Prisoners

Dauntice drifted downwards to the sea floor, his view flickered and went to darkness.

Inside the palace Farren was anxiously sitting in the throne room, her son running circles around her feet. Lyris stood stiffly in the corner and Serse sat on her own throne. They listened to distant sounds above.

"What do you think is happening up there?" Lyris said suddenly.

Farren shook her head slightly. She did not know. a particularly loud boom sounded from above sending Piyipin into Farren's arms. She cuddled the boy close to herself.

"Where is Syrona?" He asked her.

She tried to smile as she told him that everything was alright, his father would return soon enough, and so would Syrona and Sourlont.

He smiled a tiny bit and wiggled out of her arms and ran over to Serse. Serse smiled kindly at him. Lyris shifted a bit and ended up sitting down against the wall.

There was a huge roar from above.

Piyipin screeched jumping onto Serse's lap.

"Is there a monster aunty Serse?" He cried.

Serse rocked him gently back and forth.

That was when there was an odd sound. The swishing of tails.

Piyipin darted across to dive into Farren's arms. She covered his face in her robes.

"What is it?" Lyris said. She had edged closer to Farren.

"It must by Dauntice and Syrona and Sourlont returning." Farren said in even tones.

Instead they heard a single set of footsteps.

In came a girl who looked like she had been dipped in lava. She surveyed them and grinned evilly.

"Come together into the centre of the room." She ordered them, "are any of you armed?"

Piyipin was confused. Farren carried him forward, Serse and Lyris followed.

"Where is daddy?" Piyipin asked.

The magma girl smirked at him. Farren shushed him. None of them had weapons on their bodies.

"I know who you are," the girl said pointing to Farren, "and you." She added. "Serse, goddess of light, and Farren wife of Dauntice, plus I imagine this boy is his little son."

She turned to Lyris, "who might you be."

"Lyris," she said plainly.

"Go on," the girl said.

"Daughter of Epis."

"Interesting, interesting. I am Balyn, as some of you my know me."

Serse gasped.

"You used to be the ones I was forced to obey, but now you are mine. You are all prisoners of Craftus the Enderdragon." Balyn said. "You will come with me, my monsters will not harm you if you follow my directions, unfortunately Craftus needs you all in one piece." She said, with her eyes glittering slightly, "I am sure though he would not begrudge a few bites to your bodies."

Quietly the four followed Balyn, walking among the monstrous fish toward a nether portal that was lit.