Wraith listens and watches intently.  Full from the surprisingly-tasty victuals, he leans back and feels decidedly safe and relaxed - two sensations that he hasn't felt for quite awhile.

"I concur with Kar," he says.  "It would advisable I think for you to bolster your security measures, given the fact that that hostile forces gather not too from your demesne.  Your assistance with regard to repairing our ship is quite generous."

"Our hunters cover a great range as it is, but we shall take account of your suggestions," K'Rhee offers.  "With regard to your ship, I'm sure you would show us the same generosity were the situation reversed."

"Ah, but the lot of you would not need a ship to sail across the skies," says Aalistair sipping from a cup of water to hide a smile. "I think that this meal has been a bit rich for me. I am not used to such largess." He pushes back from the table slightly and sighs.

"So, perhaps after we have had some time to digest this meal and you to digest our news... well, I think that us outsiders should discuss our next destination. Once we have that decided, should we let you all know," he asks of the Gryph accompanying them. "We could carry messages ... well, I assume south, but that is yet to be decided, I guess."

"Yes, do let us know your next destination, perhaps you might carry word for us," K'Rhee nods.

The feast continues, winding down as the Gryphs take their fill, and begin to depart to their nests.

As Hree finishes, she looks to you, "If you require anything further, you can find me nearby to where your windship is docked.  We will let you take your rest and start on your repairs." 



OoC:  We'll likely fast forward a bit, so if anyone has specific things to do or ask, this thread, or either of the two windship threads can be used to move those forward.

"Please," she calls, raising her hand.  "Kree.  Have you seen a Jaka a few years younger than I pass?  Possibly... in the company of someone else?"

Her green eyes are wide, but with the dimming light the pupils almost at their most open.

Kar looks at the gryph remaining in the room, and decides that someone should try a little harder...realizing that would only be himself...
"Yes, a band of Gryph would not need the windship. Neither did this motley crew, for a short time. Long enough to reclaim the ship, taken while our backs were turned, from another group of land-devils in league with the beasts collecting outside these grand Oaks. A bold move born of determination almost ended before it began, as legs used to the immobile earth took flight for the first time. Had it not been for an improptu lesson in basic flight practices, some would surely have dropped to the ground short of their targets."

Pausing for effect, Kar looks around to see if anyone outside his group has taken notice.

In reply to Kar (msg #76):

Wraith smiles.  "Had it not been for you, Kar, I would've surely plummeted to my doom.  If there is any sort of flight in my future, I assure you that it shall be conducted safely from the helm of a windship.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Sun 20 Feb 2011.

K'Rhee looks the Jaka in the eye, thinking.  "We do have a number of Jaka that pass through, but I can't say that I've seen any particularly young ones.  I will ask of our hunters," he adds, raising his voice, so other Gryphs nearby can hear him.

As Kar begins to speak, other Gryphs, young hunters turn his way, and begin to listen.

"As night drew to a close, this rag-tag crew approached their ship, gliding on the winds as easiliy as if they were born to it. Surrounding the ship as best they could, they struck as dawn broke.
The first of the devils who dropped to the ground never knew what hit them.
All would not be so easy. As they cleared the decks, some were more comfortable regaining their feet, and took the fight to the enemy face to face.

Then he appeared.
A giant to big to be swept off like the rest of the offal on-board.
But did this sight frighten our heros? Not in the least.
Working together two of our bravest allies, Marukan brothers out to prove their own worth to themselves and the world, were instrumental in bringing this lumbering tower of a man to his knees."
Another pause for effect, and Kar is really warming up to this.

J'landria listens to Kar, some of her anxiety has melted away, but she is still a little anxious.  She looks to the faces of his brethren, watching their reactions to the tale of their derring-do.  Her tail moves in short little twitches and her ear is cocked back listening to the wind in the leaves.

As Kar continues, the Gryph hunters lean in to listen, and some other young hunters further off turn your way, and a few spread their wings to glide to perches closer to your group.

In reply to GM (msg #81):

Mirna listens in, her posture one of casual attention, but the gleam in her eyes betrays her sense of pride in a battle well fought.

In reply to GM (msg #81):

"Then, as more of the Rajani and their mercaneries fall, three come from the crew quarters. It soon becomes apparent that one of these is a foul priest as he unleashes dark energies against our stalwart heroes. Once more, tired from the ongoing battle, these few must rise to the challenge. Some are brought down by the priest as he stands behind his guard, like a coward. Others take mighty hits from those guards, adding to the pains inflicted by the earlier riff-raff. Through all of this our own son of the light,"
*Nodding to Aalistair*
 "and one of our furry friends,"
*indicating J'landria*
 "tries to ease the wounded, and defend them instead of themselves. Were it not for their selflessness, some of us would not have made it to the safety of these branches."

"Then, even after all of the Rajani were dispatched, and we thought we could rest, before the night gave way to the brilliance of the twin suns she unleashed one more dark nightmare...from the skies."

All is quiet, but for a soft rustle of feathers from the Gryph hunters, listening intently.  Even K'Rhee, and a few of the other elders have turned to listen.

If a Jaka could blush J'landria would be turning scarlet.  For a moment, her body language speaks of embarrassment, then she sits taller and seems to be a different person.  Older, more responsible and composed.  She watches the watchers and Kar.

In reply to GM (msg #84):

"At first, none knew they were being trailed, so silent was the new challenger. However, eyes of the Creator's blessings picked out a shape; darker among the darkness following behind the limping ship. A challenge was called to the stranger, to fall unanswered in the shortening gap. Then one among them, the only one blessed with independaent flight, took the address to the newcomer personally, only to be rebuffed. His attentions were not for naught, however, for now others aboard could identify the new threat. And a battle of Wills followed, the likes of which I'd never witnessed from such a vantage point. In the end, there was something, or someone, aboard which drew the creature. That attention proved it's undoing."

The Gryphs all settle into silence, waiting for Kar to finish.

In reply to GM (msg #87):

"As it approached the deck intent on the one who had fired upon it, our helmsman and functioning first-mate Wraith, quickly found himself airborn once again. Fate would not leave him to fall, however, as the remainder of the draught responsible for their aerial boarding stayed with him. We returned to the ship to find each of our comrades in arms preparing for their own chance against this beast. Wraith readied a blast to remove it from our decks once more, only to be thrown back by his own efforts. The Jaka prepared to charge, after I had tried to distract it again.
 Weary from the day's exertions, fearing for the safety of not himself, Aalistair of the light beat us all to our target.
 He challenged that demon with a curse calling upon a strength from within and without. Beset by the resulting blast of blinding light, The devil had no chance. The rest of us stood down as it whimpered, withering on the deck. Within moments, it was no more. The only evidence of it's existence an exhausted, panting Aamanian, and a stone on the floor."

Pausing, bringing his half-outstretched wings back to his body, Kar looks around the assembled audience and adresses them directly

"This is why, when seeking a place of rest, and possible repairs, I suggested the welcoming branches of the Oaks. Not because I come to beg for your assistance, but to stand as a warning to those who would think that events outside these woods will never affect those who dwell within. These enemies care not at all for honor. They care even less for family. But if you will not listen to me, then allow me to introduce one who has even more authority on that score. A man we found beaten in the hold of the ship."

*He circles to the Djaffir*

"A man who has had strangers return the masks of his wife...his children. He will not beg for pity, but I must beg that we do not let their deaths be in vain. Please, do not let his story become your story just because it happened outside the shadows of the Oaks."

*And with that, it becomes obvious that the story is over, as Kar looks to the Djaffir and extends an arm in friendship*

Abn Quam looks at Kar's outstretched arm, his expression unreadable behind his mask.  "I am unsure what you ask of me.  For a full day after recovering the vessel, and after my fellow captives were released, I was locked up without food or water, hounded with questions I could not answer, and told I could not accompany you, but more likely would be left with little more than the rags on my back, in a distant land from my desert home."

He looks around at the others, clears his throat with a hoarse cough, and adds, "That is not to say I was never shown a kindness, however meager.  Much of what I hear tonight is new to me.  I would repay what I could."  His eyes meet J'landria's, "for I have seen a young Jaka, as you speak.  I thought it odd, as it is rare to see them so young, but we had happened upon them out in the wilderlands, traveling west.  He was with a group of Kasmirans and Danuvians, and the young jaka had a chain upon his neck."

In reply to GM (msg #89):

Wraith leans forward and says, "Forgive me if I speak out of turn, friend, but you must understand that your treatment, as harsh as it was, was necessitated by a need to protect our ship.  We wished to determine to the best of our ability whether or not were a disguised saboteur.  I, for one, regret that you were subjected to such harsh treatment, but I would also understand if the roles were reversed, and you were forced to resort to such measures."

Aalistair nods solemnly at the last exchanges of words between the parties. "If any here wish to hear the words of the might Aa, or to receive the benediction of his Name, we shall be here in town for at least a day." He sighs heavily. "There is much to be done. Not least of which is an apology to you, Abn Quam."

Abn Quam looks from Wraith to Aalistair, back again.  He waves a hand, briefly, "Na, no apology necessary.  It will not bring back those lost, or feed me when I was hungry.  I need only look towards where I will go next.  First, I must survive, then I may seek my vengeance."


K'Rhee, the elder, focuses his gaze on Kar.  "Believe me, Kar, we do not take lightly the goings on beyond our forests.  You, and your new friends will have the aid you need."  He turns to the Djaffa, "and you shall be our guest, until suitable passage can be arranged to your homeland."

In reply to Aalistair (msg #91):

Wraith leans towards Aalistair and mutters, "I know not where we plan to head next, but a part of me feels as though we should aid Abn Quam.  Perhaps we should convey him to his home and help him avenge his loved ones."

The Aamanian nods slightly. "Though that would have us crossing back across the path of the Beastmen, would it not? Though perhaps they are now beginning to disperse. Either way we could observe from the... ah, air." He seems a bit uneasy at the prospect of another journey across the skies.

In reply to Aalistair (msg #94):

"I relish the prospect even less than you," says Wraith, smiling wryly.  "Be that as it may, my desire for revenge threatens to subsume my desire to live."