"Almost perfect," Aerys replies. "Still a touch weak, but nothing to worry about. Don't let me hold up any plans to attack the cannibals."
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Aerys holds up her hands, which are still covered in red rashes. Her cheeks and neck remain quite red, too. "Well, I've been feeling a bit better today, a little stronger. But not perfect. And the rashes haven't gone."
Aerys grimaces. "I wouldn't trust myself to be sneaky enough. I'd better go with the not sneakies. But you, Pezock, Sasha, and Ishirou could make a good group. And maybe you should let Mahjik go in the sneakies too." She glances at Pezock and continues before he can say anything. "He may not be as good as Pezock, but I'm sure he can manage well enough."
"Oh!" Douena suddenly remembers. "There was a name the cannibal said to the old woman -- the person who sent him to her. I think I'd heard it before." She thinks for a moment. "Klorak. Isn't that the name the other cannibal gave us when Aerys questioned him? The one he said was their leader?" "That's right," Aerys says. "Klorak the Red the cannibal called him. And he also mentioned a shaman named Malikadna, I think it was. That could be the old woman."
"Sorry, that was my fault for suggesting it," Aerys says. "I don't normally use a rapier, so I forgot they're not for cutting. Come on, let's get moving. I really want get back to the camp and sleep."
He grins. "Also why we hold onto our weapons instead of throwing them." "I see a few arrows round here," Aerys says with a smile. "I wonder who didn't hold onto those." She looks at the body of the big spider and sighs. "Ugh. I hate this island. We can probably get your axe back, Makoa, if we cut the web with Lorenz's sword. We can cut it free so that it falls to the ground. Then you just have to clean the web strands off it. If Lorenz doesn't mind getting some webbing on his sword, that is."
Aerys just nods in response to Mahjik's comment on her health. After Douena inspects her, she says, "I think I'll lie down for a bit. Wake me up for my watch." She gets up, stumbles over to the area you've set up for sleeping, and lies down.
As you eat dinner that evening, Aerys is noticeably shivering. Her hands tremble as she raises food to her mouth. You notice a bit of redness on the back of her hands and her neck. She says nothing, however.
Aerys shivers. "That's a good point. But like you said, they probably won't travel in the dark."
"Start something new," Aerys replies. "The Abendego Cantos are pretty much finished, except maybe for some minor edits and fine tuning. I'm thinking of writing about our experiences here on the Shiv. In fact, I've already been making a few notes to help prepare me. I'll be happy to share it when it's done. May take awhile though. The Abendego Cantos took several years to write." She smiles.
Aerys watches Douena with amusement. "That's one way to talk to the land, I suppose," she laughs.
"It wouldn't be the first time you've come back a day late," Aerys says. She frowns slightly. "Of course, last time, we got really worried about you. But since it's happened once before, this time might not produce as much panic." She brightens up. "And maybe Aycenia will be able to tell the others if we're okay. She says she talks to the land. Maybe it will tell her whether we're all right."
"I think Douena's right," Aerys says. "We'll be able to move much more quickly once we reach that second trail. We just have to reach it first. I was just being paranoid when I suggested turning back."
"Ooh!" Douena says enthusiastically. "Do you think she's really in league with the cannibals and was just pretending to be nice so she could split the party and send us off on a wild goose chase so she could attack the ones left behind on the hill? Because that would be an unexpected twist." "That's pretty morbid, Douena," Aerys says. "Maybe we were a bit too quick to trust her. Do you think we should go back?"
"That's actually a good point," Aerys says. "She says she talks to the land or something like that, but what exactly does that mean? How can she be sure of distances if she never travels them? How does she even know what a mile is? How does she know our language?"
"Are you sure you feel up to it, Urza?" Aerys asks. "I'm sure no one will mind if you want to rest a bit to recover. Still, it would be nice to have you along."
"I certainly wouldn't mind finding out what it is you guys do out there all day long each day," Aerys says with a grin.
Lorenz frowns. "How do we have a 'jump' on the cannibals? They know we're on the island, that there are several of us, and that we are dangerous. If anything, they're going to be more alert and watchful for us than usual. I think it makes sense for us to keep quiet for a day or two so that when we do move in on them, they're more likely to be surprised." "I think he means that they don't know where we are or that we're so far into their territory," Aerys says. "In that sense, we have the jump on them. Maybe we should send a small group to scout and find out the layout round the village while the rest stay here and rest. Since there's nothing really to guard here, I wouldn't mind going with the scouting group. Sitting around doing nothing might...well...without something else to focus on, like guarding the camp, I'm worried I might start aching for a drink again."
Aerys nods and turns back to the cannibals. It takes a moment before the cannibal is willing to respond again, but then he blurts out a few things again. Aerys says something in return and there is another short exchange between them. Then she turns back to the group. "His counting skills are not very good," she says. "And I don't fully recognize the words he's using for numbers, I'm afraid. However, he does say that they have lost several of their members recently. The ones we've killed. Their leader is Klorak the Red, but the person he fears most is Malikadna. She's their shaman if I'm understanding him correctly. As for the the beast on the mountain, he confirmed what we already know. They sacrifice people to it. When they have castaways, they sacrifice some of them. Other times, they sacrifice one of their own number."
"All right then," Aerys says. She turns back to the cannibal and says a few sentences in his language. He sneers in return. She repeats what she said, this time more forcefully with a slight knock to the side of his head.
The cannibal blurts out something in return. Aerys listens carefully. "He says that there was a man who was captured and brought to the camp. He fits the description of Captain Kovack." She says some more things to the cannibal, who responds grudgingly. There is a short exchange between the two of them. "He says that the one who caught the man referred to him as Kovack. Also that the one who caught him, who is called Blorad, has suddenly become favored of their chieftain. The chieftain has even given him private quarters in the...uh...tall building. The lighthouse maybe? Anyway, they haven't eaten or sacrificed Kovack, which I gather is what they'd normally do. Instead, he's been made Blorad's personal slave. Neither of them have been seen in several days."
"There's no way that thing will float," Aerys says, looking critically at the giant crab. She points to the joints of the nearest leg. "There are far too many places for water to leak through. It'll sink like a stone. I don't rank our ability to carry it very high either. Still, the fungus island might be a good place to hide. We'll just have to leave the crab behind."
"Alton's a good name," Aerys says. "I think I'll write a poem about him. Both the dimorphodon and the first mate, I mean." She wanders aside, a contemplative look on her face.
"We're closer to the west coast here, so it might be easier for you to go down that way," Aerys suggests. "It would also be a chance to see if there are any other ways to approach the cannibal village. However, maybe you should wait a day so that Urza and Mahjik can recover a little. I know we can't sit around too long, but they really don't look very good at the moment." Aerys looks about to say more when there's suddenly a yell from across the camp.
Before the watches start he approaches Aerys a little timidly. "I just want you to know that I think your poetry is very inspiring. It uplifts my spirits when everything seems very bleak. Thank you for sharing with us." He respectfully inclines his head. Aerys smiles. "Thank you, Lorenz. That means a lot to me. I know not all my actions have been the most inspiring, so if my poetry can help people not behave the way I did when we got here, then everything's working out." She pats him on the arm.
When Urza falls asleep, Aerys goes over to him and wakes him again. "You don't look well," she says. "You've got the same rashes Jask has. I'll take the rest of watch. You get some rest. I only woke you so that you wouldn't feel guilty in the morning."
"Well, I think it's a brilliant piece. I've told you that before. But I do have a bias for the author and all." After that small admission, Urza blushes a bit and makes himself busy stoking the fire. Aerys's eyes widen and for the briefest moment, she actually looks a little angry. Then she turns away and takes a deep breath. "Um...thank you," she says. She looks a little embarrassed after that and stays quiet.
"So, what do you think of the poem so far?" Aerys asks. "There's still a lot to come of course. We're only about a quarter of the way through, but I was definitely impressed by Gelik's performance tonight. I had a few reservations about his performance after the first section, tonight's was brilliant. So, what did you think?"
Aerys shrugs. "All of them, I guess," she says, then shrugs again. "I'm not really a devout worshiper of any of them. But I do acknowledge them and say the odd prayer now and then to whoever it makes the most sense to at the time. I suppose I pray to Gozreh most often since I'm at sea so much, and when you're at sea, you have to make certain you appease the god of the sea. So if I had to choose one god that I worshiped, I guess it would be Gozreh. But it's not like I regularly visit temples for worship services or anything like that."
Urza runs up to meet her as well. He is obviously about to gather her up into a hug when he catches himself and pulls up short. "No. No. We're good. It was just a long walk is all. Lorenz and Douena can tell you all about it." He says turning more red than normal. "How's everyone here?" "Alive," Aerys answers as she walks with the group into the camp. She watches Lorenz move off gloomily. "What's gotten into him?" She shrugs and lets Sasha deal with him. She turns back to the others. "A group of natives discovered the camp yesterday. We think they were a scouting party deliberately looking for us. They probably noticed those traps Makoa sprung. There weren't many of them, so we were able to fight them off. Unfortunately, a couple of them got away, which means they know where we are now and can return in greater numbers. When you didn't return yesterday, we were worried that you ran into them. We decided we'd wait one day to see if you make it back, and then move the camp and start looking for you."
"Of course it's not finished. I'm just happy to have been able to help in whatever small way." Urza looks off into the night. "It's a marvel how life puts you into situations. Stuff you didn't think would happen to you, stuff you couldn't plan for. I believe, with my heart, that we'll get off this island. The only question is, how will this experience change us, change me? What lessons will be taken with us when we finally get back? And, of course, how successful you'll be?" Urza looks over at Aerys with a grin and gleem in his eyes. Aerys grins back. "Successful? I hadn't really thought about that. It's not like I'm looking to be a famous poet or anything, but...well, yeah, that's an interesting idea!"
"Well, Aerys, how are you feeling tonight? Excited about finishing your poem? And do you feel any different after eating those berries yet? I know it's rather soon, but I'm still hoping you can overcome it." "Well," Aerys says, "I can say that I haven't had the urge to drink since eating those berries. Of course, the urge is something that can come and go at times, so it's hard to say for sure, but they definitely haven't made things worse. And finishing the poem is exciting." She pulls out the thick collection of papers. "But I should point out that it's not strictly finished finished. It's just the initial draft that's done. I'll want to go back over it and tweak a few things here and there. Actually, hearing Gelik recite it ought to help me identify any problem areas. Provided he's faithful to what I wrote, that is. But it's mostly finished." She beams.
Aerys steps forward. "I, too, would like to offer a token of appreciation, but I don't have much to give either. I can announce though that I've finished my epic poem, the Abendego Cantos, and anyone who wants to read it is welcome to. I already promised Makoa the first look, and then Urza is second, but after that, you're all welcome. Maybe you'll find it inspiring in some way. I wish I could offer more."
Aerys takes the berries from Mahjik with a wide-eyed look of surprise. "I...um...I don't know what to say. They'll really work? Thank you. Thank you!" She takes a handful of them and raises them to her mouth. "Better now than never, right?" She takes a bite, then another, then gulps down the whole handful. "They're not that bad," she says. "They're actually kind of good."
Aerys beams a bit at the compliment. "I'm not sure I'd call it embracing, but I'm not running away anymore, at least. It's nice to be away from temptation, and guard duty is actually not all the difficult most of the time. I'm starting to think I've got it much easier than you lot do going out there exploring day after day."
"Well maybe that's a lesson in itself. Sooner or later everyone needs someone else. In all of the great stories the hero has a sidekick or mentor or ally that helps him at a crucial point to get him through. A person's character isn't shown, it can't be shown until he has troubles. Persevering through and overcoming that trouble is what makes a person - any person- great." Urza looks at Aerys meaningfully. Aerys nods thoughtfully. "That's good. That's really good. I'll just paraphrase that a little, but that's really good. I think this shipwreck is turning into one of the best things that have happened to me." She chuckles. "Heh, imagine trying to tell me that a few days ago! I'm learning a lot from you and Makoa and everyone else. There's a lot of nobility here, and I'm not used to that. And I mean nobility in the metaphorical sense, not the literal noble-blood sense. Most people are selfish, if not outright evil. Good people are usually few and far between. It's nice to have a bunch of good-hearted people all concentrated together for a change." She starts scribbling down more words onto her papers.
Aerys puts down her papers and looks at Urza thoughtfully. "I suppose I can tell you a little of what it's about, and you can add some ideas, sure. It's called the Abendego Cantos and it's an epic poem about the strength of personality holding out against incalculable odds. Kind of ironic really, considering I came so close to not doing that here on the island. Of course, now that I've managed to get through that, this experience is providing great influences for the poem. And your words from last night were helpful too. Any other pearls of wisdom?"
"When it's done," Aerys says. "I have to finish it first. But soon. It's nearly done. Oh, and I already promised Makoa he could read it, so he really should get first dibs, but you can go second." She starts hurriedly writing. "I hope my ink doesn't run out before I finish," she mutters.
"How I see myself," Aerys repeats. "I like that. Thank you." She smiles and looks down at her papers. "How I see myself. Can I use that? In my poem I mean. And in real life of course."
"So. Anything you'd like to talk about tonight or do I take a nap while you watch? ;-] Aerys puts down the papers she's been squinting over in the dim firelight and looks up apologetically. "I'm sorry, am I being antisocial? I do that sometimes, especially since I started drinking because that leads me to either get drunk or spend all my time on this--" she holds up the papers-- "because this helps take my mind off the urges to drink." She sighs. "Urza, as part orc, you've probably had to deal with people treating you like an outsider or outcast. I don't mean to pry or get into sensitive issues, but how do you deal with it when it happens? I got into sailing because I love the sea. I love the act of sailing. But the people sometimes are awful. It's such a male-dominated field. Half of them think it's bad luck for a woman to be on board ship and try to get me thrown off. The other half take bets on who can be the first to bed me. I try to serve on ships with woman captains when I can, but there are so few of them. How do you deal with it when people just won't treat you like a fellow person?"
Aerys groans. "Keep that up, and you'll have me drinking again in no time."
Aerys looks over at Lorenz and says to Mahjik, "But if I'm sparring with you, I won't get to hear the story." She leans over closer to Mahjik and says quietly, "But that's okay. I'm not as enamoured by his stories as the others." She straightens up again. "Come on, the workout will do me good. It'll help get my mind off the increasing desire for a drink." She leads Mahjik to the centre of the clearing.
"So, Aerys, another day. How are you doing?" Urza asks her while they are on watch. Aerys shrugs. "Dying for a drink. But better. Much better. I think I'm starting to feel almost...well...normal." She smiles.
"I heard say that you would like some training in the arts of unarmed combat, yes?" Aerys blinks a couple times in confusion and tries her best to stare up at her hat. "Um, yes," she says. "I wouldn't mind getting a few pointers."
"Want me to do again?" He points at her canteen. Aerys looks at her canteen and shrugs. "A couple of days ago, I probably would have flown into a rage to learn what you were doing. I would have...I don't know what I would have done. Probably wandered off into the jungle. I was very close a couple of times to just leaving you all behind and wandering into the jungle to die. I was confused. And hurt. And desperate for a drink. I'm still confused, but perhaps not as much. And I'm still desperate for a drink, but I've kind of accepted the fact that there's nothing to drink. Changing the water may have helped me do that. I'm not really sure. I do know it doesn't satisfy my desire for a drink--or rather, it does for about a minute or so, but then my body figures out that it didn't really drink any alcohol and then it gets its revenge on me by making the urge to drink worse. I've heard about people like me, people so drawn to alcohol they can't think straight. It's not easy to get over. I wish it was easier, but oh well. I don't have much choice, do I? So, I guess my long-winded answer to your question is...no, don't do it again, but thank you for doing it before. And don't give me any real alcohol either. I might regret telling you that, but if I should start demanding alcohol from you or anyone else, don't give into me. I might hate you for a little while, but I'll get over it in the end. I hope."
Aerys looks over at Urza. "So, have you been altering my water?"
"Urza?!" Aerys seems very surprised. "I thought he hated me. Wow, guess I was wrong. I really do need to do something about this drinking thing, don't I? I suppose being here is forcing the issue, isn't it? So maybe that's a good thing about being shipwrecked. Which means, you've been right all along about not everything here being bad and about standing up to adversity or whatever. Thank you, Makoa. Thank you for not giving up on me." She leans in closer and speaks quietly. Makoa: "I've been writing an epic poem. It's kind of my way of dealing with my emotions. When I'm not drowning them in drink, that is. Anyway, it's call the Abendego Cantos. When it's done, I might let you read it."
Aerys shrugs. "Don't worry, I wasn't going to ask you that. I'd pretty much guessed that it wasn't you. I suspect it was Lorenz and Gelik. Those two seem pretty chummy, and I've seen the way Lorenz looks at me. Typical man, he's probably got a crush on me or something. He probably got Gelik to perform some sort of magic on the water. That's why it only changes taste when you're all here. When Lorenz goes off with the rest of you and isn't here to goad Gelik into doing it, Gelik can't be bothered and the magic wears off. Am I close?" She looks expectantly at Makoa for confirmation.
Aerys takes a moment before she realizes what he's talking about. "Oh right," she says, "I'd almost forgotten about the taste. It tastes like that frequently that last couple days. Not all the time. It goes back to normal water when you and the others have been out exploring for a while. But when you get back, it changes to brandy again. I'm not sure what to make of it. I thought of asking Jask or Gelik about it, but chickened out, just like I chickened out with you. It doesn't make me drunk, whatever it is. I discovered that pretty quickly. I don't think it's Douena doing it because if I drink it right after she makes it, it's just water. It takes time to change, and when it does change, it's always after I've turned my back to the waterskin for a little while. I can't decide if it's someone playing a cruel trick or someone trying to be helpful. Anyway, I need to get out of this heat." She takes another swig of water/brandy and trudges back to the trees.
Aerys accepts Makoa's hand and stands up. "I know how to fight with my fists," she says. "I've been doing it for a long time, and prefer it. I'm just not on top of my game right now. I'm too messed up in the head, and I don't know if that's going to change any time soon, but I'll try to make it change. Still, some pointers from wiseman might not go amiss, I suppose." She pulls out her waterskin and takes a drink, then offers it to Makoa. If Makoa takes a drink from the waterskin: The water from the skin tastes strangely like brandy.
Aerys actually smiles briefly and hands Makoa the shield. "You're welcome," she says. "You have a point, I suppose. I'm just finding it so hard at the moment. I'll try harder though."
Aerys is quite startled by Mahjik grabbing her. She pulls away from him. "Don't touch me!" She relaxes a little, however, when she realizes he's just checking her health. She still resists him holding her face though. "I'm feeling a little off," she admits. "But I've been feeling a little off ever since we got here. Maybe I have this disease. It wouldn't surprise me. I said this place would kill us all. This disease will take us slowly one by one. We'll all just waste away."
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