As the last light of the setting suns slips away, the Gryphs begin to leave the great tree, departing a few at a time.

K'Rhee nods to Kar, "A brave tale, well told.  Let me, or Hree, know of what you might need to assist in recovery for your vessel."

Several other of the Gryph hunters take a moment to congratulate the Kar and the group as they depart.

The small Kasmiran, quiet up to this point, leans in towards Wraith, "Mr. Zephyr, can you tell me how long you will need here?  We need to stop back in Deadwood, the sooner the better." 

In reply to Zosha Davij Inan (msg #97):

"That all depends," says Wraith.  "Repairs will take a couple of days - provided we can scrounge up the requisite supplies.  The repairs could possibly wait until Deadwood, but I wouldn't push her too much further than that."

J'landria waits until attention is shifting away from them to move toward Abn.  She looks at his mask, in the eye hole.  Her eyes seek out the small glittering points of lights deep in the recesses.

"I apologize for my... ill treatment of you.  If you would tell me... what kind of compensation you would... require for information... on my missing youngling, I will... do my best to meet it," she says to him quietly, the rolling growl like purr  under and behind her speech.

In reply to Wraith Zephyr (msg #98):

"Very good, we leave then on the morning of the 37th.  That will make three days for repairs here, and if the wind is with us, we should make Deadwood before suns-set."

Abn Quam coughs a bit, recovers, answering, "I understand your situation.  I suppose I am fortunate to have my life.  I have given you what information I have.  It was in the wilderlands, just east of Kasmir that we saw them, perhaps a day before the Rajans set upon us.  I'm not sure exactly how long ago that was."

In reply to GM (msg #101):

To Abn, after some of his crewmates' responses "I am sorry for putting you on the spot. It was not what I wanted from you, rather what I expected of them. I understand that you have been mistreated by two crews of the Fate. For my own part, I beg only the offense of ignorance. I was not fully aware of things happening below decks, or that there had been a surviving hostage. I could understand if you never wanted to return to those decks. However, I ask you to at least allow us to carry you to another destination; one from which you may find easier passage to where ever your path leads. We apparently have a few days here for what repairs we can muster. Use that time to decide, or find your own road. If you would join us then, you would be welcomed."

"Aye, I thank you for your offer.  Perhaps we can aid one another.  Discuss with your friends, and if the offer is still open, I will give you an answer before your planned departure."

Once the work is set out, the three days pass quickly.

Wraith reviews the needs for the Wind of Fate, and wood is plentiful, though some of the oak is heavier than you'd prefer to work with.

Jaxar proves adept at carving, and shadows Wraith in learning the ins and outs of the windship.

The Marukans are unfamiliar with the windships, or even ships in general, but are hard working.

Once the time has passed, the windship is serviceable and ready to fly reliably once again.


OoC:  There will be a few notes and events before the departure, but largely we're going to fast forward to that point. 

In reply to GM (msg #104):

While the rest of the crew is busy, Wraith slowly inspects the ship, and is quite pleased with the quality and quantity of work that his been accomplished during the last three days.  The callouses on his hands certify that he, too, did his share of the heavy-lifting.  "She could still use a going-over by Sturgis, but that will have to wait," says Wraith.  "She's sky-worthy - that much I know."

"Aye, sky-worthy. But are we," asks Aalistair, walking across the deck with all the solid insecurity of a toddler taking his first steps. "Where are we planning to be off to when we're able? Back to Deadwood, I assume? I confess I'd like the chance to stop over for at least a night there, if not more."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #106):

"Deadwood, for a spell," says Wraith.  "After that, your guess is as good as mine."

J'landria finds them talking and she approaches.

"I ask a... selfish favor," she begins, her green eyes looking between the men.  "That we allow... Ahben back on.  He might have seen the... child that I seek."

She says nothing else, just looks at them, waiting for their reply.

"He is welcome to board, so long as the rest of you is convinced that is as he appears.  I don't see how he can be anything else, but there is subtle magic in this world, and I have but inkling of it."  Wraith smiles again and draws his broad collar across his neck.  "I for one am happy to help you locate your missing cub, J'landria.  Tell me about this missing babe.  How did it happen?  I presume that the cub was stolen at some juncture, no?"  He stretches his lithe arms along the rail of the deck and basks in the jagged rays of light that have found their way through the canopy of branches that surrounds them.

She stares at Wraith, her green eyes wide but calculating.  After the span of a few dozen heartbeats she nods.

"My father discovered a small... disturbance.  None of the other elders or trackers thought it was of any consequence however.  My father thinks he was stolen, wooed away from the safety of our people, then captured and dragged away for study," she says.  Her expression darkens and the somewhat startled and surprised look that is generally on her face is replaced with the look of someone much older and wiser than her years.  "There are stories among the... keepers... of my people that tell of wizards taking youth and studying them.  Torturing them with both magical and non magical means."  She takes a deep breath, but all the while a quiet and low rumble echoes in her throat and her tail moves slowly side to side.  "It is assumed that they," her jaw closes and clenches for a moment.  She seems torn as to how much to say to this outsider.  "They seek a way to understand some of our... abilities.  Possibly to harness them for their own use, or to prevent us from using the abilities to stop them from whatever it is they're seeking to do."
She stares at Wraith for what feels like a long while.
"I can't explain more yet.  I don't know you, don't know that I can trust you with... secrets that my people have kept for hundreds of years."

"I am concerned about what the Rajani may have done to Abn Quam. Those among us with greater senses than mine have felt that he is not what he says he is. I am willing to take him back aboard, but there is a risk. We don't know exactly who - what - we are taking aboard."

J'landria nods at the words of Mirna.
"I am one of those who don't... trust him," she replies simply.  "Yet, I also wonder if we were all on edge that night... looking for an enemy and finding someone to fill... that role."
She shrugs and looks up as a Gryph passes far overhead.  Her green eyes blinking and she smiles.

"Being in the trees is nice.  I will miss it."

"Our... or your," he spreads his hands briefly towards the owners of the Fate, "windship, is responsible for bringing him here.  I do think we could watch him until we get to Deadwood at least, and that at least would be a kindness, that we would not be abandoning him here with all the Beastmen of Golarin between himself and his homeland?"

"Aye," Aalistair nods. "It is the best we can do." He looks to the others closest to him. "Too, we can keep an eye upon him on the journey ourselves. Deadwood should not be more than a day away in this windship, yes? We journeyed here in about as much time did we not?"

"Its about a day's journey, as the Avir flies," says Wraith, anchoring his eyes on the eyes on the helm.  "I for one am ready to depart, as much as I have enjoyed the shade of these ancient trees."

The Djaffir trader, looking much better with a change of clothes and a few days rest, joins the rest of you in the trees.

"If your offer still stands, I would accompany you.  I stand little chance of gaining my vengeance on foot with all the lands of the Beastmen between myself and my enemies.  All I would ask is the recovery of my personal gear, and that I be allowed the freedom to come and go from my bunk at will.  I am willing to work my passage as well."

In reply to Abn Quam (msg #116):

"It is meet with me that you should come with us. I am not sure what gear is yours, but your own mask and those of your kinsmen should be in your care." There is a bit of disgust evident upon his face as he discusses these ill-omened trinkets. "I am not the captain of this vessel nor the leader of this expedition. These pilgrims are not my charge. That said, we can see you back to Deadwood as safely as we may, but from there I cannot say."

J'landria shrugs.
"I have no problem with any of it," she says.  "Mind, I still don't... know why they allowed me on the ship."
She smiles then, a toothy and predatory grin.

In reply to Abn Quam (msg #116):

"I can agree to your terms, such as they are." Mirna smiles, "Please forgive my suspicions, it's been a difficult few days."

In reply to Abn Quam (msg #116):

After seeing Abn's approach and the general response from the rest of the crew, Kar only nods once before taking to the air to pass the space between the honor guards double checking moorings and such as the ship prepares for departure.