Zane had begun to grow accustomed to the look and flow of the place as they traveled before, but this second trip with Myli seemed much less frantic and more able to enjoy the journey. The constant interweaving between stems of plants or occasional brush of fish fearlessly bumping into him no longer gave him pause, though in the initial aftermath of the encounter with the shark-riding scout party he’d been jumpy of every touch.

He wished he had time to stop and study the plants or the creatures more closely, but he understood the stakes of their flight were Leor's - Prince Leor's - life or death, and felt much less inclined to flippancy with that fresh in his mind.

The fight had sobered him severely, reminding him that this may be a new chance at a fantastical life, but that no life was without its obstacles and dangers. Yet at the same time, he'd spent enough years stagnating in mundanity to almost welcome the danger. If anything could shock him out of complacency, well, deadly danger and horrific pain seemed to have done the trick.

Though he still winced when he thought back to his experience integrating and then recreating himself and wanted to forget it ever happened, he recognized that given the same choice again he'd do the exact same thing. And feeling the strength of his new body, the ease with which he sliced through the water, his absolute freedom of movement ... he didn't regret his choices at all.

He found himself doing little flips and twirls as they traveled, and caught Myli watching him more than once with a soft and lingering smile.

He grinned back. Somehow, knowing that she’d been brought up to protect Leor but wanted to escape made him feel an even deeper kinship with her. They both would see their duty through, but… after…

They swam over a wilder section of kelp, one that seemed as though it had once been cultivated like those neatly arranged patches closer to the temple where he’d been summoned. This place, though, hadn't been tended to and the different types were growing into each other. Thin blue strands twisted their way around thicker green stems, sprawling patches of dull reddish plants claimed uneven territory between and around the previously-neat squares

It was here that Zane finally asked, “How many safehouses do you guys have? I can’t imagine there are many left that usurper guy hasn’t found.”

“Indeed, there are few, but they are very secure. The old king was not without his supporters, and Leor is beloved by many of his subjects. Our next location, however..." Myli sighed and trailed off, lines of worry disturbing her face.

Zane swam closer. "What is it?"

"Father insists that we must present the final Called to the Acoseers before we proceed to whatever plan they have now. But everyone knows Leor was studying with them. There's a good chance it's being watched. He seems convinced that ignoring their augury is where we went wrong in the past."

"So these Acoseers, they see the future? And they teach--, sorry, help magical people?" He tried to keep his tone casual, but some of his eagerness must have shown through.

"You want to visit them?"

"Well," Zane gestured to himself. "Inactive magic powers..." then waved his hand out in the direction they were travelling, "People who help magic people with their powers." After all, if he was going to be fighting for the lives of himself and his team, he'd certainly be happier doing it with the inclusion of magical powers. Magical ocean, magical item, it seemed only right to head to the magic academy.

"And the part where it might be a trap?"

"We survived the last trip just fine."

Zane grinned, and Myli grinned back. "For you and I, perhaps, but my father? Leor? Can we safeguard them in such a circumstance?"

"We don't know it's a trap. It could be that the evil usurper isn't watching the place the last prince was last known to be living..."

Myli looked at him flatly.

"Okay, you're right, I don't believe that either. But since I haven't heard the actual plan yet, I'll reserve judgment. Maybe Leor has a secret back way in or something, and we can slip in right under the usurper's nose."