Lureene cries out in pain as Axchard brings his blows to bear. She glares at him with fury, and shouts a word of power, instantly vanishing from sight and appearing several yards away from him. She glares at him and screams, She then utters another spell.
Felmor shakes his head considering whether or not to heal Mal. Regretfully he leaves Mal down for the moment, and moves to finish Axchard.
Axchard seems confused with Lureene blinks away but sneers at her crazed screaming. "Guess you'll find out when I skull-rape you, huh?"
He grin disappears however when she hits him with yet another magic missile, and he coughs blood when the unlikely drunk actually manages to stab him in the guts with his flaming blade. Although the man looks like he should be on the ground bleeding out, somehow he remains on his feet.
, (Jarvis, Trisa); Axchard, Alis, Lureene, Felmor, Priyya
MAP: Dunwaar Streets, (Round 505c)
Priyya moves in with her scimitar and tries to collect his head...
To Hit: Crit?
Confirm: Maybe?
Damage:
Bonus:
Priyya's slash bites deep into the side of Axchard's neck. The man's eyes go wide like those of a crazed animal. He aims one last crushing punch at her head, cracking hard into the jaw. However, the movement tears the wound open even further.
Boss Axchard's momentum carries him forward one step further before he falls, dead before he can even hit the floor.
There's a space of silence, wherein no one dares breathe let alone move. At last, a faint voice comes from the north end of the room, "Um, I found that rope, ma'am..."
Lureene wastes no time, first picking up the dropped wand, and then moving to the doorway, watching for more enemies headed towards the group.
Felmor walks over to Mal, and starts chanting a soft prayer of healing. A soft light similar to Alita's aura emanates from his hand, Thank ye, Cap'n fer showin' me that trick.
Alis nods at Felmor's action and quickly kneels by Mal's side, tending to his injuries with her wand. Before long, she realizes that pretty much everyone except the sailor looks like they've taken a pretty bad beating.
As the princess works, Felmor rolls his eyes at the amateur knot-typing skills of Trisa. He shoos her out of the way, and does the job himself.
Damn land-lubbers kint tie a knot fer crap...
After getting everyone back into fighting shape by passing the wand around between everyone who can use it, she says, "It's nearly depleted. We better conserve what's left in case someone is bleeding out. It sounds like more fighting is coming this way..."
"Come on soldier, get up," Alis says, rousing Mal. "Your nose got broken, but that guy had no choice but to fight after you sniffed him out like that. Good job!"
As the big warrior gets back to his feet, he hears the sound of approaching battle and looks out over Lureene's head into the barracks just in time to see a barrage of arrows fell a pair of retreating Tar Dogs. A group of soldiers run into the room and aim their weapons at the doorway where Lureene is standing. "Drop the wand, now!"
Lureene's eyes go wide when she realizes the human soldiers can't tell her from Adam in the poor light down here, particularly with her wings hidden. Just when she's certain that she's about to be peppered with arrows, a familiar voice calls out, "At ease men, she's one of the good guys."
Captain Monroe steps into view, and tips his helmet to Lureene before taking an annoyed slash at a downed man who was trying to crawl away. "Collins, make sure your squad has killed a man before they turn their backs on them in a fight! G'won now, sweep north and west from here checking out those other exits. We've got things covered here."
The captain of Dunwaar's city guard walks up to your group and whistles when he sees all the blood on the floor. "Holy hell, did you guys take down Grissom Axchard?! I've been trying for years to catch that old bastard! Hiro's c0ck!"
The captain of Dunwaar's city guard walks up to your group and whistles when he sees all the blood on the floor. "Holy hell, did you guys take down Grissom Axchard?! I've been trying for years to catch that old bastard! Hiro's c0ck!"
Mal grins, the blood making it a savage sight, "Yah. Was there a big reward?" Then he nonchalantly kicks the dead man in the face before stooping down and rifling through his things.
Monroe returns Mal's grin and gives a belly laugh, "Glad to see you're thinkin' straight, lad. A soldier's got to have priorities after all. Yeah, I think the bounty on old Axchard was about 10 Gs."
He pauses for a moment noting the two prisoners on the bed. "What in the..."
Trisa hangs her head and looks away mumbling beneath her breath, "Hi, Daddy..."
The captain groans, rubbing his forehead with the side of his hand. "Corporal," he says to Mal, "how about we put some of your upcoming reward money to good use and hit a tavern. I have the feeling I'm going to need a stiff drink..."
XP:+2520 each
Loot: Axchard's Items
Lureene eyes widen when she discovers who Trisa is, and she feels a pang of sympathy for them. She wonders how her own father would react if she had told him about her own relationship with Rath-hun.
Putting away such thoughts for later, she walks over to Grak, and picks him up in her arms. She then waves Felmor over, and imperiously 'suggests' "Knight-Captain, I would strongly advise you to take care of my pet Grak here, until he is recovered from the poison. It would be in your best interests, as I may be able to convince Priyya here the fine art of forgiveness." She gives the doughty sailor a wink as she finishes her speech.
Finally, she shrugs out of her cloak binding her wings aginst her back, allowing her wings to unfurl freely. She had not realized how uncomfortable it was with them bound like that, until now. she sighs in pleasure, as she moves to check the room for magical auras.
Felmor gives a sigh that comes from the bottom of his boots, it seems. Noting the looks the other women were giving him, he quickly realized this was part of the sentence he was condemned to serve, as penance for his unfaithfulness.
He walks over and picks Grak up, who willing allows himself to be handled. He drapes the serpenting form around his neck and balances him as best he can. The wings were in the way, but he finally got Grak situated comfortably.
On the questioning looks from Monroe, and the other guards, he only mutters, "Don't ask..."
Gads, how does she handle his breath? It smells like a maggot infested bilge!
"Sure." he says as he double-checks the dead man's pockets. He watches the interplay between Monroe and his daughter. He stands up to his full height to loom over the worthless Jarvis. "Ya know, Monroe? I don't think anyone would bat an eye to see one more tar dog corpse down here."
Jarvis' eyes jump back and forth between Trisa and Monroe. "Sweetie, y– you mean yer Dad is the c– captain o' tha guard?"
"Sweetie?" Monroe says, with an incredulous, if not feral, look in his eyes, "Did you just call my Trisa, Sweetie?"
Monroe seems to ponder Mal's suggestion for a moment before looking at the blade in his hand. He takes two steps forward, sword poised for the kill when Trisa jumps in front and holds Jarvis in her arms. "No Daddy, I love him..."
As Lureene casts detect magic, she picks up a few items in the room: Monroe's sword and armor, the equipment all of you are wearing, a pair of daggers on the desk that were removed from Jarvis' bracers, the leather armor Jarvis is wearing, and a pair of matching rings that Trisa and Jarvis are wearing on their left ring fingers.
"TRISA BETHANY MONROE, GET OUT OF THE WAY You'll have nothing to do with the likes of him!"
The young woman simply shakes her head and shouts back, " Jarvis took good care of Momma and I after you split. We got married last year and I'm having his baby!"
Silence fills the room broken only when Monroe's longsword slips from his hand and clatters to the floor. His face a mask, Captain Monroe turns and walks back out of the room. It is only when Sergeant Collins asks what they should do that Monroe responds in a hoarse voice, "Lock 'em up for now... both of them."
Lureene turns her attention back to the rest of the group. Her mind clinically notes the exchange between father and daughterr. You almost get the impression she has heard variations on this theme before in her life.
A sudden thought occurs to her and she waves off the guards who were about to cart the unhappy couple away. She walks over to them, and says quietly, but in a voice that brooks no arguement, "Your rings. Take them off, now. Both of you."
Mal shakes his head as he puts the amulet over his head. Now why would she get in the middle of something like this?
After the amulet rests around his neck for a few heartbeats, Mal feels a tingling in his fingers. Smiling, he goes over to a wooden dresser along one wall and slashes his claws along the surface, raking clean grooves easier than before.
His grin deepens as he looks once again at the dead man, "Thanks, tough guy."
Priyya shakes her head at the discovery of Monroe's daughter. Idiot girl! Crossing us when she's got a baby in her belly? Insane.
Priyya finishes the work she started on Axchard, cleaving his head fully from his body and kicking it over to Monroe, hopefully sending a message to his daughter and her husband. "A gift for you, Captain."
"Knight-Captain, I would strongly advise you to take care of my pet Grak here, until he is recovered from the poison. It would be in your best interests, as I may be able to convince Priyya here the fine art of forgiveness."
The Surya-ka-Vahaak hears the exchange. Her head turns like a turret and glares daggers at Lureene. "You overstep yourself, Snowflake. I'd advise you to stop trying to use my wrath for your own gain. Take care of your own pet." She turns to Monroe, glancing at his daughter only briefly, "Are there any more of the Tar Dogs left alive? I'm in the mood to kill a few more."
After strapping on the dead man's magical belt (and enjoying the rush of power), Mal catches a glimpse of his face in a broken mirror on the wall... his nose smashed, crooked, and sitting sideways on his bloody face.
He takes a sideways glance at Darkmane's grim demeanor. I'm gonna regret this, I think.
"Hey, Darkmane. Can you come over here and straighten back up my nose? It's all broken right now."
Priyya eyes his nose. "Symmetry is overrated, Mal... but I think I can help."
She has him sit down and brace himself. She quickly pushes his nose back into the proper position and lays on hands immediately. It is a sharp pain followed by soothing relief.
The Surya-ka-Vahaak hears the exchange. Her head turns like a turret and glares daggers at Lureene. "You overstep yourself, Snowflake. I'd advise you to stop trying to use my wrath for your own gain. Take care of your own pet." She turns to Monroe, glancing at his daughter only briefly, "Are there any more of the Tar Dogs left alive? I'm in the mood to kill a few more."
Lureene gives Priyya a surprised look, never considering she would take offense. Still, she does not back down, retorting "Considering my 'pet' risked his life to help all of us, and without his assistance, Felmor would even now still be a prisoner of the Tar Dogs. I believe the good Captain owes it to Grak to help him, at least until he is capable of flight. Still, I won't do that to him, because he is a good man."
She walks over to the surprised Knight-Captain, and practically tears Grak from him. She then turns a glare at Priyya, 'If you and Felmor are having trouble with your relationship, then you two need to handle it on your own. Just leave me out of it."
She then stomps off in a huff, stroking her 'pet' and murmering soft words into his ears.
While Priyya is helping to set Mal's nose, Alis notices what Lureene is doing. She walks over, taps her on the shoulder and asks quietly, "Is there a particularly good reason why you are demanding their wedding rings, El?"
Sense Motive Checks
Lureene jumps slightly as 'Lis taps her on the shoulder. Are those wedding bands? An image of Rath-hun flashes in her mind, a pleasant memory accompanying it. She tears her attention back to the present and whispers quietly to her in response,
Alis nods, "And was any?"
"A gift for you, Captain."
"Are there any more of the Tar Dogs left alive? I'm in the mood to kill a few more."
Monroe grunts, and cracks a half-hearted smirk at Priyya's gory 'gift'. "If we find any, I'll let ya know."
Lureene looks over the rings, and breathes a sigh of relief. Nothing unusual about the rings, thank the gods.
Alis nods, "And was any?"
She responds quietly, "No, 'Lis, they are just protective rings." She then hands both rings back to Jarvis and Trisa and apologizes, "I am sorry for that display there, sometimes I see treachery where there is none, only love."
She then walks over to where Captain Felmor had set Grak down in the bed, and picks him up, gently stroking his skin, and murmering softly in his earholes.
She then turns a glare at Priyya, "If you and Felmor are having trouble with your relationship, then you two need to handle it on your own. Just leave me out of it."
Priyya responds with a short barking laugh. "I'd be happy to leave you out of it... if you didn't insist on meddling in my affairs. How else can I take it when you said, just now 'it would be in your best interests, as I may be able to convince Priyya here the fine art of forgiveness'? Don't try to be high-handed about staying out of others' affairs when you have already been caught meddling. It is... dishonest." Priyya seems satisfied that her point has been made.
Alis hands Sergeant Collins the two magic daggers found on Jarvis before catching up with Monroe to return his sword to him. It's well after dark by the time your group exits the Tar Dogs' hidden base. Inside the warehouse that the new passageway connected to, you find a large stash of gold bars from Malatesta and expertly crafted presses for reminting the coins in the currency of Valehaven and Estoria.
Monroe whistles, seeing the amount seized in the raid. "I bet someone could set themselves up like a king with all this!"
Felmor moves slowly over to the desk and picks up the enchanted daggers, handing them to Alis, and winces in pain as Priyya and Lureene's voices pierce his brain like an ice pick, as he still feels the effect of the potent drinks Alis had fixed earlier. He really wished, deep down, they would just both shut up and leave him alone. This was not his fault, he thinks. If Priyya was uncomfortable with the disguises, then she should have objected earlier. And as for Lureene....was she blaming him for Grak getting injured. He was sorry for the little guy getting injured, but by all the gods, IT WAS NOT HIS FAULT! And she wanted to use him as a blanking nurse maid for him. He gives Lureene a dark look when her back is turned, then walks off after the guards, muttering to himself. Two words are evident though, "women" and "anchors"
"Well, not quite," Alis remarks, matter-of-factly, "but it could be used to build and crew a few ships or run the government of a medium-sized city for about a year."
Monroe seems a bit surprised that she isn't moved by the sight of so much wealth.
"Still," she concludes, "this much gold would constitute a serious and organized investment — I doubt few private citizen outside the royalty of a powerful nation could put forth this much capital. My guess would be these are resources pooled by an organization or government rather than an individual."
"I guess this is what that Jarvis character meant when he talked about changing the rules and giving Trisa the world..."
"He said that, did he?" Monroe asks.
When Alis nods, he puts down the gold brick he was looking at and shouts for some more soldiers to bring around some wagons to start loading things up. For the next hour or so, Lureene and Alis set about searching for and disabling any traps, locks and other surprises in the building. When they have nearly finished, the two uncover a hidden trap-door in the center of the warehouse.
When it is opened and Alis sends her dancing lights below, revealing a hidden prison without doors or windows. Therein you find Atish, Darya, and a few other Golden Drakes along with a few of the late Captain Stallings' men. All of them are in pretty bad condition, but the realization that they have been rescued instills them with newfound vigor.
On your way back to the castle, Alis approaches Priyya to speak with her in private...
When Priyya hesitates to answer, something dawns on Alis and she says, "Priyya, you know that back there, in the hallway when we were surrounded... you do know that was just an act, right? I'm not interested in Felmor like that, and I certainly wouldn't go after a friend's lover in any event."
"Just knowing how straight-forward you are and how... emotional Lureene can get, I figured I'd be the best one to run the bluff, that's all."
Sense Motive Checks:
Priyya looks somewhat perplexed and pats Alis on the shoulder seemingly appreciating her stated and unstated concerns. She says quietly:
Alis give a small sigh of relief at Priyya's words and gives her hand a squeeze.
She looks back at the armor Lureene is wearing. "Honestly, I think you'd need to be more concerned if he wasn't stealing glances at that — even Mal was."
She shakes her head and rolls her eyes a bit at the topic of men in general, "Men always steal glances at what they can't have. If he wasn't looking then... well, I think we'd be having a much different conversation."
Felmor feels the effect of his hangover lessen with the passage of the hours. Fortunately, the other soldiers gave him a wide berth, as he stewed in a mess of his own making.
Gads, what in th'Nine Hells was I thinkin'? I cannae help it if Alis be such a fine kisser! She definitely be a fine catch fer someone, jes not fer me. I dinnae know if I kin handle 'er. Still...she be a fine woman...I guess it only be natural I be attracted ta her. Lureene too, although she be even worse 'n the Cap'n. Man, I wish I neveah woke up...but that dream I 'ad scared me. It be so real...Real?
He remembered something about Alis talking about Visions while she had been teaching him about the finer arts of singing. He resolved to ask her about that.
Once they have arrived back at the castle, he approaches Alis, "Kin I talk ta you fer a minute?"
Priyya gives Alis a wry smile.
"I hope you are wrong about the nature of men. But, in any case, you don't need to worry about fighting, crying, or tears. I have no intention of letting this devolve into a sordid drama. For the time being, Felmor is simply out of my graces and out of my bed."
When you finally arrive at the castle, it is with several dozen bars of gold, minting plates, a handful of prisoners, and a several people you have rescued. Alex and Yvonne are overjoyed at both the totality of your success as well as having found members of the Golden Drakes and Valehaven guard.
"Indebted to you my family is," Yvonne says, tears of joy swelling in her green eyes, "against all hope have you returned to me those I feared lost. Never shall we forget this!"
Felmor nods at Yvonne, and replies, "Ach, it was nuttin.'"
Felmor approaches Alis, who begs off until tomorrow, pleading exhaustion. He nods at her and agrees to talk about this the next day. He also sees Lureene and Priyya retire to the prospective rooms, and also notes all of his clothing has been stacked outside in the study, which has been converted to a guestroom for Mal, and now himself it seems.
He finds a corner in the study where a cot has been hastily setup for him to sleep on. Since the group was heading out the next day, he presumed, nothing more fancy was required.
He acknowledges Mal preparing for bed with a nod, but his body language speaks of a desire to be left alone for now. He changes into his nightshirt, and crawls into bed. He feels the scar on his body from the sea serpent, and idly runs his hand over the puckered skin. Ach, it be verra painful this evening.
Long after Mal has dropped off into slumber, Felmor lies awake staring up at the ceiling, only the sounds of the night, and of Mal’s breathing accompanying his thoughts. Sleep is a long time coming to him, but eventually he drops off into a restless sleep.
Only when he wakes up in the morning, and feels the dampness on his pillow does he realize tears were shed.
You awaken early the next morning after having turned in early after last night's struggles. While Father Vincent was able to cure you of any of the temporary effects of the Tar Dog's poison, he informs you that within Elsmyr Dale, only Bishop Tredônia and maybe a couple others in Valehaven proper have been blessed with grace enough to counter its more long-term effect.
While you have only been in Dunwaar for two nights, you dare not risk what would be a delay of nearly one week if you were to turn back. Alis assures you however that in a powerful metropolis like Malatesta, you will have no trouble at all finding high priests of many faiths.
You eat a quick yet hearty meal in the great hall with Count Alex, Captain Monroe, Yvonne and the remaining Golden Drakes. At one point Lureene inquires about what is to become of Jarvis and Trisa which somehow results in Monroe's fork tying itself in a knot.
Alex nearly chokes on his cider at the question. "I haven't decided yet. Their level of involvement in all of this is still a bit... murky. I'll be enlisting Father Vincent's aid in my interrogations in an attempt to ascertain the truth of the matter. I am fairly certain that Jarvis was not the prime-mover in establishing contact with the Ruby Coil and their backers. More likely than not, I suspect that was the work of Boss Axchard."
"As for Ms. Monroe, gambling isn't illegal here, just racketeering. I would like to think that Trisa didn't have any part in the Tar Dog's operations besides running a card table in that old church." He shakes his head, "I don't know just yet, Lureene."
You finish the remainder of your breakfast in silence. From outside, the castle's chief carpenter reports that work has been completed on an access ramp suitable for horses and wheeled conveyances. Evidently they worked all thru the night with a full compliment of guards standing watch over the gold shipment.
With that news, the Drakes and the castle servants and stable hands prepare Alex's carriage, a supply wagon, and some additional horses for you. After double-checking to ensure you have not forgotten anything in your rooms, your group heads down to the bailey where they find a pair of white maple carriage inlaided with stylized floral patterns on the room and sides. Four of his house guards are mounted with bow and lance to accompany you.
"Please," Alex says, taking Alis' hand, "this is the least I can do to repay all the courage and beauty you have brought to our city. I hope to see you pass thru Dunwaar again, my Princess. I promise you shall receive a far more hospitable reception when that day comes."
Alis curtsies in gratitude, but before she can say anything, Alex continues, "Oh, and to thank your retainers for their troubles, you will find a small chest inside. They did dispatch Boss Axchard after all, and I shan't be accused of being a skin-flint!"
With that he gives Alis a big hug until she pats him on the back. She gives him a quick peck on the cheek, exchanges a few words the rest of you cannot hear, and then gives Mal her hand as he helps her up into the carriage.
As Priyya mounts up on Saija, Atish comments to her and Yvonne,
"Not as swift as our Setenbori steeds, but better than having to haul this ourselves. Better too Khaitan and Saija can be free of a yoke should another fight come up on the road..."
With that, your group, now much smaller, departs thru the thick fog coming off the lake. You journey towards the Drakedown Mountains and Malatesta resumes with a much smaller contingent than it began with: four mounted knights, Atish and Darya driving the carriage, two other members of the Golden Drakes driving a supply wagon, Yvonne, plus those of you comprising the diplomatic party.
Lureene sits in silence as the carriage wends its way on to Malatesta. She is thankful Father Vincent was able to cure Grak of his poison damage inflicted on him by the Tar Dogs, as due to his extraplanar, he was incapable of healing such effects on his own. Grak, for his part, rewarded Father Vincent with several licks of his tongue, which he bore with good grace. Lureene also bestowed on him a hug, which he certainly enoyed, perhaps a bit too much.
Now, the group was on its way again. (Grak was perched on the supply wagon, resting after his ordeal). What with the Tar Dogs dealt a crippling blow, with both Axchard and Chivane dead, she should be happy, but she wasn't. And she knew the reason: the Knight Captain sitting across from her and his dark mood was affecting her own. She knew how difficult it must be for him to be close to three beautiful ladies, and yet not being able to have the one you truly loved.
She wonders how Rath-hun would have handled this.
Felmor sits in silence as the carriage exits Dunwaar. He felt like he has left a part of himself behind there, and certainly he would not miss that place at all. When he had shown up for breakfast earlier, his face was unshaven, and his hair unkempt. All that morning during breakfast, he had barely said three words to anyone, and he has not been able to even look at his erstwhile Desert Rose. Fortunately, no one has pressed him on the recent relationship chnages, which he is eternally grateful.
Now, back on the road again, sitting in the carriage next to Yvonne, (He had flatly refused to sit next to either Alis or Lureene, and threatened to walk outside the carriage. Alis, ever the diplomat, conceded to his wishes), he had plenty of time to think about the past mistakes in his life. He also found himself thinking about his pappy Gerrold. he hoped the old man was still sprightly, although it had been many years since he had heard from him. He also found himself thinking of, and missing his mother, who actually blessed him with her looks.
After some time alternating between periods of brooding, and dozing, he decides he had better start think about other things, or otherwise depression will ensue. When the group stops for lunch, he approaches Alis, and asks, "Kin I ask ye somethin'?"
"Of course, what did you have on your mind?"
As you ride, the carriage hits a bump in the road and the small wooden box on which Alis has placed a pillow for her feet clunks like it's full of metal bricks.
Felmor pauses and collects his thoughts. he feels the eyes of Alis, along with Lureene and Yvonne on him. He wonders if this is such a good idea, but it is too late now to back out. Aye, that ship has set sail.
"It be like this, I think I may 'ave had a vision, like the ones Lureene 'n Priyya have 'ad." His voices catches slightly on mentioning her name out loud. "It happened th' night before. I be standin' on the ship deck, 'n I be caught in a gale, 'n I be headin' fer a waterfall in the middle of the sea! I cannae change course! I try to move, but me feet be stuck, 'n then I feel a blow that knocks me out...but then I woke up when that lass Trisa threw a bucket of water on me." He chuckles ruefully at the memory.
He gazes at Alis, a questioning look in his eyes, "Could that be a vision?"
Hmm..." Alis scrunches her mouth to one side. "Well, I'd be interested to know what your impressions of it are first. What does your gut tell you, Fel?"
Felmor looks at Alis, and thinks for a moment. He then responds, "Well, it sounds like I be on the wrong path obviously, 'n if I cannot change course, I be sunk. But its like my feet are stuck in oil or tar. I try ta keep things simple, ya know, as in sailin' if ye cannot focus on the here and now, ye could get sunk."
He sighs, "Ye know what has been on me mind recently," He jerks his thumb outside where Priyya is riding out on patrol, "'bout some of the decisions I have made before that have caused me ta doubt meself again. I wonder if I be the same person afer I met ye, Alis. Sure, I be more experienced and all, but I wonder if'n I be the same man inside."
Mal rides up next to Darkmane on her white horse, concern painting his features. "You've seemed distracted lately. Maybe frustrated is a better word. I normally wouldnt' intrude, but a distracted hunter is a hungry hunter. Not to mention the danger of an unfocused warrior. Is there something I can do?"
Although Lureene is concentrating on Nial's spellbook and Yvonne is lost in her own thoughts, Alis notes Felmor's discomfort and suggests they speak in Elvish for the sake of his privacy.
"So is there anything else about the dream you had that you can remember?"
The sailor thinks back on the dream, still clear in his mind and fills in the details...
Felmor stands on the deck of a caravel caught in a gale, its straining sails hurtling it straight towards the unlikeliest of features, a waterfall in the middle of the sea! Strain as he might against the wheel, he cannot get her to alter course. Suddenly there is a rending sound as one of the guy lines snaps.
He attempts to move, but it feels as though he is standing knee-deep in tar. A falling spar catches him across the back of the skull and he falls to the deck. In the next instant cold water hits him in the face sending him gasping for air.
"Frankly, it sounds to me like you are anxious about our mission more than anything. I take it that you have mostly sailed the Rime Sea and The Boundless, correct?"
Felmor confirms that this is the case.
Alis nods, "So you've only heard about Light's End from others then, you've never actually seen it yourself."
She nods her head slowly in thought and muses, "That would explain a few things... Well, that being the case, I'd say that your dream is partially worry about having to navigate the strait, and partially anxiety over not feeling like you have the freedom to choose your own path right now."