Chapter 124
Part 18
They cast magical pictures in the water to show their delicate artistic architecture, and their sculptures
of all manner of sea creatures, some of which were fanciful, some extremely realistic.
Then the group was introduced to the Mer, who lived in the oceans around Xervia. While Bubniiiilduptiii
provided proudmentary, the Mer demonstrated a beautiful underwater ballet involving hundreds of
dancers swimming in intricate patterns. It was apanied by hundreds of voices in wordless
humming song, which the Mer aplished underwater and while holding their breath by keeping the
exhtions of their singing in their mouths until their mouths were full, then breathing it back in.
Finally they visited a great crowd of Selkies ying on the surface. They stayed there longer than they
had with the other aquatic peoples, simply because the Selkies were the most fun. From the youngest
to the oldest, they yed together like giddy children; chasing each other about, making great leaps
out of the water, and ying team games.
Karzmented on the amazing athleticism of the Selkies, and Prime Wisdom Gloz proudly
mentioned that a greater proportion of Selkies regrly yed in organized sports leagues than any
other race on Keran.
Mark’s party joined in on the fun withughter and abandon.
It was so much fun, and the participation of Mark’s party was so novel, that a great many Mer, Kag, and
Southernmost joined in. Even a few of the Mogitar filled part of their shells with air and floated up to join
the gathering.
A Selkie news-sharer had been surreptitiously transmitting their aquatic experience to the great
Revealing out in the dry part of the great hall since they’d entered the water, so many othernd-
dwellers from almost every race in the alliance were inspired to join the party at the water’s surface,
many of them using magic to improve their swimming and underwater endurance. The trantion
spells of the gods seemed capable of allowing anyone to converse with anyone else, even when there
were people of several races talking together, since they affected the listener, not the speaker.
Everyone who wasn’t ying and had breath for it were chatting with everyone else around them. Soon
it was the most inclusive and multi-racial celebration that had ever urred.
By the time they took their leave of the aquatic people, Mark’s group had been in the water for over
three hours. They Translocated out together, leaving bubbles in the water that were momentarily
shaped exactly like their bodies.
Then Alilia noticed that her daughter wasn’t with them, and turned to Six. “Val?” She simply inquired.
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“She’ll be out in a moment.” Six assured her.
“I’m out, but I’m over here. There’s more room here.” Val told them in a Speaking, and gave them her
location, which was near the wall at the edge of the hall, halfway between the Sylvan and The Hidden
Nation’s woods.
They joined her there, and found that she’d found the biggest open floorspace left in the hall, and she
wasn’t alone.
“This is my friend Inventive Wizard.” Val stated, indicating the young Southernmost floating in the air
beside her. “All their names are really literal. She’s only eleven, and she’s one of her people’s best
wizards already. She helped me figure out the spell she’s using that gives herfortable pressure
and the right water and air mix for her skin, and slow-speed flight that works like swimming. She helped
me make versions of it for the other races as well, as you can see.”
As she’d been speaking, aquatic citizens from all the newly-known races began appearing all around
them.
“She can’t talk right now, ‘cause we’re guiding most of these people’s Translocations.” Val continued,
then waved to a Mer that appeared six meters away. “Tiiiilta! Over here!” she called, then continued. “It
was so much fun with all of us in the water, we thought this would be a good idea. This is really gonna
be the strangest party ever pretty soon!”
And it was. By the time Val and Inventive Wizard had guided most of the Translocations and passed
the task to others, and the party had wandered over to a Staff Only Translocation circle to talk to some
servers about snacks and drinks, there were aquatics ‘swimming’ around all over the room; conversing,
showing magic views of their homes, showing off unique spells, and even dancing on the huge
dancefloor areas. A few of the Kag even swam over to the Sylvan area, and after talking and observing
for a few minutes, some joined the line for the challenge circle nearest them. One of them won his bout,
and held the circle for seven challenges before being bested by an aggressive young giant.
The groups of races blended with each other more and more as the evening wore on, and by the time
Mark announced that he was getting tired, some seven hours after they’d arrived, it was a very strange
party indeed.
“Let’s see The Hidden Nation’s woods before we go!” Fire proposed. “We haven’t done that yet, and I’d
sure like to!”
Sure, I’d like that too.” Mark grinned at her enthusiasm. “I’ll take us over there.”
He cast a mass Translocate that brought them all to the edge of the woods, about half-way along the
strip of artificial forest. An instantter they were joined by a sprite, and it was immediately obvious that
she was a goddess. Her pretty, fifteen centimeter tall form struck a proud pose in mid-air, and she
shed her wings a few times, seemingly reflexively.
“Hello, I am Bitbitta, Goddess of Hiding.
“Though this forest is artificial, and all of the citizens of The Hidden Nation who are here are only
attending as Sendings or Simcrums, you must still understand that for many of us, the need to
remain hidden is instinctual and undeniable. Within are also representations of our homes, and for
some of us, keeping our homes hidden is even more primal than hiding ourselves. Therefore, very few
outsiders are allowed within, and they must agree to and be able to follow our conditions, which are
these; you may not enter physically, and the Projection or Simcrum you use must be smaller than
myself. Also, you must allow me to ce a Compulsion upon you that will never allow you to speak of
what you will see within, in any way.”
“We agree, and thank you for the privilege.” Fire said with a big smile as she assumed a ten centimeter
high Simcrum while Sending her body home. The rest of their group did the same in the next
moment.
“Then enter, and be wee.” Bitbitta bid them as she turned and led the way.
When the group emerged from the trees and assumed their normal manifestations, they all wore the
same bemused and introspective little smile. They just stopped and smiled at each other for a long
moment, then Mark said; “Let’s go home.”, and brought them to their private beach at Hilia.
It was a wonderful tropical night, so Talia Summoned nkets and pillows for those that wanted them.
After some quiet conversation, they all slept cuddled up together on the beach.
PART 19
Ever the hostess, Talia woke first the next morning and ordered breakfast for everyone as shey
cuddled in Mark and Alilia’s embrace. She remained there and returned to dozing until four attendants
from The Atoned appeared with a wellden table that filled the air with delicious scents, which soon
roused everyone.
After rising and self-cleaning, and exchanging hugs and good-mornings, they made their selections
from the many breakfast choices avable, and the attendants served them up.
Alilia was the first to open a conversation after they’d eaten enough to ke the immediacy of their
hunger. “So Fire, I never got around to congratting you on bing Princess of The Sylvan Nation
yesterday. Congrattions.
“Does this mean you’re assuming the leadership of your quartet from Six?”
Fire shrugged and smiled as she finished chewing and swallowed. “Maybe. Six is probably a bit better
at leadership than me when ites to any other race, but with Sylvan, I think I’m a bit more effective.
Besides, it was just spontaneous. And since we do almost everything together, it doesn’t make much
difference anyway.
“It’ll sure make things easier implementing our training program.” Sixmented between bites.
“Yup. Now after all the Sylvan volunteers have joined, I can just order any holdouts to get with the
program. Literally.”