Flashback Delving deep (Tap)

[Aq Sulei U'sij]

Fall 1, 496

Aq (and Sulei, though he seemed to be unusually quiet – almost as if he was not present at all) stared down thoughtfully into the water far below. Muscular arms wrapped loosely about bare knees, he was barely visible in the darkness. A quarter moon shone fitfully through clouds that scudded across the blackness beyond. It would seem they were due for a storm. But for the Akalak, his dark vermillion complexion made him practically one with the shadows of the surrounding foliage, as it danced in the capricious breeze.

The water was far from inky, though, as one might have expected so late at night. The queer algae that grew within its depths, covering the sides of the caldera where the natural subterranean spring bubbled up, gave off an eerie luminescence. The water reflected and refracted the unearthly greenish-blue, and the outlines of many of the sub-surface structures were plainly visible. It was beautiful – stunning in fact, and Aq was glad that he had made the effort to find the place.

It was almost hard to believe, that he was on The White Isle. The Konti were held in awe by many other races, but possibly none more so than his own kind. The only race of females who could easily bear an Akalak’s child, without risk of death, and who could match the huge, deep hued warriors year for year in long life. The most sought after partner, for child bearing, for a life-mate – and here he was in the cradle and home of those mysterious beings. It was a first for him. he had travelled to many cities already, as deckhand on this trading vessel or that one. But never here, until now.

This topic wasn’t exactly on his mind at the moment, though. He had enough beer in him to think that checking out the Deepwater Hole, and maybe doing some night diving, might be a good idea. He’d climbed up to the surrounding cliff top with two mates of his from the ship – The Dolphin – and they’d looked down for a bit, talking about what might be a safe trajectory. Then they’d sat and then eventually, one mate had said he needed a piss and had wandered off and not come back. Too craven to even admit that he was too scared to jump. The other had more in him than Aq, and soon enough was slumped over on his side, snoring lightly. Now Aq sat alone, contemplating going back to the tavern where they’d been drinking – maybe finding his other mate and taking the P out of him for slinking off like that. Of course, Aq had yet to take the plunge himself. His swimming skills weren’t exemplary and even his beer soaked brain told him that he should be careful.

He sat, caught in the inertia of fatigue and alcohol, and made no move to rise – until he saw something down in the water. He looked carefully, and saw it again, moving through the pool. Was it a fish? He rose and leaned over the edge of the rock to get a better glimpse.