Maquesta Kar-Thon

Chapter 14

Fritzen was feeling much better-too good to remain cooped up in the airnory-turned-infirmary with a mending gnome who babbled incessantly about various inventions, including how to construct a better mechanical wallet. Having heard enough, and wanting some fresh air and more pleasing company, Fritzen waited until Lendle was sitting up in his cot, busy diagramming improvements to his oar machine, then sneaked up top. He still favored his shoulder, but the view quickly took his mind off the dull ache. The sun was setting on the Blood Sea, and like an overturned bottle of paint the color spilled out over the choppy water, transforming it into an iridescent orange. Pink-tinged seabirds flitted above the waves, looking for something to eat. Finding a small fish, one released a haunting cry and climbed toward the cloud-filled sky with its wriggling prize.

Bas-Ohn Koraf stood near the prow, a spyglass pressed to his bull-like head and trained on the shoreline. Maquesta was at the wheel. She steered the Perechon toward the coast while she hummed a haunting tune.

Fritzen clung to the shadows for several minutes, watching her and trying to guess where she might take the ship. Adjacent to the point possibly, he mused. That was the place he'd select because it was close to open water, allowing them to get under way more quickly in the morning. The half-ogre's lips tugged upward slightly. He was finding himself increasingly comfortable in Maq's presence and was amused that he would seek her out. She seemed content behind the wheel, and the crew didn't hesitate to follower her orders. He certainly had no qualms about following this slip of a woman. But what would Maquesta Kar-Thon do, he wondered, if the mission was successful and her father was returned whole to the Perechon? Step down, of course, Fritzen decided. She'd return the ship to her father's care. But having a taste of being a captain, would she search for a ship of her own? If so, Fritzen suspected he would go with her.

Oblivious to the watcher, Maq ended the melody and deeply inhaled the salt air. She chewed on her bottom lip and cursed herself for not heading toward shore earlier. She did not want to be caught on the open water at night-the bout with the Blood Sea imps had been bad enough. As if mirroring her prayers, a gust of wind caught the sails, billowing them and speeding her course. The Perechon was near Endscape, she judged by a group of towering rock formations, a place her father used to tell her grand stories about. Her father. Maq shook her head and fought back a tear. Was he holding on? Was he thinking about her, too? She ran her slim fingers through her curly hair and looked at the point, considering anchoring the Perechon off it. No, she decided after a moment. Too close to open water. Instead she selected the cove, and the ship responded to her gentle turn of the wheel.

Fritzen quietly padded up behind her, intending to surprise her.

"Feeling better?" she asked, not bothering to turn around.

"How?"

"That healing poultice on your shoulder. It stinks. It smells like dead fish. In fact, it probably has dead fish in it."

Fritzen grinned sheepishly. "I see you're headed to the cove. Excellent choice. It's where I would've gone. Safer from the wind, harder to spot from the open sea."

She finally turned and caught his gaze. For an instant their eyes locked, and he edged closer, then she broke the moment and glanced at his shoulder.

"I'm fine, Maq. Really," Fritz responded to her unvoiced concern. "Tailonna makes wonderful magical healing potions. Lendle is feeling better, too. He was hard at work on a diagram when I left him, then he intended to visit the galley and instruct Hvel and Vartan in the art of seasoning soup. And speaking of food, dinner should be ready soon. Join me?"

"After we drop anchor," she said, returning her attention to the shore. "Then I want to check the sails and the rigging and lash everything down. Look at the clouds overhead. It's the stormy season on this part of the sea, and if those clouds are any indication, we could be facing a gale tonight. If so, the cove should keep some of the wind at bay."

Fritzen stayed with her until the Perechon pulled as close to shore as was safe given the draw of the ship, and he waited until Maq was certain the sails were lowered and in good condition. She fretted over this and that for another hour, then she, Kof, and Fritzen sat cross-legged on the deck and ate bowls of warm and filling oyster soup. As the clouds moved on, taking the hint of a storm with them, and the stars came out, the trio took turns pointing at the various constellations and telling old stories about sea monsters and about the gods coming to Krynn and meddling in the affairs of sailors. For the first time since leaving Attat's palace, the three began to relax and enjoy each other's company. But the mood was shattered as Maquesta yawned and rose from the deck.

"Time for us to get some rest," she announced. "Most of the crew turned in more than an hour ago. I told them we were going to get an early start." She wiped at a spot of soup that had spilled on her tunic. "Kof, stay up top for awhile. I don't like these waters-even near the safety of the land. Fritz, send up Berem and a lookout to keep him company. I'll relieve you later. We sail at dawn."

Fritz rose to go below, and Maq whirled and headed toward the steps. "Thanks for a pleasant evening, gentlemen," she added.

"Maq…" Kof's hushed voice halted her halfway to her cabin.

She turned and watched as the minotaur stiffened. His nose twitched, and a ridge of short, bristly hair stood up on the back of his neck. "There's something out there."

Maquesta started toward the capstan, where her sword rested. But she stopped short as she spied a clawed, webbed hand reach over the railing.

A scratching sound behind her sent her whirling around. Several more pairs of claws were on the other side of the ship-all attached to horrid bodies.

"Kuo-toa!" Kof yelled. "Dozens of them. Devils of the deep!"

"Fritz!" she barked. "Get below and sound the alarm. We're being boarded!" With that she dashed toward the capstan, flinging herself the last few yards and sliding on her stomach across the polished deck. She stopped herself as her fingers closed about the hilt of her sword, and she pulled herself to her knees and unsheathed the blade just in time to see a dark shape lumber toward her. The creature had a massive head like that of a sea bass, but its mouth was filled with jagged teeth that gleamed in the moonlight. It was covered with slime that glistened dully, and it stank of rotting seaweed. Maquesta swallowed hard and concentrated on not retching. The creature's torso was like a man's, though a little larger and covered with blue and green scales, and its arms and legs were nearly humanlike. But its feet were long flippers that trailed strands of kelp, and it had a fishtail that hung behind it and scraped across the deck. The kuo-toa wore crossed leather straps about its chest, with daggers evenly stuck into sheaths on them. Held by a thin cord to its back was a spear, which the thing reached for with its webbed claws as it slogged forward. Maq pulled her sword free of the scabbard and swung it in an upward arc that sliced the creature's belly open as it leaned toward her.

The creature screamed shrilly and looked down to see its entrails spill out. Maq jumped to her feet and swung again, this time higher. Her sword connected with the thing's chest, coaxing another horrid cry that trailed away. As Maquesta's victim pitched forward onto the deck, she leapt back and stared in mute horror as two more waddled forward to take its place. One had an ornate shield and was larger, more than seven feet tall. It wore an impressive necklace of coral and bones, signifying it was of some importance. The kuo-toa spouted a string of gargling gibberish, then thrust forward with its barbed spear. The smaller creature did likewise, jabbing at Maq's middle. She crouched to avoid being skewered and felt the creatures' slime drip onto her shoulders. Behind her, she heard Kof struggling with more of the creatures, his grunts mingling with their babbling gibberish and screams.

"Monsters!" she spat, as she released her sword and sprang to her feet. "You'll not take my ship!" She reached out and grabbed the smaller kuo-toa's spear and pulled hard. The surprised creature was momentarily thrown off balance and let go of its weapon to keep from falling. Avoiding another spear thrust from the larger creature, Maq twirled her borrowed weapon like a baton until the sharp metal head pointed toward her massive attacker. She took a step back, spread her feet for better balance, and waved the spear in front of her to keep the kuo-toa at bay and to give herself a moment to think.

The big kuo-toa's huge eyes rotated to take in the battle on the deck. Maq risked a glance over her shoulder and cringed as she saw Kof being borne to the timbers by a half-dozen of the kuo-toa. Thundering footsteps heralded the arrival of the Perechon's crew, with Fritzen in the lead, but Maquesta knew her men might be no match for the malicious sea creatures.

A growl drew her attention back to the big kuo-toa. It, too, had its spear extended to keep her at a distance. To her horror, she saw the smaller creature pull daggers from its leather harness. She nimbly stepped to the side, avoiding the first missile, but the second nicked her arm and she nearly dropped the spear. Fire coursed through her limb. "Take care!" she cried to the crew. "I think they're using poison!" Out of the corner of her eye she saw the smaller kuo-toa catch a javelin in its chest and go down.

The large kuo-toa threw back its head and made a cackling-gurgling noise that sounded somewhat like laughter. Then it darted in, faster than Maq would have believed possible, and stabbed her thigh. The spear sank in deep, and Maquesta yelped in surprise and pain. She felt the warm blood flow down her leg as her attacker pulled the spear free, sending another jolt of pain through her. But she gritted her teeth, remained standing, and thrust forward with her spear at the same time. The large kuo-toa brought up its boiled leather shield, and Maq's spear tip lodged in it. The creature made a rumbling sound deep in its throat and tossed its shield-and Maq's spear-to the deck. Its eyes focused forward, and it took a step toward her. Behind her Maq heard the cries of her crewmen-shouts of pain and victory merging.

"See to the minotaur; he's down!" she heard one sailor cry.

"I can't get to him," called another. "We're surrounded!"

"Look out! There's more coming over the aft deck!"

"Ohmyohmyohmyohmyohmyohmy!"

"Where's the sea elf? Wait, she's coming on deck. Do something, Tailonna!"

"Start a fire! See if that'll keep them back!" yelled the helmsman.

"They've got weighted nets! I'm trapped!"

"Maquesta?" It was Fritzen's voice. "No! Maq!"

She felt the creature's webbed hands fold about her waist and lift her as easily as a child would carry a doll. Its claws dug in hard, and she slammed her eyes shut as the big kuo-toa gripped her in a bearhug. She felt the air rush out of her lungs, needles of pain poking her everywhere, and her world started spinning. Then she felt herself thrown backward, and she landed roughly on the deck, her head smacking hard against the wood.

Dazed, she slowly opened her eyes to see the halfogre straddling her, pushing the big kuo-toa away. Fritzen danced forward, keeping the creature off balance, until the pair were clear of her. Then Fritzen leaped up and brought his leg straight out to strike the kuo-toa's chest, knocking it backward onto its rump. The half-ogre pressed the attack and jabbed his heel into the kuo-toa's face. But the sea creature quickly retaliated, grabbing Fritzen's ankle and yanking him down to the deck. As the pair grappled, Maquesta shook off her dizziness and sluggishly pulled herself up. The arm nicked by the dagger tingled all over.

She spotted Ilyatha hugging the shadows and creeping toward the forward mast. He motioned her to be silent, and she watched in fascination as he darted around behind a pair of kuo-toa occupying Lendle. He moved so silently not a board creaked, then he raised twin daggers and plunged them into the backs of the unsuspecting creatures. Lendle yipped his thanks and skidded to the side to avoid the falling bodies.

Beyond the gnome she saw a young sailor struggling with another creature. The man was stuck between the sea creature's shield and the railing, and he flailed about helplessly while the kuo-toa beat him. Maq grabbed the capstan for support. Her wounded leg and arm throbbed horribly, and she had to focus her thoughts to keep from blacking out. She looked about for a weapon, but there were none in easy reach. Dimly, she wondered where her sword was.

Still, she was determined to stay in the battle to its bloody conclusion, which she feared might come all too soon-signaling the end of the Perechon's crew and her father's life. Pushing herself forward, she staggered toward the center of the deck, where she knew javelins and harpoons waited. Behind her she heard slapping sounds: kuo-toan feet moving over the polished wood. At least one of the creatures was after her, she realized as she bit her bottom Hp and tried to move faster.

"Get down, Maquesta!" The voice belonged to Tailonna. Maq fell forward onto the deck. She lifted her head just in time to see a gossamer webnet fly through the air. Getting to her hands and knees, she whirled to spot a trio of kuo-toa caught like insects in a spiderweb. Tailonna slid to Maq's side and helped her up. Then the sea elf pulled a second of the tiny nets from her hair. Flinging it toward another group of kuo-toa, Tailonna gestured with her fingers and mouthed the words of a spell. The tiny net shimmered in the air and grew to the size of a fishing net. It landed on the sea elf's intended victims, trapping them. Another net Tailonna tossed toward the big creature struggling with Fritzen. Again a magical net found its mark, engulfing the massive kuo-toa. The half-ogre's legs were caught in the filmy tendrils, too, but he struggled to get himself free.

"Over there!" Maq pointed. Lendle, armed with a dagger and a wooden spoon, had become the center of attention again-this time with a quartet of kuo-toa circling him.

Tailonna nodded and released another web. This one struck the sea creatures about their heads and torsos, leaving Lendle space to dart free between their legs. "I told him to stay in the infirmary," the sea elf muttered. 'Doesn't he ever listen?"

"HelpKofheisintroubledosomethingplease!" Lendle was pointing.

Maq and Tailonna glanced beyond the forward mast and saw a kuo-toa pushing the prone minotaur toward the rail. Unconscious, he would quickly drown. Again arcane words came to the sea elf's lips, but this time they produced lavender darts of light that flew from her fingers. They struck the kuo-toa in the shoulder and spun it around in time for it to receive another set of magic darts in the chest. Amid cheers from the Perechon's sailors, the sea creature fell backward on top of Kof. The tide of battle had turned, thanks to the elf, and the sailors rushed forward to swarm the remaining kuo-toa.

"That must be their leader!" Fritzen called above the cacophony. He was pointing at the large kuo-toa in the net, the one that had wounded Maq. "I heard it snapping orders at the others, but I've got it." The half-ogre had retrieved Maq's sword and had the tip pointed through the webnet at the creature's throat.

Tailonna and Maquesta slowly moved toward the tall kuo-toa. "What will we do with it?" Maq posed. "We can't just let it go, but we're after a morkoth, not a sea-devil." She gritted her teeth and shook her injured arm; it was numb now, all but useless.

Fritzen rushed forward and grabbed Maquesta, hoisting her like a baby in his muscular arms and leaving Tailonna free to create more webnets. "I think you're the one in need of an awful-smelling healing poultice this time." His dark eyes showed concern, though his voice was light. "I'm taking you to the armory, where you'll be safe. Your crew can handle what's left of these things."

"Kof is going to be all right," Lendle called across the deck. He pushed the dead kuo-toa off the minotaur and grinned. Then he scowled when he saw Maq's bloody leg. "He's just stunned, in better shape than you are. I'll check on the others. Then I'll tend to you, Maquesta Kar-Thon."

"There're more kuo-toa in the water," Maquesta whispered to Fritzen. "I can see them. There must be at least two dozen. You're not taking me anywhere until I know for certain the Perechon is safe."

The half-ogre scanned the water and shook his head. "I don't see anything."

"Trust me. They're are out there."

Tailonna moved to the bow, where she had six more kuo-toa trapped in her nets. Several yards behind her, Vartan and Hvel had convinced a dozen of the creatures to drop their weapons and surrender. The battle was finally over.

Tailonna motioned for Fritzen and Maq to join her. "I can understand what these things are saying. Well, a little of what they're saying. Their language is crude."

"I can understand everything they say." Ilyatha stepped forward and sheathed his daggers. "Though I'm not sure you want it translated. They are a malicious and insulting lot."

"I do want to know," Maq stated, nudging Fritzen to let her down.

Fritzen frowned, but he gently set her on the deck, supporting her to keep the weight off her wounded leg. All about them the Perechon crew pushed the dead kuo-toa overboard and were in the process of tying up those that were injured or had surrendered. Four Perechon crewmembers had died in the struggle and were laid out on the deck. Maquesta cringed. The price for her father's life had risen again, and now the Perechon would be operating with a skeleton crew.

Ilyatha began spouting the same gibberish Maq had heard the big kuo-toa speak. The shadowperson was bent over a pair tied back-to-back. A handful of sailors stood nearby trying to pick words out of the garbled noises.

"Their king ordered the raid," Ilyatha said, turning to face Maq and drawing her attention away from the dead sailors. "It seems you have royalty aboard-and practically an entire colony of kuo-toa." He pointed to the big creature Maq and Fritzen had fought. The tall kuo-toa was tied to the forward mast, where three sailors stood guard. "It was leading the colony to an underwater shrine. They were planning a special worship service to honor the Sea Mother, their evil goddess. They spotted the Perechon as we approached the point and decided to capture the crew for slaves and food-saving some of us for sacrifices to the Sea Mother, of course."

Maquesta stepped away from Fritzen. Ignoring the half-ogre's protests, she limped toward the king. "I didn't want to fight your kind," she said, suspecting that the creature couldn't understand and she was talking to herself, but continuing anyway. "We were going to bypass your territory. You shouldn't have attacked us." Maq fingered the coral necklace about the creature's neck and tugged the bauble free.

"I figured you were important. I just didn't realize how important. We're going to use you, Your Majesty. You're going to tell us where to find the morkoth. In fact, I think some of your loyal subjects should lead us to the beast-if they want to see their king live past dawn."

Fritzen's stern face broke into a broad grin. "You're brilliant, Maq."

He and Ilyatha rushed to the king, and once again Ilyatha voiced the weird kuo-toa tongue that sounded like growls, hisses, and gurgling water. The king's reply was loud, harsh, and punctuated by spitting. The other captured kuo-toa began to hiss and babble, too, and they struggled futilely against their bonds.

"He's telling them to escape," Ilyatha said. "He says they should free themselves in the name of the Sea Mother."

Fritzen growled and kicked the king harshly in the side. "Maybe he doesn't realize we're serious," he taunted. Standing on one leg he raised the other higher than his head-until his foot was even with the king's scowling visage. Quick like a cat, he brought the leg down, and the other swung up to miss the kuo-toa's head by less than an inch. "Maybe we should convince him we're serious."

Tailonna padded forward and began mumbling, weaving a pattern in the air with her hands. "We don't need any more bloodshed, though I cannot convey how pleased I am at the number of dead kuo-toa. Killing this beast will gain you nothing other than my satisfaction. But I can make it more cooperative. I can make it quite reasonable, in fact." A small blue orb appeared in the palm of her right hand. She blew on it, and it floated forward, enlarged, then surrounded the king's head. For an instant, the kuo-toa's face shimmered with the same blue light, then the color disappeared, as if the magic never existed. "Now try."

Ilyatha stared into the kuo-toa king's eyes and babbled in the creature's strange language.

"I can pick up a few words," Tailonna told Maq. "Ilyatha's telling it that its life will be spared-as will those of its captive warriors. But…"

"But it has to provide a guide to the morkoth's lair. Which it has just agreed to do," Ilyatha finished. "The pair by the bow are its sons. They'll take us to the morkoth, though the king warns that the beast is dangerous. Now we will not have to search for its cave. Hours will be saved. This cursed attack on us has turned into a blessing."

"ButyoucannotgoMaquestaKarThon." Lendle was at her side, pointing at her bleeding leg. He stuck out his stubby index finger and started wagging it at her as if she were a misbehaving child.

"And you should not be out on deck. You should be in the infirmary," she retorted.

"Aswillyoube," the gnome answered.

Maq thought to argue with him. The Perechon was her ship and, as captain, she gave the orders. But wisdom prevailed, and she decided to back down. "I know, Lendle. I'm going to need some of your tender care and one of Tailonna's potions. But while you're seeing to me, I want Fritz, Kof, Ilyatha, and Tailonna to go after the morkoth. Tailonna's webnets and magic will be necessary to catch the beast."

Fritzen motioned to the minotaur, who was just regaining consciousness. "Right away, Maq?"

"No. In the morning. The sea's so dark at night it will look as though you're swimming in ink. You won't even be able to see a hand in front of your face." She shook her head and pointed toward the water. "Besides, those other kuo-toa are out there. And I want His Majesty to order them away."

"I see them, too," Tailonna offered. 'Twenty or more I'd guess. I'll take care of it." With that, the sea elf started talking to the king.

"Kof!" Maq quipped as the minotaur walked to her side. "It's about time you got up and joined the fun. I want you to make sure all of our guests are secure in the cargo hold tonight. And throw his majesty in the brig. When that's done, have our dead wrapped in sailcloth. We'll bury them at sea tomorrow."

Then Maq was swept up in strong arms and found herself being carried toward the infirmary. Exhaustion claimed her as she was placed on a cot. The last words she heard before drifting off were Lendle and Tailonna's rapid instructions to Fritzen to start mixing herbs.

Morning found Fritzen hovering over Maquesta, wiping a cool cloth across her forehead as Lendle busied himself with another concoction. Her leg was wrapped in several layers of bandages and was propped up on a pillow, and she was regaining feeling in her arm.

"Your turn in the infirmary," Fritzen said. "There was venom on the kuo-toa's weapons, but Lendle and Tailonna mixed up something that is drawing out the poison. Tailonna is in the crew quarters, giving some to the others who were injured. She assures me her mixture is magical, and everyone-including you-will be back to normal in a few hours."

Maq smiled and tried to rise, but the half-ogre laid a firm hand on her shoulder. "You're the captain, and you can order me to let you up and I'll oblige. But I'd rather follow a healthy captain-one who's going to be around for quite some time. Rest, Maq. Kof will lead us after the morkoth, and by the time we get back, you'll be feeling much better."

Maquesta pursed her lips, but nodded. Though she wanted to be up on the deck to see them off, she knew that Fritzen was making sense. She hated feeling weak and not fully in control of the situation, and she was angry that all of her crew seemed to be taking turns in the infirmary. But she closed her eyes, tried to relax, and concentrated on listening to the gnome reciting ingredients to himself. A pungent odor filled the room, and Maq knew she was going to stink before this was all over.

"Take care of yourself," Fritzen whispered as he made a motion to rise. Then he stopped and stared at her. "Last night you saw more kuo-toa in the water. What gift do you have, Maquesta, to allow such sight?"

"No need to tell him," Lendle offered, obviously overhearing their conversation. The gnome went back to babbling ingredients and stirring.

"It's all right. I trust him," Maq replied, opening her eyes and staring at the ceiling. "I'm not wholly human" she began. "My mother was an elf. She left my father a long time ago. I don't know if she's even alive. She left when warbands of humans were hunting elves and their kin. I suspect she disappeared to keep attention away from the Perechon. My father, frightened for my safety, had Lendle cut off the tips of my ears when I was just a small child. He didn't want anyone to know I was a half-elf. He was afraid I would be lost to him, too. So I have the elven gift of sight. I can see things better than humans can, though not quite as well as most elves."

"So now you know Maquesta's secret," Lendle said sternly. "It is one shared by only those people in this room-and by her father leagues away. And it had better not go any farther." The gnome's beady eyes were trained on the half-ogre's. "Understand?"

On deck, Ilyatha, Tailonna, and Bas-Ohn Koraf were waiting, all armed with kuo-toan spears. The minotaur carried the end of a thick rope in his hand. Several crewmembers gathered around out of curiosity, and when Fritzen found his way between them, Ilyatha tossed him a large net and told him that it would hold the morkoth when they found and captured it. Tailonna reached into a pouch at her waist and pulled out six vials containing the magical elixir that would allow them to breathe water as if it were air. She gave two vials to each of them.

"One vial should last many hours, between eight and twelve, I suspect. It could have different durations for each of us," she added, looking at the minotaur and half-ogre. "But if we work quickly there should be no problem."

Kof nodded and tugged on the end of the rope he was holding. At the other end were the king's sons; the long rope was tied about their necks as if they were dogs on a leash. "Let's just get it over with," the minotaur grumbled. "While I love the sea, I don't care much for swimming, and I care even less for the company of kuo-toa."

Fritzen nearly dropped his vials as a burst of yellow light brighter than a noon sun struck the deck. As the glow faded, Belwar appeared, his sharp hooves hovering inches above the wood. The ki-rin nodded a greeting, and the crew parted as he approached the quartet. "I will go with you," he announced. "I was away last night and returned in time to see only the end of the struggle. Though I was not able to help you then, I will lend my aid now. Morkoths are tricky and deadly."

"Then, to our success!" Fritzen toasted as he raised the vial to the sky, then brought it to his lips and downed its contents in one gulp." The others did the same, and as one they moved to the side of the deck and jumped into the water. The ki-rin dived over, too, with the resulting splash leaving the onlooking crewmen drenched.

Koraf gasped as he sank beneath the surface and thrashed around like a wounded fish, trying desperately to keep a grip on the rope attached to the kuo-toa. He held his breath and dropped like a stone, with Ilyatha, Fritzen, Tailonna, and the creatures following him. The ki-rin hovered just below the surface, watching.

Relax, Ilyatha's mind coaxed. Breathe the water as if it were air. Breathe.

The minotaur closed his eyes and inhaled a little. It was an odd sensation, water entering his nose and going down into his lungs. At first he feared that he was drowning, that the elixir was just some horrible joke concocted by Attat, who wanted to doom them all. Then he gasped in fear and took in great lungfuls of saltwater. It stung his throat, but only for a moment. The odd sensation passed, and he opened his eyes. He was breathing.

Reaching the sandy bottom, he tugged on the rope and stared into the eyes of the king's sons. He shrugged his shoulders and pointed in different directions. Then he tugged on the rope again. At last the kuo-toa understood what the minotaur was getting at, and the largest of the two pointed southwest.

It is being truthful, Ilyatha's voice said reassuringly inside Kof's head. The morkoth's lair lies in that direction.

Above, the ki-rin saw what was transpiring and began swimming to the southwest. Its great legs churned the water, and it was all the rest of the group could do to keep the mythical creature in sight. They passed over a coral bed, where sea fronds that looked like delicate fans waved back and forth in the current. A school of queen angelfish passed overhead, giving the unusual travelers a wide berth, and on the sandy floor crabs skittered out of their way. Kof began to appreciate his surroundings, and his bull neck constantly pivoted back and forth to take in everything. After nearly two hours of travel he spied a rocky ridge that cut across the sandy bottom like the spine of some sleeping giant. The kuo-toa pointed toward the ridge, and the minotaur looked at Ilyatha, who nodded his approval. The ki-rin dived to the floor, and the members of the group, wary and pensive, slowed their pace as they approached the rocks.

The ridge looked like what Tailonna had drawn the day before in the infirmary. If her diagram was true, what was left of the kuo-toa colony would be on the other side of the rise and slightly to the north.

As they neared the ridge, they spied a cave, which was little more than a narrow crevice. The morkoth's home, Ilyatha thought to each of them. The kuo-toa are frightened of the beast and say it lives there. They beg not to be forced inside. Only one of them has been this close to the opening, when delivering a sacrifice several months ago."

Kof looked at the crevice, then at the ki-rin, who would not be able to fit through it. The creature's horn glowed faintly, and he spoke through the water so everyone could hear him. "I will watch your captives, for I cannot follow you. Even my magic will not let my form fit inside. But I will aid you, nonetheless." He closed his eyes and fire danced along his golden horn, a magical blaze that ignored the presence of the saltwater. The flames leapt outward, striking the edges of the crevice and flowing deeper into the rock. "The fire is not real, at least not like a true blaze. It will not burn you. But it coats the walls of the labyrinth beyond. It will light your way, and it may serve to frighten the morkoth, who likes to dwell in darkness. I wish you well." The ki-rin took the rope binding the kuo-toa between its teeth and moved back from the crevice.

Bas-Ohn Koraf took a deep breath of the saltwater and stepped inside. Fritzen and Tailonna followed him. Ilyatha paused outside the crevice. The shadowperson feared bright light, and it took him several moments to realize the light from the fire would not harm or blind him. The flames raced up and down the walls like a roaring campfire, casting eerie light patterns all about. Kof had to step sideways here and there as the passageway thinned, and more than once the minotaur scraped his back against an outcropping. Deeper and deeper they went, until Kof believed they must surely come out on the other side of the ridge. Then the tunnel started winding downward, and it split in two.

The minotaur sniffed, but found his keen sense of smell was wasted beneath the waves. Flames flickered down both passages, but they provided no clue as to the correct course. Extending his spear in front of him, Kof took a step into the left tunnel, then looked over his shoulder and motioned for Fritzen to take the right. The half-ogre nodded, and Tailonna followed him, leaving the shadowperson to follow Kof. The minotaur had not gone farther than a dozen yards when his hooves crushed something brittle. Bending, he discovered a pile of bones that had once belonged to a large fish, a barracuda perhaps, he mused. The firelight playing on their white surface made the shards glisten. Suppressing a shudder, Kof continued to pick his way deeper. He growled in his throat, releasing a stream of bubbles when he saw the passageway ahead divide again. He moved on toward the right, where he had to grip the walls to keep from falling. The floor sloped steeply, bending down in a sharp spiral. Glancing behind him, he spotted Ilyatha moving to the left tunnel. The minotaur waved his hairy arm and nearly lost his balance trying get the telepath's attention. Ilyatha looked at the minotaur quizzically.

I'll not split our numbers again, Kof concentrated, hoping Ilyatha would pick up his thoughts.

Very well, the shadowperson replied. I will let the others know to stay together.

In the other corridor, Fritzen and Tailonna discovered a similar sharp turn, one with a drop-off that sent them floating down nearly fifty feet. From there the tunnel continued, spiraling down even farther. The half-ogre gripped the sides of his head, dropping the net and spear. The pressure here was beginning to get painful, and he wondered how far they had traveled and how much longer the elixir would last. He reached into the pouch on his belt to make sure the other vial was still intact. Tailonna placed a soft hand on his shoulder and pressed by him. They were in the sea elf's element, and Fritzen, gathering his belongings, allowed her to take the lead.

Nearly an hour later, Tailonna and Fritzen stared across a chasm-on the other side of which were Kof and Ilyatha. The magical fire stopped at the edge of the pit, which descended like a funnel into unnatural darkness. The minotaur nudged the shadowperson and concentrated, his great brow furrowing as he tried to convey a message.

I agree with Kof, Ilyatha communicated across the chasm, his words sounding stern inside Fritzen's head. I believe the morkoth lies below, and he is preventing the fire from spreading farther. With that, the shadowperson stepped off the ledge, dropping into the pitch-blackness of the crevice.

Kof swallowed hard and joined him, quickly passing Ilyatha by as his great weight propelled him through the water faster. The darkness swallowed them completely by the time Fritzen and Tailonna joined them in the fall.

What seemed like hours later, the quartet emerged into a large cavern thickly coated with shadows. The pressure was significant here, indicating they had come a long way below the surface of the sea. They could see only a few feet in the darkness, and Ilyatha instructed them to stay together so they would not become lost. Alone, the shadowperson suspected they would be easy marks for the morkoth. Kof swung his spear back and forth in front of him, pressing forward until he reached a rocky wall.

Like cave explorers, the four circled the chamber until they discovered six openings, each so thin they would be a tight squeeze to travel through.

One for each of us and two to spare, Ilyatha thought. We should select one and hurry; the elixir…

Kof nodded, and despite Ilyatha's warning he decided each person should take a different passage, tenuously linked by the shadowperson's telepathic mind. He directed Ilyatha down the closest passage, Fritzen down the next. The minotaur passed by the following two passages, noticing the grades were too steep. Then he pointed Tailonna down one, and he took the other. Each walked into the darkness with a weapon in one hand, and the fingers of their other hand brushing along the wall to show them the way. And all of them lost their balance as the floor disappeared beneath their feet and they fell even farther, sliding down rocky passages that twisted and turned.

Again the four found themselves emerging into a shadowy cavern, the tunnels they followed all bringing them to the same place. Kof growled, emitting a long string of bubbles, then he directed the others to stay together while he circled the chamber, discovering the features of its walls with his hands. When he returned to them, his eyes burned with anger, and Ilyatha winced when he poked inside the minotaur's head to discover what he was thinking.

Kof says this is the same chamber we left several minutes ago. There are six ope?tings-he claims the same ones we ventured down, Ilyatha said, sending the message to everyone. I suspect we never left this chamber to begin with. I think it's an illusion and we're being manipulated. I don't know where we are, but… Before the shadowperson could continue, the cavern's darkness receded, as if light were being slowly coaxed from a lantern, revealing rocky walls encrusted with gems. High above, the edge of the cavern was lit by the ki-rin's magical fire. The flames continued to dance merrily, pointing toward a black shape descending toward the cavern floor. The dark form stopped halfway to the bottom, floating above them.

The morkoth! Ilyatha communicated to everyone. It has been toying with us.

From the waist up the hideous creature looked like a sea snake, though it had a spiky top fin that ran to the crest of its wide, fishlike head. Four spindly arms, like the legs of a lobster, stuck out of its scaly sides. They ended in thin pincers that opened and closed almost rhythmically, their clacking sound cutting through the water. The morkoth's eyes sat to the front of its face, as a human's would, but they were dark, round orbs with flecks of red in the centers. The creature had no ears, at least none that were visible, but it had a mouth that looked like a squid's beak. It opened the beak and snapped it repeatedly, the clicking noise somehow reverberating through the water and unnerving the quartet below. Then the morkoth extended a long pink tongue that looked like a segmented seaworm and wriggled it.

The lower half of the creature's body resembled an octopus, with writhing tentacles sporting suction cups. The morkoth was quite a bit larger than Kof, and all over it was as black as night, though it had faint, luminescent silvery patches of scales here and there. As it moved closer to them, descending slowly through the water, it continued to click its beak and wave its pincerarms, and its tentacles undulated almost hypnotically, drawing tiny air-bubble patterns in the water. Ilyatha and Tailonna stood unmoving, staring at the creature. The spears in their hands fell to the cavern floor as their eyes followed the bubble patterns.

Snap out of it, Kof concentrated, praying that the shadowperson and sea elf would pick up his thoughts.Think! It's mesmerizing you. Wake up! But his thoughts went unanswered. Only he and Fritzen seemed unaffected by the morkoth's writhings. The minotaur growled and stepped in front of Ilyatha and Tailonna. Spear raised, he poked it at the morkoth, but the creature's tentacles remained just out of reach. It continued to writhe, and Kof felt himself grow light-headed. Closing his eyes and blocking out the image of the patterns, he continued to jab upward.

Behind him, Fritzen reached the sea elf. Releasing his spear and tucking the net under his arm, he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly. To his side, the shadowperson sprang to life, and for a moment, the half-ogre's grim face showed relief. Ilyatha drew his twin daggers, then, just as it seemed he would leap at the morkoth, he turned to face Fritzen and rushed forward. The half-ogre let go of Tailonna and dropped to the floor of the cavern, gaping in surprise as Ilyatha swam forward with the daggers, slashing where he had stood just a moment before. The shadowperson pivoted and glared down at him with eyes that had red specks swirling in them.

The morkoth! Fritzen cursed to himself. First it had taken control of the sea elf, and now the danger had doubled. He rolled to his side, bowling over Tailonna in the process, then he crouched and pushed off the bottom with his strong leg muscles. The half-ogre shot up through the water, the shadowperson following him. They passed by the morkoth, which was continuing to twist about and create more bubble-patterns. Fritzen felt a wave of dizziness wash over him as he glanced at the bubbles, but he fought it off and concentrated on the advancing Ilyatha.

Ilyatha grinned evilly as he moved toward the halfogre. Though Fritzen was a skilled acrobat, his talents were best used on land. The shadowperson easily outmaneuvered him underwater. Fritzen knew he would have to rely on his strength. Ilyatha pumped his legs, propelling himself toward Fritzen, and the half-ogre treaded water to stay in place and meet the charge. As Ilyatha moved in, Fritzen's arms drove forward, and his hands clamped tightly on the shadowperson's dark wrists, keeping the daggers from finding their target. Out of the corner of his eye, Fritzen saw Tailonna stir. She rose unsteadily to her feet and looked up at Fritzen and Ilyatha, then furtively glanced at the morkoth. The half-ogre thanked the gods there were no red flecks in her eyes.

The sea elf raised her hands and wiggled her fingers, mouthing words to an incantation. Grabbing one of the nets from her hair, she was careful to keep from looking directly at the morkoth's tentacles, and instead focused on a spot on its torso. As she finished the incantation, her magical webnet rushed through the water straight at the beast, but it stopped inches from the creature's grotesque body, hovering for the briefest moment. Then the enchanted piece of gossamer returned just as quickly to envelop Tailonna tightly in the net she had sought to use against the morkoth.

Fritzen cursed between his teeth. The sea elf had been their best hope. The shadowperson in his grasp wriggled madly, and the half-ogre tightened his grip until he saw a look of pain on Ilyatha's face. Kicking forward with his legs, Fritzen propelled the shadowperson roughly against the cavern wall. The half-ogre was trying to stun Ilyatha, but the dark warrior was determined and only struggled harder.

Below, the morkoth slowly descended toward Kof. The minotaur still prodded about blindly with his spear, fearing to open his eyes and be charmed by the vile creature's movements. Through her webnet Tailonna saw the morkoth shift to come down behind Kof.

"He's at your back!" she shouted. The sound of her sea elven voice carried faintly through the water, reaching Kof's sensitive ears. "He's stopped writhing. You can open your eyes."

Her warning came almost too late. One of the morkoth's tentacles snaked out toward the back of the minotaur's neck. But Kof whirled and opened his eyes in time to see it. He crouched and drove the spear forward, embedding its tip in the rubbery tentacle. Black blood spilled out into the water. Kof knew Attat wanted the creature undamaged, but with the sea elf's webnets ineffective against it, there was little choice but to battle it or be killed-or battle it and be killed. He tugged on the spear, but its barbed point had passed all the way through the tentacle and was lodged there. Grumbling, he released the haft and grabbed another tentacle and started to climb toward the creature's torso.

The morkoth emitted a shriek that cut through the water and brought tears to the minotaur's eyes. The pain in Koraf's head was excruciating, but he knew to release the beast would mean his doom. Clamping his teeth together, he renewed his efforts and struggled to climb higher. The creature's other tentacles wrapped themselves about the minotaur's legs, pinning him in place. In response, Koraf dug his nails into the tentacle he had hold of, causing more black blood to be released.

The creature started twisting now, trying to dislodge the persistent minotaur. Its pincer-arms clacked menacingly, and it doubled over so it could snap at Kof with its beak. The minotaur took advantage of the beast's maneuver and released his hold on the tentacle to grab the sides of its fishlike head. The beak dived in, driving at the minotaur's shoulder and sending jolts of pain through him.

Above, Fritzen continued to struggle with his mesmerized assailant, repeatedly striking Ilyatha against the cavern wall until at last the shadowperson lost consciousness. The half-ogre noticed Ilyatha was still breathing, and he gratefully eased the limp body to the cavern floor near where Tailonna still struggled with her webnet. Then he pushed off again, streaking toward the morkoth and Koraf.

The minotaur dug his fingers into the flesh of the morkoth's face, raking his nails through the skin and scales and causing the beast to scream. The creature's tentacles thrashed maddeningly and found a hold about Kof's thick waist. They squeezed tight, trying to force the water from the minotaur's lungs. Koraf felt himself blacking out, but he dug his nails into the morkoth's neck this time, trying to throttle the beast while he sucked in water.

Fritzen grabbed one of the tentacles that was holding the minotaur and tugged. Though he could not pull the tentacle free, he managed to relax its grip just enough so Kof could breathe. The minotaur spent his renewed strength by squeezing the morkoth's neck harder, trying to suffocate the thing. Fritzen squirmed his hand between the tentacle and Kof's waist, then he pushed harder and got his forearm between the tentacle and minotaur. After what seemed like forever, the morkoth weakened, and the tentacles released their hold. The minotaur, morkoth, and Fritzen drifted to the cavern floor in one heap. The morkoth lay motionless, and for a moment, and the half-ogre feared it was dead.

"No, it lives. Barely," Tailonna said. She was finally free of the webnet. "Kof nearly killed it, though, and it might still die if we don't get it to the ship and tend to its wounds. Though I'm not sure I can concoct a potion to heal it."

Fritzen shuddered, thinking about aiding such a malicious beast. Perhaps Lendle can mend it, he thought. The gnome seems able to work wonders.

Kof gently prodded his ribs and nodded his thanks to the half-ogre. The bite on his shoulder was deep, but small, and he pressed gently on it with his fingers. The minotaur grimaced, but shrugged off the ache. He'd suffered much worse wounds in the Lacynos arena. Satisfied he was all right, he moved to the shadowperson, who was groggily coming to. Kof bent and retrieved Ilyatha's daggers, then looked at the cavern walls. He turned to Ilyatha and furrowed his brow. He reached out and touched the shadowperson's thoughts.

Take the morkoth's body out of here and ask the ki-rin to carry it for you. I'm going to stay a few moments, collect some of these gems, the minotaur communicated. Ilyatha started to protest, but a stern look from Kof cut him off.If the morkoth dies, or if Attat backs out of the bargain, Maquesta might need something of value to trade for her father and the Perechon.

Ilyatha relayed Kof's plan. Tailonna passed her waist bag to him, then she helped Ilyatha to his feet and the two of them churned their legs to take them out of the cavern. Fritzen picked up the morkoth and wrapped it in the net. He laid a hand on the minotaur's shoulder and nodded. Then he pushed off, with his wounded prize in tow.

Alone, Koraf started about his work, prying emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and jacinths out of the walls of the morkoth's lair and stuffing handfuls of them into his pockets and Tailonna's bag. He selected the largest gems, the ones that best caught the light of the magical fire overhead. By the time he could carry no more and was certain he had a fortune, he began to get lightheaded. He suspected he had been gathering the treasure for a few hours. Fumbling about in the pouch at his waist, he retrieved his second potion and downed it.

Then he found his way out of the cave.

The ki-rin had taken the morkoth to the ship and returned for Bas-Ohn Koraf. The grateful minotaur, laden with his sparkling treasure, accepted Belwar's invitation and climbed upon his back. Within the hour they were approaching the deck of the Perechon.

Maquesta's fever was gone. She was on the port bow, talking animatedly to a still-soaked Fritzen and a blanket-wrapped Tailonna. A thin, white bandage was wrapped about Maq's leg, and she leaned against a spear for support, but it appeared the captain was much improved.

Ilyatha was nearby, babbling at the kuo-toa king, whose hands and feet were tied. The other kuo-toa had been herded up on deck, and they stood by the railing as the Perechon crew kept them at a distance with spears and harpoons. The ki-rin landed behind Maquesta, and she turned and grinned at Belwar and the minotaur.

"Belwar, thank you for returning my first mate. Lendle's watching the morkoth. The beast is in Attat's cage, which we've managed to lash to the aft of the ship-just enough of it underwater so the thing won't die. Lendle thinks he can pull the beast through; he's been sprinkling herbs in the water all around it. But we'll have to keep a close watch to make certain the morkoth doesn't use any of its nasty tricks. I think everything will work out," she gushed. "We'll be able to get my father back-and the Perechon."

The ki-rin nodded to her, but its eyes were sad. "I do hope everything works out for you, Maquesta. I must go now, but I will return if you need me."

The minotaur felt in his pockets for the gems, letting his fingers run around their smooth, faceted surfaces. Then he patted Tailonna's bulging bag at his side. "I have insurance, Captain," he told her, when he made sure the rest of the crew was occupied elsewhere. He produced a large emerald, holding it where she could see. "There are more. Enough to buy several ships, perhaps enough to buy every ship in Lacynos and pay for crews to man them."

The minotaur gave her Tailonna's bag and walked with Maquesta to her cabin, where he spilled the gems from his pockets across the top of her table. Maq's eyes sparkled. It was more wealth than she had seen in her entire lifetime, as much wealth as lined the Lacynos merchant's treasure cave.

"I hope we won't need all of these at Attat's," she said. "I can think of much better uses for them, including paying a crew that has been without full compensation for too long."

Maquesta secured the treasure under her bed, then she and Kof returned to the deck. Tailonna rushed toward the pair, requesting that the remaining kuo-toa be slain.

"We killed well more than half of the colony when they attacked the ship last night," Maquesta argued. "I think that is quite a significant loss, one that will take them years to recover from. To slay captive foes is butchery."

The sea elf nodded reluctantly. "Their numbers may no longer pose a threat to my people. If they do, we can deal with them now. The odds are in our favor."

With that, Maquesta motioned to Ilyatha, who cut the king's ropes and ordered the creature over the side. The crew prodded the other kuo-toa to jump into the water, as well.

"The king's sons are in the hold," Maq told Tailonna. "When we are far from here, they'll be released. The king has guaranteed us safe passage as long as they are all right. Now we sail for deep water. We'll bury our dead at sea, then be on our way to Attat's."