Alcingeria Volume Three

Chapter Four: The Expedition

Chapter Four The Expedition:

Monday June 4th 1724

After Minerva and I had our talk, I went up to the bar and decided to gather some information.

"Barkeep, what do you know about the sea people?"

"As much as anyone," he said dismissively. "I've never seen one myself, though. If you really want to know more, you should talk to our fishermen and farmers."

"Know anyone like that in here?"

He looked around briefly and shook his head.

"Nope, they're probably all still working. They need to tend the nocturnal crops all night, they're the best eating, and there are some really big fish that only come out at night too."

"Thanks," I said, ordering another one of those fruity drinks and receiving it quickly.

We went back to our table, Minerva looked antsy.

"I say we just go after one." She said bluntly.

"I've been in a lot of sketchy situations, most of which could be avoided with careful planning. I want to have some idea of what we're up against here."

"You're boring. You've got that gun of yours, and you have me. We can take on a fish-brained mermaid."

I regarded her steadily, trying to guess if she was serious or just looking for some action. From what I could tell, it was both.

"I can't see in the dark like you can. Though."

"Hm, that's true," she said slyly. "If only there was a way I could control your body so you wouldn't need to."

"You're right," I laughed. "We've gotten a lot better at that since the war."

"I've gotten a lot better at it, you don't have to do anything."

She was bubbling with excitement, and we didn't have any other leads. From what I understood from Packo's letter, the lizardfolk must farm and fish underwater, because I didn't see any on the beach. While I had the breathing apparatus, that would still leave the issue of visibility. We had two options, really. Wait until morning to get more information, or run headlong into the night. Something told me Minerva wouldn't leave it alone if I went with the first option, so I slowly nodded.

"Okay, fine. Let's go outside."

We got up, I paid the tab and we left. We went around back of the building, away from prying eyes. Minerva floated a few inches off the ground, enough so she could look down on me, which she loved doing. Even though I had found out about her soul deals, even though I knew what she was capable of and I knew what she was about to do, I spent so much time with her I sometimes forgot that she was a demon. It was insane how freaked out I was when we first met. All these years later, all of this was just second nature.

She dissolved into smoke and I felt the all-too-familiar sensation of being shoved back into my own body. I lost control of myself once more. She ran to the beach and almost jumped right in, but stopped suddenly.

"Oh, I should probably put this on."

She reached into my pocket and took out the breathing device. She took off my shoes, socks, shirt, everything except the necessities and dove in.

"I know I've said it before, but you have a nice body. I almost don't want to leave it!"

"The more you say that, the more unnerved I get."