After spending another night in the Kingdom of Man, the envoy entered the Nymphal Shores. At first, the forest and meadows didn't look any different from what the companions were used to within the empire. But the closer they drew to the southern sea, the more the land changed.

No other villages or roadside inns greeted them on their path. The nymphs exclusively lived at the shore and though Wooyoung didn't understand that since the east was clad in cliffs that resisted the crushing force of the ocean, Seonghwa told him to be patient and find out.

After their last night among the trees at a self-constructed campsite around a fireplace, they made it far enough south that the vegetation changed.

Half of the Nymphal Shores were fens and swamps, depending on how close to the many lakes and the ocean one travelled. A horse's hooves easily would have got stuck in the soft ground, but their bears threaded cautiously, carrying them across the thin bridges of land. 

Fishes and water-born insects surrounded them. Seonghwa saw more snakes and reptiles than ever before and he was in awe at their shimmering scales and the wingless dragons that slinked around the treetops.

Jongho wasn't so lucky in his exploration of the unfamiliar territory. He got stuck twice upon the first few hours of entering the swamps, and his weighty limbs dragged him into the squelching earth. Both times, they helped him out with a great deal of effort, but he was slow behind them, struggling against the land's draw.

"They must really like you, these swamps," Yeosang chuckled the second time they pulled him free. The golem grumbled about the wet earth and dirt stuck on him, making every step slippery. 

"They can't have me, I'm married," Jongho frowned and when bothered, his crystals learned not to have any colour at all. They were bleak and transparent. Yunho told him humans associated black with being sad or bothered, but Jongho argued black was too soothing of a colour he associated with the night and with Seonghwa, so he settled on using none. 

"Happens all the time. Handsome young lads enticed away from their marriage by the charm of rank fens," Yunho snickered as he helped Jongho brush off some clumps of earth.

"I like mountains more," Jongho stated, matter of fact. 

Before Seonghwa could call them to continue their journey and go back to describing the peculiar territory to Mingi, Hongjoong slipped from his boar. Seonghwa expected him to make a face at ruining his heeled boots on the muddy ground, but his feet never quite got there.

An invisible barrier kept him from touching the treacherous terrain. He floated just barely above the ground, but his long strides moved him still. Awed and jealous, the husbands watched how he joined Jongho's side and contemplated the massive, clumpy and now dirty golem. 

"Definitely not the best location for a journey with a golem," he sighed. Then, with a snap of his fingers, he directed his magic at him. Inquisitive about the feeling it left tingling in the fabric of the rock he was made of, Jongho looked down on himself. 

The crook of Hongjoong's finger lured him towards the sorcerer. 

"Take a step, try it out," he suggested. When Jongho did, he also levitated. Awed, he tried stomping down to meet the ground, but Hongjoong's magic caught him. While he got used to it, Hongjoong slipped back onto his bear, nonchalant about his aid. He pretended not to see Seonghwa's fond smile, studying the prideful tilt of his chin.

They resumed their journey, and Seonghwa caught Mingi up with what Hongjoong did in quiet words. As the golem toddled behind them on his new fancy carpet of magic, Yeosang snickered he could cross the oceans and seas now, and wander wherever he wanted to learn about the entire world.

Jongho reminded him he had no lungs. He could wander through the ocean anytime, at the bottom.

The rest of their voyage went smoothly. They didn't need another break since the Nymphal Shores were a small territory compared to others. Soon, the band of a bright blue ocean blended with the horizon, and Seonghwa lifted his head. The humid air clung to his skin, but his smile was bright as he turned to his husbands.

"Here we are. The Singing Swamps."

The nymphs shared one settlement, mostly out of necessity rather than a residency purpose. Most of them lived in direct nature like the dryads and saw no use in building houses. The Singing Swamps encompassed their median, acting as a capital for those visiting and preferring walls and roofs. Across the flat fens, ducked, round huts raised on legs of wood and grasses. Their line continued beneath the water's surface, and their structures were secluded and dark to mimic the feeling of being in the water even under the open sky. 

"Why are they called Singing Swamps?" Yunho asked by Seonghwa's side. Buddy panted happily next to him, so covered in a sheen of mud that his fur had assumed a swampy brown hue. Still, he looked satisfied with playing around, so Seonghwa didn't bother asking Yunho whether that should stop.

"Listen closely," Seonghwa said and immediately the entire troupe fell quiet. Even the bears stopped pawing at the curious fishes drifting near through the shallow water.

As swamps were, these also never were quiet. The ground itself groaned and spluttered, but that wasn't the song behind it. The song came from the animals, from the rare water birds and their peculiar melodic noises and the insects whose calls sounded like the rattles of an instrument. As if they sang with one another to chase a haunting hymn across the swamps, the swamps sang.

Yunho shuddered when the beauty of the song translated into eeriness for him. Especially among the rolling fogs, it sounded bewitching and dangerous. Like the lure of a dancing light in the dark, which turned out to be a monster.

Seonghwa sent his human a soothing smile.

"Don't fret, my love. The nymphs know of our arrival and they will warn us of any dangers nearby."

"They have no fighters, right? Certainly, some magic must protect their land. Otherwise, they make easy prey," Hongjoong pondered as they crossed the land toward the settlement.

Seonghwa shook his head.

"As far as our scholars tell, the nymphs keep their peace because no army can march across this territory and their reputation keeps those at bay who think they might find treasure to loot. Nymphs can tell the intentions of a person at a glance, almost as if they use magic to read your mind. Those who mean bad never resurface. And they sing," Seonghwa pondered, curious how they might read a golem most of them had never encountered before.

"They sing?" San asked, alert to everything Seonghwa told them. With a grin, Seonghwa nodded. His hair curled more than usual, stuck to his nape, yet so lively in its coils.

"Yes. In the past, they often sang to themselves. Haunting and enchanting songs in their language out by the shore. It was a cultural practice, a connection with the ocean and their own self in moments of solitude. But some rather unfortunate races interpreted those songs as an invitation, as a spell to lure them to the beautiful creatures by the seaside. Few survived those encounters, so word spread. Most races know better now than to follow the songs at sea. It has become a call for prey to some nymphs."

Seonghwa worded it elegantly, but the only race bordering the Nymphal Shores that would be foolish enough to ignore their instincts were the humans. And they were easily eaten as well. Yunho was the best example of losing his rationale to his desires.

Since Seonghwa didn't want the others to taunt Yunho, he didn't point it out further, but he felt Hongjoong's gaze on him, knew the sorcerer pondered if making a comment was worth the reprimanding look.

In the end, he left it so they could descend further towards the shore. By now, they spotted the first nymphs around, slinking between their houses and peering from the tall grasses. They blended with the surrounding nature, had hair in greens and blues and skin as pallid as the water. Some ushered to find their leaders and greet the newcomers, but most merely stared from their big, empty eyes as they crossed between their buildings. Up close, they looked to be woven from ever-wet algae that spread the scent of the sea and the moisture the nymphs fancied.

Buddy didn't like the many expressionless faces directed at them. He huddled closer to the group and Hongjoong made sure no one bared their teeth at them with the intent of eating someone. 

Seonghwa didn't distrust them. He confidently rode in their heart, the shining star in their midst. His mind was on the talks about politics and diplomacy. Now that they arrived, his stress throbbed behind his eyes again. 

Once they were in private with the queen, they could learn more about moving in these lands without getting in trouble.

Soon, they were approached by a group of nymphs. Seonghwa recognised Wynn from a distance, and he schooled his face into a careful neutralness as he slipped from his mount.

Two male nymphs accompanied her and they were as beautiful as they were eerie. With the same gills adorning their necks, the same webbed ears and hands. Their bodies were a pale grey, faint like the shimmer on the pearls the nymphs sourced from the oceans. Though they were scantily clad in some clingy sort of skirt that stuck to their hips like wet grass, Wooyoung was the only one who cast his face away with a cough.

"Welcome, Emperor Seonghwa of the Crystal Sphere. Queen Lillwen awaited your coming," Wynn greeted them. She pressed the tips of her fingers to Seonghwa's in their customary greeting, and Seonghwa politely nodded his head in his.

"Your lands are full of charm. Please guide us to where we may meet the queen and ensure my companions and our mounts have a place to rest."

Wynn beckoned them along, and everyone followed on foot. Though the ground was even softer here and covered by a layer of water, the nymphs trod lightly. Seonghwa effortlessly followed, but some of his husbands struggled. Hongjoong helped them where necessary.

Since Seonghwa had to walk next to Wynn out of respect and to listen to her, Mingi fell back to fumble by himself. Soon, Wooyoung took his large palm with a bothered sigh and peered up at the smiling demon through his lashes.

Glad they had one another, Seonghwa listened to the melody of Wynn's voice.

"We prepared a feast in your style, as well as music and dance. Lillwen is overjoyed to have such an influential visitor since she rarely gets to go all out on festivities," she told them, and Seonghwa hummed in wonder.

"It wouldn't have been necessary. For the queen's liking, we shall indulge and celebrate this memorable meeting with each other."

They were not the first envoy of the empire to visit the Nymphal Shores, but the first who sealed their diplomatic talks after forming an alliance. Though not monumental to other kingdoms, it was important for their peace. 

"I will teach you everything you need to know about our people during your visit. And though I know it is not customary in your lands, consider putting a leash on your human, Moon Emperor. The nymphs are smiling at him already."

Seonghwa cautiously threw a glance over his shoulder. Hungry eyes were stuck on Yunho and his tall, handsome form. At the emperor's worry, the other husbands immediately took him into their midst to shield him. Yunho was pale as a sheet, but he didn't protest his presence.

"If possible, I would like to avoid that. Are there other ways to show he isn't a meal to your people?"

Wynn led them through the doorless entrance of the biggest building around. Water splashed where it led into the depths through a soggy square in the stone ground, and the husbands gathered at the pool, ready to descend. 

"We shall brief with the queen and hope our people understand. After all, we are allies now," Wynn assured. While she readied to bring them down, Seonghwa stuck close to Yunho to signal everyone he was with him.

Maybe Yunho shouldn't go on his nightly walks with Buddy alone while they were out here.