Bilgewater Baptism

The moment her head broke the surface of the chilling water, raw air filled her lungs, cutting through the icy cold that had consumed her. She gasped and coughed, each breath a desperate struggle to purge the remnants of the sea from her body. Her mind was a mass of chaotic thoughts, fear mingling with relief as she felt the solid ground beneath her once more.

She lay there on the shore, heavy breaths wracking her small frame as she tried to steady herself. Delaeni's gaze fell upon Caedes as he loomed above her, his expression unreadable. She sought for some sign of mercy or understanding, yet all she found was a cold indifference, his eyes devoid of the compassion she yearned for. Each beat of her heart echoed in her ears, a lingering reminder of the dread that had only moments ago consumed her.

Weakly, Delaeni dragged her waterlogged body closer to Caedes, curling herself into a small ball at his feet. Her movements were slow and uncoordinated, her strength sapped by the intense struggle she had just endured. She dared not attempt to pull away from him, to shy away in fear of his wrath. No, her only chance at alleviating the punishment he had inflicted upon her was to make herself available.

Her breaths came ragged and labored as she lay there, violently trembling, her face turned away from him in an attempt to hide her fears and emotions.

"Delaeni Terblanche"