Heretical Fishing

Book 2: Chapter 30: The Blade

With the sun setting at my back and a cool breeze tickling my skin, I smiled at the pelican and lobbed the fish into the air.

The bird’s neck craned forward and its beak opened, easily catching the fish within its pouch. It tossed its head twice before swallowing the fish whole.

“What in Acanthis’s feathered form is that?” Theo demanded.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“You’ve never seen one?”

“I believe it is a pelican,” Ellis answered. “I’ve not seen one either, but I recognize it from a compendium back in the capital.”

“Bingo, mate. It’s a pelican.” I grinned. “And I intend to make it a pal.”

The large water bird peered at us, uninterested in our conversation yet hanging around to see if we had more fish. On seeing there were no more snacks, or perhaps because we were staring at it a little too much, it took flight. Two huge wings beat at the air, and within the span of a few breaths, it was high above, gliding across unseen currents.

Corporal Claws dashed up beside me, resting her forepaws on my leg as she stared up at the pelican’s flight. She let out a dreamy coo..

She gave an affirmative chirp, still watching the bird as it sailed away.

“You flew no longer than an hour ago when you used me as a launch platform, you little shi—” Keith cut off when Claws shot him a warning glance, and he held up both hands defensively. “Er—shining light! I was going to say shining light!”

She walked forward and held out a paw. She pointed at it emphatically, extending it further toward him and raising her chin, somehow looking down at him from the ground. Keith sighed and gave her back the opalescent stone she’d gifted him. I shook my head.

“Claws is a fickle mistress.”

She nodded, grinning as she pocketed the rock and leaped into the water, disappearing without a splash.

***

As the last vestiges of light faded from the sky, Theo hooked a fish.

“O-oh! Fish on!”

I was down at the water, cleaning two mature shore fish that Peter and Keith had already caught. Theo shifted his weight backward as the rod bent almost in half with the fish’s weight. His eyes were alight with expectation, and I couldn’t help but smile. A wide grin split his features, and I kept my eyes pinned to him as I continued removing scales.

“Looks like a big one, mate.”

“Feels like a big one!” he replied, leaning forward so the line didn’t touch the rocks.

The fish took a massive run, each kick of its tail and shake of its head causing the rod’s tip to jerk down. Just before the light left the sky, I saw the flash of silver on the ocean's surface, right by where I was cleaning the fish. While it was the same shape as a shore fish, I raised an eyebrow at the size.

“It-it’s a monster!” Danny roared, his voice tinged with awe.

I leaned forward, hoping for another look. It swam right up before me, but beneath the amethyst sky and dwindling light, I still couldn’t make out what it was. The fish, noticing the rocks—or me, leaning down and having a good peep—tore off with heavy swishes of its tail. As determined as the fish was, Theo was more resolute—and he had the tools to back up his claims. He first let line out, then with calm ease, he wound the fish back to shore, letting it expend energy.

Seeing how exhausted the fish was getting, I grabbed the line with one hand, lifted it, then grasped the fish around the gills with the other. If not for my enhanced body, I’d never have been able to raise it one handed—it was gigantic.

Ancient Shore Fish

Rare

Found along the ocean shores of the Kallis Realm, this fish is a staple source of both food and bait.

“Holy hell, Theo...” I said, my eyes clearing.

I hefted the ancient fish up for everyone to see, and their excited clamoring silenced as their vision went distant.

“Ancient?” Theo asked.

Ellis, ever the reliable sort, started scribbling in his notepad.

“And rare! Age may appear to increase the classification of...” his voice trailed off as it lowered to a mutter.

“What do you reckon, Theo?”

He turned to me, cocking his head to the side.

“About what?”

“Your catch, your call—is this fella dinner?”

His grin returned and he nodded so hard I thought his head might topple off.

***

As I set the three cleaned fish in a pan and put it atop the campfire, a welcome voice came rolling over the sands.

“Yoohoo!” Maria called, her voice singsong and brimming with joy.

She walked around the corner of the headland with Corporal Claws lazing in her arms. Close behind her came... my mouth dropped open and I shook my head, unbelieving of what I saw.

“They got you guys, too?”

Duncan grinned at me, and Fergus rubbed the back of his head, giving all of us a strained smile.

“Hello, Fischer,” the head smith said. “If we’re not welcome, we’re happy to leave. I—”

“Nonsense, mate,” I said, cutting him off. “You’re more than welcome—I’m just surprised. When I told Claws to go fetch some more people to help us eat this fish, I didn’t expect to see new faces.”

Unlike his master, Duncan held no visible reservations, and he plonked down in the sand next to Theo.

“Hello.” He extended a hand to the former auditor. “I’m Duncan.”

After a quick round of introductions, we all sat around the fire. Maria passed around a tray of baked scrolls, and when it came to me, I peered down at the enticing pastries. A sweet, complex scent radiated up from them, telling me they were not long removed from the oven.

“What are these?”

“Cinnamon scrolls.”

At the mention of her name, Cinnamon’s head popped out of Maria’s pocket. She launched herself at me, and I easily caught the tiny bunny. I rubbed the velvet-smooth patch of fur between her ears, delighting in the way she pressed into my touch..

“Well,” Maria continued, “it’s cinnamon if I stole the correct seasoning from your kitchen. I asked Peter this morning what would pair well with a sweet pastry. They’re made using sugar refined from your fertilized cane.”

Peter broke one in half and breathed deep of the rising vapors. He let out a long sigh.

“Definitely cinnamon, and definitely going to be delicious. These are a common pastry in the capital, and would be the closest thing to the croissants Sue makes. They’re made using a cheap spice, so they’re affordable to even the poorest of the capital’s citizens.” He gazed down at the rising steam. “All right—I’m going in. I can’t wait any longer.”

He blew on the open pastry, then took a small bite. His posture immediately melted; he leaned back in the sand and let out a content mmm.

Seeing his reaction, I broke mine in half. The vapors immediately rose to greet me—I breathed them in, welcoming the scents.

The first smells that hit me were of flour, butter, and sugar—those alone would have been enough to make my mouth water. With the addition of cinnamon’s complex scent, it was enough to turn my salivary glands into faucets, and I couldn’t help but immediately bite into the pastry.

The surface was crusted with granular sugar, and they crunched between my teeth, highlighting just how soft and pillowy the dough was. The cinnamon came through next; it wiped out all conscious thought. I breathed slowly as I chewed the mouthful, lost to the sensations and flavors. When I swallowed, I opened my eyes. I had lain back on the sand, my hands still holding half a scroll each and resting atop my chest.

“What’s the verdict?” Maria asked, leaning over me with a smirk.

The campfire’s dancing flames lit her face from below, giving her skin and freckled face a golden glow; the rising moon lit her from behind, casting its ethereal light about the hair hanging down around her.

“Perfect,” I replied, my eyes crinkling in delight.

***

Augustus Reginald Gormona peered down at a tray covered in dozens of fresh pastries, his mouth dry and brain awash with worries. He picked one up—his usual favorite—and took a bite. The pastry was smothered in rich passiona jam, and was the finest treat his kingdom had to offer.

It tasted bland.

He let go, allowing the sugary pastry to fall down to the try. It landed the wrong side up, and jam splattered over the surrounding pastries. He pushed the tray away, letting out a discontent sigh.

A creak drew his attention, and the great doors to his throne room swung open. His dignitary on duty led someone in, then snapped to attention.

“Handler Aisa to see the king!”

Augustus nodded and gestured for the dignitary to leave them. Aisa bowed at the waist and remained so, waiting for permission to approach.

“Come.”

“Yes, my king.”

She marched forward, stopping right before the throne and standing at attention.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Aisa.”

“Of course, king. I am your blade to wield.”

Her words were curt and clipped, as he knew her general demeanor to be—which was exactly why he called on her to complete this task. Augustus gave her an appreciative smile.

“We find ourselves in dire straits, Aisa—the very kingdom may be at risk. If there was any time for a blade to be brandished, it is now.”

His words had the desired effect; her gaze turned flinty and she set her jaw. Despite her passion, she waited patiently for him to continue.

“If I were to tell you that I believe a number of spirit beasts have awakened close enough to our capital to be a threat… what would you say?”

She chewed her lip for a long moment, considering the statement and question in their entirety.

“If anyone else were to make such a claim, king, I would dismiss them as a fool. From you...” Her eyes grew sharp once more. “I ask their whereabouts, and what your orders are.”

He let his gratitude show, grinning at the answer.

“In that case, I’ll get right into it. Five spirit beasts have awakened, all of which I believe to be nearby.”

He watched her closely, and though the shock was clear in her eyes, determination swiftly returned, banishing any doubt.

“I have a particular target in mind for you,” he continued. “I’ve chosen this target for you to dispatch because of your proven efficacy in dealing with powerful renegade cultivators. Based on the information we have access to, this spirit beast will be the most magically gifted of the threats.”

“Where shall I go in search of this spirit beast, king?”

“I don’t have an exact location, but I believe its most-likely location to be the desert beyond the southern range.”

She nodded.

“How big of a team shall I take?”

“As many as you desire. Due to the threat your target poses, you will have first pick of the collared.”

“Forgive my insolence, king, but may I ask a question?”

He waved her concern away.

“Of course—please do.”

“Thank you, king. Will my sisters also be going on similar missions to eliminate the other threats?”

“They will be, yes.”

“Then I will leave their favored cultivators. Though some are more powerful than my regular team, we will be more effective overall if we take collared whose abilities we know well.”

Augustus leaned back in his chair and sighed, letting his facade of calm assurance drop.

“Thank you, Aisa. As always, I appreciate your insight.” He sat up straight, resuming his regal posture. “Do you have any more questions before you depart?”

“Just one, king: what is the name of my target?”

Augustus straightened further, stretching his spine to its vertical limits. He gazed up at the stained-glass windows for a long moment.

“Remember this name well, Aisa. If not for your intervention, it could go down in the records as the beast that ended the kingdom of Gormona. The name of your target is…”

He locked eyes with her, clenching and unclenching his jaw. Finally, he ground out the name of his dreaded foe.

“Lizard Wizard.”