34.6 Hidden Depths

General Summary

Day 518

Deldrin's three islands have steep drops into the lake below and it is the mainland shore that is a gentler grade into the water. In our impatience Kaide rests within me as I gently fly down from one of the piers and plunge into the magically infused water. As we descend the water darkens and then begins to lighten again as bio-luminescence shimmers around us while the three islands merge into one basalt column.   Life grows thick from the columns in reams of glowing kelp that leaks specific transmutation magic. It is flourishing but absolutely new to me - I haven't seen this flora anywhere in Deldrin.   As we go deeper the column is carved into Osyr statues and door frame entrances to inner rooms. Upon closer inspection the carved entrances hold the water at bay and welcome me in when I float gently down onto the dry interior. Crystals light up in welcome, little glowing lights in the darkness of the carved room. The rooms we explore are all empty, all seemingly deserted in a hurry with remnants of life strewn about carelessly.  

There are so few Osyr in the Empire...where did we all go? Surely we didn't all die, but you can count the ones in the Empire on four hands. Did so many of them end up asleep in their homes like in the Crystal Spires?

  And so we continue deeper to the very bottom of the lake where we start feeling the slumbering magic. Here in the depths of the lake the basalt column is obscured by gold-veined black crystals. From a distance the form becomes clearer: A massive dragon curled around the column. The crystals are growing directly out of her body in the grooves of ancient wounds, almost like they are scabs. As Kaide takes a careful sample of the crystal I feel for the magic that I already know I'll find - the same refractive, shadowy magic from the scale around Ricken's neck: This is Black Tourmaline.   Through the Osyr pearl I watch as hundreds of Osyr dive into the lake in a panic, 2/3 children and many wounded. In the churning water I see Black Tourmaline hurled into the depths, her wings torn and tail broken. Many of the Osyr reach out with magic to sustain her but eventually they all swim deep into the lake and tuck themselves away in a deep cave at the base of the column. Then Black Tourmaline winds herself around the entrance and rests. In her claws I see the still body of a young elf.   What we have learned has dragged our exploration to a halt and we emerge into the sunlight again with less excitement and energy. I dash off a quick letter to Ipthina asking her and Hue if they know anything of Black Tourmaline or have any ideas for how to help. I would like to hear back from them and perhaps have an idea for how to heal Black Tourmaline before informing the Empress and asking for her advice on the Osyr. Perhaps not until we have seen what has become of the Crystal Spires, even.   The evening stretches late into the dusk concert, which is a blend of human musics from two kingdoms across the sea. We do our best to be inconspicuous and Jaeril eventually says goodnight to her date before joining us, not even bothering to introduce us. From a distance I do think he looks very sweet but she is not sure she wants fleeing seasonal connections given her new state.  

Day 519

On our last full day in Deldrin I arrange for us to have a party in the evening in the Garden. Or at least, I ask Trillium and Jaeril to arrange it while Lyssa, Liliales, and I take a day to ourselves by the lake. Liliales has taken time to think about his conversation with the Empress, relating the Empire to his experience in the Vanguard and how unkind people have been both to elves and the fledgling fae of day and night.  

When I think about what I want to do...I'm not ready to be apart from you anytime soon but when the time comes I want to do what you're doing - connecting people. Not just bringing back what we once had but making it better, making one family.

  He has decided that he will take oaths as a Prince of the Empire and so tonight will be a time for me to announce myself, Lyssa, and Liliales.   That evening we have a raucous, Frontier-style block party (with Shelor, Risi, and Ricken in attendance) with high spirits and I take the attention of the crowd in hand as night falls. I wrap myself in the inky shadows and speak to the way the world has changed around us since the last time I was in Deldrin. I tell them of the Outlands and the union of elves, humans, and fae we are creating. I tell them of the leaders who are keeping our people safe and have sworn the serve the Empire. I tell them of my conversation with the Empress and take my place as Imperator - servant and protector of the Empire.   I bring Lyssa before the audience and announce her as my Hand and Lady of Storms to exert my will wherever I cannot go. I lay my own stole around her shoulders and kiss her hands as the gathered elves call and cheer for us.   And then I bring Liliales to the front and shift the shadows to a sunset that blends both of our wings together as I lead him through his oaths as a Prince of the Empire. Lyssa steps up again to speak to his kindness, his allyship, and his place amongst our family and the Empire. The elves are not as sure of a Prince but as the formalities drop people come up to speak with him and get to know him. He dazzles, as I knew he would.   As the night draws to a close Trillum comes by to introduce her two elvish friends who will be travelling with us. Vostilae is the spitting image of his father, General Yeva. He is one of Mistress' outer family and I'm amused to see him and Trillium getting along so well; I wonder if they knew one another back home...Here Vostilae has amassed a company of about a hundred mercenaries that he leads and seems determined to brush off any compliment I can give him for this feat.   Maedylvai is not familiar to me but she is also a Frontier girl and asks if I might be willing to teach her some of what I know about swordfighting and magic. I am quite looking forward to having a small group of students learning from one another again; our current party has separated so cleanly into teachers and students right now that I'd like to inspire a more collaborative environment.   Tomorrow we will all head out of Deldrin. Tonight it is still a party.