To my surprise, of everyone I knew, it was Jeff who strongly opposed Nailla and me bonding. This despite her arriving well ahead of me, swimming the waterways, while I took my time resting, recovering, reading, etcetera before making my way to Helulo National Park. I had no doubt she'd used that time to try to talk him into supporting us.

But Jeff looked at me levelly, his arms folded over his bare chest, and said, "She's an aggressive, carnivorous predator tied to the water. Believe me, I've seen many bonded, and you two just aren't that compatible."

He was so right! I had to resist the urge to nod vigorously and thank him for his sage advice. "Do you know anyone else who could help her then? Perhaps, um, a sailor?"

"High risk, no reward?" He shook his head. "Besides, people who work on the water tend to be the least friendly to water spirits."

Oh. I hadn't thought of that.

"I asked around here, but although we hate the Breeders and no mistake," Jeff continued, "We can't afford to get caught up in legal troubles with them. While we waste our resources defending ourselves, it's the park that suffers."

The animosity and rivalry between some branches of the Tamers and Breeders apparently resembled that between the Adventurers and Mercenaries. But instead of swords and daggers, the battles were mainly fought with words and laws, as in taking each other to court, lambasting each other in the papers, or whispering against each other in important ears.

It all seemed faintly ridiculous, and only more so because the two guilds could be fast friends elsewhere, or deeply in each others' pockets, anyway. (How did that even work? Were they squabbling one moment and then partying together the next, with only a portal hop in between?) It became significantly less funny seeing how the situation tied Jeff's hands, except for offering information and advice.

"I know you want to help her," he said, "But you're more likely to do harm to both of you. Bonds can go very badly..."

As he continued to speak calmly and reasonably, I bit my lip and considered what to do. Unfortunately, I couldn't simply reassure him Nailla and I didn't plan to stay bonded, what with the Scholars' confidentiality contract. In fact, I couldn't let slip enough clues to chance him piecing it together for himself, which meant either not bonding to his best knowledge or pretending she was a normal familiar up until she returned to the ocean, hopefully with her sisters, leaving me to fake a bonded bereavement.

I'd seriously rather avoid the latter, which entailed much awful but necessary deception, not to mention the potential for it to become comically complicated. This was why I'd worked so hard to manage the bonding process without the Tamers... never mind that was like performing amateur skydiving without a safety check. Even the arrogant Mages were known to consult Tamers when casting Familiar Bond. Tamers were the undisputed experts, plain and simple.

But I hadn't considered said expertise would translate into refusing to help me. How was I supposed to change his mind?

The answer stumped me, but then I thought of seeking a different Tamer. I hadn't forgotten that enterprising gatekeeper who'd talked my friends into working for free. He wasn't working the front today, but Jeff remembered and called him little Brandon, and I found him pretty easily.

Sure enough, unlike Jeff he had no compunctions about aiding me in 'ripping those coin-sucking Breeders a new one.' "If you get in, look for any lawbreaking," he said eagerly. "Unsanitary conditions. Holding some species without a permit. Here, let me get you a list. Abuse--"

"Wait," I interrupted, too astonished to contain myself. "Abuse? They're keeping undines without enough water!"

"Different rules for monsters and beasts. Also, different depending why you're holding them. Farming? That's one set of laws. Pets? Another. Studies and experiments? You'd probably know more about that. So if these undines dry out and are replaced with new water spirits meant for reselling, it's the second set that are protected from abuse."

"That's... that makes no sense! In the first place, monsters--"

I was ready to launch into an entire argument on the semi-arbitrary delineation between monster and beast, which was heavily determined by historical precedent, public perception, and competing interest groups, much like the laws governing drugs. But Brandon forestalled me.

"Hey, I agree with you," he said quickly. "I didn't make the rules here. I'm just letting you know what's what, so you can catch them with their pants down. Sorry, I mean expose them. Expose their lawbreaking!"

I nodded absently, considering the matter. "Even if I find an actionable offense, though," I pointed out, "I'm not sure how much would be admissible evidence considering my likely methods of access and egress."

"Huh?" He stared at me blankly before shaking his head. "You're the Scholar. Figure it out."

In my experience, 'you're the Scholar' was most commonly used as a self-effacing excuse rather than encouraging compliment. But Brandon did stay involved, expressing his opinions on my plan for infiltrating the Breeders... or lack of one. My suggestion of accompanying a legal inspection team was promptly shot down, since said inspectors were scrupulously strict and neutral. None of my other ideas held water either.

We'd fallen into a glumly stagnant silence when I thought to ask, "Oh, is it all right to teleport in or out of here?"

"Leaving us so soon?" He looked at me as though doubting whether I'd return.

"I work a weekend job," I said shortly. Unlike my lessons with Senior Grace and Learned Westwick, I couldn't just reschedule that for later.

"Must be nice to work so little." The look he gave me was decidedly less friendly. "And you can still afford to burn Scrolls teleporting? Bah, I knew it, adventurers get all the gold."

"Actually, it's more the Scholars," I said. "I'm training Scribe, learning to make my own Scrolls."

His resentment dropped significantly, but the avarice replacing it was possibly more unwelcome. He began not-so-subtly prodding me to donate to the park's cause, emphasizing the many Scrolls that could prevent fires spreading or help heal instead of force-feeding potions. Gah, he reminded me of a Merchant!

When we finally returned to the topic of teleportation, he said it was possible but prohibited. "Unfortunately, there's simply too much space to cover and budgeting's tight -- do you know how much it costs to run a park this size? -- so our ward net sends up an alarm, tags teleports out, and tries to redirect teleports in. Go out if you want to teleport." He then resumed telling me how more Scrolls could improve or save lives.

At least he was as good as his word, and Nailla and I soon met with one of their local spell bonding specialists, introduced as Madame Belrosa. She was an imperious-looking older woman with two long greying braids framing her incongruously smooth cocoa-colored skin. I was worried she'd take one look at me and Nailla and react like Jeff, but instead she said, "You two are both willing and wishing to take the next step?"

"We are," I confirmed. Nailla simply bowed her head, uncharacteristically respectful.

"Do I hear tell you're incompatible?"

I looked down and nodded, my heart sinking... when she snorted and thumped her staff. "Incompatible? There's no such thing! That's all big brain words them Scholars use." When I looked back up, startled, she was smiling toothily. "Bonding's forged from the heart. When you fall into a friendship, do you stop to decide why and how and when? No! Stop using this" -- she tapped her skull, hard -- "and start listening to this." She pounded her chest. "So I ask again. You two sure you want this?"

Nailla and I exchanged looks, both of us feeling inexplicably chastened. We turned back and spoke in unison: "Yes."

"Then you're nearly there. Have you shared much of yourselves with each other?" We both hesitated, the silence feeling slightly guilty. Thankfully, she continued, "Spent much time together?"

I started to reply, but Nailla answered first: "Yes and no." I turned to her in surprise. Her eyes flicked to me briefly before she clarified, "She gifts her time to me, and so it is precious as pearls. But she does not linger long enough for water to freeze or ice melt."

The Madame nodded as though Nailla had spoken perfect sense. "These things cannot be rushed. You should spend more time together, best if not always on each other."

Seeing our confusion, she clarified, "A bonding is made of big parts but also little parts. Once bonded, you'll be sharing each other's space always; see if you can manage it without jumping to fill in words or actions. Become true companions before you become lifelong partners. When you cast Familiar Bond, it should feel natural, like you're confirming what you already know you have. Like water freezing or ice melting, a natural state of the same thing."

She smiled at us, a big beaming smile full of warmth. "Oh, and try to say at least one nice thing about each other every day. Everybody likes to hear compliments!"

With that, her attendant scooped up Nailla's container -- a large vase filled with water -- and we exited the tent. The Madame resided in a roving camp that periodically visited each of the Park's settlements but preferring living in the wilderness. Fortunately for us, they also conveniently camped near sources of water.

I felt Nailla's instant gratification and relief as she leapt from the glorified flower pot into the nearby stream, disappearing under. Sitting down, I stared into the pebbled shallows and waited... and waited... until she resurfaced, finally, in a considerably better mood.

"Um. Do you want to talk about what she said?" I gave her an awkward look and added jokingly, "Shall we start on the compliments now?"

Nailla started to deliver an undoubtedly pointed response and paused. We eyed each other for a long moment before she said, "I am fond of your soft heart. It is not one that would have survived the ocean's trials, but I think better of you humans that you could have such."

"Oh." I flushed, not expecting her to take me seriously, and flustered by... that. "Thank you? I like... I love your music. I've always thought your voice beautiful, and when you sang... I will never forget it."

She eyed me with embarrassed displeasure. "That is two!"

"I don't think we're supposed to ration our compliments," I said dryly.

"Very well. Despite the disappointing results, I found your spells peculiarly beautiful. You did craft the one yourself?"

I knew which she meant. "One of my most difficult yet," I admitted.

"And Familiar Bond?"

"That one's also tricky, but not for the same reasons." I sighed. "It, it's based on feeling. And wanting, I suppose. And our bond."

"Will you teach me?"

I blinked at her in surprise. "Um... teach you runes?"

"No, just Familiar Bond. Swim me through what each part means, why it is troublesome. Maybe it will help if we work together on the spell meant to bind us together."

I thought about this and nodded. "All right." I didn't think this was what the Madame meant by sharing ourselves with each other, but I didn't see the harm. Maybe Nailla really would improve our spell. And I'd felt her brief awe looking upon my three-dimensional crafting. I'd understood it.

As though sensing the direction of my thoughts, she said, "I could teach you to sing."

"Um." Just the thought made me flush with self-consciousness. Performing where anyone could hear, where Nailla would... "Thanks, but no? I'd rather just listen to you sing, if you would."

She went still. "You wish to hear me sing?"

"Yes? I just told you, I love it?"

It was difficult to explain how eerie she appeared in that moment. Not threatening, but unnatural. Previously she'd seemed partially of the stream, but now she held herself apart, an unmoving statue.

Finally, she spoke. "You realize our music is normally unwelcome."

"Oh. Let me guess, everyone flees or attacks when you sing?" I surmised. "That isn't because we don't love your music. It's because we do, and we're overwhelmingly drawn to you, and then you water spirits eat the unfortunate victim."

"Yes. I know that."

But she felt shaken. I supposed even if her rational mind understood the reasons for her poor audience reception, she couldn't help internalizing that response as rejection.

"We ordinarily do not sing except in direst threat... or when we feel safe," she confessed.

I considered this for a moment. I felt a little sad as I understood why this would likely be true, and also... "I'm glad I've had the chance to hear it then."

I wasn't surprised upon returning to find Jeff and Primrose waiting. He was more stoic, but his familiar gave me a look of reproachful disappointment. "You're resolved, then?" he asked.

"Maybe you're right we aren't compatible," I said carefully, "And that we shouldn't go through with it. But unless we figure another option... we're currently exploring our only one."

"And if you do bond? Do you even have a plan for after?"

"Um... approaching different Breeder facilities and seeing if Nailla senses anything?"

He went outwardly quiet, but I could sense his loud incredulity. Primrose signed, 'Is she charmed?'

"No." Jeff heaved a sigh, raking a hand through his hair. I looked away rather than stare at how the motion showed off his musculature. "Unfortunately. Undine magic doesn't work like that."

I thought that was the end of our conversation, but as I was preparing to return to Wilton, he approached me again. "I think I better introduce you," he said.

To my astonishment, he was flanked by two three-tailed foxes. One was a vibrant orange with white markings and nearly bouncing on the pads of its feet, all three of its tails waving energetically. The other was a darker rusty red with brownish and silvery patches and sat primly with its tails curled, so a lesser eye might've spotted only one and thought it ordinary.

"Leonard" -- Jeff gestured to the first -- "and Rudolphus" -- he indicated the second -- "meet Rowena."

"Call me Leo!"

"Rolf."

I couldn't help wondering who'd chosen those names. "Rena. Um, nice to meet you."

"Isn't it?" Leo did bounce on its feet a little, reminding me disarmingly of a puppy, even as I knew three tails signified the magical fox equivalent of Silver-Ranked. "Jeff says you want to help others trapped in the smelly place!"

My heart leapt. "You were held by Breeders?"

"We were! But Rolf fooled the humans into taking us out before bonding. Then we ran like the demons of Hellsfell were after us! I thought it'd be boring with them, anyway, though they had really tasty snacks..."

"No such thing as free food. The idiots expected us to fight for them," the other fox said with obvious distaste.

"Wait, you talked them into letting you go?" I said. "Outside?"

"Rolf's really good at lying!"

"I do not lie. I argue for an alternate truth."

"See? He's doing it right now!"

After such an introduction, I was hopeful they could be a real help to finding and rescuing Nailla's sisters. But as Rolf pointed out, if they had such knowhow, they might've escaped themselves without resorting to tricking their buyers.

"So you haven't seen or heard of any undines?" I clarified.

"Just the one!" Leo said, and then before I could get too excited, "Said her name's Nailla? Isn't that pretty?"

"Oh, you know each other?"

"Just met! We talked to her before agreeing to talk to you."

"Um..." I was starting to see why Jeff hadn't mentioned or introduced them earlier. "That was smart of you, but can you think of anything helpful?"

"The nice-smelling human."

"The... what?"

To my relief, she smelled nice from gardening and feeding, not... never mind. "She looked out for us," Leo said. "She often smelled unhappy with the other humans, but she was always happy to see us!"

"Not always," Rolf said. "But she did promise to help us however she could. Before we left, she said if we were mistreated or needed anything, we could message her."

I was dubious when I heard just sending to 'Serena' in the Breeder's Guild should work, but I agreed to try. Frankly, I didn't have a better plan than grasping at straws. And besides, I was sort of curious to meet this supposed celestial.

In fact, this was one of the first things I did upon returning to Wilton. I made sure to include personalized details from the foxes in my message, and of course, I paid extra for it to be anonymous but answerable.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a response the very next morning. In short order, 'Serena' and I made arrangements to meet in the Companion's Guildhall, a nice neutrally public locale. Bessie and Tom were sitting at a nearby table, while Blake was lurking in the rafters. And I was... not coming as my possibly soon-to-be lawbreaking self.

While working at the Adventurer's Guildhall in full disguise, I had a sudden brilliant idea. See, enchanted masks were common enough, but sellers could often be bribed and buyers traced, ruining the whole point. It was safest to buy a disguise while already disguised, much like needing money to make money. Even then, I could maybe be traced -- my mask wasn't one of the obscenely expensive artifacts defying description -- but it would be significantly more difficult, especially since I'd borrowed one of Blake's cloaks and pulled the hood low before expeditiously making my purchase.

Also, despite the companionable (ha) atmosphere in the tavern, it wasn't so suspicious to attend incognito. Paired with the red handkerchief knotted around my arm, I possibly seemed like I was here for a mystery tryst, or so Bessie had suggested, giggling and clearly having fun. I thought I looked more like a participant in a shady business deal, which incidentally was close to the truth.

At noon on the dot as agreed, a prim-looking young woman of slender but athletic build hurried in, looked anxiously around, and spotting my red handkerchief, joined me at my table. "Do you know where they are?" she said. "Are they safe?"

I liked her immediately for her clear priorities and concern. "They are," I said, trying for reassurance, though my words sounded impersonal through the voice modulator. "I apologize for the cloaks and daggers, but I don't know you. Leo and Rolf simply suggested you might be able to help."

She looked at me suspiciously. "Help with what?"

"You know those two escaped less than ideal living conditions?"

"Yes..." She looked and felt sad for a moment. And guilty. "I did the best I could for them."

"So they said." Wow, I almost felt like I was playing a costumed character. I reminded myself this was serious business, even as I delivered my preprepared lines: "I would like to extract others in worse situations."

Serena looked at me with real sympathy, shaking her head. "I know conditions could be better, but they're more often worse out here, where magical beasts have little to no rights."

"It can't be worse for them."

"Which are we talking about?"

I instinctively looked around and lowered my voice. "Water spirits. Undines."

"Undines?" she repeated incredulously. She stared at me; I merely looked back, waiting. "So you came to me. To free..."

Her expression was carefully neutral, but her body had gone rigid, and more tellingly, she felt tense and suspicious. Still, I had to ask: "Will you help? Can you find out where they're held, at least?"

She continued to study me for some time, feeling conflicted and worried. But as the silence dragged on, her emotions changed strangely. She began to feel... excited? Hopeful?

Coming to some decision, she took a deep breath, glanced around furtively -- we were probably drawing more attention by our obvious wish to avoid it -- and leaned in close, whispering, "I'm Serena Beste."

She paused as though waiting for something. I just barely caught myself from giving my own name. "[Scribe]," I whispered instead before adding at a normal volume, "Well met, Serena. Or Miss Beste?"

She looked at me oddly. "You... have no idea who I am, do you?"

"Um... sorry?" I said after I'd hurriedly reviewed her name and come up empty.

"Aren't you in the Tamer's Guild?"

This seemed important to her for some reason, but as I didn't know why, I hedged, "I'm new to all this. I just want to help."

But she was already closing off, both in her posture and emotions, though I could sense her disappointment. "Look, I'm sorry, but I won't work with someone lacking any credentials. You could have met Leo and Rolf anywhere. Unless you're willing to unmask..."

She didn't really believe I would, though she wanted to be convinced. Something had been building in her earlier; she felt to my senses like a rose just starting to bloom that had prematurely wilted.

I did consider unmasking right then and there... briefly. I didn't think I should make such a reckless decision unilaterally. Also, to be honest, I was afraid she'd take one look at my less than impressive self and jump ship back to safer, stabler shores.

"Why does my identity matter?" I asked instead. "Especially compared to the well-being of creatures in your keeping?"

She frowned in thought before answering, "The Tamers could help give me something I want."

"Which is?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Show me yours first. But I'll tell you this much, since you should've known it already. My family, the Bestes, are some of the top Breeders dating back to the founding of the guild. Except I'm a bit of a black sheep. I firmly believe we should care less about our bottom line and more for the innocent creatures under our care. It's stalled my progress in the guild, but my name still opens a lot of doors."

She gave me a pointed look while I stared at her wide-eyed, though thankfully my mask should hide my reaction. That... could work. It could really work. With her help, rescuing Nailla's sisters wouldn't just be a tentative hope, a remote possibility. She might be exactly who we needed, a semi-trusted insider...

Who had a price, apparently. "Won't you tell me what it is you want?"

"Not until you put some of your own skin in the game. If you're under a secrecy vow or something, there are ways around that. Let me talk to Leo or Rolf."

I hesitated. "Let me think about it."

"You know how to reach me."

With that, she stood up and strode out, leaving me shaken by how fast things were suddenly proceeding. Here I'd expected to beg a low-level employee for any information, and instead I'd gotten a disgruntled guilder with high-level clearance who might be willing to take on a more active role.

It almost seemed too good to be true. But she did want to help, she did want something, and of course there were ways to test for the truth.

If anything, I felt guilty for my own deception. I'd quickly realized the easiest method for gaining her trust: showing off an ultra-rare familiar. But I told myself this was for a good cause, and it was also fitting that Nailla play a significant role in seeing this through.

We hadn't had much extra time together, and we once again weren't using a Tamer. I didn't even reserve a ritual room this time; instead, Nailla and I picked out a secluded area near her river, and I drew out the circle right there.

Still, our second bonding seemed a lot smoother. I wasn't sure if this was because we had more experience, better attitudes, were on the same page, or what. Possibly the environment helped: Nailla relaxed in her river, and I found to my indescribable relief I could enjoy reading. I was still slightly restless and significantly lower on mana, but the raging waterfall of her presence had been reduced to a mere cascade.

As importantly, when she pushed and I pulled, we were able to just barely squeeze her into the bond. Unfortunately, it gave me a distinctly queasy and uncomfortable feeling, like I'd gulped down too much water all at once. We practiced moving her in and out of the bond without any improvement except in appearances (managing to look like we knew what we were doing).

But the true test was Serena Beste. I'd rented a private booth at the Companion's Guildhall this time, and after her punctual arrival, I drew the privacy screen and offered to display my familiar.

Her eyes narrowed. "You're willing to show your familiar but not your face?"

"You'll understand when you see her."

She only felt more suspicious, but after a pause, she nodded. "Go ahead."

I called Nailla from our bond. She formed in the booth with us, looking nearly human in the intimate setting with her tail tucked out of view. She even smiled without showing her sharp teeth. "Hello."

Serena had shrunk back in fear and alarm, but to her credit, she soon straightened and responded in kind: "Hi. An undine! Don't you need water?"

"We do," Nailla said solemnly, and with a light touch to my sternum, she disappeared back into our bond.

Ugh, my stomach didn't like that. Plus the feeling was a little like I'd thrown up then swallowed. I was glad the mask hid my face.

Meanwhile, Serena was experiencing a cocktail of emotions: primarily satisfaction, but also anxiety, determination, hope, regret, resentment, excitement... too many to name. "That's why you're looking for undines?"

I inclined my head. "She's desperately worried for her family."

"I get it, I think." She twinged with guilt before shaking her head. "Family's important, even when you sometimes want to strangle them. I... when I was a child, I fantasized about freeing my favorites and walking out. But then I'd be abandoning the rest of my charges, and nothing would change. Besides" -- she laughed bitterly -- "who would trust a Beste? That's why... I'll be blunt with you. I would like to say my motives are all pure and selfless, but when you came to me with your request, my first thought was this could be my chance. Still, I think... I believe I'm doing the right thing."

To my relief, she meant it. I wasn't only relying on my Empathy; I'd also rented from the Scholars a truth stone for the day with a not inconsiderable deposit.

"You should know," she continued, "If I help you, I... won't be welcome in my home or guild anymore." She felt resigned, a little sad, more anxious, but mostly excited and determined. "I want you to promise you'll get me in with your guild."

Um. Wait. "That's what you want?"

"I want a job more suitable to my goals and talents," she confirmed. "I may be a Beste, but I love magical beasts, I'm a hard worker, and I have three Intermediate Skills already!"

I... really wanted to agree. I thought they could surely employ her in Helulo National Park, which was so huge her family would never find her if she didn't want them to, not that they should think to look for her there. I didn't see why the Tamers wouldn't want her, especially considering their rivalry with the Breeders, and... in the worst case, I could probably donate some Scrolls or something.

But no, I should ask rather than make promises on the guild's behalf. Sighing, I told her the truth. "I'm sorry, but I don't have the authority to make you an offer. I don't see why you wouldn't be accepted though? If everything goes well?" My voice trailed off awkwardly, even through the modulator, as I realized how unconvincing this sounded. "But. I can talk to... If you give me a week, I can come back with the guild's answer."

She studied me, looking outwardly composed but feeling excited, anxious, hopeful... "Wait, how much does your guild already know? About the undines?"

Um. Again, I stuck to the truth; I might not be the only one who'd come prepared with a lie detector. "Some Tamers know of my goal, but they have reservations."

"Let me guess, they said don't trust a Breeder? Especially a Beste?"

I nodded, relieved she'd said it. "Yes. I'm sorry."

Her eyes softened, and she looked at me sadly, even pityingly. "Don't be. There are valid reasons for your guild not to trust mine, and my family even more. I'm sorry yours doesn't support you though. I know what that's like."

She cleared her throat and looked away, feeling faintly regretful and solidly determined. When she looked back, her eyes were hard and clear. "If that's the case, I would rather you didn't talk to them just yet. Stuffy elders rarely want to try or risk anything, though they're happy enough to reward success and reap the benefits. I think your guild's likelier to call off this whole thing than give their blessing to a Beste. No, if we return with the mission a success, they'll probably be much more agreeable. Besides, what's that saying? 'It's easier to beg forgiveness than gain permission'?"

Wait... "So you'll do it?" I said. "You'll help me free the undines?"

"I'll find them for you and direct the way," she said, "But I'm not collecting a whole swarm of undines myself. Are you ready for this?"

I swallowed and looked under the table. Still white. She'd told only the truth today. Or all right, hadn't told outright lies; my truth stone was on the cheaper end. But coupled with her impassioned plea and the emotions I sensed from her, I was confident in trusting her.

Which meant there was no reason to back out now. "Yes," I said. My truth stone flickered yellow. "Or as ready as I'm likely to be in a reasonable timeframe." White.

Nailla roiled within me, compounding my anxiety-induced nausea. I hoped that wasn't an omen. This was only my... fourth quest? And my first not through the Adventurer's Guild. A side quest, some would say. Also my first initiated by me, not by my team. My first up against other humans. My first breaking the law...

Oh merciful magic, of course I wasn't ready. But the quest was on, and at this point, I could only plot and pray it would go well.

...or at least not too terribly wrong?