Joan

Chapter XLII

"Um, what was that?" Lan says, breaking the silence several seconds after the thing disappears below the surface again, even its dark form vanishing.

Whatever it was, I am not going to get a piece from its mouth- if it even has any- that much is for sure.

"Maybe we should worry less about that than trying to get to the other side," Nimu replies, staring down into the unknown depths.

But no matter how we look at it, there's no way to leap across to each other's stepping stones without either A) falling short and falling into the water with whatever the hell that creature was or B) pushing the other person off their stone into the water.

So it appears we're stuck.

"Oh, there is a way to all get through this alive without getting even a speck of water on yourselves."

"Oh yeah?" I reply, not really paying attention to the confused looks the others are giving me.

"Yes, but you must listen carefully," He begins. "You will all, individually, answer a question truthfully. If you lie or only tell part of the truth then you will be dropped into the water- and I'm sure that is not the predicament you wish to be in."

I'm with him so far. I don't know why he's making my question time more easy to demand than usual- I guess the stakes weren't high enough.

"Okay," I start to explain to the others. "We can get out of this mess pretty easily by just answering some questions honestly."

"Okay...how do you know this?" Chasan questions suspiciously.

"I just do, okay."

I mean, it's kinda impossible not to sound shifty as fuck when it's obvious someone's feeding me information.

"Okay, so what are the questions?" Lan asks, his eyes nervously scanning the water.

In response to that, Tymos answers in my head.

"You may ask any meaningful question that you have longed to ask."

I relay the info. "You make 'em up. It's whatever deep, philosophical question you have."

"Since you are the ever-so-outspoken leader, I will allow you to start first. You will direct your question to Nimu. And, not to influence your decision, but I would ask her if she remembers me as fondly as I remember her."

I'm confused, surprised, and annoyed all at the same time. He's enjoying this too much already- this ain't going to end well.

Looking at Nimu, I can't imagine what this stupid question might mean to her, but since I have no other question ready (aside from maybe what species her parents were), I take the bait.

"How do you know Tymos?"

She blinks as if not understanding the question- which is fair because it's kinda stupid in the first place.

"Who in this world doesn't know of him? He's the emperor."

Without warning, the stone beneath her drops a bit, enough to make her lose a balance a bit before regaining it. She's that much closer to the water, and not happy about that fact.

"She's not being truthful with you." He coos.

"You need to be a hundred with me," I tell her as she looks at the water in slight panic. "How do you know Tymos?"

"I told you," She says, her voice hitching in worry. "Everyone in Pyranaleath'tai knows of him."

Again, the stone sinks more into the water, causing her eyes to dart around nervously at the depths below.