"I hope fish will be sufficient."
One of the younger monks brings two large tuna to Hong and he grills them up over a small fire. The monk brings two large bowls of steaming rice. After the food is served, Hong produces a small bottle and uncorks it.
"Plum wine," Hong says, filling two small cups. "I share a drink with those that graduate from the monastery. It isn't often. I've had this bottle for several decades. Though you have yet to actually graduate, you have done well. Kanpai!"
He drains the small cup and pours another. "Should you decide to return one day, I will accept you as a student. Though you know much about strength, a few lessons about wisdom wouldn't hurt."
Grateful for the meal, even if fish was only technically meat, Skaar eats heartily.
He pauses between bites, belches loudly, and then answers.
"Someday. After all my other business is done. I wouldn't mind learnin' some more."
-Posted with Wayfinder
After having a very restful nights sleep, the young Witch awoke feeling much better than the day before. I wonder how his lessons are coming? She wondered in her mind. Gathering her things, Corda went in search of breakfast. Following her nose, she came upon Skaar and the old man. It's off, the choker is off. He did it. Sitting down next the Orc, she couldn't help but blush a little while she was eating.
Skaar wraps an arm around Corda's waist and pulls her close.
"Eat up girl. We're leavin' today."
Being pulled close, she allowed herself to drift into an immense wave of euphoria, to the point where she almost swooned. Snapping out of it, Corda responded, "Of course, my love." Touching the area where the choker was, the Witch couldn't help but ask, "Was it difficult?"
"It wasn't easy", Skaar grunts. "But it's over now."
"We're takin' you home. Yer pa's gunna be happy to see ya."
"Well, hear me at least. He hasn't been able to see for some time."
Skaar smirks a bit around his tusks but says nothing.
"What?"
"I guess it'll be a surprise", the orc grunts with a shrug.
"You gunna finish your fish?" he asks with a glance at Corda's tuna.
"Not really, have at it."
Skarr snatches up the morsel and slides it in his maw.
"Thanks."
"You welcome my love." She walks her fingers up his chest and playfully asks, "So...... when are we leaving, exactly?"
"Soon's breakfast's done. You got your things?"
Giving the Orc a quick peck on the cheek, Corda responded, "Right here love."
You gather your things and take your leave of Hong and the monastery. Your days on the road pass by peacefully, stopping at the same places you did on your way up here. You arrive in Azumaki around noon, the sun blazing in the sky. It's unseasonably warm, but comfortable. A strange light comes from the harbor.
"What do ya make of that?" Skaar grunts.
"What's goin' on down by the water? Never seen colors like that."
"Some say it is a ghost ship. It has been there for a couple of days now," the fisherman says. "The boat looked like if it was made of gold and there is a large blade in front of it. No one dared to board it, but they say a halfling was at the helm."
Skaar looks to Corda and shares a meaningful look. A halfing on a ghost ship. Could it be him?
The big orc grunts in thanks and sends the fisherman on his way.
"Let's take a look. I think I know who it is..."
"Who?"
"Remember Rando, the halfling that met us after we killed the bull? He was a friend from before we met. I think he was kilt between then and now."
Skaar gestures for Corda to mull on that information and gestures for her to follow him to the docks.
You head to the docks and see the Blind Maiden docked there, looking as perfect as the day she was built.
Skaar pauses in surprise, expecting a spectral tattered vessel like the kind described in ghost stories.
The big orc gestures for Corda to keep her distance a few feet back and approaches the ship.
"Permission to come aboard", he grunts - not entirely sure who/what to expect in response.
"Denne båten er ikke ment for deg, Skaar," Zahira says, walking to the ramp of the boat.
Skaar sucks in a gasp of surprise, "Zahira!"
"What do you mean? Let me aboard. I want to talk", the big orc says with a glance back at Corda.
"Denne båten er for de døde."
Skaar frowns and shakes his head. "Så det er sant? Du ser ikke død ..."
"Hva har skjedd?"
What happened?
"Det ikke lenger saker, Skaar. Du kan spørre henne dine spørsmål," Zahira says turning away.
As she speaks, you feel a warm radiant light over you. The goddess Sarenrae approaches you with a group of ten or so sorrowful people.
"We meet again, Skaar," the goddess says softly.
The big orc blinks in surprise. As last time, he's not sure if he should kneel or cheer. He tries to remain stoic in the goddess's overwhelming beneficent presence.
"Sun goddess..." Skaar grunts quietly. "I've tried to do good since we talked last time - after Rando's ship was lost."
"What's happenin' here?"
"Rando and his crew fell to Horace and his men, but though they are no longer part of this world, they still have much ahead of them. Horace pales in comparison to the war that is coming and I must gather my lost to me. The heavens prepare for a war against the darkness. That war begins on Zahvroma. The Godslayer is stirring," Sarenrae says solemnly. "Zahira lost the child within her a week ago, before her demise. There was nothing that could be done to save it. The child in your vision...that was Kárr. But I cannot tell you why you have been seeing him. That is not for me to say."
Skaar nods. The visions he'd seen had prepared him this moment but it was still disappointing. His heart ached for Zahira. She'd lost her child and her life.
"To Zahvroma then. I'll go back and help the others."
The big orc studies the ghost ship. It looked so real. He considered reaching out for it...
"Will one of the ships here take us?"
"Speak to Kyoshiro and show him the token. He will surely take you," Sarenrae says as she guides the group around her onto the boat.
Skaar nods in understanding as he clutches the tiny symbol around his neck.
"Tell 'em I'm sorry", he says with a glance up at the Maiden. "Tell 'em I'll make sure they didn't die for nothin'."
"They know they didn't die for nothing," Sarenrae says with a smile. "Other heroes will have to take the battle to Horace now. Focus on your own journey and the trials ahead. I shall be watching over you."
The goddess boards the ship and the Blind Maiden vanishes before your eyes.
Skaar ignores the gawking crowd for a moment to put a massive arm around Corda's shoulders.
"Did I forget to mention I'd met the sun goddess?" he grunts with a laugh.
"Yes you did." Corda responded once she stopped being awe struck. "Have you met any others I should know about?"
"No other gods... I think", Skaar explains as he heads toward Kyoshiro's home.
You spot the child and woman that greeted Kyoshiro outside of a modest home. The child looks at Skaar, awestruck again, while the woman rises from the small seat in front of the door.
"I suppose you're here to see Kyo-kyo," the woman says with a look of sadness in her eyes.
Skaar remains stoic though he does feel a pang of guilt taking the man from his family again. He flashes the boy a glance.
"Is he home?" the big orc grunts. "We need leave. Soon."