Dead Ends and Deadbeat Dads

[rassafraggin]

Melina nods to merri. She is small and slight but also uninjured and doing nothing of import, so she goes and does her best to lift miriam while praying for her camel to kneel down, the thought of getting back on the beast doesn't excite her in the least but she hefts the princess up and with effort gets her to the beast and takes position behind. As the beast makes a sound of what could be protest Melina says albiet in plain english "that's enough out of you. Everyone is a critic"

Maggie shrugs a bit to Merrisol, but waits until he is once more mounted to encourage her beast to move on and walk beside his. On the way, shewatches Miriam, weighing her words against her own understanding of Pattern Walks, Nodes and so on. Ruby's 'helpful' comments win the woman a frown and a glowering spark in the back of Maggie's mind. She will remember those words of 'encouragement'. Maybe. Her attention is drawn back to Miriam and Melina and she watches until the one woman gets the other hoisted and the camel back on the plod, for camels do not prowl. No, they don't. All the while, her hand scratches at her thigh so that the skin beneath the tattered jeans is red, but not raw when she makes it to Merrisol's side. Murmering quietly, she replies to his prior silent query, "I was caught by the claws of one of them. You are right. It is ice, then fire. But... it has mostly healed. With sand inside the wounds so it itches like..." She pauses and edits the Minosian colloquialism she was about to grace the group with, adding "Well... A lot." instead.

The star walk is slowed as much as possible until all have seen to their wounds and have been helped the best that can be done. Gaval continues to check on those hurt until satisfied and once everything is as good as it's going to get he continues the full stride of the walk.

The already eclipse darkened skies grow darker as the day nears it's end. The stars begin to emerge quickly, a wonderous blanket that lights the sky with hints of colors that tease the eye into looking again. The moon too is eclipsed as she rises into the heavens. But the stars and muted glow of the moon is enough for movement.

The last star of the path blinks ever nearer and Gaval calls out to be heard by everyone. "We're nearing the end. Get ready. I'm not sure what to expect once we get there."

And then the last star is just ahead of the Alhambran and he reaches out as if to touch it. The magics of the walk fall away and the work shifts ever so slightly physically. But the darkness drops over the group like a heavy cloak.

This must be the epicenter of the eclipse for the moonlight can barely be seen at all. Only the stars allow for those with decent eyes to see the land about them. Tight packed earth with a layer of sand atop it. Ahead and to the right a collection of shapes. Pyramids of varrious sizes mixed in with stone formations that rival the forms made by man. And hovering over the area a storm cloud that ripples with heat lightning that casts vauge and unnatural shadows.

Autumn cries out from where she is in the group, "Gaval that is what the warning could be about. This could be a sandstorm on top of everything else." She moves to secure her veil in place and to make sure that her mouth is covered wit hit. silver eyes look at those who are in the group.

Miriam slept much of the trip, after her 'event'. It's not a surprise to anyone who's been with her for a major pronouncement. Once she woke, she was quiet and simply watched what went on around them. When Gaval suggests they be ready though, she leans to rest her hand on her sheathed sword.

When Gaval warns that the group is nearing the end of the star walk, Ruby takes the cue to prep herself. The resulting darkness descending on the group raises her anxiety, along with the visibility issues. The sight a multitude of pyramids with a hovering storm cloud formation, possessing heat lightning and weird shadows, has her staring and pulling at one of the wrapped long-bundles strapped to her back. "Ain't tha a pan-o-rama." The axe in her hand is unhooded and freed of further trappings, with some tightening of the leather grip to boot.

Melina stiffens as Gaval tells them to prepare which is really all she's got. Her primary mode of self defense hand to-hand. one can neither kick nor armbar a sandstorm but she is alert for any changes in magic that might reveal a sourcepoint for the phenomenon as the shadow descends on them

For thoes with the ability to sense magics the air seems pressed to the brim with it. It suffuses every particle and buzzes along the skin, almost to the point that those without the ability to sense it normally, could.

For those that can break down the sense into a deeper meaning they'll find both elements of earth fire and air as well as more. Something darker and most likely shadow magics. Yet all of this is tinged with 'other-ness' that is hard to pin down or describe.

For those whose senses are beyond the normal the shadowy dusk landscape is filled with motion that does not make sense but is hard to see in the dark of the shadows. When lightning flashes swirls of sand are revealed but are gone with the next flash or covered with unnatural darkness. The air preasure here is thick, Filled with promise of storm despite the lack of moisture. The smell of ozone accompanies the lightshow above.

Gaval stops and looks about the bizare landscape and then shakes his head before pointing over towards the piramids. "Deaths Cradle. Deaths End. We're in a graveyard." He sighs. "Of course we are. It's one of the type of places that Alhambrans in general try to avoid for fear of being cursed or awakening the ifrit." He gives out another sigh, sounding tired after guiding their walk.

Ruby frowns. "Pretty big tombstones." mutters, referencing the pyramids. Wiping a hand against her thighs to dislodge the sand, wrinkling her nose due to the strange atmospherics she adds, "Wait...cursed? Is tha a thing tha can 'appen just by tres-passin?"

A graveyard. Of course they are. There's no way *this* can end badly. Miriam's lips purse, and her hand curls around the hilt of her sheathed sword to be more ready. She may be assuming it will be needed. Honestly, who doesn't assume that? It's a graveyard. It's probably going to end badly.

Maggie stayed near Merrisol during the rest of the walk, helping with bandaging as was appropriate and requested. When warned that they were arriving, she glances around, then guides her beast to a strategic location on a flank. Her hand drops to her waist fingers resting on the pommel of her sword. Briefly, she checks the scabbard, then draws the blade to rest it along her thigh. Taking a moment to absorb the various magics and weight of the air, she slides a glance to Miriam, Melina then turns a bit to Autumn. Her gaze seems to ask whether they 'feel' it. The magics. Her own eyes betray her awarenesses. That is when she takes the time to study their surroundings. A graveyard filled with strange magics with unusual undercurrents. Squaring her shoulders, she nods, "Well. Let's see what we are up against. Do you suppose that we can negotiate?" She knows the answer, but must at least make the attempt.

RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Analyze Magic (MAG-AM) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Spellbreaker (MAG-SB) gift.

The magic is intoxicating to Autumn. She can feel it oozing into the pores of her skin, into her body. Silver eyes close for a moment. And she relaxes quieting her mind as she allows herself to be one with what she is feeling and sensing, her mind ever active dissects, "Elemental magic, fire and air are dominant, shadow magic. The magic is ancient and is old. Dark and twisted." She opens her eyes again.

RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Quiet Mind (SKL-QM) gift.

Maggie tilts her head a bit as she compares Autumn's assessment with her own. "Mhmm." Unlike the Pathian up behind her, Maggie does not relax with the infusion of magical energies. Instead, she frowns and clenches the reigns more tightly. A slow shudder ripples through her and she shakes her head as though to clear it. Looking about uneasily, she moistens her lips, then lifts her sword hand to slide the hilt into her reign-holding hand before lifting a scarf to cover her nose and mouth. Then she reclaims the sword to hold it properly, "I think that I hate it here. A lot. What are we looking for, exactly?

Gaval starts streching out his muscles. Groaning as he works out the ridgid focus need to use the starpath. Durring this he tries to both keep an eye out for things about them and answer what question he can. "I do not know if this place is cursed or not, Ruby. All I can say is that my people do not like such places. In the Kinddom of Tides this outlook is different, but even they do not like the old places. And yes.. I can feel the shadow magics in use. Almost like something is stuck in the back of my throat." He blinks and dabs a hand to his face just under his nose and comes away with red. "Very strong. If anyone has a way to call in reinfocements now would be the time. As for what we're looking for..." He trails off and looks to the sky of dark cloud, shadow and lightning. "The very center of that? On the ground of course."

Melina hms "so you said this is a graveyard. What are the chances that one or mor something's meant to be in the graves has come out and what ever they are chances are a nice caming tune might not work on something so powerful or may yield an adverse reaction but i can try

Ruby tightens her grip on her axe so much that the leather grip makes a creaky-squeaky noise, punctuated by joints in her knuckles popping. "What you mean shadow magic, Au-tumn...tha shadoo realm or..." Ruby searches for a way to be particular in wanting more particulars on the spectrum of hocus-pocus in play. "Those first two bad enough if they tryin tah mingle. But there be three?!" As she thinks about it, and people talk about, she looks like she's arrival at the magical distinction being described.

"An excellent, if they break the wards." Autumn responds back to Melina. She looks to Ruby, her gaze resting on the woman for a long moment before she speaks. "It is the magic that creates the shadow, the creatures who fought us. It is, in essence, another layer to what is here and to the pattern."

Maggie shifts again in her spot, thighs gripping the creature she rides a bit more tightly. The dromidary sidesteps right to left and Maggie relaxes again. No sense in spooking her munt. She might get herself or Autumn dislodged and that would be bad. The faint puffs of sand kicked up by the animal's hooves settle again quietly to the earth while Maggie's gaze is drawn up to the ariel center of the storm. Drawing her gaze down again, she tries to pinpoint their destination. "Looks to be over that way." She lifts her chin, indicating an area either near or at the pyramids. At least in that general direction. "Let's get this show on the road..."

Without any sense attuned to the deeply arcane and dark forces, Merrisol sits still in wary appreciation of the skyward phenomena. He drags back his head scarf and exposes his throat, tilting his face to the undulating dry heat of the crackling desert storm. The sheen of sweat over his skin evaporates in an unsatisfactory shiver. "So... a lot of bigwigs entombed yonder," he returns his gaze to the monuments pyramids lurking ahead, tracing a line from Maggie's gesture to the likely corresponding landmark beneath the epicenter of the atmospheric activity. "So... Traps, guardians, and curses?" He goads the camel into a slow walk thattaway.

Ruby has a backdrop of weird crackling atmospheric effects in a storm filled sky. It would make a neat addition to the deck of Hocus-The-Pocusing(tm) along with attack and defense values - On use everyone playing must yell ~Whut?!~ at the top of their lungs. But her for reals face is looking grim and a bit haunted. "Po-tentionally curse-ed." She gazes off to some middle distance. "No need for apo-logies if you could come over 'ere swift loike. You missed opportunity tah charm tha 'ump offa camel, but there still toime tah take a swat at all their ten thousand fleas an smells." She extends her hand.

There is a flash of rainbow near Ruby before the two-dimensional form of Ashby de'Mandrake comes into view. The Duke's form finally fills out as he sticks his landing beside the Princess Admiral, clad in his formal suit of armor. Yes, there is a difference! Yes, it matters! "I will not let you down, Your Highness! So! What's the meaning of this curse!" He whips around, now looking about in all directions to get a quick read on the surroundings and the group, nodding and grinning wildly to each of them in that initial moment. "What ho!" His eyes keep getting drawn off to their surroundings, widening a touch each time before returning without their usual twinkle. Ashby's first step from his landing spot is a stumble as he grips at his head. With his mouth hanging open, redening eyes flick up and lock onto Gaval. Pausing a moment and bracing himself with a few labored breaths to steady himself, he plants a foot and returns to a standing position. The usual jovial tone is absent, leaving his voice deadly serious as he talks directly to the stranger, "What is this madness?" Four words is about all he can muster before he returns to the heavy breathing, now feeling the mouth sweats break out like a bad hangover.

Gaval turns as the rainbow shimmers gain his attention. His mouth is open, most likely to respond to Merrisol or Maggie when he looks at the new arrival. The jaw clicks shut and a strange new unreadable expression forms on his face.

He starts walking towards Ashby, feet picking up pace until in a rush he's at the mans side and trying to support him with a hand apon an arm. "Cousin.. breathe. Take hold of your own being. Your shadow is yours. Do not let him pull it from you. Solidify it, remind it that it is yours and keep it on a short leash. Keep it that way or you'll likely be in pain." he tells the nowcommer. Odd words for an even more odd situation.

The world around them seems to pick up its tempo. The strange lightning filled clouds over head moving faster. Lightning splashing often enough through them that one can almost see clearly in some moments but no thunder is to be heard. Something seems to be changing and it's hard to say if it's for the better or for the worse.

Miriam has remained entirely silent, watching with apparent fascination. Not that her hand leaves the hilt of her sword, of course. She clearly still expects this to end badly. To keep from making it harder for the others to see distance, she refrains from glowing and for the moment leaves it to the stars to light their way. And really, who wants to be the shining target-like beacon in a graveyard?

Ruby jerks her chin upwards, eyes searching the heavens. "Aye...aye...I think maybe this place don't loike pullin in more bodies by tha tar-oot cards." Her shoulders hunch up. "Whatever this foul loightnin is, I wouldn't put it down tha barrel 'o me worst enemy's cannons."

Merri slows his mount to an almost halt, footpads dragging over the sand, and half-turns in the saddle to gaze back at Ruby and the newly-drawn shining knight. His brows tighten in silent question, more over Ashby's stricken behavior than his choice of costume... But he is soon distracted by Gaval's urgent movements and words, and then the erupting sky. "Something tells me we may somehow fare better within the crypts than in the open," he gestures to strongly suggest they all start moving.

Ashby was told of a curse. Against Ruby. Instead, he has passed into some manner of hellish landscape where something is attempting to reach down through his throat and rip out his insides. The sky is all manner of wrong and some stranger is helping to steady him in the midst of the storm. Fighting for focus, he blinks a few more times, keeping his gaze on Gaval while a moment of lucidity strikes him as if the fellow had smacked him cleanly on the forehead.

Breathe.

The word has more power than the fellow could have known. Or was she with him once again after all these years? There is another blink, followed by a hard swallow, and then he is taking in a deep breath. As he does so, the faint darkness that is his shadow condenses, slowly creeping back toward the Duke and seeping up into his armor. "Pain is for those who attempt to steal from dragons." Righting himself, he claps Gaval on his shoulder and turns to finally spit blood down into the sand. While his effervesence returns to his tone, there is a distinct note of madness and fire in the Mons gaze as it sweeps about. Pure Determination! "Onward! Let us delay for nothing!"

Gaval raises a brow as Ashby recovers at a fast pace. A tiny smile forming on his lips at Ashby's boisterous response. He studies Ashby to ensure the man is indeed well and then nods slowly. "Merrisol is correct I'd think. We should head towards the pyramids with haste." The Alhambran then checks over the group and the animals with his eyes before walking on towards the semi-distant structures...and the heart of the strange storm.

The storm stays at this newer pace of lightning filled clouds. Moisture continues to build the farther they go, the mugginess of a coastal Summersapping at the body and breath. Steadily the pyramids and other rock formations get closer.

Miriam lets her mount be led by the group. While she's managing well enough, after all, this is likely her first time on camelback. Her eyes stay on the storm, her eyes a bit wide as she takes it all in. Really, she seems a little exhilerated by the scene and the feel of it. She's certainly still aware of the others, and Ashby does get a wave, but it's a distracted thing.

Ruby frowns and creases line her forehead. "First toime I'd even consider bein in a crypt rather than outside..." She's heading towards the pyramids with the others, squeezing the haft of her weapon like it was a stress ball. The play of lightning overhead plays along her nerves like a moisture dropping on a hot grill.

The play of lightning in the sky above is reflected in Maggie's hair and eyes, drawing rippling reflections of fire and emerald from each in turn. She eases her dromidary forward until the tell-tale rainbow of a trump's activation catches her attention. Ashby is offered a smile and a nod as he puts in his appearance though that vanishes at his clear distress. Her urge to aim that way is cut off by Gaval's rush, then banished as Ashby regains himself. She does notice the way his shadow seems to draw closer to the man and lifts a brow as the notion that it 'reattaches' itself takes hold in her imagination. Her husband's suggestion is met with a wary nod and Maggie slowly turns her attention away from the Mysterious Mons and toward the uncertain sanctuary of the tombs. Today just gets better and better. Her hand tenses about the pommel of her cutlass though the touch eases before the leather gloves she wears can creak against the strain. With the crackle and flash of lightning, the resulting thunder should be rhythmic, deafening, incessent. But it isn't. Instead, the unanswered flashes inspire an echoing, bone-deep lonliness within Maggie. It is an unsettling, uneasiness that whispers of absent love and failed hope. Shuddering, she shoves such thoughts from her as she guards the rear against any encroaching threat.

Merri slides down off the saddle as they go along, to take control over his mobility and be able to keep an eye on the other sand sloggers with every rake of the sky's grabby hands. The heavy humidity weighs at his clothing layers, distinctly anti-Rebman despite the building air pressure. He headcounts and scowls briefly in noting that Maggie has dropped back to guard the rear. "Which one?" he calls out, checking Gaval's heading in a squint. Then he gathers the reins of another of the camels to put it on the correct course.
Breathe.

The lightning is so far down the list that it doesn't even register on Ashby's exterior as he is sizing up the group, focused on the task at hand. Maggie and Miriam each get a quick, but not at all rushed, bow of his head in reply just before he is assessing the horses that had been designed by committee. Which of them are straining under their loads? Which might be able to take on the effortless frame of a traveling Chantris poet? Wearing a full suit of armor. With the armor being wrapped around the body of a lifelong Mandrake soldier. One cannot help how one is born, dammit! Unmoved, letting the circumstances of his arrival slide off of him like water off of a duck, Ashby spits more blood into the sand and marches on over toward a prime camel. Wasting no time at all, he mounts the beast, gives it two pats, and then spurs it forward to tuck in with the caravan! Onward! "To the pyramids!"
RPG: Ashby shows a message to SKL-OB.

Gaval looks to Merri and sort of shrugs. "I'm not sure just yet? There are at leas a dozen pyramids that I can see. There may be more behind them I can not. My only guess is to aim for the center of them all. Or the biggest? Something about the biggest darkest place that seems to hold the biggest darkest ancient evil.." He trails off with another shake of his head.

The lightning splashed darkness has that eternal feeling. As if no matter how many steps are taken forward the group never gets any closer. The sensation is a lie however and the ancient structures do indeed get larger. The outcroppings of strange stone less and less.

It's when the group is near enough to see an plaza of laid stones that the darkness closes in on them. The animals spook, camels making scares and disgruntled sounds.

The heavy moisture in the air becomes a preasure on the skin like diving under water and even those who are able to tolerate the depths feel its discomfort. Ears pop. The air gets steamy rapidly and a gigantic form takes shape. Those that sense magic feel it's presence strongly, adding to the preasure to almost become painful.

It stands there without moveing. Unseen eyes looking them over one by one. The preasure fluctuates against the ear and becomes speech. "It took you long enough, boy."

Gaval winces and sighs. "Father.."

Biggest darkest ancient evil. Who didn't see that coming? Miriam makes more of an effort to hold herself on her spooking camel, frowning a bit now. Though, when there becomes something more going on, she finally slides off it. Blade in hand. It's gripped tightly right up to the point where the form coelesces and then speaks. And then their guide's reply. Then, she lets the blade lower. Somewhat. Some parents are kinder than others, after all.

Ruby tosses her head like a horse in an attempt to rid herself of the phenomena that begins to afflict everyone. A finger vigorously plumbs and corkscrews in an ear hole, nose wrinkling and shivering shakes in response to pressure and sensations. "..gaaaah..." In real discomfort, its like a swarm of mosquitos was after her for a pint or two. The sight and sound of the horror is enough to take priority and she rasps, wide-eyed, "Oh fff-" She subconsciously steps back to ~help~ defend the rear of the group.

Where Merrisol wallows in unmitigated atmospheric oppression, he basks in magical ignorance, so he comes out somewhat ahead in the encounter. Visually the entity is still impressive, causing Merrisol to drag on his camels' reins as he abruptly stops and tenses down in expectation of a hostile move from the being. When it commences dialogue with Gaval, however, Merri eases out of adrenaline fired suspense, and turns much of his focus on calming the beasts who remain within sight of the plaza.

The being continues to steam and radiate heat and it waves a hand over the group. "Interesting.." It's voice beats agaisnt the ear and along the skin again, proving that the first time was not a fluke. It's arm stretches outwards without it's moving from where it stands. Hand opening with the intention of snagging up someone in the group. And gauging the direction it looks as if it's Ashby. The camels try to move away!

Gaval shouts up at the dark one. "You're stalling?! Now? After calling me late?" The distraction doesn't seem to work as the hand moves in closer.

While the press of the voice causes Miriam's head to shake a bit to try to clear the pressure, and her skin to continue prickling, she also continues to look fascinated by this creature even as it reaches towards them. She doesn't entirely lower her blade, though clearly she gets that this isn't immediately or necessarily something that must become violent. She simply studies him intently, with all the senses available to her.
The increased magical presence settles on Maggie's shoulders and worms its way down to the pit of her stomach. She shifts, trying to fins a more comfortable way to ride her mount. impossible. The figure that draws itself into being from steam and lightning catches her attention and she darts a glance up along the line to find her husband looking back to her. It is a brief glance, a smile for him, then her attention turns back to the central figure. When its hand reaches out over the group, she has to fight ner mount to keep it from bolting but she does win with calming words and a careful hand. It resists her attempts to get it to move forward but does so, one cautious step at a time. Seeing Ruby coming to spell her, Maggie offers her royal cousin a smile, tight and brief. If Ashby is to be snagged, Maggie means to be nearby to help with his extraction.

Ruby hisses under her breath, "If it takes one 'o us, maybe tha distraction is all we need tah doo what needs tah be done." That being left wide open to interpretation. The agitated state of the camels adds to her own, so much so that she's just tense enough to consider swinging at the four-leggeds, nevermind the large entity.

The camel is getting increasingly difficult to manage and Ashby recognizes immediately that it cannot serve as any sort of battle mount. An incoming hand, of course, only adds to the mounting evidence that the Monsdrake needs to change his situation and quickly. For someone in armor, the retired cavalier moves with unnatural speed. Feet free themselves and he rolls on over the side, drawing his saber from its scabbard along the way and taking a swipe through the air to ward away any digits that might be too close. Hitting the sand in a crouch, he pushes off and pumps his legs hard to move away, calling out toward Gaval, "Move it along, Junior! I don't care to join this reunion hug!" His blade remains out and keeps shifting as he adjusts to keep an eye on the shadows, always evaluating which one may be next to get in close enough to deserve some of his more focused attentions.

The hand moves with Ashby and when the sword cuts the fingers seperate from the path of the cut so that he strikes only air. The hand withdraws just as slowly as it came in towards the Monsdrake and a new preasure assaults skin and ears. Laughter. Laughter that should never grace anyone outside a nightmare.

The laughter continues and the words ride over the top of it at the same time. "Moon blooded. Magi. Seafolk. Drakeskin and follower of the escaped ones path. A unique collection of mortal beings." It's voice holds a strange form of contempt while it speaks the word mortal. And it pointedly ignores Gaval.

It's stance turns straight and tall and it shouts out it's next words. The stinging along the skin turning painful and it takes all the control the group has to keep the animals from bolting. "The warning was given! The warning has been heard and answered! So the bargin is fufilled!"

The head turns then to Gaval and Autumn in turn. "Should you live.. well..things shall become more interesting." Another burble of chuckling along the skin. "Live..be more entertaining."

The three dimensional form becomes two. The steam stops. The heat fades as the two dimensional form falls to the ground and vanishes into nothing.

Overhead the lightning stops and the clouds start to scatter quickly. Humidity leaves the air so fast the abused skin tries to crack. Thunder rolls and a great blast of wind and sand fills in where the moisture was before.

Melina can only use her senses at this point ., both magical and non. any of her more active msgics would only deflect attention not help

Now *that* is some next-level awful, nightmarish laughter. Miriam's eyes widen some, and she remains utterly rapt by the entire encounter. At least she's still holding onto her camel's reins though, and somehow she manages to keep it from pulling away at the immense and painful shouting. She does shiver unpleasantly from the feel of its voice on her own skin, but that doesn't seem to be overwhelming her continued fascination. When it's all finally done though, and the creature gone, she lets go a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

Ruby does a fish on land impression when the storm disperses along with the entity. Turning in a full 360 degrees to scan the horizons. "What in Bog's balls was tha..." She clears her throat roughly. "Gaval?! What in tha bloody 'ell just 'appened an what tha 'ell is this about warnings an...an..." She throws her arms wide confused and worried.

Like a still pool of water on quiet summer's evening, Autumn has remained calm during this situation. In her hand is an ancient dagger that gleams. Her blue eyes meet Gaval's, "Oh, I plan to live the ass should know that, but it is unkind to the ass to call him that." She then looks at the shadows near them, and her lips twitch into a sweet smile. She then speaks in a strange and ancient tongue. For those of Chantris blood, she says, "Oh, I did warn you. Do not assume you know everything, child of Abe and Umm. That will be your downfall," Her eyes then turn to pale silver, and there is a surge of magic, yet not like the magic that they felt before. This surge of magic is different; there is a weight to it, and it is gentle. Her voice changes as she speaks; there is an authority in it and a sense of timelessness it is deeper and richer, and still, she speaks in that ancient tongue. "Child let it be known that not all has been foreseen and what you seek may not come to fruition. The stars and the moon see much. There are paths yet to be found, and those paths lead to your binding or destruction."

RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Quiet Mind (SKL-QM) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Divine Aura (FTH-DA) gift.
RPG: Autumn declares that she has the Blood of Chantris (BLD-CH) gift.

As the storm is clearing and the wind rips through this place, two large forms can be seen on the northern horizon. Wolves, two of them. One is soot gray, eyes barely open, trudging through the sands. The other however stands out more so, black as pitch with glowing crimson markings, like chains and shackles bound around it's body. As the beasts approach, the black creature shifts, a swirl of mist and energy caressing its flesh and fur, as it climbs onto it's hind legs, it's stride never ceasing. The fur melts away, the muscle melting into itself to reveal a more human form. With barely anything to cover him, the beast becomes a slender, pale figure, wholly out of place in among the sands. His eyes move from person to person, giving a slight bow of his head to each before his eyes wander to other, unseen figures, studying them for a moment before he sighs. "Well, I shouldn't be surprised to find a group such as this." Vael says with the faintest of smiles.

While it had been said on several times that Ashby had eyes in the back of his head, now is one of those occasions when he wished it to be true. Instead, the man resorts to a slow pivot back and forth as he waits for events to unfold. Let it not be said that he is so brash as to rush forward and end this fellow's father so soon after he had been aided by the man! No, now they are even with the debt repaid promptly! With the assault of the laughter, his muscles tense and it takes all he can muster to resist. Is it so far off those bits of that memory that is always just out of reach? As it begins to withdraw, he rises from the ready position and returns his blade to the scabbard. "Well. *That* happened. So... Yes. How deep is the water we are in, currently? I think I maybe missed that." Looking over to Ruby, he is nodding in agreement with the questions she is posing! In the process of all of this nodding, he spies a rather familiar looking godling padding on over their way. "Ah! A bit far from your Hollow, no?!"

With Merrisol's focus already channeled toward instilling discipline upon the beasts of burden, he senses the ebb and flow of their flight instinct as it coincides with the crackling and booming of the entity that commands the attention of everyone else. "Is it done yet?" he growls in general to anyone in earshot who might have a better gauge on the being's capacity for loquacity. The sets of reins he has physical hold upon ensure the group will have at least two camels to share among them when the shouting is over. If he gives the arrival of a new challenger any weight of importance, he doesn't recognize Vael enough to spare more than a glance. Ashby isn't immediately throwing shade, so that says something.

Gaval stares at where the tall being had ben, eyes tracing over the sands for some time after and he frowns deeply. He turns towards the others and more specifically Autumn as she speaks to the shadows. He may not understand the words but the tone he does and he manages a small smile.

He's about to offer answer to Ashby when the fox god arrives. Brows are raised and he looks between him and Ashby. "Aparently it's my turn to ask who this is." But then he does try to answer Ashby and Ruby both. "I believe we are in deep water. Certianly not able to touch the bottom though how deep I can not say." To Ruby he says, "That was Sahal. I'm sorry you all had to meet him at all. He... checks in on my life too often for comfort. And from his speech he was likely discharging an offically bound duty."

Miriam's lips purse as the show ends and things start to return to something at least a little closer to normalcy. Whatever that is. "That was interesting. What is Sahal?" she asks Gaval as she looks around to see how everyone else is doing. "We've been deep before. We always manage. Somehow." Some times, better tha others.

Vael looks to Ashby and gives a little chuckle, nodding slightly. "I am, though I tend to find places where the Balance has shifted. When I do, I go where I am needed." Then he turns his attention to Gaval and bows his head once more, explaining, "I am Vael Neroxai, a spirit of Arden and a keeper of natures balance. I was led here when I sensed a shift in it," Then he pauses and looks to the eclipsed sun, adding a simple, "And now I have no doubt that there has been a shift..." The wolf at his side never moves, she simply stands with the slender godling, mimicking his bows in greeting herself.

Melina hms "If i may Lord Gaval, that warning seems a tad incomplete. The only information to be gleaned from it is that we shall face life-threatening trial and we already have so this is not exactly news

The magic dissipates and Autumn turns to look at Gaval and then Miriam, "Sahal is a bully to put it politely. He is a Ifrit, twisted and chaotic." She then looks to Melina. "Indeed, we have and there are more challenges to come. What he sees in the stars and hears whispers of the fates is not set in stone yet." She then looks over to Veael and offers him and Ashby a bow of her head in respect.

Ruby swings up her arm to begin wild pantomimes of a maniac aerobic instructor, pointing out imaginary, invisible or no longer present entities. "This place gots a terrible case 'o instability. Storms come an goo. Monstah relatives checkin in loike a bad uncle." She backstroke gestures the way they came. "Four legged now-you-see'm, now you don't because it's roight behind your arse..." She blinks, perplexed. "Now Vael is 'ere loike 'e part 'o a stage play." She nearly makes the 'C' in YMCA to gesture to the new arrival. "What trials would these be?!" Air quotes.

Ashby grumbles a bit, inbetween bouts of huffing through his nose, managing to say under his breath, "Try it again and I will unbind him from those fingers..." The flamboyant Mons gestures in Vael's direction as he introduces himself, putting this time to use in looking the group over again and assessing things anew. His eyes brighten with a twinkle and a devilish grin emerges upon seeing Merrisol with two camels in hand! A hearty nod of approval is given at this fantastic stroke of luck! "Too true! What concern is the depth of the water for those with the confidence of Rebma behind them! More challenges will indeed come and we shall face them as we have those that came before!" A deep bow is returned to Miriam, along with a wink, "But yes! In what direction do we ride from here? I should like to have some distance between myself and Sahal for now." For now.

Gaval puts up his hands as if to placate the flailing Ruby. Then he gestures towards the moon and it's dark covering and double takes. The eclipse is starting to lift, a smokey haze obscuring it rather then an inky blackness. "That was the warning.." hHe says trailing off and then nodding. "As I tried to explain earlier on the ship. There are likely four creatures.. beings, that were sealed away long long ago. This was the warning that the seal was breaking or broken. Take that as you will. I for one and struck by the power it must have taken to block the sun and moon for five days and nights. And what that speaks of for the power of the being kept sealed away." He sighs. "Deep water."

"Sporting of him to broadcast the warning in spectacularly foreboding style," Merrisol comments with biting Begman civility, acting as quiet counterpoint to Ashby's confident declarations. His eyes are on the sky, watching the rapidly receding atmospherics and the lightening spot of the moon's reinstatement. "I'm going to guess Father is a figurative title when it comes to Ifrits..." Or else Ryika has been up to weirder lifestyles than he would have ever suspected.

Ruby does a slow turn from listening to Merriol, and eyeballing him speculatively, to using her heel to help pivot her back towards laying attention upon Gaval next. An eyebrow slowly hoists up and up.

Melina hms "i had made the mistake of assuming he was one of them a forgiveable mistake i hope given the" she jerks a thum sunward" Or were the shadowbeasts so he didn't feel left out" apparently the sour impression left by sahal is universal

Gaval almost looks sheepish as he shrugs. "I was there for my birth..but do not remember it. Few do. And mother's memmories are full of holes. She remembers me as a child of five or six, a time I remember as well. But she does not remember who sired me. Given my bloodline.." He blows out a breath. "It's likely father in truth. But I have thoughts that there is ,er.. more to it then intercourse." He blows out a breath.

Autumn from where she is standing looks at Gaval with a raised eyebrow. "I would say that there is. I have one theory that she raised you, but did not birth you." This is said in a quiet tone. "Yet, I might be wrong. Your father is not my favorite being."

"Well. Good thing we've plenty of strong swimmers in the group, hmmm?" Who best to handle the deep water in this desert! "Perfectly normal to have some gaps in one's memories! Especially in this age we all find ourselves in!" Ashby continues to look about, loosely tracking the conversation as he studies their surroundings anew. An armored fist reaches into a pouch at his side, digging about there before returning with an apple in hand. With his earlier question of direction hanging about in the air, he not-so-quietly crunches away on the fruit while wandering over to one of the remaining camels. A most Montevalnan style of walk, fitting for stage and battlefield alike! As he arrives at his destination, he commences with offering up what remains of his snack to the thing as consolation for having stuck with them through the ordeal.