Seafoam: A short story
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 12:55 pm
Pale light filtered through the calm blue waters of Vashj'ir, the rippling surface causing the beams to dance in intricate patterns. Giant kelp fronds swayed gently back and forth in a mild current, stretching out, curling around on itself and floating lazily back mesmerisingly. Shoals of brightly coloured fish darted amongst the coral and sea turtles glided serenely past.
It was one family of these turtles that Varethyn watched. Everything was so peaceful down here in the ocean. Had he not been designed for life on land, and for all the dangers here, the hunter may well have found a way to live beneath the waves. Abyssia shifted in annoyance beneath the elf, bringing him back to reality. He sighed; his breath forming pearlescent bubbles and once again he was grateful for the shaman's water-breathing spell.
Even though most of the troubles had been averted, the naga's activities within the Throne of the Tides thwarted, Varethyn still had a goal here in Vashj'ir. When he'd first arrived due to the devestating attack on the ship he'd boarded the young elf had been taught how to subdue a seahorse to be his aquatic means of travel. While he'd succeeded, Varethyn couldn't have picked a grumpier creature. Abyssia had served her purpose well during his quest but now she was forever restless and eager to abandon her master. But the trouble was far from over. Varethyn needed a new watery steed.
He'd heard rumours of a rare species of seahorse. Roughly the same size as an abyssal but with scales the colour of a spring sun on calm waters, these creatures are amazingly shy but, once tamed, made excellent mounts. Varethyn was more than happy to track one down: he'd had many a success in finding rare creatures before. From fiery turtles to giant lions, monstrous birds to ancient dinosaurs. Heck he'd even befriended the legendary Spirit Beasts who even now kept a keen eye on their elven ally. An aqua coloured seahorse shouldn't be much harder, right?
Well, given how it has since been well over five months since he first started his search Varethyn was beginning to feel that wasn't the case.
Still he waited at one of the places these shy creatures supposedly enjoyed visiting. However he was starting to get restless himself; it had been at least seven hours since he began his search this morning. In an attempt to occupy his mind Varethyn unhitched his pack from his shoulders and placed it in front of himself, the contents spilling to either side to fit the form of Abyssia's slender neck. The seahorse squirmed slightly at the slight shift in weight. Varethyn ignored her and began to carefully take everything out. One object he treated with great care: the bundle contained cursed bones that, when touched unprotected, could turn people into naga.
Varathyn recalled what he'd learned about the snake-people and shuddered at the thought that they had once been night elves. When Vashj'ir had first sunk the elves had begged ther goddess for mercy, and had been both gifted and cursed to be naga. Varethyn both pitied and hated the creatures. Their lust for vengeance was unforgivable. The hunter handled the bones with great care. He'd allowed himself to touch them once and the result mad his skin crawl, metaphorically and literally. It was, however, a great experience and was only temporary. It was tempting now to change into a naga just for fun, but Varethyn knew all too well that Abyssia would bolt at the first opportunity if he so much as got off to relieve himself without being leashed to something.
Just as the pack's contents had been suitably rearranged a massive shadow fell over the elf. Looking up he saw the gigantic silhouette of a whale shark as it drifted lazily overhead. Not for the first time, Varethyn marvelled at how such a monster of a beast could thrive on one of the tiniest. Gallons upon gallons of plankton were sucked into the giant mouth, the water filtered out through the gills...
Abyssia jolted suddenly, a habit she'd recently picked up. Agitated by having his thoughts crashed once again Varethyn attempted to punch the seahorse out of frustration. Abyssia's tough, rubbery hide along with the resistance of the water left little effect. She was well aware of the action though and bucked savagely. Varethyn kept a firm grip, rolling his eyes hopelessly. Perhaps a bit of a swim will help loosen her up a bit. Perhaps... Besides, there were other places the aqua seahorses were said to visit; it wouldn't hurt to check.
--
It wasn't a particularly long trip, but it did the job. Abyssia decided she was hungry now so they headed back to their first spot. By now the current had picked up, threatening to sweep the unwary into the murky depths. With her streamlined body, Abyssia cut through the water swiftly. Once she arrived at her favourite kelp clump she unwound her tail and wrapped it tightly around the closest stalk, anchoring herself to the plant.
She was perfectly fine as she was, but had positioned herself so that Varethyn was buffeted by the swell. Irritated at his temprimental steed, but fearful of being beaten senseless, the elf reluctantly eased himself out of the saddle. As long as the current stayed strong the seahorse wouldn't go anywhere so he felt safe as he picked a spot within the cluster of leaves.
Minutes merged into hours, and still the waters churned as the storm overhead thrashed wildly, tearing up the normally calm waters. Silt spiralled from the floor, obscuring vision and darkening the seas. Varethyn was grateful for the shelter of this cluster; it was thick and interwoven; a barricade of leaves, keeping him mostly secure. As he waited he allowed his mind to drift as far as the turbulence would allow for. One of the few daydreams he succeeded in thinking up focused on a strange creature: part devilsaur, part proto-drake, and all bronze. It had roared, flying over what appeared to be Sholazar Basin. The elf smiled as he remembered the time he met Loque'nahak for the first time, and how he'd almost been crushed under the giant foot of one of his now beloved pets; Malladus, the green devilsaur, formerly known as Krush, King of the Basin. What this green-gold hybrid meant was a mystery, but kept his mind occupied during the storm's throes.
Finally it passed. The waters were still clouded but no longer did they threaten to sweep anything unlucky away. Tentatively the elf drifted out of the kelp clump, relieved to see Abyssia contentedly munching on a leaf. He went to remount her before she fled, when something caught his eye in the murk. Was that just the sand playing tricks on his eyes, or was that…?
Moving closer yielded the slender outline of another, riderless seahorse. Getting yet closer revealed no armour: it was wild. Finally the silt settled enough and Varethyn all but suppressed a gasp as before him, likewise contentedly eating the kelp, was an aqua seahorse. Excitement urged him to leap out to grab it, but sense told him to be slow. In a mixture the elf eased himself forwards, hurridly but calmly.
The aqua seahorse looked up at his approach. It appeared ready to flee. Instictively Varethyn stopped, waiting, trying to show he meant no harm. Several moments passed before the aqua accepted his prescence. Though, much to Varethyn's surprise, rather than swim away or continue eating... it came over to him! In response the elf drifted closer, reaching out. He didn't go all the way; he'd let the new seahorse decide. Eventually he found himself caressing the smooth blue snout, staring into those eyes, black as the abyss. They understood each other.
Overjoyed at his success Varethyn led the seahorse, now named Seafoam, to where Abyssia was. Or had been. Somehow she'd managed to rid herself of the armour the shaman had helped Varethyn apply to her to keep her from harm and disappeared into the depths of Vash'jir. Gone, just as she'd wanted. Varethyn was disappointed, but made nothing of it. Instead he retrieved the armour, showing them to Seafoam. Not long later the aqua seahorse was wearing the armour: a perfect fit.
Grinning with pride and gratefulness the elf sat in the saddle. Waiting a few moments for Seafoam to get used to the feeling, he guided her back out into the waters. Finally, he felt happy to be riding an aquatic creature. Finally, he wasn't in danger of being kicked off and left for dead. Finally, he could finish what was started in relative peace.
It was one family of these turtles that Varethyn watched. Everything was so peaceful down here in the ocean. Had he not been designed for life on land, and for all the dangers here, the hunter may well have found a way to live beneath the waves. Abyssia shifted in annoyance beneath the elf, bringing him back to reality. He sighed; his breath forming pearlescent bubbles and once again he was grateful for the shaman's water-breathing spell.
Even though most of the troubles had been averted, the naga's activities within the Throne of the Tides thwarted, Varethyn still had a goal here in Vashj'ir. When he'd first arrived due to the devestating attack on the ship he'd boarded the young elf had been taught how to subdue a seahorse to be his aquatic means of travel. While he'd succeeded, Varethyn couldn't have picked a grumpier creature. Abyssia had served her purpose well during his quest but now she was forever restless and eager to abandon her master. But the trouble was far from over. Varethyn needed a new watery steed.
He'd heard rumours of a rare species of seahorse. Roughly the same size as an abyssal but with scales the colour of a spring sun on calm waters, these creatures are amazingly shy but, once tamed, made excellent mounts. Varethyn was more than happy to track one down: he'd had many a success in finding rare creatures before. From fiery turtles to giant lions, monstrous birds to ancient dinosaurs. Heck he'd even befriended the legendary Spirit Beasts who even now kept a keen eye on their elven ally. An aqua coloured seahorse shouldn't be much harder, right?
Well, given how it has since been well over five months since he first started his search Varethyn was beginning to feel that wasn't the case.
Still he waited at one of the places these shy creatures supposedly enjoyed visiting. However he was starting to get restless himself; it had been at least seven hours since he began his search this morning. In an attempt to occupy his mind Varethyn unhitched his pack from his shoulders and placed it in front of himself, the contents spilling to either side to fit the form of Abyssia's slender neck. The seahorse squirmed slightly at the slight shift in weight. Varethyn ignored her and began to carefully take everything out. One object he treated with great care: the bundle contained cursed bones that, when touched unprotected, could turn people into naga.
Varathyn recalled what he'd learned about the snake-people and shuddered at the thought that they had once been night elves. When Vashj'ir had first sunk the elves had begged ther goddess for mercy, and had been both gifted and cursed to be naga. Varethyn both pitied and hated the creatures. Their lust for vengeance was unforgivable. The hunter handled the bones with great care. He'd allowed himself to touch them once and the result mad his skin crawl, metaphorically and literally. It was, however, a great experience and was only temporary. It was tempting now to change into a naga just for fun, but Varethyn knew all too well that Abyssia would bolt at the first opportunity if he so much as got off to relieve himself without being leashed to something.
Just as the pack's contents had been suitably rearranged a massive shadow fell over the elf. Looking up he saw the gigantic silhouette of a whale shark as it drifted lazily overhead. Not for the first time, Varethyn marvelled at how such a monster of a beast could thrive on one of the tiniest. Gallons upon gallons of plankton were sucked into the giant mouth, the water filtered out through the gills...
Abyssia jolted suddenly, a habit she'd recently picked up. Agitated by having his thoughts crashed once again Varethyn attempted to punch the seahorse out of frustration. Abyssia's tough, rubbery hide along with the resistance of the water left little effect. She was well aware of the action though and bucked savagely. Varethyn kept a firm grip, rolling his eyes hopelessly. Perhaps a bit of a swim will help loosen her up a bit. Perhaps... Besides, there were other places the aqua seahorses were said to visit; it wouldn't hurt to check.
--
It wasn't a particularly long trip, but it did the job. Abyssia decided she was hungry now so they headed back to their first spot. By now the current had picked up, threatening to sweep the unwary into the murky depths. With her streamlined body, Abyssia cut through the water swiftly. Once she arrived at her favourite kelp clump she unwound her tail and wrapped it tightly around the closest stalk, anchoring herself to the plant.
She was perfectly fine as she was, but had positioned herself so that Varethyn was buffeted by the swell. Irritated at his temprimental steed, but fearful of being beaten senseless, the elf reluctantly eased himself out of the saddle. As long as the current stayed strong the seahorse wouldn't go anywhere so he felt safe as he picked a spot within the cluster of leaves.
Minutes merged into hours, and still the waters churned as the storm overhead thrashed wildly, tearing up the normally calm waters. Silt spiralled from the floor, obscuring vision and darkening the seas. Varethyn was grateful for the shelter of this cluster; it was thick and interwoven; a barricade of leaves, keeping him mostly secure. As he waited he allowed his mind to drift as far as the turbulence would allow for. One of the few daydreams he succeeded in thinking up focused on a strange creature: part devilsaur, part proto-drake, and all bronze. It had roared, flying over what appeared to be Sholazar Basin. The elf smiled as he remembered the time he met Loque'nahak for the first time, and how he'd almost been crushed under the giant foot of one of his now beloved pets; Malladus, the green devilsaur, formerly known as Krush, King of the Basin. What this green-gold hybrid meant was a mystery, but kept his mind occupied during the storm's throes.
Finally it passed. The waters were still clouded but no longer did they threaten to sweep anything unlucky away. Tentatively the elf drifted out of the kelp clump, relieved to see Abyssia contentedly munching on a leaf. He went to remount her before she fled, when something caught his eye in the murk. Was that just the sand playing tricks on his eyes, or was that…?
Moving closer yielded the slender outline of another, riderless seahorse. Getting yet closer revealed no armour: it was wild. Finally the silt settled enough and Varethyn all but suppressed a gasp as before him, likewise contentedly eating the kelp, was an aqua seahorse. Excitement urged him to leap out to grab it, but sense told him to be slow. In a mixture the elf eased himself forwards, hurridly but calmly.
The aqua seahorse looked up at his approach. It appeared ready to flee. Instictively Varethyn stopped, waiting, trying to show he meant no harm. Several moments passed before the aqua accepted his prescence. Though, much to Varethyn's surprise, rather than swim away or continue eating... it came over to him! In response the elf drifted closer, reaching out. He didn't go all the way; he'd let the new seahorse decide. Eventually he found himself caressing the smooth blue snout, staring into those eyes, black as the abyss. They understood each other.
Overjoyed at his success Varethyn led the seahorse, now named Seafoam, to where Abyssia was. Or had been. Somehow she'd managed to rid herself of the armour the shaman had helped Varethyn apply to her to keep her from harm and disappeared into the depths of Vash'jir. Gone, just as she'd wanted. Varethyn was disappointed, but made nothing of it. Instead he retrieved the armour, showing them to Seafoam. Not long later the aqua seahorse was wearing the armour: a perfect fit.
Grinning with pride and gratefulness the elf sat in the saddle. Waiting a few moments for Seafoam to get used to the feeling, he guided her back out into the waters. Finally, he felt happy to be riding an aquatic creature. Finally, he wasn't in danger of being kicked off and left for dead. Finally, he could finish what was started in relative peace.
I can't decide whether to go for Aeonaxx or TLPD next.