Derrick seems slightly deflated by Hoa's words, but he perks up again at Artor's agreement and Alyssa's additional details. "That may have been their tracks, yes. Do you think you could lead us back to the place?"

He turns to look at the Aix. [Language unknown: "Li setionrea le iencilanad ndri ivepe ndetioted eeme nd. Ugh eauhervir wer neevll n arfi ou tiin ntieenvertio. E com the ingthasta encro o. E are whetralar me el strwilher iere tiday."]

In reply to Derrick (msg # 339):

"I guess I could. Although it would require us to go through that field of electrical discharges again. I don't think I would find a quicker route from down here, unless we would take the route you took."

"Stay. Rest, enjoy the meat", admonished Artor, "Let me seek out clues in the night"

Derrick looks askance at Artor. "Surely you aren't suggesting that you go alone?"

In reply to Derrick (msg # 342):

Alyssa stands up. "If you believe your companion to be out there I'll come with you. I did steal your transport."

Shrugging, Artor's mask feigned indifference as to the supposed risk, "I had thought to, that I can move swiftly and without the need for revealing light. It might be swifter and safer than moving as a pack"

He inclined his head, "If you would be willing to be led in the dark, we would be slow but sure"

Derrick nods his agreement. He is clearly reluctant to let Artor go alone. He looks back at the Aix and then moves to collect his gear from where it was put away.

In reply to Derrick (msg # 345):

Alyssa stands up. "I'll come as well. I might be tired, but I wouldn't feel good accepting your hospitality unless I help you find your friend."

"I think that in this, speed matters, as does stealth." Hoa Sen says. "We have no idea how long Radwa has already been absent. There are electrical discharges and creatures between us and where we stopped the vehicle. Avoiding those would require first a trek, then a harrowing climb in the dark."

She looks to Derrick, her expression troubled but resolute. "I think we must trust Artor in this, Derrick, if it is to be done tonight. The trail will be colder come morning, but if we wish to be thorough, that is the time. To wait would also tie our search back to the journey we must already make."

The older man considers quietly as the conversation unfolds.

"If you wish, I can establish a telepathic connection with you now, so that I can monitor you as you search.  That way, if you need assistance, we will know it immediately, and we will know where to find you.  Shall I proceed?"

OOC: And so we flash forward ...

Alyssa accompanies Artor back out into the night, where his acute vision helps her avoid dangers and her knowledge of the path of the cart and the fields of black shock crystals allows safe and efficient passage back to the site she originally found the cart.

There, despite his best efforts, Artor finds nothing.  He is able to identify all the cart tracks, the footprints of those who descended into the bowl, even the tracks of the ithsyn who pursued Alyssa into the night.  Of Radwa, apart from a few circles of her unique footprints circling the cart and trailer, there is no sign.  Even her books, all of them, were left behind.  Lacking a better explanation, Artor and Alyssa conclude that whatever strange effect brought Alyssa within the Veil, it took Radwa out the same way.  Perhaps she is enjoying the sea breeze even now.

The path back through the electrical discharges and back along the switchbacks is largely silent.  Jasper greets them at the door while full dark still fills the skies.  There are still a few hours until dawn that they might gain some rest.

Derrick heeds Hoa's advice, though he is only able to rest fitfully while Artor and Alyssa are away. He awakes when they return, but notices that they are alone at once. He gets what rest he can with what's left of the night.

"You have my thanks, Mistress Alyssa", murmured Artor softly as they returned to the smallhold, "Get your rest now, well-earned and I will speak to the others of Radwa and the sea breezes she enjoys when they wake"

His thanks is echoed to the Aix who waited for them, the word strange but the meaning without need for translation to the newcomer

The morning light is a strange purple color long past the time of sunrise.  The Aix, who had a guard posted by the door all night, rouse slowly but only due to the fatigue of the previous day.  The perform their morning ablutions and share their rations.

[Language unknown: "Ar mo le morionma i na wasdayhou setwascom tickorenc hatul, vorwhende?"] Asks Spire Son, slightly less stiff than the night before.

Jasper adds [Language unknown: "Ev in witstrine t nd k.  O einde mo ecisni pa ntmossil ng evnte nceto, wicom raticaers."]

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 352):

Alyssa whispers to Artor. "What do they say? They're speaking a language I've never heard before."

Waking with the sunrise, Derrick seems resolved. He eats breakfast with determination and then prepares to leave. [Language unknown: "Formo, anywerove li k finois is ofprsi. Esven intioutha n Lealfi arthatous t os ounoerrat ne osloek. Nti en e staticthi herithill prna ameintwit onsromous Ic rea whtoai herticill wa io in."]

In reply to Alyssa Yulo (msg # 353):

“They wish to accompany us”, translated Artor softly, “They say they have not seen a land vehicle, since the Aix have only boats”

The quartet of Aix are soon packed and ready to head out.  They've done what they can to clean the building and made a list of supplies that will need to be restocked.

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 356):

"So where are we heading?" Alyssa asks no one in particular. "Don't think anyone told me exactly what the aim for this expedition is."

"Back to where we were last night", summarised the cowled man, his porcelain mask offering a smile, "Back to the vehicle. And then through the Veil to the settlement we came from, to tell them to seek refuge here whilst the outside world encroaches upon them"

In reply to Artor (msg # 358):

Alyssa ponders the answer. "Oh. So is the settlement in danger then?"

"It is", affirmed Artor, preparing his own meagre pack swiftly enough, "The world encroaches upon it. It will not be safe there within the season"

In reply to Artor (msg # 360):

Alyssa hesitates and looks like she wants to continueing her questioning but decides against it. Artor does not seem to be the talkative sort. She quickly packs her belongings and is ready to move out.

Overhearing some of the quiet conversation between Artor and Alyssa, Derrick chimes in. "Before we return though, we are going to investigate the proposed site of settlement. There is a place where a river flows out of the crater that the Aix believe will be suitable without encroaching on this territory."

"There are dozens of details trailing from that responsibility." Hoa Sen says. "There are resources and equipment in the cart that we must test. We must ensure that the area is free from danger—at least comparatively. We need to survey the ground to consider both construction and planting. We are a desperate cast of Canthus' dice, one that has grown more desperate with Radwa's disappearance. They are a wright of no small skill. They built the conveyance in which you arrived."