The Story Session VII (12/01/01)

• June 1st, 183 2C. A nice breakfast is provided by Maria at the Moonsong Winery. Fruit and cheese is plentiful as Anastasia, Thurton and Sperin discuss what to do over breakfast. Mikel has gotten up early and left to take care of some business as well as to send Shen and Darien on their way after some questioning. Ana checks up on Aliana who is in a daze from her recent wound, drifting in and out of awareness, recovering in her old bedroom. Ana, Thurton and Sperin decide to head into town and check things out. The horses are saddled up and they ride into the stables. After some brief conversations with various soldiers, they are allowed into Kiltin's Rest, which has been converted into a command post for the soldiers that have been dispatched to the area. They are granted audience with Captain Yenrog by Sargent Tidek and exchange some information with him, detailing the location of the Tiscot camp. The captain assures that the situation is under control now that the military is here and they have nothing to worry about. Life seems to have returned, to some extent, to Akia. The Logan's kids can be seen playing with some of the soldiers and asking them questions about their adventures in the army. The trio of our heroes heads to visit Spritan Turr, the town blacksmith. There are some soldiers there, getting equipment repaired. The arrival of the army is good for Spritan's business, they learn. Things were looking very grim with people just up and leaving until the army and cavalry arrived. Ana, Sperin, and Thurton head down to the docks and find the everpresent pair of Joe and Bob, sitting outside the bar. They aren't allowed inside because Bob got into a fight with one of the soldiers there the night before. A few suggestive remarks are made by Bob, which is a bit surprising since it was thought Joe had the hots for Ana. There are two large naval vessels docked there as well. Eventually, the three find themselves talking with Harry, one of the local fishermen. He is unloading crabbing traps. There is talk of starting a tourism trade in Akia once things settle down. From Harry, they learn that there are several small islands in the Blue Sea south of Akia. Among them is one with a tower on it. Harry is chartered to take them there the next day. Ana, Sperin and Thurton retrieve their horses from the stables and return to Moonsong Winery for the night. Sperin crashes, still recovering from the events of the last month. Thurton borrows the botany book and does a bit of reading. Anastasia pokes around the manor a bit before retiring.
• June 2nd. Another breakfast is stolen at the winery by Sperin, Thurton, and Ana. Afterward, they gather some of their things and head down to the docks where Harry is waiting. They board his small boat and begin sailing south from Akia. In the morning, the wind is very good and progress is made, but as noon comes, the wind dies down and Harry is forced to row. Thurton teaches Sperin the basics of fishing, though the finer points of subduing the fish once it is in the boat are met with brutal force by the farmer. To show the group what the islands are like, Harry stops at a small one. It is only a few feet above sea level. Harry explains how they can be dangerous in a storm because you can't see them. It is smooth black/grey stone that heavy waves will wash right over. There are little tidal pools in the island, offering an array of sea life. Back out to sea, rowing south. Land is soon lost off to the west. Something is spotted off to the west. It is one of the flying ships, though this one appears different than the others. Harry panics and jumps overboard to escape the thing. When it comes closer, he starts swimming away and is soon lost among the waves, probably not stopping until he reaches land. The flying thing hovers over the small fishing boat curiously. Ana jumps into the water. Then, the flying machine just leaves, heading off to the southwest. They could see a pilot inside. Thurton gets to the back of the boat and prepares to row to turn the boat around to pick up Ana, but it seems it is a task he isn't suited for. Taking an oar in the back, Sperin gets knocked into the Blue Sea. When Thurton shifts to try to steady the rocking craft, it goes right over. Thurton finds himself under the capsized boat. Trying to swim out, he ends up slamming his head into an oar and knocking himself out cold. Thankfully, Ana is there to turn him face up and, eventually, wake him. Sperin swims around and gathers up things that are floating away, returning them to the boat. With much effort and luck, they manage to turn the large boat back over, but not before Thurton clobbers himself in the head with the rudder. He is bleeding in the water as Sperin and Ana pull him into the boat. Ana decides it would be best if she took over the rowing duties. After another couple of hours, and very sore shoulders for the woman on the expedition, they continue south until they spot a stone tower on one of the islands. They pull up onto the island and are greeted by "Scout". He lets them into the first story of the tower. It is a combination kitchen/living area. He provides them with dry clothes and stale bread. When Scout heads upstairs to talk to the "Old Man" about seeing the group, it begins raining outside. George arrives. Needless to say, the Nyrgil scares the group as he brings in some fish. George heads back outside. Scout returns to explain that the Old Man will meet them tomorrow and that George lives there because he owes the Old Man a debt. Back on the mainland, Aliana has some conversations with Maria about the existance of the Highlord and what the maid's views of religion are.
• June 3rd. After eating a rather poor breakfast and waiting around a bit, Ana, Sperin, and Thurton are led up to the third floor where the old man sits in his laboratory. Much conversation is had and the old man explains that any questions will have a price that he will decide. They ask about many things and learn much about the flying ships and the black fog and, perhaps, a little bit about the Land. He shows them a vision in a small pool of water. He discusses gifts and talents and that magic is something anyone can do, but the tools must be learned. Some have more talent and it happens naturally. For others, it might take years of study. The first round of payment is that Ana will do a reading for him and Thurton will demonstrate his gift with the plants. Scout cooks a bad dinner. Scout and George engage in checkers while Ana does a reading for the old man. It is noted by Ana, that Scout has a talent for the sleight of hand as he cheats at the game. The nyrgil loses and is pissed off about it. The old man's future will be troubled. Thurton tries and tries to grow radishes, sitting outside in the rain. He finally manages to create a radish patch after hours of effort. More checkers are played and soon people drift to sleep. The old man says he will see more of them the next day.
• June 4th. Sperin steals an early morning visit with the old man. Scout cooks more blue fish, this time with radishes. The meal is the worst yet and Ana, Thurton, and Sperin confront him on his cooking skill. Scout looks bothered and leaves, his feelings obviously hurt. The group discusses their potential tourism idea. Sperin and Ana play checkers while Thurton tries to grow more radishes or other vegetables in the small garden with no success. It starts raining again. Ana predicts the group will be going on a spiritual journey of some sort, but will be staying on the island for a long time. The old man comes down and charges the group with their first task of returning to the island with a cook book for Scout. He says he will decide on the rest of their debt soon. Thurton and Sperin, after the rain stops, spend some time fishing. Ana studies her cards.Thurton spends time later in the garden and the rain comes back again. A mist overtakes the island as this rain dies down. It is a chilly evening. Thurton teaches Sperin, without much success, how to clean the fish they caught earlier. Thurton, with some help from Ana, prepares dinner while Sperin attempts to hunt seagulls and, after catching one, ends up smashing it to a pulp. Scout quits his moping and plays checkers with Sperin. Sperin wins. Ana invites everyone to dinner. George refuses, staying in his room to read. Dinner is shared. Thurton goes outside into the garden to work on his newest talent. He manages to grow a tomato plant. More checkers are played. Meanwhile, inside, Scout plays the role of psychic and, using Ana's cards, which were badly messed up in the boat capsizing, does readings for everyone else. Eventually, everyone goes to bed. During her recovery, Aliana spends some time in conversation with her uncle Craf and they gain a bit more of an understanding of each other.
• June 5th. A woman named Kira arrives in Akia and has a meeting with Mikel. Scout tells the group that they will be leaving the island that day. Captain Jen and Firstmate Dale arrive. They are charged with taking Ana, Sperin, and Thurton back to Akia. Jen inadvertantly reveals Scout's real name to be Wren. Sperin and Wren/Scout play checkers, then people pack up, waiting on the old man. It is also revealed that Jen and Dale fly a skyship and will take them back in this. This idea is met with mixed reviews. The old man eventually comes down and charges each member of the group with a task to perform for the knowledge he shared. Thurton is to acquire the best quality horse he possibly can and see to it that this beast is well cared for at the stables in Akia. The animal is to the be property of the old man. Sperin is to return to the island quickly, bringing back both some preserves and friends. Anastasia is to return to the island with Sperin so that the old man might learn more about her and her ways of seeing. She will stay as long as he requires so he might study her. Wren seems a bit glad to hear that idea. The entire party is charged with the tasks of bringing back a cookbook for Wren and replacing Harry's boat since the old boat is now becoming George's property. Jen gets into the front of the skyship. Dale sees the group is fastened securely in the back. Then, it is time for the ride. Ah, the wonders of flying! To see the world like this. Up and down.... up and down. The ship rises and falls, perhaps riding the air. Machinery can be heard at work underneath. So much to see. They are shown a good time as they fly. Seawater manages to get into the back of the ship when the land and Jen didn't realize the back hatch was opened. After dark, the group is dropped off just offshore and south of Akia. They wade into land, sneaking in so no one sees the skyship. Ana goes to her apartment, gathers a few things, then heads back to the ship and back to the island. Soaked and wet, Sperin and Thurton make their way back to the stables. They get some curious looks from the soldiers as they gather their horses and head back to Moonsong Winery. Maria greets them and warns that Mikel is none too pleased about them disappearing for a few days without telling him. They check on Aliana, who is still recovering, then it is off to sleep.