I was enjoying my dinner when I felt a wave of heat brush past me. After my meal I sent him away. The perpetrator walked ten paces and disappeared. I called Angharad and asked her what sort of shinanigan she was up to. She swore by the code of witch's honor before she did some sort of spell. She said that Perseus had sprung out with an old witch. This one has knowledge of some serious dark stuff. She is using it to make every human being and all types of technology disappear to a different realm so that all out war can break out. This is going to be ugly. The doorbell rang like crazy and an old lady came asking for protection. My gut told me that she is up to something fishy. If I let her in then disaster won't be far away. So I told her no upfront. The woman stared at me weirdly and walked out to the courtyard. She opened her fingers and black powder came out of her fingers. The powder tried to make its way in but unfortunately the flames on the walls set it on fire and she was forced to make a run for it. The fire died out and the flames went back to illuminating the place. Angharad identified her as one of the escapees. I waved my hand and the roots and vines wrapped themselves around her and put her sleep. She was beheaded and the spell broke instantly.
Soon we heard trees snapping in half and stones grinding and other weird sounds. Finally we saw huge beasts trying to barge right in and tear up the place. One had a head of a squid with lots of eyes and a thick sharp beak. It retracted the barbed tentacles and formed a kind of battering ram. It rolled forward like it was a juggernaut. The thing had spiked tentacles. The other was a rock formation fused together becoming a makeshift beast. The third was a three headed snake. Thankfully the rocks that mark the border were enchanted to shrink anything enormous hell bent on attacking us to the size of anchovies. So these things started to shrink and Angharad started laughing wickedly as did the other witches present. She seemed to like the favors coming with being neutral. She asked for a permanent room in my hotel. I said I give such amenities to people who swore an allegiance to help me or my close friends. She said that she pledged to help me as part of a blood debt. She promised that she and her kind will never harm a hair on me or mine as long as she reigns as queen. The others pledged the same. I escorted them to the east wing and declared the section is officially hers as long as she is queen. If a new queen comes then she had better pledge herself or find a different residence. All agreed to my terms and papers drawn and they had to sign each and every contract with their blood.
The dragons requested a section for themselves too. I took them to the north wing. This was my quarters which by the rule governed by the law of protection the wing is theirs too. The dragons came from all over flooded in and so did hydras and other dragon sub species. These creatures were pleased to be included. Each gave me a look of appreciation as they settled in. The place is enchanted to be endless so it can fit everyone nice and snug. The city of gold sent an emissary asking me to send my gypsy to cast a few spells in their borders. I sent everyone I can spare in the condition that they be returned to me alive. If any of them don't survive I will send every dragon I can send to burn the entire city. The leader was apprehensive but I made it clear I want my people in one piece if he is going to send someone in my employee's bodysuit then l will show him no quarter. He said it is not possible so I told him to forget it. He said a few words in his language and made a face. I simply poked him in the eye and he behaved. The dragons laughed at this discovery. A few said that the next person who dares to annoy them will definitely get poked in the eye too. I apologized for being a bad influence. The dragons didn't think so as they passed the memory along to the rest of the family members.
I was taken back to Maldives but this time I was taken to Paree fengandu which translates to fairy pond. A densely vegetated area of the woods with ancient and huge trees towering over a rough pathway that leads to a small clearing. In the middle of the clearing is a small pond, reflecting the sky above on its placid mirror-like surface. This is the Fairy Pond of Laamu. The most peculiar aspects of the pond is that the waters tend to take on a reddish hue near the shallow edge, and fade into a murky dark green as the waters gradually deepen. This could be a reason why the pond has also earned another more sinister sounding appellation in recent years: Hell-mouth or Hell Hole.
With diligent work the mythical creatures has the locals Maldivians convinced that on certain full moon nights, fairies (or jinnis, depending on who you ask) visit the pond. To take a bath, drink from its magical waters, or ensnare lonely travelers who happen to chance upon the pond and foolishly spend the night at its edge, who knows? The tales vary substantially in the telling. According to frequent visitors, the water in the pond used to be fresh. However, after a Tsunami the water turned brackish. You can only approach the edge of the lake from one path, as mangroves, massive trees, and fallen branches surround it, blocking off access from all other sides.
Ask around the creatures that like to visit and most will smile sheepishly (always a sure sign a little folklore is forthcoming) before telling tales of the pond having no bottom, leading all the way out into the Huvadhu kandu; or of ropes being sent down to measure the depth and coming up charred at the end. Combined with the pond's burned hue, it's hardly surprising that the unofficial name for the pond has become 'Naraka Fengandu' which means waters of hell. As far as Paree Fengandu, is concerned the local residents all have a story to tell. I was told that I will be here for a few days. I asked permission to ask around about the place so I won't be in any sort of disaster. I went as a tourist and asked around about the waters. The story is either one they encountered themselves or a second hand account of an incident someone they know experienced. Some of the older generations speak of mysterious occurrences, sightings near or at the Paree Fengandu. Some say they have seen fairies flying just above the surface of the water, human looking spirits or a mythical looking animal rising from the water or simply standing near its edge. Some used to believe that Paree Fengandu is bottomless and has swallowed the trees surrounding it. Some explorers have noted that there may be an unexplored cave underneath the Paree Fengandu.
When I returned I saw Tiamat was waiting for me. She said that we are going into the cave which locals attest is unstable and is likely to collapse. I started to pray to God. Asking that he save me from this ordeal. Tiamat pursed her lips and tugged it to a side and grabbed me. She jumped in and dragged me rag doll style. I remember going through the tunnel and then suddenly I was on the other side of the tunnel. The place looked like it could be from a dream. The place was slightly cold but unbearable. Figures made of smoke were seen walking around minding their own business. I got out of the pond and wished that I was on the human end. The people had unkempt hair, long spindle like fingers, fangs for teeth, glowing hollowed out eyes, hoofs for feet and legs resembled a thorny branch. They don't walk they glide. I made it my business to avoid eye contact as I walked forward. I sat down at a bench and felt someone was staring at me. I looked to see a face covered in corals slathered with mud just staring at me weirdly. I don't know what came over me but I screamed. I attracted the attention of the entire colony. I breathed deeply to remain calm. I was surrounded by curious ones in different sizes. Each and every one has a grotesque appearance. I was taken to Handi ganduvaru. A palace made entirely from mud. It resembled some of the old structures in the human world but the taller and more elaborate. Tiamat told me to remain calm as she has a word with the leaders of this realm. I waited outside and saw a black figure holding a long rope. I soon realized that he was holding his own umbilical cord. He was swinging the other end as he sang in a disembodied voice. I kept very still and also held my breath.
Soon Tiamat came back and I asked permission to relieve myself. She directed me towards some mangrove trees. So I sat down to pee. I heard a sound and turned to see an exact duplicate of me about six inches. She was doing the exact same thing. She turned around and her eyes turned red as she gave me a toothy grin. I remember reaching out for some sort of assistance. She quickly grabbed me before I could do anything. Suddenly she started to smoke and she screamed in extreme pain as she caught fire. She ran to find some sort of relief. In my confusion I looked down and I saw the dragon tattoo swirling around like it was my personal protective shield. I realized that being a protected object comes with some privileges. After I was done I was summoned to the haveli for questioning. The queen asked me why her best bodyguard was burned to briquettes. I said that I am protected by the dragons. I asked where to use the bathroom and was directed towards the mangroves. She harassed me and tried to assault me. I showed the queen the tattoo marking me as off limits. She asked me what I possessed to have the dragons personal emblem engraved to my very bones. I said that my blood is healing and I have used it many times. She laughed as did the jinns in her court. I asked Tiamat to hurt herself and she cut her wrist and I slit mine. I gave her my blood and Tiamat was healed. The entire court went pin drop silent. The burnt jinn was summoned and I had to feed my blood. But Tiamat said in Mermish that the law forbids me from healing as she was injured trying to hurt me. So another was summoned and I had to heal her. Afterwards it was announced to the entire colony that I was not to be harassed or harmed in any way shape or form. The offender will be dealt with by the people of the haveli. This news spread like wildfire. I was escorted to the south wing of the haveli. Not far was a circular wall made from what appears to be coral stones. It took me a moment to realize it was a type of well.