Gravel and dirt crunch beneath ?l?’s boots as she reaches the end of the side path from Herst Castle down the bank of the islet it is built on. The sun, now setting below the rim of the caldera walls, disappears completely as she makes her way under the eastern bridge, leaving her in darkness. She had told Dyder that she was going to join Mina, Gekaryna, Konstanze, and ?denora at the bathhouse; she was not exactly lying—she just had a stop to make first.

  She sets a lantern and her satchel down on a rock. Activating the lantern, she kneels down next to her belongings and pulls two apples as well as the broken end panel from the crib from the satchel.

  “Aelura, I wish to speak with you.” ?l? says calmly, placing the apples on the edge of the rock.

  Pale fingers curl themselves around the edge of the rock—Aelura pulls herself from the dark blue abyss. Crossing her arms, she holds herself up, wet platinum blonde hair sticking to her face. “Are these for me?” She motions to the apples with her head.

  “Yes, they are—they are my offering to you. I would like you too—” The sound of Aelura sinking her teeth into one of the apples and loudly chewing cuts ?l? off.

  Aelura brushes her wet hair from her face and behind her ear and covers her mouth. “Sorry, you can continue; I’m listening.” She says, slightly muffled by a mouthful of apple.

  ?l? sighs. “I would like you to keep this safe.” She holds up the piece of the end panel. “I found a crib in the attic of the house I am going to move into with my soon-to-be husband and believe it to be cursed. I burned the crib but didn’t have the heart to burn his family crest.” She holds out the piece.

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  Aelura takes the piece and inspects it. “Oh, the Dornytters? lucky you... no wait, which one is yours?”

  “Did—Dyder. Why?” ?l? is taken aback by Aelura’s comment; how does she know them? She wants to ask for specifics but does not want to risk digging for information she does not want.

  Taking another bite of the apple, Aelura nods and covers her mouth again. “Yes, lucky you; I’ve known some Dornytters in the past, most of them excellent people—not sure how I feel about the middle brother though; he likes to take his time crossing the strait. But I’ve heard great things about Dyder—”

  “From who?” ?l? interjects, giving into her anxiety.

  “Luhnylla.” Aelura’s mouth twists smugly.

  ?l? braces herself, expecting something to happen—whether she will be splashed or pushed in she cannot be sure—but nothing does.

  “You’re fine; nothing happens when I say it. And don’t worry, she won’t try to take him from you—not quite tall enough for her.” Aelura throws the core over her shoulder; it lands in the water behind her with a small splash, and fish quickly begin fighting over it. “You just want me to keep this safe?” She gives the piece a closer look—there is not a sigil visible on it or any energy coming off it; it was simply a piece of wood with a gilded crest on it.

  “I would also like you to remove the curse on it; I don’t want something cursed being at the bottom of the caldera.” ?l? wants to make sure that the piece is pure; the last thing she wants is to earn the ire of the being who dwells in the waters of where she will spend the rest of her life.

  “Alright, I’ll make sure there are no curses on it.” Aelura pulls at the collar of her dress and drops the piece of wood between her cleavage. As much as she takes pleasure in ‘disturbing the peace’ in the Crown Isles—they settled in her waters after all—she is not a monster and does not have the heart to tell ?l? she just burnt a perfectly good crib for nothing. “Is that all?”

  “Yes.” ?l? nods, beginning to stand.

  “Then I shall rid the crest of curses and keep this crest safe for you in my hallowed waters.” Aelura’s tone is melodramatic as she snatches the other apple and sinks back into the waters below.

  Taking the satchel and lantern, ?l? heads makes her way back up and to the bathhouse.