# The Guide Sleeps

By [Dreamers Sleep](https://paragraph.com/@dreamerssleep) · 2024-04-02

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The old captain, Quov, paddled through the maze of half submerged casas and rotting trunks. Any Vigilant would have been lost and dead hours ago, but Quov had a guide: A sleeper rested at the bow, eyes closed, directing the captain with subtle gestures.

Few ventured this far from Ayyon; None returned without a guide...

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/7814b345b6edfb44f3f27f19797c32b3.png)

Once out past the ruble, beyond sight of the Tower of Agreement, the mummified sleeper signaled an abrupt halt. Quov steadied the boat and nudged Jatos, the diver, from his deep slumber. Slipping his goggles over his bleached eyes, Jatos dove over the side of the boat without a second glance.

Down and Down he swam, augmented lungs having no problems with the pressure and time. The water warmed. When he reached the hydrothermal vents he paused and looked around. One of the few, if not only, ecosystem to escape the carnage of humans brief history here on Earth. The Vents were swarming with life.

Jatos began harvesting the abundant Scaley Foot Snails as he cruised the vents. The snails not only provided food for much of the slums, being a key ingredient in their famous Molé Bouillabaisse, but the metals concentrated in the shell was used as an alloy in the sleepers mystical artifacts.

![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1b7a7f84b3f112eba9b8af1ab6fd81c5.jpg)

First bag full, he gave a triple tug on the attached line and watched it briefly as it ascended to the surface. 6 more bags to go. Just another day on the water, doing what he needed to do for his community. Working for his bags.

It was almost enjoyable if he could keep ignoring the dangers that lurked in the depths with him. Just 6 more bags until he could return to the only true peace he knew: Sleep.

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*Originally published on [Dreamers Sleep](https://paragraph.com/@dreamerssleep/theguidesleeps)*