Chapter 8. A Song of Fools and Magic (Patreon)

Zabhad, Isle of the Elephants, Jade Sea, 279AC.

The Jade Sea heaved with crimson catharsis as the day's first rays rolled from the horizon to the prow of the carrack. Sanguine whispers, the heartbeat of the world pulsing through its depthless lifeblood, through wooden planks, leather boots, and sodden shirts until it permeated skin and bone – commanding every pulse to wake to its rhythm.

Something Delphini was gleefully helping the ocean with, having disentangled herself from her parents. "Wake up!" she screamed, jumping up and down on the bed. "Time for adventure!"

Unluckily for Delphini her father was ready and waiting. For in that first moment – when the sky's fire erupted from the ash of dawn – Harry felt a primordial hum, an ethereal enervation. Inundated with feelings so overwhelmingly existential, his only greeting to the new day was a deep shuddering breath. A state of being that had started ever since he ate that dragon's heart and left Asshai; now always rising with the sun.

In a flash he had the hopping girl in his grip and back on the bed, tickling her mercilessly. "S-s-stop!" the little witch squealed, trying unsuccessfully to suppress her laughter and squirm out of his hold. Only made harder as her mother joined in. "No, p-p-please."

"Oh, why should we?" the teasing in Hermione's voice was evident, matched by her grin as she tickled her daughter' sides. Only slowing and stopping so they didn't overdo it.

"You-you." the girl brought out between gasps, finally using the temporary respite granted by her parents to say. "You promised!"

"What did we promise again?" Harry teased, looking to Hermione and playing dumb.

Hermione put a finger on her chin, pretending to ponder. "I don't know. I seem to have forgotten."

"Liar! You never forget anything!" Delphini proclaimed confidently, getting a knowing chuckle from Harry and a soft look and smile from the older witch. Only to pout fiercely when they pretended to still not know. She even would've stamped her little feet, if that were possible right now. "The market, the beach, fishing, exploring!" her arms waved around excitedly for emphasis, hitting everything around.

"Ah, right." Hermione nodded gravely once, suppressing a smile. "I suppose we can do that, but did you finish your homework on Classical Valyrian?" it apparently was a rather important language today, due to half of the known world having been conquered by the dragonlords of Valyria. Even if it wasn't the bastardised version that came after the Doom. Though, Delphini also learned Asshai'i from her parents, which shouldn't take too long. While the whole family learned the Common Tongue from Marwyn and Quaithe.

Delphini in turn nodded rapidly, "I'll get it!" squirming finally out of their hold to scamper away, fetching it from the nearby and newly-installed desk.

Ever since the start of their journey the pair had taught Delphini minor spells and knowledge appropriate for her age. Mostly focussing on Occlumency, her penmanship, grammar and languages, but also how to cut and store potion ingredients and why that was done. As well as teaching a little bit about runes or glyphs. It even overlapped with some of the things they taught Quaithe and Marwyn, having to impart the basics first before anything more complicated. Both were mostly self-taught, could perform some cantrips and make a few basic potions. Other skills they often found useful were herbalism and minor medical procedures; such as splinting a broken limb, disinfecting wounds, making healing salves, and feats of sleight-of-hand for the easily swayed.

Though, Quaithe was more advanced and knowledgeable than Marwyn, but not by too much in the end.

Once she got it Delphini jumped on the bed again to sit between them. "Here!" the little girl proudly exclaimed, holding the piece of parchment on a wooden board out for her father to read.

He went over it, Hermione watching over Delphini's head to do the same and stroking her daughter's hair. "Hm, that seems to be largely correct, but you made a small error. Can you tell me where?" both parents watched as Delphini furrowed her brow, looking for a mistake she could've made.

After a minute, once it was clear she wouldn't find it, Hermione pointed to it and explained. "Here, that doesn't mean free candy." there was some amusement in her tone. "It means sweet freedom." with a muttered incantation and simple gesture the older witch magically controlled a quill from the desk, dunked it into ink it and summoned it before holding it out for Delphini. "Correct it, please."

"Can we go now!?" came the impatient reply once it was done. The little girl vibrating in place and full of expectation.

"Yes, once we're all dressed." Harry smiled indulgently, knowing the outcome to his assent.

The child didn't need to be told twice, already practically ripping her pyjamas away and racing to dress herself equally quickly. "Yay!"

Both watched the spectacle with a smile, but Hermione looked at the stack of books regretfully. "I know you wanted to research some more." Harry teased her, already knowing his suspicion to be true from long experience. Sometimes he thought she read too many books and her mind had figured out how to think herself into misery. "But we did learn much already on our voyage." under that were Vys' general geography and the main constellations used for astronomy and navigation. "Besides outside we can test a theory that we can't verify inside our cabin."

"Really," a delicate eyebrow arched upwards, amused. She leaned close and let her hands roam, pressing kisses up his collarbone and neck and sweetly whisper in his ear. "I thought you'd like to test a few theories inside this bed?"

It got a lopsided smile from him, pushing aside the perfect pearl sitting at her collarbone to reciprocate her kisses with his own in equal measure. "Are you trying to seduce your witless and defenceless husband," one hand wandered to her chest, kneading one breast and stroking over the nipple "only to read to your heart's content once I'm exhausted?"

Hermione gasped in a mixture of faux outrage and pleasure, but not really seeing a downside to such a proposition for either party. "How dare you accuse your own wife of such evil intentions!" she giggled, trailing off into a pleased hum as he lavished attention onto her. If that came to pass she'd be just as exhausted and too tired to read anyway. "Maybe, but what was the theory you wanted to test?"

"Just to see if your protection also extends towards sunburn or if its limited to physical damage."

The woman hummed in his arms, contemplating. A look at her still alabaster complexion, she grinned fondly. "I think after more than a moon's turn on a boat in a near tropical climate, more than confirmed that theory." she blushed and slapped his arm as if offended, but the smile on her face told a different tale. "You just wanna see me near naked on a beach."

"No, I also want to touch you, of course." he whispered brazenly, his hands exploring further down.

"You lewd fiend!" she giggled.

Of course, Delphini chose that moment to say exuberantly. "I'm finished!" and there she stood, clad in simple sandals and a flowing blue sundress reaching her knees. White-gold hair put up into haphazard pigtails.

Both parents sighed at once, muttering something to the effect of. "Of course you are." Being unable to get much privacy or time for two was by now a running theme on their journey. For the rather obvious reason of sharing a cabin with Delphini, and unwilling to risk anything there. Only during the two times they had made landfall did they manage it, and only because Marwyn and Quaithe volunteered to entertain the little girl.

With that the two got clothed as well.

Hermione was dressed in sparse clothing fit for the tropical and sunny climate: a long green cloth-top looped about her neck and crossed over her chest as well as a loincloth tied about her waist with a belt of jute and weighed down at the rim with claws and colourful seashells. Simple sandals finished the look, while her hair of golden bronze was done up in a ponytail to give some ventilation to her neck; around which hung the ever-present pearl.

On the other hand, Harry's clothing only consisted of sandals and a simple white loincloth that went to his lower thigh and wrapped around his waist. His mokeskin pouch – filled with Galleons, Sickles, Knuts alongside their once more shrunken trunk – was tied to his Potion-belt made of black dragon-leather, specifically designed to hold up to 15 vials and included flaps to keep them from falling out. Something Hermione insisted on so they could take more than a few potions with them and be readily available.

They ranged from all kinds of medical ones like burn-healing salve, Essence of Dittany and Murtlap to a potion that imitated sunscreen and also repelled mosquitoes. Even a few bezoars and Cordials of the Sea were taken for good measure. The latter one was a potion that enabled the imbiber to breather underwater for three hours, be immune to the crushing pressure and to grow webbing between hands and toes.

"You've got some more muscle to you." Hermione commented as her eyes roamed hungrily over his muscled body, still pale like her and which was normal in Asshai, obviously. Harry had more of a lean swimmer's or runner's physique, never having been predisposed for bulging muscles, but ever since he had eaten that dragon's heart they had grown more pronounced. Though, he'd probably never be a match for her enhanced magical strength. "I like it."

"Thanks," he replied with a blush, feeling the honesty flowing through their bond and replied in kind. "I've got nothing on your beauty though." he added after a bit. "Doesn't that seem like too much?" Harry asked, patting the belt that now contained the vials. "It's not like Delphini or you can be injured by much anymore, including mosquitoes."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow. "We can't," she agreed, fixing him with a look that said he was being stupid. "but you still can. And I'm rather attached to certain pieces of you." she sniffed in displeasure, noting that he didn't really accept her compliment completely. Hermione knew it would take a while to take away that self-deprecating part of him, born from the twisted conviction that he somehow was worth less than others. Able to give and give, but not accepting or thinking himself truly worthy of receiving it in turn. 'At least it's dulled now after Voldemort's death, but not completely gone.'

Before he could say something else stupid, Hermione called out. "Delphini, your father is being silly!"

"Oh, aren't we go going to the beach after all?" she asked in disappointment, big red eyes now rimmed with tears as she looked up at Harry.

"No, no, no, we're going to the beach." Harry assured her immediately, his resolve blown over faster than a rotten tree left out in a storm in the face of his devastated daughter. He scooped her up immediately into his arms, kissing her cheeks and wanting to soothe and mend. "I promised you, didn't I?"

"What then?" the girl demanded cutely, one blink and the tears were gone.

Hermione's grin was just shy of devious, giving Delphini a pearlescent smile. "He's just too shy to ask for some kisses from you." she informed her daughter.

"Oh... that is silly!" the little red-eyed witch agreed with her mother, immediately setting out to remedy that problem by putting some wet ones onto her father's cheeks in turn. "There, is that better?" she asked with an innocent smile. He blinked and nodded with a blush staining his face. "If you want more you just have to ask!" she chirped happily, looking him in the eyes like mum always did when he was being silly. "Understand?"

"Yes." he choked out, the blush on his alabaster skin now creeping past his neck.

As a reward for a job well done, Hermione promised Delphini to teach her a new spell later. Something the girl took with enthusiasm. Once the sunscreen was applied, each of her hands was in one of her parents' and walking between them. Soon enough they were off the boat and on the wooden docks.

Zabhad, Isle of the Elephants, Jade Sea, 279AC.

The coastal settlement of Zabhad hugged the northern coast of the aptly named Isle of Elephants, half of it perching over the lapping turquoise waves of the surrounding sea. Wooden docks extended outward at every angle, trod by burly fishers and harried sailors who barked orders as they came and went. Impressive tusks served as railings, their surfaces stained by gull excreta and weather. Boats bobbed lazily in the water while the fishers cast their nets, and colourful sails appeared on the horizon as larger ships prepared to drop anchor.

A balmy breeze teased the waves as they ebbed and flowed around the part of Zabhad that rode on them. With each movement of the sea, the structure creaked, ropes tightened, and salt-dusted planks groaned. Gulls screeched as they drifted above the sun-bleached roofs – their mournful cries of hunger sounding forlorn – while schools of fish darted beneath the surface, seeking safety in the shadows from the rapacious birds.

Since the month and a half of their departure from Asshai a new year had begun, and the Mermaid's Daughter had sailed straight east. First steering towards the archipelago called the Manticore Isles – the manticores on there were venomous insects and not the usual abominations known to them, but they had gathered some specimen anyway – followed by a volcanic paradise isle with black sand beaches called Marahai. Each time making a quick stop to forage for fresh fruits and vegetables and resupply freshwater. No real port was located on either isle, only hostile natives not worth the trouble.

Salladhor's fleet was unlike most ships that had completed the Trader's Circle at Asshai, and did not go back the way they came towards Yi Ti and the Jade Gates of Qarth. A prudent choice made for ease of travel and to safely hug the coast. However, that also meant to pay the exorbitant fees and tariffs imposed there. Something that Salladhor Saan didn't intent to do in the slightest.

In the man's own words: "I'd sooner lick the hairy cunt of a pox-riddled Ibbenese whore than pay those greedy men of milk a single crown more."

The problem for him was that the influence of Qarth extended to the Cinnamon Straights, Greater and Lesser Moraq, as well as many islands around them. Faros, Vahar and the large Port Moraq serving as outposts for Qartheen patrols to catch smugglers and pirates. Only by approaching and hugging the coast of Sothoryos northwards did Saan stand a chance of evading their taxes. A dangerous proposition due to needing to sail around Wyvern Point, which was also aptly named.

But that was an issue for another time. Right now the Peverell family had only the concern of exploring the beautiful island. Near the harbour many smaller elephants could be seen, transporting goods or people. The two older Peverells trying to ignore the thankfully rather small minority of slaves.

After leaving the harbour built on stilts, they wandered through to the city proper. An open-air market, shaded by the palms of towering trees, dominated this part of the city, offering fresh fish and crabs and myriad exotic goods from around the Jade Sea. Colourful banners fluttered in the warm, salt-laced air.

Delphini was swinging between them and giggling in delight, an act that attracted attention, but not as much as the trio's simple presence, standing out like a sore thumb in the sea of tanned people due to their exotic features for this part of the world. Pale skin being rather rare here, not to mention their other features. Some rather rudely and openly stared. Others glared in suspicion, judging them outsiders and shooing them away or keeping their children at hand, especially after seeing them up close. Slaves lowered their eyes and then peered through their lashes; guards stood straighter; a boy froze with a tray of fruits until his mother, staring just as much, gently moved him aside.

Not that they understood anything of what was said about them, the locals speaking a language none of them understood, but the mutterings and looks were indication enough. The merchants and Salladhor's crew – the latter very intent to spend as much of their gold as possible – conversed with the locals in a guttural language called the Trade Tongue; created through a coarse jumble of words and phrases from a dozen languages, accompanied by hand signs and gestures, most of them insulting. It ultimately created a mongrel tongue largely consisting of insults and rude gestures.

"Ah, Lord and Ladies Peverell!" the voice of Marwyn came out of a nearby alley, approaching and waving at them. "What are you looking for, mayhap I can help?" unlike them, Marwyn was clothed in a airy robe, forgoing his usual leathers due to the heat. A leather belt was wrapped around him, upholding his ale gut. It also held a collapsible fishing rod made up of a series of wooden tubes, cunningly wrought so each section slid into the next – most likely inspired by the Myrish far-eyes. He also sported his usual chain made of a patchwork of different metals.

While the words were cordial enough the man couldn't quite disguise his unease around them, and Hermione in particular. Every time he looked upon her – though never with his mind's eye after the first time – he found something new that was wrong to his eyes. Like her sharp pearly teeth, or the too-perfect skin that had not a single blemish on it that was usually found on normal people; be it a freckle, a scar, a pimple, stretch marks or dry patches in certain places, not even a simple crow's foot could be found.

She was too symmetrical, too perfect. Only made worse by not being able to read her non-existent body language, and growing worse still when he noticed the strong outline of her muscles and that she lacked a navel, causing him to try and focus on Harry instead.

Not that the man was better, but just as bad in different ways. With his glowing mismatched eyes; one a slitted demonic eye of cold crimson framed by black lightning disguised as a scar, and a warm emerald green. Marwyn could never look at those without needing to avert his gaze swiftly, lest he loose himself in eternity. Not that he looked into the woman's eyes either.

After Asshai Marwyn never gazed at them with his mind's eye, much too afraid to get a glimpse again. Though, during the voyage it was also revealed that both elder Peverells had no use for the privy; being never in need of it and treating it as something normal. Unlike their daughter, who complained loudly at having to use the head of the ship and poop-rope like everyone else.

The family turned to the hedge-wizard. "We're looking for somewhere to break our fast, but most vendors aren't too accommodating or hygienic, come to think of it." Harry replied, finding it queer how he always avoided eye-contact. "Afterwards we'd like to visit the beach and maybe explore inland a bit."

To the Maester it was still a wonder how natural and alive the Old Tongue sounded from them. Their usage of the the language was effortless. It was not the one softened by Andal mouths and centuries of ceremony. Nor the one used by his order, precise and dead, or the vulgar tones of it still spoken in the North or the northern Riverlands. Their speech moved like a living thing, with colloquialisms and manner of speech unfamiliar to Marwyn. It made his carefully prepared greeting feel like a child reciting something he had no knowledge of.

More than anything it stirred the hunger for knowledge in him, and to find out more about the hinted at connection between Asshai and Westeros. After all Alyssa Farman was said to have reached Asshai by sailing west, according to the books written by Corlys Velaryon, and which Marwyn had read in preparation for his own voyage to Asshai. So it stood to reason that one could reach Westeros by sailing east through the Saffron Straights of Asshai.

"I've got just the thing, then." came the answer, followed by the Maester motioning to follow him.

Abandoning the centre of the market and with it the mass of people, Marwyn led them a bit further away. Here the humid air carried an overwhelming blend of scents and sounds: biting spice and bubbling oil from food vendors, fragrances both floral and fungal from traders, harried bartering in a dozen distinct languages and dialects.

Soon Marwyn apparently found what he was looking for. Hands moving at incredible speed, a gangly bronze-skinned youth filled fajitas with chicken, grilled fish, or prepared shrimp gumbo with rice and more. Most likely yelling prices into the street. He stood behind a battered wooden cart, turned grey from exposure to the elements and adorned with colourful bands or seashells to remedy that. A small fire from a fire-bricked stove cast a warm glow on his greasy, sweat-stained face.

Though, the elder Peverells only had eyes for the collar around his neck that loudly announced his status for the world to hear.

"No!" Hermione said immediately, disgusted by indirectly exploiting a slave. "I already told you, we're not about to participate in slavery!" she hissed in Classical Valyrian so Delphini wouldn't understand, black eyes narrowed at Marwyn.

It was difficult to appear calm with sweat beading on his huge brow, but he was once more glad they didn't chose a ship that would go through Qarth and Slaver's Bay. Marwyn shrugged and tried to act unbothered. "It's either this or remain hungry. Most people here, as everywhere, are wary of outsiders. Something you're decidedly are. However, he can't refuse your patronage." if he didn't know better Marwyn would think them Westerosi, with how much the pair despised slavery. "Besides, anything you see in or around Essos is made by slaves in some manner, including the ship we travelled on."

Enraged by the good argument, that she had no real way to refute without becoming a hypocrite, Hermione stewed in that, grinding her pearly teeth in displeasure. Before she could exclaim they'd hunt for their own food, one pleading and hungry look by Delphini made her sigh in defeat with a grumble. "Fine, tell him we'll take..."

They made to pay, giving the young man 8 Galleons, causing his eyes to go round and bug out in shock at the sight of so much gold. His reaction wasn't too positive, however, frantically babbling and motioning. "He says that's too much." Marwyn translated the to him obvious situation, looking at them queerly. For anyone with eyes he was wondering how much or how little they valued gold to part with this much so easily. "His... employer will think he stole it."

"I see," Harry frowned, looking at the coins in his hands. This was approximately how much a quick meal was worth in the Leaky Cauldron. "How much, then?" he asked, giving the vendor a silver Sickle – which was still too much but acceptable – after the translated answer and receiving his gold back. After everyone got their food, the group sat down on nearby benches.

The first bite tasted pretty good, the spiciness cresting over their tongues like wildfire. Something they perhaps should've anticipated in a region known for its spice trade. The heat was a daredevil thrill and slightly burned one's mouth and numbed taste-buds. Then it seemed to awaken all of their senses and the food took on whole new notes of flavour. A rush of joy came over them, even as foreheads beaded with sweat. Luckily the provided goat milk – fresh, thick and creamy – served to soothe tongue and throat.

"Where is Quaithe, by the way?" Harry inquired curiously, wiping some sauce from Delphini's cheeks as she licked her lips to assist in the cleaning.

Marwyn swallowed his food, face red and sweating even more now. Apparently entirely unused to the heavy use of spices, but not disliking it. He wiped his brow with a sleeve as he answered. "She turned to horticulture for today, wanting to collect some unique local flora among the native swampy mangrove forest. As for what, you'd have to ask her yourself."

"Hm that could prove interesting." Hermione mused, finishing her own last bite of food.

"No!" Delphini cutely scowled, pouted fiercely and complained. "We were supposed to go to the beach!"

It was Marwyn that assuaged the little lady. "According to the locals the most beautiful beaches of white sand are beyond the mangrove forests. So you'd have to go through them anyway." he explained, smiling at the girl with a closed mouth, remembering her reaction to his stained teeth. "Besides, there are many pretty birds in the forests."

"Really?" her red eyes lit up at that. Just like that the idea was the best thing ever, causing the elder Peverells to give the man grateful looks.

With no time wasted the group looked for a boat to ferry them across the swampy forest bordering the city. From a rickety wooden pier the group spotted a boat steered by a man wrinkled by age, and who could whistle through his teeth. The scar on his cheek clearly marking him a former slave that had cut off his chains himself. He had given them a sceptical look and spat out a glob of red phlegm, before denying them. As did all the others; apparently a huge basilisk named Old One-Eye lurked in the waters of their destination this time of year, making travel through dangerous.

"A basilisk?" Hermione asked worriedly. That was a rather large problem. "Do the basilisks here also have a gaze that kills on the spot, like those back home?" she asked, tense but unwilling to jump to conclusions.

Marwyn paled at the existence of such a creature. "No, but they do grow rather large and have a venom that induces violent madness in anything with warm blood."

As Hermione relaxed and interrogated the Maester, the littlest Peverell, in her boredom, tried to grasp at the colourful birds fluttering about or swimming near the wooden piers – red eyes wide and sparkling in wonder. Her reflection was not clearly visible in the waters as she leaned over the docks, even nearly falling into the waters in her enthusiasm.

"Careful, sweetie." Harry admonished softly, grabbing the girl at the collar of her dress and dragging her back. "There are hungry things in there, and little disobedient girls are their favourite."

"That's not true," she denied uncertainly, turning to her mother and asking. "is it?"

Hermione nodded gravely down at her. "Indeed it is," her lips twitched upwards into a smile. The simple act of which caused Marwyn to stiffen in many ways and hastily look away. "but I did promise you a spell. How about one that calls a transport to our aid?" a plan did form in her mind, with which they would be able to traverse the swampy forest without paying for it. As such she sent Marwyn away to buy a few whole chickens and whatever else was available from the market.

The girl's reply was as enthusiastic as it was anticipatory. "Yes, teach me!" she cheerfully demanded, hopping in place.

An amused Hermione did just that, kneeling behind Delphini near the edge of the pier and showing her the proper somatic and verbal components. The older witch made her daughter repeat it until she was satisfied, just in time for Marwyn to return with three chickens and a whole goat slung over his shoulder. "Now, you try, but I want you to summon a special one." she then whispered the animal's name into her ear and how it could be done easier.

Delphini did as instructed. First was clearly picturing the animal she wanted to summon in her mind, which was easy due to it being a snake. Slowly the wind picked up as the little witch concentrated, making the leaves rustle around them. Then came the motions and incantation, followed by an invitation spoken in Parseltongue. §Come, Old One-Eye!§ the hissed words came out as a song, startling Marwyn and the other Muggles nearby, and travelling deep into the forest.

"Now we just wait a bit." Hermione commented, watchful and keeping a hand on Delphini's shoulder lest she do something foolish. Harry mirrored her actions, ready to incinerate anything that would harm his daughter. Delphini may be pretty difficult to harm, – especially due to the basilisk here missing the death glare – but both parents were only willing to let it commence due to their experience with Parseltongue and its capabilities of taming reptiles. Snakes, turtles and lizards had always been eager to serve the little girl, much like they did for Harry. It presumably also allowed them to tame magical ones and dragons, but it'd take more than just speaking to them to accomplish that. Their lessons in Care of Magical Creatures and common sense told them that appropriate food also wouldn't hurt.

It didn't take long for the brackish water to ripple, displacing the algae floating on top and causing Delphini to practically vibrate in excitement. Nearly unseen by all were the two gigantic nostrils floating just at surface level, together with a single eye covered by a milky membrane. It blended in perfectly, if one didn't know what to look out for.

When nothing more happened, the girl asked while still using Parseltongue. §Did it work?§

Harry grabbed a dead and plucked chicken by the legs and held it out for her. §Throw it in and see for yourself.§ came the reply. By now the docks were completely silent, spectating the happenings with baited breath. Though the thing in the water clearly heard their conversation and was curious, judging by the ripples coming closer.

Delphini accepted the bird – already used to handling dead animals from her Potion lessons – and tried her best to throw it far.

Before the poultry could even hit the water's surface a massive snake's head lunged out of it, mouth wide open, showing fangs and swallowing the offered meal in a single bite. Every native showed good sense and fled immediately in terror, dropping everything in alarm. It left only the Peverells with a cowering Marwyn behind them. "A basilisk, a bloody huge one too." the Maester muttered, awe-struck and rooted on the spot.

Once done the basilisk's tongue was flickering out to taste the air as water dripped down its body in rivulets, algae clinging to its hide.

The oversized serpent before them was so large that its jaws, once unhinged, would allow it to devour a fully-grown man. Fitting for its epithet one eye was missing, but the other golden one was baleful enough. By the looks of its enormous coils, the snake possessed sufficient strength to squeeze a troll to death with little ceremony. Turquoise scales, the hue of tropical water, covered the beast's body like armour. Outside of the colour, it reminded Harry eerily of the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, maybe a little smaller. 'And of course, without a death glare.' he added in relief.

§What do you want, speakers?§ the voice was a deep rumbled bass, its one good eye looking at them curiously and – most importantly – without malice.

Delphini, visibly excited, made to reply but Harry beat her to it, making her pout. §We seek safe passage through your domain towards the beach on the other side, and brought appropriate tribute.§ he motioned towards the wheelbarrow containing the remaining meat.

§Hm, two-legs with manners? Very well, I shall escort you after my meal.§ Old One-Eye replied after a moments deliberation, accepting and swallowing the remaining poultry and goat before lowering alongside the dock. §Get on.§

"Marwyn, get over here or we're leaving without you!" Hermione called out once a giddy Delphini, herself and Harry were seated on the basilisk's back in that order, situated just above the waterline. Meanwhile Marwyn simply stared at them, his eyes glazed over and mouth open in disbelief.

Upon hearing that, the Maester got out of his stupor and hurried over, hesitantly taking place behind Harry. "You can talk to it?" He said in a daze, a certain boyish wonder in his voice as the basilisk moved forward through the mangroves. "What about dragons, can you talk to those?"

"Dragons again?" Harry sighed, wondering about the strange obsession with the destructive beasts, but nodding with a frown. "Sure, Delphini and I can talk to them. Just like to any other reptile; be it turtle, snake or lizard." He glanced behind him at Marwyn. "What is your obsession with those overgrown furnaces, anyway? Their upkeep in terms of food alone is horrendous, and they don't even enter torpor occasionally like snakes do to make it easier. The only thing making it worthwhile to raise them is what one can harvest in terms of ingredients."

Marwyn's reply was incredulous. "Every child in the known world dreams of seeing one and flying on dragon-back! They're fire made manifest and fire is power! How can you not want one?!" everyone – peasant or lord, delusional or not – dreamed of possessing a dragon and the power it brought with it. Though, a small part of Marwyn admitted that he'd prefer for them to have arrived on dragon-back, for then he'd know what to expect and their rough capabilities. Unlike his current situation.

The elder Peverells laughed at that, drowning out the sound of the waves created by the basilisk. "Probably because we've actually met more than a few up close and therefore know the danger they pose. Followed by needing to kill them, of course. They're much too full of themselves!"

The Archmaester stilled at that and winced instinctively, saying such was tantamount to treason back home. He was starkly reminded that they were apparently so well-versed in killing dragons that their daughter could claim dragon meat as her favourite dish. Marwyn also knew that it was no lie.

Him and Quaithe had seen enough proof in form of a nearly complete and enormous skeleton of black bones, steaming blood, pearlescent hide big enough to cover a house, as well as their magical capabilities. It also brought into question that dragons were responsible for keeping magic alive in the world, for magic was obviously alive and well. Though, it lent more credence to his personal theory of the Maesters killing the dragons over time.

He had much to ponder during the rather smooth ride.