Chapter 586 – Waking Vesh

"Azor ahead! Azor ahead!" a sailor shouted from the crow's nest.

Another large island came into view, this one thankfully not obscured by fog and steam. Azor. It was the same island the adrift crabber Kanae and Hilde rescued from sea said he lived on. Vast mangroves surrounded Azor. The natives chopped into the dense forests to keep a path into the island open. Unlike the canoes and rowboats teeming in the waters of Hota'ree, the small vessels here boasted fin sails and flared rudders to steer.

Locals dove into the sea and resurfaced with crap pots full of alien crustaceans. They hoisted the traps onto their boats, then moved on to do the same at another location. Kanae drooled at the sight of their meaty claws and legs.

"You look starved." Gretchen smirked.

"We've been eating hardtack and mushrooms all day. I could go for some fresh seafood." Kanae wiped her chin.

"We're here? We're here!" Qoro joined them on the upper deck, jumping with joy. His eyes glistened, and a youthful energy filled him to the brim. He pointed into the distance, beyond the mangrove to a city against the rocky shores of the island. "That's Kazhai. It's famous for a wide variety of shellfish. Azor is cool because the mangroves provide the perfect habitat for mud crabs to grow strong and healthy. Lobsters live farther out in the waters though. But both can grow pretty big. Sometimes, one even grows into a dire crab or lobster! It's considered good fortune to eat one."

"Giant dire crab, huh?" She glanced into the water hungrily.

Thedia walked past them and signalled to the sailor near the bell. He rang it in an unusual pattern. The majority of the Rown ships behind them closed their sails with shouts to drop the anchors. However, the Seductress and only a few vessels continued through the mangrove.

"We're splitting the flotilla?" Kanae asked.

"Kazhai does not have a port large enough to moor all our ships. We'll rotate out every few days. I suspect you're going to be in Azor for a bit of time. After all, King Toro will not be found in Kazha, will he?" Thedia turned to Qoro.

"That's right. Chances are, my father will be in Moroi. It's the capital of Nu-hauta and center of religion in the archipelago," Qoro explained.

Smaller boats scooted out of the way as their ships drifted into the mangrove. The waterway was wide enough to support four of their galleons across, but no one liked a hog. Thedia had their procession of six ships sail through single-file.

Wildlife lived abundantly on and within the mangrove forest above water. Birds nestled in the canopies. Monkeys and other small critters crawled along the intertwining branches. The trees were thin-trunk but grew densely like bamboo. When the surface of the waters stilled, Kanae could glimpse the even denser roots that blanketed the seafloor, as well as the aquatic life that swam about them.

They emerged from the forest into a round lagoon. The city of Kazhai, built around the ring, was more developed than Masakam. Dome buildings were made of stone and brick, their rooftops dyed in an array of green, red, and white. Even the port was built closer in appearance to Kandis than the cities of its neighboring islands that used lumber.

On the docks, a man waved a torch in each hand to guide the ship into a spot. As soon as the Seductress pulled into one, wharf workers threw rope up to the crew to secure onto the ship's cleats. Sailors flung rope down to the docks for dockhands to secure them on anchor points, too.

"I don't suppose Rown Company has a base in Kazhai, too?" Kanae whispered to Thedia.

"Unfortunately not. Our only footholds in the archipelago are in Flotsam and Sonnae, but I doubt we can't count on them anymore. At any rate, if Azor is under King Toro's rule, then you shouldn't have to fear a cultist uprising. Hopefully." Thedia knocked on the wooden hull of her ship.

Four crewmen brought out a ramp to connect the ship to Kazhai's docks. Before Kanae could descend, Petyr stepped out from the ship. Worry still marred her expression.

"Vesh still isn't up yet?" Kanae asked softly.

"No." Petyr shook her head. "No amount of healing will wake him. I'm going to stay on the ship with Vesh. Listen, Kanae. I don't ask favors from you often. Can you look for something on the island that might help?"

To Kanae's side, Gretchen was about to make a snide remark. She shoved her tail into the half-succubus' mouth.

"You got it. After we find a place to stay, we'll check the apothecaries and churches around the city for something," Kanae promised.

Petyr nodded, then shoved Motta out from below deck.

"Take him with you," Petyr said.

"There better not be more monsters on this island…" Motta sighed.

The group entered Kazhai to the stares of countless elves. Kanae, Hilde, Gretchen, Motta, and Vestrid made for an odd combination. Three succubus, an incubus, and a drakeling was another bar joke waiting to happen. It also likely didn't help that people from the mainland hadn't come to Nu-hauta in some time either.

Kazhai was quite the tropical paradise. The lagoon was protected from the ocean wind fronts by somewhat mountainous terrain on all sides. A slightly warm and less intense breeze flowed downward into the city, but not enough to cook its populace.

It felt like ages since Kanae stepped on a stone road. The streets were paved. There were palm trees everywhere. Locals lounged by the boardwalk on benches or towels laid out to soak in the sun. Barking street vendors sold a diverse selection of fresh and cooked seafood. Qoro drew a deep breath walking past them.

"Smells just like when I was younger." Qoro smiled nostalgically.

"We'll get something to eat soon. I know I want to stuff myself with your culture's cuisine," Kanae said.

They checked into a large tavern that had been struggling to receive visitors. According to the tavernkeep, Nu-hauta had been seeing less patronage. The volcano's sudden appearance also exacerbated things. Thankfully, Kazhai accepted mainland currency. The group paid for two fancy suites on the second floor that were furnished and offered a view of the lagoon. Even the Seductress was within sight.

"Ughh… sniffle…"

Kanae jostled her bag, but Isabella wouldn't stop weeping.

"Can you not?" Kanae lifted the living grimoire out.

"I can't help it! We're even closer to the cultists now. For all I know, you're going to hand me over to them. That's why you're really here, isn't it?" Isabella asked.

"No, I'm not going to give you to them. That's the last thing I want to do! Besides, I've grown fond of having you around," she said.

The living grimoire's ribbon perked up.

"R-Really? Does this mean you'll string yourself up in the middle of town to get fucked like a public-use slut?" Isabella panted.

"No!" Kanae flung her across the room into the wall. "As… As tempting as that sounds, I'm pretty sure Petyr will kill me. I promised to buy some medicine for Vesh. If she finds out I'm getting my rocks off, my head is getting squashed."

"You didn't have to… chuck me like that…" she groaned.

Knock. Knock.

Kanae picked up Isabella and opened her room door. Hilde and Gretchen were peering in worriedly.

"We heard a loud thud," Hilde said.

"That was the living grimoire." Kanae brandished Isabella in one hand.

"If any of you other succubi wants to hold me gently once in a while, I'd be very grateful!" Isabella pleaded.

"Your very presence gives me goosebumps. No, thank you." The only other true succubus promptly turned her down.

"And as a crowned Priest, I have no use for you," Gretchen added.

"Stuck with the violent succubus then…" She groaned.

They shuffled over to the other suite intended to house Qoro and Motta, as well as Vesh and Petyr eventually. The boys had just finished putting their belongings down.

"Are we ready to go eat?" Qoro asked. "There's a popular restaurant in Kazhai called the Claw and Tail. They serve the best seafood!"

"You guys can go ahead of me. I'm going to look for an alchemist or apothecary for Vesh," Kanae said.

"Oh, if it's medicinal potions you're looking for, I recommend Imael. His shop is on The Steppes. The section of the city that's terraced," he explained.

On the way out of the tavern, Qoro directed their attention to the western part of Kazhai. The Steppes were built as terraces against the rocky cliffside. A very steep stairs offered access to all six levels of what he described was an artisanal district of sorts.

"Claw and Tail is a busy place, so we'll grab a reservation and wait for you guys," Qoro promised.

"Sounds good. Vestrid, go with them," Kanae ordered.

"No harm shall come to them on my watch. Come children! Aunt Vestrid will protect you. Who wants a piggyback ride?" Vestrid exclaimed.

"We're both adults! Also, this form is temporary!" Motta protested in a huff.

The party split in opposite directions. Kanae, Hilde, and Gretchen unfurled their wings to take flight. However, something splashed loudly behind them. Kanae whipped around.

Three elven women frolicked waist-deep in the shallow waters. They were completely naked, hair drenched, and bodies glistening from sweat and moisture. Kanae couldn't help but watch. One of them looked up. Their eyes met. The elven woman waved, her breasts bouncing as she did.

Kanae swallowed hard.

"Come on, you horny succubus." Gretchen came back to yank her away.

"But the sexy elves!" Kanae complained.

They followed the directions to a quaint little salon on the upper part of The Steppes. Gretchen opened the door for them, and a powerful floral aroma obliterated their sense of smell. Both of them couldn't help coughing up their lungs on the way in.

"What's the matter? Never smelled fragrant flowers before?" An old elven man laughed from behind the counter.

"Oh, I like flowers… Just not whatever this is…" Kanae winced.

The salon had more plants than potions. Baskets of empty vials sat in a corner of the room, collecting dust. Bookshelves contained both books and potions vying for space. A wide net stretched from one side of the ceiling to the next. Exotic flowers and vegetation hung from it. The old man casually plucked a vibrant red and orange petal, added them to his mortar, and began mashing the ingredients with a pestle. Doing so emitted another strong floral scent into the air.

"Locals pointed us to your shop. You're Imael, right?" Kanae asked.

"I am." Imael adjusted his thick spectacles and looked up at them. "Hm. In all my years, I did not expect to see a succubus. Let alone two. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"A friend of ours got knocked a little too hard in a fight. He's been in a coma for a day and a half. Our magic isn't doing it. I was hoping you have something to wake him," she explained.

Imael sucked his teeth and stopped grinding the paste. A sudden moment of inspiration struck him. He came out from the counter, carrying a stepstool with him. It allowed him access to the highest point of the shelf to the ceiling, where he grabbed a single thumb-sized vial of gray liquid.

"That looks abhorrently disgusting," Gretchen said.

"It feels like my sense of smell is being assaulted. need to step outside…" Hilde rushed out.

"Trust me. It smells worse than it looks. But it might just wake your friend, succubus. It isn't made for imbibing, mind you," Imael explained.

"What? How is this supposed to help then?" Kanae asked.

"It's best if you just take my word—"

"I'm not going to buy some random potion!" she fired back.

The apothecary sighed. He uncorked the small vial, and the most rancid and vile odor filled the room. Kanae and Gretchen ran out of the store, dry heaving like there was no tomorrow. Both of them were suddenly thankful that neither had eaten yet.

"It seems my instincts in leaving proved to be the right choice." Hilde was standing as far as possible.

"Why… Why would you give us something like that? I've never heard of a potion that smells so fetid!" Gretchen reined herself in from vomiting.

"An unconscious person still has some of their mental faculties working. This sort of… surprises them awake, so to say," Ishaeml said, plugging the vial and seemingly unaffected by the horrid stench.

"It's not that I don't believe you. If I pop this fart bomb on Vesh and he doesn't wake up, my head will be the one to pop next!" Kanae scratched her horn.

"Fine." He stomped back into his salon and returned a minute later with a second potion. "This is for your murderous friend, should the initial potion fail to awaken your unconscious friend."

They stared blankly at Imael.

"It will put her to sleep. No foul smell included," Imael assured them.

Kanae paid the man with a small stack of gold coins. Together with Hilde and Gretchen, they flew down to the Seductress. It felt good not having guards scold about not flying like in Savir. Thedia jumped with surprise when they landed on the deck.

They descended into the ship and knocked on Petyr's bedroom. The high elf answered the door, the dark circles under her eyes were worse than yesterday. Inside, Vesh in his mature form was lying in bed unconscious. His cheeks were gaunt from having not eaten in over a day.

"You have the potion? Will it truly work?" Petyr asked.

"Uh. One way to find out," Kanae said, taking the vial to the bedside.

The second the cork popped off, the room would fill with an unbearably disgusting smell. Gretchen preemptively opened the window. Petyr watched intently from behind Kanae's shoulders.

"Here goes nothing…" Kanae popped open the vial.

Immediately, everyone began dry heaving. Rotten eggs left out under the sun, spoiled milk, cow manure… It was a combination of every nasty odor imaginable.

A hand flew out and grabbed Kanae by the throat, lifting her off the ground.

"Yep… I knew this was going to happen…" Kanae croaked.

"What the fuck did you… uurrk… do?" Petyr asked, doing her best not to gag.

"Ugh. My head hurts. And why does it smell so bad in here?" Vesh scooted himself upright against the headboard of the bed.

"Vesh!" The high elf gasped.

Kanae felt the grip on her throat loosen. She dropped to the ground. Petyr threw both arms over the incubus for a tight embrace.

"Thank the Supreme One, you're awake! I was so worried!" Petyr cried.

It was a moment of vulnerability Kanae had only seen in the rarest occasion— which meant they better get out of the room soon. She turned around to the other two. Gretchen had fallen into a battle stance, the 'just in case' vial clenched tightly in one hand. Kanae shooed them towards the exit.

They made it outside and quietly closed the door. Kanae had almost shut it entirely until someone on the other end grabbed the knob and wouldn't budge. The door swung open back to Petyr looming over them. Her eyes flicked to the potion in Gretchen's hands, then to Kanae.

"Thank you. It still fucking reeks in here, but… thanks," Petyr said.

"Y-Yeah, no problem. We're going to go eat at a place called Claw and Tail if you want to join us," Kanae informed them.

"I need a moment. We'll catch up." Vesh offered a thumb's up from the bed.

Petyr shut the door on them. The three breathed a sigh of relief.

"In the span of a minute, I've witnessed Petyr Stormcloud show two emotions for the first time. Kanae, you truly are a miracle around her," Gretchen said.

"I HEARD THAT. LEAVE. NOW!" Petyr roared within the room.

"Yes, ma'am!" They panicked and made a break for it.