“What’s this?” Gunnar asked, marveling at the intricate grooves in the tiny shell. It was as though there were tiny lines of luminescent filigree embedded in the surface.

A token, Lydenestra said, of friendship. If my people can ever aid you, we will.

“I was just helping out a friend,” Gunnar said. “And I got one of your mermaids killed.”

Lydenestra’s face turned with sorrow. She died in an attempt to go free, along with her princess. I mourn her loss, but we all waited desperately for a chance to return to our realm and our people. A life in a tank being gawked at is no life. I would not have asked you to take her if it was not her desire. It was our best shot at freedom, and it would not have happened without you.

“It wouldn’t have happened without Grippa,” Gunnar said, glancing at Dash.

The merman smiled. He is a good friend.

But you were the one who went, Lydenestra added.

Gunnar still felt some guilt at the way things had gone down, but Lydenestra’s words brought him some comfort. He felt a warmth and a solace, as though he could actually feel her emotions in his mind as she shared with him.

“What about Em?” Gunnar asked.

We already delivered our thanks to her.

“Really? When?” Gunnar asked.

Lydenestra shrugged. Earlier this evening, back at your ship.

It must have been while he’d been up in the crow’s nest.

It seems you both like to tread in dark waters, Dash said.

“What do you know of Black Heart?” Gunnar asked.

He’s feared and revered across the sea.

Across the empire, Lydenestra added.

“And the Nighthawks?”

Both of the merfolk shrugged.

They are a new force in this world, Lydenestra said, though Gunnar could feel some trepidation in her meaning. I am sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of all creatures. It is what made my captivity so unbearable. But I also came away from Thailen with some knowledge. The Nighthawks have not brought direct conflict, but make no mistake—the empire sees them as a threat. And they’ve made the other guilds look bad.

“You think the guilds are going to try to stop us in Mavenport?” Gunnar asked. “Or the empire?”

The empire is moving across the seas, much as they always do, Lydenestra said. They have their hands in all cities, all seas. Even out here at the edge of civilization. I don’t know what your business is across the sea, but it is further in imperial territory. Watch your back. Always strike first.

“Duly noted,” Gunnar said. “That’s what the Nighthawks are all about.”

Don’t make assumptions, Gunnar Ashwood. You are still new to this world.

“How do you know that?”

Lydenestra glanced away, then smiled. You share more than you know. And so does your chimera companion. Stay close to one another. Farewell.

Give Grippa my thanks, Dash said.

“I will.”

With that, the two mer creatures vanished beneath the waters.

Gunnar’s boat shifted on the churning seas, forcing him to grip the sides to avoid being pitched into the water. There was a steady wind, and the storm seemed on the verge of overtaking them, but it always remained just beyond them. Clouds shifted and gales rose up across the water. Sometimes, Gunnar began to feel raindrops, and he felt certain the storm had finally broken through. But each time, it abated.

He kept his eyes on the rearmost pirate ship, but saw nothing worth noting. So, he gripped the sides of his boat and waited.

“All alone again… well, I’m so glad to see you’re alone again…”

The gravelly singing came from behind him, but Gunnar didn’t jump this time. It seemed Azmar was giving his best parody rendition of Willie Nelson.

“Those aren’t the right lyrics,” Gunnar muttered.

Azmar’s dark eyes shone with delight at his reaction, and he continued his song. “Well, I just love to see you here without no friends… I can’t wait to see you alone again.”

“That’s a pretty good,” Gunnar said, shaking his head and trying not to give Azmar the reaction he wanted from his insults. “Not your singing voice though. That’s awful.”

Azmar looked pained. “What do elves know about singing? Everyone knows that birds have beautiful voices.”

“If there’s any bird in you, I’m pretty sure it’s turkey vulture.”

“You say that as an insult, but vultures are magnificent creatures.”

“They eat rotting shit.”

“And they’re also amongst the cleanest birds of the skies.”

“You’re making that up.”

Azmar grinned. “Don’t be upset that I’m smarter and have a better singing voice.”

“I take your levity to mean that the horizon is all clear? You have been watching the horizon, right?”

“I’ve been doing your job better than you ever could. And there is nothing to report. That’s why I’m here. As well as to share the new song I wrote.”

“Right,” Gunnar said, the wind swirling and spraying his face. “What can you tell me about these pirates?”

Azmar shrugged as he hovered in the air. “Seem like good allies considering your current state of relations.”

“And the merfolk?”

“I find similar sentiments with them. You’re good at making allies. Also good at making arch-enemies. What’s your Renown at?”

Gunnar pulled up his HUD and found it had changed to Rebel with a Cause.

“What does that mean?” he wondered aloud.

“It means,” said Azmar, “that you’re known for your liberatory tendencies. In Thailen at least. You’ve made a name outside your guild.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Like most things, it’s a mixed bag. Long term—always assuming you don’t screw everything up, of course—it provides you with the greatest hope for advancement. You gained four levels in your last quest, almost all of it for completing the quest itself, rather than combat and that sort of thing. The greater your Renown, the greater your XP for high profile quests like that.”

“So, the risk paid out, basically?”

“You got it,” Azmar said. “But it doesn’t work that way for everything. Your Nighthawk quests probably won’t see a similar result. They like anonymity, and all that. Now, I’d recommend you get your upgrades sorted out now. Maybe bank one attribute point for your quest, just in case, but you’ve got a busy couple days ahead, so I’d balance yourself out a bit now.”

“Right.”

Gunnar pulled up his stat sheet. After a thorough evaluation of where he was lacking, he applied one point to Constitution and another to Agility, dealing skill points to Endurance, Breath Holding, and his sorely lacking Stealth Attack. With the last one, he increased his Charisma. He was a little frustrated by how few mental skills he’d attained, but he supposed Charisma always impacted his general likability anyway, and now, with five more skill points in Art of Diplomacy, he ought to be significantly more persuasive. Still, he hoped to find more options for that branch of his attributes in the future.

Once he’d finished, he examined where his character now stood.

Gunnar Ashwood

Glory: Level 19

Servant of Nymoria

Coins: 86

Character Traits

Race: Dusk Elf

Clan: Maldan

Class: Rogue (Rank - Initiate)

Guild: Nighthawks (Role - New Recruit)

Other Factions: Cryptids (Role - Founder)

Renown: Rebel with a Cause

Character Stats

Health - 160/160

Stamina - 150/150

Mana - 175/175

Soul - Silver Rank

Physical Attributes

Strength - 11

Dexterity - 14

Agility - 11

Constitution - 10

Mental Attributes

Intelligence - 9

Wisdom - 11

Charisma - 10

Creativity - 7

Physical Skills

Endurance - Level 12 (+30 Stamina Buff)

Breath Holding - Level 11

Throwing Blade - Level 17

Slashing Blow - Level 8

Parry Blow - Level 12

Head-Butt - Level 6

Enhanced Blow - Level 10

Sheer Strength - Level 9

Wall Climbing - Level 8

Pickpocketing - Level 14

Lock Picking - Level 12

Stealth - Level 15

Stealth Attack - Level 11

Mental Skills

Perception - Level 20

Mindful Breathing - Level 6

Art of Diplomacy - Level 11

Active Items

Cloak of Gathering Shadows (+40% Stealth)

Stealth Boots (+10% Stealth)

Leather Vambraces (+10% Resistance to Damage)

Leather Greaves (+10% Resistance to Damage)

Leather Chest Plate (+20% Resistance to Damage)

Inactive Items

Lock Picks (9)

Shooting Star (1)

Healing Potions (2)

Stamina Potions (2)

Shell of the Deep

Spells

Scan - Level 20

Dark Sight - Level 9

Spiritual Sight - Level 9

Mindful Moment - Level 9

Basic Word of Healing - Level 9

Lesser Shield - Level 9

Dragon’s Breath - Level 12

Call of the Wild - Novice-level Bond

Not bad, Gunnar thought to himself as he dismissed the stat sheet. Azmar glowered, still hovering nearby.

“Anything else?” Gunnar asked.

“A more appreciative tone would be nice.”

Gunnar lit up. “Another gift from Nymoria?”

Azmar nodded with a grimace. “Something new for our little recruit on his first big outing. It will require a choice. Let’s hope you make the right one.”

Azmar held out a glowing orb of light. Gunnar took it, marveling at the way it transferred from the creature’s palm to his own without physical contact. The orb of light hovered just above his skin. When he tried to close his fist, the light merely shifted to hover over the back of his hand.

Boon of Nymoria

Item Class: Rare

Weight: 0

Description: Your boon can take one of two forms—one offering immediate results, one offering hope in a moment of need. If you use it now, you will receive four bonus attribute points to use how you see fit, along with two specific items key to your upcoming quest. Or you may use the boon to request the intervention of your goddess at a future time of your choice. Consider it a genie’s wish. But as with all wishes, there are limitations. Wish the wrong thing or make too big an ask, and your boon will be squandered.