Destiny Shattered

By Akravel Tamire

A world where destiny reigns absolute and eternal is a world as it always had been, blessed by the oracles yet cursed with stagnation where the peoples of the seas and islands live and die just as those before them did and those after them would. However, nothing is truly eternal. See this world through the eyes of its people as the binds of destiny are finally broken and the stormwinds of history are set loose. Follow the path of those who would live chasing opportunities and follies through the decades as none before them ever could have! Yet, for all that would change with the circle of time unraveled into an arrow, that arrow of time only points one way. For better or worse, this world will never be the same. (Part 1 of 3 of the series A Dream's Bound)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Akravel Tamire
• Release date: Nov 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463570678

Akravel Tamire

There's nothing to brag about here, Akravel's just another person who likes history, science, a good story, and admittedly, video games a plenty. If anything, Akravel calls it a blessing that we live in a time where inspiration is easy to find, and works easy to share. Of course, such means would be pointless without someone on the other end; thank you for reading!

Book preview

A Dream's Bound: Destiny Shattered

By Akravel Tamire

Copyright 2019 Akravel Tamire

Smashwords Edition

This book is meant to be free! You are hereby encouraged to share it with as many people as you please. Just don't claim it as your own and/or try to sell it for money. Some services may charge a small token price for lack of a 'free' option, but if you paid for it and that wasn't the case, get your money back if at all possible!

Disclaimer: This work is fiction and only fiction. All names, characters, businesses and other entities described in this book are entirely imaginary; any resemblance to real life names, people, or businesses is purely coincidental. Also, I don't always sugarcoat things; some of the characters are horrible people who do horrible things and say horrible words while they're at it. Read at your own risk!

Table of Contents

Arc 1: Optional Prophecies

Arc 2: Undead Languages

Arc 3: A Blinding Revelation

Arc 4: The Ends of Those Beginning

Arc 5: Dream of Tomorrow

Arc 6: Alien Shores

Arc 7: Parting Ways

Arc 8: World Asunder

Arc 9: Chasing Sunset

Arc 10: Rate of Revolution

Arc 11: Dawn's Hard Light

Arc 1: Optional Prophecies

Destiny... each place and time had its own word for it, but they all shared the concept: the unceasing march of time towards an inevitable future. For some, it was something to live up to, a promise of certainty in their ambitious pursuits. Many others were simply willing to accept their fate in exchange for the safety and stability afforded to them. It was quite tempting to follow the image of destiny, especially when destiny promised so much... though what would be made of it when its promises were bleak? When one accepts destiny, what does one deny?

Such was often an afterthought for many of this water-laden world. It seemed a foregone conclusion for this one; all said he expected to be stuck working these fields, as his parents had been, from childhood till his demise. He'd made his peace with it, though alas, matters never really were so simple and predictable. The first slivers of light hadn't even arrived when he found himself shaken awake by the sound of a loud slam against the wooden wall of his home. Unimpressive even by the standards of other hands on the field, the rickety dirt-floored hovel creaked and swayed. A voice boomed from outside, Mister Vorral! Akim Vorral!

It took him a few moments to stir, a second impatient knocking finally bringing him up from the hay, rubbing a bluish hand to his green-patterned face. He was one of the sythians, the people of the seas, easily identified by the range of blues and greens on their skin, a head adorned with narrow fins and a short angular snout giving a shark-like appearance. A thin tail with prominent ribbed fins easily drove them through the waters though they were air breathing and warm-blooded despite the appearance. They stood in contrast from the land dwelling mirians who lacked the fins and had a narrower blunt-tipped snout covered in feathers, females shades of white or black with colorfully hued males. Mirians however did carry a similar tail and forward-leaning stance, warm bodied as well. The two had remarkably similar skeletons, a coincidence only guessed at over the millennia.

Unfortunately for Akim, the two sometimes found themselves at odds despite their similarities. Opening the door, he blinked, head hanging, before noticing the imposing mirian clad in leather armor looking none too pleased. Raising his head, Akim acted as if he'd bowed. Sir? Though he managed a smile, his stomach turned. He'd paid his taxes and dues, not run into trouble, what was this?

The mirian replied, Lady Taron has issued orders to vacate this property. Gather your belongings; you'll have until noon.

To this, Akim was dearly tempted to ask the grounds, but questioning such orders would be a sizable mistake. Un... understood.

He watched as the mirian adjusted his coat, trailing down the dirt road. This was seemingly out of nowhere! Had Taron lost her mind? The thoughts raced through his head, but he was in no position to complain. He had few belongings worth taking with leaving him stepping out with a humble bag over his shoulder, nothing else to his name but the plain tunic and trousers covering him as he greeted the sunrise. At least the weather was cool and gentle, the town of Aeril a good sight to wake up to, even if it wasn't much of a consolation.

Beyond the town lay seas, a world known by many names often translating to a variant of 'fertile dirt'. Among the lands of Valnor, it was known as Alkanor. The majority of this world was a vast sea, the land-bound peoples inhabiting isolated swaths of land surrounded by countless islands, the larger islands sometimes marked with sizable mountains, long-dead volcanoes, the seemingly endless waters surrounding all lands.

Aeril, touted by merchants as a very proud city with a colorful display of markets at the front and an exceptionally long history, was more accurately a simple port town surrounded by expanses of fields. Of course it could claim a long history, all the lands could under the millennia of stability granted by the oracles. Rather, if there was one thing that set this town apart, it was the ever loosening chain of lords and vassals competing with the freemen, tenants, and merchants. Said merchants gained the attention of foreign merchants in the process, especially those of icy Leneu far to the north.

Of course, contracts with merchants seldom ever carried the weight or duration of a binding oath. Looking back, as a 'free' tenant no better off than a serf but much easier to kick to the street, Akim noted how it could be for better or for worse. Often it was effectively the same as an oath only without any obligations from the lady of the manor.

Wandering aimlessly from there, he pondered the situation. He had no other prospects in this town. The fields had remained the same, while other trades had blossomed---trades he had no skill in. Oddly, he found a few of his neighbors also on the move, packing their belongings. Approaching a white-green feathered mirian, he ducked in a shared bow.

Lilun. She evicted you too?

He replied, Myself, my whole family, everyone on our row. Nobody knows why though some mention finding out. None of us have anywhere to go, we'll be beggars if this goes on!

As will she! Akim exclaimed. These fields won't work themselves. This whole matter's daft! He was eager to grumble on but he knew to watch his words. One of the merchants she deals with may know more.

I doubt any of them will have us around. You know as well as I they only pay attention to silver, Lilun replied, brushing back the feathers of his nose. Though... perhaps we could get their attention another way.

Akim, hearing this, tilted his head up. Another way? I've nothing but what's on my back.

Lilun turned, looking down the path, gesturing towards the pier. As of today, the forty-fifth day of autumn 3818, you and I are free spirits. For the time being at least. We've nothing left to lose prancing about and finding other ways to our goals.

Akim showed a brief smirk, something desperately needed at this point. Nothing left to lose save for our dign- … right. Well, let's stir up a ruckus then.

A ruckus, tongue in cheek as it were as neither were intent on ending up on a spike. At least, the fact that they were hardly alone in this situation did provide a sliver of comfort. Alas, it wasn't nearly enough to take anyone's mind off the land their ancestors had worked so diligently on being swept out from under them with no notice or reason.

It was a quiet walk, the merchants hardly having had time to open their stores, some already overrun with eager customers, others seemingly open for naught. It was simple enough to find the merchant in question. As always, the bazaar happened to have all the produce that was in demand, grown ahead of time under the report of an oracle. So convenient it was to have matters simply fall into place peacefully, as used to it as they were, it was all the more jarring when the unexpected struck. Stepping under the artfully crafted imagery of spices hanging from a rope in the open air, the two approached the larger stand.

Before Akim could open his mouth, the rotund off-white feathered keeper spoke to them. Ah, you must be Lady Taron's former tenants?

Akim blinked, looking ahead for a moment as Lilun asked the question for him. "Word spreads this tremendously quickly? We've come to learn of the cause for all this."

Checking to make sure the valuable spices were sorted properly, the brightly feathered keeper idly commented, The oracle's report reached us, doubtless she's distressed. Unfortunate, but she'll be dying tomorrow at the hands of one of her own tenants.

A quiet moment followed. Akim couldn't help but think Lady Taron might have just provided a motive herself. Lilun asked, And yet, nobody's done anything about this, to prevent it?

"Apparently she's trying to do something about it. Sorry you were caught up in all this, though I doubt it makes a difference. These prophecies of the oracles have ways of coming true."

Akim himself was no murderer and he knew his friendly neighbors weren't the type to hurt anyone, though even the friendliest of people could harbor terrible secrets. Lilun asked, Should this come to pass, will her heir take us back once the killer is found?

The merchant noted, There's only so much written in these prophecies. I wouldn't know, though each of you are, implicitly, suspected of being future murderers or accomplices.

Neither of them were particularly fond of the title, especially Lilun. Shameless in contrast, Akim asked, May I be of aid to you in your business?

Can you read?

No.

The merchant shrugged to that. Perhaps you'll have better luck across the island. The merchant eyed aside. Ah, a customer. Then back to the two. Farewell!

At least they had her attention until someone with silver arrived. Trailing back uphill, the two discussed the oracles; a fair bit of high flying mythology surrounded these mysterious people who appeared as fate incarnate about the world.

Legend had it that over six thousand years prior a great people lived beneath the waves, people who strode as gods, soaring higher than the greatest bird and living below the abyss. They constructed towering spires upon remote and forever hidden isles, spires that towered beyond the skies. Some say they shaped the lands and bestowed the oracles upon the world. Others, namely foreigners, doubted that these so-called gods ever existed.

The oracles themselves claimed to have descended from these ancients; most accepted this as fact. For the millennia since, the oracles had worked in unison to ensure peace and prosperity across the world, predicting the state of the world far in advance, advising royalty and the public alike. Close to them, those who had mastered the power of the mind were said to be blessed by the supernatural, gaining insight and changing the world seemingly by thought alone, a feat incomprehensible to others. Only they knew how their art could work leaving the others with only what they decided to teach.

To those such as Akim their influence was ubiquitous yet subtle, their abilities beyond the reach of thought. As a group, they may as well be deities and to many, particularly among those of Valnor, that's exactly what they were, and now they've spoken.

Looking back on it, Akim wondered, Why was the shopkeeper so casual about one of her customers being on the brink of death? Was she the one that told Taron the 'news'? What if for some reason she'd been lying? Maybe there was something she sought to get from all this.

Spreading the news to the rest who'd found themselves on the dirt, Akim asked about the merchant. By and large, over and over, he'd been told in response that the merchant was simply a cold person and that Akim would be wasting his time pursuing it further. As far as Akim knew the others were very well right, but he had no other means in mind to get people their homes back.

Fortunately he had some food he'd carried along, a bit more from exchanging odds and ends of his. It wouldn't last forever though. He expected to find a new place, if not in Aeril, then in one of the other towns on the island, even if wandering about like that was frowned upon.

Later that day, having fruitlessly searched and asked around the marketplace about Taron and her contacts, Akim discovered ever more evidence that what the merchant said of the prophecy was true. He strolled the markets after they'd wound down, the merchants turning in for the night as the sun faded behind the clouds. He followed the merchant, finding her abode, waiting perhaps for one of her former neighbors to arrive for a secret deal. None did.

A brief and uneasy rest in the open perched hidden against the back of a building did little to help him though at least it staved off exhaustion. Awaking before dawn thanks to the elements, he decided he had one chance left, finding the answer in the market itself... He trailed back to the market in the dull light, avoiding the patrol. A risky proposal, what he'd planned, though he'd been out sneaking around before without being caught. The store's merchandise was locked up far too tight for him to get at, but that wasn't what he was after. Making his way beneath the sizable awning, meant to give shade to the stands in front of the building but also creating an excellent shadow in this poorly lit section, Akim attempted to find a way to silently open the door, only to find it was double-locked, everything shut tight.

Hey!

He looked back, a silhouette seen rushing towards the shop. Jumping at this, he bolted down the wooden porch and across the division to the front of the adjacent building, nearly tripping over an old piece of lumber stripped from the broken floor inside. An old piece of lumber?

Guards! The female voice shouted. She was going to draw them right to Akim, and Akim didn't even want to think about what'd happen to him if he were thought to be trying to rob the central marketplace.

So far she was the only one to spot him though it seemed she didn't know exactly where he was as he could hear her about to run right past. He knew that if she bumped into him and called the guards, his chances of getting out of there were vanishingly small. Desperation at the front of his mind, he took the lumber up as an improvised club.

Then again, he knew of only one woman who would be waiting for her favorite merchant at this dark hour of the morning.

He would've been here investigating all the same had he not heard the details of the prophecy, as stupid and desperate of an idea as it'd turned out to be, but the prophecy rang through his head, a tenseness felt in his gut. Was he really the one?

It was a choice, to do nothing and risk imminent capture, or to follow through with what he'd intended and possibly end up guilty of something far worse than skulking around. In that brief moment, he made his choice.

He stood absolutely still. A glimpse of stark white feathers over a black dress; it was Taron. She ran clean past him, unscathed, trailing down the road. Looking down, he realized his 'club' still had sharp nails stuck through it.

Gently setting it down, avoiding a clatter, he made his way around to the alley. Darting away from the scene, across an intersecting alley, the guard marched right past behind him, never turning to spot him. Very fortunate indeed! Making his way through the alleys he emerged on the periphery of town, taking a moment to catch his breath. The merchant had nothing to do with it. It was all him? The thought ran through his mind. By his own choice and knowledge of the prophecy, he'd negated his own destiny. But what were the consequences of defying the oracles? Such was a pointless question in a sense; nobody thought this could happen to begin with.

He was aware of one consequence. He'd managed to escape capture, but he was one of only two of his peers who'd pestered that merchant yesterday, and even if all Taron had seen was a silhouette it would've been one of a sythian. Logic would point to him as the murderer in the prophecy, even if he had no such intent.

At least he had time to catch his breath. If he were right about that, the guards would be looking for him. Staying was a gamble he didn't want to try. There was nothing left for him here... looking back on it, he would've had to disappear regardless the choice he made. At least he didn't have the loss of another's life hanging over his head. He stood uphill at the edge of town as the sun rose... all of his friends were down there, but to visit them again would be to put his own life at risk. Perhaps, another day, he'd meet them again...

Turning to stride down the path inland, he considered it all. They might be given their homes back, they might not be... pondering the fact they would figure out he was the 'murderer' the prophecy foretold, he considered that he'd probably never be able to truly settle. So be it. All for a prophecy that drove itself nearly to truth through his desperation.

The path was long and narrow. A world of islands gave rise to no animals large enough for work; if one wanted to visit another town, it was a choice between sail and foot and Akim didn't want to try stowing away.

A quiet night of solitude followed, the tall trees, signature of temperate climates, arching overhead, masking the morning sun afterwards. Nobody else passed on the path. Akim kept silent on the second day, avoiding the other travelers whenever he could. As he finally found himself running out of food, he spotted the inland settlement of Garan ahead. As an inland settlement, few of his kind were seen among its buildings.

Passing the more diverse fields on the way in, he spotted room for more hands on the farms though joining the society here would prove more involved. Unlike the walk-in-walk-out contracts of Aeril, the inland towns were run by firmly entrenched gentry who demanded loyalty of oath by those below them. As inland traffic was foot traffic, news of what happened in Aeril would be slow to spread, but eventually, he thought, he'd have to move on again.

As beautiful as the tall arch-bearing vine covered walls of the centuries-old church and its surrounding buildings were, those buildings which weren't owned by the baron were tightly controlled by the guilds of craftsmen, people who were trained from childhood to become skilled artisans of valuable trades. They were the exact crowd of people Akim didn't see himself ever joining. Being the only sythian in town and a 'free roaming' one at that wasn't much of a help either, as he found some giving him looks of suspicion from the start. At least, visiting the church of the oracles, as odd as it felt, he'd been able to receive aid, lasting long enough for him to find a vacant box of straw and a landholder desperate enough to let him join to help with the last of the autumn harvest.

It seemed curious to him. The church had always been one of the kinder parts of society, though he'd expected when he had explained his ill fortune at the hands of prophetic fate, carefully avoiding the more questionable parts, they would either recognize his role in the prophecy or deem him at odds with the oracles. Rather, on hearing what he said, they'd taken pity on him, perhaps sympathy among some of them. He wasn't the only one to have been on the wrong end of the oracle's writings, not by any means. No inexplicable misfortune came from avoiding the prophecy, and none he'd asked believed he'd not fulfilled the prophecy. Rather, those he asked explained the notion as a case of those hearing the prophecy misinterpreting it.

Though he had what resembled shelter, able to stay in town thanks to his help on the fields, it was still a matter of his opportune arrival than a permanent pact with the lady of the land. The chill of winter coming soon enough, with little to do and doubtful prospects for weathering the season, he found himself pondering, perhaps, another move to another port town; at least there would be fish to eat there. More immediately however, others arrived from outside Garan, setting up a winter stand full of odd trinkets, intricately detailed bronze works from afar along with odd fabrics and foods Akim had never seen and certainly had no hope of enjoying.

The grey-feathered, fur-wearing merchant dealing with the more curious artifacts spoke oddly, sometimes shortening vowels when she shouldn't, her flap-adorned fluffy cap under a white hood unique among the rest though typical of a Leneuan. Curious, he took the time on a frosty day to have a look at these foreign spectacles, even if he couldn't afford any of them. At the rate they were selling to the affluent at the center of town, they'd be gone quickly after all.

Akim could've sworn he recognized some of her workers as his former neighbors...

Perfect. Man of the sea?

Akim stopped, turning. A bit surprised, he spoke, Madam? Sorry, I'm no sailor.

She gestured a bit to the left, down through the trees towards the distant shore. Your kind comes from the seas. Surely you're an able swimmer and know the ocean well?

Akim rubbed his head. Not all sythians are great swimmers... though I happen to've learned how. He never really thought it was all that useful of a skill, having never actually been out to sea before.

She leaned forward, nodding. I'm looking for someone with few ties to break, little to lose and the ability to dive into the water without drowning. Interested in being able to do more than gawk around here?

He definitely was surprised at this. I see there's no coincidence we've met!

She shrugged. Actually there is. You're a sythian, living inland, in a temporary residence without anyone to walk with and nothing but scraps of cloth to wear. You have... She picked a more polite approach. ... 'wandering spirit' stamped on your forehead. Swimming is a rare skill and all the other sythians I've met have been bound to their work and unwilling to join me.

He stifled a sigh. He wasn't that proud of it all, but at least things were looking up.

She continued, How does having some loose silver to carry sound to you?

Things indeed seemed to be improving quite quickly, You have my attention! Though what's the full price of your silver? It's not often a merchant drags themselves inland and asks about the sea.

She showed a slightly crooked smile. You're wiser than most.

Looking back on what'd brought him here, Akim looked down a little. I don't feel wise. But, if you say so.

A brief but amused grin was seen at that. Since you've asked, we come here every winter offering the more decadent goods we bring into port, in order to sell to decadent people at decadent prices. Few others are willing to put in the effort needed to move all these goods inland. Not only does it pay well, it has other benefits. Anyway, some of our business involves the sythian floating towns, so having someone aboard who can help secure hooks underwater while looking familiar to the locals would make matters much easier.

Akim asked, Other benefits? To pushing a loaded cart all this way?

She nodded, Most of the other tasks we face seem much less troublesome afterwards.

In stark contrast to the portly merchant back in Aeril, this one had the look of a warrior and would easily be mistaken for a male if it weren't for the plain plumage. It was a curious thing; while her imposing form was typical for women of the sea, most merchants in general make a point to show off how easy their lives are and hide their hardships. He also suspected this wasn't what she was talking about. Logically...

You're not like most merchants, are you? Akim asked.

To that, she smiled. We're not afraid of any risk. I'm Fera Aunich, by the way.

Akim looked up. Akim Vorral. I see why you're looking for someone with little to lose then, but how much silver are you offering?

Leaning forward, she said, For this year... well, to someone untrained at the moment, five Kasp in cardinals.

The Valnor Kasp was a sizable unit, the cardinal a standard trade silver coin identified by its four-arrows face design, stamped rough but of assured weight. That total was a fair measure more than he'd earn otherwise. Save for his life, he really didn't have much to lose. And if he lost that, at least it wouldn't be as a vagrant. He never had imagined he had a skill people would want like that, what a lucky meeting! Though, he had his old home in Aeril still in the back of his mind.

He nodded, smiling a bit, though he was more excited on the inside than he was willing to show. Well then, I await your orders!

He'd make sure to check that her money and her words were true; regardless, he'd left certainty behind. The future wasn't bright nor bleak, but a vast unknown. Such was a situation entirely alien to someone like Akim, but one he welcomed nonetheless.

Arc 2: Undead Languages

After the war, the Leneu crown had used all its wealth in battle. So, who supports the merchant navy?

It's a merchant navy. Now that the crown has lost its silver lining, the Leneu Merchant Marine supports the Leneu Merchant Marine. That's why I've choice in where I sail.

Throughout the later half of the 3700s many wars had been fought, much to everyone's surprise. The oracles had predicted a great darkening of the skies and a long winter, a prophecy that came true, upsetting the millennia-long peace as famine swept the lands. Akim, whenever he had the time, talked to the others, Fera included, about these times and other knowledge of the world. Ever since the wars ended, though an uneasy peace had been reached under the oracles' guidance, it seemed as though the eternal order had been forever weakened.

Though time had passed since his first meeting with Fera, Akim still remembered his first walk about her craft. He couldn't even figure out how to secure any of the lines! Yet, he'd learned quickly how to make his way about the rigging, he and Fera now lowering down to the deck. The frost was thawing to reveal a brilliant display of life as the spring of '19 greeted them.

All the buzz and activity and in some cases festiveness surrounding the new year and the planting season reminded him of some of the more cheery parts of his old life on the fields, but that was the past. Much of the winter Akim had spent with the others pushing carts about the island, though he had time enough to learn the basics of how to keep a vessel seaworthy and tend the rigging. He now knew how not to get a face full of sail when it came time to jibe at least. Despite Akim's obvious lack of experience, Fera and the others were more than happy to help him learn how to do things, and despite it all, he'd managed to reach a passable status among the others, though he knew it'd take several seasons at sea before he could call himself an actual sailor. At least he knew he had a future aboard the Moonrise.

Among all the tall and wide merchant ships visiting this island, the Moonrise was less than remarkable in scale but somewhat noteworthy in its design. It visibly wasn't a dedicated merchant craft, but a Leneu support craft of lighter military design used for light trade and courier work in peace time. The Moonrise was just shy of 15 meters long and 3 meters wide, a lateen sail in the rear trailing a larger one ahead of it, the lengthy bowsprit in front keeping the line taut for a jib, a shallow looking transom stern presiding over a hatch. Said hatch gave access between the upper deck and the lower deck where heavier cargo was kept to help keep the craft from tilting about. All in all, it carried a compliment of 16 of which 4, including Akim, were new from Garan and Aeril. Despite 'maneuverable' being an understatement for the Moonrise, it still carried a dinghy next to the circular gear-like mount mid-deck. Not all destinations have piers after all.

Akim discovered the stowed wooden and iron parts for a windlass-driven crane under the deck---the other parts to go with that mount. He also noticed the fact that Fera docked the Moonrise at smaller towns and moved the more interesting goods inland, not only getting a particularly great bargain but also circumventing customs. This was a practice that would be illegal if she hadn't gotten a decree permitting her sale inland, signed by none other than her affluent customers. Fera really made no secret that she was a tradeswoman of a 'highly opportunistic' nature, but when the merchants have more wealth than the crown they 'serve'...

Akim had been one of two aloft checking over the lines the better part of the day while the others secured the rest of the cargo below. Conveniently enough, the smaller carts fit through the hatch and were kept loaded on the lower deck. Being able to slide them around was one way to keep the ship evenly balanced as long as they were kept locked in place when weather hit. Such a convenience was a nice thing to have in a profession that afforded precious few! For that matter, Akim was starting to feel tired already, but... More time left in the day, but what tasks?

Fera gestured to the five convening by the stern. Seems they've found a problem. Those five definitely were chatty, but the conversation seemed more amused than troubled. Stepping over, Akim didn't even have time to greet them when the most red-feathered among them immediately looked to Akim. None other than Schah.

Akim! We've already sent two of your buddies off to move the dinghy and we'll find Nar and get him on it too. You're ready to go for a swim, right?

Akim blinked. Swim? We haven't even set sail! And what buddies? Right, the other three new guys...

Inland! A short distance, mostly north among the shore. You know that little fresh water pond behind the sand bar up there?

What about it?

That rib of wood coming out of the lake bed? We think there's something buried with the rest of it under the sand there, so you four get to dig it out. We'll be waiting for you on the way out come tomorrow morning.

Akim rubbed his own head. People had tried digging around there dozens of times only to find it a spectacular waste of time. Granted, nobody's really dug under the water...

Still thinking it a waste of time, Akim nodded. If you all say so... I'll return with the rest in the morning then.

All stifling a bit of a grumble. Well, it'd been long days for everyone preparing to set sail, but this just seemed out of the blue. At least it was a chance to take one last walk about this island before he moved on... they'd be passing by Aeril on the way out. Nobody had come for him so his past there didn't really bother him much anymore. At least he would have a chance to see it again before leaving.

Stepping down from the deck to the pier he headed into the smaller town they were docked at. The path to Garan lay among the trees, but instead he turned to move north over the beach, waiting for the other two to finish readying the dinghy... they'd be dropping the dinghy while moored? Why were they doing that? Akim found himself growing suspicious, a matter he expressed to the last of the four who joined him after finishing a chat with Fera. None of them knew what it was for either but nobody bothered to question.

A relatively unburdened and short walk took them to the sand bar, just before sunset. Clouds hanging in a colorful sky made it quite a sight, though there was no time to watch it as their light would be gone soon as well.

The terrain was more or less flat save for the lake and the small hill immediately behind it. As promised, a series of wooden ribs jutted up from the lake bed. A storm, long ago before the sand bar was there, had brought an unfortunate crew to an unplanned and permanent stop. Nobody had found anything in the wreck though.

Akim didn't fancy his chances much either; his three new friends treaded water at the edge of the lake leaving him to swim out to the wreck, his only gear a shovel and one end of a rope left at the shore. The other end tied to a tree at the shore, he took the rope out to one of the ribs, tying it securely. Fortunately, unlike half the lines he'd gotten used to, this one floated on its own.

With a line for the others to cross by, knowing Akim would be able to help if one slipped, they made their way about the ribs, Akim digging out the deepest sand near what used to be a keel now broken in two places. Spending what was left of the light digging fruitlessly, the four had managed to dig enough of the sand away to disturb the wreck. They finally took a moment to relax... and all fell silent as they noticed the ribs slightly shifting in the water. They scrambled for other ribs as the wreck began to slide, wood floating to the surface as it tilted over, sand pluming up in the water, a tapping and crunching heard as the rope-bound rib bent, fractured, and buckled.

A creaking, cracking, and thunderous splash preceded a disharmonious choir of barking profanity, two of the others falling into the water, scrambling up onto now upturned ribs while Akim found himself falling backwards in an unplanned dive. Fortunately this put the broken rib and its attached lifeline right in front of him. He nearly decided to cut the rope but managed to get it free, gasping on reaching the surface, swimming to tie it to one of the few ribs still unbroken. The hollering quickly died down once the others could return to shore.

Akim spread his arms on returning, trying with futility to empty his clothes of water. At least he didn't have feathers!

Damn fool's errand that was!

Nobody's found anything here; what was the point anyway?

Akim, thoroughly exhausted, couldn't help but smirk. At least he could enjoy the looks on their faces. And he knew he'd be sleeping well that night, hopefully. He kept quiet as the others gathered.

I'll see if I can get a fire going.

It was as good a time as any for a brief stop to dry off and eat some food, though Akim's eyes were caught on something else. Among the rocks that the broken rib had displaced a few bubbles rose, glinting in the light of the setting sun. Despite his exhaustion, Akim saw it was a chance to find at least something to return with.

Akim stood. I'll be a moment. He got an odd look from the others as he stepped away from what was almost a fire to go for another swim. It was difficult to see where the bubbles were coming from, and it took the better part of his breath just to get down to the bed of the lake and return to the surface. Feeling along the rocks for anything unusual, he found nothing but more rocks. The bubbles came from a pile of rocks, under which were more rocks, under which were even more rocks, each handful removed letting loose more bubbles.

As darkness set in, he could feel the bubbles rising. Following them to the source, one rock seemed in particular wedged against a... shiny silvery surface of sorts? Eagerly hoping for a silver-lined chest or any other tall-tale windfall, he used another rock to leverage that one loose, discovering none other than a seemingly endless narrow hole in the lake bed filled with air and pressurized water, shooting upwards with enough force to drive the other rocks away and push Akim towards the surface.

That little bit of silvery metal was much stronger than silver and certainly wasn't budging. How frustrating! On surfacing, he spotted one by the hill holding a torch... what was this? Swimming to shore, Akim left a trail of water up the slope.

Did we miss a find?

It was Nar, the green-white feathered one among them. "I'd been looking over and noticed a stir in the