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"Come on, faster! Finally pull the damn net on deck!"
Waves crashed against the bow of the ship, making it dance on the surface of the sea. Icy water splashed over the railing and into the sailors' faces.
They tugged at their net with all their strength and tried to pull it on board using the winches in order to snatch what they had caught from the sea.
The rough sea and the counter-tug in the net made quite a few people doubt whether they would succeed.
Another wave crashed against the ship and pushed the net up with it. When the wave broke away, the men snatched their catch from the sea. They dragged it over the railing, where it hit the planks hard.
Fish, crabs and other creatures wriggled in it. And a human-sized, white and red creature. Half fish... The other half of this specimen looked like a high elf. That was rare.
A major prize.
"Grab the fish, put it in chains and then in the live cargo hold." Shouted the captain over the wind and the roaring waves. Three men immediately got ready to get the unusual creature out of the net.
That was easier said than done. The male fish whipped around with his tail fin, biting and scratching. He tried everything to stop the men from grabbing him. Even though the white-haired man had injured a few, in the end they were able to put heavy metal chains on him. An iron ring around his neck. Short chains led to two rings in which his hands were bound. A ring with a heavy iron ball around his tail fins. Any attempt to escape was now fruitless. The fish could not move the weight.
The sea creature squirmed in horror and looked at the two-legged creatures in the same way. He was incredibly frightened. What was that all about? What were these guys planning to do to him?
The captain stepped up to the creature lying on the ground. He reached into the white hair with his paw and pulled the thin figure towards him so that he could not be bitten. The creature squirmed. Tried to pull away.
"Not a bad one. He brings in a lot." The captain laughed and turned his head slightly back and forth to look at the face.
"Very exclusive. I've never had one with that color in the net. Almost white and red. The nobility will be queuing up to buy it at auction after a few days." He then laughed.
"Always keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn't get damaged." With that, he lowered the fish back down and let go.
"Aye captain."
Two men grabbed hold of the writhing merman and pulled him along. They took him below deck and into a secure pool of water. They paid no attention to the white-haired man trying to break free. The slender fish wouldn't have stood a chance even without the chains.
He slowly sank to the bottom of his prison. He was completely exhausted. Even before he had been hoisted on deck, the attempt to get out of the net had completely exhausted him. So he wasn't just the heavy chains that were dragging him down, but also his fatigue. He lay curled up at the bottom and fell asleep. He couldn't keep himself awake.
The merman woke up with a fright as he was grabbed and pulled out of the water. He tried with all his strength to free himself from the grip. But as before, all the pulling and tugging did not help, one grabbed him by the chains on his neck and hands and another by his tail fin.
Out of reflex alone, he tried to bite, only to discover painfully that the guy was wearing armored gloves.
Laughing, they carried the fish off the boat.
Fear filled the white creature, panic. They carried him further and further away from the water. From the sea. Through the streets.
They carried him for several minutes. The sun burned painfully on his pale skin and when they finally threw him back into a water tank, he sank to the ground again.
An iron grid was placed over the tank, which was secured several times with locks. And there he was. In the center of a square. Around the edges were other cages and water tanks with animals in it. None of them made a particularly good impression.
Staeve had been following the men since the docks. He had seen these fish creatures a few times before. But this one. Curious, he followed the transport of the fish like many other onlookers.
What a shape. That brilliant white and red color and the way the fish wriggled. It was certainly pure elegance in the water.
The longer it was carried, the less it wriggled and ended up just hanging in its chains. When the fish was locked into the tank and just sank to the bottom, the half-drow swallowed hard. It didn't look very elegant. In no way did it look good. He felt sorry for the creature. It seemed exhausted and frightened.
People crowded around the tank, staring at the creature lying on the ground. They knocked on the glass, talked wildly and all wanted to see more of the fish.
The merman curled up as best he could and tried to turn away and hide somehow .
It took hours before the onlookers were shooed away and only the rich nobility were allowed to visit the animal enclosures. They could announce which of the animals they wanted to acquire. And of course the fish were of particular interest here too.
Staeve tried to sneak in. But he was thrown out on all his three attempt. He huffed and looked down at himself. It was all right. He wasn't noble enough. Just wait then.
In the evening were the gates to the site closed and locked.
The animals were fed. The fish got nothing. Then it became quiet.
Staeve waited for a while until everything was dark and quiet. In the meantime, he watched the white creature. But it did not move.
Slowly and silently, the half-drow climbed over the fence and sneaked past the animals. Under no circumstances did he want to wake one of them and provoke any noise.
He slowly approached the tank. And placed a hand on the cold glass. The creature didn't move. It was still lying on the ground and not moving. Only its chest rose and fell slightly. Active breathing. Well. It would be dead without it.
Staeve sneaked round the tank once. He had to admit that the creature fascinated him just as much. But he held back from knocking. That had to be very unpleasant.
When nothing happened after half an hour, he silently disappeared again and returned to his current hideout. The next day, he decided to take a closer look.
After Staeve had put together something tasty for breakfast from three different traders without being caught, he went back to the animal trade. High up in a tree, he had a perfect view of the fish.
However, there was not much to see during the day. The merman still didn't move and people stared at him, being loud and swearing at him even as he tried to make himself even smaller and even less could be seen.
The nobles were not much different, just quieter, and they were already beginning to speculate about how to keep and raise such a pet.
As night fell, it became quiet again. The animals were fed. The fish did not.
Staeve quickly decided to 'shop' in the harbor and got hold of a fresh fish.
He went back with his prey, over the fence and to the merman. This time he simply sat down next to him.
"Hi. You've got yourself into quite a bit of trouble." He spoke simply. The Drow had no idea whether the creature understood him. Well or could answer, or wanted to. So far it hasn't really moved.
"I am Staeve. Just passing through, actually. I saw how they dragged you off the ship and locked you up here."
The white-haired man moved very slightly. He raised his head only slightly to look at the stranger with one eye.
Staeve felt as if he was freezing.
The creature's gaze was so full of coldness, hatred and contempt that the Drow backed away slightly from the disc and swallowed hard. For just a moment, the fish stared him straight in the eye, then curled up again.
Staeve paused for quite a while until he caught himself again. The Drow did not believe that it had simply been an evil eye. The fish had understood him perfectly. And made it clear how much he thought of a two-legged creature.
Staeve looked sadly at the white creature. He had always thought that these half-fish were similar to harpies. That the shape was deceptive and they were more like predators.
Apparently he had been wrong.
The thought that this creature should be kept like an animal made him shudder.
With that, he stood up and picked up the fish he had stolen at the harbor, unwrapped it and dropped it through the grate into the tank. Then he turned around and left.
The Drow was already beginning to ponder. He was very reluctant to know that this creature had been captured. But the decision he had already made had to be well planned in its execution.
Just as he was about to cross the fence, something hit him on the back. Irritated, he turned round and only just saw the fish creature curl up on the ground again.
Okay. He had thrown it. But what? Staeve looked down. The fish was lying there. He blinked in confusion and then picked it up. What a pity. Apparently the creature wasn't hungry. Oh well. He will try again tomorrow.
So he took the fish himself and made it for dinner. Unfortunately, the thing was really dry. It must not have been as fresh as he had thought. He will take better care of it tomorrow.
The next day he had a good look around the pet shop. The locks on the tank were no problem. The one on the gate wouldn't be able to withstand him for long either. Getting the fish back to the dock was more of a problem. This city had a damn lively nightlife. He would never get that white thing to the water unseen. And he couldn't get over the rooftops with it in his arms.
Staeve looked at the tank again, but the creature wasn't moving. People called him a merman. Fitting. But he would rather know if the fish had a name.
Slowly, the Drow walked down the path to the harbor. There were pubs everywhere. There would be people walking around everywhere. No chance of getting him down this path to the water.
Arriving at the harbor, he headed for a ship that was just bringing its fresh catch ashore. Staeve actually bought a large, absolutely fresh fish this time. He wrapped it up well and went back.
It was already getting dark and the gate was closed. Quickly and unseen, he got to the other side and went to the tank and sat down in front of it.
"How are you today? They still haven't given you anything to eat. I brought you a fish. It's really fresh this time." Staeve spoke to him deliberately, particularly calmly and quietly, in the hope that he might respond.
Nothing happened for a long time. Then the white-haired man's head slowly lifted. Just a little bit. So far that he could see the Drow. His red eyes looked closely at the two-legged creature. He stared at him. His expression is unmoving.
Staeve felt how closely he was being scrutinized. He could see exactly how the merman was thinking about his next actions.
Without looking away, the Drow stared back. What a handsome man. Those eyes and the face framed by white hair.
The eye contact was broken when the merman had decided on a reaction. He turned away from the Drow and curled up again.
A little perplexed, Staeve looked at the bare back. This decision was a real pity. He had hoped that the merman would not be so dismissive. On the other hand, it was very understandable. The white man had been dragged out of the water three days ago and locked up here.
The Drow wouldn't trust anyone if that had happened to him. He sighed softly.
"It's all right. I understand. You want nothing to do with me."
He stood up and picked up the fish, carefully dropping it into the tank.
"Eat something, please. You need to keep your strength up, otherwise you'll just make it easier for them to hurt you."
Staeve glanced at the merman, who hunched his shoulders only slightly and curled up a little more.
The Drow sighed softly again and then left the half-fish alone.
Staeve got as far as the fence again when the thrown fish hit him on the back. He turned around slowly. He was just waiting to see one last movement. But that was not the case.
The merman was looking straight at him. For a moment, he was still upright in his tank. Its indeterminate gaze looked directly at Staeve. Obviously, the creature wasn't sure how to act either. Shortly afterwards, the white-haired man sank back to the ground and curled up.
Staeve picked up the fish and looked at it. At least the merman had bitten into it and tasted it. He could clearly see the teeth marks. Well. It was a step forward.
But that meant he had fish again today and, like yesterday, it was really dry. What was it in this town?
Staeve couldn't sleep well that night. He couldn't get the look out of his head. To know that this creature was fully aware. Had a mind and not just instincts and good hunting strategies. It was not an animal trade. With him, it would be slavery. And anyone who bought him would quickly find out how little animal there was in this creature.
Deprived of his sleep, the Drow made his way to the pet shop early in the morning at dawn. He could already hear shouting and loud talking from afar. Many people were standing in front of the gate, blocking any view. With that, the Drow quickly climbed the tree. When he looked towards the tank, he almost fell down again.
There were four closets of men at the tank. They dragged the merman to the surface by his chains. One of them grabbed his white hair to prevent him from biting. Two of them grabbed the thin arms. They held him tightly while the fourth changed the chains.
The chain on his neck came off, even though the collar remained around it. At one hand, they opened the shackle and threaded the chain through the mesh that closed the tank. Then they closed the shackle around the fish's wrist again.
The white creature squirmed like crazy. It pulled and tugged and tried to get free. It hissed and tried to bite. There was pain and sheer fear on its face.
When the guys were finished, they let go of the creature and quickly closed the tank. The fish raged wildly in its chains. In panic, it pulled at them with all its strength and tore its wrists bloody. It took quite a while for his strength to fail him and reveal the full extent of the action.
He was hanging in the tank by his hands. It was no longer possible for him to curl up on the ground. To hide. The ball on his tail fin prevented him from pulling it up. His entire body was defencelessly exposed to everyone's gaze.
Little by little, the merman realized his situation. And also that there was absolutely nothing he could do. When the gate was opened for the people, he averted his eyes as best he could. Ashamed and full of fear. He just didn't panic again because he was too exhausted. His rapidly heaving chest betrayed what was raging inside him.
Staeve stared at the resulting image and realized how incredibly sick he felt. It was cruel. Even if it were an animal, it would be cruel. But for a creature that was probably like all others.
There was nothing he could do for the day. All the Drow could do was wait. Watch as the rabble gawked at the creature and the nobility furtively glanced over the naked body with the same leering eyes.
By evening, he stalled more than one fresh fish and waited until all was still and quiet.
Staeve walked slowly towards the tank. So that the merman could see him. Far be it from him to frighten the white creature.
The fish slowly raised his head when he noticed the drow. The red eyes looked at him closely for a moment, then lowered again. The merman turned his head away again. He could no longer hide. His look spoke volumes about how ashamed he was to be on display like this.
It was very quiet that night. The white man expected the two-legged creature to take the chance to stare at him now too, when nothing happened, the fish looked up slightly. The Drow was gone. Why should he stay here any longer than necessary? Everyone has seen him now. Staring at him like a piece of meat. Surely the Drow wanted nothing more to do with him.
He dropped his gaze again when suddenly something pulled at his chains and touched his hand. Startled, he pulled his hands as far towards him as he could and looked up.
He looked up in fear and panic, trying to get away. But he was still hanging on and his limbs ached after hanging like this all day.
The Drow stood above him on the bars and showed him to be quiet. He gazed calmly and sadly at the merman.
Their eyes met directly. The features in the red eyes, which had just been filled with fear, calmed down. No one had looked at him like that since he had been dragged out of the water... and not before. He might have an important ability for his people. But that was about it. No one came to him because he wanted to take up their time.
Staeve looked at him for a moment. Then he slowly reached through the bars and grabbed one of the cold hands. He gently pulled the white-haired man up and indicated to him to hold onto the bars.
The merman did so slightly hesitantly. Watched closely what the Drow was doing. He would not be able to hold on against the weight of the iron ball at his tail fin for long.
Staeve then reached through the bars again for the other hand. However, he carefully pulled it through the bars. He indicated to him to stay like this and tampered with the lock on the handcuffs. Shortly afterwards, it jumped up.
The merman looked at him with wide red eyes. Staeve smiled and Indicated him to hold on with the freed hand and stretch out the other.
This time the pale figure did not hesitate. He put his other hand through as well and could hardly believe his luck when he was able to lower himself into the tank. He rubbed his aching arms lightly. The shackles landed on the floor next to him. Now they couldn't simply grab him again and drag him towards the chains.
Staeve silently jumped off the tank.
"Better, right?" He asked.
The white-haired man looked at him and then nodded slightly. Yes, it was much better.
The Drow grinned happily. "You understand every word, don't you?"
Another nod.
"Can you speak?" Staeve asked quietly.
The creature nodded again. It opened its mouth and clearly formed words. But nothing could be heard.
Then it pointed at the Drow, its own ears, and shook its head.
"You're telling me I can't hear you." Staeve stated thoughtfully.
The merman nodded in agreement.
With a sigh, Staeve lowered himself to the ground next to the tank.
"OK. It'll be monologues then." He grinned.
"My name is Staeve, I've told you that before. And I assume you have one too." he then mumbled. "How do I get it out if I can't hear you?"
The white-haired man lowered himself to his level and looked at him closely. He hesitated for a moment, then wrote his name on the window with one finger.
Staeve looked at him with wide eyes.
"Wow. Slowly. You can write. Well, obviously."
The Meermann looked at him dryly and raised an eyebrow.
A little blush rose to the tips of the Drow's ears as he cleared his throat.
"Listen. I'm really not good with written words. Could you... again, slowly... and not so curved?" He asked quietly.
Without being able to stop it, the merman began to grin in amusement. For a small moment, he forgot his situation and was simply amused by the Drow.
Staeve looked at him with a sigh. "Please."
The grin turned into an amused smile and the white-haired man nodded slightly. Then he began again, slowly, letter by letter.
It actually took quite a while for the Drow to get the name out. He hadn't always recognised every letter correctly and putting them together with the right emphasis hadn't been easy either.
"Astarion." Staeve mumbled when he finally got it out and grinned.
"Are you hungry?" He then asked offhandedly.
The white-haired man nodded without hesitation. It had helped him a lot that the Drow had already given him something twice.
Staeve looked at him in astonishment and immediately got up to give him one of the fish. He wouldn't have thought that the merman would accept something when he had thrown the last two after him.
The white-haired man carefully took the fish, then turned it the way he wanted it and took a bite. Hungrily, he drank the blood and then pushed the fish out of the grate back towards the Drow.
Only now did he see the look Staeve gave him. Uncertain, Astarion pulled back and waited to see what would come next.
"That's why they were so dry..." The Drow muttered. "You... only drink their blood."
He looked at the pale creature for a moment, then laughed softly.
"You must really be the shooting star that falls into one's lap. A white and red elven sea creature that feeds vampirically. Is there anything rarer to find in the ocean?" He asked, amused.
This fish was very special.
The said merman looked at him indecisively. He was well aware of what he was. And it didn't feel good for the Drow to emphasize it like that.
When Staeve realized his mistake, his gaze immediately turned apologetic.
"I apologize. I ... didn't mean to offend you or give you the impression of thinking like those weirdos who locked you up here."
Astarion looked at him closely and crossed his arms.
"Please believe me. I'll get you out of here as soon as I know how to get you shining form to the water without anyone noticing us."
A little more reassured, the merman came closer again. This Drow was the only friendly contact so far and the only one who didn't speculate about what could be done to him, how his will could be broken or even how he would taste.
"Are you still hungry?"
A little torn from his thoughts, the red eyes looked at the Drow again. Then he nodded slightly. He certainly wouldn't say no to an unconditional meal in captivity.
Without hesitation, Staeve gave him two more fish and watched as the merman sucked them dry and then gave them back.
Staeve quickly packed the fish up again. He certainly didn't want to leave any traces behind.
When everything was stowed away, he looked at Astarion again.
"I have to get going. But I'll be back tomorrow. With something to eat and hopefully a plan to get you out of here soon."
The white-haired man nodded. He looked concerned and worried, though.
"I'm a man of my word," Staeve said.
"But I can't help you if I don't also rest and look for solutions."
The merman was visibly unenthusiastic about having to be alone now, but he nodded gently.
"Good. See you tomorrow evening, Astarion." With that, Staeve turned away with a heavy heart and disappeared over the fence. He walked up and down the streets for a long time. There had to be a solution. He went to sleep at dusk to find some peace and quiet. He was quite sure that there was nothing they could do to the merman today.
In fact, that was the case when he turned up at midday. The fish had rolled up again and the people were annoyed. Staeve was pleased.
He waited again until the evening, then sneaked up to the tank and gave it something to eat first.
"Everything alright with you?" He asked quietly to the merman. Astarion nodded slightly and took another fish to drink hungrily. There were three of them again and it was nice to be able to satisfy his hunger.
"I'm afraid I haven't found a solution yet," Staeve continued. He didn't want to say it, but he had to hurry. Not that Astarion would be sold before he got him out of here.
"I'm not staying long today. Sorry." He looked with a slight smile, so sad that the white figure put a hand on the glass. Staeve carefully placed his on the same spot from the other side.
"I promise you that I will return you to the sea."
Astarion formed a word with his lips that Staeve recognised as 'thank you'. He smiled at the merman.
"See you tomorrow." With that, he disappeared again to search. And then, as dusk fell, he stumbled upon his solution. There was an old, abandoned wheelbarrow in an alley. A blanket over it and he could drive to the dock without anyone noticing, that was perfect and he took the thing with him immediately.
But when he arrived at the animal shop late that morning, it was as if hell had opened up beneath him and wanted to descend.
He was gone. Astarion was gone. That couldn't be. It couldn't be.
He quickly went to a man scrubbing the tank.
"Where, where's the fish?" He asked quickly.
"Well, lad, you're too late. Sold it this morning." The man grumbled back busily.
"To who?"
Now the man looked up and laughed. "Forget what you're up to. You won't see him again. Mr Cazador Szarr himself bought it."
Staeve didn't know this man, but the way the old man was talking about him, it couldn't be good.
"What a pity. Do you know where? Maybe I'll see the fish again during transport." It was worth a try to ask.
The man looked at him silently for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.
"In the back, the huge villa by the cliff." He said.
Staeve thanked him and hurried off. Finding the right house was not difficult. A huge mansion that couldn't have been more ostentatious. But the fish was already gone. Even though Staeve watched the whole thing for a while.
When he was sure that he had probably missed the transport, he began to check out the grounds. He sneaked around the entire property and was pleased to discover that there was a direct path from the house down to the water. That made sense. To take him to the water there.
Now it was time to get in there tonight and find the fish. He shouldn't risk the creature spending any length of time there.
As far as Staeve could during the day, he scouted everything out and then equipped himself.
When night came, it was easy for him to find and open a door to the servants' wing. From then on, it became more difficult. Even when everyone was asleep, he had to be silent and careful. You never knew if someone was walking around at night.
And then at some point it was his turn. Someone came towards him. All the Drow could do was retreat and go through the next door.
He managed to do so silently, but when he turned round, he looked into the wide eyes of a frozen girl. There was no way out and if she screamed now, it was all over.
He carefully signaled to her to be quiet. "Please. I don't want anything for anyone. I'm just looking for a friend, then I'll be on my way," he tried to placate her.
She scrutinized him closely, but then seemed to decide to remain calm.
"The fish?" she asked.
"Yes, that one."
She looked at him very uncertainty, then looked round as if to make sure that she and the stranger were the only ones in the room.
"He's in the landlord's private bathing area," she said so quietly that Staeve had to strain to hear her.
"What do you want to do with your friend when you have him?" She asked quietly.
Staeve looked at her closely. "I'll take him back to the sea." He very much hoped the little girl would tell him where Astarion was.
She looked at him very closely, as if she wanted to find out if he was lying to her.
"He.... He looks like an angel. The white. His whole appearance. So beautiful... and then he resisted. And bit." She swallowed hard. "The Lord punished him... He hurt him so...on the first day." She sniffled softly and rubbed her eyes.
Staeve swallowed and then gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Please tell me where I can find him. Then I'll take him away."
She looked at the hand. It was a careful light touch and the drow's gaze was full of concern.
"Down the corridor to the right. At the end of the corridor, left through the door and straight ahead. At the end of that corridor, through the door. There's only one there." She spoke quickly and quietly.
"Thank you." Staeve looked at her with sincere thanks and then peeked out into the corridor to disappear outside.
He quickly sneaked through the corridors and along the indicated path. His heart was beating much faster. This wasn't a simple break-in like he'd done hundreds of times before. This was personal. In a way, at least.
He liked the fish. And he wanted it to get free again. Staeve was aware that he would never see Astarion again afterwards. But he would remember that the beautiful merman was back in the ocean.
The last door on his way was locked and he listened once more in the corridor. But everything was silent. The lock didn't hold him up for long. Then he was in a surprisingly huge room. He silently closed the door again and immediately headed for the room's large pool of water.
"Astarion." He called softly for the merman. He peered into the water to see if he could see him. The white figure should be visible even in the dark.
But there was nothing.
He called softly for the merman again. The water remained still and unmoving.
But he heard the faint sound of chains from the other side of the pool.
He immediately sneaked over. A heavy curtain hung there, plunging one corner into blackness. But the sound was clearly coming from here.
He slipped cautiously behind it and gasped in horror when he found the merman here.
The white creature was hanging by its hands. The tail fin chained to the ground. He appeared to be completely exhausted.
Staeve approached cautiously. "Astarion." He spoke to him again quietly so as not to frighten him.
The white-haired lifted his head very hesitantly. Tired and weak, the red eyes looked at the drow. One cheek was clearly reddened from a blow.
After looking at Staeve for a moment, the merman lowered his head again.
The Drow bit his lip hard. "Hold on. I'm taking you back to the sea now." He spoke softly.
He immediately set about freeing the tail fin from the chain. Astarion moved briefly, but then held still again, trembling.
Once the chain was free, Staeve stood up again and was about to reach up to the chains when his gaze fell on the back. Startled, he stared at the once flawless skin. Now it was criss-crossed by deep crotches. Red blood still ran sluggishly from some of them.
"I'll get you out of this." The Drow hissed softly and immediately started to work on the chains. When he had one hand free, Astarion grabbed him and pulled him close. Looked at him closely. The hand trembled and was so weak that Staeve could have torn it free at any time.
He waited and looked calmly at the merman.
"Let me help you. Hold on tight. I'll release your other hand and take you back to the sea." Staeve deliberately spoke to him quietly and calmly.
It took a moment, then the pale hand let go of his shirt and wrapped itself around the drow's neck, seeking support so as not to fall unsteadily to the ground.
The drow quickly opened the lock. And caught him a little when Astarion was no longer held up by the chain.
Staeve slowly went down with him.
"Put your arms around my neck and hold on tight." He said softly.
Astarion looked at him questioningly. He knew what he should do, but why? He didn't understand why this two-legged person was helping him.
The questioning look was answered with a smile.
"Don't look like that. I like you. And no one deserves to live in slavery," the Drow then said quietly, sensing the question.
It took a moment. Astarion found it hard to believe. However, this one half-drow had never hurt him before. On the contrary. He had fed him from the beginning and had freed him from chains for the second time now. He spoke to him in a completely normal and friendly manner.
Finally, he carefully raised the merman arms and wrapped them tightly around Staeve's neck to hold on. Astarion buried his face lightly against his neck, as if he wanted to hide.
No sound of pain escaped his lips. But from the trembling limbs, the Drow sensed that the meerman must be in great pain. Unfortunately, he couldn't pay much attention to that right now.
Staeve put one arm around his back. The other under the long tail fin for support. Then he stood up and headed for the nearest window.
He quietly pulled it open, leaving his back unsupported for a moment. This was possible because the merman was holding on to himself.
When the window was open, Staeve carefully climbed out with the fish in his arms. He was really glad that Astarion had been on the bottom floor. So it wasn't far down when he jumped down and had to support the weight of both of them.
Staeve had to rest in a crouch for a moment before he stood up and slowly sneaked onwards. Since he had scouted out everything, he went straight in the right direction.
He was almost at the gate, behind which the path led to the cliff, when the first arrow plowed into the ground next to him. Shocked, he stumbled to the side and then ran to the gate.
"Wait." He explained hastily as he set Astarions down and immediately began to pick the lock. It took a moment and two arrows narrowly missed him.
As soon as the gate was open, he lifted the merman up again.
Astarion had looked at him with fear and concern and immediately held on to him.
Just as Staeve stood up again, he faltered. He stumbled forward a few steps and hugged the white figure to him.
He ignored the pain in his back.
The stairs leading down were easy to walk down. Not to be expected if this was where the high society wanted to walk. That was a great advantage for him right now. He was still alone on the stairs. But he could already hear a bell ringing and his pursuers would be able to run just as well as he could.
And certainly faster, since they weren't carrying a huge fish.
The drow quickened his steps and as soon as he was off the stairs, he ran along the wooden walkway towards the water.
He heard shouts behind him.
Staeve stumbled again.
That had been a bloody stupid basic idea. And the execution wasn't the best either.
He stumbled a third time and had to pull himself together not to fall to the ground. To keep walking. It was almost done. But his back hurt like hell.
It had probably been his last stupid idea.
With great effort, he made it to the end of the footbridge. The merman would be able to dive down.
"Astarion. You can let go. We're at the water."
The merman looked up. Looked up at him.
"Thank you." his lips formed soundlessly.
Staeve smiled. And when Astarion had pulled back his arms, the drow let go of him so that he fell down into the water.
The white creature splashed into the water and dived immediately.
Staeve looked after him with a smile. But when the fish was gone, the smile slipped from his lips. He had never thought about how he got out of here. That was a very big mistake.
The drow gasps in pain as the fourth arrow hits him in the back. He stumbled slightly as his legs gave out on him.
The situation was beyond saving. His injuries were serious. The pier was filling up with the attendant's guards. If he realized correctly, the cursing and shouting man at the top of the stairs was probably Cazador.
This realization made him grin.
Only water in front of him. But he couldn't swim either. Especially not with arrows in his back.
Staeve looked into the twilight reflected on the calm sea.
Not thinking through his escape was really the last mistake in his life.
His ears were ringing softly.
His hands trembled.
His shirt was sticking to his back because of the blood.
His vision blurred.
His breath began to rattle as blood began to fill his lungs.
The last arrow seemed to have hit his lungs.
Two more projectiles hit him. Crossbow bolts that pierced almost all the way through him.
The pain raced through his body.
Made his breath catch.
Made his heart beat faster.
Made his legs give way.
Without another movement, Staeve toppled over and fell into the cold water.
The shock of the cold caused him to take a startled breath. But only water filled his lungs, burning.
He had always wanted to die old when he fell asleep ... it was probably nothing.
As he slowly sank deeper, Staeve looked at the surface of the water. His body no longer obeyed him.
He saw the light of dawn. And something in front of it. His eyes slowly went black. And the last thing he felt was a slender hand, warm in comparison to the water, carefully grasping his.
Lured back by the blood, Astarion pulled the dying Drow towards him. Without much hesitation, he took a bite and began to drink hungrily.
Blindly, he reached for the arrows and pulled them out. Staeve would never feel it again anyway. He was as good as dead.
Then the merman bit open his wrist and pressed it to his lips.
"Drink." A command. A spell. Spoken in a dark, serious voice.
The drow obeyed as the spell forced him to in the last seconds of his life.
After a few gulps, he stopped and remained lifeless in the water.
Astarion watched him and then pulled him into the depths of the sea with him. It would take a little time now. But that was hardly a problem down here. They had plenty of time. And they had to get out of here. At a safe shore, he came back into shallow, sun-drenched water.
The first thing Staeve noticed was a slight coolness as he breathed in and out. Then his eyes slowly opened. Light moaned through the broken-in dirt of a grotto.
Seaweed brushed lightly back and forth, tickling his face and arms.
He felt really strange. But the pain was gone and the seaweed was like a soft carpet against his back.
"Oh. You're awake. That's earlier than I expected."
The voice was very close. It sounded a little amused. It was unfamiliar, but somehow he had recognised it before
The last time Staeve had heard this voice, it had been serious and dark.
... The last time...
Staeve sat up with a jerk and broke through the surface of the water. He had been lying on the seaweed just below the surface.
Startled, he looked around. He wanted to see where the voice had come from.
Sure enough, the white merman was sitting not far from him. He looked rested, calm and relaxed.
Staeve stared at him for a moment.
"You... came back."
"Yes I am." The white fish had a slightly amused tone in his voice.
"Why?"
"Because I scented your blood."
"Blood..." Staeve swallowed. "I should be dead, as many arrows as I've taken."
"Yes, you should be. But you're not." Astarion looked at him with a slight grin showing his pointed fangs.
"How can it be that I'm still alive?" Staeve looked at him, increasingly confused.
"Because I drank your blood and took away your old life."
"My old life? ... Wait a minute. I can hear your voice!"
Now the white sea man laughed softly and melodically and looked at him a little playfully. A morsel like a cat sitting in front of a mouse.
"Yes. You can hear me now."
Staeve hesitated for a moment, then looked at him uncertainly.
"Am I dead, or did you save me." Being undead was the last thing he wanted.
"Yes and no." Astarion said, thoroughly amused, especially as Staeve hadn't noticed anything yet. Then he continued.
"I drank your blood until you died completely. ... It was a real pity for every drop that went into the water. ... and then I gave you some of mine."
Staeve looked at him, turning a little pale.
"Your blood?"
"Yes, mine?"
"That healed me?"
"Not just healed."
Staeve hesitated with the next words.
"What else did it do?"
Astarion now looked at him very calmly and a little more seriously.
"It made you one of our own. The sea takes and the sea gives. It took me back in and rewarded you for it."
After his words, he observed Staeve very closely. He knew this from many others before. Well, they had not been close to his heart, they had been requests from others, but with the former drow it was very important to him how he took the transition.
"The sea takes and gives?" He had never heard that saying before.
"And one of yours?" Staeve looked at him questioningly. He looked perplexed.
Astarion looked down at him slightly, hoping that he would now follow his gaze.
And indeed, Staeve did follow his gaze. He swallowed. There must be a huge fish next to him.... But when he followed the fin, it didn't lead to an animal... but to him.
When Staeve didn't move for too long, Astarion swam elegantly to him. He leant lightly against his back from behind and put his arms lightly around him.
"Your lungs were punctured. Your heart, the way it was fluttering, must have been hit too. That alone was the two bolts stuck in you. Plus four arrows... You were as good as dead when you fell into the water."
Astarion squeezed him lightly and leaned a little closer.
"I owe you my freedom. My life. That madman would have tortured me to death within a few days. Of all the creatures on land, you alone wanted only good for me. You saved my life. I owed it to you to preserve yours as well. Unfortunately, it was not possible for me to preserve your life as it had been before. As a drow. But the sea must love you to have equated you with a shark."
Then he fell silent again and waited for a response from Staeve.
He was still looking at his fin and began to move it slightly back and forth.
"So I have died. And you saved my life. Now I'm part of your people. But alive." He summarized.
Astarion nodded slightly.
"Have you done this often?"
"Yes, it is my task in our company. But never before has it been in my own interest to help a landed creature make the transition to a new life. Usually it's seafarers who don't want to die but are lost. The sea takes and the sea gives."
Staeve turned his gaze slightly towards him.
"Is that the way your people ensure their survival?"
"No. It is a gift of the sea to you and to us. Children are born among us, as among every people."
The former Drow nodded slightly. He wanted to ask Astarion about everything, even though his thoughts were going round in circles. But slowly he realized that he would probably have plenty of time for that.
He was also amazed at how close the white fish was to him.
Very carefully, he placed one of his hands on one of Astarion's red ones.
"Thank you for saving my life. I'd love to hear all about the new one."
"You will."
"Will you show me everything?"
"I'm certainly not leaving my shark to wander alone."
Astarion grinned slightly at him after his words. Then he gently took one of the strong hands and held him lightly.
"Come. The sea is calling for you."
His shark…
Staeve decided not to hesitate any longer and let himself be taken into the depths of the sea.