3,384 Lyokymion 2
Dear mom,
So much has happened since I last wrote. It has been an exciting break from the tedium of governing. It all started late last year when the heads of the five families came together and agreed the Shorestalkers have disrupted trade routes for too long and the current state of trade cannot stand. They said I have one year to establish safe trade routes with Meletis to the south and Deyda Harbor to the north.
My advisors have pointed out that if I’m not successful, they may consider replacing me. It almost made me laugh. As if I do this for any other reason than bringing the light of Heliod to the people of Neolantika. If they can find someone better to govern this fine city, I welcome them to the job.
And speaking of who might be able to do a better job governing this city, none other than the divine Pericles has returned to Neolantika! My heart was overflowing with joy at his return. He looks a little older, but the wisdom in his eyes suits him. His campaigns to spread the light of Heliod far and wide have been successful. He returned with a companion, Helen, a sorceress and fellow devotee of Heliod, of course. It warms my soul to see that he has found companionship.
The culmination of these events was enough for me to depart on an excursion to the Seaside Grotto, where the Shorestalkers are reported to reestablished a foothold. One of my guards, Arktouros, a fine Akroan soldier and devotee of Iroas, led a raid on the place before winter set in. Unfortunately, they were routed near the entrance.
Pontreus was as eager as could be for us to eliminate the Shorestalkers. The old triton has been busy converting the population around the docks district to Thassa. Eudoxos is predictably uncomfortable with his aggressive proselytizing and would prefer Heliod remain Neolantka’s dominant religion. I can’t say I disagree, but I have bigger dogs to hunt at the moment.
I was hoping Athyn would be joining us. She was supposed to bring me a plan to make peace with the tritons and I would like to have her counsel to balance Pontreus’ aggression, but she hasn’t been seen since they fled from the Seaside Grotto months back.
Most of Arktouros’ companions haven’t been seen in some time. Matthias, the big barbarian who reminds me of Belisarius, set sail for Deyda Harbor on an overly ambitious trade ship. We have warned all vessels to remain in port until the Shorestalker threat has been dealt with, but some will always take their chances. I fear that will be the last we’ve seen of that crew.
The centaur who burned down the Karametra's garden temple hasn’t been seen since she was released from servitude for her crimes. Hopefully, she took my advice and stays out of the city.
The minotaur who was punished for stealing from the Brethren also hasn’t been seen. I suspect there was more to his story than he revealed and he may have been covering for others. He seemed an honorable fellow. Hopefully, he’s just laying low.
I asked Arktouros to gather what companions he could and join Pericles, Hellen, Pontreus, and me for our raid on the Seaside Grotto. He brought Thridax, a satyr bard, and Koal, a human warlock. I don’t know which of them made me more uncomfortable. There was a darkness to Koal that I found unsettling. I think Pericles felt it too. Thridax seemed a fine enough fellow, but I couldn’t help but be reminded of Sephiro, who was the one who got us into this mess with the tritons in the first place.
We met outside the city and transported a barge overland to the beach, which took us about an hour. Pontreus and a small escort of guards split off with Cupid to the top of Lover’s Leap where they positioned themselves to assist us should events turn dire. Before they left, Ponteus used a divine blessing from Thassa to allow us to breathe underwater for a limited time.
It took us almost an hour to reach the Seaside Grotto with the barge. Pericles, with his mariner’s armor, located the underwater entrance and we entered the sandstone cavern. While Hellen stayed with the barge and took it toward the Seaside Grotto’s main entrance, the rest of us swam in from the bottom. The place was packed with crates full of food and tools.
Beyond a large set of double doors, we found ourselves at the Seaside Grotto where we saw Shorestalkers waiting in the water. With Pericles’ divine might lighting the way, I dove in, and together we all made quick work of the Shorestalkers.
We entered another door where many more Shorestalkers were waiting. They put up a good fight, but they were no match for us and we prevailed once more for the glory of Heliod!
We even managed to capture one of their casters alive. We also found a submerged portion of their lair but agreed to return to Neolantika and not risk our prisoner being freed.
As we were preparing to leave, a water elemental appeared, eviscerating the poor hippocampi in the pool. By the time we secured our bounty, it was nowhere to be found.
It was just like old times. You would be proud.
Your son in glory,
Aribantes, Champion of Heliod
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