"Hmm. Just as long as she steers clear of our boat cats. They're not too partial to strangers."
Mike nodded. So how long have you guys been out in the middle of the lake? I passed through a while ago and you all lived on the shore."
"Really. You must have come by quite a while ago, sonny. We've lived on the water for almost three years now. The bandits don't know how to make good boats, and even if they do, we can shoot them out of the water before they get close."
"Sounds smart," Bernon remarked. "Is the fishing any good?"
"If it weren't, we wouldn't be here, would we? Sure the fish here are a bit different than in other lakes, but they stay down and you get used to the taste. Some travelers say our lake is sick, but it never hurt any of us."
“Well, in this day and age adaption is good. If you can’t get used to it then,” She shrugged, “Oh well. How different actually is the fish?”
Ozrig returned the shrug. "Well, I grew up here, so I don't know what other lakes are like. It's mostly a taste thing, but sometimes you notice a fish that's a little weird. Blind maybe, or born without fins, or colored different. We throw 'em in with the others, they taste just the same. This season there's been a lot more odd ones, but my wife says it's probably just evolution doing it job. She knows all about that stuff. She's real smart, she is." His expression softened just slightly for the briefest of moments.
Tanrial nodded, “That makes sense,” She paused for a moment, “Do you think it could be something else? Other then evolution?”
He scowled. "Are you sayin' my wife is wrong? Because Missy, she's never wrong."
“No, no I’m not saying she’s wrong I just want to know what you think on the matter.” She said.
"Eh. I think she's right. And even if she not, by some crazy fluke, I doubt there's anything to worry about. So a few people have gotten sick, but that happens everywhere. Doesn't mean it has anything to do with the lake."
Tanrial nodded slightly, “Yeah I guess that’s true. Sorry if I offended you or her in anyway.”
"You're all right. Didn't mean to snap at you there." Ozrig adjusted the rudder and glanced over is shoulder. "We're here. Get ready to jump on that porch up ahead when I get us close enough."
(brb, gotta go have supper)
Tanrial nodded, “Alright, yeah, okay.” She got ready to jump when Ozrig gave the signal.
(Okay)
A few moments later the prow of the boat scraped against soggy wood and Ozrig nodded. "Okay, up you go. I'll tie the boat round back and meet you at the door."
Tanrial quickly climbed out of the boat and onto the deck, trying not to slip as she went. Eventually she was standing steady on the wood.
Mike and Bernon joined her, crowding in close so the all fit on the small, rickety porch. The house itself was more like a two-room hut, with a thatched roof and a little smokestack sticking out of it. Despite its unimpressive appearance, compared to the other floating huts around them it was fairly large and well-made. There was the sound of someone moving around inside, and the smell of frying fish wafted through the open window.
“Well, Ozrig is… nice?” She muttered, glancing sidelong at Bernon and Mike as they waited for Ozrig to join them.
"He's a local, born and raised," Mike replied. "He's probably never left this lake, and chances are most of the strangers he's met were less than friendly. His hard exterior's basically just a habit at this point."
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” Tanrial replied, sighing slightly.
(Sorry, I’ve gotta go, seeya soon!)
(Okay, seeya ^^)
At that point Ozrig returned, making his way around the side of the house on a narrow wooden ledge. He went up to the door and let himself in, motioning for the others to follow. "Polla? Some travelers are here to talk to you."
There was a woman by the far wall, tending to a fire on a raised metal platform. She straightened when they entered and turned to face them, considering them all calculatingly. Her skin and slightly frizzy were both the color of water-soaked sand, and her hair was pulled back in a bun. Her eyes were pale green and sharp, and her mouth was tight, but not unkind. She wore the same thick furs as her husband, but on her they looked somehow more regal. She nodded at them. "What's the trouble?"
“Well, we’ve come to tell you about some trouble living round here, if you didn’t already know. They aren’t bandits but worse then that.” Tanrial explained, taking a step closer towards the women, “Do you know anything about a guy named Ryker?”
She narrowed her eyes. "No, I don't know him. What's he up to?"
(I won't have much time tonight, just so ya know. We might even miss each other entirely, sorry)
(Alright, it’s fine)
“Basically, Ryker wants to wipe out anyone that isn’t human and replace them with these… hybrids. Human but they have powers. He wants them to run the world for a ‘better world.’ He also wants to get rid of all natural magic users.”
Polla folded her arms and thought for a minute, then went back to cooking. "Sounds like a man who bit off a plan bigger than he can chew. Last I checked, the world was a pretty big place, and there wasn't anything one person could do to change it."
"Unfortunately it's not just him," Bernon put in. "He's got a small army of trained scientists and fighters on his side, not to mention some incredibly advanced technology. And he's not just planning to make hybrids–he's already made a bunch of them. They're just kids….and good kids, from what we saw…but Ryker's brainwashing them to believe and do whatever he says. They could cause a lot of damage if they thought it was the right thing."
Polla turned back around, frowning. "Children? What can they do, exactly?"
“One can blend into surrounds, a couple are nocturnal, one has gills and can breath in and out of water…” She ran a hand through her hair, “There are many others. Some are currently being… made.”
(shoot I missed you by a mile that time)
Both Polla and Ozrig looked somewhat disturbed. Polla put her hands on her hips. "That's not something I can support. It does sound like this Ryker fellow needs to be stopped. But why come yo us for help?"
"And what's your connection to this guy?" Ozrig added suspiciously. "How do we know you're not spies or something?"
“Mike was sent to retrieve something, something that would help him continue with his plans. When he found us, to be safe we made a fake, just in case something like this would happen. We gave Ryker the fake once we found out his plans and saw what he was doing.” Tanrial explained.
"And to be honest, we came here because we couldn't think of anyone else nearby who might help us fight him," Bernon said. "We understand if you guys can't spare the manpower, but if Ryker has his way, it'll affect everyone, including your people. We just came to ask for help, if you can give it."
Polla thought for a moment. "Where does Ryker live, exactly?"
“Uh, a large… mansion? Fort? It’s a very large building about two days walk north from here.” She said.
"A mansion?" Ozrig scoffed. "We would have noticed that."
"It's underground," Mike said. "And the entrance is hidden. The property is patrolled at all times by guards, but only a few. They mostly rely on keeping quiet to avoid trouble."
Polla rubbed her forehead. "I must…consider this. The elders and women will want to talk it over. You three will be welcomed as guests until we make a decision."
(gotta go to bed now, seeya later!)
Tanrial nodded, “We understand, thank you for willing to listen too us.” She said, giving Polla a greatful smile.
(Alright, seeya!)
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