Next on Dante's list of talismans was a cup. A talisman which would protect him from water, so naturally his inclination was to seek out a naiad, whose half-Pae, half-fish forms were perhaps even more repugnant than those of the bestial faun. Faun still looked somewhat normal, he supposed, aside from the hooves and all the...fur. But there was something just wrong about a Pae with a fish tail.
Still, how to get a cup from a being who spent all its time in the water, where Dante could not go....it presented a challenge. Which is why he'd left it until he'd already claimed two talismans, but not until very last. He'd heard from a few of the other Squires that the naiads could be territorial, but he'd heard the same of the fauns, and he'd done well for himself simply by asking nicely, so that would be his first plan. But he was still going to bring his staff, and his flute. He'd been training hard with his power, and he'd come a very long way by just playing a few notes to cast spells. He was beginning to work on casting by humming, should his instrument be taken away for any reason, but that still had a long way to come yet.
It was a beautiful afternoon when Dante took flight from the City. Flying always gave him such joy--it was such a pleasure to spread his wings and soar into the sky, then straighten into a dive toward the island. Ah, the island. One day the light and love of the Guardians would stretch to every corner of Telrunya. What a glorious age that will be! An age of peace, and prosperity, and the glory of the Guardians! It warmed Dante's heart just thinking about it.
He swooped down near the lake, where he knew many naiads lived, and began to stroll along the beach. Perhaps one would be out for an afternoon of sunbathing?
Amasis
