over it and asked, “What is your name? Mine is - - umm.” He frowned in confusion, “Why can I remember how to talk and I bowed to show respect. Where are my other memories and what happened to me?”

“OK,” she said slowly, “you seem to have lost your memory. What was the last thing you remember?”

“Only blue.” Seeing her enquiring look he continued, “All I remember is blue. Like my fur.” He frowned, “Maybe an ocean, or the sky?”

She frowned in thought, then “What colour do you see when you close your eyes?” She asked brightly. 

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“What? OK, I’ll humour her.” he thought. He closed his eyes and then abruptly opened them in shock!

“Purple!” He said gazing into the mesmerising purple eyes which were suddenly a handspan away from his own. He went to step back to gain some distance while saying, “I mean blue!” but slender strong arms wrapped around his neck and she used this to half lever and half climb up his body to plant a scorching kiss on his lips. He tried to take a breath of air which only served to further seal the kiss. “My nose is still blocked by ice!”

Using the little remaining air in his lungs he forcefully snorted out the ice. Hot lips released their suctioning of his soul from his body!

“Ow! What in the Gibbering Gloms?” Stepping back, she looked down into her cleavage. She pulled down the front of her top while leaning forward to tip out the ice bullets he had snorted into the top of her robe. He opened his mouth to both gasp in a lungful of air and to stare in astonishment at her display. 

She looked up at him after she had ensured no ice remained. Smiling, she purred, “Well you remember what you like even if you don’t know how to kiss.”

“I was trying to breathe!” He tried explaining whilst forcing his eyes back to her face away from her display. 

She straightened up and adjusted her clothing. She then stepped forward and grabbed his ears to bring his lips to hers. Some time later the earth turned, the ice melted, clinging lips parted. 

She rested her forehead against his chest and murmured with a breathy sigh, “You either were really short of breath and or the fasted learner in the history of the world.” Leaning back she continued, “My name is Tril. Princess, Grand Spiritor, Adventurer, and Goddess of Love!”

He was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered. “Pleased to meet you Tril. I’m honoured, Your Majesty. What is a Grand Spiritor? May you have many grand adventures, and do you require me to worship at your Altar of Love?” He replied somewhat cheekily. 

“Oh! You have recovered your senses and equilibrium! Forget the Goddess part. Even my sister couldn’t pull that one off.” She then did an obviously stylised hand gesture using both hands to cover her ears then her eyes, though she decreased the attempted respectful effect by peeking at him from between her fingers. “I’m honoured to meet you Sir Blue!”

He tilted his head while considering her reply. Straightening, He queried her, “Isn’t Sir Blue a bit simplistic?”

Tril grinned, “OK, Sir Red and Blue.”

He shook his head and smiled ruefully, “Now I know you are pulling my leg.”

Unaccountably Tril blushed! She quickly glanced down his body and just as quickly averted her eyes. 

“Do they not use that saying here? In future I had better watch what I say or do, else I could easily offend someone!” He thought whilst trying to think of other aspects of life which might prove to be a problem. To give himself time to think he turned to properly survey the surrounding landscape. Snow and ice covered the tree covered hills surrounding the lake. It was beautiful; if you appreciated a frozen lake and snow and tree covered hills. Something seemed off though. It dawned on him the snow was not normal for this area. The trees were semi-tropical with large leaves presently encased in snow and ice. 

Looking down at the nearby hole in the Ice he asked, “What was that thing called again? A Grump? Will it come back?”

Tril shuddered and replied, “I think the Grump has gone off to sulk. Not only is it’s lake frozen over but it’s meal was a bit hard to swallow!” Seeing his interest she sighed and said, “Looks like I am going to have to teach you everything!” She raised her hand and ran her fingers over her lips. “Hmm, it could be fun!”

He felt heat suffuse his face. She must be thinking of their kisses. 

Her eyes grew large and she gasped out, “Wow! Your face is rippling with waves of red and blue! So pretty!”

“Ah, thanks.” He replied somewhat embarrassed by her praise. A sudden pang of hunger stabbed him in his vitals causing him to bend in the middle. Seeing her look of concern he quickly explained, “It seems my stomach has also unfrozen. Is there food somewhere to be found?”

Tril’s face smoothed out from her worry. She grinned and teased him by saying, “There is an inn over that hill. As you don’t seem to be hiding any money on your person, I’ll shout you a meal if you give me a neck massage - - and another kiss!”

He looked at her in surprise. Did she really like kissing him? He would love to kiss her again, but the first task she set for gaining a meal gave him pause. “I guess I can kiss you again as I have caught my breath now but what is a neck massage?” He asked, which caused Tril to be nonplussed.

“How do you describe a neck massage?” She wondered. “I will just have to demonstrate on him first. Hmm, it could be fun to do as his fur looks so soft and his body looks cut under all that fur. Plus I can tease him!”

“I’ll show you how on your neck but you will have to do my neck and my back.” Tril informed him. 

Looking at her petite body he thought, “She is small so it can’t take too much time or effort?”

“Deal.” He said in agreement. His stomach was starting to rumble and the pain there was developing wings. He would agree to do almost anything to eat something. 

Tril turned and started running towards the direction of the inn. Startled, he quickly ran after her, his long sharp retractable claws on his feet digging into the ice and snow which gave him excellent traction. Coming up beside her he looked across at her only to see her glance at him with astonishment. She grinned and put her head down to accelerate quickly. He sped up and followed just behind her. He didn’t want to challenge her speed. She seemed very proud of it. 

A rough footpad soon developed leading to the saddle between two hills. Cresting the top she glanced back to see him still on her heels. She paused while panting hard. She looked at him, “You could at least be panting a bit as well!” She complained with scowl. 

He shrugged, “Sorry?”

“Sure you are!” She complained. She turned and started running towards some buildings close by a wooden bridge which spanned a swiftly flowing small river. She soon slowed to a jog to regain her breath then slowed again to a walk as they reached the first wooden and stone building. 

Only a cart and it’s harnessed wide and low built animal graced the road running between the twenty odd buildings. The frills on its neck were a vivid red. “Was the red a warning to predators?” He wondered. 

Tril turned off the road towards the biggest building. Walking up to the stout wooden and iron studded door she pushed her way inside. The inside was dark after the bright light reflected from the white snow outside. Nobody was in the large room. A counter ran the length of the wall on the opposite side of the room. Tril crossed to the counter and yelled, “Bar!”

Grumbling could be heard from out the back, “Who is disturbing my afternoon nap?! I’ll serve them slops if they don’t watch out!”

A bearded monstrosity of a man waddled out to serve them. “What do you want?!” He demanded with a scowl. 

“Food and lots of it. We are hungry!” Tril demanded. “Plus a room with two beds.”

Looking at her petite body and her tall but slender companion, the barkeep smiled, “Stew is ten silver a portion. All you can eat twenty silvers each.”

Tril didn’t hesitate, “Deal! All we can eat.” She smiled. The barkeep’s smile was wiped from his face in an instant. 

Frowning, he looked suspiciously at her. “You have to eat it here. No saving it for later!”

“Of course.” Tril replied with equanimity. She turned and made her way to a table in a corner of the room. 

Sitting down with her back to the wall she asked, “Well Sir Blue, I guess you will want to stay the night here with me. Tomorrow would you like to go with me to my Master?”

“Master?” He asked. 

“Yes, I’m my Master’s only disciple.” Seeing the puzzlement on his face she clarified, “My Master teaches me how to use my spirit and soul powers. He says I’m now advanced enough I can start training my own disciple.”

Seeing his interest Tril smiled and with a sparkle in her eyes asked, “Do you want to be my disciple?”

He pondered a moment on his current situation and the options she was giving him. Until he knew more about this world and his own background and abilities, he didn’t have any alternatives. Tril’s offer was all positive; except maybe for the teasing; though even her teasing was fun with no malicious intent. 

“Thank you. I will accept your offer. Do I have to undergo a ceremony of some sort?” He asked. 

“You just have to swear to only use your powers for good, and give me foot massages every night.” She informed him with an innocent look. 

He tilted his head in query. 

“OK, the foot massages are not mandatory though you will get bonus points for all services rendered!”

“And I redeem these bonus points how?” He asked. 

“Oh, I smart one!” She smirked. “Well, if you want to eat and sleep inside instead of out in the snow then you need to earn your keep! What do you say, Sir Blue?”

“Fair enough.” He quickly agreed.

“Looks like my name is going to be, Sir Blue for the foreseeable future unless I regain my memory.” He thought. 

Further discussion was halted by the arrival of two large bowls of stew accompanied by crusty bread. The young woman who served them couldn’t keep her eyes off him. So much so she almost dropped Tril’s bowl in Tril’s lap. Tril grabbed the bowl and placed it on the table whilst smirking at him.  

“We will have some cider to go with our meal. Bring two mugs each please.” She ordered the waitress. 

The waitress backed away saying, “Yes, Mistress. I’ll be right back with them.” The waitress was so fixated on staring at him, she backed into a table. Becoming aware of herself, she blushed red and turned to scurry away. 

“Looks like you have an admirer!” Tril smirked at Blue. 

He blushed, which caused Tril to gaze at him in fascination. “So beautiful.” She murmured. 

He lowered his head in embarrassment, picked up his spoon and started eating voraciously, with Tril following suite. The only sounds were the murmurs and almost groans of ecstasy and the tap of the wooden spoons on their bowls. The waitress returning with their drinks didn’t slow them in the slightest, even though Tril watched with amusement the waitress’s obvious continued fascination with Sir Blue. 

The waitress hovered at the end of the bar, watching with equal amazement the way in which Tril and Blue demolished their meal and her continuing rapt attention to Sir Blue’s every movement. Soon she brought a second large helping just as they were finishing their first. Her eyes grew even wider in amazement as they devoured the second helping without slowing down. Only the third helping slowed them somewhat to a normal dining pace. 

Sitting back in his chair with a sigh, he watched as Tril used the last of the bread to wipe up the remaining skerricks of stew from her bowl. “Thank you, Tril. I feel - - satisfied?” He stated with gratitude. 

Tril popped the bread into her mouth, chewed and swallowed, “Yes, satisfied is a good description. This is the first hot food for me in many a day. I guess this is the first food, hot or cold, you can remember?”

“Yes. I didn’t know eating would be so good. I wonder what else will feel good? Getting warm inside the Grump was really good!”

This caused Tril to snort cider out of her nose all over him and the table. She had been caught in the middle of draining the last of her cider from her mug. Blushing furiously, she coughed and sneezed as she cleared the cider from her nose and airway. Eyes streaming with tears she looked at him. He was watching all this with amazement and some concern. She hiccuped and dissolved into giggles. Soon she was gasping for breath as she laughed herself silly. 

“Oh, my!” She gasped as she finally brought her laughter under control. “Just wait until I tell my friends about how you felt good to be eaten by a Grump. They won’t believe me!”

He smiled wryly and watched as Tril pulled a small towel out of thin air and proceeded to wipe her face and hands. Once finished, she made the towel disappear and pulled another clean towel out of nowhere and handed it to him. He started in surprise as he had forgotten he had worn the last of her drink. Wiping himself, he asked, “Did you want another drink?”

Her reply was stopped by the bang of the door as it was slammed open by a large, dirty and mean looking man. He stood in the doorway surveying the room. His eyes brightened when he spied the young waitress. His eyes continued his scan and alighted on Tril and Sir Blue. “What do we have here?!” He bellowed. He immediately started striding in their direction. 

Tril shook her head in disgust and raised her finger and flicked it in the man’s direction. A loud pop sounded and the man was suddenly back in the doorway. He stumbled to a halt with a look of surprise and worry. “So, you have been trained, and trained well.” He said in disappointment while staring at Tril. “Well men, it looks like we will just be drinking tonight unless the little lady will permit us access to the girl?” He enquired with a hopeful look. 

Tril just shook her head in the negative causing the the man’s face to drop in disappointment. He soon recovered and walked towards the bar, bellowing, “All drinks on me! We scored big today. Twenty two Noscerous! All this snow is good for something.” A horde of similarly unkempt men followed him to the bar. They leered at the waitress but avoided looking at Tril. They glanced at Sir Blue with interest but didn’t let it stop them from lining up at the bar. 

Seeing Sir Blue didn’t understand the leader’s comment, Tril quietly filled him in, “Noscerous are the beast you saw outside which they use to pull carts and do other tasks.”

He nodded his thanks for her explanation and finished his drink. He was starting to feel weary now he had sated his hunger so he asked, “I’m feeling tired. Can we retire early tonight?”

Tril started to reply when the leader of the group who was standing at the bar, yelled at the grumpy looking barkeep, “Drinks for all and we want all your rooms tonight. We will also need food, and lots of it!”

The barkeep blanched and unconsciously took a step back. The barkeep had already suffered a loss by offering all you can eat to Tril and Sir Blue. Having learnt his lesson and from the looks of it, these men could eat a vast amount, so he only gave them the price per serving and no option of all-you-can eat. The leader did not quibble over the price and doled out the requested amount in small gold coins and blue crystals. 

Sir Blue felt a strong attraction to these blue crystals and so he asked Tril, “What are those crystals?”

Tril glanced over at the barkeep who was examining each crystal carefully. “They are spirit crystals. Can you feel them?” She asked. 

“Yes, I feel an attraction to them.”

“You must already be at the Spirit Refining level.” She said, nodding with approval and some surprise. She looked at him in the eyes and her purple eyes started glowing. He felt tendrils of purple entering his mind. He felt he could stop the tendrils but as it didn’t feel inimitable and they were from Tril, he allowed her to enter his mind. He felt the thing lurking in his mind awaken again. A vortex formed which sucked in the purple tendrils at an ever increasing rate. 

“Ahh!” Tril cried out and shot to her feet, rigid as a tree. Her eyes turned up in her head and she toppled to the floor unconscious!

WTF!