The day started annoying, with the fire sputtering out in the middle of the night and me freezing myself half to death. And now it's still cold, even though it's later in the morning, my stomach churning and my scales screaming and complaining about the chill. I want my lovely spring mornings back, and the promise of summer bliss in the afternoon. I can only hope the thin clouds that stretch as far as I can see will break apart and allow the sun to soak the land in its warmth. 

"Kaaaa!" A high-pitched voice squeals in pure delight. The young human woman Jewel is running from the Twins swinging around seaweed and laughing. She's pretty fast because the twins can't catch her in their game of tag and end up being attacked by her seaweeds. They may be mages but you'd think they'd be better at catching an untrained person. 

Jewel pauses and spins waving wildly at me and the others, "I found some pretty stuff!" She then kneels digging into the ground. Instead of those scrap of clothes from yesterday we dressed her in anything we found that slightly fit her. A chain mail shirt that is more of a dress for her, and a blue skirt hiked up to her chest to protect her against any pinching metal bits. The twins gave her a few belts to tie off around her waist along with pouches and bells and other metals. Her boots are a bit big, but with thick socks, they fit just enough not to harm her. 

Pausing in their pursuit and joining her are the two twins still dressed in their concoction of black and metal bits. They have taken it very seriously their duty to train and protect Jewel. But it's not just them. But it's not just them. All my other allies have also had their hearts stolen by her sweet eyes and honey-coated words. Only Memphreras and Efi are still very suspicious of her. 

I think I should be as well, but, strangely, I don't. It's not that I trust her exactly, she is still a mystery to me and the others. However, it's hard to think of her as anything related to danger seeing how she's playing in the sand making castles and tossing balls of wet sand around. 

Thealre kneels next to me, just at the edge of the beach before everything gives way to sand. A small hand-dug pit with bits of sand wrapped in torn old cloth and doused in fire oil that's mixed with orange paste. While sparking the match stick against its box she states, "This recipe was given to me by an old buddy of mine. He used this bee wax when he got lost in a tower and it blasted out this orange smoke. In truth, he thought he'd get honey from it, but ended up with orange skin for the next few months."

Zaran snorts in laughter, "Did he really believe he'd get honey from wax?" 

"I never said he was smart." Thealre smiles softly, "Anyway, it's really out the so it may draw the attention of a cluster or colony." 

"Good," I softly say trying not to glower as I watch the orange smoke puff upwards overtaking the air like some little storm cloud. "This better catch someone's attention." I bark a few orders, "Zaran prepare the gifts and trades. Hey! Thoelren get your sandy ass over here, help prepare the gifts." 

"Thoelren pouts, "But I wanna keep playing!" 

"Now," I growl, before redirecting my attention to Thealre, "I'll keep an eye on the fire. Can you go help your squad with checking our supplies? We have an extra mouth so we should be a little more careful."  

"Understood." She heads out giving out orders to her people. I can trust her to make sure we have everything. And if we need more food I can always go hunting. 

Zaran is head first into his bags pulling out small to large objects most of them shiny or gem-like. I remind him, "Shiny doesn't always mean best, and cut things are all opinionated." Zaran snorts waving me away and laying them out in front of the fire for Thoelren to check out. Both of them have more experience with Ocean Dwellers and are pretty good at bartering so I'll leave it to them. 

There's another squeal from the beach drawing my attention back to the water where Jewel is splashing in further. I shout, "Careful, there's Uraqur in the waters." Without a hint of worry, she twirls and dances back to shore giving me a happy wave. 

Menphrars scowls rivals that of a bog hag, "Are we really going to take this girl with us?" 

I understand Menphrera's emotions because I feel them too. I know logically we should take her to Brine Stone where she can be safe and learn how to survive. She may want to come with us now, but she doesn't know the true terror of this world. The beasts, the death, the storms, the raids, everything about this place makes it dangerous. If she allowed me, I would be willing to take her to my home after all of this is over, but she'd have to stay in Brine Stone... so why am I hesitating so much? 

Small Jewel rushes over to me, stopping just inches from me. Her soft pouty eyes glimmered even more blue than the ocean behind her, with a touch of brown that mellows it out. A little pale white pearl still sandy and muddy in her small sun-touched brown palms cannot compare to her smile revealing just the tips of her large front teeth. "Look what I found!" 

My rsolve to push her away vanishes, "It is pretty." 

She beams, "Do you like gifts?" 

"I suppose so?" 

She leans in closer, "What do you like specifically? Feathers, pearls, gems, stones, sticks." 

Zaran pips up, "Shiny stuff, cute things." 

Jewel nods in agreement, "Of course, shiny things are nice." She places the pearl in my hands and gifts Zaran a shiny piece of glass that's a shade of purple with blue steaks through it, "It's really pretty, would you like it?" 

Zaran's black eyes widen and he reaches for it, "Yes, I love it." He shoves it into his bag and makes a soft chittering noise, he always does this whenever he really likes something. Jewel has just made a forever ally in him. I can't help but smile a touch, not only has this strange little one taken in the Twins, but now Zaran. 

She turns back to me, "May I hug you?" 

I blush, "Why do you want to hug me?" 

"Because I want to," She tilts her head, "Do I need a logical reason?"

Menphreras scowls, "You cannot touch our Young Lord without reason, and it better be a good one." 

Her eyes narrow a touch, and there's this sparkle of thought, "I  see...." 

I raise an eyebrow not sure what to think about this. 

Jewel pounces onto the others gifting them with shells and glass she found. She gave me the best-looking ones and Zaran the shiniest ones. 

She beams proudly after displaying her treasure and puffs out her chest, "Thank you for letting me stay. I like you all." 

Menphreras eyes burn with red, "You are just an ignorant child, this is not an adventure. We are on a holy quest, and you will die following us." 

She's not wrong... everyone goes quiet because we realize it. 

Jewel's unblinking eyes hold this steely temperament, "I know. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be with Thoelren and Zhysse." She beams, "Please worry about Niaphi, that is your job correct?" 

My goat friend leans into her face, "Call her young lord." 

"I see... Young lord then," 

I raise a hand, "Stop this bickering, now." 

The two step back, Menphreras huffing and storming into the forest while Jewel just joyously smiles and chatters with the others. 

I glance to Holly and Efi nodding for them to head after Menphreras and help her cool off. 

Hours go by, and our three warriors return just in time to spot a blip in the distance. Over time it gets larger and larger until we can see a cluster of boats kept together by ropes, vines, ladders, and more like objects. some ships are short and stout, others tall and narrow. There's a variety of metals, wood, and some strange almost organic coral-like substance for every ship, giving them all unique bobbing and shifting in the waves. In the very middle of the cluster is a flat square board with blankets, pillows, buckets, and the like on it. There an afternoon feast of cooking fish and boiling stew brew in the air swept in the breeze in our direction sending our bellies into rumbling fits. 

At every crow's next, armed archers watch s, and then there are loosely geared guards along the decks leaning against railings curiously watching the shores. I walk to the ledge waiting for whomever it is that will come out to greet us. 

From behind me, Jewel peeks out, "Who are they?" 

"Ocean Dwellers. They live by the ocean's wilms and are strong hearty people. We have a good healthy alliance with them that includes killing any M4 Uraqur that's causing too much trouble." 

"Why are you looking for them?" 

Zhysse giggles clinging to Jewel and rubbing her cheeks against hers, "We need passage into Mirror Tomb, a gigantic cove in the middle of this landmass," She points inland, "It's impossible inland and very difficult by ship. The only people who can navigate those waters are the Ocean Dwellers who pass it every year during their nomadic travels." 

Thoelren adds, "We have prepared many gifts to plead with them." 

I snap, "We are not pleading, we are bringing about trade and gifts for those brave enough to endure this trek with us. We do not plead." 

The ship stops, and a flat board is sent to sea with a small group of people. An elderly dwarven man, a pregnant voltarian woman, a human man with a beard, and the oldest hag I have ever seen drift to shore. They don't paddle, or panic, but let the waves crash them into the sandy beach. 

My people all kneel behind me in respect, while I keep strong and forward watching them all. The hag steps ahead of the others her crane hitting the sand with a solid splash with each step, as if she is walking on water instead of land. Her gnarled broken toothy grin is a bit unsettling, "We call this cluster the Order of the Green One, praises to the searpent of the sea. My name is Hellen, what honor do we have of meeting those from the Lepidoptera area? Especially in the springtime, and so far out to sea?" 

I stand tall looming over them, "I am Young Lord Niaphi and I'm on a quest to prove my right as heir. I am to enter the tower Tiamat in the middle of Mirror Tomb. We come bearing gifts and trade if your cluster is willing to assist us." 

They all glance at one another, their voices too low even for me to hear. Hellen coughs, "This sounds like it will require a long meeting. Come join us for the night. We offer food, shelter, and water for the night." 

"I would appreciate your thought and consideration for our journey and the gifts and trade we are willing to present if you are all brave enough to trek through the wilds."