When a group of sailors came to the Adeluna taverns with job offerings for any barmaid who wanted to go on a grand trip to see Itjivut, this was not what she had in mind. Cloe slammed a drink on a table in irritation. She wasn't allowed to go off the ship, she got tasked with additional duties including laundry and clean up around the ship, and she wasn't even included in the expedition.  The whole point of the trip was to go to Itjivut to do some research and test out the ship, which happened to be a prototype.

The ship had a special emergency defense system. A magical stone had been embedded somewhere on the ship which would use air magic to circle around the ship like a bubble and keep it afloat even during massive storms or if the ship got damaged. Fortunately, they hadn't run into any trouble yet and she wasn't too keen on testing out that particular part of the ship. The scholars had just brought back a massive ice block aboard the ship after docking on Itjivut. The scholars believe it was a giant seal trapped in ice from hundreds of years ago. They also found some other strange discoveries including what they hope to be some old armor that was left by an ancient society.

"Oi! We ain't paying for your bad attitude." One of the higher-up sailors shouted at her.

"So sorry." Cloe managed to force a smile.

The only reason she even joined this trip was to get the chance to see Itjivut and even that was denied. Her irritation was getting the better of her. Despite her disappointment, the pay was good and she might even afford a trip of her own with a couple more months of savings. Cloe continued to smile as she served a few more customers and listened in on their conversations. Once her shift was over, she hung up her apron and put away the rest of drinks.

"The bar's closed already? Come on!" Someone complained.

"If you want it to ever open up again then keep your mouth shut." Cloe retorted.

There was only so much she could hold. Cloe left the dining room and made her way to the top of the deck. Her eyes glanced up to the beautiful bright blue sky. She could feel the warmth of the sun despite the cold wind from the ocean. Suddenly, she heard someone's footsteps though she made no move to recognize them or look at them.

"Needed some fresh air?" She asked them.

Naram was still looking for leads relating to the mysterious creature that he had encountered back in Parvpora, but so far his search came to a crawl. He had built up trust with the Bohar tribes so that he was welcomed as a friend and hired himself out as a hunter when they needed money. Fortunately Canelux was a fertile and plentiful land, though with the seasons changing he and Zaya would need to seek warmer pastures. The nomad had heard of the ice island, a land far south below the edge of Canelux. Despite being a far harsher climate than he was used to, he chose to take a chance. Perhaps the elves and people there knew something about a creature with six fingers? Naram offered his skills when he saw sailors asking around for individuals willing to come along. They were reluctant at first, but after a display of his archery, they decided to give the nomad a place on board. Zaya happened to be outside grooming herself after taking a stroll around the docks, so the sailors had no idea they were getting a two-for-one deal. Naturally wherever he went, Zaya would come too. 

Zaya didn't know they were going to be on a boat until her human brought out a large bag he often wore slung over his shoulders. Typically this bag would be placed on the backside of a horse, but it seemed they wouldn't be bringing the beast of burden today. Setting the large backpack down, Naram made an opening and laid it on the floor near the cat. Zaya's pale green eyes looked up at him curiously. Did he want her to go inside? Perhaps they would be traveling for a long time. Usually Naram would carry her in the bag when they moved to a new place. She would fall off of the back of a horse and she could take a nap inside the bag too. She wasn't a fussy cat, so she went in and turned around inside so her head poked out of the opening. With some difficulty, Naram hoisted the bag up and slung it over his shoulder. "We'll be visiting a place we've never seen before, Zaya. There's going to be a lot of ice and snow. But you'll be fine, at least." He chuckled. Her dense coat would keep her warm. "You'll need to be quiet for a while, I'm not sure if they'll be willing to let you on the ship."

Zaya purred to let her human know she didn't mind. And so, no one suspected a thing when Naram came aboard with a rather large sack. They assumed it was just supplies. The ship was much more different than the nomad had expected. He had been on ships before–they were mostly made of wood and had the lingering smell of brine and salt. Quarters were cramped and uncomfortable while there was this swaying motion that you needed to get used to to walk straight. The small room he was given was much better than his past experiences on ships this size. It smelled clean, no stale air or stagnant saltwater. As he put his belongings down, he let Zaya out and told her not to leave markings inside. They would only be here for a little while, this wasn't new territory. 

He was called to help load up a large chunk of ice secured with ropes onboard. He had no idea what it was or why they were taking it, but the people who hired him believed it was important. There was something large trapped inside of it, but the ice was too occluded for him to see through. After cleaning up, he returned to his room to see how Zaya was doing. The large house cat woke up from her spot on his bed, having spent most of the day napping. He scratched her ears and patted her back before preparing to leave again.

He told the cat he would be back in a bit with something for her to eat. As Naram closed the door, Zaya waited until the sound of his footsteps faded before leaping up to place her paws on the handle. Cats were independent creatures; just because you told them to stay put didn't mean they would listen. Zaya understood he was worried, but felt it was important that she inspect their new living area for danger. As a guardian spirit, it was her responsibility. A large fluffy cat emerged from an ajar door before trotting off down the hall. She caught a new scent in the air, and immediately went after it.

Cloe was met by a bearded man with a tanned complexion and dark hair. His clothes were a mixture of cloth and furs, and he looked more suited for the wilderness than the sea. Squinting his eyes at the cold sea breeze, he replied back to her. "I feel less tired out here than in a small room down there." Turning to look out at the ocean, Naram saw dark blue as far as the eye could see. He could feel the chill coming in through the wind. It had a bite to it compared to the crisp coolness of the plains. "This is the most comfortable ship I have been on, considering things. What exactly is this expedition about anyway?"

A man with a beard and a tanned complexion stood next to her with some unique clothes and wildness about him. Cloe quickly glanced back at rolling waves beyond her reach. Small chunks of ice floated up and down to the whims of the wind, all too small to become a problem for the sturdy ship. The smell of the salty ocean was as strong as ever and could wake anybody from their daydreams. The stranger mentioned the expedition and asked what it was about. A look of surprise was unavoidable. She assumed everybody on the trip would have heard something about it by now. It's all anybody talked about.

"They're looking for some ancient artifacts that got frozen in the snow. From what I heard, they didn't find anything beyond a seal and some broken armor pieces." Cloe explained, "All those scholars are still giddy like kids even if it's just a few fragments."

She could understand them getting excited over magical weapons or something that was actually useful. Instead, they had a collection of tiny fragments from old armors and weapons. Maybe these scholars didn't realize that a fragment was only a tiny piece and wouldn't get them any closer to what the real ancients had. Or maybe Cloe was still bitter over being tricked into work and no play.

"I'm Cloe Lockwood. Who are you?" She asked, "You clearly know nothing about the expedition so you're not a scholar. You ain't a sailor either. I can tell. What'cha here for?"

The stranger seemed pleasant and he lacked the overconfidence most sailors were corrupted with. Cloe's question was blunt since she hated wasting words but there was no ill-will coming from her. There was genuine interest in her eyes as she spoke and a hint of curiosity. She listened quietly to his explanation, nodding in the correct places but not saying much else. Once he was done, she gave him a small smile.

"Tell you what. Since you're a decent person and I'm bored, how about we head down to the kitchen for some snacks?" Cloe offered, "They're not paying me enough to not steal."

The kitchens were below deck and close to the storage room. She had been careful to befriend the chef and he gave her full permission to come and go whenever she pleased. The chef would overlook any missing items as long as it didn't interrupt dinner. In exchange, she helped him cheat at games of cards with the other crew members. Little did she know, somebody else was already in the kitchens.

All this for some old objects buried in ice? Naram furrowed his brow at her answer. He was frank with the woman when she asked why he was here. "They needed a few extra hands to help with loading what they found. As hunter, I at least had some knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness. Seems like I've just come along for nothing then." The nomad was disappointed in learning that the people who hired him likely wouldn't know anything about the creature he was looking for. They were already focused on something else; they wouldn't have time to answer his questions. "My name is Naram." The people of his tribe did not have more than a given name. His clothes showed he was used to living away from civilization.

Nomad or not, offering to share food was a way of building bonds across all lands. Giving Cloe a nod in reply, his green eyes made a sharp contrast to his dark hair. "I won't turn you down on that. I was just about to head there myself." She reminded him on why he had stepped out earlier. Maybe he could bring back something nice for Zaya today. The cat wasn't a picky eater, but he wanted to make up for leaving her on her own for most of the day. However, he would soon learn Zaya was much less well-behaved than she appeared. While the two had been chatting, the spirit guardian managed to avoid detection from the ship's crew in her little stroll. Following the smell of something savory, Zaya made her way below deck into the kitchen's larder. 

The doors had been locked, but that wouldn't stop a cat of her caliber. Crouching low on her hind legs, the large mackerel tabby cat leaped up to paw at the lock. With a bit of magic, the door opened without a hitch. She then wormed her way inside, slipping in through the door that was ajar. Climbing the shelves, Zaya waved her tail as she took in the various smells. There were grains, dry beans, and other foodstuffs that weren't edible. Hanging from the top were tasty goodies like dried meats and cured cuts. Her pupils dilated as she licked her lips, eyeing them. Fortunately she discovered something else more suited to her tastes closer to the ground: a container filled with sardines. These were salt-cured, but the top layer had been removed revealing delicious non-salt encrusted fish. 

As nobody had noticed her intrusion, Zaya proceeded to help herself. She enjoyed sampling the sardines, taking her time to lap up every last drop of fishy goodness. Once she was finished, she emerged from the pantry, pushing the door closed behind her. She then trotted back to her human's room, leaving the kitchen staff and crew none the wiser. Not long after Zaya left the scene, Naram followed Cloe's lead into the kitchen. 

Naram was honest and frank, never becoming impolite but keeping that bluntness. Perhaps the rest of this trip would improve with somebody else to talk to? With a small smile, Cloe led him down towards the kitchens. There was mostly dried food with a few crates filled with never melting icicles to keep the fresh stuff cold, and even that would only last for a few weeks. The kitchen itself was fairly large and as clean as a whistle mostly thanks to Chloe's work. She couldn't stand unhygienic food places. But when she opened the door to the kitchen, a frown had formed as she ran in. 

"Oh shit oh shit." She muttered as she ran to one of the open cupboards nearer to the ground.

A container that had been filled with sardines laid empty on the cupboard floor. If it was human, it would have cleaned up after itself. That could only me one thing. Her eyes widened and she began rushing through the rest of the kitchen, checking to see if anything else had been bitten or scraped up or even moved a little. Luckily, it seemed the only thing that had been affected was the sardines. For now. She turned to Naram and grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the kitchen. 

"We need to search this ship. If we have rats onboard we need to tell the captain as soon as possible." Cloe explained, "And we don't eat anything until those rats have been found." 

Although this was the first time on a ship, Chloe knew the dangers of rats getting into the kitchens. Rats carried plagues, infestations, fleas, and a thousand other problems. All it would take was one person to get infected for the entire ship to get sick. A ship full of sick people was deadly. She dragged Naram to the storage room then freed him, beginning to check the shelves for any rat nests or anything else. 

"Search some of the bottom shelves and I'll look at the top." She instructed, "There's always the chance they're in the walls but since this is a thin-walled ship I doubt that's as likely to be the case." 

Cloe's attitude drastically changed once they arrived at the kitchen. Concern, worry, and perhaps a bit of panic set in. Following on her heels, Naram noted the open door which was supposed to be closed and a container that shouldn't be empty. There was a smell of fish oil coming from it, which made him wonder… Before he could take a closer look, he was pulled away. Cloe explained to him why she was so anxious at this sight, answering any questions he would have had otherwise. He let out a sigh and gave a nod in understanding. Rats were a problem everywhere, but in a space that was closed off like a ship, her concerns were right. The nomad began inspecting the bottom shelves of the unlocked pantry area for any signs of rodents. Small holes, chewed bits, and even droppings were telltale marks of their presence. Even holes that didn't seem big enough shouldn't be overlooked–people didn't realize that rodents were more flexible than they appeared. Just as cats were able to slip through gaps that looked too small for them.

He suddenly stood up, eyes wide. Naram quickly glanced over the remaining shelves and noticed the grain, cheese, and dried meats were free of any bites or marks. Yet the sardines container was completely clean. Too clean. He narrowed his eyes before turning to Cloe. "I think I have an idea where our fish thief went." He motioned with his hand for her to wait before going back up the stairs. His brow was furrowed, and he quickened his steps as he headed towards his room. Opening the door, he found Zaya lazing about on the bed. The long-haired cat opened her pale green eyes with a yawn, stretching her legs with a purr. Her human looked down with a sigh, then scooped her up. 

Zaya's ears were moving about as Naram carried her in his arms like a child. Wasn't he acting a bit strange today? Before he always told her to stay in the room and not to make a mess, but now he was taking her outside. With a stern look on his face, the nomad returned to the kitchen holding a large mackerel tabby house cat. Holding up the cat by her arms, he showed Cloe the cause of the missing fish. "I found the 'rats'. I thought it was strange that the grain and cheese were untouched, yet not a single drop of sardine oil was left behind." The man eyed the cat, who innocently looked in another direction. 

At first, Cloe was confused as to what Naram was up to but figured he must have an idea. Maybe a trap they can set for the rats? She shrugged her shoulders and got on her hands and knees to look for any holes or dead rats. Maybe there was just one and that would explain why all the other food was untouched? Before she could continue her investigation further, Naram returned with a fluffy fur-ball. It wasn’t a rat. Cloe quickly jumped to her feet and had a big smile on her face.

“A baby!” She exclaimed as she scooped up Zaya into her arms, “The sweetest little kitty ever!”

Poor Zaya was cuddled and held like a baby as Cloe was completely entranced by this little creature’s cuteness. The cat would find its face squished and her nose booped. It was only until after Zaya’s fur was all messed up that she realized she might have been stepping over some lines and quickly returned the cat back to Naram. Her face was pink from embarrassment as she gave a quick cough.

“Um anyways. It’s good to know it wasn’t a rat.” Cloe stated, “And if the little kitty cat needs a snack I’m okay with letting her have what she wants from the kitchen. Besides, nobody else on this ship eats sardines anyway.”

Suddenly the room jolted and shook with such a force that sent Cloe falling to the floor. Several jars fell from the shelves, crashing against the floor along with boxes and a few food items. Shoving herself up from the floor, she dashed out into the hall, away from all the clutter of the storage room. The hall was shaking just as violently and Cloe had to hold onto the wall to keep herself from falling. Shouts and screams from above deck and other parts of the ship lingered in the air.

Then she noticed that the hall looked a little bit odd. Almost as if one end was lower while the other was rising. The change was subtle and barely noticeable but troubling. Wasn’t this ship supposed to be unsinkable? Cloe looked back to see how Naram and Zaya were. After confirming that they were safe, she motioned for them to follow her as she began sprinting up the hallway. They needed to find a room to go in and find out what the hell was going on. 

While Naram was frowning at the long-haired cat in his arms, Cloe immediately began fawning over her. Zaya's pale green eyes blinked innocently as she was patted, coddled, and poked by a new face. Her human crossed his arms as the cat patiently waited until the lady was satisfied. She wasn't a young skittish kitten, and Zaya did enjoy being given attention. Her tail swished from side to side as she purred in contentment. Just as quickly as she had been picked up, she was then returned to the nomad's arms again. This wasn't a new sight for Naram. Wherever he went, people were fascinated by her. Zaya was larger than most domesticated cats, and her long voluminous fur enticed people to hug or pet the cat. Although Zaya was behaving now, she felt that her human still wasn't too pleased with her, judging by the subtle difference in how his arms held her tight.

Naram was relieved that Cloe reacted surprisingly well to Zaya. All this time he had taken great care to keep the cat hidden, bringing her food along with his own meals. "I had a sneaking suspicion when I didn't see any small bite marks or wood shavings. It's a good thing that we don't need to worry about pests on board." There was also the fact that only sardines had gone missing. "I appreciate the goodwill Miss Cloe, though it'd be best not to spoil her too much." The nomad said, looking down at the furball nestled comfortably in his arms. Zaya licked her lips, flicking her ears as she avoided his gaze.

While Naram was thinking of how to discipline Zaya for her unruly behavior, he quickly grabbed onto the nearest thing fixed to the wall with one arm with Zaya in his other. The shaking didn't stop, and he started moving out of the kitchen to avoid getting injured by falling objects. Even if it slowed him down, Naram wasn't willing to put the cat down–she might injure herself if there was broken glass. Zaya's pupils were now dilated and her ears were twitching wildly. So many sounds and noises happened at the same time, causing the guardian beast great concern. She recognized the screams of people and her tail tucked itself between her legs in worry. Once he was able to stand safely without support, he made his way towards his room to grab the bag he used to sneak the cat in. With an unspoken understanding, Zaya knew she needed to get in. Once she was inside, Naram slung the bag over his shoulder, leaving the top open for her to peer through. If something was going on, he needed his hands free.

Rejoining Cloe, when he caught up with her he raised his voice so she could hear him: "What's going on?! Is the ship being attacked?" But weren't they supposed to be anchored? What was making the ship shake this much? As the ship was thrown into confusion and panic, Zaya's nose picked up the scent of sea salt and water…

"I don't know!" Cloe shouted back as she clung to one of the walls.

The shaking continued as she felt her stomach rise…it was almost like they were falling. Then there was a loud crash and Cloe found herself being flung into the other side of the wall with a massive slam. The shaking stopped and the entire ship was still once again. Cloe's head pound and she felt pain all over her arms and legs. Managing to pull herself to her feet, she looked over to Naram and Zaya to see if they were injured. A little bruised maybe but both alive.

"Right. Okay. So…" Her words were flustered and for once she felt more than shaken up, "The emergency pro-pro… the orders are to go to the main cabin. Come on!"

Every ship had emergency protocols just in case of a crash or any attacks. All passengers and crew were supposed to go to the main cabin to receive orders from the captain. The entire hall was slightly tilted downwards but she was able to carefully walk out of the hall. She led the others to the main cabin where a group of people had already gathered. The captain, three scholars, and two sailors. The captain was silently sitting in a chair while the sailors and the scholars were shouting and screaming at each other, panic in their eyes. Irritation flickered in Cloe's eyes as she watched them all squabble.

"SHUT UP!" She shouted at the top of her lungs.

All at once, the room became so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. Cloe, slightly surprised that actually worked, took a step forwards into the center of the room and glared at each and every one of them.

"We have some of the greatest scholars and sailors but none of you are being useful right now." Cloe started before looking to the captain, "Captain what happened to the ship?"

"Go on the deck and have a look for yourself lass." The Captain sighed.

"Fine. I will." Cloe huffed then turned to Naram and Zaya, "Pretty boy and kitty, with me."

She walked straight up to the ladder and began climbing her way to the deck like she was on a mission. Once she got on the deck, she saw what the others were fighting about. The ship was at the bottom of the ocean. Most of the ship was surrounded by a yellowish barrier keeping the rest of the ocean out and giving them the oxygen they needed to survive. The ship was tilted slightly downwards, as the seafloor was not exactly flat. Cloe's eyes were wide with fascination as she watched colorful fish swim about and seaweed dance in the tides of the water. The only source of light this far down was from the ship itself, the rest of the ocean was covered in eerie darkness. For once, Cloe was completely speechless.

It was a struggle to make way towards the main cabin after Cloe with his balance been thrown in every other direction. Several times he slammed onto his arms while being tossed, doing everything in his power to avoid falling on his back. Inside the bag, Zaya felt it her weight was being swung around violently from side to side, and she did her best to push in the opposite direction. Finally, the three of them made it to the place. The nomad felt battered and bruised, but still in one piece. He never imagined being inside a shaking ship would be worse than falling from a horse running at full speed. When Cloe broke the storm of arguing voices, she asked the question that was on everybody's mind. But when the 'Captain' didn't give a clear answer, Naram had a bad feeling about this. Being addressed, the long-haired cat assumed it was fine to reveal her presence. Poking her head out of the large sack slung over her human's shoulders, her pale green eyes surveyed the strangers here before retreating back inside.

The shaking had subsided, so Naram was able to follow Cloe at a closer distance. He never expected what he would soon see once they were above deck. For a moment he stared at the sight before him. Fish moved like birds and there were plants waving about on a rocky, sparsely covered floor. Having lived in the plains nearly all his life, this was the first time the nomad had seen the bottom of the sea. Perhaps this was why his mind was in a daze, barely able to comprehend reality at this moment. If the 'sky' was now the sea, then how on in the name of the Great Spirits were they dry and able to breathe? He was too stunned to say anything. Zaya stretched her neck to peer at the bizarre paradox of their situation, being dry yet miles underwater. She could smell seawater and sense humidity with her whiskers, but this strange yellow-colored force was keeping it away. Even if it had been a different color, being beyond an ordinary beast meant she would be able to see it regardless.

Her pupils dilated slightly as she assessed the situation. This was quite troubling indeed. The lady who had patted her and her human were silent and standing still, staring at the swimming fish in the darkness outside. Craning her neck, she let out a small meow. Why had they stopped moving? The sound of Zaya's voice brought Naram back to his senses. Dumbfounded at their current situation, he gasped: "How…how are we still alive? What happened to the ship?!" And more importantly–how were they going to get back ashore? If they had fallen into the water they could have tried to hang onto pieces of wood until they reached land. But if they were this deep, they'd drown before they saw the water's surface.