** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set listens to you for a while as she watches the east.
When you ask her if she is either sad or homesick, her young face seems marred by a slight frown, as if she is pondering something and is not sure how to phrases it – very unusual for her, given her normal blunt method of communication.
Finally, after some time, she responds –
”I am both lonely and homesick; yes… But today I prepare these stones to rest the piece of my ka on to offer it to the Great Father for him to take it from me, for it is dead,” she says without emotion.
She turns and looks at you.
”But for my hatey-a', I would be dead and indeed death seems preferable to living life without the chance to follow my heart,” she adds a bit bleakly.
”I should be dead, and would welcome that death – but I cannot be, but for him.”
”I live, then, but it is as if I live with part of me not alive. So I am ready to give that part of me to the Great Father; let him take it from me and do what he will with it…” she adds with a sense of acceptance to something she does not relish.
”When He has taken that part of my ka from my mortal flesh, then I shall be made better for it; for now my heart tells me that I should follow one path of honor which leads to death – the other part tells me that my first duty is to follow the honor I gave to my hatey-a' when he saved me.”
She sighs and continues to watch the east.
”I am sorry for my grim words, I do not wish to be a burden to you,” she adds ”but I wanted to explain it better to you. That is all, you see?”
"You are not a burden to me."
Rain stared at Amen-set with a perplexed expression, having attempted to follow the girl's explanation and logic, which were both foreign to her.
"I am not familiar with your beliefs, Amen-set. I cannot understand how a piece of ka can die, be removed and given to a god before death. Sometimes, it is as though you speak in riddles to my ear for I do not understand this sacrifice you seem to be making. Honour and duty appear to be on different sides. Do you willing give this portion of your ka to your Great Father and do you truly believe you will feel better and more alive/free after it is removed?"
Rain is not striving to be glib or mock Amen-set's beliefs. She is attempting to understand what the girl is endeavouring to do and whether it is dangerous to her and possibly them as a group.
** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set continues to watch the east for a time, as if meditating.
Then she responds.
”The part of my ka I offer, for it is dead, wither I will it or no,” she says finally.
She sighs, and attempts to explain a bit better.
”My chief oath is to the Great Father; in all things I must follow him first, and his greatest commandment is to maintain honor in all that we do, for even if we do not have knowledge, what little we have will be strong if we remain true to our purpose. He will honor that journey, even if it goes astray, so long as we do our best with the knowledge we have... this is, to me, honor: staying true to one's beliefs, no matter how hard that may be.”
”My second oath now is to obey my hatey-a'; for I account him my liege lord, wither he will it or no, for he has saved my life.”
”It is by his will that my ka must die, though he does not know this.”
Realizing this may arouse more questions than explain answers, she continues.
”If I were to follow my heart and have my honor vindicated, I would have to kill a person. But this killing would certainly fail – and I myself would be dead,” she adds by way of explanation.
She shrugs.
”I do not mind that overmuch, for if I die, what of it? Better to be dead than lose my honor.”
Her face darkens with a frown.
”Yet my hatey-a' prefers that I should live. So I will not try this killing, which would fail, and leave me dead besides. For though I would accept death gladly for honor’s sake – I am first bound to the will of my hatey-a' in this, and he does not wish me to die.”
”So my heart is wounded, and the part of me that has the need for justice must be denied and it lives inside me darkly and it will make me dark inside, unless I can purge it from my heart; which is what I wish to do.”
She sighs.
”Therefore I must offer that piece of my honor to the Great Father; let him strip it away from me so that I can continue to be loyal to my hatey-a' and obey his need to keep me safe and alive.”
She looks at you for a moment, as if appraising you intently, but says nothing for a while.
”Now you know what piece of my ka I must part with,” she says after a long moment, her tone somewhat detached.
”If I were to follow my heart and have my honor vindicated, I would have to kill a person. But this killing would certainly fail – and I myself would be dead,” she adds by way of explanation.
Rain asked the next question, calmly and without alarm or judgement in her voice, hoping Amen-set would be forthcoming.
"Who would you kill to have your honour vindicated, Amen-set?"
The girl certainly had a deep fascination with killing. It was inbred in her, from what Rain could determine. Yet, there was so much of Amen-set's past shrouded in mystery and secrecy. And the girl preferred it that way, or so it seemed to Rain. None of us know each other in intimate detail. Whether because time is limited or our natures are guarded. It is a deficit in our understanding of one another, and it will get us killed, Rain mused inwardly.
** spoiler omitted **
Her eyes widen in some surprise at this point, as if the answer should be obvious and she opens her mouth to tell you, then pauses, again studying you very carefully.
Her eyes look at you very intently, and it seems as if her powers of perception far exceed that of any other human you’ve met as she watches you very closely for a moment.
She thinks for a while before she answers you, than speaks.
”I will tell you, if you wish to know – but before I say, why do you ask who this person is?” she says, watching your eyes very carefully.
Her face is fairly inscrutable. Anything you can read from her is directly from the facial cues you have already observed, though.
She seems somewhat more cautious around you though, and more reserved, especially regarding this question.
You know she will not lie to you; for that is dishonorable; but she may not be willing to share all her thoughts, depending on what you tell her.
However, what is chief in her heart is trying to discover the nature of why you want to know the answer.
After a moment of pause, allowing Amen-set to gauge her sincerity and trustworthiness, Rain answers, her voice still steady and just the right kind of dispassionate,
"Firstly, I am curious as to the person who would cause a little sister such anguish of ka. Secondly, if you speak the name aloud, then the stain cannot grow wider and deeper inside you. And finally, I am concerned for your wellbeing and that of the group. Each of us aboard the Lady have the disposition for volatility. I am attempting to gauge yours and how it will affect mine. You are a passionate being, Amen-set. Passion is a hard emotion for passionate creatures feel every touch of the Ether more acutely. Your disposition has changed since we battled the slavers and it makes me wonder as to why and for how long. I attempt to reach out to you as sister and comrade - not inquisitor. If you seek comfort, I will attempt to provide it as best as I can. If you would take someone into confidence, secondary to Flynn, then I provide my ears, eyes and heart in the capacity of trusted, unbiased listener and friend. Yet, you know I shall speak my true mind with you, always. That is what it means to be true sisters."
** spoiler omitted **
She continues to stare hard at you; gauging your response, then nods.
”Very well, if you think it will help,” she says slowly.
”I wish to kill your lover for what he has done,” she says eventually, her head cocking to the side, watching you for a moment.
”My hatey-a' is against it; for he knows if I attempt such a killing I would not use poison or sorcery; but skill to skill – open and face to face.”
”He assures me that I would die before I could kill, and he does not wish me to die. So he tells me to put aside my need for justice.”
”I do not care for this decision; yet I will obey his desire as I know to do otherwise would displease him.”
”Yet this is not easy for me; I should accept my fate and die with honor. And but for the will of my hatey-a'; I would,” she says with a shrug.
”Therefore I must put that part of me on the altar to the Great Father and let it be consumed by His will,” she adds.
"Firstly, thank you for the frankness of your answer, Amen-set."
"You speak of your need for justice. What is Variel's unforgivable trespass that he deserves to die, little sister? Is the tally of his perceived crimes against you so high, you would challenge him to death?"
Rain is somewhat taken back that the girl who professed to love her and called her sister would blatantly wish to kill her lover. And that her only concern was heeding Flynn's instruction not to undertake such a thing. She did not understand the bonds of loyalty Amen-set subscribed to, for they seemed at odds to hers. Rain would not contemplate killing someone whom Amen-set loved, and even attempted to abide by Dhaavan for her sake. Rain also believed that Amen-set would know that if she attempted to kill Variel, that Rain would step in to stop her.
”You are welcome for my frankness, but know that I would not conceal my heart fully once asked, unless I was sworn not to,” she says.
She considers your words for a time before answering.
”A person who wrongs another must have that crime addressed; no matter how slight the crime. And in all crimes “justice” is the repayment of the damage done – blood for blood and in equal measure,” she says in a matter of fact voice.
”If he had only insulted a person, a mere insult could be enough to redress the crime. If he had robbed, the return of coin should be repaid.”
Her eyes become somewhat flinty.
”What he has done to you demands blood for blood,” she says.
Then she sighs.
”You are my senet; that cannot be undone, and in any case, I do not wish it to be undone. Indeed, we are joined by our ka and I am obligated to redress his action against you. Yet but for the whim of my hatey-a', I would already have made the attempt and either healed the wound for what he has done to you, or I would have died gloriously. Either way, my honor would have been vindicated.”
She looks at you carefully, her eyes more tender at this point and it seems as if she sees someone she is very worried about.
”Indeed, but for my hatey-a', senet, I would likely have already died to heal what he has done to you,” she says simply, then turns back to the east.
”Therefore I must put this piece of my heart for the Great Father to heal; for it is beyond my strength,” she adds.
"By His will shall my fate unfold," she adds simply.
Rain was speechless upon learning the reason for Amen-set wanting to see Variel dead. It took her by surprise and she was bewildered as to how to explain or rectify the situation, for Rain did not want to see either Variel or Amen-set dead.
"Cormlle naa tanya tel'raa, oselle. In the Common tongue it means, "Your heart is that of the lion, my sister." Amen-set turned to face east again and so Rain continued to stand beside her stone pillar and speak.
Rain believed an open discourse was best at this time.
"I share all this with you in confidence."
"Like any creature, Variel has failings, weaknesses, and he is the first to admit and claim them. But let me share with you some of his story in hopes you will see the other side. He was left from young Elven child to be raised in an orphanage, with only the knowledge of his father's family name and a vague recollection of his mother's physical appearance. In this dormitory, he was cared for but not shown any love or affection. He has survived on his own talents and wit. He had never been in love, until he met me and we formed a close bond. Variel was not raised like I. We share the experience of growing up without our parents. But unlike Variel, I had committed and loving grandparents who showed me the strength of love, passion, commitment and loyalty." Rain stopped a moment to feel the breeze on her face and allow Amen-set time to absorb what she had recently disclosed.
"So, we have two Elves, one who is passionate and demonstrative and another who is closed, guarded and unfamiliar with intimate emotion. Neither had lain with another. The unexpected union threw me in a spin, let alone someone like Variel who knows not of love and care. He was not taught to develop feelings and emotions for his life lacked such intimacies and normality. There was bound to be a major disconnect in his and my relationship, Amen-set. I required more from him, but lacked the knowledge of his past which became an abrupt obstacle. I know better now. He was not dishonouring me on purpose, will ill intent. Variel could not tell or show me how he felt for he did not understand what he was feeling for me."
Rain privately recollected their last fight on the Isle and how Variel surprised her with the letter he had penned to her grandfather and his direct, vocal declaration of love to her.
"I acted unreasonably in my presumption that he and I understood love, lust and passion in the same open manner. I should have been more patient and given him time to learn how to love me in the manner I desire to be loved. I am just as much to blame, for he and I fell in lust and love before we knew each other. Maybe Neko is right and there must be proper, mindful courtship for people to understand, appreciate and respect one another, especially in love and desire. I acted on what I felt because that is who I am. He remained aloof and appeared indifferent to love and loving me because that was who he was."
Rain turned her bright turquoise eyes to Amen-set. "Variel did not wilfully and purposefully disrespect or shun me and the love I felt for him. So, the insult was not intentional -- rather accidental for we rushed headlong into lovemaking without profound knowledge of one another. And then found ourselves at crossroads due to our individual experiences. Variel does not deserve to die for his failings, little sister. I would rather teach him, show him, allow him to open like flower under the sun and rain."
Rain had spoken at length but she wanted Amen-set to understand Variel and her better and that there was no blood debt to pay.
"I forgave him, sister. He was sincere in his contrition. So, you do not have to fight him to avenge my passionate heart and redress any perceived dishonour he may have shown. I would see neither of you dead, for my heart holds great love for you both."
Rain's eyes focused on the stone pillar/altar Amen-set was sitting upon. "Is there no other way you can set aside your desire to see my honour avenged? Are my words enough to sway you, or, is this release of part of you ka the only way now, little sister?"
** spoiler omitted **...
Amen-set turns back to look at you, and her expression is broken from the dull monotony that she has been carrying thus far into actual surprise at your comments.
She purses her lips a moment, as if thinking on how to respond.
”My hatey-a' tells me that I must speak shorter for the better of others… but for you, I know I can speak plainly,” she says after a moment.
”Know that I would not slay him for taking your maidenhead – at best, gelding would be sufficient for that crime, I think, if he had tricked you into that – but as you gave it to him willingly, in that he has not committed a crime that needs blood…”
She thinks a moment on how to explain it better as if going back and forth in her mind, then shrugs, knowing that it may be long, but you prefer frank words and speech. So she begins –
”What he has taken from you is a piece of your ka, as I see it; for there was once a hot fire in you which burned like the sun. Now that fire has been robbed, and you burn less hot; for that theft of the fire in you, that is why I wish to see you avenged,” she says simply.
”Long have I held private conference with my hatey-a' and his servant the Halfling, and from them I learned much both spoken and unspoken,” she adds, turning from the east to look at you directly.
”When you met the Halfling servant she spoke to you of her faith, and hearing this speech, the sun was made dark in your eyes, for it was as if she spoke blasphemy of your faith.”
”Thus I know that religion, faith, and the gods themselves are great matters to you; and that you would become hot like a flame if any would infringe on the matters of your goddess or her ways,” she says with satisfaction on the fire you had shown.
”You are also a person who would give her life to protect that of her fellows; to live and die to save another that you account as ally, whether or not you care overmuch for them – for is it not true that you are not fond of the sorcerer who travels with us; yet you will fight and kill so that he may live if he is trouble? Aye – I know this is so, for your own honor will not let you allow an enemy to bring pain or injustice to those you serve with, except for matters of honor, which is right and true.”
She fixes you with a keen eye then.
”Yet what is this? You who value faith of the gods and the needs of your allies – where did your fire go on our last attack, eh? It was determined that we needed more men to con the ship. And why? Because without them we may go a touch slower? Bah! I am not satisfied with that – for you are a master of ships, a few men would not matter overmuch to us, and besides, what of it? We were in no great hurry…”
”My hatey-a' spoke and asked a favor – between allies and friends – that if we would not recruit slavers to be among our crew it would ease his heart for the needs of his goddess and mother’s spirit.”
”But your lover – no! He would not allow a favor like that, instead he insisted that those men would sail with us. He turned his back on the request of a favor; a fair request and honorable one from a companion. And even if this lover of yours saw my hatey-a' as naught but rival for your love; his honor is nil, for it was a truth that he was in blood debt to my hatey-a' for dueling to save his life.”
She turns and spits away from you both, angered greatly at this, some fire in her now.
”If a man gives his life to save another, the man who is saved should at least remember that, even as I do. But not so with your lover, nay! The one who took that piece of your fire: he brushed past the needs of my hatey-a' and made it a point to take extra men that were not needed overly much, except to make great speed back to this place and ignored the will of my hatey-a'’s goddess and heart.”
She shakes her head at this, panting a bit from frustration, then calms down a bit.
”My hatey-a' says among your folk such debts do not exist; for you are all like companions and would give your lives equally for each other without concern, for that is the way of things. Any aboard would have challenged an enemy to the death – and possibly died, even as my hatey-a' might have died – simply to protect any other of the ship as he did. So he tells me there can be no talk of “debt”; for he knows that all would have done the same for him, if he had needed it.”
She looks back at you, then.
”But that is a lie, I know it. Not all aboard would have done the same for my hatey-a'; I can see that clearly in them,” she says.
She takes a deep breath and calms herself a moment.
”Now, the faith of my hatey-a' means nothing to the others when weighed with sailing our ship faster for a day or so. You are a child of faith – why did you not fight hard for my hatey-a'’s faith, even as you fought that day for your own? Further, you are a person of honor, I see it in you – why did you not stand true to the favor my hatey-a' asked to placate his goddess, for honor would dictate he had at least earned that right in combat when he saved your lover’s life? And you are one who pays much honor to your ancestors – why did you not speak louder for the needs of my hatey-a'’s dead mother, for honoring her is heavy on him?”
She looks at you for a moment.
”Verily I say to you; because in manners of faith; in honor; in family – all of these needs you put aside to follow the dominion of your lover. If he speaks, you follow him, no matter how dishonorable his will and how selfish his needs are.”
”So that is why I would see him dead! For he robbed of you the fire that makes me happy to see it in you!”
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
”Now, my hatey-a' tells me some nonsense that your obedience to your lover is because of some notion that as he wears the hat of… how do you say… “captain”… that because of this title you will kneel before him as that is the position of all men lesser on a ship. Your ancestors taught that the officers above you demand all honor; and therefore you must kneel before them – even as I kneel before all officers above me, for that is my duty and I do not begrudge it,” she adds looking at you, reading your face.
”In truth, I kneel to my hatey-a' in my heart; for he is my lord and there is no shame to kneeling to one’s lord and showing them respect. Yet he asks that I do not do this, so I only do this in my heart and through it my actions. This is my respect to him.”
”But I am no fool. I know that his love for you blinds him of the truth!” she growls in disgust.
”You do not follow the will of your officers; you do not kneel to them, even in your heart, as I do; for your fire will not let you prostrate yourself like that! Only to the will of your lover do you kneel. Only to his words do you prostrate yourself and give respect and honor to. But this is not because he is an officer above you; for that does not matter much to you, I deem.”
”What of my lover? Do you kneel before him as the will of your ancestors taught? He is second on the ship to your lover – where is this respect you must offer for your lover as “captain”? The sorcerer is first officer; second to none but your lover – and besides this he is now a noble lord of the land that you walk upon. Do you call him “lord”? Do you call my hatey-a' “Sir Flynn”, for he has title and honor? No, you do not!”
”And why? Because your own fire will not let you do that,” she says, her eyes looking both proud and somewhat beseeching at you.
”You see my lover as one who would manipulate power with an oily tongue; no matter what his rank on the ship, you will not bow to that sort, and it is a wonder that the fire in your eyes when you look at his smooth words does not consume him alive!”
She pounds the rock once in satisfaction at your feelings.
”How can I fault you for that fire; for it burns hot. And I see that it does not burn hot because of some nonsense about rank or power – for you do not truly care for such things, no matter what you declaim. For if you did you would call my lover “lord” for the title he earned and show him great respect and courtesy for the least his rank on the ship alone has demanded it.”
She snorts at the idea of you kneeling to Dhaavan then, or even calling him "My Lord", as if either idea is so ridiculous she can't even believe it was possible; for she does not believe that is who you are - to pay homage to a person simply because of their title.
”But it is because you do not do these things I see that your fire is there – only with your lover. Since rank and title are not what truly moves your heart – for if they did you would treat my own lover with great honor and respect, not only as first officer but as a formal lord of this land – but you only give such honor to this lover of yours; an elf with little honor.”
She turns a bit to look at you better.
”Is it not true that your lover promised my hatey-a' death once if ever the word “bastard” was uttered to him again? Yes! He would slay my hatey-a', a man who had fought and killed for him and with him – and why? Because that words shames the mother of your lover! That is worthy, to kill my hatey-a' for speaking shamefully to another’s ancestor."
"It was I who reminded my lover to show more respect to another's ancestors, if he wanted people to respect the needs of his own mother. I told him so on the journey home and he heard my voice. For did you not mark how well he spoke to the red-haired boy’s father? He is no great friend to that red-haired boy; but yet he gave the boy's father much honor, as is worthy.”
”Yet your lover would slay my hatey-a' for bringing shame by calling him bastard.”
”Well and good, senet – yet where is that same sympathy for the mother of my hatey-a'? There is none! And besides – when my hatey-a' saved your lover’s life in a duel of honor… in my land to save the life of another means that that person is indebted to you, more so – they must be as a slave to you for saving their life.”
”Well, on your ship that cannot be – but at the least your lover could have said – My good and worthy ally – thou hast saved my life at the risking of thy own. If it would appease thy faith, the spirit of thy mother, and thy heart besides, as a boon unto thee I swear that none shall accept former slavers as crew members. But no, not even that was spoken.”
”Where is your fire, senet? You should have told him he was without honor; without respect. You should have told him further that you risked your life to save him as well – where is his fine sonnets to your courage? Where are his bold words of praise to you then? Where is the fine songs he would sing of your bravery in battle, even as my hatey-a' sings of you when he thinks I sleep near him?”
"All he did was show you some clumsy physical attention, that is not so impressive. But he did not give thought to honoring you for risking your life to save him, as he should have done. I saw no such evidence of that."
"I tell you the truth; your lover has robbed you of your fire, I see it as so; and not just with these matters but other as well."
”As my hatey-a' works alone to pull apart the ship for all, he takes his free time to teach and to mark land for what purpose I know not, but clearly to do things here in time. I look then to you, and seek your fire; and what do I see?"
"This time on the island you may have begun the working of a small shrine to your own gods when you are gone to help protect the people, for you are faithful, or helped him with tear apart this ship, for it is hard work and he may need assistance; but your lover dallies with you on walks on the beach, so that even the fire for your gods or allies are put aside for his desires.”
She shakes her head in disgust, but it is clearly directed at Variel, not you.
”You claim you give much to your lover for title. Yet I know that rank does not move your heart. For I know you well, and I deem that you would kill my lover if he tried his sorcery on you or spoke with too much of an oily tongue, for you do not like him much no matter what his rank is."
"And if you killed my lover, I could not fault you for that, for it is the fire in your heart that would have moved you to do so. But him you do not obey - only your lover, no matter what rank my lover holds."
”Only to your lover do you show these things, so I know it is not rank. Instead I deem that he has taken your fire in his hand and robbed you of it; so I would kill him for that.”
She sighs, the whole rush of emotions that poured from her are finished now and she simply feels spent.
”Thank you for letting my share my heart with you; you are my senet – you do me much honor. I have kept my own heart secret, as my I promised, unless another asked me on it.”
”I did not mean to speak at length, but I must now purge the part of myself that is foul so I do not let it color me on the ship in the future.”
”I must cleanse that part of my ka, or in time I may something that offends when I do not mean it to.”
She turns a weary gaze to you; her eyes filled with pain.
”Do not fear – before we leave this place to set out again, all of these things will be put aside. Tomorrow before dawn I shall make it so; then you will see I am not so worried on these things anymore.”
”Thank you for being with me and hearing me speak. Now you know my heart on these matters. You are a good senet to me,” she says finally.
Horatio leads Dhaavan away for some privacy, glancing around to make sure that no one can overhear them.
When he’s sure, he sits down, his face concerned.
”Right, so… here’s the thing,” he begins somewhat nervously.
”I’m out this morning for an early walk. I wanted to stretch my legs and sort of get a feel for the island. Anyhow, I think I see some movement on top of the ridge of the island. I don’t know who’s up there, but I think – “What the hell, it may be an enemy, move in quick and quiet-like”, right?”
"Anyhow, it’s still dark, and I’m still a bit out of the way, and all of a sudden I see this weird light, you know?”
”So I get to the top of the ridge and I’m all hunkered down so know one can spot me, and I glance over the edge and it looks like Amen-set is laying on some rocks.”
”Okay, that’s odd, but who cares, you know? But then I see that bright light is like a fire, and it’s moving toward her, and I’m thinking What the hell? What is that, a brush fire? – but it’s not moving like that.”
”I can’t tell what it is, but anyhow, it moves on to Amen-set and suddenly it covers the whole set of rocks.”
He wets his lips a bit nervously.
”I’m just about ready to call out or something, but I can’t on account of the fact that I’m struck speechless, ‘cause she didn’t run off or anything, she just sat there like she was waiting for it, you know?”
”Next thing is the fire move over her, and suddenly she’s tearing out of the flame… but she’s moving straight up into the air!”
”So I’m thinking maybe she’s leaping real high, or possibly something like that, I don’t know… but what I do know is that the fire is still working the rocks over and she isn’t coming down and now she’s like thirty of forty feet above the rocks.”
”So now I’m not talking because I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I got my mouth shut and I’m watching this thing.”
”The whole time I’m watching her she’s not falling; and then she moves off to the east, her body horizontal to the ground as if she was flying and I’m still watching and she’s gone. I can’t see that far anyhow, but I don’t know where.”
”So the whole time the fire is still working over the rocks, and now I’m looking at that, and then the fire vanishes like it wasn’t there.”
He shakes head, baffled.
”So after a moment I run over there to see what’s up. The ground is all burnt up, and the rocks are blackened, but no sign of Amen-set. It’s like she’s gone; no body, no corpse, no evidence that she was there.”
”But I saw what I saw, I know it!”
”So I’m wracking my brain to think of a way of a girl with a few magic tricks could make herself fly, and fly long enough that she could rise up for a minute or two and then fly off into the sky somewhere I can’t find her and leave no trace… “
”I have no notion how that might have happened; what spell she may have used, what power she may have employed… nothing!”
”I know she’s got a strange history; not one that she even knows well, but what kind of man can fly without magic? That doesn’t seem right, you know?”
”Maybe you have a tip that can help me with that?” he says.
”Oh yeah, one more thing… right before she flew off, if that’s even what happened… she said ”Magnum Pater - consummatum est!". I don’t know what that means, but I think it’s draconic."
”You got any notion of those words… I tried to puzzle them out; it looks like she’s saying, probably; “Great Father – something or other…” but I don’t know. Do you think that she was trying to cast something and that was part of the spell?”
"I mean, come on - I don't know about magic like I should; I haven't studied it yet. Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
”Hey, listen; maybe we could keep this to ourselves, eh? She’s already getting weird looks from people; I’d rather have this quiet until I learn more. If it gets out and she gets hurt, I’ll take that kind of personal, you know?” he says with a kind of good natured smile, but his eyes are completely serious.
Since being shanghaied by Harrigan's lot, Rain had heard countless judgements over her life and how, and with whom, she had chosen to live it. Even now, as Amen-set's laid down what she perceived were truths as seen through her eyes and that of Flynn's, her mentor. The blue fire reared momentarily but as was common practice these days, Rain clamped down hard on her feelings until she could speak without ire. Or fire as Amen-set had called it.
Rain closed her eyes and transported herself to Tempest Cay, for that was her home and her people, and not this rocky outcrop where lords were made through marriage and not right of victory or skill.
Rain opened her mouth to speak, and if Amen-set paid close enough attention, she would not the distant quality, as if Rain was moving through the paces of her life, attempting once again to justify herself to another who had no say in how she should live.
"Little sister, please heed me for I am the only one who can recount my life to you, for I do not watch from afar with shrouded eyes."
Rain's eyes stare for a hard moment upon the distant ocean and then turn to face the young woman.
"My fire is not of the sun, but of the storm and sky. It was not taken, as you and Flynn believe, by my lover. It was repressed by your own lover, Dhaavan. It began on the Wormwood, under the terrible Harrigan and Plugg. There, when I could not stand to see the injustices and brutality, I would have acted at the behest of my fire, yet Dhaavan scolded me, told me to put it away lest it endanger the group. He treated me as hysterical child. When the Skylord appeared, Flynn's firm friend, and the man's arrogance choked the air from a room, I stood up to him, and what did Dhaavan do? He pulled me aside and bid me desist for the sake of the others and peace. So, my fire was banked. When Flynn spoke his mind with naught a thought to any aboard, and his temper found quarry in me, and I fought back, fire with fire, Dhaavan bid me quiet. So my steel was tempered until it became colder, like the ocean. You are correct in your summation that I would give my life to those I am loyal to, even those I do not like. Yet, to bow and scrape before those I consider equals? I cannot and will not. And I do not bow and scrape before Variel. My life is not only that which is on display for you all to see. There, behind closed doors, exists a place where my true thoughts and feelings are spoken, and dealt with one on one, as should be the way, and not before an audience."
Rain listens to the waves and the sound is soothing.
"This Isle is not my home for I have spent very little time on it. I give Agasta due honour for she has been the Lady of the Rock for many years, fighting against fierce odds and a woman to boot. But Dhaavan, what did he do to deserve his place among nobility? He married and bedded a noble woman. And for that he should be revered and proclaimed Lord Dhaavan? Nay, not in my eyes or my heart. He simply married into power and title, and has done nothing to prove he is worth either. If he does, then perhaps I may refer to him by title only when I set foot on this Isle."
"Flynn was bestowed a knighthood for his goodly act on the boy Mardus. I do not begrudge him Agasta's gift for she so loves the boy Mardus as if he were her own. Yet, he is the Lady Agasta's knight, not mine. He holds title upon this shore and his duties lie here. You do not refer to him as Sir Flynn? But you judge me for not doing so? Unfair, sister."
Rain's eyes flick to Neko, who has drawn closer during the conversation and is now sitting beside Rain.
"There is much you and the others do not see between Variel and I. When I came aboard the Lady, as was recruited as Pilot, Variel bid me to keep my counsel before the general crew so it would seem the Officers were in perfect union and there was no need for concern or rebellion. He asked me to speak to him openly and honestly once out of the sight of the crew and I have done so, counselling him, guiding where I could, and chastising him when I saw folly. None of that you know or Flynn or any other who speak upon my life and choices."
"Aye, Variel has wounded my heart, and I have allowed it for I have never felt so deeply about another and have been naive and lovestruck. I do not cry -- I am not a female who gives in to tears from pain or sorrow. Yet, when I believed he would choose Agasta over me, I was struck down with an intense disbelief and my mind and heart warred. And I was weak in that moment. I do not hide from the truth. My fire is burning, although it is of deepest blue and not golden red like your own."
"I do not judge you or Dhaavan for whatever feeling lies between you. I cannot understand your feelings for the sorceror but it is not my place to. You love him, then I respect your choice to love him. I cannot respect the man for he is not to my taste. Yet, I can work beside him without erecting obstacles at every turn. Flynn cannot do this with those he does not like. You say Flynn loves me? Yet, I count numerous times he spoke harsh and ugly words to me and showed his distrust of me for my choices in this life."
"I have chosen Variel, freely. You do not have to understand it, nor Flynn. I see him for all that he is and accept that he is not perfect. But to seek perfection is not only folly but an endless source of disappointment. Elves live a long life and if there comes a point when I decide Variel is not the one for me, then I will be the one to end it and walk away, without counsel or the displeasure of others."
"Variel is Captain and his responsibilities lie to all on the ship and he cannot take individual feelings into account in every decision. He attempted to ease any tension with having the Valatroika crew with me on their ship, to spare you and Flynn. Yet, you do not take that into consideration? Aye, Flynn fought a duel for Variel's life but who was his second and risked her life for not just Variel but Flynn and the others? Who took the attention and beating of the Captain of the Valatroika? It was I, willingly, allowing Flynn time to heal Variel awake. Flynn was struck two times in the duel and I was struck six and fell senseless, almost to death. Was their fanfare at my service? I did not expect such. Because I fought for what I believed in and not for platitudes of bravery or fine shows of accomplishment. I heard Variel gives thanks to Flynn after the duel was done and the enemy Captain slain by Variel's own hand. Variel quietly thanked me when, as you so eloquently put, he gave me some trifling tenderness after battle. It was not trifling to me -- he held me as I wanted to be held. I was weary and deeply wounded and he lent me some of his strength, through his arms and words."
Rain took a slow deep breath. "I am honoured you are my sister and you seek to defend my honour. Yet, misunderstandings seem to be propelling not only my relationship with Variel, but all the others on the Lady. Only Variel and I have the full story open to us and I cannot fault you for judging him or I with only half the story before you. I simply ask that I am allowed to live my life as I see fit and not have my choices questioned at every turn and have to explain myself over and again. So, sister, I will not attempt to sway your opinion of my lover, for that is your choice. You do not have to accept it, if that is your will. But I ask you to respect my choices, for only the gods can claim them folly or wisdom. But sister, if you were to attempt to kill my lover, I say this with complete honesty, I would attempt to stop you. As I would if someone attempted such a thing on you. I do not want to be at odds with you, Amen-set, I have never sought that. I ask that this is the last time I have to defend my relationship with Variel to anyone."
** spoiler omitted **...
Amen-set slams her hand down hard; pleased at your response.
”Aye, senet – be it fire or storm; you have strong passion. But please do not mistake me; I am my own woman. My hatey-a' does not know what I think of your lover; and does not believe that you were robbed by him. His opinions are very different, but that is only because he is a fool sometimes. But what of that?” she says with a shrug and casual dismissal of Horatio’s opinions about you and Variel.
”Now, you dislike my lover, this much is clear. You think he speaks with an oily tongue, that to is clear as well. But what of it? He is the second in command on your ship, and though you dislike his tone, you have said that you were taught to obey the order of command.”
”Yet I I have already said that I do not think that is very true. I knew that no matter what rank they may give my lover, you would not kneel to him for your fire does not allow it. And indeed, if you felt he oversteps his bounds with you, your own honor may prompt you to kill him for it; for you will not be cozened or treated like a fool; your heart is too strong for that and his death will be brutal,” she says of you with a proud voice.
”Yet all the more reason I am suspicious of your own lover, though it is true I do not know what he says to you when he embraces you behind closed doors.”
She nods once.
”As for what titles I bestow on my lover and my hatey-a', I give none to my lover but “lord” for it pleases him; and title through marriage is common.”
”As for my hatey-a'; at first I called him first “master” – but he would not have it. I called him “lord” and he felt it was not good either, for he was a commoner. So I call him hatey-a'; which means “chief”. For that is a good term and does not offend his heart.”
”But never in my whole life did I say that my ancestors taught me to respect the order of command on a ship and I was beholden to the rankings ascribed to lesser men. Further, never did I say I respect their will and opinions simply for rank’s sake – I do not. And even if I called my lover “lord” do not think I will kneel to him, for I shall not,” she says with a toss of her head.
”But I never said that I was bound to such tasks by ancestors,” she says, watching you carefully.
”You have said that many times when you obey your lover – he is “the captain” so you obey him."
"I do not understand that; for my lover has title and you do not use it, even if it is cheaply earned. And my hatey-a' has title, but you do not acknowledge it, though he earned it well... all of this is so; but then, why acknowledge the title of your lover as if that is part of your training, and these other ranks are not?” she says with a puzzled tone.
"And never mind calling my lover "lord" - why do you not treat him as a junior officer must treat the First Officer, under the captain? If that is the training you received?
"I shall not deny your heart for my lover, for you have a wise heart in most matters. Aye, indeed, my lover may be a fool at times - yet he has the rank "First Officer" wither I will it or no. Luckily, I do not care either way for such titles... yet you have said that you do... " she adds this as if she is trying to solve the mystery and cannot.
”I am not certain why you vault the rank of your lover above the ranks of others, but I do not think it is because of your training. ... I think it is for other reasons and this is why the sun is made dark in my eyes when I think of him with you," she adds, clearly not happy about thinking it, but with no way of knowing why, she merely shrugs.
"No, no, senet - if I am about to tread upon an Asp, would you stay my action or say it is my own choosing to step on death? You would stay my action, for you would not see me harmed."
"Now, you think that I am foolish to care for this lover of mine; but I tell you, he too is a like an Asp who could kill me with a bite, but I have seen his fangs and know how to move around them. Yet if I did not I would welcome your aid in dispatching those fangs, for you would act out of love, and how can I censor my senet for that feeling?"
”Now, if my lover is such a burden to you, then I say that you must confront him directly! Aye, and take him and tell him these things; say to him – You will treat me with honor and respect; for my heart is tired of your discourtesies, if you fail to, I shall be forced to kill you; for any who insult my honor deserve death! Then he will know your heart, and your honor will be vindicated, and all shall be well,” she says simply, as if the suggestions of slaughtering Dhaavan if he offends your honor is not only logical, but completely sensible.
”Ha! That is because my hatey-a' is a fool in matters of love. His heart does love you, but you gave yours to another. So if he cannot love you, he feels he must hate you, for to stand in your presence with no concern either way is beyond his ability.”
"Like you and I he is a man with a hot heart. His heart is filled with fire, and it must burn bright, either with long words or bold action; with great love or deep hatred."
”He knows that much, yet despite it, he cannot hate you even though it would ease his heart, for his love for you is too great, I deem. So he is a man torn asunder and his heart twists between sneers and fine words; between arguments and poetry and between barbarism and dancing; for his own fire will not let him be at peace and he swings back and forth,” she adds rolling her eyes at Horatio’s displays.
”Would that he could hate you, than he would simply leave the ship and be gone. But he stays for his love of you, I think, but his heart is bitter because of it. He loves what he cannot have; he is a fool. If he was wise, he would slay your lover and so remove the obstacle. But he says that would enrage you and you would have to kill him for it; at which point he would have to die by your hand, for he could not bring himself to do your harm.”
She snorts in disgust.
”Men are stupid, senet, to fear death when honor beckons. We two know better,” she says nodding at you, happy that you two can talk freely on these matters.
When you speak of Variel she seems to brush that aside.
”You did much in that duel with the enemy; and your lover owes both you and my hatey-a’ his life. To repay the debt to you would be hard; for that he should marry you, yet to secure his marriage in such a way is not the way your heart wishes it; so I admit he is in a hard place in repaying you.”
”Yet to repay hatey-a’ your lover had a very easy decision; he only needed to decide not to make slavers part of the crew. Pft! That is a choice easily made for one with the rank you give him. Further, it should not offend his honor, for he in turns respects the will of my hatey-a’s gods, and mother, and your lover has made it a point to let folk know he will kill when someone besmirches the honor his own mother.”
”But no! He will not honor my hatey-a’’s needs, or yours.”
She glances at the sky a moment, pondering your defense of Variel's choice to give you a hug and Horatio a warm handshake after the fight; but nothing else.
She is not happy with that memory, and after a moment, she speaks on it.
”If it was I and I were he, I would have declared to all my love for you and married you on the spot with all as witness. I would have given great honor to those who may have died to save my life, for I know you at least are worthy of such things and it would please your heart.”
"I would not have stopped with an embrace, I would have told all that you are my sun and sky; for such action deserves much of honor and love."
She sighs.
”For all of these reasons and more I find your lover to be low of honor and a bad choice. I think you could do better; but I say to you – if you do choose someone better, do not look to any on this ship. They are all beneath you, even my hatey-a’ is not such a man for you. For him to be that man he must accept his fire and speak plainly to you of his heart rather than waver, for that is a fool’s action.”
”And I cannot tell him that, for he must come to that revelation on his own or it means nothing,” she adds with a sigh.
She shrugs.
”Well, I have spoken my piece and I have not changed your mind. I understand, for I know that your heart's fire would not allow you to let your love for him go so easily, though I still think it is misguided. And as your lover is the instrument of poor guidance you see in me the need to kill him, for I think he has led you astray, though you disagree.”
She lets out a deep sigh.
”Yet for the duty to my hatey-a'; and my love for you, I shall honor your request and not try to kill him, for I know that would displease you,” she says a bit sulkily.
”You are my senet and I love you. I think you are misguided on this, but I shall not begrudge it any more.”
”Tomorrow at dawn I shall purge my body of the piece of my ka which desires to see your lover be slain by my hand… it is a hard task, but I shall do my best so that we may move on and you shall be happy, for I love you and would see you happy,” she says with a nod.
”After all, you are not only my senet, but you are also a good friend,” she says and turns to smile at you, patting your arm gently.
Considering what happened to Amen-set, Dhaavan wonders, "Well, if there were a Elemental it could be the fire yea saw, but the power o' flight shouldn't be sommat what she can muster from what I've seen. It sounds like some kind o' ceremony or ritual o some sort..."
"Lemme think on it fer a minute. See if'n I heard any stories or sommat"
Horatio takes a long draw from a smoke.
”Well, what do you think?” he asks with a bit of an edge to his voice.
"Come on, you got anything?” he says, clearly worried about his ward.
In a few seconds, a living flame appears which Dhaavan speaks to in Ignan Hold there, friend. Have you or your kin power to levitate a human?" perhaps if it was an elemental that horatio saw, it would reveal.
It is a small elemental, about the size of Piper, shifting its form as fire is wont to do, perhaps being recognized by Horatio
”Hmm… well I – ,” Horatio calls out in a near panic as a fire elemental erupts in front of him and moves about the room.
Dancing out of the way, he stares at it, watching it carefully, clutching at the various blackpowder weapons on him, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
He holds up his pistol carefully, staring at the elemental.
”Hey – smokey! You stay away from my "boomstick", savvy?” he says with a grim expression as he holds up the weapon and makes a warning gesture.
Horatio listens to what sounds like jibber-jabber coming from Dhaavan’s mouth, for he doesn’t speak the Ignan tongue.
Watching the two carefully, he says slowly…
”Yeah, it looks kind of like what I saw… maybe… but I was pretty far back, so I don’t know…”
”Also, Amen-set was able to fly far above it, or so it seemed. And she didn’t vaporize or anything, she flew off the cliff and sailed off to the east over the ocean. But as the sun was coming up, it kind of blinded me and I couldn’t see…you sure that’s safe?”
”The thing is, whatever it was remained on the rocks that she built. So even if it could lift her, how could it propel her?” he adds, still staring at the thing with curious fascination.
When Flynn brandishes his Boomstick the elemental looks at Dhaavan questioningly <Of what does this fleshling speak>???
Dhaavan pats the elemental on the ?head? affectionately <Worry not child, he fears you will ignite his precious black powder. Please don't, lest he explode leaving me to clean up his flesh-g!*@> he says, making a icky-face.
The elemental understands and moves from the gunslinger. "It's perfectly safe. Just don't touch it."
"Maybe she has power to levitate born of her race. She's certainly not human, doesn't taste right..." Dhaavan pauses, awkwardly, as he is talking about Flynn's ward. "Um...Anyway, perhaps she has elemental blood, or more'n likely, draconic..."
about elemental touched races
about draconic species
trying to think about what amen-set could be via monster-lore
Horatio nods sagely at the reference to his weapon.
”Well that’s good.. .wait; what do you mean “taste right?” he says, staring suspiciously at Dhaavan, the pistol no longer dangling casually in his hand.
”Is there something I should know about?” he adds a bit sternly, a touch of protectiveness in his voice.
on another note..."You know, I met a fellow once, real talkative like, that wouldn't let our caravan out his desert. He talked till is started gettin fierce cold, and the winds started ta pick up, so he spits up a big o' fire an' tells the winds ta go away! Seems that's Amen-set's thing, what wiht the fire and the hair, and i'd bet she messed with the wind ta go. Still that Dragon didn't shapeshift, so that's strange..." noting how lost Horatio is, Dhaavan adds, "Oh, that fellw i mentioned was a Dragon, Brass, huge ol' lizard. Maybe she's got Brass blood."
"Don't think he changed shape is the thing, otherwise he'd had jsut followed along with us. So there's still question o' what exactly she is. Or if was even really her what yea saw this mornin"
”Aye…” Horatio responds slowly.
”Damn shame that no one was close to her when this happened; that’d be handy,” he adds rubbing his chin a moment.
”Hmm…”
He looks at Dhaavan with a critical eye, glad that the fire elemental didn't burn a hole in the roof at this point.
”So now what was this about a brass dragon? You’ve been mates with one of those sorts?” he asks curiously, docketing that information away for later.
”But yeah; she is definitely from the desert. So are brass dragons, or so I’ve heard…”
He thinks a moment.
”I don’t know, I’m not an expert on these things too much, but I know a bit about illusions, it’s in my trade as it were…”
”Is it possible that she was using an illusion? Oh hell, I don’t know…” he adds in frustration.
”Of course, if she were a bard that’d explain her spells, and doesn’t Jiro-san have a monkey who follows him around like a familiar? It’s possible she picked up a similar trick…” he muses.
”Ah hell! I don’t know, and that’s pissing me off something fierce, gods damn it!”
He frowns a bit.
”Right, so I’m going to try talking to her about this, and you can, too – if you want. But here’s the thing; do me a favor and keep it secret between us. I don’t want to spook the rest of the group until we know from Amen-set if she’s okay with everything before we spill the news. She may have reasons for keeping things secret… but I don’t think she’s been lying about her history.”
He shakes her head.
”Right, so if we talk to her private-like when people aren’t around and get the straight word, maybe that will help?”
”What do you think?” he asks.
”If it was I and I were he, I would have declared to all my love for you and married you on the spot with all as witness. I would have given great honour to those who may have died to save my life, for I know you at least are worthy of such things and it would please your heart.”
"I would not have stopped with an embrace, I would have told all that you are my sun and sky; for such action deserves much of honour and love."
Amen-set and she were as different as the sun and moon, the day and night. Perhaps their differences were fair complements, but there were days they could not understand each other's ways. Rain had begun to accept this fact. If her explanations could not bridge the divide, then Rain had to let it go. Amen-set had said she would not attempt to kill Variel and Rain believed her.
"You, little sister, have a passionate heart, as do I. If Variel had asked for my hand in marriage after such a declaration then I would have accepted it. But he just awoken from near-death and I could not expect such a thing. Still, you paint a romantic picture even to one who has lived as long as I." Rain gave her a gentle, almost-faraway smile.
"In regard to your sorceror love, I say this to you, without his magic what is he? He cannot sail nor use weapon, his strength is meagre at best, he cannot swim nor navigate the ocean. To my folk, all these things and more make a warrior and a leader. And someone we can respect and follow. Variel, even with his magic, is a brave and skilful fighter and sailor. So, you ask why I do not defer to Dhaavan when I do Variel, it is for this reason -- Dhaavan does not aid in the running of the ship and so I cannot defer to his better judgement for he has none and mine is far superior to his own. It is as simple as that. He can throw titles around all he wants, but I do not respect titles as much as skilful sailors in command. And the Captain has proven himself to me in this regard. Dhaavan, the First Mate, has not. The only reason he was given the task was due to his slippery tongue and charming ways -- to sway the general crew. Yet Flynn does an equal job and can relate to the sailors for he has sailing skill and a fine oratory voice when he is not angry and lecturing me. If I had to choose between Flynn or Dhaavan, I would choose your mentor. Yet, his history with Variel has not been the best -- bad blood -- and possibly jealousy since you believe Flynn has love for me in his heart. I do not know if this is true but I will accept your word on it."
Rain stretches her hand down to Neko and rubs the top of her head, in a gentle manner that Neko enjoys.
"If it makes you feel better, I shall refer to both men by their formal titles here on the Rock. On the ship, however, I will not -- they will be Dhaavan and Flynn -- for their official status does not extend to the domain of the Lady."
"Now onto this ritual you will perform come dawn, would you like me in attendance? I have meditations I must complete at dawn to renew my magic, but I can be climb here, undertake my prayers and be ready to aid or simply watch you perform this removal of ka. I would not see you alone during this purging, little sister. Do you give your permission?"
** spoiler omitted **...
Amen-set watches Rain with a somewhat weary expression as she listens to the continued praise for Variel, but her eyes grow somewhat bored.
”I have said I do not wish to kill your lover; more than that – it is enough. Please, let us not speak of him again.”
When she heard Rain marginalize Dhaavan for magic and defend Variel for his magic, her eyes turn from bored to a bit frustrated.
She knew well that Variel’s fighting skills were negated without magic; for his damage and power would be almost non-existent if he had no spellbook. It did not matter that Dhaavan had crafted magic gear for all the crew, wasting his time closeted away to perform these services.
She never brought those subjects up, they were irrelevant to her completely.
Amen-set was a child of night and day; things were right, or wrong. There was no middle ground for her heart.
And in her heart she knew that, no matter what the reason any other would give that if Variel could not give a favor to a friend; he was not a friend.
She knew also that if hhe could not give repayment for having his life saved; he was without honor.
But neither point would matter, for she knew whatever the elf did, Rain’s love for him would look past those faults to see only the good.
How could she fault Rain for following her heart, now matter how foolish that choice was, though?
In any case, Amen-set had spoken her piece, she did not wish to speak of him again.
But when she hears about giving titles to Horatio or Dhaavan, she shakes her head emphatically.
”No! I did not say to do this – I said the opposite. I said specifically that you would not do this, because that is not your nature to give men praise because of title alone. You do not bend to mere formality because of rank, but merit only! Call either man what you wish, but I would only be pleased if you did so because it was so in your heart and not out of mere courtesy,” she says.
”Hearken! I only said it was false for you to claim your ancestors taught you to honor rank such as “captain”. You claim for that teaching you must honor your lover, for he is captain? Good! Then my lover is “First Officer”. Your ancestors taught you to obey rank; if that is so; obey it, wither you like the man or not; he is your superior by rank. But if it is not so, as I already said – for I do not believe that your heart will allow you to obey another that you do not find worthy of the position, then have done with it! Do not bow to my lover for his rank alone – but only if he shows you skill as you have suggested.”
”But do not speak of being taught the value of “rank” on a ship; for that is not so. That is what I meant, and all I meant. I have known long in my heart that you follow none but who you honor – well and good. But more than that? No. You words have not fooled me all along – you do not obey for rank alone, no matter what your family taught you. You obey for the power a man carries in his hand – be it steel or sorcery. That is best! For what is a man’s rank if he has no heart to shine?”
Her eyes are intent, and she seems to find this a very important point; more so than killing slavers, or Variel or Horatio, or Dhaavan or anything else. In fact, those points seem to mean nothing to her as much as this.
She looks at you very directly now.
”You are a child of hot passion, as am I. But do not be like my hatey-a’ is, do not deny your passion! You serve strength; and skill; and power; and courage! To you that is best in life!” she says, her whole being agreeing with your sentiment.
”Good! I honor that more than you know; I looked on you and saw in you a fierce heart and knew this was true! But I cannot tolerate this in my hatey-a’, to feel one way and say another, it cannot be, nor can it be in you, for you are better than that. Speak your heart, not fine words for the sake of courtesy,” she adds, very intent on this.
”And do not call my lover "lord" if your heart is against it, nor call him "First Officer" if do not respect him, no!"
"When next you meet him, you should say to my lover this instead – I shall never serve thee, nor call thee “lord” or show thee respect on a ship as thy title of First Officer demands until thee prove it in battle and seamanship. Con then the ship with thy hand! Climb aloft with thy own hand, move to lead men in the charge first, and do not hide behind thy sorcery! And if thy hand is too weak to do these things – make then the attempt to try; for though thee fail and death take thee, I shall at least honor thy courage! Tell him that and you speak your heart best.”
She shakes her head, a look of disgust on her face.
”Too long on this ship I have watched people who are not true to their nature. You are a child of a fierce heart. If you want to marry your lover; be fierce! Propose then to him! Tell him you would be married, do not wait. You are a child of this goddess of the Theft of Ships, eh? Think you that your goddess sees a fine treasure and turns her back for nicety?”
”Too many aboard are like my hatey-a’ in this matter. If he loved you, he should have told you long ago, rather than be weak. I tell you this; do not be like him or the others – if you want your lover, much as I despise him, then take him!”
”Go to him when you see him; tell him that bold action comes for you; tell him that he may have been dead in that last skirmish! Say to him that this is a fine place, many folk are here; before you sail say to him – Captain of Ships! Thou hast courage, and are ruthless as a killer; my heart is moved much by thy skill and passion! I am a woman of fierce intent and cannot wait for thee to make up thy mind! So I speak thus my heart – hearken all, for I do speak my heart and do not hide it – I love thee, and I ask for thy hand in marriage, for I would not sail again and mayhap see thee cut down before my eyes without being bonded before my gods!”
She turns on the pillar to face you better; this is apparently very important to her.
”I tell you truly senet, my heart is bound by honor. But for the will of my hatey-a’ I would be dead, for my honor could not tolerate many things I saw. But I obey, for it is my duty, yet more than that my heart insists I obey.”
”Your heart insists that you obey the love you share for this person – then grab it by the throat and make it yours! Tell him you love him and bond him to you; do not dally over niceties. Your goddess is not that sort; I know that much from instruction; this “Besmara” – she would take what she wishes, for her heart demands it so. Take then your lover, for your heart wishes it and make him yours if you want him!”
She looks back to the east, talking to you still, but almost to herself.
"Do not deny your heart; that is my advice to you. I do not care for your lover, and would see you parted. But more than that I would see this advice followed; To thy own heart be True!. To me, that is best in life, and I see it in you as well. I do not agree with your choice, but if your heart tells you a thing, follow it, that is all I am saying..." she says finally than she lets out a deep sigh, panting a bit from the exertion.
Brushing a strand of hair out of her face, she turns back to you.
”Tomorrow I do go to purge myself. It is a violent ritual I have heard, and seen - for not all survive it. It begins before dawn and concludes as the sun rises. It may make you uncomfortable, for it is said to kill a piece of one’s ka shall bring great pain….”
She frowns.
”In this matter I have never tried the ritual – and only seen few who have done so. They have all suffered… I shall suffer tomorrow I think; but it must be done and the pain must be endured, for I must be purified.”
She looks at you and nods.
”It is said that you know these things – that when your kind sees a blight to your gods you hunt it and judge it as evil; then you purify it. Good,” she says, speaking of your path as Inquisitor.
”Tomorrow I face the test of fire; it shall burn my mortal flesh. We shall see if I survive and what happens next. Know that I do not relish this, nor move forward to it with an eager heart. But it is for my love of you and my hatey-a’ that I do this thing, for you wish me to put aside that piece of myself and so I shall.”
She looks a bit nervous, than laughs aloud, as if she will force away her fear with an attempt at mirth.
”If you will come, I would not say no. There are certain things I must do in this ceremony to prepare. If you come, I shall tell you more; will you come then, hearing what I have told you on this?” she says, the words sounding more like a formal invitation, as if that may also be part of the ritual.
The rest may hinge on Rain's decisions, if she's there with Amen-set, and what happens with those conversatons.
** spoiler omitted **
Horatio rolls his eyes at the commands of Dhaavan’s wife.
”Aye, I forgot about that… well, whatever, then,” he says with a shrug.
”As for Rain? Well, I sure as hell didn’t see her there, but I may have missed something in the dark. She may have been on the other side of the cliff or something for all I know…”
”Right, well the thing is – let’s keep this to ourselves; that’s the point. I’ll go try to track her down myself, Amen-set that is, and see if I can’t figure things out.”
”If I can, all’s the better. If not, well, that’s alright, too.”
He shakes his head for a moment.
”She’s an odd one, though, I’ll grant you that,” he says musing aloud.
”Like, her thoughts on death and killing are so different then mine. I hardly understand it at all….”
He glances at Dhaavan.
’You know, Amen-set’s fond of you something fierce for some reason. She’d probably kill for you without batting an eye, since that’s just how she is….”
”But I don’t know, I think that sometimes she and I don’t fit well on this ship.”
”It’s like there’s a certain way to do things around here, and everyone has the manual on it but me. I don’t know. Sometimes I think maybe I ought to just take Amen-set and shove off, you know?”
”We’re heading to a new port in a day or so; it sounds like a good place to do it. If we do skip out, though; you interested in coming?” he asks somewhat noncommittally.
”Not saying I’ll do that for a fact; but it’s just been hard to deal with all of the hash, you know? I do what I can to fit in, but I just don’t seem to be able to.”
”And with all the nasty looks given to Amen-set lately about her wanting to kill slavers… gods!”
Horatio spits to the leeward.
”You ever seen a slave auction? I have – they got ‘em in Sargava. I’ve seen the poor bastards in the cages; I’ve seen them in the heat and watched them whimper and plead under the lash… my mother always took me when I was a boy and made me watch… she always told me – That is what we fight against…” he shakes himself out of the melancholy.
”I don’t know, I figured it wasn’t even going to be a problem. That we didn’t need to worry about it; but sure as sunrise, it was a problem and I was the bugger that was the odd man out, railing against a point of honor or principle like always and generally gumming up the works simply because of my gods damned feelings or ethics.”
He shrugs.
”Those things don’t count out here – I keep trying to push them aside, and every time I do, they keep coming back up,” he says with a dark frown.
He grins sardonically.
”Ah hell, I’m always the bugger who is the odd man out. I’m always the one who argues; the rest of you all are completely comfortable with everything – but I wanted to be a privateer; nope. I wanted that we don’t attack innocent fisherman; nope. I wanted that we don’t attack and slaughter helpless villagers – it hasn’t happened, but they still told me "no" and when it happens I have to sit on the ship and just wait. And now this?”
”You know, our ship would probably be a lot farther on in the world if I didn’t always argue – but I’m not like you all, much as I try to be. I can’t just stuff away my feelings and turn it off so easily. They all can do that; well, bully for them, right?”
”That’s why I’m thinking of maybe shoving off. Having me around is naught but drama for you all to deal with…”
”I don’t know, though. Maybe I’ll try talking to Amen-set. She's clever enough... Maybe she’ll have some ideas for me, or some plans or strategies… or maybe just some good advice.”
He glances up at Dhaavan.
”You do alright around here and folks don’t give you as much credits as you might get. Anyhow, as long as I’m around, any time you need to talk, or any time you’re looking for a friend – well, you’re my mate, so I’ll be there for you. And Amen-set won’t turn her back on you either.”
He swings his kit over his shoulder and nods.
”Right – well, I’m off to track her down. It was good talking to you, though. Thanks for your advice and keeping this stuff secret,” he says with a nod.
Then he waves and is gone…
”Go to him when you see him; tell him that bold action comes for you; tell him that he may have been dead in that last skirmish! Say to him that this is a fine place, many folk are here; before you sail say to him – Captain of Ships! Thou hast courage, and are ruthless as a killer; my heart is moved much by thy skill and passion! I am a woman of fierce intent and cannot wait for thee to make up thy mind! So I speak thus my heart – hearken all, for I do speak my heart and do not hide it – I love thee, and I ask for thy hand in marriage, for I would not sail again and mayhap see thee cut down before my eyes without being bonded before my gods!”
Rain's blood had become reanimated and emboldened by Amen-set's passion and instruction. Rain desired Variel to woo her and ask her to marry him for that was the way of things. Variel had already told her it was too soon for marriage -- so how could Rain ask him knowing his feelings on the matter and his reluctance to put her in further danger with his mysterious past?
"I will carefully consider your words, little sister. And thank you for not killing my lover." Rain did not speak Variel's name or anything else pertaining to him for Amen-set had asked her to desist.
”If you will come, I would not say no. There are certain things I must do in this ceremony to prepare. If you come, I shall tell you more; will you come then, hearing what I have told you on this?” she says, the words sounding more like a formal invitation, as if that may also be part of the ritual.
Listening to Amen-set speak of a test of fire and burning of mortal flesh, Rain could not allow her little sister to experience this brutality without her presence.
"You are my sister and I will not desert you through this trial by fire and suffering. I will be there, to aid, or to watch and remember your test and what you have done in the name of love for Flynn and I. Tell me, what do you seek from me come dawn?"
** spoiler omitted **...
"Oh I do not say I would kill your lover, only that I would have tried. I am sure I would have failed and he kill me in the challenge; but I would die gladly if it means helping you," she says with a sincere smile, for clearly she believes this would aid you.
But as of now, she is happy to let the matter drop...
Hearing your choice to stay with her, Amen-set nods briskly; as if she is pleased at your choice, but that she expects it and she moves forward on to important matters.
”Good! I thank you, senet,” she says with a brief smile.
”From here on you must abstain from food or drink until sunrise tomorrow, even as I do.”
”We must wait all night in vigil of prayer and fasting. You need not pray, your company would be enough, but you must be silent and respectful for the coming of the Great Father in the dawn.”
She frowns a bit then.
”Sometime before dawn I will call for a servant of the Great Father – we shall see what he brings us… when the servant comes it shall move to my body which rests on this pillar until that time.”
”When that happens, the fire will move over and around me… it will burn me and possibly consume me… if that is the will of the Great Father….” she adds tentatively.
”When the fires pass, if I yet live, the piece of me that does not agree with... no; say rather that a piece of me will have been consumed in the fire; that is enough."
”The fire will move upon me and the stones...”
”I will be reborn, then, I think… but of what will happen to my mortal flesh, if I survive, I am not sure, for I do not know…”
”As for yourself, you must move back from me an hour before dawn and wait. You must stand one-hundred paces from me and no closer, for this is the law of the ritual.”
”I must face it with no aid from any; except through their hope and prayers, which I may feel no matter how far they stand.”
"This will be the last time I will say this, but if you do not want to remove this part of your ka, that it goes against your will to do so or attempt such a dangerous test, then follow your heart, little sister. I would not force you to do such a thing, not for my sake."
"If you do move ahead with the ritual, I shall bid all your instruction with infinite care. If you require healing after the fire has consumed you, I have spells I can call upon or at the least I can call upon Neko to find the others and alert them to come to us."
Speaking of Neko, and knowing that she would spend the entire night on the hilltop in vigil of prayer and fasting, she asks her golden cat companion through their telepathic link (as to not incur Amen-set's ire for mentioning Variel's name), //Neko go to Variel and speak to him through your telepathy. Tell him where I am and not to be concerned and I shall see him in the morning. But do not disclose the nature of what is happening here, for I do not think Amen-set wants it made general knowledge at present. I will let her tell it in her own way to the others. Thank you. And if you would return to me and stay the night, then I shall humbly accept your company.//
When the golden cat stretches and acknowledges Rain's request through their link, and moves off to seek Variel, Rain turns her attention back to Amen-set.
"I shall pray to Gozreh during the vigil and ask him to aid you in this great test, little sister. I believe your Great Father would not feel dishonoured by such prayers."
** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set nods at your words, but it as if she is in her own world now – committed to her fate.
She does not know if she shall live or die, but only that she shall do this thing.
For hours there is nothing but quiet chanting from Amen-set; her words are a strange litany. The language is a mixture of Ignan and Draconic…
Soon you can at begin to decipher her mantra, which sounds like (if you’re correct) – Thy Will be Done…
She says this over and over until the appointed hour.
At which point she nods to you, and asks that you move back to a place far from her.
When you are removed one-hundred feet, you see her perform and use some sort of motion –
At which point a rush of flame erupts near her – it looks like a huge bonfire; though you are not sure from this distance what it is.
Even so, it moves as if it is alive – it may indeed be an elemental; you are not positive, though…
The flames move to her and Amen-set is surrounded by them – between the fire and the heat and the smoke which comes from the burning grass around the rocks, you may be able to make a perception check to see more –
Then, as you hold up your hand to ward off the smoke you see the dawn’s light peaking over the cliff.
Suddenly can make out Amen-set’s body seem to move straight up above the fire as if in a rapture; her arms outstretched to her sides.
By your guess you’d venture she is now about at least forty or fifty feet above the fire and is not moving; her clothes smoldering around her.
The sun suddenly stabs its golden light directly over the ground, now that it is high enough to do so.
When Amen-set sees the light, she stretches her arms wide and her body leans forward as if she is swimming.
She yells out something in a loud voice, but it is the tongue of dragons.
Then, as the flames continue to burn beneath her, she flies forward toward the sun and soon she has flown off into the horizon and toward the east and the sea beyond…
Rain lays silent witness (from her vantage point 100 paces away, with Neko close by) to it all and marvels at the strangeness and brilliance of the engulfing fire. The smoke is there and when Amen-set rises into the sky and then flies to the east, Rain is left wondering if the girl would return and how long she would wait on the hilltop for Amen-set. What would the transformation reap?
I will ask her to teach me the tongue of dragons.
In wait, Rain sits, crossed-legged and faces the dawn sun, undertaking her morning prayers/meditations and contemplating much of the events of the past 24 hours as she renews her (ranger) spell. Neko sits silently beside her, watching toward the east.
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** spoiler omitted **
You are able to see the image above.
She cast the spell Summon Monster 2 – and you believe it was a Fire Elemental.
You believe this is a ritual that is connected to the worship of the sun; it is likely a precursor to faith’s that have evolved over time. You think it is somehow related to some vague nature cults similar to druidic orders, though it reminds you quite a bit of the folk who worship the sun gods in Osirini.
Furthermore, you also believe that the style borrows from faith’s in the lands of Minkai; in that there is a general veneration of nature spirits and the wild – it seems akin to a faith called “Shinto”, but you are not sure…
With these clues, a more detailed examination may discover more...
However –
After roughly twenty minutes Amen-set has not returned.
Moving to the edge of the cliff you are able to peer over the edge.
The cliff is a rather steep drop off and there is nothing below but the sea.
The ship is off to your southwest; but to the east is nothing but ocean.
There is no sign of a body below, though, and there is no sign of Amen-set in the sky; if she had indeed been flying, she is no longer visible around the cliff or sea, though it has been more than twenty minutes.
Having completed her own prayers, Rain stands and scans the sky and horizon for Amen-set. Moving to the cliff edge, Rain peers down and sees naught by the ocean and ships. The spectacle that was the ritual and the sighting of the fire elemental left Rain ponderous.
A sound catches her ear to the west and Rain turns, surveying the sky and surroundings for its source. Rain senses Neko's presence by her legs as she looks.
+2=30
** spoiler omitted **
Far off in the distance you can see what looks like a man running off. But on close inspection you realize it is Horatio.
He must have seen the ceremony, or at least the ending.
You doubt he saw you, but it's likely he saw Amen-set, though.
Amen-set approaches Rain with a small pouch, which she hands to Rain.
She kneels on one knee before Rain, hands folded across her breast, than stands up.
”Apologies, senet – this was a necessity for the conclusion of the ritual,” she says.
She looks around to make sure that you are in private, than nods her head in confirmation.
Looking into your eyes she speaks in a low voice…
”When I returned to the ship this morning I met with my hatey-a’; I told what happened to me after the ritual.”
She squints a bit at Rain.
”Do you know that he had been there? He had come in the dawn by chance and he seen me. No one else was there but you; my senet and my hatey-a’; only you saw, and the Great Father…”
She pauses and turns to the sea, then looks back at Rain.
”Senet, this rite was to purge the dark things from my spirit – perhaps it worked, I do not know.”
”After the journey I traveled for a long time, till the sun was highest in the sky, then I returned and came back to the ship and island. For do you not know? I was embraced by the Great Father and the gift of my blood was awakened in me…”
She frowns a bit, as if what she is saying is making her uncomfortable, but she feels it needs to be said.
”All my life I have known that I am a daughter of men; for this is my heritage and my blood. But now I know that is not so...”
She shakes her head a bit.
”It seems that this flesh masks my true nature, my true self and that part of me remains hidden beneath.”
”I am bound to this body in shape, but my ka is not that of a human,” she says simply.
”Like the boy from Minkai who looks human but is not, so too am I… yet unlike him I shall always appear human, unless powers awaken that change my shape and reveal who I am full, though I do not see that forthcoming…”
She looks intently at Rain.
”I tell you this because I trust your honor to keep my secret so; you will not share what I tell you with any – not the crew, or the officers, or even your lover. I trust your honor in this senet,” she says with a steady look at you.
”Now, that said, I had a dream after I returned, for I slept long. In that dream I hear words in my head that were the words of the Great Father, who revealed more to me, but said that my life is to remain a mystery, at least for a while longer… yet I am confident I shall know my full history soon…”
She thinks for a moment, recalling the words, than recites.
In thy heart is kept the belief that thou art a daughter of Man
Thy kindred is far more ancient and far more powerful than man shall ever be
Thy ancestors soared through the heavens and they did great battle
Honor was ever theirs, and honor is in thy blood
Thou art born of a race of beings whose powers far exceed those of mortal men
Fire is in thy blood, and though thou art cursed with the shape of a mere human; know that they heart beats with that of a race that is far more ancient then men, or elves or dwarves…
She shakes her head.
”All of that tells me nothing, I do not know who I am; not fully. The only clue I have is that I am somehow kindred to a cousin in the far northlands.”
She looks away again.
”I dream of this cousin, I think… I think it is a female; whatever race it may be. I think she is like me, but somehow different, that when others look upon her, they know her for the race she is, if she will allow it…”
”I think this one is also more than man; though if they look on her in certain guises, this may not be clear… “
She looks back at Rain.
”My heart tells me that this cousin is more powerful than I; stronger, perhaps more pure of blood… and that like me she is destined for great things and she will have great honor for her mighty deeds,” she adds, a touch of pride in her voice.
”Yet for all of that, I do not know her, nor do I know myself fully – only that I am no mere child of men, but something is far more ancient than them,” she says with a modest shrug.
”Thank you for keeping this in confidence senet. I trust in your honor in this matter. When I know more, I shall reveal it to you,” she adds finally.
Holding the small pouch Amen-set had gifted her, Rain nodded her head to Flynn's presence at the ritual.
"Aye, little sister, Neko and I saw him as he moved swiftly away. He did not see either of us, however."
"I am grateful for the gift, Amen-set. How do you feel now?"
Upon Amen-set's disclosure that she was not a simple human, but something other beneath human skin, Rain nodded once more. "I suspected your blood held the power of other, ancient, non-human ancestors. Your hidden race does not make me think any less of you or love you any less."
"Amen-set, I recognised the spell you performed during the ritual and the summoning of the fire elemental. I was concerned when you rose into the sky with it and disappeared toward the east. Flynn and Dhaavan were concerned as well. I am gladdened by your return, little sister. You have my word that I shall keep this information in confidence for as long as you ask it of me. If you have relation far across the great waters, mayhap one day you two shall meet and you will gain greater knowledge as to who your people are."
Rain stepped forward and opened her arms, allowing Amen-set to choose if she would be embraced or not.
** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set happily embraces Rain.
She hears your query about the ritual, her eyes narrowing somewhat as she contemplates your question.
”Ah! You wish to know how I was propelled into the sky? If it was the servant of the Great Father who came to test me with the fire? You think it was the servant that caused me to rise above?”
She shakes her head a little, looking at you.
”Oh no, senet – that was not by the aid of another… The Great Father allowed my gifts to blossom; none had seen this before I think, though I cannot be sure, for it was certainly through great heat that the power awoke.”
She lets her arms drape to her side and glances around – then, she raises her fist above her head and rises slowly into the air to hover roughly two feet above the ground.
She places her hands on her hips and smile a bit, then lowers gently to the ground.
”I may still look human; but rest assured, I am not… if I did that in the form of my true self, it may not have looked like a human flying, perhaps – but now you see at least that I am not shackled to the ground, if I do not choose to be…” she says with a wide smile.
”At first I thought this was a gift of the Great Father – but now I know it is instead my birthright. For though I look human, my true bloodline is not…” she says with elation, reaching to hug you tightly again.
Horatio lounges against the stone wall of the keep, his eyes on the ship; the full moon shining down on them as he lights a cheap rolled cigarette, his eyes veiled by the dim shadow of the awning which shades him from the damp of the night rising from the sea.
Easing himself against the stone as he enjoys the taste of the tobacco; his eyes flit through the shadows and he waits for the others to arrive.
Peering forward he sees the first of his companions arrive and he nods at their coming.
”Evening,” he says with a brief nod, glancing around.
”You wanted to chat?”
Rain inclines her head politely in greeting, "Good evening, Flynn."
She motions for both men to follow her to the small, walled garden to the side of the Keep, where a single lamp lit the footpath. Rain moved to the shadows and spoke discreetly, "Aye, we should talk. I saw you, Flynn, just after dawn. I saw you from my vantage point on the hill where I had laid witness to Amen-set. Dhaavan tells me you are concerned for she has not yet returned. I am, as well. Amen-set has been struggling with some dark thoughts and feelings of late. She performed a ritual to her Great Father, one to purge the part her ka which housed the darkness. She did it as gift to you and I, Flynn. To be renewed. Upon the stone pillar, she summoned forth a fire elemental and was surrounded by the fire. She bade me wait and witness 100 paces from her and not to act until the ritual was complete. I do not know how she overcame such heat and pain but it is required to perform such a ritual. When the rite was complete, Amen-set took to the air and flew east and toward the sun. That is the last I saw of her. I waited a full two hours upon that hill before coming down. Neko was with me."
** spoiler omitted **
Horatio’s eyes widen in surprise at the tale and he whistles tonelessly.
”Aye, that checks out with what I saw… but I didn’t know she flew off, or rather, I thought she moved maybe a few feet away from the cliff wall then maybe dove off, or something like that…”
He frowns.
”The thing is, it seems this lass has some unusual powers. Whatever they are they seem a lot more potent than what I expected.”
”At first it looked as if she may have been swimming out from the cliffs in the air. I started to figure with her pal that falcon, maybe she’s kind of like a druid or oracle or something like that? You know, because some of those sorts have the ability to swim through air as a spell, or so I've heard.”
”And druids have animal friends; but feisty as Horus is, he’s kind of puny compared to some of the beasts I’ve seen traipsing around after the nature folk.”
”Given her dark past and the mystery in it, I started thinking that maybe she’s one of those types with the second-sight? You know, like I said before – an oracle sort…”
”But that still doesn’t explain Horus… on the other hand, Jiro-san’s got that pet monkey, so it’s not too unheard of I guess for animals to be mates with folk like Jack to Dhaavan, for example, even though that’s unconventional…”
”Aside from that? Her whole range of spell-casting is beyond my depth, though.”
”Because even if she was a sorcerer like Dhaavan or a druid-type, or one of these oracle types – the ability to swim through air is magic that I’d reckon is far beyond her range and skill yet. Not to mention that even the best of those sorts can’t manage it for a period of more than a few minutes, and certainly not far enough to get so far from land.”
He takes another long drag from his smoke.
”So I’m thinking if it’s not spellcasting, then maybe it’s some power she has inside her; but what sort of man can do all that?”
He thinks about Jiro a bit, his eyes narrowing.
”Of course, not everyone is what they seem to be… Jiro’s not exactly human, but I wouldn’t know it by looking at him. Maybe we’d know more about it through other clues?”
He glances at both Dhaavan and Rain and looks a bit edgy for a moment.
”Look, I’m about to tell you both something – but here’s the thing – this is kind of private-like to her, so I don’t want to share personal stuff without… well; for the purpose of this I’d better just put all the cards on the table and see what happens…”
He sighs a bit.
”So Amen-set’s been telling me she’s having these dreams – visions and such – of a strange relation to the far northlands. Apparently her mentors – the one she’s all secret like about? Well, apparently they were called forth to follow this relative to the far north because this relative is some kind of child of prophecy, or great fame, or who the hell knows – and the relative is somehow connected to an ancient empire far to the north.”
”I did some checking around – there’s nothing out that way except a few noble houses in a land called Brevoy. South of that we don’t see anything but huge open wilderness filled with bandits and fairly useless lands for miles and miles.”
He frowns a bit.
”So I figured if her mentors stabbed north months ago with some magic – which is how they did it; they apparently used some magic gate to open a way between part of the desert lands and this place – well, my information’s not the most current on that part of the world. Who knows? Maybe things have changed in the past several years and there’s something going on up there that could give us the tip about all that?”
”Is there any way we could try getting a bit more information on the place? Nothing fancy, but when we get to our next port of call, if it’s well situated, we may be able to gather some information on the state of politics in that part of the world? Again, I’m only talking about an hour or two of questioning when we’re free; but if it picks up any follow-up clues, it may help…”
”Hell, it’s only a thought.”
He exhales another long stream of smoke, than thinks a bit.
”As for my lass in the meantime? I haven’t seen her all day and that’s starting to worry me. I’m going to go check out the ship after this, too. I didn’t see her last time I looked out there, but I told Conchobar to keep an eye out. She may have come back in the last hour or so and I may have missed it.”
”If she’s not there now, I want to meet with Adular and see if he can’t start prepping some divination spells to maybe find out if she’s hurt or injured or… no; I’m not thinking that way yet, gods damn it,” he says muttering to himself.
”My heart tells me she’s okay, maybe better than that… I don’t know what is going on with her though, but I aim to find out.”
”So, all that out there – what do you all think? Anything else you could toss on the table? If so, I’d sure appreciate it…” he adds to the both of you.
"I feel with a certainty I cannot explain that Amen-set will return to us. If she does not within a day or so, then we should be most concerned and put forth a search party."
"Whether she swam through the sky or flew up into the light of the sun, I cannot say, nor do I know the scope of her magic and powers. She has been gone too long now to believe it is a mere spell. Amen-set spoke in a tongue I am unfamiliar with, possibly that of her ancestors. The ritual she performed seemed connected to the worship of the sun - like those performed by nature cultists or druidic orders. It felt like a veneration of nature spirits and forces -- something akin to Shinto in the Minkai culture. Yet I cannot be certain, for I was a simple observer of the ritual as per Amen-set's instruction. I was asked to watch and pray beside her and then from a distance so I would not be burned."
"And to this relation to the far north who is a stranger to Amen-set, perhaps she is a powerful seer or a mystical, ancient bloodline binds them and may have fed Amen-set's own dreams and visions. As of now, I cannot presume that Amen-set will meet this mysterious cousin anytime soon. We can always attempt to make subtle inquiries through the ports we traverse in hopes she can discover who she really is."
Horatio nods at Rain, thinking a bit at her words.
”Aye,” he says slowly.
”She’s always going on about the value of daylight and dawning to this “Great Father”, and she acts different in the daylight, too. At night she’s a bit more relaxed…”
”Maybe she’s out and about until the sun went down and came back after it was dark? If that’s the case, I’ll hop over to the ship and see if I can find her there. Rain, you’re good at tracking on land, and your elf eyes are better at seeing in the dark than mine are.”
”If you want to have a walkabout on the land to see her while I’m on the ship, that may be helpful, and that’d leave Dhava… er, Lord Fellwind the honor of holding down the fort here if she comes back?” he says with a glance at Dhaavan.
** spoiler omitted **
Amen-set will go down to see how the citizens are doing after the attack while her friends on the tower do their thing.
She will also wait for Horus to return.
Meanwhile, if any need help, she will do what she can to heal them :)
As the first day passes Amen-set moves to Rain and politely asks permission to come up on the quarterdeck, which Horatio has informed her that – by ancient sailing tradition – the quarterdeck was the domain of the ship’s pilot alone. None were allowed on the quarterdeck without the pilot’s permission – originally this was to keep anyone from distracting the pilot while they conned the ship, but eventually it evolved into something more special.
In any case, if Rain will allow Amen-set to stand on the quarterdeck next to her, the platinum haired girl will stand next to her and do all she can to learn about the secrets of sailing and piloting a ship.
If Rain is agreeable, then Amen-set will happily talk to her and ask her what she thinks of their current task, as well as what she thinks of what they have seen so far.
”Good evening, senet,” she says with a polite bow to Rain.
”My hatey-a’, he has asked that I spend time with you and learn the ways to pilot this mighty vessel so that – in the future – I can be useful to all aboard,” she says with an almost eager look at the mechanism that steers the massive vessel and the seemingly effortless way Rain handles it.
”If you will let me do so, I should be honored,” she says, her eyes glancing aft for a moment to see the froth of the wake trailing hard behind them, then flicking back to Rain.
At Amen-set's request, Rain nodded and smiled before replying, "Come up, Little Sister." Rain had not yet handed over the helm to Jiro for the night, so she had some time to further Amen-set's knowledge of sailing and piloting a vessel like the the Lady.
"And a good evening to you."
Neko sat, to the side of the binnacle, tail swishing back and forth, gazing at the platinum-haired girl.
"Jiro will soon be taking the wheel. If you want to stay by his side after I am done, I will ask him to continue your lesson. Otherwise you are welcome to join me during the day, when your duties are done as I do not want Flynn unhappy with me for taking you away from your other work." Rain gave a soft laugh and wink at the girl.
"Jiro will soon be taking the wheel. If you want to stay by his side after I am done, I will ask him to continue your lesson. Otherwise you are welcome to join me during the day, when your duties are done as I do not want Flynn unhappy with me for taking you away from your other work." Rain gave a soft laugh and wink at the girl.
”Ah! I shall be honored to work with you, senet, if you permit me. And then, once you are done with your duties, we shall do what hearty sailor folk do on a ship… Of course, I am quite adept at such activities, yet, perhaps, in those matters - if you would like to show me how you do things, naturally I shall not protest. Also, as you are an honorable sailor of ships, then perhaps I shall even attempt to… to duplicate your style of the free-spirited and reckless life of a western mariner,” she says with a confident nod, though she seems slightly unease with the pitch of the deck.
”As for my hatey-a? Well, he is indeed a cunning warrior and a fine companion and leader, besides. Yet he seems less… that is to say… I feel it would be best if I learned some of the skills of sailing with someone who may understand…” she pauses, frowns, then continues.
”I do not think that my hatey-a shall mind if we spend time together. He has given me no specific duties, as of yet, and in any case it would be good for me to learn the skills of sailing from someone who can steer this mighty vessel with such talent,” she says after moment, making a somewhat dismissive gesture toward Horatio, who is currently forward working with the gun crews.
Then, she actively apes your stance; her feet widening somewhat for balance and she attempts to mirror your easy grace as the deck pitches and sways.
Neko sat, to the side of the binnacle, tail swishing back and forth, gazing at the platinum-haired girl.
Amen-set stares hard at Neko for a moment then nods sagely.
”It is a good thing to have such a creature on board. Do not the prophets say that such a beast is the guardian of the place between this life and the next? It is so! Therefore, I deem it is a goodly thing that this fine animal is close to you, for my heart tells me he shall be a strong bastion against any of the dead who seek to walk again and curse the living with their evil,” she says.
It occurs to you that her attempt to sound wise and enlightened come off sounding a bit obnoxious and a little condescending. However, you suspect that this is not her intent, but rather, she is trying to impress you with her seeming vast knowledge and skill.
Meanwhile, you notice her eyes watch Neko’s tail twitching intently, and her hand slowly rises up – as if at any moment she’s planning on trying to reach out and grab Neko’s tail.
You do not suspect she has the agility to do so, but the action seems like that of a young child seeing a cat and wanting to play with the cat, rather than an adult who believes in the dignity of an animal that is a true “bane against the undead”.
This doesn’t mean she was spinning tales a moment ago. After all, it is common knowledge that the people of Osirion see cats as almost sacred; but it’s also clear that her actions now are much more childlike than her speech and tone suggest.
”So… when we are off duty, then, how do folk in this part of the world conduct themselves on a ship?” she asks you casually, but her attention is suddenly focused, as if she’s sincerely eager to learn how true "Sisters of the Sea" act so that she does not accidentally embarrass herself later.
Rain followed Amen-set's gaze on Neko. "The crew are happy she is onboard. The rodents do not stand a chance against her and our ropes and food stuffs, especially the grain, will be spared from them." She smiled at her golden cat companion knowing the magical creature had so much more to offer them, and there was so much more Rain did not know, yet. Rain believed in the gods, but her lack of religious study kept her quiet in regard to the matter of Neko being some guardian of the dead. The Osirion girl had the strangest notions at times and Rain would not dispute them summarily with little lore of such things.
"I mainly pilot through the day. Jiro relieves me at night so I may rest and be at my best when I retake the helm. As to what activities we engage in when duties are done for the day/night, it depends on the person. Some sing or play music, some gamble or tell tall stories of sea battles or plunder. Some think on the day and what can be done better in the next. Our sorcerer tinkers away with his crafting. Such time belongs to the respective crewmen - to do as they please. I like to talk with Jiro and tell him of my day and how the Lady has moved and any adjustments that need to be made to keep her swift on the water. I take some time to eat, relax, speak to the crew and Variel, and then focus my thoughts before I retire. When I am not at the wheel during the day, I am lookout or practice with my weapons and speak with Neko."
Rain gazed out toward the lowering sun, knowing her time at the helm was coming to a sure close.
"If I can bestow any part of my experience as a pilot onto you, then I will be happy to do so. You may watch, and, when we are not in combat, I will let you take the wheel to watch and appraise your skill and make any necessary adjustments to my teaching. I am earnest in my evaluations, Little Sister, but fair. I will not coddle you, but will give guidance and praise where and when necessary. Do you wish to continue on the morrow?" A smile graced the pilot's lips as the sky grew darker around them.