The day was placid enough. Waves that reached to about a person’s torso rolled lazily across the open waters. Shining merrily in the sky, the sun was directly overhead, although the day itself wasn’t too warm. Perhaps that was because of a pleasant northern breeze that caressed the sea. Seagulls were winging and calling out to their brothers, explaining where the best fish were. Even the fish were enjoying themselves, although they had to keep a lookout for predators. One flying fish leapt out of the water, wriggling in glee, and just managed to avoid being caught in midair by a pelican. It dove back underwater, celebrating its victory then-

Deenkraig Greotha grinned, then spat out a fish skeleton. As much as he enjoyed his usual eight-legged form, marine forms were also quite enjoyable. Whenever he was on land and he happened to suddenly shift into a swimming creature, sometimes it could be awkward. However, he usually managed to squirm over to a lake or ocean that was nearby. Either that or lay stranded on land until he turned into something more compatible with legs. Luckily, Greots never turn into sea creatures with gills, or else the entire race would be wiped out. Actually, Deeni thought grimly as he swam, they almost are.

Currently, the Greot was in a rather large form. He was covered in silver scales all along his snaking body. His great head was crowned with large spikes, and these continued down his spine to the tip of his tail. Deeni’s head looked similar to a crocodile’s, although the snout wasn’t as long and instead of rough, bumpy skin, he had the same pattern of scales. Two long fins trailed behind the creature as he swam, using the powerful muscles in his body.

Deeni glanced upward at the surface of the water. He could see the sunlight glistening off it, and the silhouettes of birds as they flew by. As his giant body snaked back and forth, Deeni was propelled through the water, not exactly knowing where he was going. Suddenly, a wave of ecstasy overwhelmed the Greot, and he broke the surface of the water. As he was hanging suspended in the air, the Greot let out a resounding roar of happiness before he fell back and hit the water. The impact of the great body caused great waves to explode from where he entered the water again. Deeni began to repeat this process, and was having as much fun as a sea monster could.

The day was calling and Madurro was ready to respond. The water was calm, the sky was clear, the birds were out. He visited the small kiosk that rented out small fishing boats and he paid the owner to use one for the day. He pushed the small fishing vessel into the shallow water and hopped in, rowing it out. This was exactly what he needed. In a few days, he'd be setting sail with the new pirate group he had pledged his service to, and he wouldn't have many other chances to be alone for quite some time.

He got out to a nice distance in the eastern sea and stopped rowing. He sat in the small boat with his knees up to his chest and realized this outing would have been a lot better with some food. Oh well, he'd only stay for a little while, take in the scenery, and head back to shore.

That's when he saw the silver sea monster in the distance.

"Gah! What in Arda was that?" Madurro exclaimed, mouth open. The monster roared carelessly as it fell back into the depths of the water, and Madurro lost all sight of it. He noticed he had been holding his breath and exhaled quickly. That was something he certainly wasn't expecting to see on this excursion. What was it?

The sight of it had made him grumpy, but he was also curious. He knew that many things existed in Arda that he'd only ever hear about but never see, but this, this thing didn't sound like anything he had ever been told about. He fiddled to get the paddle back into his hands and he got the boat moving again, closer now to the ripples where the monster had gone back into the depths. He squinted his eyes to search for it in the water, but to no avail. He'd have to wait for it to surface again. He just hoped it didn't give him a heart attack when it did.

Deeni, of course, was too large to be able to pick out such a feeble craft. He resurfaced for a moment, then shot right back out of the water. Silver scales glistened with the combination of the wetness and the sun. Unfortunately for Madurro, the spot that the giant creature resurfaced happened to be right underneath his little rowboat.

When Deeni rocketed upward, he didn't just break the surface of the water, he broke the boat as well. The peices of wood exploded in all directions, yet the Greot didn't notice. They were all too small for him to pay any attention to. Deeni hit the water again with a great splash, causing waves to run from where he dove. Underwater, he repositioned himself to shoot back out again, oblivious to Madurro's prediciment.

There wasn't time to do anything but gasp for air. There was no time to panic, no time to question, no time to figure out where the sea monster currently was. The loud kerrash that had sent the water vessel splintering in all directions had caught Madurro off guard and he was now trying desperately to keep himself above the water and get his breathing under control. He wasn't sure if this monster was malevolent, but right now that wasn't the main concern. He just wanted to get to shore. And get some dry clothes. This wasn't what he bargained for on his small fishing excursion.

But curiosity eventually got the best of him, and he took a second to sumberse himself fully into the water and open his eyes. The water was somewhat discolored, but he could make out the monster swimming this way and that, until it positioned itself to make another jump into the air. Oh great, Madurro thought, he's not finished having fun yet.

As Deeni recoiled like a great snake, he noticed a dot floating in the water above him. It was noticeable this time because the sun was casting the object’s shadow on Deeni's face. The monster paused then curiously began swimming toward the surface.

It looks too large to be a fish, Deeni mulled in puzzlement. Maybe it’s a seal…those always taste good.

As he swam upward, his mouth slowly began to open with a grin. Rows of jagged white teeth lined his red mouth, a mouth which was getting closer to the silhouetted figure by the second.

At the last moment, Deeni realized what the shadow was and managed to steer away from the man. He broke the surface of the water, then turned to the figure in the water. He felt slightly embarrassed that this person had seen him in such ecstasy, for it wasn’t often that Deenkraig Greotha expressed himself like that. Seeing the remains of the rowboat, Deeni realized what happened. He grinned apologetically before speaking in a conversational tone.

“Sorry about your boat and all that. I was…enjoying myself a bit too much.”

Apoloies were rarely accepted when Madurro was involved. It would be a safe assumption that, after what had just occured, that tradition would not be broken. Furious was one of many colorful adjectives that could describe Madurro's present state. He hadn't wanted to get wet, he hadn't wanted to get his rowboat destroyed. All he wanted was peace and quiet, and he was getting everything but. So this creature - a talking creature - was not about to get what it wanted, either.

"Apology not accepted! This was one of my few days of rest, and you have managed to single handedly ruin it!" Madurro grunted for effect. "Consider yourself redeemed if and only if you find a way to get me back to shore in a timely manner, and then you will kindly explain to the people at the dock how you wrecked their boat. And then you'll make sure that I get another one." He paused thoughtfully. "And I'd also like some food!"

Deeni raised a skeptical, scaly brow. His muscular body was swirling back and forth in the water, in order to keep him above the surface. He was not in the mood for grumpy pirates.

"You say this was one of your few days of rest. I can't seem to imagine what you might do for work. And may I point out that today was also my day of rest? I am terribly sorry if when I jumped, I happened to wreck your boat. But then again, if you're walking and you step on an ant's home by accident, I don't think you would listen to any demands he had to make."

Snaking his head back and forth, Deeni stared evenly at the pirate. He had been in a good mood, which was now ruined because of this cranky man. "I am willing to escort you to the shore, but I will not agree to any other of your terms."

Always the first to disregard the least pertinent comments, Madurro ignored most of what the talking sea monster had said. The part that ignited the rage within him was when the creature had compared him to an ant. That simply would not do, and Madurro would make sure this thing understood that.

"Look, look, that's all fine and spectacular, I'm happy for you, I am," he started to blather. "You've got your own agenda, you don't care about me and my needs, blah blah, I've heard it all." He paused and pointed a finger at the creature for effect. "But not only did you display your ignorance by destroying my boat, you now display your foolishness by comparing me to a lowly ant! I won't tolerate it!"

It was only after his outburst that Madurro realized two things. For one, he was out of breath, as staying afloat and going on a tangent both needed air in a large supply. Secondly, he didn't really have the room he would have liked to make threats and insults. The fact was, the sea monster was clearly the one who could control the situation and, after Madurro's outburst, it was up to the monster what his fate would be. Before the thing could start its rebuttal of Madurro's arguments, Madurro tried to change the subject. "And you're the most unusual thing I've ever seen. If you talk, shouldn't you have a name?"

Deeni listened patiently, and it could be seen in his reptilian eyes that his anger was mounting. When Madurro meekly tried to change the subject, the great serpent slowly lowered his great head until he was eye level with the pirate. His logic was foolish, and the question he asked only annoyed Deeni even more. “My name,” he hissed, his breath reeking of dead fish, “is Deenkraig Greotha. Remember it well.”

Rapidly, the silver head recoiled back, into the air. “I don’t think you are in any position to make demands. You can take my first offer, which you so rudely ignored, or I can leave you here to drown. Your choice.” Deeni turned his great serpentine body away from the stranded pirate and made as though he was about to swim away.

"Wait!"

Certainly the last thing Madurro wanted was to drown, and he knew he was well on his way to doing so. The shoreline was too far off and he was far too tired. He mentally kicked himself in the head for his temper getting in the way of what had already been a dangerous situation. This creature - Deenkraig - had been powerful enough to destroy his boat, humbled enough to apologize, and vicious enough to leave him there. Madurro weakly kept himself above the water as he tried to speak.

"I'll accept... your offer... I am grateful... help." He'd first get his ride to shore, then he'd see what he could do about Deenkraig. Despite the sea monster's power, Madurro was sure of one thing: he wasn't about to get off the hook that easily. The words "thank you" would not be the last ones that Deenkraig heard. Madurro didn't owe this thing his thanks. If anyone was in debt, it was Deenkraig. The pirate would make sure the monster paid up.

A forked tongue escaped from the crevice between Deeni's upper and lower lips. Making small waves retreat from where his great neck protruded from the water, he slowly turned his great serpentine head toward the pirate. A pirate he was most certain he didn't like. Rolling his snakelike eyes, Deeni lowered his head to where the pirate was struggling in the water. Despite the Greott’s grudge and the pirate’s outbursts and demands, he wasn’t about to let him drown. At least, not at the moment.

Dipping his silver head underwater, then arching it back toward the surface underneath the weak man, Deeni was able to place him on his shoulder. Turning his long neck, the Greot looked down at the pirate who was now placed on his back.

“So where to?” he growled, feeling grumpy. “Just some random place onshore or a bar full of grumpy pirates? Or drunk pirates. Not that there's much difference.” Deeni grinned, showing his glistening fangs that were wet with seawater. If one looked closely, they might see a few fish bones stuck between his teeth. “And why don’t you tell me your name, to lighten the situation,he added with a flourish in his smirk, knowing perfectly well there was no way the situation could be lightened.

It was a small wonder that Deenkraig had managed to surmise that Madurro was a pirate. Was it that obvious? He fixed the expression on his face to be less of a giveaway, relaxing the muscles and taking on a calm demeanor. But perhaps it was the hat. Anyways, he didn't care much for the sarcastic comments. As the sea creature lifted Madurro onto its shoulder, he was able to get a hold on his breathing. He was glad that was over. Now he could focus and get what he wanted out of the creature. Better to play it safe until he reached dry land, however. "The name's Madurro, and should I be flattered that you recognized me to be a pirate? There's a small kiosk right on the shoreline that rented me the boat that is currently in tiny pieces on the seabed. I'd appreciate it if you could drop me off there."

Finally able to stop concentrating on staying afloat, he reverted back to the first questions he had wanted to ask Deenkraig. "Just what are you? How come I've never seen a thing like you in all my travels in Arda? I've seen quite a few things that have given me a shock, but you... you're something different altogether." He turned his head towards the shoreline, hoping the boatkeepers wouldn't be too terribly angry with him losing the boat. However, Madurro would lose his deposit... and lost money is never something a pirate takes lightly.

"The name's Madurro, and should I be flattered that you recognized me to be a pirate."

Deeni smirked again as he straightened out his snaking neck. "After being alive for 1012 years, you come to recognize these things. Sea dwellers usually smell like salt, and that you do." The Greot flicked out his forked tounge to add emphasis. "And you just seem to have the basic attitude of a pirate, Madurro," added Deeni.

"There's a small kiosk right on the shoreline that rented me the boat that is currently in tiny pieces on the seabed. I'd appreciate it if you could drop me off there."

Now facing foward, serpent narrowed his eyes. "I'm sure you would also appreciate it to make it to that kiosk unscathed, so please leave the sarcastic remarks behind, and I will do the same." Nevetheless, Deeni urged his great body foward and in a moment they were gliding smoothly along the water, heading steadily toward the shoreline which was a slim line in the distance. The air felt cool against the serpent's scales, and he began to feel a bit more relaxed.

"Just what are you? How come I've never seen a thing like you in all my travels in Arda? I've seen quite a few things that have given me a shock, but you... you're something different altogether."

The great scaly maw parted slightly in humor. "I get that question a lot. The truth is, I'm not any type of serpent, or monster, sea creature at all." Deeni paused and squinted his eyes to measure approximately how long it would take to get to the shore before continuing. "I'm a Greot. Ever heard of them? Of course not," he continued, not letting Madurro answer. "Pirates most likely don't study those things. Greots are almost like shifters, shapeshifters that is. Except, instead of turning into other forms at will, our bodies become completely random creatures at completely random times," Deeni explained, feeling used to the process by now. "Greots never turn into huminiods and they usually don't have main forms." Deeni paused then grinned. "But I do. We're a complicated race. Another reason you might not have heard of us was because...well..." A faraway, pained expression flickered across the Greot's face. "I think I'm the only one left."

Looking back down at the water, the light in his eyes seemed to dim. Deeni had been explaining on and on about the race of Greots and he had been so proud about it. But...they were all just part of history now.

It is not the nature of a pirate to be sensitive towards others, but Deenkraig's words had actually moved the scoundrel. He suddenly felt something he wasn't accumstomed to feeling, something completely foreign and unfamiliar to him: sympathy. The thing was monstrous, yes, but Madurro never wanted to know what it felt like to be the only one remaining of an entire species. The Greot had had a heavy burden placed upon his shoulders, and it was not a mantle Madurro would have enjoyed carrying. At once, his plans for revenge against the sea monster momentarily ceased as he felt genuine pity for Deeni's situation. And, quite fittingly, he was at a loss for words. Rather than say the wrong thing, the pirate chose to say nothing at all, and hoped the monster would not get the wrong impression.

Sitting rather uncomfortably on Deeni's back, Madurro contemplated what he would do when he reached shore. In most cases, he would exact his revenge upon the offender of the deed, but circumstances really prohibited him from being able to do that. For one, Deenkraig would handle the pirate quite easily in a one-to-one skirmish. For two, Madurro was still feeling the effects of feeling sad for the Greot. As some time passed before they reached shore, he asked the million dollar question, and the one that might have gotten him in more trouble than he was already in, and he was gambling with more than feeble money by assuming the creature would not be too sensitive about the topic. "How do you know you are the remaining one of your kind?"

Deeni let out a low chuckle, something that sounded unnatural. As the shore approached closer, and the land seemed to rise up to meet them, Deeni answered Madurro's question. "Usually when you walk, you run into birds and squirrels. Such things are plentiful in this land. Never once in 500 years have I ever found another one of my kind. I have searched for them. Yes, Arda is a vast place, and you might say it would be impossible to search everywhere. But I have looked in places I know some of them lived, and all I found was empty home, and sometimes even dead bodies. Now get off my back." While he had been talking, the Greot and swam into the shallows of the shore which was now only a few yards away. He lowered his neck in order to allow the pirate to slide off easily.

Sliding off of the creature's back, Madurro breathed a sigh of relief. He was back on land, no longer shipwrecked. He was dreading the moment he'd have to tell the owners of the boat stand that he had lost the vessel that had been rented out to him, so instead of going straight there he turned around to face Deenkraig. "Look, I knows I ain't the most friendly person out there, and well neither are you, but... I'd like to thankya for savin' me when you didn't have to. You could have just as easily swam away no doubt, but you didn't. Thank you."

He wasn't sure what to do now. His day had been somewhat ruined, and there was no chance he was going to get another fishing boat to go back out. And this Deenkraig fellow, he wanted to maybe even meet up with him again, he really did, but chances were the pirate would never see him again.

"I'm not gonna be on land fer much longer, a new ship that I'm set to sail on is leaving port within the week. But if you ever see a ship called The Rage out in open waters, well... try not to sink her." And he winked at Deeni.

Deenkraig grinned, this time with good nature. His head was bobbing back and forth as he stared down at Madurro. "Don't worry, I won't. But perhaps I might pop in for a quick hello. Just don't mistake me for a sea monster."

The Greot began to push himself back into the deeper water with his muscled body when a thought occured to him. "You might have trouble explaining what happened to your boat. So here's an idea." Stretching his great neck toward his back, Deeni pried off one of his silver scales before spitting it out on the ground. "Show this to the shop keeper, maybe he'll accept it as payment. After all," Deeni gave Madduro an amused look. "You don't meet a Greot every day."

That being said, the serpent manuvered himself back into deep water and turned around. He was off like a shot, chasing the light on the water and snapping at fish all the way.