Smooth sailing, in more than one way

The boats beached and Blue Fists boarded them. Without thinking, Jax hopped aboard the closest one. Only after the wind and waves had refreshed him, did he realize his mistake - he was in the same boat with the mysterious witch-twins. Alarmed, he sat up straight, ready to plead his case -

but the robed figures paid him no attention. They were both sitting at the front of the boat, leaning against each other. Relieved, Jax slumped down to the bottom of the boat and, ignoring the heady stink of fish, slept like a baby.

***

HAHAHAHAHA THE PUNY MORTAL TOOK THE BAIT! IT WAS LOST FOR SO LONG BUT THERE IT IS! STAY AWAY FROM TYMORA, LITTLE MORTAL, IF YOU VALUE YOUR MISERABLE SKIN! DO NOT CUT MY AMUSEMENT SHORT OR YOU WILL PAY DEARLY! THIS BESHABA COMMANDS!

Jax awoke, startled and covered in cold sweat. The dream that had felt so real, was already fleeing his mind. Only the name of the giggling woman, Beshaba, lingered. Jax had no clue of who or what she was. The sun was covered by clouds and a steady drizzle of rain had soaked the boats. Jax felt cold and miserable. The fisherman had thrown a thick leather cloak over his shoulders and seemed to be comfortable under it. He glanced to the other direction and noticed a shimmering forcefield above the robed twins, handily deflecting the rain. But he wouldn't dare to intrude on their personal space.

A larger than usual wave lapped the boat and utterly drenched him. In mere moments his teeth clattered in an alarming fashion. That clinched the matter.

Trying to act as small and inconsequential as possible, Jax slithered to the witches. He half-expected to be turned into a toad, or at least rebuked harsly, but the duo paid him no attention. Finally he was physically touching both them, the forcefield just barely large enough to shield him as well. Unfortunately, his clothes were still wet and his shivering didn't seem to be stopping.

"Uh, ladies," Jax started. He realized he didn't actually know their names!

"Ladies, you wouldn't happen to know a handy spell for drying a man's clothes? I'm in a bit of a pickle here", Jax tried again. Two heads turned to look at him, then at each other. Some sort of mental communication apparently happened between them, because one raised a gloved hand and Jax felt his clothes warming up. He wasn't cozy but at least **** by hypothermia had been staved off.

He didn't quite understand how the standoffish duo, who had yet to say even a single word to him, now put up with his presence but hey, they had just survived a dangerous dungeon adventure, so Jax reasoned it must be thanks to their newly-forged bonds of friendship. Or something. Buoyed by such thoughts and feeling cocky, he made himself comfortable, even going as far as pulling a lithe figure under each of his arms.

"We should share body heat like this, it's what the oldsters in the inn always crowed about", he said, mostly in jest. To his amazement, neither witch said anything, merely twisting their robed forms slightly to get more comfortable.

Jax smiled broadly. His life had certainly taken a turn for the better! And surely their next adventure would include fewer undead monstrosities and more glittering treasures. Perhaps a damsel to be saved from distress? Jax fell into a pleasurable day-dream, hugging the two wizards tightly, as the boat sailed ahead.