“Kehr byah nah!” He stood up and shouted. A woman with purple hair and soft aquatic features came running in dressed in a flowing white gown. She was stunning. If I had seen her as a child I would have thought she was some kind of river spirit. He walked up to her giving some sort of orders. She disappeared for a moment and came back with a plate carrying what looked like seaweed covered in bubble like sacs. He tore one off and walked back to me, kneeling down.

“Ela Cahleera tep,” he said shoving one of the bubbles into my mouth and holding it closed. A salty sweetness filled my mouth. I struggled for a moment as I felt it slide down my throat. He smirked and let go.

“Now speak,” he said standing up.

“You can’t just shove things down a girls throat, you know!” I shouted at him. One of the guards lunged forward before being stopped by the man’s hand.

“Careful, we can all understand you now and my people might not forgive you for indiscretions against me. Though, I must say, our language sounds much better on your tongue than the one you were using a moment ago. Tell me, from where do you hail?”

“You could understand me?”

“No, but that is the magic of tongue weed. It’s how my ancestors once spoke to outsiders. We have no use for it nowadays, or rather we didn’t,” he eyed me before continuing, “but we still grow it in honor of them. Luckily for you,” he said twisting the corners of his mouth into a smile. Turning away from me he walked back to his throne and sat down, still smiling.

“I am Manaan, son of the first tidal wave, salt-sworn, and leader of the Marianus - the last Sahuagin tribe of the dungeon. And you are, little elf?”

Sahaugin?! They looked nothing like the one’s I heard stories about up top. Those were more like fish with legs and anger issues. What’s more, he knew what I was. Now that I thought about it, they probably had their own tales about what was outside the dungeon. Eyes stabbed into me from around the room watching for any small offense. Don’t like this. Its too close to the feeling of being presented to the elders back home. I had to be careful.

“My name is Eladren. I’m from a village not too far from the dungeon,” I said looking down at where the net was tied around me, “Though I would feel more comfortable telling you more about myself without this net. With all do respect - your…I’m sorry I’m not sure of what the appropriate title to call you is.”

Manaan grinned, and flicked his wrist motioning his men to untie me. Freedom. It felt so nice to not be constrained anymore. My arms still felt tender from my previous injuries and looking at them there were rope burns now on top of it. I frowned. Nothing I could do about it but suck it up. Damn it, Breaker. I wanted him near. I wanted his gentle hands to soothe me and make it all better. I needed to accept that he was long gone by now. All I had was Lock. Wait, Where is Lock?

“Can you release my bat too? He’s a baby and probably scared. I promise he won’t hurt anyone. He’s quite friendly!” I asked keeping my gaze to the floor. One of the guards brought in Lock’s cage and let him out. He flew right to me making cooing sounds, happy to be back in my arms. Poor thing, I’m glad he’s okay.

“Thank you,” I said clutching Lock closer to my body. At least I could count on the little guy.

“You’ve intrigued me, Eladren. When our hunters were out, I never would have guessed they’d bring back an elf from the outside whose tamed a three-eyed bat. You’ll stay as my guest until I’ve become bored of you. Though, I imagine that might be hard to do,” He said looking at me up and down. Was he into me? Was, I into this? Wait no, I had to focus on getting out of here. I can’t stay here forever as some sort of pet. My mind drifted back to Breaker. I didn’t owe him anything, but beyond wanting out of the dungeon, staying here entertaining Manaan felt wrong.

He began to leave the room.

“Could I ask one more question of my own?”

“Go ahead,” he replied turning towards my direction.

“When we were caught was there another person with us?”

Manaan looked to one of the men who was part of the hunting group. The man spoke up, “There was another one, but he disappeared behind one of the rock formations. We lost track of him.”

Manaan looked to me. Disappointment fell over my face. “Well, it appears you have been abandoned, little elf. Have no fear. I shall take care of you,” he said motioning to a servant. “They will take you to a room. The guards will see to it your belongings are returned. For now rest. I expect you to keep me company at dinner tonight.”

So he did run away. I'm on my own.