From Fish to Friend – By Kristen Elizabeth #2
“You fell from a bridge. Well, first you weren’t there at all.
Nobody ever uses that bridge, by the way, as the construction was always very unstable.
Not sure why they built it at a horrendous bend that houses some of the strongest currents.
Then poof – you were on the bridge. I’m assuming magic got you there, yes? ”
Avylerie still stares at Niko in disbelief. “Yes,” she says slowly, the word dragging out as her mind processes this turn of events. “I did a spell, but I got sent to the bridge instead of where I wanted to go.”
“Huh,” Niko’s expression can be taken for confusion, at least that is what Avylerie is assuming. “How did that happen?”
“How did what happen?”
“Your magic – it sent you to the wrong place. How did that happen?”
“Oh…that.” Avylerie’s face flushes in embarrassment. “Well, that was user error on my part? Perhaps I got some words wrong, but it isn’t really completely my fault. Nobody taught me the spell – I read it in a book and I wrote it down.” Realization dawns on her face, “My satchel!”
Avylerie quickly pats herself down and sighs with relief – her satchel remains intact on her. She clutches the bag to her chest and falls into the mud, the cool earth clinging to her hair and clothes. She shoots back up, “My map!”
Avylerie looks above herself – no floating map.
Her frantic gaze darts to the river and she spots it: the aged-looking parchment bobbing in the water lazily.
Niko sees where her eyes are staring and flicks his tail.
The magical map catches and soars through the air before landing next to Avylerie with a thwack against the mud.
She attempts to clean the parchment, rubbing the mud off the surface, but the damage is done.
Magic may have created the map, but it is still parchment and ink – water can still damage it.
“Oh no!” Avylerie’s pointed ears deflate with her sadness.
“Was that important?” Niko gestures to the ruined map.
“If by important you mean the only thing that can tell me where to find a rare plant for an important magical ritual, then yes. Yes it was very important.” Her body sags deeper into the muddy bank. “I’m sorry,” she apologizes, “that was a bit rude of me. You’re only trying to help.”
“What did you need to find?”
Avylerie looks to Niko, “Rubision.”
“Ah,” Niko nods, “The current took us farther away from where it grows. You can still get there on foot. You will need to head northeast into the forest. Usually there is a trail that leads directly there, but we are not near it. There will be a bush that is hard to miss. Other than the general direction, I cannot provide more assistance,” Niko explains.
“How do you know all this?”
“I have been here for a long time, but before my curse, this forest was my home.”
“Can you tell me how it happened?” Avylerie asks.
Niko looks at her forlornly, “It is a long and sad tale. I can tell you after you get what you need.”
Avylerie looks up to the sky; the double-suns have moved a significant way. “I’m running out of time,” she whispers in a panic.
She scrambles to her feet, mud causing her to slip every other step. “What’s your name?” Niko calls to her, watching the struggling elf wade through shallow mud.
“Avy…” is all he hears as she darts into the forest.
The heat from the double-suns fades as Avylerie treks deeper into the woods.
The shade of the trees provides cover from the rays, but Avylerie can feel the mud slowly drying to her body.
She wipes her hand across her forehead, sweat and saltwater itching at her scalp, as she walks over fallen branches and roots.
The forest is mostly quiet – there are no sounds of bugs or trilling of birds.
The eeriness of it consumes her, and she feels dread heavy in her stomach.
She must’ve walked for longer than she thought as she comes across the rubision bush.
The blinding white leaves and vibrant red petals are hard to miss in a wood of green and brown.
Avylerie smiles wide as she plucks multiple leaves, stalks, and flowers to place into her glass jar.
With her treasure secure, she makes her way back to the shore.
Time moves faster on her way back – the double-suns have changed their position in the sky once more.
Twilight is coming sooner than she expected.
Niko is waiting, large body positioned half in the water and half on the shore. “You cannot swim across the river with the currents like this. You may ride on my back, and I can return you to the other side, Avy.”
Avylerie flashes a small smile in his direction and nods in thanks.
She treks into the shallow water, her shoes and pants becoming soaked once more.
The mud is still caked on her back and head, but she pays no mind as she grabs onto the scaled flesh.
“Thank you, Niko.” She settles on his back as one would ride a phoenix to battle.
His body is cold and slick, but she can feel the strength behind the scales.
Niko moves faster than she expects. The sheer size of his body should slow him down; however, he moves as if he was made for the water – as if he was a fish all along. They return to the other side of the shore in record time. “How can I repay you?” she asks.
Niko shakes his head, scales shining hues of orange and purple in the setting light. “I’m not sure anyone can. A simple thank you is more than fine. Be careful on your way back.”
She would like to argue, but the double-suns wait for no one, and the ceremony must be completed. With a quick peck to his scaly forehead and a wave, she leaves Niko and darts through the familiar woods.
Avylerie bursts through the wooden doors mere moments before twilight. “I’m here! Wizard Drak, I’m here!” she pants with her hands on her knees.
Low murmurs from other elves waft through the air.
Wizard Drak, with his long gray-blue hair braided beneath a pointed hat, turns to the younger elf.
His pointed ears twitch at her volume. He takes in her disheveled state - mud still sticking to her face, pastel hair, and clothes.
“Ah, Avylerie. Have you found what I needed?”
Avylerie nods her head, breath still catching from her sprint to the Elf Coven Headquarters. “I found the rubision. But I had help, and I request your assistance as soon as possible.”
Wizard Drak raises a brow, “Oh? Is this not something you are able to do with your own magic?”
Avylerie shakes her head as she meets his curious gaze. “My magic is no match for what beseeches my friend. He was once a man but was cursed as a fish. A fish of all things! He’s been living in the river for a long time, and I would like to return him to his original form as thanks.”
Wizard Drak rubs his right hand over his stubbled mouth in contemplation. “A fish, you say? When was he cursed?”
Avylerie smiles shyly and shrugs her shoulders, “That…was not disclosed to me. Can you help me?”
Wizard Drak looks around the coven, the whispers still echoing from other mouths. “I suppose after we complete the ritual with the rubision, I can meet your fish-friend.”
Avylerie relaxes the tension in her shoulders. “Thank you, Wizard Drak.”
He chuckles and waves a dismissive hand, “Go and clean yourself for the ritual. We must begin.”
It is well into the night and after the Half-Blood Suns Arrival ceremony when Avylerie returns to the river Niko resides in. Wizard Drak and several others await the large fish-man. “Niko!” Avylerie shouts to the silent river.
There is no response from the water, only the low buzzing of crickets and low hoot of an owl. Avylerie peers down the bank. “Niko!” she tries again.
The water is silent – no signs of life. She sighs in resignation, “I’m sorry, Wizard Drak. I thought he’d be here.”
The snap of a twig to the right catches the group’s attention. Ever so slowly, the silhouette of a man appears out of the darkness. His hands cover his nakedness as he blushes. “Avy?”
Avylerie’s eyes widen in surprise. “Niko?” she gasps, “How did you change?”
“I’m not really sure?”
“Is that a question or a response?”
Niko chuckles nervously, “A bit of both, I guess. It was after you left – a strange sensation filled my body, almost like I was being molded like clay, and then I was myself again.”
Avylerie studies his form. He is well-muscled, body built from the tension of swimming against strong currents, and taller than anyone she has seen.
His waist-length hair is midnight black and slightly wet from the river water.
What captivates her the most are his eyes – all time has stopped as she meets his gaze.
Electricity shoots up Avylerie’s spine and her toes tingle, wiggling in her shoes.
Her breath catches, heartbeat slowing, eyes widening with wonder.
Niko’s head tilts, much the same as when he was a fish, though now she can read his face.
“Are you okay, Avy?” A heavy raspiness takes over his tone.
She nods slowly, “Yep. Just taken aback.”
Niko smiles – and it stops everything. Avylerie is caught in his web of beauty. “Avylerie,” Wizard Drak’s voice cuts through the moment, shattering the illusion and loosening the hold Niko has on her, “Is this the friend you told me about?”
Avylerie turns her attention back to the forgotten group. “Yes. This is Niko.”
Wizard Drak looks over Niko. He unclasps his over-cape and hands it to him. “Here you are,” Wizard Drak addresses Niko, “Take this to cover up. It gets cold out here. Why don’t you come back to Elf Coven Headquarters where we can assist you better?”
Niko nods his agreement as he ties the cape to his waist securely. “Much appreciated, Wizard.” He bows his head in respect.
The walk to Elf Coven Headquarters is a quiet affair. The high-ranked elves discuss in hushed whispers, leaving Avylerie and Niko to walk beside each other. “I’m glad you came back, Avy.”