Author's Preface
Étaoin spent the immediate time after Cecaelya’s departure gathering her things. Multiple weeks of hiding away preservable food were collected and packed. Utensils she'd been holding back and sharpened, furniture turned into hooks and spikes. Some were to serve as arrows for the makeshift bow she'd assembled, others simply as tools. Multiple sets of clothes, the ones Dagon never wanted her to wear, sewn together into a fully covering and layered outfit and a bathroom curtain repurposed into a waterproof cloak. She brushed her hair one last time before tying it into a braid and going to sleep to be as rested as possible for her journey.
She wasn't planning to leave the Silver-Echo immediately. After all, it would be way more difficult to get her revenge when she couldn't enter the water anymore, whatever form that restriction may end up taking. But anything and everything she could have ready for the entirety of her journey, she prepared. Ultimately she was left with a large backpack just barely fitting between her wings.
Cecaelya showed up a little before midnight as she'd promised, carrying the container with her. Pressing it against the opening in the tower of her house, the sprite pushed through the gooey seal to enter the much smaller jar. Even the air in this small container felt a little bit different. Étaoin enjoyed every breath, ironically comparable to a claustrophobe being released from a small room after spending an eternity in there.
Cecaelya didn't give her much time to get comfortable, however, quickly concealing her in the tangle of tentacles below the waist. The sprite couldn't see much, but she could feel that she was moving. It made her giddy, and she couldn't hide her smile. It's a good thing no one could see her. She'd look like she was getting caught red handed.
Then Cecaelya suddenly stopped.
“My Lady? Might I ask why are you wandering around at this hour?”
Zelum. Étaoin had hoped for a perfect exit, but it wasn't unsurprising that the queen was noticed.
The question just became whether or not the witch would be able to sell the octopus a good lie. She wasn't the worst liar from what Étaoin knew, and Zelum wasn't the questioning type. So long as Cecaelya made it seem like there wasn't anything out of the ordinary they'd be fine.
“I lost track of time in my lab, I passed the throne room since I miss my sweet Dagon so much. That bastard leaves far too easily sometimes.”
“... It is lamentable how inconsiderate the Master can be at times…” Zelum agreed.
“Inconsiderate? That goes way too far. He's simply forgetful!” Cecaelya snapped back. Whether she was pretending to be upset or not, it was a successful way to throw him off.
“Apologies, my Lady, I stepped out of line, as usual…”
“Then why don't you return to your duties before I dismiss you? Permanently.”
“Sometimes it feels like it is the only thing I'm still worthy of…” the cephalopod fiend muttered as he took his leave. Étaoin could hear some more illegible muttering leave the creature, a rather common habit for him to help cope. The sprite almost pitied him, if only she could be made to care.
Cecaelya didn't hesitate to continue her journey, though she did ensure she wasn't being followed, by Zelum or anyone else. When the two had left the castle, Cecaelya retrieved Étaoin's container to her hands.
“Which way are we going?” the sprite asked.
“North, for about a half hour. I can't be away for too long without rousing suspicion. You'll find yourself close to the Abyss if you keep going. It might be the worst place on the entire plane, but it's dry land for those useless little feet of yours. The Peaks to the east or the Wilds to the west, or you could just keep going and jump straight into the pit for all I care. You've got options at least. It'll still be a long journey for someone as tiny as you though.”
Étaoin hummed softly. “I can make it work.”
“Yes, I did hear you were tough as nails, Bug…” the sea witch seemed more disgusted than anything.
“Any chance you could stop calling me that? I have a name. You'd do well to remember it if you're going to set me free.”
“No.”
The answer was so plain and short Étaoin had to put an active effort into not showing her anger and frustration.