27th Day of Ascending Water, RY 768
Early Morning

The people of Umai rise with the dawn, though Treon, Darel, Hera, Tomistoma and Indrid are allowed a little bit of respite. It appears the Umai have their own waking rituals, but with outsiders about they perform them out of sight, shut up in their own homes or in the Prayer Hill shrine, off limits to visitors. [Private to Hera: Should you profess any curiosity about the shrine you would actually be allowed a glimpse of it, but only if you asked.]

The villagers only emerge after the second bell of the day. That is also the cue for the guests to be urged out from their beds and gently but firmly encouraged to prepare for departure. Elder Maha-suma and her Speaker were apparently serious about their hospitality lasting only a day.

On the Hammerhead Black Reed and Tethia have their hands full keeping the men in order. Not all of them are inclined toward excess, but those that are find themselves regretting it in the morning, as early mornings and hangovers rarely go well together. Much to their disappointment, the young ladies that were so generous and giving to them the day before are quick to make themselves scarce with the sunrise, though not always without a kiss of farewell. Very likely, they will never see each other again.

Jangat and a smaller entourage of Tekai men have returned with the morn, in case Tomistoma has need of them. Of course, joining the expedition to Black Rock Chasm would mean the long canoes would be ill-suited for the venture, and even Hera's trusty fishing boat is too much in need of repair for another bluewater adventure.

It seems that traveling on the Hammerhead would be the best decision for those that had not arrived with Treon, but Captain Fireblade has yet to address that officially, nor introduce the others to his crew.

---

OOC: Post here when done with 'Nkiru' thread. The beginning of this thread is more to introduce the Hammerhead, figure out travel accommodations and such. We won't dwell on that too long though.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:21, Mon 02 Mar 2009.

Tomistoma wakes at the first light of the sun warming his back where he stretched out on the beach after the night's feast. The Dragon King bows to the sun in thanks before speaking to the villagers from Tekai arriving in canoes. After thanking them for their offer of assistance, he sends them on their way home and seeks out the captain and officers of the Hammerhead.

Treon had a languorous awakening, leaning across to kiss the dark haired young woman next to him, before he carefully slipped out of the bed and started to dress himself and then took the time to re-braid the three plaits he habitually wore in his hair, two bound in red silk, one bound in white.  Then he returns to the side of the bed, leaning over to kiss her once more as she wakes.  "Thank you," he says, voice soft.  He doesn't leave the room immediately, spending some time talking with her, not wanting her too bothered by his leaving.

Then he leaves, heading across to the Hammerhead, nodding in greeting to Tethia and Black Reed, noting that they seem to have things more or less in order, despite the excesses of some of the crew.  "Good morning Tethia, Black Reed," he says, smiling.  "How soon do think before we can set sail?  We are probably going to have some passengers," he indicates the large dragonking, now making his way along the beach toward them.  "It seems we might have to venture beneath the waves and one of his entourage is most knowledgeable."

"Good morning, Dragon King Tomistoma," he calls out, as he wonders where they might be able to quarter him ...

Aranita awoke to Treon's kiss with a pleasant smile, surprisingly resolved to accept their parting... or so it seemed. She blushed at the thanks, but did not linger in the room as he went through his morning ablutions, departing with an ecstatic, secret smile that made Treon wonder what she was headed to in such a hurry.

On the Hammerhead, Black Reed nods to Treon. "Good morning, Captain. We should be able to cast off within the hour."

"If the crew in its entirety is not awake by then, I'll make sure they are," Tethia offers. Some of the crewmen already gathered on deck actually shudder at that. Then the woman with short, dark hair turns her attention towards Tomistoma, aquamarine eyes sizing up the newcomer as is her habit. "If I may ask," she inquires Treon quietly, "is he safe to bring aboard? I have heard some of his ilk like to eat humans."

With the people of Tekai dismissed, the only person accompanying the Dragon King is Indrid. The savant carries with him whatever alchemical creations he had brewed the night before, along with the large book chained to his waist and the massive platinum hammer which warns most mortal men to keep their distance.

---

OOC: I'm not sure how Indrid's player is doing so for now let's assume he's with the Dragon King already.

After enjoying his 'shore leave', Darel and his invisible, shape-shifted or otherwise 'concealed' retinue retreated to their cabin onboard the Hammerhead. The sorcerer seeemed lost in thoughts and aloof, as if he had something on his mind.

[Private to GM: [OOC: Darel will WCWT a full report on this situation to his EoPW superior and await any instructions or advice.]]

Though allowed to sleep in, routine and habit does not permit Hera to sleep beyond the lightening of the horizon that signals dawn is eminent. She readies herself for the day and finds a vantage point of the eastern horizon. She waits for the moment that her grandfather appears on his daily journey. This was a sacred moment for her as it appeared that it was sacred for these people too. Having been told last night that there was another granddaughter out here gave her some reassurance that his blessing touched here as well as Home. When he appears, Hera's eyes swell. Her skin readily embraces the life giving warmth. Her ears welcome the sweet hum of the water as it greets him. She inhales tasting and smelling the slight shift in the air as it goes from cool and mysterious to hot and bold. She begins her first prayer spoken aloud with her powerful lungs, "Grandfather Sun, who I love. I give you thanks for once again returning to light Home and the world beyond Home. Thank you for driving away the dark corrupt spirits that use night to spread their evil. Thank you for guiding me and my two friend to this land of plenty, filled with generous people. Thank you for giving me a chance to repay their kindness with heroics that would make you and my father, Nan, your son, proud. I pray that you look after the glorious souls that have past beyond this world and have joined you in the stars. I pray for your future guidance lighting our path. I pray for your blessing, making my arms strong and my will fortified. Let me pass into the dark places and let me return uncorrupted. All I do is for the glory of my ancestors, father Nan, grandfather Sun."

She continues her morning prayers with an equally loud and vocal prayer to her father which has much of the same praise, though she adds a listing of all she has done in the past day.

At the second bell when the village beginning to become active, she heads off to her small craft to make sure she has everything she might need. She then heads of to see the others who would help her.

Darel attends to some personal business.

[Private to Darel Arwan: You send your message and after a short interval receive a series of replies from the Emissaries' base. They tell you to continue with Treon to Black Rock Chasm but only publicly as a member of the Cobalt Alliance. Must you for whatever reason show hostility toward the pelagials, they want the ancient race not to associate you with the Emissaries, more out of concern of retaliation from them than any loyalty to pelagial-kind. As for Cynis Megara they do not think you should ignore her plight as an individual, but they do agree that you ought not to let the Librum fall into her hands or that of the Realm, or any other artifacts of that level of power.

They also remind you that they would like to one day arrange a meeting with the head of the Cobalt Alliance, so the groups might formally acknowledge one another.]

"Thank you, Black Reed, Tethia," he says in response to their audible comments.  He glances around the deck.  "Well, you heard her people.  Look lively!" he calls out, encouragingly, before Darel's rather aloof and untalkative demeanor makes him frown slightly, though raises no comment at this moment, just nodding in greeting to the man.

He turns then to give Tethia his attention, dropping his voice.  "However true that might be in general, it does not seem to apply to him.  His followers seem to follow him out of awe, not fear." And I just don't get that 'feeling' from him, Treon thought.  And he trusted himself as a judge of people.  Giant Lizard shaped or no.

Tomistoma walks surprisingly lightly up the gangplank onto the ship. He runs a scaled hand along the railing, deciding now is not the time to delve into the familiar feelings it brings up. He hesitates a moment, unsure whether he should reveal the acuity of his senses.

"That is a myth." he says as he looks over the rail at the sun rising across the harbor. "My people were in charge of sacrificing criminals, burning their hearts on the altar." He turns his flat, expressionless gaze on Tethia. "Humans without proper understanding believed that we cooked the hearts to feast on them, but that was mere ignorance." A strange hiss that could be interpreted as a chuckle slid past his many teeth, "Of course, to our savage young, humans are no different than any other food roaming the jungles, so the tales may have some basis in truth in this Age. But a civilized Dragon King would not consider humans as prey. We were tasked with guiding and looking after them by the Gods and Primordials, after all."

Ferio and Silas are waiting for Hera, and dutifully attend to their dawn prayers as well... though their words and devotion perhaps pale somewhat in comparison to the glorious Golden Childe. They help pack up whatever may be needed on the small fishing boat, insisting that it ought to be their duty to carry out such mundane tasks.

"I enjoyed my stay at this village," comments Ferio. "I certainly hope we will find others in our explorations that feel so familiar and welcome." Silas, too, looks satisfied and refreshed, and in the small journal he is writing as the memoir of their exploits, he has written many glowing words about Umai, its people and what little he has learned of the 'Handmaiden' they venerate.

The both of them follow Hera toward the Hammerhead, where by now Black Reed has rounded up all but one or two of the crew to finalize preparations.

On the deck, Tethia meets Tomistoma's gaze frankly. She does not seem to show surprise that he heard her, though it could very well just be that she is good at controlling her emotions. "That was very informative, and intriguing. Thank you. I am called Tethia." She greets Tomistoma with a terse nod, and glances at Indrid as well, whom she has met before.

From inland, there appears to be a figure running toward the pier where the Hammerhead is docked, along with two slower-moving figures. One of the two hanging back is a shorter figure, almost certainly the Elder Matron.

---

OOC: The PCs should be setting sail by Monday (I just have one more bit to take care of). So make sure you're ready to go by then.

My co-GM will be taking over the thread once the voyage begins!

Darel exited from his cabin alone, his anima slightly visible, but well below the level at which it would cause damage, having instructed his sesselja and agata to isolate themselves for a while to ease the strain of the binding on the demons' minds.

He walked on the bridge, his air flowing in the stronger breeze around his body, and observed Nkiru with a smile. A worthy destination, he thought to himself. He eyed Tethia and Tomistoma greeting each other.

He came near Treon. "I wager you found the island's habitants hospitable enough," he said in the tone of casual conversation. "I must say that I would not mind a little shore leave there on our way back. Speaking of which: once this little foray is over, I would like to arrange a formal meeting between my associates of the Emissaries of Perfect Waters, and the head of the Cobalt Alliance. Our cooperation could reap significant mutual benefits."

He squinted his eyes, looking towards the island. "Looks like someone is eager to bid us farewell."

[OOC: I'd wager a local young lady wants to bid Treon a warm farewell ^^.
Can't post much in the coming days, though.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Sun 08 Mar 2009.

"Yes, thank you for that," Treon nods, though privately he's a little staggered at the thought.  The dragonking didn't seem to be lying, but ... well, it was something to worry about later.  "Ah yes, please forgive my manners.  Black Reed, Tethia, this is Tomistoma and Indrid," he says, indicating the savant with the large hammer.  "Welcome to the Hammerhead.  Tethia has introduced herself, Black Reed is my first officer, and then we have Sang, Balio, Jarvan ..." Treon names the crew with a gesture to the men, now mostly awake and making preparations.

"Hospitable enough," Treon agrees with a smile.  "I wouldn't like to make plans that far ahead, we will have to see what happens at the Chasm.  I'm not averse to returning here though, by any means.  Assuming Captain Lasuri agrees, and I cannot think why he would not, I agree though."

As Darel noted the figures approach, he too squinted trying to make out who it was.  "So it does ..."

He watched their approach

The running figure turns out to be Aranita, of course. She is wearing, instead of her usual sarong, sturdy travel clothes woven of local cotton, and a canvas bag. Her dark hair is tied up into a braid to keep it out of her face. Standing at the dock, she waves up at the people on the Hammerhead, breathless with excitement and apprehension.

Elder Maha-suma and Speaker Risina arrive moments later, and after a short conference Risina lends her stronger voice to address everyone converging on the Hammerhead. "We are here to see you off, visitors. I assume that our gifts and hospitality have been to your liking."

"There is only one more matter. Aranita has invoked the right of ordeal by journey. It is the policy of the Umai that a woman may elect to leave the island for a time to see the world in order to broaden her knowledge and experience. As she is now fully a woman, this is her right to choose. You will take her with you now, Captain Fireblade."

"Please do not be angry," Aranita calls up to Treon, her eyes soulful and pleading. "I will expect nothing of you, and I know my letters. I will assist you however I can, and stay out of trouble. Please. I just want to see the world beyond here..."

"That is all, then," Risina says with finality, as if to preempt any chance at refusal. "The Elder Maha-suma wishes you luck. And to Lady Hera, may fortunes favor you." She looks as if she wishes to say more at first, but with everyone present she thinks against it, and instead looks toward the rising sun for a moment of silence.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:16, Mon 09 Mar 2009.