*19*

"Fresh mackerel! Two seventy a pound!"

"Cold water cat anglers! Three fifteen each!"

"Two forty-seven a pound for tuna-cudas!"

I stared in amazement at all the strange, colorful fish. Some I recognized from Earth, while others seems to be hybrids, or completely new species. It was amazing to see all these new fish and other products. Why hasn't Crae taken me here sooner?

"Kyrene, look!" I turned to see Mystic holding up a silver necklace. "It's a rare protection necklace! It keeps bad spirits and Demons away! The silver acts as a barrier while the pendant has a salt stone. Nothing bad can touch you!" She skipped over to me and clasped it around my neck.

I held up the clear, sparkly pendant. "I love it! Thank you!"

"That will keep the pesky Demon from ever touching you again." She said as she stared at my arm. "Don't ever take that necklace off, you hear?"

I nodded. "Understood."

"Let's keep going." She placed a few coins on a stall for the guy and we left. We headed farther into town, seeing all the sights and street performers this place had to offer. I held onto my staff in awe as two people with very long and pointy ears did tricks with streams of water while balancing on balls of air.

"Breathtaking, isn't it?" All I could do was nod in response. "There's new performers every day. No one knows who's going to show up next. Come on." She pulled me along as one of the performers winked at me. I giggled and looked away. Why was he staring at me?

It took us nearly another hour to reach the edge of town. Millpost is definitely larger than Silver Valley. There's more shops, more people, and more entertainment. There's so much going on in one day.

After a short rest, Mystic brought us to the edge of a wide, clear river.

"Okay," Mystic sat near the edge. "Take a seat. Today is going to be easy for right now. All I'm asking you to do is speed up the current."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Speed up? I don't quite understand."

"It's easy," she stuck her hand in the water, gentle ripples cascaded around it. "Just move your hand a bit in the water, like so." She moved her arm back and pushed it forward. The bubbling of the river grew a bit louder. She pulled her hand out a bit, leaving her finger tips in. After pulling her arm back a bit, she submerged her hand once more and moved it forward. The ripples and the stream moved faster with each pass she did.

Two passes later, she pulled her hand out of the water. "The river will right its current on its own. Just give it a few moments. When you feel you're ready, go ahead and try it out."

"But what about the Merfolk and the Naga?" I asked as I cast a wary eye at the crystal clear water.

"The Merfolk don't come this far inland," she explained with a wave of her hand. "The water is too shallow for them to swim upstream. Stick your staff in real quick."

Cautiously, I stuck it in. The water came half way up my staff. "In order for the Merfolk to swim unhindered, they need at least three times that depth. The Naga are more gentle and won't harm you. They'll be curious, but they won't hurt you."

I nodded slowly and pulled my staff back out. I stuck my other hand in the water and pulled it back. When I swung forward, the current picked up tremendously, almost making me fall in.

Mystic caught me and pulled me back. "Try moving your hand a bit slower. The faster you move, the faster the current."

"Right, sorry..." I felt my cheeks warm up with embarrassment. I have to be careful. I don't want to get accidentally swept away.

Once the water calmed down, I tried again, this time moving my hand a lot slower. I grinned when it actually worked. "Look! I'm doing it!"

"Wonderful!" Mystic clapped her hands. "You're doing great! Keep up the good work. I'm going to head back into town real quick to grab some food. I should be back in about fifteen minutes."

"Wait, you're leaving?" I asked worriedly. "But I can't be left alone!"

"It's okay," Mystic whistled. Two seconds later, two Nature Fairies came out of the trees. I glanced behind me as the river bubbled. Two water Fairies waved to me. I waved back slowly.

"These guys will watch you." She said as she started walking away. "If something goes wrong, they know to get you to safety. I'll be back shortly!" With that, she left the way we came.

"Hello, Orelie!" A water Fairy greeted me. "My name's Trickle. This is my brother, Drip. We've heard so much about you from the Fairies in Mellow Woods."

"Yeah," one of the Nature Fairies giggled. "Fern just doesn't stop talking about you! Always bragging about how she found you first. Is it true though?"

I nodded and turned back to the river. "Yeah, Fern was the first to discover who I was. She even explained it all to me when I was doubting everything Crae was telling me."

Trickle scoffed. "That Crae doesn't know how to speak gently like us Fairies. Always so blunt and straight to the point."

"At least you'll know we can explain things in a calm, simple way," Drip included as I started moving the current again. The two Nature Fairies sat on my shoulders while the Water Fairies gave me tips and suggestions.

Out of nowhere, a head popped out of the water. I scrambled back a bit as the Fairies let out a shocked cry. How did we not see it coming!

My eyes locked with intriguing green ones. Slowly, the head moved closer to the edge of the river. More of the body came out of the river. I was captivated by the pale blue skin and slightly darker blue scales that scattered along the neck, upper chest, and arms of this being. It's dark turquoise hair clung to its shoulders.

As the alluring creature started to climb out of the water more, the Fairies were suddenly in front of me, blocking its path.

"That's far enough!" Trickle snapped.

The creature grinned. "I just want to play." Her soft, melodic voice filled the air as she reached a hand for me. "I like new things."

"She's not a toy!" Drip stated firmly. "Shes our responsibility! Go back to the ocean, Merfolk!"

I'm guessing this particular Merfolk is one of the bad ones. "Come now, don't be like that. We're all friends here."

"Not with you!" Trickle zipped in front of her face, making her slip back into the water a bit. The Merfolk glared at the Fairies.

"Go get Mystic!" Trickle said to one of the Nature Fairies.

"No!" The Merfolk hissed. "Not that witch!" With a flick of her wrist, water doused all four Fairies. They all fell to the ground.

"Our wings!" Drip gasped. "Kyrene! Use your Wind to help us dry off!"

"I don't know how yet!" I said in a panicked voice. "I just barely know the basics for fire and Nature!"

"Then this will do nicely." I glanced back to the Merfolk as she lunged from the water and grasped my ankle. I screamed as she used her tail to pull us into the water. I lost a hold of my staff and plunged into the frigid river.

I fought and kicked with all my might to get away, but my movements were slow in the water. I thought Mystic said Merfolk couldn't come this far inland? This one must have found a way. I tried grabbing onto stones and anything else I could reach for. My breath was quickly running out, since I didn't have time to get a lungful of air.

Wait, the current! Maybe I can move it to benefit me! I swung my arms back as far as I could and thrust them forward. I felt the water rush around me as the current sped up to rapids. The hand on my ankle released and I kicked towards the surface.

My head broke through and I took in a much needed gasp of air. I tried to stand but found this part of the river to be deeper than where Mystic and I were.

My blood suddenly ran cold as I flailed my arms and legs. I don't know how to swim. I coughed water out of my lungs as I tried to reach the edge of the river.

"Help!" I gasped out as the current started to slow. "Somebody!"

"You're not getting away!" A voice growled behind me.

A body suddenly rammed into mine, pushing me closer to the river's edge. I grasped the ledge with a shaking hand and tried to climb out.

"Filthy Naga!" The Merfolk suddenly hissed. "Stay away from my toy! I found her first!"

"Go, human!" Hands pushed me out more. "Get away while you can!"

"I got you!" Strong hands gripped under my arms and I was finally pulled from the water.

"No!" I was laid on my side to help the water flow out of my lungs. "Mark my words! You will be my new toy! I don't share!" There was a splash, then silence, aside from the river rushing.

"Are you alright?" A male voice asked as I coughed up a mouthful of water.

I sat up and held my chest as water gushed out my mouth and nose. "I'll-I'll be okay..." I gasped out once I could breathe easy.

"Young child," I turned a bit to see a deep violet skinned torso coming out of the water. "I am so sorry you had to go through that." She came completely out of the water, revealing her snake-like lower body.

I nodded slowly and coughed once more, my throat burning. "It's not your fault. I'm alright. You're a Naga, right?"

She nodded, her wet black hair falling around her. "I am, yes."

I smiled up at her. "Thanks for helping me."

"You're very welcome." She bowed at her waist. "Though, if this Elf hadn't been here to pull you out, that Merfolk and I might have been playing tug-of-war with you."

I looked up and gasped. "You're that performer from before!"

He grinned down at me. "Glad to see you recognized me."

"Thank you for pulling me out of the water." I said as I sat on the ground.

"No worries, my dear." He smiled. "One can't simply ignore the cry for help from a damsel in distress."

I turned my head away as my cheeks heated up. "I'm glad you didn't ignore my cry for help."

"My job here is done," we faced the Naga as she slithered back into the water. "Until we meet again, child." I waved to her as she submerged herself and swam off.

"Can you stand?" The Elf asked as he got up and held his hand out. I nodded and took his strong grasp. "I'm Fenin, by the way."

"Kyrene." Fenin helped steady me on my feet. I shivered from the cold and wrapped my arms around me.

"Oh, here." I glanced up as Fenin reached into a bag on his back. "Wear this; it'll warm you up." He draped a soft, heavy red fabric over my shoulders. Almost instantly, I felt myself warming up. I sighed to myself and pulled it closer around me.

Fenin chuckled. "I always wondered when that would come in handy. Let's go sit down."

I glanced back up the river. "But I have to find my staff."

"You use magic?" He asked eagerly. "That's wonderful! What class are you?"

"I'm an-" I quickly cut myself off. I'm not supposed to be saying what I am. "I'm a Druid."

He hummed to himself as he guided me to a log to sit on. "A human Druid. One of the most common. Were you born in Fucrya or on Earth?"

"Earth, I think." I replied as my body warmed from my cold experience. "I don't remember most of my childhood. I was passed around from different family members and caretakers."

"I see." I looked back up. "Well, you're here now and you can start expanding your magical horizons. What can you do so far?"

"Well," I thought for a second. "I know the bare basics of fire, a little of nature, and I was starting to do more with water."

I suddenly gasped. "Mystic! She must be really worried about me!"

"Is Mystic your master?" Fenin asked as he stood with me.

I shook my head. "No, she's a friend of my master, Crae."

"Oh."

"I'm actually not supposed to be away from him." I said as I removed the warm fabric. "He's probably gone on a rampage to try and find me. Here, thanks for letting me use this."

"No, keep it." He raised his hands a bit. "I don't have a use for it."

"Okay," I draped it over my arm. I stared up the river and sighed. "I have no idea how far I am from where Mystic left me."

"I'll help you look," a gentle hand was placed at the small of my back. "We can't risk anything else happening to you."

I nodded. "I agree." We walked in silence back towards the general area I was practicing at. As we walked, something began chattering in the trees. We glanced up to see small silver and green orbs flying over our heads.

I grinned. "Nature and Wind Elementals!"

"Maybe they can help us." The Elementals suddenly took off. "Or not. Either way is fine I guess." I giggled at Fenin.

We continued walking a bit more. The sound of the river current made us stop and glance at it. My eyes widened as Mystic suddenly appeared, as if she was standing on top of the waters surface. My staff was strapped to her back.

"Kyrene!" She jumped onto the land and raced towards me. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry for leaving you! I had no idea that Merfolk would somehow make it this far up the river! Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay!"

I tried to pry her tight embrace off me. "I'll be better if you weren't crushing me..."

"Sorry!" She squeaked as she let go and held my upper arms. "I really am sorry for this. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"It's alright." I smiled up at her. "I'm okay now. Fenin and a Naga helped me escape."

"Fenin?" She glanced behind me and her expression dropped. "Oh."

"Nice to see you again," Fenin said awkwardly from behind me. Then it dawned on me that he wasn't looking at me back then. He was watching Mystic.

"The feeling is mutual." She stated as she pulled me behind her. "Thank you for saving her. We really must be going now. No doubt her master is turning the world upside down looking for her."

"Until we see each other again." Fenin bowed and walked off into the forest.

I looked up to Mystic, who was staring after Fenin. "What's going on between you two?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing. Let's go." We walked back to her place in complete silence. Neither of us spoke a word about what had happened.

I'm not sure about Mystic, but I know I'm worried about what Crae would say once he finds us. He's going to be so angry that Mystic took me, and even more mad knowing that I went with this plan and didn't try to talk her out of it.

I'm not looking forward to the consequences.