“I’m already more convinced to kill the two of you now than I was before,” Watson admitted. “Because there’s no way you’ve been gone for this long!”

“I understand that this isn’t normal,” Bergmann said. “But you’ve got to trust us on this one. Just look at us, we’re nowhere near as young as you. Do you think we would be this thin, this frail, and this decrepit, if we had not been gone for this long, or even longer?”

“Even if you were,” Watson said. “Why would you come back?”

“Allen and I were hunters on a fabled expedition north, to the High Arctic,” Bergmann explained. “It was an expedition intending to find, and to claim, a passage to the isolated Arctic Ocean, and see if the Vicegerency could initiate trade with anyone living there.”

“Any notable Striders you had?”

“Two,” Allen said. “Perhaps the most famous of all Striders. The Erebus and the Terror.”

What?! Watson asked. “You’re kidding?”

“You know of them, do you not?”

“Those Striders were never heard of after that one expedition that went north a long time ago,” Watson explained. “Wait…those two Striders. The Erebus. The Terror. Who was your Commandant at the brigade?”

“Franklin,” Allen said.

Watson shook at the revelation. His chest heaved. His heart stuttered. His mind perplexed. The same Commandant he had heard about for years returned. “Franklin was declared dead after the expedition went awry. All the hunters that went on that expedition north were declared dead, as none of them returned,”

“And yet here we are,” Bergmann said.

“Show me your irons,” Watson said. “All hunters have harpoons with their names engraved on the irons. I would see them for proof.”

Bergmann and Allen relinquished their harpoons to Watson. He sheathed his own, and examined the ones they handed right back to him. As he scrutinized the irons, and caressed their tips with his fingers, he eyes the rust, the scratches, and the dents on the irons of the harpoon. On the ones Bergmann handed over to him, near the upper right corner of the flues, were engraved his name in full.

Allen handed over his harpoons. Watson examined them, and came to the same conclusion.

“These irons are freezing cold,” Watson said. “And they have your names on them.”

“Do you require more proof then that?”

“How are you two still alive?” Watson asked them.

“We don’t know ourselves, but we have a theory,” Bergmann explained. “It has to do with the ice at the Arctic itself. It appears to be…a good preservative.”

“Particularly a preservative of flesh and organic life,” Allen explained. “Our Striders were trapped by the menacing ice floes for a long time. At one point, they were so hectic that we crashed right into one. Unable to move around, we would sleep right near the ice walls for shelter from other creatures.”

“When we awoke, we found ourselves buried in the ice and had to get out,” Bergmann said. “You could almost say we got lucky,”

“You awoke near your Striders then?”

“No,” Allen said. “Just near the ice,”

“Why only you two? Did you seek out the rest of the brigade?”

“We tried,” Bergmann said. “With all we had. Even the two of us could not find them.”

“Nobody else up north?”

“Not for a long while,” Bergmann said. “We tried seeking help from anyone. There was noone. Noone at all. They were too far, and the ice had sealed most pathways shut. We even cracked some of the ice with our harpoons, and it almost wasn’t enough.”

Franklin went on a fool’s errand, then, Watson noted. “You two could not seek out the rest of the brigade on your own, so you fled the ocean and tried to return home. To get Tridention to aid in the effort.”

“Hopefully we can,” Allen said.

“Jane is going to love this alot,” Watson noted.

“Jane?” Bergmann asked. “As in Franklin’s wife? That Jane?”

“Would you believe it? She’s still alive,” Watson said. “Even I have a hard time believing it.”

“I’m surprised you even know her,” Bergmann said.

“She’s sleeping now so I’d suggest you wait,” Watson said. “Jane would love to see the two of you though, if this is the case. She’s been trying to nag at the Vicegerent to get the same relief expedition you two are trying to vouch for. And so far, she hasn’t been lucky.”

“For how long?”

“Ever since I met her and she’s been doing that,” Franklin says. “Rumor has it around the city she’s been trying to get that same expedition running for over a century and more. And has not stopped. I would honestly believe it.”

“Such dedication,” Allen noted. “And every time the Vicegerent denied it,”

Watson lightly nodded, leaving Bergmann and Allen almost awestruck. “I would say that your presence is proof that the expedition survived. But even then, I don’t think the Vicegerent will opt to send another one. He seems to be rather in denial over it.”

“She has been trying on her own to vouch for that expedition before we both even showed up. And the expedition already caused enough dread about the Arctic Ocean. It’s no wonder, then, that the Vicegerency is scared of treading to the far north again. He deems it too risky and wants to keep what he has at peace.”

“To be fair, the Vicegerency was always against it,” Bergmann said. “Even before the High Arctic and the Northwest Passage came to light. Franklin only wanted the expedition to redeem his tarnished image. He wanted to keep his reputation. Even after a stellar track record he wasn’t liked.”

“Couldn’t let go of hubris, could he?” Watson asked.

“I’m afraid not,” Allen said. “I feel bad. But it still gives me hope. If the two of us survived out there, and made it back. There might still be a chance.”

“Bergmann, Allen, the two of you are very lucky,” Watson said. “I hope you realize that. But if anyone else was just as lucky as the two of you are, they would have found a way to make it back on their own too. Or at the very least, you would’ve helped them.”

“We separated from the main brigade and drifted to seek some hunt for food on our own,” Bergmann said. “And that’s the last thing we remember. Anything else before that, we only barely remember the routes we took to get to the Northwest Passage. Or to at least try to.”

“You say the Vicegerent lost all interest in the High Arctic many years ago,” Allen said. “Any idea what his name is?”

“You should know we’re not accustomed to speak his name,” Watson said.

“I know but we need confirmation,” Allen said.

“Aquaticus,” Watson said. “He goes by Aquaticus.”

“It’s not the same one then,” Allen said. “Perhaps we still have a chance.”

“Aquaticus must be a newer Vicegerent, or one who had just recently risen to power,” Bergmann said. “Long after we went on the expedition. He might not know much at all.”

“Then we will try anyway,” Allen said. “This Jane person. Do you know where she is?”

“I know where she lives, but I won’t take you there now,” Watson said. “Now I’m in dire need to sleep, and the two of you have bothered me over it. Even the Vicegerent might not be awake at this hour. You also happen to be in luck; I promised Jane I would talk to the Vicegerent about this accursed expedition. Needless to say her insistence has gone way too far.”

“She must really want this then,” Bergmann said. “Made sense for the commonfolk to presume she was already lost to the world,”

“To the world? More like only to this city and nowhere else. I pray the rumors about her mythical insistence do not tread beyond the city’s walls,” Watson said. “But anyway, she got into an altercation with two hunters guarding the entrance to Whitehall. They barred her from talking to the Vicegerent. The Vicegerent does not want to take any drastic measures so she is kept at bay by them. But I don’t even think that will work.”

“Surprised the Vicegerency is so patient,”

“That’s the only exception they’ve made so far,” Watson said.

Watson now realizing who they were, and what has transpired, was motivated to relinquish his irons and put them back in his sheath. Then he unwrapped his own scabbards, donning off his irons, and hanging them on the nearby wall of his home. He then returned to his own bed and prepared to lie down. “Has anyone noticed you on the way to the city?”

“Only some hunters, but they recognized our harpoons and gear,” Bergmann said. “They must’ve assumed we were coming back from a brigade and had tailed behind,”

“Surprised they weren’t freaked out about how you two look,” Watson said. “I would expect no less from them. Tridention’s hunters have fallen from grace over the years. They’ve eased up. I even have to put a few of them in their place, while not Commandant anymore.”

“What a shame indeed,” Bergmann said. “Must be getting easier around here.”

“I don’t advocate for complacency, because you never know,” Watson said. “With that said, I will do the same with you. Seeing as you two were formerly hunters, and were able to get away with a long vacation it looks like.”

“Prolonged, and unintended,” Bergmann said.

“I’ll be going to sleep now,” Watson said. “If you two so wish, I have some rations from the Slaughterhouses to the far northwest. Alphestes was kind enough to give me a few more. Have you two had anything to eat? Have you hunted anything on the way here?”

“Certainly not enough, Commandant,” Bergmann said.

“I’ll let that slide for now,” Watson said. “Feel free to eat. I only ask that you leave a ration for my daughter. She doesn’t know when she needs to eat something or not, so I do what I can.”

“We will be fine,” Bergmann said.

“You may stay here if you want, but sleep on the floor anywhere, just don’t bother me or wake me up by accident,” Watson said. “Understood?”

Bergmann and Allen nodded.

“Good, now I need my rest. In the morning we’ll sort out this mess. I want to settle this affair once and for all,” Watson admitted as he turned to his own bed and lied near the corner. “Pisces, are you alright?” Watson asked.

“Yes, I’m fine,”

“Come to me, I would have words,” Watson said. “Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble,”

Though hesitant initially, Pisces caved in and went to her father. Cradling him near his chest. Watson kneeled ont othe ground and approached her. “They didn’t scare you, did they?” he asked.

“Don’t hate me for this,” Pisces said. “But you were scarier than them.”

“This whole time?”

Pisces was silent throughout the response, but even in silence it struck with Watson. He immediately recognized where the problem itself lie. “We should not take too kindly to strangers so easily,” Watson said. “You know I was only concerned about you,”

“I know,” Pisces said.

“And for that I will not apologize,” Watson said. “You have to understand that this is just how I am. I don’t regret being like that at all. Because it will always be worth it to worry more about you than anyone else. Do you understand me?”

Pisces still remained silent, cradling Watson by the shoulders.

“Now, you should go back to sleep,” Watson said. “This has already been a hectic night, and I want to sleep the rest of it away,”

Watson tried to push Pisces away from him so he could return to sleep. But she held even more firmly than before, refusing to let go. So Watson obliged and stayed still, allowing Pisces to stay warm in his embrace. “Let me just get to sleep,” Watson insisted.

Pisces went with Watson back to the bed. As he lied down, back on the bed and staring outward against the coral ceiling wall, Pisces simply cuddled right next to Watson and hugged him. “Are you going to help those two guys now?” she asked.

“I can’t even believe I’m saying this,” Watson said. “But they speak the truth. And if so, they’ll need alot of help. I can’t even imagine what that would be like.”

“What do you mean?”

“Imagine being gone for that long,” Watson said. “Gone for over 170 years from a hunting expedition. Maybe you had friends. Maybe you had family. All of them might be gone. And you’re left in the world alone with absolutely nobody. You would have to start anew, with new relationships, with new friends, with new comrades. All anew again. What would you do then? That would be terrifying. I can’t even imagine how my life would turn out if I was in that spot.”

“That must be very scary,” Pisces said. “Is that going to happen to us?”

“I doubt it,” Watson said. “The truth is, this isn’t supposed to happen at all,”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is,” Watson said. “That normally, once you are gone, you are gone. For good. For it has been told by the Waynian Faith. For from Nature we have come, and to Nature we shall return. And we’re not supposed to return at all. It almost makes me think, how did they go back to Nature and return back again? I often wonder if they even went at all.”

“If we’re supposed to return to Nature after we have come from there, then that means we haven’t gone there yet if we come back,” Pisces said. “It means there is still time before we have to go there. I wonder what it’s like.”

“You don’t want to know,” Watson said. “Not yet, at least,”

“Why?” Pisces said.

“It’s a costly question to answer,” Watson said. “Appreciate what you have now; it’s far too valuable. And far too beautiful.”

“I will,” Pisces said.

“Good, now get some sleep dear,” Watson said. “I’m glad you didn’t cause any more trouble this time around.”

“You always accuse me of that,” Pisces said.

“And for good reason,” Watson said. “Unless you want to prove me wrong.”

“I already did today, but fine,” she said.

Pisces placed her head on Watson’s chest and collapsed to a slumbering sleep. The soothiness of her hair was enough to comfort Watson, as he started to lose his focus, shut his eyes out, and collapse into a tumbling sleep.

He stared upward at the ceiling of his homes, only seeing coral. But over time, as he grew more weary, he would only see black. Then his eyes would shut. And he would get the sleep he craved for after a gruelingly long day.

Watson checked the rations and his house at the dawn of the new day. “Would’ve thought the two of you already ate everything in sight,” Watson warned. “You don’t look like you’ve ate anything at all. How are you two even still alive?”

“You’d be surprised how little one can get by on, Commandant,” Bergmann insisted. “Abstinence and little sustenance were needed, especially for the two of us, to travel the way we did. From the Arctic across the other Oceans.”

“I don’t know if I could ever pull off such a feat,” Watson insisted. “Truthfully, I wouldn’t dare to try. But you make a good point. Pisces, have some food. Don’t waste it all though. We only have this for the rest of the week.”

Pisces did as told and had some snacks to munch on. From the remnants of a grouper, to the tail of a halibut. She munched until her stomach had seemed content.

Watson donned his harpoons and prepared for the day. “I hope the two of you are ready. Don’t be surprised if anyone starts giving you odd looks.”

“It’s to be expected,” Bergmann said.

“We’re heading to Jane now, let’s go,” Watson said.

Bergmann, Allen, and Pisces all trailed Watson as he left his house and went to the other side of the city. Watson looked for Jane near her bed, realizing she was not asleep. “Jane!” Watson insisted as he scoured the house. “I see you’re not sleeping; I hope you’re not looking for more trouble again.”

“You caught me at too early a time, Watson, what’s the matter?” Jane asked.

“I brought you some guests, Jane,” Watson said. “You’re going to like these two very much, I think,”

“I haven’t had any guests in over a century,” Jane insisted. “Who in the Waters would want to come see me now? Better not be a hunter trying to vindicate me,”

“We have no intentions of doing that, Mrs. Franklin,” Bergmann said as he bowed his head and introduced himself to her. Allen followed suit. Watson simply watched, as Jane turned around and looked right into Bergmann and Allen’s faces.

“My oh my, you two look like living skeletons,” Jane insisted. “Who in the Waters are you too?!”

“Bergmann. Allen. We were two hunters from the fabled expedition Franklin went on to the Northwest Passage,” Allen said. “That very same one,”

“Wait, what?!” Jane asked. “How do you two know Franklin?”

“We were with him when the expedition went out, while he was still alive,” Bergmann said. “Or at least, while we last saw him while still alive,”

Jane dropped her knives, allowing them to float mid-water. Then she turned right to Bergmann and Allen to stare at them. “Where’s Franklin? Where is he? Did he come with you?!”

“I’m afraid not,” Bergmann insisted. “We don’t know where he is. But we have a plan to find him.”

“You two are still alive!” Jane noted. “Is Franklin still alive?! Tell me right now, is he still alive?!”

“We really din;t know, Jane,” Allen said. “We really don’t know. But if we get that relief expedition up there, we can find out,”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this right,” Jane said. “You two, are from the same expedition that Franklin went on to find the Northwest Passage. That far north. In the High Arctic. You saw him.”

“We did,” Bergmann said. “But you have to understand, this was a very long time ago.”

“I’ve waited that long,” Jane insisted. “You don’t even know where the Erebus and the Terror are?”

“We tried to find them, and failed,” Bergmann said. “We really did. Watson here said you’ve been trying to get the Vicegerent to send another expedition. Between all of us, we have a chance now.”

“I’m in,” Jane said. “Watson said he would take care of business. I would say he already is about to do that.”

“Couldn’t leave you here in the house while I’m with these two bizarre gentlemen,” Watson said. “We should go to Whitehall now. I’ll talk to the hunters; he’ll allow us to get up the shaft to the Console Room. Then we’ll have an audience at least with the Vicegerent. He will then decide what to do. At best, we’ll get one more chance to persuade him. And we’ll hope he gives us the relief expedition he wants. One of the thirty-five brigades at least.”

“Hard to think the Vicegerent, to this day, was too paranoid to have one out of thirty-five brigades in the city dispatched to the High Arctic again after the last one failed,”

“That does not surprise me actually, the Vicegerent cares for each of his brigades individually,” Allen said. “He might have more brigades than any other city in the Seven Oceans, but that doesn’t mean they’re all expendable. In other words, he’ll need a very convincing argument for sending one of these on an expedition.”

“It’s a good point,” Watson said. “These expeditions have many hunters’ lives involved. He has to weigh them carefully. That alone might be the biggest problem.”

“But they had no problem with Franklin going on one of those expeditions with two of perhaps the most legendary Striders in the entire Tridention fleet, why now?” Jane asked. “I don’t really care. We have the proof we need to entice the Vicegerent. This expedition is one for the ages! If he decides not to pursue this one, I don’t know what else to do.”

“I suppose that’s fair,” Bergmann said. “But I doubt he can refuse this one.”

“We should go then,” Watson said. “We’ll head to Whitehall, and I’ll pray to Lord Wayne that this actually works.”

And so Watson, Jane, Bergmann, and Allen all strode across the street to head to Whitehall. Bergmann and Allen walked right in between Watson and Jane, hoping that their icy, scrawny looks would not get them much attention from the public. But even in this hour, as the streets bustled and the city rose to the day, many eyes roamed about Tridention. But none of them were actually on them.

At the square, Watson led the quartet towards Whitehall. Eyeing the hunters that guarded the entrance, Watson approached them and prepared to greet warmly. “Nice to see you two again,” Watson said.

“Commandant Watson, likewise,” the hunter said.

“I’m not a Commandant anymore. What’s the matter with you all? I thought you all wanted me to retire,” Watson insisted.

“Old habits die hard,” the hunter jokingly said. “I see Jane is accompanying you this time. As are two others.”

“Listen, I know the hunters who have guarded Whitehall have had to hear this from us for almost over a century. I know this story has already gotten old, and only getting older. But I really need you to allow us to pass this time. Last chance. I promise.”

“You haven’t also been dissuaded by supersitions now, have you?”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to believe us now,” Watson said. “Bergmann. Allen. Your irons.”

Bergmann and Allen both unsheathed two harpoons. The hunters watched them as they raised their irons and simply handed them over to the hunters. Each held one harpoon in their hand firmly. Then the first hunter grabbed Bergmann’s iron. The other grab Allen’s iron. Both of them examined the harpoons carefully, especially near the flues. “Check the names, and the material,” Watson insisted. “Carefully.”

The hunters pried their eyes over the ancient harpoons that were just handed to them. Each of them checked for the hunters’ names on the irons. Each of them checked the material, to get a feel for how old the tools actually were. Each of them also checked for the scratches, the cold. “These harpoons are nearly cold for some reason,” the hunters insisted. “Almost as if at one point they were blessed by ice,”

“It’s because they were,” the other hunter insisted.

“I see then,” the first hunter noted. “But that’s impossible. These harpoons have to be at least a century old. You two are from the northwest expedition?”

“Aye,” Bergmann insisted.

“That explains it,” the hunter said. “Where’s Jane?”

“Over here!” she insisted as she swam up to the hunter and confronted him eye-to-eye.

“I’m amazed,” the hunter noted. “But I’ll have to concede nonetheless. It appears your persistence may have paid off after all.”

“I told you,”

“You there,” the first hunter said as he pointed to the second. “Go up to the Vicegerent and let him know to take this audience at the Console Room. Preferably alone.”

“Understood,” the second hunter said. He swam right through the entrance and vanished.

The first hunter then turned and paid attention to them all. “I should warn you, the Vicegerent has been somewhat reclusive as of late,” the hunter said. “Should you two get lucky, you will get what you want. But I cannot guarantee this for any of you. All I can do is allow you a chance to convince the Vicegerent. Do you understand?”

“We do,” Watson said.

“I would wish you good luck, but this is no simple matter,” the hunter said. “You are effectively asking the Vicegerent to risk the lives of men trying to return to that deadening cold. But if those two actually survived the cold, and returned to us, then we might not have too big of a risk after all.”

The second hunter returned quickly. “The Vicegerent has agreed to see you, Jane. And Watson. And the other two.”

“About abyssal time,” Jane insisted.

Now to get this over with, Watson thought.