The Depthstriders - 1/2

The group found themselves squeezing through a slick wet tunnel, Cailu at the helm. Despite his large stature, he snaked through the tight space with ease. Grizz, Mari and Otho stepped out into a cavern caked in moss, bioluminescent flora adorning the space and a pool of crisp water taking up the majority of the floor space.

The three were exhausted from their journey; games and races meant the trio had barely a chance to rest, and when they did bunk down for the night it wasn’t a comfortable sleep but rather one full of tossing and turning, unable to settle in such an unfamiliar environment.

Grizz stopped as Mari and Otho plodded onwards, heads held low. “Wait,” she stated, “The tunnel ends here, where are you expecting us to go Cailu?” her voice became more and more panicked as it was clear exactly where the Haedian was headed.

“I mean, they’re called the Depthstriders, where else would you expect them to be?”

“Cailu, two of us are long furred, we’ll be weighed down like a sack of potatoes. You’ll be introducing the Depthstriders to three drowned Vayrons!”

“Don’t worry,” the Haedian smiled coyly, "we won't be travelling alone.”

Grizz leaned to look past Cailu as the water roiled and bubbled. The fur on the back of her neck stood on end and her hackles raised, ready for a fight. Mari gave her a tired glance, one that told her this wasn’t the time to fight. Grizz huffed and sat down, watching the water in anticipation.

A bright green head adorned in black and blue markings emerged from the basin, water sloughing off keeled scales. This Haedian grinned, showing off sharp teeth of pearl white, as he pulled his front from the water. “Greetings wingless ones!” he beamed, “I have been anticipating your arrival since Cailu sent word. I am Ornaax,” he bowed his head and extended a hand, “The leader of the Depthstriders.”

Mari cocked her head slightly in confusion. To be greeted immediately by a clan leader? It was a shock indeed, as so far it felt like they had to earn the audience of the other clan leaders. And Ornaax? Well just from this small introduction he seemed pleasantly down to earth and approachable.

Otho however was the one to take the lead for the Vayron troupe, having immediately taken to the Haedian leader’s charismatic nature, “Greetings Ornaax!” he parroted, placing his paw in Ornaax’s open palm, “I am Otho of Roenden, and joining me are my partners Margrave and Gristle.” Ornaax took a moment to surreptitiously run a thumb over the top of the Vayron’s paw, enamoured by the unique structure which was so vastly different to his own.

“You and your brethren are so… anatomically unique.” he mumbled, “I was expecting the lack of wings but… not the lack of thumbs. How do you use tools?” He released Otho’s paw as he realised the Vayron was becoming unbalanced on three legs, who laughed awkwardly as he found his feet again.

“Ha, with difficulty, but it can be done.” 

Ornaax looked down at the group in amusement, catching himself as he realised he was staring, “Ah, apologies, I am being quite intrusive!” he gestured to the pool, “It would be my pleasure to invite you into our home, there is no need for concern,” he hastily added as the three Vayrons shared a worried look, “We are not water breathers, there are air pockets scattered throughout our caverns.”

The Haedian took to his belt, unwinding several spools of rope, one of which he passed to Cailu. “I can take two on my back, and Cailu can carry the third. It is but a short jaunt to the main sanctum.” he finished tying the rope around his torso, and quickly assisted his fellow Haedian.

Cailu helped Otho and Grizz alight on Ornaax’s back, slinging the rope around their chests, tightening it with a tug. Similarly Mari was tucked into Cailu’s rope. The short-furred puller flattened herself as much as possible against Cailu’s back, but she couldn’t hide the tremble that shook her body. “Fear not little one,” whispered the Haedian, “I am a strong swimmer.”

Mari nodded, despite Cailu’s reassurance she could not stem the fear wracking her body. Ornaax took to the water first, slipping into the water with elegance, despite his encumbering passengers. Cailu followed moments after.

The waterlogged caverns were a sight to behold, colourful shelves of coral adorning the walls and floors with bioluminescent specks floating lazily on the currents. It was a gorgeous sight to behold, even with the painful straining on their lungs. 

Thankfully, Ornaax had spoken true, and graciously led the group to each and every air pocket before ducking under the waves again. Soon they broke the surface for the final time as the two Haedians pulled themselves and their quarries onto relatively dry land. An open cavern filled with the joy and colour of the Depthstriders.