Salem and co were all gathered around the work table.

"This is..."

"Disgusting" Salem finished for Syryn.

The fish's open mouth showed rot from the inside.

"It smells really bad," Riha wrinkled his nose at the fish. "When did it die?"

"Not even an hour ago."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," Syryn said to Salem. However, even he was perplexed by the condition of the fish's mouth.

"Nobody is to go swimming in that lake till we figure out what's going on with this creature," Salem said to the two swimmers of the group. He worried that something was amiss with the lake. The half-elf glanced at Syryn wishing he could have the old Syryn back. His intelligence and knowledge could have aided them right now. Salem knew he was smart, but, he was no Syryn.

"How about I go and take a look at the lake?" Riha asked. "I am sensitive to changes in water so I might be able to tell you something about it."

Salem seemed to think about Riha's suggestion. He didn't want to put the selkie in any unnecessary danger.

"Not yet. I think we should first see what information we might be able to extract from the fish itself." But Salem had another thought. "Riha, Enkansh, can you guys go fishing tomorrow? Catch as many fish as you can and bring to back here but do it without going into the water."

Riha and Enkansh looked at each other. Neither was willing and neither wanted to be the first to raise an objection to Salem's request.

"I can go alone," Riha finally said to the half-elf. "Enkansh should rest at home."

"How about I go?" Came Enkansh's rebuttal. "It's time for me to contribute to my stay here so let me do it."

They were like children who didn't get along. Salem didn't know what to do with the pair.

"I said both of you. So you can co-operate or let me do it."

They relented to the glare that came their way. Salem was uncompromising about his aim to foster friendship between the duo and he was going to make it happen whether they liked it or not.

"I'll see you at the lake tomorrow," Enkansh said to Riha then walked off before Salem could get anymore ideas.

"Five points for Enkansh," Salem declared with a smile. "The first one to reach a thousand points gets something special from me."

Now both of the ocean dwellers turned to look at Salem.

"What's this special something?" Enkansh first asked. If this something was special to land dwellers then it meant that it had to be extra special to him since everything was a novelty at this point. Enkansh was very addicted to the sugary confections that only humans were capable of making. Even the fruits of the land were much sweeter and textured than ocean fruits.

The blond alchemist had a businesslike look on his face when he responded. "I've got one thousand crowns at the disposal of the winner. Riha, if you win, can you imagine the number of rare books that a thousand crowns could buy?" Salem then turned to the siren. "Enkansh, all the delicious sweet fruits and desserts that you've missed out on. A thousand crowns can fulfil all your hearts desires. Does that entice you?"

_____

Underneath the inner sanctum of the temple lay the Blessing Hall. It had a large statue of goddess Eos looking down upon her children. The walls of the Blessing hall were also decorated with frescoes of scenes depicting Eos' trials before she was worshipped by humans. There was also an altar made of Rowan wood and it stood below the statue of Eos.

5 high priests and 5 high priestesses were gathered in the Blessing Hall. They sat in chairs around a round table at the centre of the hall. Seated with them were Rowan and Lucien.

After what had taken place between the old priest and Red inside the inner sanctum, Rowan had ushered them both to the Blessing Hall. Now here they were, facing a collective of old and young faces who were judging Rowan's decision to bring Red inside the Hall. It was as if the anti mage was pushing as far as he could to see how much they were willing to tolerate for his sake.

"You should know why we have summoned you today, Rowan," a young lady began. She had blonde hair braided down her side.

"I do, and you all should know what I've come to say," Rowan replied. There wasn't a lot of respect to be found in the way he spoke to the blonde woman. This, in turn, irked her but she was well versed in hiding her thoughts.

"There's no need to raise your voice, Rowan," an old woman with greying hair interjected in a slow drawl.

"I didn't raise my voice, high priestess."

Red's foot tapped against the floor like he was tapping along to a silent tune that he alone could hear. His eyes roamed the hall, avidly looking at the frescoes of Eos. Her story was laid out in the form of art and Red was fascinated by it. He couldn't believe Rowan had brought him inside here. He couldn't believe Eos hadn't already struck him dead for daring to walk into the innermost chambers of her temple.

"You shouldn't talk back to the revered high priestess," the old priest with the cane attempted to admonish the anti mage but it went into deaf ears. Rowan didn't give a rat's ass about what the priest had to say.

"Monick, did you know that Rowan Windwalker has an illegitimate son?" The old priest turned to speak loudly to another priest. "Because there he is, the redheaded child has been sired by Rowan."

A chorus of voices spoke out in dissent. They were trying to be heard above each other because the news was too shocking to them.

"Is this why you brought me here?" Red whispered in Rowan's ears after beckoning for him to bend down to Red's sitting height.

"Yes."

Rowan flashed a smile that only Red could see.

"SILENCE!"

Hearing the loud male voice, they all stopped speaking and turned to him. This high priest was another fossil with greying hair and a snowy white beard. His name was Obed.

"Rowan, explain yourself!"