To Ride the Poisoned Water
For a city as diverse and special in so many ways as Sorcerer's Deep, who can claim to have those living in it from all walks of life all over the world and beyond, even seeing a Dothraki youth rushing through the streets with a determined look was not all that surprising. Ever since the creation of the great brides that connected the various larger and important islands of the Stepstones to the mainland even the remaining horse lords could confidently cross the sea, what they referred to as 'poisoned water' for their mounts could not drink it, without fear or need to rely on boats to travel. Many of whom travel to the Deep for work and opportunities in this changed world.
Ezolat, he who learns in his tongue, was just one of many Dothraki in the city, however he was on the younger end and the reasoning for his rush was for something that likely many of his fellows would find mad. Of course, with the raise of magic and the loss of their plains, most of their people, and even their holy city many surviving Dothraki were at least a little mad, made less so if under the banner of Dragon Khal and those khalasars sworn to him.
Some among his people even claimed that despite their losses that his new age was for the better, for magic beyond evil blood sorceries were possible to learn and use for the betterment of all, his people had access to mounts with the blood of the earth within them and could even fly through the air like mighty birds of prey, and there were even whispers that soon the Dragon Khal would lead a mighty reconquest of the Dothraki Sea! Of course, for now none of those things interested Ezolat.
He slowed his pace as he reached the docks, half to avoid running into any that worked in one of the busiest parts of the city and half to look for his contact. He soon spotted the triton in question sitting by one of the piers and rushed over with a smile.
"Heh, almost thought you wouldn't come," the triton admitted as he spotted Ezolat come before him. "You got the payment and the amulet?"
"Yes to both." Ezolat said as he handed a heavy coin pouch to the triton, who started to count it out, and showed off said amulet which had been imbued with magic hat he would need for what he planned to do. The triton nodded as he confirmed the payment was all there, turned to the sea and made a series of clicks. Not long after a beast that Ezolat still found equal parts mysterious and beautiful rose from the depths.
Ezolat had seen several of it kind ride and jump beyond the docks, which is what had captured his mind and heart, and for months he had worked hard in any job he could find that payed well and made good use of his skills just to save up for this day. He even sold his old mount for this day, something which made his fellows look at him as though he had truly gone crazy, or worse heretical.
For what greeted him as it breached the surface and flicked the water from it's finned mane was no doubt a fine
horse, simply one that had been bred for what many of his fellows considered a place of nothing but death and taboo.
"She's well raised and trained, one of the finest mounts you can get that swims through the water if I do say so myself," the triton said with pride as he patted the creatures musclar side. "Still, rather shocked you want her. From what little I know your people don't trust anything born of the sea," the triton said with a slighly annoyed look, likely being on the end of distrust and superstition of Ezolat's people.
"Then they are foolish and I plan to prove them wrong." Ezolat declared confidently. "For too long we Dothraki had unjustly feared the poisoned water when there should be no place we shouldn't be able to ride. This new age has given use mounts connected to the earth more than any other and can even let us conquer the sky, and this is simply another for surely the form of a horse is truly holy to be made to fit every land beyond our own." Ezolat reached his hand out and pet the horse's head confidently.
"Just be sure you have the water breathing amulet on you when you do or else you won't be ridding anywhere for long," the triton joked. "So, want to take her out for a spin?"
Ezolat was already a step ahead of him as he mounted his new beast and with motions he knew since he was a child directed her forward, only this time his mount
dove. Thankfully Ezolat had practiced using the amulet and had back his instinctive desire to hold his breath, instead letting the salt water freely into his throat and only feeling air.
He felt giddy as he and his mount rode in several circles before jumping upwards, mount and rider as one as they took on the world.