This is part 1 of a commission for  Tazzmo70

the story was based on this image https://www.furaffinity.net/view/35329688/ and was inspired by the Aladdin scene where Aladdin was thrown into the water

google drive link https://docs.google.com/document/d/.....it?usp=sharing

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Fishy Situation Part 1/2

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Desma had been walking for days heading to the large port city of Talmaca. He intended to do some trade in the city, barter off some of his pottery he picked up in the last town for some better equipment for travel. He was prepping for a long journey across the desert to get back home to his family. Once he arrived in Talmaca he looked to contact the local market where he could set up shop. He wandered the busy market streets leading his camel who was pulling his traveling shop. Eventually he found a spot in the market that was left open. It was nestled in-between the shade of the large City wall and another booth that was selling all sorts of lamps and golden jewelry. There was no one attending the stand which was quite odd for this time of day. Assuming they must be out for Lunch he began to set up shop. He knew he wouldn’t be done for a while and would most likely only get to selling his goods when the market was nearing it’s close but this would at least give him some time to practice his sales pitches before his big selling day tomorrow. He heard a voice, “Why hello there neighbor.” It was scratchy but soft. He glanced around and saw a shadowy figure standing in the shade of the booth next to him. He approached slowly and the figure pointed at his light coin pouch on his waist, “I see you are short on coin, perhaps I can offer you a gift.” From under their robe the person pulled a silver lamp. Desma was flattered but couldn’t accept a gift like this...then the person spoke up again, “Hesitant? How about I make the gift more...Valuable~” As they said valuable they passed their hand in front of the lamp and it changed from silver to gold. Desma didn’t know this person and wanted to refuse the gift...but how could he? He literally had nothing to show for it and selling the lamp could at least make sure he was able to get a nice inn for the night, “Thank you kind stranger, I will humbly accept your gift.” Desma held his hands out and the person placed the lamp in his hands. “One more thing,” The person leaned in and motioned for Desma to get closer, “Beware the overseer.” Desma was confused and when he pulled away the person began to hurry into a nearby alley. He rushed to follow, he wanted to ask more, but when he got to the alley the person was gone. When he turned back the stand he was just in front of was also gone, all that was left was his own booth still in the corner partially set up with his camel laying down napping next to it. He examined the lamp in his hands, “huh… there’s no way I could have imagined it…” He shrugged, placed the lamp on his stand and continued to set up.

Soon the marketplace overseer was making his rounds and collecting the spot tax on the properties. Desma still didn’t have much gold to spare. He was so occupied setting up his stand he forgot to find time to sell his ‘gift’. When the overseer got close Desma saw he was a round, stout goat who had a long gray beard. He wore very long flowing robes with a tight turban on his head nested between his horns. With two bodyguards at his side the overseer stepped over to Desma with his arms wide, “HELLO HELLO MY FELLOW MARKET MAN!” Desma was sweaty and gross from setting up but the overseer was insistent on bringing him in for a hug. Desma embraced the man for a moment and then he stepped back, “Hello there sir, I take it you’re the overseer of this marketplace?” The goat nodded and grabbed his waistband, “That I am! I don’t recognize ya, is this your first time here?” Desma nodded, “Aye that it is, I plan to make some quick coin in this market and be on my way.” The overseer was stroking his beard with a smile, “Ahh I see, then perhaps you’re willing to pay up early for your market fee?” Desma got out his coin pouch, “Sure, how much is the fee?” The goat of a man glared at Desma’s coin pouch and then noticed the lamp sitting on the stand, “How about that lamp there?” Desma grew suspicious. Why would the overseer want some old lamp and not coin? Desma shook his head, “It’s an old heirloom for good luck, not something I want to give away.” The overseer grumbled, “The lamp. That’s all I will accept.” Desma was certain now, “No. I will give you all the coin I have, but no lamp.” The overseer rubbed his chin, “Fine. Give me what you have.” Desma emptied his coin pouch and watched as the overseer left counting his coin. He waited till he rounded the street corner before returning to his booth. He examined the lamp more closely, “Well, I hope you’re worth your weight in gold…”

Desma spent the rest of the day selling his pottery and trying to get some gold for dinner at the very least. Once the market closed he tucked the lamp in his turban and headed to the local tavern to buy some grub with what little coin he had. He passed a potion shop on his way to the tavern and figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. He heard about these shops, only from rumor. It was an exciting moment for him to finally be standing in one. As he was looking around he stepped over to the counter. There was a large curtain behind the counter. He counted his coin and figured he could spare a shilling or two for a simple spell. He called out for the shop owner, “Hello? Anyone here?” No response. He figured they were closed and turned to walk out. Little did he know the shadowy figure from earlier was lurking behind the curtain. As he was leaving the person waved their finger and a bottle on the top shelf teetered and fell onto Desma’s head. It cracked, spilling it’s contents across him. He recoiled in surprise, “What the…” He touched the goop covering him and grumbled, “...great.” He felt a tingle in his legs and stumbled against the shelf next to him, “What the hell…” It almost felt as though he was losing feeling in his feet...his neck began to tingle too, he touched the area and felt rigid lines of bumps forming on his skin. Before he could think any more about what was happening something slammed him in the back of the head. He fell forward and face planted on the floor, knocked out. When he found he was being held by two large and strong men. He thrashed against the hold by found his arms tied behind his back and a ball and chain clamped around his ankles. He didn’t know where he was, he just heard the sound of the splashing ocean. Soon the Overseer walked out from the shadows of the trees grinning at him, “I said to hand over the lamp, you did not. Considering you are just a passerby in our town, you won’t be missed. So, we’ll just make you...go away… and take everything at your stand including the lamp.” Desma tried to respond but found he had a gag tightly bound in his mouth. He began yelling and thrashing again, “Mfff!! MRRGGggFFF!!!” The overseer waved at Desma, “Goodbye, you won’t be missed.” Then the two bodyguards threw him backwards. He thought with the sound of the ocean he would hit the water immediately but he soon realized the guards threw him off a cliff on a dive into the cold unforgiving waters below. The cliff may have been large but the fall was quick. The water crashed against his body with a surge of pain. The cold shock of the water and impact made his whole body ache. He began to sink quickly and he watched as the surface of the water moved away. He felt his lungs burning as he desperately needed to gasp for air. He tried to thrash around trying to fight the tides and sinking pull of the ball and chain, when he suddenly felt a tingle in his body. As he did his best to swim he found his legs were starting to move in unison. He looked down and noticed his legs no longer looked like they did. His legs were reddish and the underside was a pale color. He watched as his legs began to meld together and smooth out. His feet followed soon after eventually fanning out into a fin. The ball and chain bottomed out on the sandy bottom of the ocean and his body drifted to follow soon after. His turban fell off his head and he felt his vision growing hazy. He looked over to his Turban laying there with the lamp in it. It glinted in the moonlight that was reflecting through the water. Desma screamed into his gag making bubbles rise above his head quickly PERFECT… a useless lamp is totally gonna help him now... Perhaps his Turban though could be of use? He usually kept a sharp tool in there...He tried to work his way to get to the turban, he nosed around in it looking for his awl that he would use to make holes in leather straps for his camel. It wasn't there... it must have fallen out when he was thrashing around earlier. He looked all around for it to no avail… He was losing consciousness. It wasn’t there. He just flipped onto his back and stared up at the moonlight reflecting through the water. Desma was about to give up hope...until he felt a tingle on his neck. He closed his eyes assuming this was a sign he was about to die but instead he felt something flex on his neck. Without opening his mouth he felt a sudden rush of cold water into his throat. His first instinct was to cough to get the water out. With the gag in his mouth though he couldn’t even do that. This must be it. The end of Desma… But he wasn’t dead. In fact, the burning in his lungs was gone and he felt as though he had just taken a fresh breath of air. He took a moment to gather his thoughts. With the newly formed fin on him...and this sudden relief of breath. The only possible explanation had to be that he had formed gills! He let his body drift to the seafloor in relief. At least he was still alive...but now what? He felt something under his hands and grasped around it. It was the lamp...what a useless piece of…before he could finish his thought he felt the lamp grow hot in his grasp. He let go and rolled away from it and watched it. It was glowing!! HOW!? The spout of the lamp began to bubble and soon, a cloud emerged from it, and began to form. The upper half was a panther, dressed in a turban and a vest with two gold chain links around his wrist. His lower half remained a whisp connected to the tip of the lamp. In a booming voice, even in the water, the genie spoke, “Who summons Tosthu, great genie of the lamp!” Desma just looked at Tosthu in astonishment. Nearly being killed, being turned into a merman, and now summoning a genie?! How could this day get any crazier?

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This type of commission is $10 for 2 pages guaranteed, anything extra is free.