"You found what you needed here?" Marlin asked them.

"Yes, sir," Thom said, meaning it.

"Good, good! Take these with you as well," he said as he passed them each a red bottle. "When you get back to the air and dry off, your skin may start to itch. Bathe in fresh water and apply this oil afterwards as soon as you can. Well, I guess you should be on your way. I wish you luck on your quest. Know that you are always welcome here in Polyny." Behind Marlin, Mactel winked. "But next time, you may want to use the launch that can be found on Catsclaw Point. There is a shallow waterlock where breathers are always available." The launch was not too far away from where they had entered the water on their way here.

"We shall remember that," Sir Madoc said. "Thank you very much for your generous hospitality. I'll be certain that King Dunstan hears of your kindness. And now we must go."

Marlin escorted them to a waterlock and they left. They'd been forced to switch smallclothes back so they could carry everything back to the surface and still swim. They left their breathers bobbing on the surf as instructed. They were assured they'd be collected.

When they finally got to shore, Sir Madoc dug out his little washcloth and dried off. He offered it to Thom. They dressed. It was late afternoon by now. They collected themselves and rode back to the plagued village.

Eleazar was glad to see them. "None of the others ever managed to bring back any of the items. There may be hope for us yet! I'll prepare this straight away." The wizard turned his back on them and ignored them until they left, intent on his work.

Sir Madoc and Thom rode to a nearby stream and made camp. By now it was well into the night. The knight took care of his horse while the thief built a fire. They were already itching as the sea salt penetrated their skin. They stripped completely naked and splashed around in the stream. They played in the water too, splashing each other. They covered themselves in the thin oil, helping each other with more remote parts of their bodies. Their skin absorbed it quickly, so they didn't stay slick long. They hunted and gathered dinner, still in the raw, and ate by the fire.

"You've become a lot more free since Polyny," Thom remarked between bites of quail leg.

"What do you mean?"

"We washed without keeping our smallclothes on, and at the same time yet. You seem more... secure."

"I suppose I've decided that if I can be happy like this, there's no reason why I shouldn't enjoy it. As long as it's just between us."

Thom moved closer to Sir Madoc and kissed his the way Mactel had. He pushed his tongue inside past Sir Madoc's teeth. Soon, Madoc pushed back, starting an intense tongue-wrestling session. They embraced each other nude in the moonlight. The warm summer breeze washed over them.

They put the fire out much later and fell asleep resting side by side.