Myarra gives Dwight and Shannon a smile but otherwise leaves them alone and concentrates on hauling the buckets or smearing on pitch, whatever needs doing. Dwight is almost an entirely different man when Shannon is there and it's a good change for however long it lasts.

She sits down not far away from the pair and has some rations for lunch. When Shannon looks over at her, she nods her head toward Dwight, giving the lynx permission to continue to suck up outrageously.

It's going to be a long day and at least two people, not including her, might as well get some enjoyment out of it.

"From the sound of things up there, it sounds like your services would be much appreciated. Do you think they're capable of the march down here? That's pushing 60 miles. Unless you'll be Teleporting again?"

The priestess let Byron give more information

Byron replies to Lord Dhelt both sincerely and a bit vaguely as the condition of the Marissa isn't fully known to Aliana or myself nor the feasibility of using it for this porpuse.

We believe that we will have an alternate form of transportation that does not require walking or teleporting.  However, at this time I do not want to go into detail as our friends are still working on that aspect of our mission.

Aliana and Lord Dhelt can see that Vernon doesn't look at all worried about the transport of the refugees. He's trying to hide a smile.

Twiggy explores the ship trying to figure out how to load and unload the mechanical crab without breaking a hole.

In reply to Vernon the Ghost (msg # 501):

Does Aliana realize that Lord Dhelt can see Vernon?

"Judging by your smile you're trying to hide, Vernon, I'll assume you all have a surprise you don't wish to reveal, so I'll just have to wait until you all arrive." Lord Dhelt chuckled "So, when you do arrive, please take them to the Caravan camp outside of town. I'll instruct future guards there to expect refugees soon and to inform me when they arrive."

So, other than niceties, your afternoon with Lord Dhelt is pleasant until he had another meeting to attend to. He wishes you farewell and the 3 of you are on your own again. If Aliana can't Teleport again today, you'll have to find a place to stay for the night and Teleport in the morning. If she can, she knows to Teleport to Soubar to meet up with the rest of the party gathering supplies for the Mariasha.
__________________

Nolan and Amara spend some time in town to gather what the ship might need, but she can tell Nolan is getting bored and a bit fidgety about completing a project or two he has waiting in the Tower.

Around 4 PM, the first coat on the Mariasha is complete and all of the workers are happy they didn't have to stay too late and run off home for dinner. Dwight goes to a wood pile that he made into a fort enclosure, where he has his blanket and tools.

It's going to take a half a day for the first coat to dry, but that will be at 4am-ish tomorrow morning. What is everyone going to do until then? Sleep on the ship? Get rooms in town? Go to Byron's family farm? Teleport back to Daak?

In reply to Lord Dhelt (msg # 504):

Aliana looked at Lord Dhelt carefully
"I don't mean to pry  Lord Dhelt, but how are you seeing Vernon?"

Amara was happy to spend some time with Nolan and talk about the arcane while they also shopped, for both mundane and arcane. She also looks to see if they have a block and tackle, rope, and perhaps even a pulley to make loading the ship easier.

When they come back (likely with porters helping carry everything), she helps levitate things up.

"I'd like to go back so that I can try scrying more," Amara said to Myarra. "I know some people need to stay here to guard the ship, but I think I'm more valuable at the tower. We need the intelligence."

"At first, I thought I was seeing things. But to answer your question, I don't know."

In reply to Lord Dhelt (msg # 508):

Aliana smiled at the powerful man
"You truly have a gift, Sir.  I'm a priestess of a powerful God, and I have great power over the dead, and I can't see him.    I'm impressed "

"What bout Amara? She be Drow an kin see me."

Roen will help Amara get the stuff on board the ship, but will stack it outside near the back.

"We'll put all this down below once the pitch has dried and it's safe to walk on. Twiggy and I will rest here and guard everything, but I doubt people around here are going to steal food. It's a sad day when people have to steal food."

In reply to Vernon the Ghost (msg # 510):

Aliana nodded
"True,  Vernon.  I  assumed Amara seeing you was the drow being closer to magic than most people. "

"Nolan can't see me."

In reply to Vernon the Ghost (msg # 513):

Aliana nodded to the ghost
"Yes, Nolan can't see you, but he is merely a practitioner of magic.  Drow are, if only slightly, magical creatures.  We surface elves are as well, though much diluted, I suspect.   But I suppose all I have are theories, and not many facts."

Byron recogonized the dismisal by Lord Dhelt and wasn't offended in the least as he appreciated the opportunity to inquire about indirect aid such as it was.

Lord Dhelt, we thank you for your time and consideration.

As a priestess of the Good of Knowledge, and a genuinely curious person, Aliana very much wanted to know how this seemingly non magical political person could see ghosts.
But, Lord Dhelt hasn't risen to power by giving up all his secrets

She stood and curtsied.
"Yes,  of course. Good Day. Lord Dhelt "

Twiggy helps to load the ship and pull the goods up "Sad to say Roen that many people have to steal food everyday. The people in the slums would kill over the scraps the the wealthy throw away each day."

Aliana, Byron and Vernon go outside and well away from the castle before Teleporting to Soubar to meet up with the rest of the party. Aliana is most familiar with the road leading to the front gates, so that's where you end up when you arrive. You see the Mariasha floating over to the West about 1/4 mile away. When you walk in that direction, you realize it's the lumber yard. The 3 of you meet up with the rest of the party again and fill you in on the details. Nolan and Amara Teleport back to Daak to see if they can Scry again while the Mariasha is getting her repairs.

Aliana is happy to see her friends again, and tells them of her encounter in the city with the rogue elements that have been a problem for them all.  She will also, with reluctance, surrender Vernon's ring to Twiggy or Roenthelm if either person wants it.
"This has been amazing progress, everyone!  I'm so proud of all of you."

"Do you need anything from me, Nolan? Otherwise, I figure I'll go scry and you'll likely want to be working on those items you've been making.

Or you could right out notes while I scry and then I can come help you with your crafting. I'm not skilled at creating magic items, but I'm sure I can get you components and whatever."

Myarra gives Aliana a gentle hug.

"Welcome aboard!  It's so good to see you! Yeah, we've been making pretty good progress with repairs and supplies. She's going to need a lot more work before she's the queen of the fleet again, but I think she'll be ready to do what needs to be done in a couple more days.

And I'm really glad you didn't try to track those засранцы by yourself.  I worry about you sometimes. You're far too generous-spirited for your own health.

So, I was wondering what kind of spells you were planning on having on the day? We need to be able to tend to the worse off, but I don't want you to skimp on the protective spells. We're definitely going to need those as well.

I was thinking of decorating the captain's cabin in a pale blue motif. But then I thought maybe a pale green would be better. Any thoughts? Not that it's a priority, or anything.  Long way down the road, but I was just letting it percolate whenever I get five or ten minutes to rest.

Oh, and Dwight is here. Remember that really unpleasant man from the road? Well, he's on the repair crew. But he does a really good job and Shannon seems to like him. Still a bit of хуй, but not as bad as I thought.  I'd appreciate your opinion on that as well.

No, I haven't actually slept much in the last 48 hours, why do you ask?"