BountyOfTheSeas/Session3

Previously on Bounty of the Sea: Pirates attack! They die. A Dragonblooded attacks, and is killed. Slaves are freed. The burning ship called the Burning Rain sinks before the eyes of the asssembled. Water elementals push Starlit Waters to safety.

BEGIN CHAPTER 3

The Solars stand assembled on the deck of Irisa's Starlit Waters, the floating pleasure palace of the Seaspray region.
Many problems now face them:
A herd of slaves mills around aimlessly, blinded by the bright midday's sun.
Dead pirates and crewmen of both ships lay scattered about.
In Verdant Waves' hand are documents pilfered from the Burning Rain shortly before its collapse.
And, of course, determining the motives behind the savage attack remains a high priority.
...not to mention the identity of their supernatural and brutal captain.
Pyhrra and Verdant blaze with the glory of the Unconquered Sun.
The crews of the Brilliance and the Starlit Waters are, accordingly, awed.
<Zeleny> "Irisa," Zeleny says, approaching the woman. "Might I ask for shelter and nourishment for the freedmen? They will be a long time recovering, I think."
Pyhrra limps over to a box against the wall and slumps heavily as she sits, ramming the point of Memoir into the deck with a loud thunk. The blue-gold fire in her eyes fades as her anima power fades away with her will to remain standing but her dawn castemark still burns brighter than any flame.
Verdant nonchalantly ruffles through the papers, saying calmly, "So, captain, those daggers going to suit you?"
Irisa replies, "Captain, I would be happy to take them aboard, but regrettably, I can not afford to do so without recompense."
<Pyhrra> She no longer bleeds, but there is a long red mark starting on her cheek and travelling down from her right shoulder to left hip - her tunic is almost irreparibly destroyed and barely holds together on her.
Zeleny stares at her meditatively. "You have already taken them aboard. Without recompense."
Pyhrra surveys the scene with tired, glazed eyes...
Irisa raises an eyebrow. "And I will happily take them offboard, too, without recompense."
<Zeleny> But when Verdant speaks, he turns away from her. "They seemed quite useful, yes. However...unless Callidora took them, I believe they went down with the ship.""
<Verdant> "What?"
<Zeleny> "They were with the captain. The captain burned his ship down and sank, I believe, quite far."
<Callidora> "Was there something special about the Daggers?"
<Zeleny> "They were jade."
Callidora looks momentarily puzzled
<Callidora> "oooo, jade! of course!"
<Zeleny> "You would throw them overboard?" Zeleny asks Irisa, quietly curious.
<Callidora> "C'mon guys, lets go get 'em?"
<Verdant> "Oh, for...here, hold these. And see if you can get Pyhrra looked at. Exalt or no, those weren't flesh wounds she took." Verdant shoves the papers into Zeleny's hands.
<Callidora> "Who here knows how to swim?"
Callidora tucks her staff in back of her, underneath her belt
Callidora walks over to the edge of the deck
Irisa ignores the side conversation. She looks uncomfortable under Zeleny's scrutiny. "...no, I suppose I wouldn't. But I won't take them aboard as an act of charity, either."
<Callidora> "Well?"
<Zeleny> "Why not?"
<Verdant> With the papers now in Zeleny's hands, Verdant turns and dives into the water, rapidly vanishing beneath the waves...
Irisa: "Because I am not running a charitable organization, here, captain. Feeding some thirty-odd extra mouths for an indefinite span of time is no simple proposition."
Irisa: "And unless you haven't yet noticed, most of these men are not fit for much more than the rowing to which they were tasked."
<Zeleny> "As it happens...I am not asking you to feed them for an indefinite span of time. I am asking you to feed them, today, and allow them out of the sun, for the moment."
Callidora jumps in after Verdant
Callidora looks around, swims to the ship
Irisa is given pause. "And what do you propose to do with them after I treat them to a 'liberation dinner?'"
<Zeleny> "I am uncertain. Most likely, take them aboard my ship." No doubt his passing crewmembers wince. It was already a bit crowded in the bunks. "But those plans can wait. There are more immediate things to be taken care of."
<Zeleny> He glances at the pirates under guard.
<Zeleny> There were, he mused, definitely advantages to operating under a policy of uttter destruction of the enemy.
Irisa: "Hmm... yes, agreed. For the time being, they can certainly take refuge below decks. Although they seem to be enjoying the open air."
<Zeleny> "Then they can do as they like. Thank you." Zeleny bows briefly to her, and tracks down Monk, who is nursing a bruised shin. "Take these, will you?" He passes the papers along. "See if there's anything interesting in them."
Monk bows. "Yes, Captain."
Underwater, Callidora and Verdant have to swim quite a ways in the darkness below them.
The sea floor is dangerously far away; the pressure here would seriously injure mortal men.
Sea life is scarce, and only a tiny glimmer of light reaches this far below the waves.
The wreck looms out of the darkness, still settling, as if in slow motion.
Callidora looks around briefly for any Spirits in the area, keeps swimming.
As Verdant approaches it, his anima washes over the hull, but even the Sun's light cannot illuminate the threatening blackness of the ship's interior, visible through multiple holes in the hull.
With the benefit of Essence-assisted vision, the tiny gods are visible.
The god of this region of the sea floor hangs around, looking for all the world like the silt he represents.
A minor god of shipwrecks hovers over the new hulk, inspecting it.
Otherwise, the spiritual terrain is fairly barren.
Callidora swims over, and asks the Shipwreck God for permission to enter his domain
He narrows his "eyes," which appear as the algae-covered portholes of ships, but nods his head in acquiescence.
"The Chosen of the Sun... what is the seafloor coming to, these days?"
Verdant ignores the Shipwreck God and begins his search. Methodical, starting with the ruins of the deck and working downwards.
Callidora "Times are strange, yes. But please, tell me."
"Hmm?"
Callidora "I'm new here, and a bit unfamiliar with the etiquette. Who here has domain over ships destroyed in battle?"
"Ah, well, of course that depends exactly what you're looking for..." The spirit's Old Realm is apparently unhindered by the water, and he can likewise understand Callidora.
"There's always channels to go through, of course..."
Callidora nods. "Well, its quite a scandal actually."
Meanwhile, Verdant conducts an excruciatingly thorough examination of the shipwreck, being careful to avoid the ruined timber that juts at odd angles all throughout the ship.
Callidora "There was a fire aspected Dragon-Blooded here! He made use of his flaming charms."
He can conclude with certainty that the daggers are no longer on the ship.
"Oh, you mean the dead fellow over there?"
Callidora "At first, I thought me might be confused, and thought he was in the desert."
<Callidora> "But he persisted even after I informed him that he was, in fact, at sea."
<Callidora> "Yes, I of course had to kill him."
The spirit looks at you blankly.
<Callidora> "Now we are trying to cleanse the sea of his unforunate weapons"
Death, it seems, is not a scandal to a god of shipwrecks.
<Callidora> "Which were of the same aspect of himsself"
<Callidora> "Tell me, have you seen any red weapons around here?"
It shrugs. "Not my concern."
<Callidora> "I must remove them immediattely."
"This delightful piece of work you see before you - this is my handiwork. I'm sure the weapons you seek are someone else's purview now."
<Callidora> "regards it"
<Callidora> "It is quite impressive. I like how you....."
Callidora makes up some bullshit
Verdant's (surprisingly rapid) sweep of the area turns up the captain's body, face down in silt.
<Callidora> "So, has anyone else been inspecting your masterpiece?"
The breastplate apparently weighs enough to keep him down - it is clearly an excellent piece of work, although probably not magical.
"Hmm? Well, it became somewhat the business of Ixinor over there, but he's not terribly interested, it seems."
Callidora looks over. What is Ixinor doing?
"These seafloor gods - I deal with them quite often, as you'd imagine, and unless there's a vent, or a reef, they're just not terribly exciting." True enough, Ixinor appears as sedate as his ocean floor probably is, on any average day.
Callidora rolls her eyes, puts on a expression of painful boredom
If anything, this interruption of routine seems a bit off-putting to the silt-like god.
<Callidora> "Oh, I knoooow what you mean. I'm afraid duty calls though"
The shipwreck god is already absorbed in his examination of the ex-Burning Rain.
<Callidora> "Goodluck with your art. I hope to see some more pieces in a similiar style later."
Callidora swims over, goes through the formalities with the silt dude.
Ixinor is brusque, speaking in as few words as necessary.
...but dutifully exchanges the proper repartée.
<Callidora> "Sir, I do hate to trouble you, but I'm afraid the local undersea has been corrupted...."
"Blha! No need to tell -me-!"
<Callidora> "...by an intrusion from the court of fire, in the form of two red jade daggers, and the corpse of a fire aspected dragon blooded"
<Callidora> "my colleague is currently removing the offensive corpse, I am hoping to expunge the daggers"
<Callidora> "Do you happen to know where I might find them?"
"Bhrlm... if I give them to you, do you go away?"
Callidora looks offended
<Callidora> "Well, I do like the sea floor"
<Callidora> "but yes, I will return to the surface out of deference to you."
Meanwhile, with distaste, Verdant manages to remove the captain's breastplate, and fasten it about his own torso.
"Hrm... too much noise these days. Too much..."
Verdant traces a sign in the water as the corpse begins to float.
"The baubles you seek are over... there..." and he points. "Now, get them out of here, take your friend, and take that ship with you, too!"
<Callidora> "Way ahead of you. I've already removed the ship. As for the shipwreck, I believe the proper autorities are already on the scene"
<Callidora> "The Dragons t hank you, good sir."
Callidora grabs the trinkets
"Hrm... as if -he's- going to get rid of it..." As luck would have it, the dagger pair was not separated too much during their descent, and they are easily recovered from where they were half-buried in silt.
If not for the god, they would have been difficult indeed to locate.
Artifacts recovered, corpse in tow, the pair begin the swim to the surface.
As Callidora nears the brightness of the waves, she feels a pressure on her shoulders halting her ascent.
A face resolves out of the water before her, beaming with pride.
<Callidora> ?!
"Callidora! Callidora, how did you like that trick with the boat, huh? Neat, huh?"
Callidora Smiles back, tries to place the face."
It's one of Neira's friends, a water elemental.
<Callidora> ooo
<Callidora> "I knew that was one of you guys!"
<Callidora> "How'd you do it?"
"A whole bunch of us! Well, er..."
<Callidora> ::grinning, conspiratorally.:
"We're... we're not really supposed to say..."
<Callidora> ::looks around wildly:: "Really? What are you guys doing up here?"
"How about we just say, you've got friends in high places!" The elemental winks, also conspiratorially.
Callidora sincerly hurt. "Hey! Its me! I don't count as human!"
<Callidora> "Well If you're going to start treating me like a human, I'm going to start treating you like a human!"
The elemental laughs in a manner that could only be described as 'bubbly.'
<Callidora> ::joking around, puts on a deep voice::
<Callidora> "Mathara, what are you doing down here! you'll drown!"
Callidora grabs Mathara about the shoulders in a life-guard style hold
Callidora pulls her up, laughing
Still laughing, she protests, "Oh, stop! Stop! Nooo!"
<Callidora> "man, this is great. We should have a party!"
As Callidora gets her above water, she holds her form for a second, that a shapely young female, before melting away and reforming a few feet in front of Callidora.
"Ooo, a party, a party!"
"Ohh... oh, no, we can't. Everyone else already left..."
<Callidora> "Yeah! you round up the girls, I'll round up the booze!"
<Callidora> "they're no fun! Well, can you hang out?"
"Like I said, we weren't really supposed to let you see us, but I figured, hey, it's Neira's friend..."
The elemental looks sheepish. "I should probably go."
<Callidora> "Nods. Alright. Well thanks, I'll owe you."
<Callidora> "Hey, what should I bring back?"
"Sure!"
<Callidora> "I'm trying to figure out a good present for Neira. What do you think she'll like?"
"Try shells!" With that, Mathara disappears in a spray of water, accompanied by giggling.
Callidora clamors back on ship, clearly in a good mood.
Up on deck, Verdant is assisted in hauling the captain aboard.
Verdant spents a few moments letting the Hearthstone help expunge the water out of his lungs.
Pyhrra has been tended to by the ship's limited medical talent, and Irisa and Zeleny have continued debating the eventual fate of their guests and prisoners.
Callidora forgets she has water in her lungs, and attempts a cheery "Hey guys!" She spits the water out all over the place
Having reached an impasse with Irisa, for the moment, Zeleny turns. "Greetings."
Verdant glances at Callidora's spitting and lowers his estimate of how used to swimming she is.
"You brought us back the corpse." Zeleny notes, looking at the sea-logged body.
The captive pirates have been tied together with sturdy ship's rope. The slaves are still milling around, though Irisa's few remaining men are trying to shepherd them into quarters belowdecks.
<Callidora> "So, what do we do with these?"
Verdant turns to Zeleny, thumping the breastplate. "Found this, I think she found the daggers," jerking a thumb towards Callidora.
Callidora pulls out the daggers
<Callidora> "Be sure not to throw any of this stuff back underwater. Especially the corpse or the daggers."
<Zeleny> A brief look of startlement crosses Zeleny's faces. They had swum all the way to the ocean floor....
Irisa eyes the goods appraisingly.
<Zeleny> He nods. "Do you wish to attend the funeral?" he asks Verdant and Callidora, changing the subject. The corpses that littered the deck have been straighened, their arms crossed over their chests, in preparation for incineration.
<Callidora> "I suppose. Who are we hiring to plan it?"
Verdant wrings out his cloak, section by section. "Funeral? You mean we lost one of our crew?"
Zeleny stares at Callidora. "We do not...hire...funeral specialists." Getting over the culture shock, he turns to Verdant. "We lost six." Zeleny's face remains blank, but there is something in his voice.... "Deerhorn. Jack o'tops. Startled Rabbit, the twins from Coral, and Jessup."
<Callidora> "Oh, well tell me if I can do anything to help out, then."
<Zeleny> "I'm not sure if you knew them all...."
Verdant's face falls. "Blast. Startled Rabbit was a good man. They all were."
Zeleny nods. "And, of course, there are also the dead of the Starlit Waters crew. And the pirates."
He glances over at the corpse. "And the Dragonblooded captain."
Verdant grumbles, "I'm not going to shed any tears over such men, especially a power-mad Dragon Blood." His voice softens. "I will mourn our crew and the braves of the Starlit Waters."
<Callidora> "And why would the Dragon Blooded want to attack Irisa's ship, anyway?"
<Verdant> "Now that is a good question."
Monk attempts to draw his captain aside. He is clearly nervous around the two Solars still displaying anima or castemark.
Zeleny allows himself to be drawn. "Yes...?" he asks quietly, as the others speculate.
Monk: "Sir. Apologies."
Verdant winces at Monk's expression. "Keep forgetting he was Immaculate..." he mumbles to himself.
Monk bows.
Monk: "I believe I have some grasp of the ship's owners, and their course of action."
<Zeleny> "Ah." Zeleny looks grim. "Thank you. What have you discovered?"
Monk: "The papers are... haphazard, to say the least. But I believe they were coming for... er, Mistress Irisa."
<Zeleny> "Why?"
<Callidora> "Maybe she was an illegal god-blood?"
Monk: "It doesn't specify, sir. I believe the pirates were... hired, by outside interests, who had some vendetta against the Mistress."
<Callidora> "The DB don't normally go after the petty stuff, though."
Monk: "Ah, that is the other thing. I can tell you that this man is not a... a Dragonblooded."
Zeleny nods. "Would you inform Irisa? I suspect she will wish to be told of the threat against her...Oh?"
<Callidora> "But who.....
<Callidora> "What do you mean?"
<Zeleny> "He had the jade knives."
Verdant 's eyebrow raises.
Callidora thinks for a second
Monk: "A Dragonblood of his age would show signs in skin coloration, and their holy elemental powers are not unknown to me either. What he did on the ship... was not the work of the Exalted."
<Callidora> "Oh, shit. Where's his body?"
<Verdant> "Was that a godblood then?"
Verdant kicks the corpse with his shoe.
Monk: "I am not qualified to say what he might be. I only know that he is not Exalted."
Callidora bends over the corpse
Monk's definition of 'Exalted,' of course, only includes the Dragonblooded, being as he is from the Realm.
<Verdant> "What makes you say he was not Exalted?"
Monk looks confused at Verdant's question. "Only a Child of Hesiesh would have control of fire such as we witnessed. And this one does not look as the Chosen of Hesiesh do."
Verdant frowns. "You are correct, Monk. At his apparent age..."
Callidora pokes and prods at the corpse. Physiologically, he appears human... magical examination might reveal further details.
<Zeleny> "Thank you Monk. Would you tell Irisa of what you learned?"
Monk bows, but looks uneasy.
Monk: "Could... could I request that Captain himself informs the lady? I..."
Zeleny blinks. "If you wish," he agrees.
The former Immaculate is relieved. "Thank you, sir."
<Zeleny> Just one more thing to do before the burning...Zeleny nods to the man, and grabs a buff jacket he had stripped from a corpse earlier. Carrying it over his arm, he strides over to where Pyhrra sits.
Pyhrra is politely requesting some water from one of the Waters' crewmen. Ignoring the uneasiness of the poor man having a request from a demon.
Verdant squats next to the "dragonblood's" corpse. "Blast it all. What were you? Grr...clock's ticking. I don't want a Hungry Ghost on deck, and somehow I doubt Irisa does either."
<Callidora> "Does anyone have any magic that could tell us wha'ts going on?"
"You are a Solar," Zeleny remarks cooly to Pyhrra. He had not had a chance to speak to her earlier, in the confusion of the freed slaves, and arrangements for guarding the prisoners, and preparations for the pyres...
Irisa approaches as well.
"Yes... we would appear to have quite a gathering on our hands."
The symbol of the Eclipse burns for a moment on the God-blood's forehead.
<Pyhrra> "I see you can spot the wolf amongst the sheep Captain." Pyhrra says hoarsly.
Zeleny blinks in brief surprise.
<Zeleny> "So I can." Zeleny studies her for a moment. "You may stay aboard my vessel, if you wish."
<Pyhrra> "You'd take in a demon?" Pyhrra chuckles and then coughs.
<Zeleny> "Perhaps you haven't noticed in the confusion..."
<Zeleny> "Verdant and myself- and now, it seems, Irisa- are all Solars."
<Pyhrra> "Well..." She says quietly with a trace of humour in her voice. "It will cost you."
<Zeleny> "Oh?"
<Pyhrra> "One needle and thread..." Pyhrra smiles and tugs the torn tunic a little further closed. "... and the cleanest and best maintained buff-jacket looted from the pirates."
<Pyhrra> "...and a leather strap"
Zeleny smiles slightly. He tosses her the buff jacket he'd located earlier. "Here is the jacket. The others will have to wait until the Brilliance docks."
Irisa waves dismissively. "Needle and thread we can provide."
<Zeleny> "You seem strangely careless, for a Dawn," Zeleny comments undiplomatically.
<Callidora> ::puts on a deep voice "and You seem strangely ugly, for a Zenith."
<Pyhrra> "Those pirates seemed strangely lucky for brigands. If I had a crew and a pile of funds then just MAYBE I would have armour and more quality equipment."
<Zeleny> "We have..improvised our combat capabilities," Zeleny replies mildly.
<Zeleny> "Certainly, what we have recovered today will help."
Pyhrra humphs and stands uneasily
<Pyhrra> "If an apparently careless Dawn is not welcome I will make my own way. One day you will get unlucky too... *captain*"
<Zeleny> "I beg your pardon. I am only concerned by your injuries."
<Pyhrra> "If this were you..." Pyhrra gestures at her rather impressively large wounds. "...you would be in a rapidly expanding pool of your own vitals. Careless or no, I am still alive."
<Zeleny> "So you are. As soon as the Brilliance docks, there will be a funeral. Do you wish to attend?"
<Pyhrra> "For the pirates? I think not captain. Did they give funerals to the men, women and children they killed?"
<Zeleny> "For all those who died," Zeleny says with a bit of an edge to his voice. "I lost six of my men. Irisa lost fourteen."
<Pyhrra> "I'll pay my respects. I apologise."
<Zeleny> He nods.
<Zeleny> He sees the sails of the Brilliance approaching, and goes to help dock the ship and deliver the news.
<Callidora> "Don't we have better things to do than hold funerals?"
<Callidora> "I seem to recall we rescued some living people from that ship as well."
Callidora "So, what are four of the most powerful people in the area doing on this boat, anyway?"
Irisa: "Indeed. The gods appear to have arranged quite an auspicious meeting for us."
<Callidora> "Irisia, I knew about your mother , but I'm surprised to see you keeping such impressive company."
<Verdant> "You're forgetting the Dawn over here." Nods towards Pyhrra. He chuckles. "All we need for a Perfect Circle now is a Night."
Irisa: "Perfect Circle?"
<Verdant> "Though I must say you are quite impressive for a god-blood," he says, glancing at Callidora. "I was surprised you followed me all the way down."
<Callidora> "I was raised 1000 miles under the sea."
<Zeleny> "Do you wish to attend the funeral?"
Verdant snorts at Callidora. "Oh come now, he's a good man. Wait, how did you know the name Zenith?"
<Callidora> ::smiles:: "I read it in a book in a library 1000 miles under the ocean. How did you know the name Zenith?"
Verdant chuckles at Callidora's remark. "Well, that's partly because of this," he says, pointing to the Caste Mark on his forehead, "and partly because I also read in a library underneath the surface of the waves."
Callidora surprised
<Callidora> "You have friends under the sea?"
<Callidora> "Where?"
Callidora annoyed
Verdant smiles at Callidora.
Pyhrra holds her shredded tunic over her curves. "Can someone please get me a needle and thread... and a room!?"
Irisa claps her hands.
A serving man comes to her side. "Please escort our esteemed guest to the finest guest quarters we have."
"And ensure that she is provided with clothing."
The serving man bows his head, and gestures for Pyhrra to follow.
Pyhrra is led off. "Erm! Just a needle and thread will be fine..."
If she needs assistance, more than one man is ready to support her.
Irisa insists. "Come now. You are all most esteemed guests. I won't have you staying in any but the finest accomodations."
"If you would feel more comfortable, I could have my sister tend to you."
<Pyhrra> "No, no, it really is alright, I can sew... and dress myself..."
Irisa diplomatically assists Pyhrra over to the waiting Joyous Wave, who takes Pyhrra belowdecks to help get her situated.
<Callidora> "So, are we all going to get some sleep now?"
Pyhrra gets to work repairing her tunic and fixing the buff jacket to fit her better, donning a simple frock rather than work naked... much as the male crewmembers would like her to...
<Callidora> "But wait! We can't sleep, we have to examine this corpse!'
<Callidora> "So, obviously, what we need here is a human. Who here is human?"
Callidora looks around innocently
<Verdant> "Let me handle it." Verdant's eyes seem to glow softly, and grow unfocused. Or perhaps they are no longer seeing the way mortals see?
The crew looks confused at Callidora's question. Timidly, most of them raise their hands.
<Callidora> "alright, so c'mon over here and take a look at this corpse."
<Callidora> "I'd do it, but I don't know what a human corpse is supposed to look like."
Verdant Waves uses the Charm familiar to him, that he knows was once called Spirit-Detecting Glance... ...but he can tell that it is not enough. He needs to see more, see the Essence that this dead man wielded. Need, combined with the essence already surging through his anima, his body, his mind, bestows upon him greater insight still into the currents of magic in the world. With this new vision, he can see, off on the horizon, a dragon path snaking through the air...Each man on deck appears as a bright pulse of essence, and the corpse...The deceased captain, although no longer pulsing with essence as living men, clearly has channels that no mortal man possesses.
You can trace the patterns the essence wove as it moved through him during life...Verdant murmurs as his eyes wander, unfocused, over the man's corpse. You glance up at Callidora, and you see a multitude of channels - where the captain has a few more than mortals, Callidora is ablaze with them. Your own body appears the same way to your vision - you pulse with the lifeblood of Creation. If you had to guess, this man was some type of Godblooded...and if the channels are any indication, heir to the power of a mighty god. Verdant looks at his hand, turning it this way and that, marvelling at his newfound sight.
Verdant murmurs "Pirate captain...god blooded...powerful fire god...type unknown..."
<Callidora> "Fire god? What kind of fire god lives on the sea?"
<Callidora> "Take another look, I think you got it wrong."
Verdant turns to Callidora and blinks. Then turns to look at Zeleny. Then looks at his arm again. Woven around Callidora's head he can see the flows of Essence, interwoven as if by a practiced hand. From the look of it, Verdant can easily deduce that the flows are a Charm, and their purpose was to allow Callidora to breathe underwater... Callidora notices the strange eyes looking through her, and is mildly uncomfortable.
Verdant turns to stare at Callidora with his unfocused eyes. His gaze seems to fall on her, then around her...then back on her once more. "Fascinating...so that's how you kept up with me..."
...or do much more, from the look of it. The Charm is incredibly powerful.
<Verdant> "Quite useful, versatile. Even so far as to say..."
<Callidora> "Thanks doll, but it was nothing, really."
Callidora kicks Verdant in the shins.
<Verdant> His voice becomes a whisper "on our level..."
<Verdant> "OW!"
<Callidora> "Nothing personal, hun, but I'd rather not have you looking through my chest with that x-ray vision of yours."
<Verdant> What was that for?
<Callidora> "You were staring."
<Callidora> "Isn't that considered impolite up here?"
Verdant growls. "Obviously you don't know me very well." The corner of his mouth curls. "Let me guess."
Verdant leans forward, pointing one finger at Callidora. "You, are a Night."
Callidora leans into Zeleny "Actually bud, I'm a squire. But don't make a habit of staring. Where I come from, that kind of thing has political implications."
<Callidora> (ok)
Verdant calls out "Hey Captain, we're up to five!"
<Zeleny> Zeleny turns. "Definitely a conspiracy."
Salas Toad, 2nd in command of the Brilliance, groans. Monk looks pale.
Callidora leans into Verdant, and the smell of seawater follows her in.
Verdant seems put off balance by Callidora leaning towards him.
<Verdant> "Erm...but I..."
<Zeleny> Have you discovered anything of the dead pirate?" Zeleny asks, approaching quickly.
Callidora walks up to Monk.
<Callidora> "We, my friend, have some chatting to do."
Monk bites his lip. "Y-yes?"
Zeleny's gaze follows Callidora. With a frown, he goes after her, preparing to rescue his minion if neccessary.
<Callidora> "So, you seem to know a lot about our Earth-blessed friends here."
Verdant turns to follow Callidora, "I wasn't....argh!"
Callidora rolls her eyes, mumbles something
<Callidora> "Where did you learn so much about the Lords of the Earth?"
Monk: "Ay, Mistress. I was raised in the Realm."
Callidora is disappointed
<Callidora> "Is that all?
<Callidora> "I thought you had some sort of connections to the immaculate philosophy?"
Verdant shakes his head, trying to regain his composure. "ANYway. Captain, this...refuse..." he says, tapping the godblood's corpse with his shoe, "was a godblood of a powerful god...and undoubtedly a fire god."
Zeleny glares down at the corpse. "So another godling who believed a smigden of power gave him the right to ..everything."
Verdant nods. "How erudite. But correct, it would seem. Though....from the looks of his cabin, he wasn't the brains of the operation."
<Zeleny> "No. Those were Irisa's enemies, it seems."
Monk: "I, uh, I studied..."
Monk: "That is... um, yes."
<Callidora> "Hmmm. Well, then, I'll need your help."
<Callidora> "I have a couple of petitions I need to turn into the proper authorities"
Monk looks at his captain questioningly.
<Callidora> "They've been piling up for decades, but no one can remember where we're supposed to send them?"
<Zeleny> He shakes his head, looks up. "What do you want from Monk, Callidora?"
<Callidora> "The Immaculate Philosophy has an immense and powerful bureaucracy. They do accept petitions and requests."
<Callidora> "Unforunately, my friends undersea are more than a little irresponsible."
<Zeleny> "I do not believe that Monk is the appropriate venue to pass along those requests."
<Callidora> "And no one can remember where to send the paperwork."
<Callidora> "Of course not. I'm certainly not trying to harass your henchman."
<Callidora> "But if you worked with them, don't you know who accepts the forms?"
Monk is overwhelmed by all this. The strange woman, besides almost certainly being a new Anathema to deal with, apparently has become deeply entangled in the Hundred Gods Heresy.
<Callidora> "I can't imagine its such a rare request. If my friends actually kept records, they would surely know where to forward the forms."
Monk: "I... I suppose you would have to go to the central Immaculate temple of Seaspray."
<Callidora> "great! Y'see, no big deal."
Callidora turns and walks away
<Callidora> "Now, who k nows where seaspray is!"
Zeleny pats Monk consolingly on the shoulder. "Perhaps you'd better go aboard the Brilliance..."
Monk bows gratefully, and hurries away before the woman can ambush him again.
<Verdant> "You weren't kidding about being raised 1000 miles underwater, were you?"
Callidora bristles. "And what, exactly, is wrong with undersea?"
Irisa steps in, oozing charm.
Callidora "You obviously have some contacts underwater, where did you find that library, anyway?"
<Verdant> "Apparently, your education neglected geography."
"Friends, perhaps we should gather together, the five of us, and discuss our... course of action."
Irisa: "After dealing with our... unwelcome guests, of course."
<Verdant> "Sounds like a plan. With the condition that it doesn't involve a kick in the shins."
Callidora the caste mark is back. "No, but I know my undersea geography quite well."
Zeleny decides not to question whether that was a double entendre, and agrees hastily. "Something must be done about the prisoners. We should discuss the matter."
Verdant folds his arms and turns to look at Callidora. "Then why do you need *meto tell you where the library I learned from is?"
Callidora "I don't need to know where it is, I need to know which it is."
Callidora "there are seven that I know of. Coral, Silt, Sand...."
Verdant listens, in the same way that a sage would listen to a spoiled child.
<Zeleny> "Verdant. Irisa. I would like your advice on something."
Verdant turns to Zeleny. "Yes, Captain?"
Irisa: "Of course."
Callidora sneaks off as quietly as possible
<Zeleny> "As you can see....we have quite a few prisoners. Of the ruthless and vile variety."
Callidora jumps underwater at the first oppurtunity.
<Zeleny> "Something must be done about them. They are promised their lives, and little else."
<Zeleny> "I am considering.." Zeleny hesitates. This seemed...dodgy to him, somehow. "I am considering recruiting them."
<Verdant> "True. A shame we don't have the shackles from the Burning Rain," Verdant says, glancing at Zeleny, "You'd have to admit there's some poetic justice to chaining them up, of only for a while."
Irisa is quizzical. "Why spare them at all? I assumed you were waiting until we had dealt with the current corpses."
Verdant turns slowly towards Zeleny, blinking. "Captain, I have to say this bluntly."
<Verdant> "If you were anything but a Solar, I would call you raving mad right now."
<Verdant> "As it stands, I will restrict myself to simply saying that plan is unwise."
Irisa: "Although..."
<Zeleny> A distant smile touches his lips. "I promised them they would live. To kill them now...it would be...bloodlust. Vicious. I fight because I believe...I believe that human life has value. Too much value to be toyed with casually by gods and ..."
<Verdant> "I'm not in favor of butchering them either. I say again, were you not an Exalt, you would be mad." *sighs "But, as Exalts, we are outside the bounds of possibility. We were made to destroy those who were not born and could not die. Impossibility is meaningless to us. If you think you can do it..."
<Zeleny> "I think it can be done. Not tonight- the funeral is tonight- but on the morning. I wil try. I believe...I can convince them."
Irisa is caught off-guard by this. "You intend to... convert them to your cause?"
Verdant half smiles, squinting. "It is an optimal solution. Their lives are spared and they are put to use for a noble cause instead of an evil one."
Irisa: "And you believe them trustworthy to this end?"
Zeleny shrugs.
<Verdant> "Therein lies the problem. Do you think you can convince them to be as loyal as the rest of the crew?"
<Zeleny> "I guess...I will find out, won't I?"
Irisa: "I... may have talents I could lend to this undertaking."
<Zeleny> "Oh?"
Irisa: "Granted, I prefer to work with individuals."
<Verdant> "Captain, if that's your decision, then that is your decision...but I do not like the idea of taking a knife to my throat in my sleep."
<Zeleny> "It is my decision. There is little else to be done with them, and I will not murder prisoners in their chains if I can help it."
Salas Toad approaches Zeleny from behind, clapping a hand to the captain's shoulder. "If anyone can turn those curs into an upstanding bunch, it's the cap'n."
<Zeleny> "Thank you for your confidence," Zeleny says, with a brief, ironic smile. "I will try. Begin to gather the crew for the funeral..."
Salas says, as an aside to Irisa and Verdant: "Not that I wouldn't just slit their throats and leave 'em fer the crabs."
Salas: "Ay ay, sir!"
Verdant chuckles softly at Salas.
Shortly...
The crews have gathered on deck; the Brilliance's men on one side, and the much diminished numbers of the Starlit Waters' crew on the other.
<Verdant> murmuring "Next time HV asks what I want to learn, I need to ask about this "Sleep of Stony Saftey" he mentioned once..."
The tone of the assemblage is somber. The fallen men will be missed.
Pyhrra has returned, dressed in her now stitched up tunic, and carrying her old sword over her shoulder.
As the sun sets, turning the sky a bloody red on horizon, Zeleny begins the funeral. It is a simple affair, as it always is aboard the Brilliance. He invites others to say a few words, of their friends. He asks Irisa if she has anything to say. And at last, speaking clearly and sadly, he offers his own prayer. He speaks of life, and death, and of mortality. He finishes quickly: "Winter comes, whether we will it or not. And it comes to all, whether we fashion our lives into jewels strewn across the ocean or into rusting nails and open wounds. But the face of their end, all these men fought with courage and honor, and as they begin their final voyage, let us remember them, and wish them well to their destination- Whether they go to gold or to iron." For a moment, Zeleny just stands there, staring down into the faces of the dead. He eyes linger longest on his own lost- on the twins who were always laughing, on Startled Rabbit who, in spite of his name, always faced life with unwavering stoicism. Letting out his breath out a last in a sigh, Zeleny touches them on the forehead gently, a last carress. The corpses ignite, collapsing into bright solar flames which burn golden against the gathering darkness. He moves from body to body, sending each into a red. When at last all the remains are burned, sailors and pirates both, Zeleny turns and leaves, and the funeral ends with no more ceremony than that.
The crew of the Brilliance disperses slowly.
The few men of the Waters remaining prepare for a long, hard night of forgetting.
Callidora is in the Posh visitor cabin, dripping wet.
Verdant sits outside of kicking range of Callidora, perhaps still a bit damp.
After the funeral, Joyous Wave escorts the Solars, along with Salas Toad and Monk, into the largest cabin available onboard the Starlit Waters. Irisa is waiting for them, along with Callidora, who was not present at the funeral but has apparently returned.
Pyhrra enters and eases herself genfly onto one of the plush couches, leaving her buff-jacket, sword and sheild in a neat pile before her. Maybe she could treat herself to a nice hot bath later - with soap!
Verdant gives Pyhrra a cursory glance, glad to see his fellow Exalt recovering well.
Monk is there to explain what he discovered in the Burning Rain's documents. Salas is there as Zeleny's second-in-command. Both seem nervous about being in the same room as FIVE inhumanly powerful... beings.
Verdant leans back and avoids making threatening moves or staring at them, in the perhaps vain hope that they are made more comfortable.
<Callidora> "So. Who starts?"
Irisa speaks. "I will start."
Irisa: "Today, I have come under attack, in a vicious attempt on my life or my wealth which has cost me dearly, and cost many men even more."
Irisa: "I am informed, by our fine friend..." She trails off, glancing at Monk to provide his name.
Monk: "M-monk, m'Lady."
Irisa: "By 'Monk,' that this was the machinations of some force larger than a mere band of roving pirates.'
Irisa: "Examining the documents myself, I have come to the same conclusion."
Irisa: "I am not safe here, nor are my men. For reasons I cannot fathom, I have powerful enemies, with far-reaching influence."
Irisa: "Thusly, I propose that it was not, in fact, mere coincidence that has brought us here, together, on this day."
"That seems unlikely," Zeleny agrees, expressionless.
<Callidora> "Any speculations as to what it was?"
<Verdant> "Perhaps it was the Sun above?"
Irisa: "I have had a chance to talk, briefly, with my mother, a god of some power in the region. She does not know who might be responsible, but she does have powerful enemies, many of whom might wish to strike at her indirectly through me."
<Callidora> "Are any of them fire-gods with mortal children?"
Irisa: "She has suggested to me that we were brought together by the threads of Fate, for our mutual well-being."
Irisa: "...I will inquire. I know she has had occasion in the past to... conflict with fire gods."
<Callidora> "Alright. Well, what do we do know?"
Irisa: "I wish to travel with my fellow Solars, to an island called Hoark."
<Callidora> "Personally, I would like to go to seaspray to deliver my petitions."
<Callidora> "What's on Horak?"
<Verdant> "Well we know that by accident, or by outside design, that a Perfect Circle sits in this room. We know that for reasons unknown, a pirate vessel was sent to kidnap one of the erstwhile members of this potential Circle."
Irisa: "I believe I may be able to track my assailants, based on the recovered documents, through a connection on that island."
<Pyhrra> "Wait... we're not going to Noar?"
<Callidora> "Irisa, your divine status is not a secret. I heard about it deep under the sea. I would assume you were attacked by enemies of your mother."
Irisa: "Noar?"
<Callidora> "who were presumably ignorant of your recent Exaltation."
<Zeleny> "Our destination is still to be determined."
<Pyhrra> "YOUR destination maybe..."
<Verdant> "Pyhrra originally signed on the Brilliance to get to Noar to chase someone down."
Callidora turns to Pyhrra. "Who?"
<Pyhrra> "What business is it of yours?"
Pyhrra was beginning to dislike Callidora's strangely naive tactlessness
<Callidora> "Well, if you want our help, we should know who you're looking for."
<Pyhrra> "I don't want your help, I never did. I just wanted passage to Noar."
<Callidora> "For all you know, one of us has heard of him. After all, I travel in some circles you don't."
Irisa calls the group to order.
Irisa: "Ladies, please. We'll deal with your matter in a moment."
<Pyhrra> "The quicker we are on our way the better."
Salas: "If'n I may..."
<Zeleny> "Yes, Salas?"
Salas: "Ma'am," he said, addressing Irisa, "Noar is on the way to Horak. If you could suffer us to make our stop there, perhaps we could see you through to Horak."
Irisa: "Thank you, sir. Captain, if it is agreeable with you, I should like to purchase passage on your vessel, to Horak, which contract is also to enclude the protection of yourself, Verdant Waves, and Pyhrra."
<Zeleny> "Providing we stop first at Noar, I have no objection to taking you to Hoark. But I cannot speak for Pyhrra."
<Verdant> "I, meanwhile, would be happy to help my fellow Chosen."
<Callidora> "I'm happy to help out, but I don't like all this secrecy."
Irisa smiles at Verdant Waves. "Your enthusiasm is admirable. Callidora, if I may..."
<Callidora> "You may not have noticed, but you are all important people."
<Callidora> "Secrecy creates distrust and miscommunication."
<Callidora> "I have a feeling our enemies will provide us with enough obstaclesm, without us creating ones for each other."
<Pyhrra> "OUR enemies?"
Verdant chuckles. "Ever heard of 'secreting'?"
Irisa: "I would like to suggest that Callidora comes with us. Hoark is a large island; one of the largest in the Seaspray region. It will likely have the center for Immaculate missionary work in the area."
Callidora nods.
Irisa eyes the assembled Solars. "Are we agreed, then?"
<Callidora> "Sure."
<Zeleny> "It seems so.""
Irisa: "We are to be a Circle, at least until we reach Hoark?"
<Pyhrra> "Noar."
<Zeleny> "Pyhrra has her own business to concern her."
<Pyhrra> "Thank you captain."
<Callidora> "Are you sure you don't want our help, Pyhrra?"
<Pyhrra> "More people would only complicate things. I cant go with you to Hoark, I'm out of time as it is."
Irisa studies Pyhrra. "Noar, then."
Irisa: "So we're agreed, then. The next order of business: slaves."
Callidora shakes her head. "Lord, what fools these mortals be."
<Zeleny> "Freedmen."
Zeleny looks cooly across the table at Callidora. She wasn't making any friends.
Irisa corrects herself."Freedmen. Specifically, the dispensation thereof."
<Zeleny> "They were taken from a single village. I don't know the language they speak, and neither does anyone in my crew. Ideally, they would be returned there."
Salas: "If'n I may, Cap'n... one of the newly freed men was already with the Rain when they raided that village. As luck would have it, he knows enough of the region to point out the island on a map."
<Zeleny> "Oh? Where is their home, then?"
Salas looks put off. "'s a bit outta the way, unfortunately."
Zeleny frowns. "How far from Noar?"
Pyhrra feels her heart sink, and her eyes flash instinctively to her battered sword. Knowing the captain...
Salas: "As ye'd imagine, such a primitive bunch is from a ways out of the usual shippin' routes. They're at least a couple weeks travel north of us as it is, and we've still further south to get to Noar."
Zeleny close his eyes briefly. "Irisa. Can this hulk of yours be steered?"
Irisa sniffs at the denomination of 'hulk.' "Unfortunately, captain, the Starlit Waters was never intended as a vessel so much as a mobile business."
Irisa: "We tend to follow the currents, although we can sail when need be."
<Zeleny> "Is there any chance your vessel could make it to these islands the villagers are from?"
Irisa: "That would be -extremely- uneconomical. We would be better served by putting the Waters in drydock at Noar, or the closest suitable port, and chartering a faster ship."
<Zeleny> "Very well."
Pyhrra speaks up to Irisa. "Madam, instead, do you have a light sail boat? Or at the very least the supplies to convert a lifeboat then?"
Joyous Wave leans over to whisper in Irisa's ear. The Eclipse looks scandalized, they talk heatedly for a brief moment.
Then, resigned, Irisa speaks. "Perhaps... perhaps we could split up the Starlit Waters."
<Pyhrra> "It may serve us better if I took the boat and was on my way, you could continue your business and the captain could return the refugees to their home. Everybody wins."
<Pyhrra> "And I can return your vessel when... when I can."
Irisa: "The component vessels of the Starlit Waters are too large for a single person to sail. And I must stay with as many of you as possible; mortal guards can not assure my safety."
<Zeleny> "How many vessels does the Waters contain?"
Irisa: "Three or four, depending."
<Callidora> "Depending?"
Irisa: "Depending how sea-worthy you want them to be."
Irisa's face falls still further, as if resigning herself to an unpleasant decision. "I may have a solution that -doesn't- involve splitting my beautiful boat into its component pieces."
<Zeleny> "Oh?"
Irisa: "If we simply leave the slaves on the Waters, to be steered to the nearest drydock, then we will all be free to go ahead."
Irisa: "The slaves will have to fend for themselves at the point of departure, but my men might be able to tend to them."
<Zeleny> "Abandon them." Zeleny does not seem pleased by this 'solution.' "They need to be taken to their home. I have agreed to take Pyhrra to Noar, and I will. But after that, they must be my priority."
<Callidora> "I have an idea."
Irisa: "The only problem, of course, is that this entails a great many men on my ship, eating food that was meant to feed half as many, for quite a long time."
<Callidora> "Let them sit on the Waters for a while."
<Callidora> "we'll come back for them."
<Callidora> "Can we not get some more food?"
Irisa raises an eyebrow at Verdant. "Not without sorcery, or miraculous intervention."
<Zeleny> "And what if we are delayed? They starve to death, or die of thirst? No. Either a vessel is found for their seperate conveyance, or I will carry them myself after Noar."
<Callidora> "Wait, can't you just buy it?"
<Callidora> "I thought that was how things worked up here."
<Zeleny> "I haven't the resources." He glances at Irisa.
<Callidora> "Well, arn't there evil people up here? We can take the money from them."
Irisa grimaces.
<Callidora> "Well?" <Zeleny> "Inefficient." <Callidora> "Seems pretty easy to me." <Zeleny> "Then obviously you have never been in a boarding action. It is chaotic, bloody, and not a source of profit."
<Callidora> "Not with five of the Lords of the Earth on your side."
<Zeleny> "In which case we massacre sailors for our convenience. No."
<Pyhrra> "We are not invulnerable..."
Pyhrra stretches uncomfortably, ever concious of the stitches and bandages across her chest and thigh.
Irisa remarks to herself, "Whoever is responsible for this predicament will have quite a lot to answer to..." Then, louder, for the rest to hear, "I can pay. I can pay for the food, and for the ship to bring it out to the Starlit Waters as it heads toward drydock."
<Callidora> "Well, can we leave your men here to man the Waters"
<Callidora> "And take the Slaves with us?"
Irisa: "Captain?"
<Zeleny> "If you can afford to pay for a ship to bring food to the Waters, can you afford to pay for a ship for the freedmen?"
Irisa narrows her eyes. "I am not offering to -buy- a ship for anyone. I am offering to charter a short cargo run, between Noar and the Waters."
Irisa: "Anything more is stretching beyond my already-tenuous means."
<Zeleny> "Very well."
Irisa: "And, captain, in exchange for this generousity I expect, at the least, free passage on the Brilliance, as well as the aforementioned protection."
<Zeleny> He nods.
<Callidora> "Maybe we could get someone to worship you? You can solve a lot of problems with worship."
Irisa looks exhausted. Joy comforts her.
Callidora's innocent expression draws a tired smile from Irisa.
Zeleny looks at the alien creature sitting across from the table, and shrugs. He gets up to leave. "Was there anything else?"
Irisa: "Are you still committed to your course regarding the captive pirates?"
<Zeleny> "I am."
Callidora smiles
<Callidora> "When do we leave?"
<Zeleny> "We leave on the morrow."
<Callidora> "This'll be fun. When do we get to hear the rhetorical fireworks?"
Irisa: "Yes. Let us rest; it has been a long day. In the morning, the captain will persuade our captives, and then we may depart."
<Zeleny> Zeleny nods to Salas and Monk, and leaves for his cabin aboard the Brilliance.
The meeting is concluded.
The mortals amble sideways out the door after the captain.
Irisa and Joy leave Pyhrra, Verdant, and Callidora to work out their own sleeping arrangements with the three richly appointed cabins provided them.
Callidora takes a cabin, and sleeps.
As the dawn first touches the sky, Zeleny rises and makes his way, alone, to the dark hole Irisa in which Irisa has stashed them, expecting to shortly hold executions. None sleep; none could sleep, likely, crammed in as they were among links of massie iron chains. "I am here to offer you a choice. You have been pirates, murderers. Worse. You have painted your lives in broad strokes of red and ugly black, and if you die, there is no one who would mourn for you. I wish to offer you an opportunity. To be true men, and not the jackals you have made of yourselves. Humans were not born to be slaves, to be beasts before their follow men or meat in the jaws of Siakal. I am going to change the way Creation operates, and I want you to help me. Will you?" The slaves look uneasily from one to another. He seems to shine, a little. Radience rises from his skin like golden dust, and a burning mote of light seems to have ignited on his forehead. They saw this man, yesterday, fighting as a demon; they saw their captain, a man they feared but respected, decapitated at his hands. He continues, and his words are simple, as is the choice he offers. He does not alter his message. He only hopes that they are true enough to recognize its power. "Who do you choose to be?" As he speaks his last word, he begins to burn- a pillar of golden flame bringing light to a dark place. Halfway through his speech, the pirates are weeping openly; by the end, they are wrecks of men, lost in remorse and begging for the chance to atone. "Tell us how, guide us, show us the way!"
Zeleny nods. "Salas Toad will show you to your quarters." And he breaks open their chains.
Callidora claps. "Hey, why don't we just do *that* with the former slaves?"
As the pirates clamber out of the ship's hold, eager for their first taste of the sun's light as new men, all the mortal crew of the Brilliance join Callidora in applauding.
They welcome their new crewmates with open arms; they have seen the power of their captain's words.
And so the sun rises over a new day, a new crew... and a new Circle, poised to change the very face of Creation.
END CHAPTER 3

Comments

As always, this is a very rough draft, and I will be back to touch it up. - DigitalSentience

Did some detangling, which involved somewhat reordering conversations in order to seperate two different different lines of conversation. - AlsaceAndLorraine.