Under current tensions
Raelith walked through the underwater village with a curiosity he couldn’t satisfy. He watched everything in awe. Two little girls were playing not far from the castle gates.
He smiled as they were squabling over some doll or something. Raelith turned and walked to his right. The vibrant corals glowed in shades of purple, blue, and green, illuminating the path ahead like nature’s own lanterns.
Fish of all shapes and sizes swam gracefully past him, their scales shimmering like a thousand tiny mirrors. Some were so translucent that it seemed as if they were floating through the water like ethereal spirits.
Raelith paused, his attention drawn to a small group of villagers gathered at the market square near a tall, ancient statue that once belonged to a long-forgotten godess. Their murmurs weren’t of commerce or celebration, but of something deeper.
He could feel the tension in the air. There was a subtle unease among them, a kind of hushed defiance. Eyes darted nervously, glances exchanged, but no one dared speak too loudly.
Raelith’s steps slowed. The peaceful charm of the village seemed to blur, as if he had entered a different world entirely. The castle gates he had noticed earlier loomed ahead, beyond the market square, a symbol of the royal family’s rule.
His gaze lingered there for a moment, catching sight of guards standing at attention. Their stern faces gave nothing away, but the faint glow of their armor hinted at something more than just royal protection. Something like control.
A quiet voice interrupted his thoughts. “Raziel!?”
Raelith turned. A woman stood before him, her long silver hair flowing like strands of moonlight in the current. She wore a simple, yet elegant, coral-hued tunic, but it was her eyes were sharp, intelligent, wary, that caught his attention.
“Me?” he replied cautiously. “I’m am not Raziel.”
“Yeah of course not, come here boy?” She motioned for him to come closer.
He walked toward her he managed two steps before five men snuck up behind him and knocked him out.
A wicked expression curled onto her lips. “Take him to the caverns.”
“Of course Mistress.” The men carried Raelith away.
Issac’s footsteps echoed in the great hall. He walked directly into the throne room where he found Xanther and Relana.
“Grandmother, I need a word with you.”
Xanther laughed, “Perfect, I need a word with you boy.” He stood up and walked down meeting Issac. He stood eye to eye with his grandson.
A low tone of warning, “Issac, I need a word with Balthazar. I have been told you know how to get a hold of him.”
Issac raised a brow. “You sent my father to his death, so first, why would I help you? Second, He is dead how can you speak to him?”
Xanther growled deeply. “I know you are lieing to me boy, I have seen the signs.”
A merthless laughter, “If I did know, do you think he would want you to know? You are not a member of the Obsidan Cabal. Only they know how to get a hold of Balthazar.”
Xanther harshly clicked his teeth together. “Boy, if you do not work with me I will consider you an enemy to the crown and I will be forced to take your home as property of Nexus.”
Issac’s eyes softened and he took a step back. He shook his head. “I am sorry My King. I do not know how to get a hold of him, but I might know who could. But he is in the fae wild. Do you have a way to get me to the wild?”
Xanther studies Issac’s transition with curiosity. “We can ask Renaldo. He is one of the few that can travel to and from the wild.”
“Please, and I will seek out the Nameless one there and see if I can get in touch with Balthazar. It is being rumored that his soul was caught in Felendor’s curse.”
Surprise crossed Xanther’s face. “That actually makes sense.” He became lost in thought and exited the throne room.
“That was well played my boy, what is it you really came here for?”
Issac smirked. “I really do need to get to the fae wild. I need to find my boy. Powerful people are looking for him. And I need to protect him.”
“Your boy?” Relana stood.
“Yes, umm, The last few years I have been frocefully detained by Renaldo.” He chuckles with a hint of bitter sweet. “I raised a human boy that I don’t think was human.”
Relana laughed, “Oh Goddess, we have wondered where you have been.”
Issac growled, “Don’t make fun of me, it was actually really nice. It was just me and him. We grew our own food and it made me think of my Dad, and how I never got to spend any time with him because of Xanther. I adore my son, love him even but my hate for Xanther has only grown.”
“I see.” Relana watched him for a moment. “Issac, you came here for my mirror havn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have something of his?” Relana turned and starting walking to a door in the back of the throne room.
“I do.”
“Come with me. Let us go see if we can glean what Renaldo’s plan is.”
“Thank you Relana.”
“Don’t thank me yet. You may obtain more questions than answers.”
Together they walked through the door and into a large room full of potions and witch craft supplies.
She led him to a wall where a large mirror hung on the wall. Relana stopped and scanned her eyes over the mirror. It’s edge was adorned in a frame of Gold and silver.
She sighed, “Do you have your item?”
He handed her his old bow. She takes it and observes it. “This was hand crafted.”
Issac’s smile spread. “I made it by hand.”
She smirks, “You really did enjoy your time with him didn’t you?”
“I did and I just want to protect him.”
“Alright.” she offeres the bow to the mirror.
The bow melts into the surface of the glass. Images began to fill its silver surface. A young child, with large pointed ears played while King Elderak stood in the background.
Issac gasped, “He is a Royal Fae?”
“shhh, it isn’t finished.”
The boy grew and stood beside a fae woman. With two boys standing before them. Relana gasped. “Well this explains a lot.”
The final image a man of blue and gold robes with long black hair and glowing sapphire eyes. It spoke.
“Tsk tsk, Relana, you should not be mettling in my affairs.”
The glass turns silver again. The mirror melts and turns into a puddle of liquid at their feet.
“Goddess, Renaldo is working on something big and it appears you are dead center of it.” She crossed her arms. “I can not help you further and the mirror does not exist any more.”
Issac frowned. “I don’t care, send me to the wild grandmother. I know you can.”
“On one condition. You get me in touch with Balthazar.”
He growled, “Fine, give me a few hours. I must find Dalric first.”
She smirked. “Take your time, I will send you after I speak with him.”