October 3rd, 183 2C. It is a cool, crisp autumn day. The morning is spent relaxing while Thurton makes his final assessments as to his ability to fly the airship Bluewing. In the late morning, Aliana stirs, finally becoming slightly coherent. She is weary, but speaks much of visions of Dragons, mentioning both Morinskar and a new dragon named Morwen that she had a vision of awakening. She seems to have renewed purpose, though she is still very weary from the ordeal. She is eager to get to this temple in the desert. Around midday, Anastasia calls everyone in. After some discussion, it is decided that they will take the Bluewing as the preferred method of travel. Anastasia and Sperin will go into town, sell the horses and wagons, and return with supplies. A small argument ensues as people debate what is the right course of action, whether or not they trust the old man, and who they are really helping by doing this. They agree to continue on their course to the desert and figure it out when they get there. Ana and Sperin leave for town while those remaining in camp relax. On the way to Estola, Sperin and Anastasia chat about the group and leadership. Meanwhile, Celene decides to go on a walk to reflect upon some personal thoughts. While in the woods, she realizes she is being watched. She heads back to camp. Another figure is spotted near the camp. Kira and Creyton pursue an realize they're dealing with very skilled types. A man in a cloak with a mysterious look arm suddenly is holding a blade to Aliana's throat. Thurton wisely complies with his demands. Everyone returns to camp. The man's name is Orslyn and his friend, who is eventually revealed, is Mordenaar. Mordenaar is a curious creature with yellow eyes and black skin. He is carefully wrapped to conceal his flesh. There is a standoff. Orslyn explains that his boss/friend Beladur wishes to see the healer he has heard so many rumors about and that Aliana is coming with him, eventually, to meet with this Beladur. He seems a bit awkward about the entire situation and, oddly, rather agreeable. Thurton and Aliana banter, arguing who should shut up. After Thurton haggles a bit with Orslyn, Kira goes to "watertalk" with Anastasia. Ana and Sperin were just wrapping up their shopping trip in Estola. Ana tells Kira to have everyone wait and there is to be no fighting until she gets back. Sperin and Ana rush back to camp where Orslyn patiently waits, sharing a delicious stew with Thurton. Mordenaar and Creyton remain aloof and on guard. Celene is very protective of Aliana. Orslyn explains that Aliana is coming with him. It is just a matter of when. He won't reveal where this Beladur is, but he does share quite a bit about the curren political situation with Anastasia. Oddly, he keeps referring to Lord Elis as Darius. The group debates what to do and thinks that going with him is the thing to do because they don't have a choice, really. They are a bit intimidated by him. Aliana tries to get them to take Orslyn with them to the desert. Everyone else seems to think that idea is foolish as it might reveal things to Orslyn they don't want revealed. Aliana gets very upset that her friends are treating her like a piece of meat to be bartered over with this Beladur and she gets vocal about it. Orslyn basically says he is willing to go to the desert if they need him to. Things culminate with Aliana ignoring Anastasia's order to shut up and Sperin calling Aliana a whore. Sperin tosses away Aliana's elfstone. Feelings are hurt. Tears are shed. Anastasia informs Orslyn that they will go with him. Kira recovers and returns Aliana's stone. Thurton goes up in the airship with Orslyn and gets a flying lesson. They talk for awhile. After the lesson, everything is loaded into the ship. Aliana challenges Mordenaar a bit on what he is while the last things get loaded and Thurton and Ana go for a quiet walk. He seems something other than human, but what? Once the walk is finished, they take off with Thurton and Orslyn piloting.
October 4th.
Not long after the sun rises, the skyship sets down further east, deep within the Foxhole Forest. They are led down to a camp. They see a large smith working. He is pointed out as a man named Dane. Orslyn rouses Beladur and they meet Beladur Moonshadow. He talks with the group, but mostly Anastasia, about what they are trying to do. He speaks much of his work against the Kasuud as well as sharing a great deal of information on the current political situation. He speaks of the now Emperor Elis and Lord Dusak. He presses, and finally gets, information out of Anastasia on the fact that Aliana can heal and that they were instrumental in bringing back the Dragon. They finally agree to help each other. Beladur says he will send one member of his team with them to this temple in the desert they speak of. The group selects Orslyn to go with them. They wish to leave quickly, so they decide to laze away the afternoon and fly by night. Most people hang out in Beladur's tent or try to get some rest. Aliana, with Kira playing the role of the unwanted bodyguard, goes for a walk. She speaks briefly with a woman named Ailyth, learning more about Beladur and Lord Dusak's daughter Mythina. She also speaks with Dane and Beladur. Eventually, evening comes and they all board the skyship. They fly up over the forest. They see Pump Fort and they go over the Shield Mountains.
October 5th.
By late morning, they land in the desert on the other side of the Shield Mountains, not far from the territory of the Agero Clan within the Empire of Tiscot. This fringe clan speaks an ancient dialect of Tiscot. They are taken prisoner, though not treated too poorly. Orslyn, who knows some of the language, tries to haggle for the group. They meet several key players of the clan, though little communication is had. Orslyn does his best to explain what they're looking for. Eventually, the Agero Clan agrees to take them to this place, but it is in the territory of one of their enemies. If the group is willing to fight the enemies with the clan, they will take them to the temple. The group agrees. It is hot during the day, but cool at night, so they are told to rest and that they will leave at night. They're fed dates and then asked if they wish to be blessed by the Moon Goddess, known by some as Asiya Badr or Jumanah. They accept. They go down to the pool in the village and bathe with the naked warriors. To old priestess, Ulema, chants while the moonlight washes over them. Then, the dress and ride out for the temple. The people live at night, as it is cooler. After several hours of riding behind the well trained Agero riders, they come over a hill and fight the Adham, or snake-people. Sperin and Celene have some initial success, but are eventually overwhelmed by the strength of their third enemy. Orslyn is casual, but effective. Aliana puts two of the enemy aside. Thurton guards Aliana and slits a few throats of those she put aside. Creyton has an off day with the bow. Anastasia directs. Kira helps out where she is needed. Eventually, the battle is won. There is plenty of evidence of the strength of the Adham, from the destroyed equipment. The Agero Tribe and their allies are successful. The group does their best to tend the wounded. Aliana, who has appeared defeated of late, heals Celene, saving her leg. While the other warriors take the Agero wounded back, one warrior and two priestesses stay with the group to lead them to the shrine.
October 6th.
Travel at night in the desert. They camp during the day in the shade of some cliffs. At night, they set out again. It is clear and the moon rises, illuminating the way. Kira notes that they are being
followed by some humanoid figures in the distance. She notes they are
carrying magic weapons as they walk along the rock faces. Soon, they
reach the shrine. The Agero entourage will not approach such a holy
place of Asiya Badr. Kira notes that their pursuers are coming down out
of the rocks toward them. The group rushes to the shrine. Aliana drops
to her hands and knees and begins to dig. Ana helps her. It reveals a
door, which is pried open by Creyton, Thurton and Sperin. Cautiously,
they go down in and eventually find a small shrine under the desert.
They discern their pursuers are former members of the Guild led by
Muskel, who has been working to stop them since the very beginning of
things in Akia. There are ten of them. They prepare their defenses while
waiting for the moon to be in the right place. Orslyn holds them off at
the entrance, then they retreat back. Thurton grows some plants in the
hall. Others prepare for the fight. Then, through a shaft in the roof,
moonlight fills the chamber. Green and white streaks of magic illuminate
the room and the altar in the center of it. As if being pulled up by a
string that is the light, a ghost rises out of the altar. The ghost has
been seen by some of the gathered before. The horrific/beautiful
creature seems to communicate with Aliana. "I choose Sperin," Aliana
murmurs, with hints of disgust in her voice. Suddenly, the room explodes
with a shockwave of red light. The ghost is gone and both Sperin and
Aliana collapse. Orslyn taunts the Guild members outside. Anastasia,
Celene, Thurton and Creyton discuss what to do. Anastasia manages to
successfully rouse Aliana. She is practically glowing and serene. With a
simple gesture from Aliana's hand, Sperin awakes. With another gesture,
Thurton's limp is entirely healed. Aliana, not quite herself, explains
that if they wish to live, they must leave now. Anastasia takes a few
suggestions, then gives the order and they move to exit. Outside the
temple is arguably the single most powerful group of Guild Field Agents
ever assembled in one place outside of Flagaton Pol. Aliana concentrates
and each of her companions is covered by a softly glowing green sphere.
The battle is joined. Orslyn moves quickly, clearly the equal, if not
better, than anyone outside save for Muskel. Celene and Sperin charge
Muskel, one swearing to avenge Mikel Seawind, the other her parents.
Thurton and Anastasia engage one of them. Kira faces another. Creyton
lends cover where it is needed. Then, with a wave of her hand, Aliana
puts half of them to sleep. Muskel manages to dispel the protective
green spheres. Things look very grim without the magical protection. As
her friends get wounded, and some of them get wounded rather badly, a
wave of Aliana's hand instantly heals their wounds. Overhead, the moon
slowly is turning from white to red. Progress is made in the battle.
Aliana heals others and puts more aside. Thurton and Anastasia begin to
slit the throats of the sleeping. Creyton protects his friends as he is
able. Finally, only Muskel is left. As he is distracted by Creyton's
incoming barrage of arrows, Celene strikes his leg, then Sperin stabs
with Cold Fury, skewering his chest. As he is held there, Orslyn
garrotes his head clean off. The battle is won. The group collects
themselves. A green shockwave of magic explodes out of Aliana, followed
by another. The light vanishes off into the desert. They walk back up to
the Agero entourage who bow before Aliana, calling her Asiya.
October 7th.
Creyton, Sperin, Thurton, Orslyn, Anastasia, Aliana, Kira
and Celene travel by night across the desert in the foothills of the
Shield Mountains. They are followed by the Agero entourage. Overhead,
the moon becomes more and more red.
October 8th.They return to the Agero camp slightly before dawn and
witness the fall of the moon. Leaving a red tail behind it in the sky,
the moon fell from the heavens, lost beyond the horizon. They spend the
day sleeping in the desert.
October 9th. Having boarded the airship the night before, they return to
Beladur's camp. Everyone is oddly quiet about the things they have
witnessed. The day is spent relaxing and recovering. That evening, they
gather around a campfire: Creyton, Anastasia, Sperin, Thurton, Aliana,
Kira and Celene. They debate what to do from here. Aliana reveals much
to them. She explains that at the temple in the desert, she was filled
with the spirit of the White Dancer and, in a sense, she is now the
White Dancer. She also explains what she meant by "I chose Sperin." She
named Sperin as The Man. Anastasia seems resigned to the fact that the
Pact of Akia has done what it was put together to do. Sperin is shocked.
Sperin tries to keep everyone together, but Thurton has decided to go
back to the Circle of Pines, so he might know more. Creyton, having seen
all he needed of such events, desires to go back into retirement in
Akia. Anastasia desires to go back to the Old Man's island in the Blue
Sea and continue her work there. Kira and Sperin work to keep things
together, but it seems it isn't meant to be. Sperin and Aliana voice
their desire to stay and learn in Beladur's camp. Kira and Celene decide
to stay with them. After more chatting and promises to keep in touch,
they decide that those who will leave will leave the next night.
October 10th. Several quiet goodbyes and apologies are shared between
the group. Most notably, Aliana approaches each Thurton, Anastasia and
Creyton in private. Sperin talks with Creyton. People pack and prepare
to leave. Thurton, Anastasia and Creyton board the skyship. Before they
go, Creyton waves his arm out of the back of the ship, then grabs on as it lurches into motion with Thurton piloting.
