Book One Chapter Fifty One: Check Lever Threshold

Book One Chapter Fifty One: Check Lever Threshold

Following the slick stone stairs, with softly-glowing moss lighting their way, the party came to a stone platform overlooking a stone room, half-filled with water. On the platform next to them was a large lever, perfectly balanced in the middle of a groove. The lever was, unsurprisingly, also stone. On the floor of the room below them was a large closed clam, about the size of a horse. On the other side of the wall, level with the platform but high above the room below them was an open doorway, leading into another corridor.

Qube, making sure to stay far away from the ledge of the platform in case the Chosen One decided to try and think quick her over the edge again, studied the giant clam. After a few minutes, a steady stream of bubbles emerged from the clams lips. She narrowed her eyes at it in suspicion.

Chosen One, I think that clam is alive, she whispered to her friend.

Probably, the Chosen One responded mournfully. Qube looked in his direction, immediately concerned by his tone of voice. The Chosen One was looking from the lever to the water below, then back again. I knew it would be something like this, he explained to Qube morosely.

He reached out and touched the very tip of the lever. It instantly threw itself to one side, causing the water to rapidly drain out of the room. Qube, forgetting to be wary of friendly pushings, rushed to the edge of the platform to see where the water went. Tiny grates lined the room, and the lever appeared to have opened them! How clever! Still, there was no way that volume of water could dissipate that quickly through such small grates, no matter how many there were.

She turned to tell the Chosen One, only to see him still looking at the lever. Now, however, he was regarding said lever with a more thoughtful expression. He touched the levers tip again, causing it to violently throw itself to the other side. Grates in the ceiling opened up, and a torrent of water instantly cascaded down. Far, far more water than could be pushed through narrow grates. But this time the water level rose much higher than when the lever had been in the middle, until it lapped at the edge of the platform.

Now deep underwater, the giant clam started to open, revealing a humongous pearl.

Somethings not quite right here Qube started to say, before the Chosen One tapped the lever again. As soon as it hit the left side of the groove, the ceiling grates shut off, and the floor grates opened, dumping out the freshly acquired liquid. The Chosen One hit it again, snapping it over to the right side, slamming the floor grates shut and reopening the ceiling holes.

Then he stuck his hand in the middle of the groove and slapped the lever back towards the left. He caught it in the middle, then brought his other hand around and started batting it back and forth, causing the grates to flicker open and shut, the water simultaneously flooding in and draining out. The clam kept partly opening and closing its mouth, like it was trying to yell at them from under the water, and the Chosen One laughed as he slapped the switch faster and faster, for all the world like an overgrown cat.

Finally there was a terrible crunching sound, and the lever stuck in the middle of the groove, back to its original position. Now, however, both the floor and ceiling grates were jammed wide open, waves of water continuously pouring in and out.

Noble Patron, this seems like it will cause some issues, Sewer Bard pointed out tactfully.

I think if we try playing with that big stick well be able to get further, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady said. As the Chosen One stopped admiring his handiwork to look at her, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady actually seemed mildly embarrassed by what shed just said. I mean, its possible that we need to use the lever to change the water level.

As Definitely Bad Guy opened his mouth to add to the discussion, the Chosen One threw himself into the water, now nearly level with the platform. Once again, Qube was going to be stuck walking along the bottom of the water and then clawing her way up.

Unless...

Gathering herself, Qube jumped directly on top of the Chosen One. She slammed feet first onto his shoulders, then used them as a springboard to launch herself across the room, smacking into the wall right under the open doorway, fingers just catching the ledge, and then hauling herself up.

The Chosen One flailed, the impact of Qube causing him to plummet to the bottom of the watery room, before he bounced back up, breaking the surface of the water with a gasp. He bobbed in place, staring at Qube in shock. Behind him, the other party members splashed their way into makeshift well.

Its a clamshell, Qube told him, helpfully.

Yeah but what does it do? the Chosen One asked. Is it an ingredient?

Not in any potion I know of, Qube replied. We might find a recipe that calls for them, though. She frowned at the shell. This probably sounds strange, but it doesnt feel like an ingredient. They were reaching the end of the corridor, where another open doorway greeted them. The water had drained away from their feet, and all the water had dripped off the others, leaving them perfectly dry.

Yeah, theyre appearing below my gold count, which is a little worrying, the Chosen One said. This place had better not have its own currency on top of all the other [balderdash].

Up above, pink and blue lights glowed. Faint singing could be heard, followed by an exclamation from Sewer Bard, then a splash.

Gold is the universal currency, Qube said absentmindedly, distracted by the music. Its the only precious metal that doesnt weigh anything in coin format. She tried to refocus on the Chosen One. Wait, what do you mean gold count?

How much gold Ive got, he replied, before they reached the open doorway and all thoughts flew away.

Just below them was an enchanting grotto. Turquoise blue water lapped at a smooth rock jutting above the surface, while stalactites dripped from the ceiling. Little pink and blue orbs circled around, with some clustering into little alcoves carved into the caves walls. Light beamed up from beneath the water, coating the whole area in a pale blue hue.

But that was not what drew the eye. Rather, it was the mermaid sitting on the slanted stone, bathed in the blue dappled light, watching as Sewer Bard swam towards her. She was, quite simply, the most beautiful creature Qube had ever seen. Long, seaweed-like blue hair flowed down the length of her body and pooled in the water around her, gently twisting in the eddies. Her ears were big and pointy enough to make a full-blooded elf feel faint with jealousy. Gills sliced along her neck, and from the clavicle down she gradually transformed from a humanoid woman into a fish. With a flick of her giant, iridescent tail, she playfully splashed Sewer Bard.

Her song, though, reached right through any critical thinking and exploded into a frisson of joy. As the Chosen One crossed the threshold the song faded away, leaving only echoes.

I greet you. Hello, she warbled, raising up her hands towards the Hero. As she did, Qube spotted golden shackles around the mermaids wrists, chaining her to the rock. Her voice was soft and soothing, like how Qube imagined the hush of waves against sand would sound.

The Chosen One raised an eyebrow as Sewer Bard hoisted himself up onto the rock, sitting at the mermaids tail and pulling out his lute. His fingers danced across the strings, green mana gently rising in the air and dispersing within the grotto, adding hints of green to the blue and pink floating around.

I ask you, will you help me? the sea creature asked, her big black eyes drawing everyone in.

I would give my life for one as enchanting as yourself, Sewer Bard said, staring at her with puppy-like devotion. Her gaze shifted, casually caressing Sewer Bard, before returning to the Chosen One.

Sure, the Chosen One said, casually picking up Qube and hoisting her onto his back into the classic piggybacking pose, accidentally jamming his backpack into her stomach, then jumping feet first into the water.

Next time, Qube vowed as the duo plunged down, causing the backpack to lift and crack under her jaw, she would make him remove the bag before the piggyback.