Chương 29: Ch. 27 - The Mur King

Caddie was translating in the same way a sound speaker mimics music. Each Mur had their own cadence when they spoke. In fact, it was like listening through a cone. Wherever Caddie faced is what came through the speakers. The two that greeted us, clearly weren't expecting for us to understand them.

"They move less gracefully than skrim fish," said the one who greeted me. The other one, laughed, turning to meet our gaze.

"Hold a moment. I think they can understand us," said the one that greeted Luna.

"Indeed they can," said Caddie.

"I appreciate your conversing earlier. I required several samples to discern your frequency. Now, having found it, can live feed your conversations."

"Oh. Wonderful," said the Luna greeter.

"It is true. Robots are after our jobs."

"So what are your names?" I asked.

"This time, I think Caddie can translate it."

"I am named, Skrythia," said my greeter.

"And this one is [shh]."

"Apologies," said Caddie.

"Their name is too high and I was unable to decipher their name."

"That's fine. Is it alright if we call you static?" I asked.

"Static? Really?" asked Luna.

"Why not? I want to be able to call them something other than, friend of Skrythia."

"It's a terrible name."

"No… it's not that bad. I disagree."

"I am proud of you for simply making the effort," said Caddie.

"Luna, for the longest time, I was just 'bot.' Talk about flexing the neuro-receptors."

"As soon as we got home, Mom named you!" I defended myself.

"Wait, you waited for mommy to name your companion?" mocked Luna.

"I regret what I said, immediately," I said. Luna couldn't stop snickering. The only thing that got her to stop, that got us all to stop in our tracks, was the deep sea palace looming before us. It was incredible. We had gone through a narrow passageway, reminiscent of a cave. Hard reef of rainbow color adorned and sharpened it's walls. But just on the other side, it was an awe-inspiring dome.

A single looming structure made of the very rainbow reef, fashioned into what could only be described as a palace sat in the very center. Multiple oblong tubules jutted to the very top of the dome with fashioned gems as adornments. It was like we weren't in water. Waterfalls of multiple different colors and viscosity gushed from the roof and into large basins that littered its 'moat.' The different hues on the liquids glimmered, dulled or absorbed light.

The various entrances of the palace had Mur of various colors and stripes stop to gaze at the two very different looking individuals approach. The further we descended, the harder it got for Caddie to translate. Bulbous light clung to the walls of the palace, lighting up each section with an orange glow. The radiance heightened by the glimmering water that spurted from above.

"This place-" said Luna.

"Yeah. No kidding," I said.

"Do they all look like this you think?"

"Hidden settlements? No way. There is no way they look like this."

"We are to enter directly into the royal hall," said Static.

"Near the roof with the passageway."

"More swiftness would be appreciated," said Skrythia.

"The king was eager for the sulfur or news barring that." I wasn't sure how to move faster, but eyeing Luna keyed me in. She adjusted forward, put her hands together and gave one hard stroke. It was like she was pulling air. But her speed doubled. The inside of the palace, was much more opulent on the inside. We went through dizzying corridors by pushing and kicking off the walls. And once we got to the royal corridor, we had to stop and take it in.

Pillars made of soft, luminous light descended from the rainbow reef ceiling. Balcony railings made up the three landings that flanked the hallway. At the end was a finely adorned mur, of dark skin and white stripes. A crown made of shifting light sat atop their head. Their eyes shifted as we approached and a crowd gathered above. Caddie twisted to hear the conversations around us. It was all noise from our perspective. The hushed whispers of an audience.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. We were in a hidden settlement. A city practically plucked from it's home world. Pristine in every possible way. It was nothing at all to anything on the third floor. As we approached, Skrythia was the first to speak as translated by Caddie, putting both hands up like in a prayer.

"Excellency, the out worlders that you sensed have arrived. It would appear they have a translator, a being familiar with the Great Sound. But he is not fully capable and if he so struggles with us, then we shall be ready to step in so that your words are not wasted."

"I am fully capable of translating," said Caddie.

"It will be unnecessary for you to stay." Skrythia shot a glare through me and towards Caddie.

"What do you want me to do? I asked.

"Control it. You are not amongst lessers," said Skrythia.

"It is alright," said the king. There was a tiredness to him I couldn't quite put a finger on.

"They do not know our ways." He turned to the gallery of Murs that leered upon us.

"They do not know our ways. Calm yourselves." A moment passed as he ensured his gaze met everyone in the stands.

"Continue," the king said.

"And as you sensed, they have the scent of the Goblinoid that was charged with the sulfur delivery," continued Skrythia.

"Thank you," said the King.

"Lead them to the audience hall. I will converse with them in private." Skrythia brought their hands up and bowed.

"As you wish, Excellency." Skrythia turned and ushered us past the way we came in and into a narrow corridor with one way in and out. Unusual from what we had seen so far. The entryway shut with a wooden slide, leaving the four of us plus Caddie in an empty room. Luna and I floated through the water, touching the walls to avoid hitting our heads from the drift. It was hard to tell if Skrythia and Static were angry. They had to be. Caddie just told them that AI was coming for their jobs.

The door slid open to the Mur King. He took off the crown of light and left it near the doorway.

"Let us speak plain," said the King.

"My name is-""Your Excellency!" yelled Skrythia.

"Surely you don't mean to give them your name. They are unable to register it's brilliance! Their brains would turn to mash from the first note!"

"Skrythia," said the King.

"While you are loyal, I don't believe you are impeding me from casual conversation for their safety. Either relax or leave. Outsiders is what we need right now and I will not be allowing passage to others." Skythria cowered and slumped over.

"I do apologize, Excellency," said Skythria. The king turned to address us again, putting a hand on his chest and lowering it. A body language I didn't understand.

"My name is [sqree]. I humbly request your aid in finding this sulfur. It is for my brood partner. It is medicine for my people. But of course, not native to these waters. Please, I will do anything within my power to allow this transfer to happen." I turned to Luna, raising my eyebrows in silent understanding. I knew the sulfur was necessary, it just wasn't clear to me how. Until now. The other squad was trying to gain entry here. Jeromy got stabbed because of this.

I wanted to help, but we had our own reasons for being here.

"Is it alright if I just call you, King?" I asked.

"Skythria was right, I can't understand your name. But it doesn't matter. I want to help, but right now, one my friends needs magic water. Water, I think you have in abundance. I am not the guy you made the deal with for Sulfur, but I can get it for you. So, help me with the mana water and I can find out what happened to that sulfur." He righted himself to his full height. He was about my height but he loomed over the other Mur.

"What assurances do I have that you will return?" he asked. From the corner of my eye, Luna was grinning from ear to ear.

"Go ahead," I said, waiving Luna to continue.

"What assurances do you have? How about that this place is incredible!" She yelled.

"Also, do you have water filters? I thought I saw them." King turned behind to eye Skythria who simply nodded.

"We do," said King.

"Then, you can expect us to return for them. We need about… I'm thinking a couple hundred?"

"A trivial amount," said King.

"But I assume there is more?"

"Taps if you have any?"

"Our mana taps are not for sale!" yelped Static. King glared at the outburst before returning to face us.

"It's true, I cannot give away that one."

"You misunderstand," said Luna.

"Not the mana one. A simple, clean water one. Heck, we'd even take a not so clean one if it's legit." King raised an eyebrow.

"Is that all? A clean water tap? We might have one or two we can give. But you are asking me to give so much for simply information. For all this, yes." King thought for a moment.

"Yes, for all this, I must demand delivery of the sulfur. I will owe a personal favor." Delivery didn't mean anything short of a fight against another squad. A squad that tried to kill my friend. A fight I was welcoming on more than one front. I cracked my knuckles, knowing what was coming. It was true, in here, in the Dungeon, anything goes. You can only report a crime if you live, but then it's your word against theirs. They have black suits look into it, but they can't come in here, so its pointless.

It was personal to me.

"Yeah," I said.

"We'll deliver the sulfur. I'm more than happy to. How would we get back?" He pushed two small pebbles through the water and towards us. Reminiscent of an augmentation gem, it shifted rainbow colors.

"Simple," said King.

"In a body of water, fully submerge yourself and press the gem. We have a portal for travel that is ready to receive you. It will return you from the point you traveled from when you are leaving. Do keep that in mind." I slotted the gem into my necklace. Luna filled the final slot on her bracelet with a click. They both glimmered as they activated.

"They will also allow you to breathe these waters without the contraption on your heads," said King.

"Not all waters, but at least, these waters." Luna and I exchanged a look. She shook her head. I un-clicked the safety of the respirator, ready to slam it back on. I instinctively held my breath, blowing bubbles. I shook my head and pushed the helmet back on. I breathed, purging the water, while Luna gave me the most dumbfounded look. I couldn't get it all out, panicked and breathed it in. It didn't hurt. It was like breathing through a fog. I un-clicked the helmet again, letting water fill the chamber.

I didn't stop breathing as the water filled my lungs.

"Wow," I said. Bubbles formed as I breathed out the word.

"You're an idiot," said Luna, checking the seal on her helmet.

"But at least we know you clicked the gem on right."