Dungeon of Doors

~ Tekel, Aquartis ~

I let out a yawn, enjoying the distant chatter of the marketplace. The noise normally ruffles my feathers something awful. Out here on the edge of the basin? It is a nice reminder that I'm not alone, even during my fishing trips. Speaking of fish, I can feel the water rippling beneath my boat. Some more fish must be swimming their way out of the fog.

My legs shake as I stretch them. I stand up, balancing my weight carefully as I peer over the edge of the boat. My eyes scan the water where the murky silt meets the clear open waters of the basin. I spot what looks like a fish moving out and wait for it to get beneath the boat. My eyes widen as I see more details. This fish has limbs, two of them along with a strong fish tail. Conflicting thoughts swirl through my head as I watch the strange looking animal swim out of the murk. It probably has a lot of good meat on it, but I don't know if I want to eat a fish with arms. Sounds gross somehow.

I shrug, moving closer to the edge as I stretch my wings out in preparation. I have to grab the fish before it can get away from me-

The boat rocks as the fish I was just looking at surfaces—I fall on my ass, letting out a disgruntled squawk—and the fish I was just planning on catching grabs ahold of my boat with its hands. It has hands! The strange creature stares at me with sparkling eyes, wearing a smile on its face.

"Hey there, are you a tengku?"

The fish speaks! Or maybe it isn't a fish at all? I clear my throat before offering them a reply.

"Ahem. Yes, I am a tengku… You are?"

"Oh, I'm Pearl."

Behind the fish calling herself a pearl something else surfaces. Unlike the pearl fish this one wears extensive clothing. It also lacks any fins, beating arms and legs, but no talons nor beak. Its hood droops over most of its face whilst leaving its mouth visible. The aura of this being is completely at odds with the fish calling itself a pearl.

"Pearl, I believe they were asking what species you are, not your name."

The voices that come from this creature's mouth are frightening, to say the least. Three different sets of words layer over each other as if multiple beings compete to control the body. I shudder at such a thought. Pearl—apparently being named Pearl, not a pearl—doesn't react with the fear I feel toward this other mysterious being.

"Oh! I'm a mermaid, my name is Pearl."

"I see… I am a tengku, as I said, and my name is Tekel."

If either of them notice the quiver in my voice they don't comment on it. I turn to look at the cloaked being who is accompanying Pearl. My gaze carries expectations of an introduction, hopefully one that will glean some information about this thing.

"I am Vivian. Pearl is my daughter."

So she is a mermaid as well. I can only assume, thought there are several questions I have for these two visitors. The first being how they emerged from the fog we have not been able to traverse. Those who were stupid enough to try came back disoriented and confused. They insist they swam straight, only to come right back out.

"How did you two..?"

"Come through the fog? I opened the way. Now anyone can traverse the fog if they don't stray the course."

Vivian can do that? Just what kind of being can open up something like the fog? I shudder to think what might have happened if I attempted to catch either of these two like the fish we regularly eat. Another question comes to mind as I glance nervously between the two.

"Sorry if this is rude to ask, but are two women, men, or..?"

"We're women, obviously?" Pearl replies with a snort.

"Pearl, don't be rude. Tekel has never seen our kind before."

I feel a bit grateful for Vivian's wisdom. Though Pearl looks less happy, pouting softly as she leans against my boat. I should probably invite the two of them into town. Hospitality is best served to those with power, and Vivian feels more than powerful!

"Would you two ladies like to join me for tea?"

Pearl tilts her head at me like a curious animal. Vivian nods immediately.

"Yes, we would be happy to. Please lead the way."

"Certainly! Right this way."

Turning away from the two, I awkwardly begin moving my boat back toward the town. I can feel their eyes on my as I push the craft with my oar. Powerful things are something I can't fight myself—I pray these two aren't here with ill intentions. I hear a whisper from behind me. Are they conspiring against me and my people?

"Psst, Mom, what is tea?"

Relief washes over me like a splash of cold water. I can't believe I expected something sinister.

"It is a drink. Served both hot and cold, usually made with plant extracts."

An accurate explanation, though one of the most popular varieties of tea here is fish oil tea. Best not serve that kind to these fish adjacent creatures. Wouldn't want to accidentally offend them.

We arrive at the edge of town to an audience. I spot Fraka waiting near the front of the group with a wide eyed look on her face. She helps grab the front of my boat and tie it to the pontoon's edge. Whispers exchanged between the onlookers put me on edge. We can't have a cold reception for two guests.

"What is this?" Fraka hisses to me quietly.

Rather than return her hushed speech I pull myself up into standing on the pontoon. I turn to regard those gathered and project my voice so that each and every one of them can hear me speak.

"Attention, everyone! These two are to be our honored guests, as they are responsible for opening the way through the murk!"

Gasps and disbelieving murmurs ripple through the crowd like a splash on the surface of water. A pang of doubt hovers in the back of my mind as I wait for a more unified response. Fraka is the first to step forward and address the two standing behind me.

"Is what Tekel says true? Did you two part the fog?"

Pearl opens her mouth to speak only to stop when Vivian moves forward. She climbs up onto the pontoon, her cloaked body dripping water as she draws herself onto the walkable surface. For an aquatic being she has surprisingly stable legs. She looks evenly at Fraka, her smiling lips visible.

"The fog hides a path now, and anyone can follow it."

"So my senses weren't lying… I had thought I was imagining the change."

"You can sense it?"

Fraka nods to Vivian, and the slightly shorter cloaked woman tilts her head slightly. I can't read her expression because of the hood and her mouth resting as a flat line. The doubtful whispers turns to excited chattering as the others begin to step forward to introduce themselves. I watch with raising brows as Vivian is surrounded by eager tengku.

"What are you exactly, are you a fish or a bird?"

"If you parted the fog does that mean you're some kind of witch?"

"Thank you! You must bless my unhatched young, it would surely secure their future!"

Each of these excited comments made by the others is drowned out by new words from others as the mood of the crowd swings in a new direction. The excitement of the scene is growing dangerous as I watch Vivian take a step back toward the edge of the pontoon.

I clear my throat and step forward, sweeping my wing out to get those crowding our benefactor some space. I'm struck by the realization Vivian is actually nearly a beak shorter than me.

"Ahem, everyone! Give our guests some space!"

Some disgruntled exclamations and understanding replies mix back at me. I turn to Vivian, still finding it both amusing and strange that she is of smaller stature than I. Those multiple voices she speaks with as one make her sound like she should be more imposing.

"Miss Vivian, would you and your daughter care to go someplace less crowded?"

"Actually, it would be best to stay someplace with water. Pearl cannot traverse land like I can."

I stiffen slightly at my own misstep. I turn to Fraka and give her a pleading look. She sighs before turning and helping me corral the crowd into a more manageable state. We get everyone to give us some space with some convincing, insisting we will let them speak directly to the guests of honor after initial talks.

Once things have settled down some I depart to fetch the tea and a sitting mat for Vivian. A quick check on the eggs as I do so puts my nerves at ease. I make sure to brew the seaweed variety rather than fish oil. It is on my way back that I see a strange sight. Fraka is seated on the pontoon beside Vivian and Pearl, talking their ears off. Earlier she seemed so suspicious of the two!

As I walk back over I catch a snippet of conversation.

"Tekel would probably love that! He's a sucker for puzzles."

They turn to regard me as I place the sitting mats down for us along with the tea. Fraka is quick to pour herself a cup, sipping on it before making a face. She turns to me, scowling, as if I have offended her by not making her favorite fish oil tea.

"What's up with this tea? This isn't fish!"

"Fraka! I was trying to be courteous to our guests-"

Three simultaneous giggles turn our heads to look at Vivian. She's laughing at us like we're discussing something amusing, and she waves her hand flippantly.

"Please, neither Pearl nor I are fish. Though I can't say I'd like the taste of fish tea."

I cough, hiding my embarrassment as Fraka rolls her eyes at me. Pearl looks almost as amused as her mother. Tea is served to the group. Between quiet sips I decide to ask what they were talking about when I arrived. It did concern me, after all.

"So, what is it that I'd be interested in?"

Vivian is the one to explain.

"I didn't come here just to say hello. I've got a proposition, one involving a challenge for visitors calling themselves humans or adventurers."

My brows furrow at her description of these visitors. Perhaps when she opened the fog she knew it would bring those kind of people to us? I can only imagine what a human must look like. Hopefully not any weirder than Vivian and Pearl. She continues explaining.

"I want you to come up with a challenge befitting any adventurers that arrive here. They will need to acquire all the fragments of a particular object in order to progress to the next leg of their quest."

She produces an object from beneath her cloak. It is a metal disk with irregular edges and strange patterns carved into its surface. With a simple pinch she breaks the disk into several neat slices. She places them on the pontoon surface.

"You may refuse my request, but it would mean a lot to me, and I would be willing to compensate everyone involved greatly."

"Compensate?"

"Food, materials, perhaps even magic."

Fraka slams her talon on the pontoon with the enthusiasm of a hatchling, her voice coming out as an eager squawk.

"Deal! We'll do it, for the magic!"

Unfortunately Fraka's eager actions have caused a problem. I watch in horror, beak agape, as the fragments of the precious object Vivian was showing us all fall into the water. I scramble to get up in order to retrieve the lost item when Vivian places a hand on my shoulder.

"It's fine. They can be easily remade."

"T-They can?"

"Yes. With this, you will have a regular supply."

Vivian pulls a small ordinary looking wooden box from her cloak. She unlatches and opens it to reveal another disk. She taps a strange pattern on the bottom of the box's lid.

"This rune will recreate the item once per day. If an adventurer is looking for the item's fragments and you don't have them, you can simply tell them to come back tomorrow."

"I see. And you want us to test these adventurers? Make them work for the item?"

Vivian nods slowly, "You are at liberty to create whatever kind of puzzle, challenge, or game you like in order for them to collect all the fragments and complete the item."

My beak tilts upwards, parting just slightly in a grin.

"We'll do it, Miss Vivian!"