1st Day of Resplendent Water, RY 768
Mid-morning

The rest of yesterday was spent caring for the wounded, assessing damages and losses, looting the vile Lintha of their equipment. The dead were given their rites by Donnegal and the Falchion's chaplain - first the Lintha with cursory words and an unceremonious splash, then a longer and more heartfelt ceremony for the deceased Alliance crewmen and Wavecrest soldiers. Tears flowed freely, then rum and ale, as the survivors gathered to reminisce on their best moments in the battle, on the lives and deeds of fallen friends.

Morning comes as a blessing for those relieved to leave that chaotic clash with the Lintha to memory and song. Still, a sinister remnant remains: though the Blood Chalice of Kimbery has been extracted from the island Rakatau, it has not been destroyed. The vile artifact is in the possession of Captain Lasuri, who keeps it at bay with the ring of perfect black jade, bestowed upon him by Queen Sylpheel of the Nymphs. There is the matter of Melusine as well, whose ruined eyes resist any and all attempts of healing, even by Tageru's miraculous Satchel.

What will happen now? Who will continue on with the Alliance? Where would they go next? To answer these questions, Great Rakatau has suggested a meeting, inviting the Captains and officers of the Spring Dryad II, the Black Marlena, the Falchion and the Hirdu's Ambition onto the back of the newborn island ship. As the Alliance members, Captain Fairwind and Captain Hirdu gather at the strange elemental vessel, they are swiftly joined by procession of nymph and jokun, with Queen Sylpheel and Melusine at the head. Kiana's jokun honor guard remain with her, standing behind her in a half circle.

Rakatau speaks first, his immense shape making the island ship look like a pebble before a mountain. "BRAVE CAPTAINS AND CHOSEN OF THE DRAGONS, I HAVE GATHERED YOU HERE FIRST OF ALL TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR EFFORTS. I AM MUCH PLEASED TO BE CLEANSED OF THE LINTHA TAINT, THOUGH I FEEL MUCH SORROW FOR WHAT IT HAS COST YOU. NOW YOU MUST SOON BE ON YOUR WAY, AND I WOULD PROVIDE WHAT GUIDANCE AND AID I CAN BEFORE YOU DEPART."

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OOC: The Epilogue starts off with the Seven-Day folks. You can post what you've been up to in the morning, your appearance on the island ship, react to Rakatau or the other NPCs, etc. (Will post for more of the NPCs as people arrive)

Zeru slept fitfully, falling unceremoniously out of his hammock not once but twice. Once for each time he had failed miserably in the battles he had fought. In his dreams he saw the actions that resulted from his failure. He had cost the beautiful nymph her eyesight with his cowardice, and his dropping of his guard had nearly cost Antov his life. He said a sailors prayer for those who lost their lives in the battle with the Lintha. After the second time Coral made herself a neat little bed on one of Zeru's pillows relinquished after waking the cat twice.

When morning arrives Zeru is hesitant to answer Rakatau's call. One the island ship prepared for him he would face his failure, he would likely face Melusine on it. And he was unprepared for such a meeting.

Still Zeru was not one to shirk his duties, but his trouble sleeping rendered him one of the first ones there. He stood solemnly his grin had receded as the tide and he kept his eyes averted from the lovely Nymphs in particular.

Kiana stood with her honor guard, and with the five might Jokun behind her, Kiana was, even visibly, a little more relaxed than she normally was.  That wasn't to say that her slate gray (almost blue at times) eyes were not on a constant vigil, or that her ever perceptive ears were not open, willing, and ready.  No, it simply meant that if she did detect an enemy on approach, she was confident that the whole of them would be able to handle themselves, even after the losses and injured they had suffered.  That, and having five Earth Elemental Warriors insist on keeping you safe certainly made a girl feel nice and cozy.

Kiana had changed into the simple red dress that Jadira had bought for her when she had first joined the Alliance, and what she had worn during the summoning ceremony for bringing the Seven-Day Isle to the surface.  It performed its job admirably, accenting Kiana's still-growing feminine features, as well as making her seem much more lady like, almost like the Princess of Earth that the Jokun insisted on calling her.  And though technically Kiana was a sort of royalty, back on the Crimson Isles, there was no official title for it, and Kiana would be a liar if she said that, secretly, she didn't quite enjoy the title.

Clasping her hands together (sans Smashfish) in front of her, she gave a very low bow to the towering Rakatau, paying respect first and foremost to the powerful Earth Elemtnal.  "It was our pleasure, Great Rakatau.  Though we lament the loss of our people, rest knowing they did so willingly, and without regret.  I only we were able to save more of them." She said from the low bow, those perceptive eyes staring daggers at Captain Fairwind.

She rose from her bow, her hands falling to clasp in front of her, before she spoke again only after a few moments.  "This is only the first leg in our dealings with the Chalice of Kimberly, I'm afraid.  In order to restore Melusine's eyesight, I think the Chalice will need to be destroyed--and even if I am wrong, the dreaded artifact needs to be dealt with regardless.  I'm sure no mundane hammer or forge will suit that purpose...Rakatau, would you hold any wisdom in how best to rid the world of such a sickness?"

Kareth had spent the night restless.  After his anima had died down enough to help with moving the wounded, he offered what help he could.  Still, worry racking his mind and the words of the demonic relic rang in his head.

His initial thought was to decline the offer to attend the meeting with Rakatau.  However, he decided it would be in his best interest be informed of all developments first hand.  He stood in the back with his cloak flapping in the wind, revealing his black pants and freshly pressed white shirt.  Kareth wasn't one who was much for pomp, but he did care about his appearances; a product of his military training.

As Kiana stated her solution to Melusine's sight, Kareth raised his eyebrow.  The girl was sharp.  "Miss Kiana is correct.  I am not familiar with healing but I my observations of the magics which caused the wound led me to the same conclusion.  The chalise has to be destroyed to restore her eyesight."

Jadira arrives with Lasuri, looking generally well-rested, but weary with sadness. While Zeru has a near death and a crippling on his conscience, she remembers the deaths of fifteen men and women that her efforts alone could not stop.

Still, the Wood Aspect is not one prone to wallowing in her sorrow, at least not publicly. Wearing her green coat with the red blossoms, a clean ivory blouse embroidered with ivy vines, sturdy dark trousers and boots, she stands proudly with her Captain, bowing respectfully to Queen Sylpheel and the mountainous visage of Rakatau. She's not forgotten her manners yet, even many years removed from the Realm.

"The Chalice will need to be destroyed for more than that," she says grimly, though gazing with compassion at the eyeless Melusine. "That Chalice will no doubt attract other ambitious Lintha to us given time, not to mention seadogs that might want to test their mettle against us. Still," and Jadira glances at Lasuri, touching the Alliance Captain's arm, "the Ring of Danaa'd seems to be keeping it from being more than an annoyance. I thank you for that, Queen of the Nymphs."

"And all of you, for fighting with all of us, even when you did not have to. Without everyone I am sure the Spring Dryad would be sunk beneath the waves today."

"Miss Thornbloom's right. This thing will need to be put out of commission permanently before we're out of the woods." The Captain looks at his hand, and the chalice that is still in it - as long as it is in one piece, he will have to bear it with him. After having some time to slow down, it becomes more apparent that the Captain took a beating during their last sortie. He looks haggard and tired, as if a heavy weight keeps his usual jovial and spirited demeanor to rise completely to the surface.

"It's still not beaten. It's been defeated, and it can't directly take control of me or use its powers on me, thanks to the ring the Queen bestowed me." At these words, the Captain turn to the Nymph Queen, bowing to her gratefully and respectfully. "But it can still talk to me, and show me things. I think it'll try to erode me that way since it can't actually dominate me... Which means I still have to be careful too."

"And you should all be as well - this thing seems to be able to communicate and influence by mere contact, so I have to be careful to let no one else tough this thing. On that subject..." Lasuri turns to Kareth then, nodding slightly. "I know you likely need a rest, Mister Kareth, but I have a few things I'd like to ask you - I need some sort of container for this thing. One I can carry with me, and one I can use to lock it up when it's in my room. I don't want to risk it even brushing with anyone by mistake... Not after the heavy cost we paid to get it here."

The Captain inhales then, and a tired, but strongly genuine smile shines towards the other members of the Alliance. "Miss Thornbloom's right, people. You've given everything you could, and then you took another step and gave some more. I won't forget that, ever. I never would have been able to do this if it was just us... The Alliance has grown since our long trek from the far East, and it's strength has been immeasurably increased."

"So thank you, all of you, for all of your blood and sweat and tears. I said it before, and I say it again - you people are what makes this dream possible at all. You are the Alliance. You all made a crazy dream possible, so you should all be given your credit for making this all possible."

The Captain looks at the Chalice in his hands then, and nods. "Some of us have sacrificed themselves for this... But the Alliance will prevail. I promise you all that we'll see this through no matter what... And not even the might of Malfeas will be able to ignore the might of this band of ragtag misfits."

Kareth listens to the captain's request and develops a look of intense thought on his face.  He then nods to Lasuri with the look of a man who had ideas.