Leaving Dianus is a complicated affair. There are two wagon-loads of trade goods to be loaded onto one of the Gogran fishing boats, along with the treasures from the Fenris – less a few items donated to the Temple of Arcadia for services rendered, of course, and gifts to Clan Kerebos and Clan Hydron for their hospitality. All of Calligenia's sisters have turned out to bid her farewell at the dock, and even Tyche is there. The Hydron matriarch isn't bending Aaron's ear this time, however – she only seems interested in talking to Layth this time around. Euphrosyne and Lucia have also come to send their friends off.

The ancient Karnors are still wearing their Amazonian clothing, since the Expedition jumpsuits would simply stand out too much. Calligenia has assured Tasha that they'll be fitted for regular clothing once they reach the Elysium docks at Parthos. The wolves are fascinated by just about everything, and Aisha is clearly trying hard to maintain her decorum in the face of Dr. Zerachiel's barrage of questions about her culture and upbringing. Luckily, Aaron keeps Dr. Caravelli occupied by explaining the uses of some of the herbs they'll be bringing with them to Rephidim, and the origins and uses of some of the special elixirs as well.

Akkers keeps close to Tasha, but is largely quiet. The former spaceship captain seems to mostly interested in the Gogran boats, with their Vykarin-powered paddle-wheels and antlered crew. "I'm told we'll be two days at sea and changing ships midway," he comments to Tasha. "How did these Gograns treat you the first time around?"

"I will keep a watchful eye and should your daughter find her patience slipping, try to calm her," Layth promises Tyche in a low whisper. "I would say the same for Tasha, but I think that is simply an impossible task. Is there anything else before we return to the seas?"

"Wellll … " Tasha glances towards the door to below decks, remembering her stay with the Vykarins, who thought of her as one of their own. To the Vartan, it seems like a lifetime ago. "They were 'ospitable, bu' they didn' know wha' to make o' me. Thought me a Vykarin, for one. Didn' un'erstand them back then, either, so it was a bi' rough."

"Can I get a promise that you will visit again?" Tyche asks Layth, and gives him a squeeze below the tail.

"And this time you will understand what they are saying behind your back, eh?" Akkers asks with a grin. "At least I won't have to worry about that. Languages were not one of my better skills."

Layth's brow goes up at that. "Of course, Lady Tyche," he says with a short bow, "I could not refuse a such a request from the shining star of Dianus."

"Don' worry, I'll translate anythin' you'll need – or wan' – to hear," Tasha assures Gabriel. She pats his hand, then takes it in her left. "In a way, I'm sad to go, an yet I'm no'. It was a good experience for me, bu' I'm itchin' to move on. Never goin' to really 'ave a place 'ere. I'm hopin' Abaddon 'as better prospects."

Dropping her voice to a Lapi-whisper, Tyche tells Layth, "And if Calligenia should marry an alien, I expect you to sire some children for her."

Of everyone at the docks, Calligenia seems the most tense. She visibly twinges whenever a bundle seems about to slip or when the ship's crane has a hitch. In this, she actually appears more like the stereotypical 'bundle of nerves' Lapi that the outside world expects.

That too catches Layth a bit by surprise. "Ah … yes. As you wish, Lady Tyche," he answers, "I understand your concern about keeping the Amazonian bloodline strong in your family. Besides, if she is, ah, energetic as you are … then such a request would definitely be a pleasure." The Lapi can't help but look to Calligenia now, then also say to Tyche, "And it appears I will have to keep her calm during the trip."

"She can swim alongside the boat to work it off," Aaron suggests, having left the Karnor biologist musing over a bronzed Zaki skull. "I just hope these space-wolves don't get seasick."

Noting Layth's talking with Tyche, Tasha adds to Akkers, "I'm surpised Layth isn' stayin'. 'E 'as a good thing 'ere, an' Tyche seems to like 'im – more than I can say for me. 'E could 'ave 'ad the princess if 'e wan'ed, an' kids. Bu', he's comin' wit' us." She frowns a little, then goes on very quietly, "I feel bad for 'im. We'd 'ave never worked out, bu' 'e taught me tha' there can be more to bein' together than wha' I though'." She then pats Akker's arm again, and gives him a smile. "Calli looks like 'ell, though," she adds after another look.

"Which one is Calli?" Akkers has to ask. Aside from size and age, all of the Circerae women look identical.

"Do not allow them to eat and at least there will be nothing to clean up," Layth offers to Aaron. "And speaking of looking after someone … you need my help too, Master Lightfoot."

Tasha points at Calligenia for Akkers. "Tha's Calli, the one I met tha' got me in to all this," she explains. "She's Tyche's," Tasha then points at Tyche, "daughter an' ther 'eir to the throne. Princess Calligenia. She's an assassin too, 'ow abou' tha'?"

"What?" Aaron asks, and looks down to make sure he's wearing pants and all. "What's wrong with me? Do I have something in my teeth?"

"How exactly did you meet up then?" Akkers asks with raised eyebrows.

"I have to make sure you properly woo your woman in Rephidim, of course. Since you seem to lack the courage to do it, I will have to do it on your behalf," Layth deadpans.

While Aaron makes choking noises, the last of the heavy bundles of wool is loaded onto the ship. Calligenia relaxes slightly, since the rest of the cargo (including the Expedition artifacts) can be hand-carried aboard.

"In me mum's tavern," Tasha answers. "I'll explain later – lets get the artifacts." The woman tugs the space-wolf's arm, grinning at him. As they walk Tasha remarks in Standard, "Did you know MOTHER used the artifacts to power 'erself?"

"I'm not surprised," Akkers mutters. "I never trusted those things… "

Layth pats Aaron's back. "Do not worry, I know many techniques to charm a lady. I am certain I can show her your feelings in an elegant way," he continues. "This is my reward to you for all you put me through. Certain people you introduced me to were quite the challenge … so I feel you deserve help with your challenge… " And in an uncharacteristic, and somewhat evil, grin, Layth goes to help load the artifacts as well.

"Neither do I. I wish I knew more abou' them. It's like 'avin' somethin' starin' at you from the dark. You can feel 'em. C'mon though, let's get them an' board," Tasha tells Akkers. As she passes Calligenia, she reaches over and pats the doe on the shoulder. "It'll be alrigh'," she says.

"What did you tell him to make look so horrified?" Aisha whispers to Layth as she carries her own bundle.

"It had better be 'all right' this time," Calligenia says, sounding tired.

"That I would help him woo the woman of his heart," Layth tells Aisha as he carries the 'big cheese' artifact onto the ship. "I am afraid one thing Master Lightfoot needs, is lessons on how to be romantic. Perhaps I should demonstrate on you and Calligenia during the journey… "

---

The voyage out into the Lake of Langour is largely uneventful. There are few waterspouts seen in the distance, which the crew claim to be the spouting of giant serpents or other monsters, but nothing close enough to actually be thought of as threatening. The Karnors are left alone by the Lapi crew for the most part, save for a few curious children and the Vykarin when the paddle-wheels don't need to be run. There is a minor flurry of activity in the afternoon, however, when foreign boats are spotted ahead in Gogran's fishing grounds. From out of nowhere, it seems, heavy siege weapons are brought up from below deck and mounted around the railings.

Layth, for his part, has just been helping out here and there on the ship as needed. Otherwise, he's been trying to teach Aaron to speak poetry. That largely seems to fail, though, as he can't get through most of the poems without Aisha giggling. When the weapons are brought to the fore, through, Layth abruptly moves towards the bow of the ship and focuses his eyes and ears forward, trying to make out the ships. Whomever they are … the Gogran's do not consider them 'friendly'.

Stands on the deck, frowning out at the distant ships. "Amazonia an' its neighbors don' get along," Tasha explains to Akkers. "If Olympian interests realize wha' we are, or another 'ostile country, we migh' 'ave a problem." She shakes her head, then glances towards the ship's captain. "Who are they," she inquires loudly.

"Monsters," the Lapi captain says. "We will drive them off or sink them."

"They're probably Olympian or Tizhan fishing boats," Aaron says to Layth. "Tasha!" he calls out. "You've got the best eyes. Can you see if they're raising sail yet?"

"Monsters, 'e says," Tasha translates for Akkers. "Tha's wha' Amazonians call us outsiders, 'cept they think I'm a special bun an' you're a god, so we're exceptions." She waves to Aaron, showing she hears him, then steps forward to lean across the rail and peer out across the water. "I see better than mos'," she adds to Akkers, to explain what she's doing.

"That may be unnecessary," Layth calls back. "If you start aggressions, it will be harder for us to meet up or make port with our contacts."

Far off, the Vartan-hybrid can make out square sails being raised, and lots of other activity. The outlines of the ships don't match the ones Tasha remembers from the Elysium docks in Olympia, but they don't look built for fighting.

"Shhh!" Aaron hisses to Layth, and looks around. "Calli's just begun to calm down. If she thinks those boats will run into or delay The Calligenia she'll try to have them sunk for sure. Nobody sticks around to fight the Amazonians."

"I'm seein' square sails," Tasha yells to Aaron and the Captain. "I don' recognize the hulls, isn' like anythin' from Amazonia or the Olypian docks – no' tha' I'm an' expert on sailin' ships." She keeps looking, hoping she can make out the crew, or the symbol on the flags, if any.

It's possible that the foreign boats aren't flying flags on purpose, in order to keep the Amazonians from learning their home port. The also seem to be turning east to catch the prevailing wind, which will take them away from Parthos, at least. Speed seems to be their only concern, and Tasha can see one ship cutting its nets rather than try to draw them in.

"I'm also seein' … nets! They're cuttin' them an' makin' a break for it, 'eadin' away from Parthos. I can' make out their flags, migh' be givin' us the trick, so we don' know who they are," Tasha yells for the benefit of the crew.

"More speed!" the captain calls, and the Vykarins really go all out. The fishing fleet turned war fleet lurches ahead, but at this distance it seems unlikely they'll catch the escaping ships.

"Speaking of the contacts, when are we supposed to meet with them?" Layth asks Aaron as he continues to watch the now retreating ships.

Lowering her voice and leaning back, Tasha tells Akkers, "I'm no' goin' to miss the violence. These buns'll kill for the fun o' it, an' I've no taste for tha'. It's one thing to fight for someone, bu' this bloodlus' jus' isn' somethin' I wan' to be aroun' anymore."

"Killer bunnies?" Akkers asks, then remembers seeing Euphrosyne that first time. "These are little ones though, not the big ones!"

"It took us most of a day to get here from Elysium, I think," Aaron says, and looks to the sun. "So maybe late afternoon. I know the fleet stays out for a few days though, so it could easily be tomorrow."

"They're related, I think," Tasha confides. "Bu' they're all a bi' on the violent side. "Anyway, even 'as a follower o' the God o' War, I 'ave my preferences."

Calligenia paces the deck and wears a scowl, at least until it's clear the foreign vessels aren't headed in any direction that could interfere with her plans. The captain eventually gives the call for the Vykarins to stop, but the weapons are kept out on prominent display as the fleet spreads out to cover the fishing grounds.

Layth nods to Aaron. "Time will flow as water and we are just passengers in its sway. When it is time, we will unite with them, then," the Lapi comments. He does spare a glance to Calligenia at one point, though, and shakes his head.

"Calli, c'mere," Tasha calls out, spotting the pacing doe past Gabriel.

"That was amazing!" Dr. Zerachiel comments, his tail wagging in a very un-wolf-like way. "They just ran off! And the speed these big boats put on… I say, is that a longitudinal-wound catapult?" And then he's off to stick his nose into a siege weapon.

"What is it, Aldara?" Calligenia asks as she comes over. "Did you spot one of those ships heading back to Parthos? We can still run it down I'm sure… "

"So we aren't going to kill anyone then?" Aisha asks Layth.

"Thankfully not. I was concerned I would be put in a position where I would have to protect anyone captured," Layth admits to Aisha.

While waiting for Calligenia, Tasha glances at Zerachiel, asking, "Is 'e always like tha'?" She turns to the doe as she arrives, then shakes her head. "You need to relax, Calli. You're no' goin' to make good decisions woun' up like you are." She reaches over and takes Calli's hand with her free one, then leads her over to the railing. "Looks 'ow peaceful tha' is, nevermin' the ships. Take a deep breath, an' breath. If you 'ave a seat, I'll groom your ears."

"As lovely as Dianus is as a city, I do not know how much longer I could stand a culture based on sex, drugs and violence," Aisha whispers to the big buck. "At least in Abu Dhabi you don't see it in plain sight."

"It is in plain sight in many parts of Abu Dhabi, Aisha," Layth comments to the doe and offers her a sad smile. "You were fortunate to live in the wealthier parts of the city … which were kept cleaner. I grew up in the rougher areas, and even had to fight in the pits. I am not sure you knew that, or not." Still, he pulls Aisha close against his side. "All cultures have their dark sides."

"The air is… refreshing," Calli admits, as she does what Tasha asks. She also glances at Akkers, and comments to her, "He does not look particularly godlike."

"Oh, he is," Tasha assures Calligenia as she sits. After reaching in to her pouch of things, Tasha pulls out the comb she had been using in Amazonia, and begins to gentle comb Calli's ears out. "Think I love 'im," she adds, keeping her remarks to Amazonian. "'E's really quite a man."

Calli begins to calm down from the grooming, and notes, "He lacks wings."

Catching Tasha's commentary, he notes to both Aaron and Aisha quietly, "And the fire of Tasha burns on to the next. I hope he is prepared for what that may mean. I also hope that he does not have unrealistic expectations of her … given she looks like a woman he once knew. That is a dangerous river to sail."

"Do wings make a god?" Tasha gestures at her own, then shrugs. "I don' think so, I'm sure you didn' turn to think o' me as a god either, wha'ever the others decided." She uses her arm as a means to flatten Calli's ears out, carefully working the fur on one ear, then the other. "Bu' it's no' exactly fair to say 'e doesn' 'ave wings. 'E 'ad 'em, they were jus' taken from 'im, long ago."

"Maybe he'll tame her," Aaron comments. "Someone has to be able to."

"A fallen god then," Calli notes. "Do you really plan to take them all back to their home in the heavens?"

"I'll take 'em as far as I can," Tasha answers. "Their 'ome is … " Pausing in her brushing, Tasha just runs her hand along Calli's ears, as if she were petting the woman while thinking. Her eyes drift skyward as she wonders at the place called Terra, far beyond the sea of stars. "Their 'ome is another time an' another place, Calli. They came 'er long, long ago, bu' the door is closed now. I'll take 'im where 'e wants to go, if we can get there."

"The world can pray for such a miracle," Layth comments amusedly. "I just worry for him; in that I hope he does not try to press too much of the women he knew upon her. While they may be similar, I doubt they were the same. It may have helped start their bond, but it could also just as quickly end it if they are not careful."

"He seems an intelligent enough man," Aisha notes. "And mature enough not to fall into such a fantasy. I'm sure he will control the relationship."

"Again, we can hope," Layth notes, amused.

"If they came all of this way, why would they wish to go back now?" Calligenia asks Tasha. "Is our world so dull to them? The older one who asks about everything seems happy."

"So tell, me, Aisha. Would you want a man to control your relationships?" Layth asks the small doe. "I am fairly certain Master Lightfoot does not control his… "

"Well," Tasha begins, pausing as she thinks on just how to answer Calli "They 'ave somethin' left unfinished," she explains, head tilting, "an' I think it because they chose to come 'ere, bu' they always though' they could go 'ome, when it was all over. Their 'ome is far away, in space an' time, an' now I think they 'ope to find a little bit o' familiarity. They've been sleepin' a long time, Calli. Bu', I also think you're right." After laying Calli's ears flat, Tasha switches to combing the doe's hair. "I think they like this worl', especially tha' one."

"I prefer a partnership of equals is all," Aaron mutters, while Aisha just looks blankly at him. To Layth, she says, "The more mature person should be in control, of course, as in all things."

"I was told on Rephidim that such 'Exiles' are often dangerous or crazy," Calligenia notes. "So far, one of them seems crazy. One is too quiet and withdrawn. And this other one of yours… seems normal, if a bit sad."

"Teasing aside … I am sure she will love the ring. It is a gift with many meanings," Layth notes to Aaron. To Aisha, Layth asks, "Is that why your father wishes me to be in charge of you?" He even reaches over and taps her nose tip.

"Probably," Aisha admits, rubbing her nose. "But… wait? Ring? What ring?" she asks, looking between Layth and Aaron both.

"Why did you mention the ring?" Aaron asks Layth before burying his face in his palms.

Tasha looks down at Calligenia, and smiles a little sadly. "Then they're jus' like any other person." She then settles Calli's hair, and resumes cimbing her ears, just to calm the doe's frayed nerves. "Wouldn' you be sad, or quiet, or long for somethin' to occupy your mind, if Amazonia vanished, your friend were all gone, an' your culture was thousand years dead?"

"Between you and me, Lady Aisha … and do not let your father know I said this … but I think you have taken care of your self quite well without help," Layth says to the doe. As for the ring, Layth explains, "Oh, he got his friend a souvenir ring with her name inscribed on it since she wasn't able to come along. It is nothing more than that. He is just worried that others may take it for more than it is."

"I would seek revenge, of course," Calli says without hesitation.

"You can' kill time, Calli. Tha's a lesson for you from me," the Vartan offers.

"What friend?" Aisha asks Aaron pryingly. "I do not recall you having anyone you were that close to."

"I'm sure time can be killed, if you try hard enough," Calligenia asserts. "Anything can be killed."

"A lady named Anysia, I believe," Layth offers. Master Lightfoot said she was just a good friend and they have had some adventures together."

"Oh, Anisa," Aisha says in understanding. "For a moment, Layth, you made it sound as if there was a romantic interest involved. And now that it comes up, I probably should have thought to get her a souvenir as well. She likes souvenirs."

Tasha leans back at Calligenia's response, brows raising. At moments like this, she can almost hear someone telling her how young and naive she is. Only this time, it isn't her, it's Calli, and she's the one in place to offer advice. "No' everythin' can be settled by destroyin', Calli. Sometimes the best answer is to create," she offers, hoping that makes sense.

"So, will you help your friend recreate his lost world then?" Calligenia asks. Her tone is no different than when she talked about killing time, as if both goals were actually achievable.

With a sidelong glance to Aaron, Layth whispers to Aisha, "I think Master Lightfoot some day hopes to develop romance with her. But … he will not directly admit it. He needs help so I will mentor him."

"No, Calli. I couldn' even if I wan'ed to. Wha' I wan' to do is," and here Tasha reaches up to pat Gabriel's arm, " … 'elp 'im create a new world."

"You are being silly," Aisha insists. "There is nothing between them."

"A new world is easier to make then?" Calli asks.

With another glance to Aaron, Layth tests something. "So, then it would be okay if I romanced her?" he asks Aisha, just loud enough so Aaron could hear.

"No, I don' think so. T'be 'ontes, I've never been in'erested in an' older man, bu' somethin' about 'im jus' calls to me. I wan' 'im to be 'appy, I think 'e's suffered enough. If I can make 'im happier by bein' wit' 'im, I will. I jus' 'ope Layth can forgive me," Tasha answers Calligenia. "'Ow abou' you? 'Ave you foun' anyone?"

"I do not think you would find her to your liking," Aisha says, shaking her head. "She is a good person, but sometimes she behaves younger than me. And she is much older! Older than you, perhaps. Although from the way she describes such things, you would definitely be her 'type'." At that, Aaron just twitches.

"Found anyone? No. I must build up a more solid reputation first to attract the best candidates," Calligenia notes.

Layth motions to Aaron's twitching to try and get Aisha to notice. His brow raises as if to say, 'See?'. With a pat on Aaron's back, he says, "Master Lightfoot is a better choice than I, though. Perhaps we can make him more her type."

"I'm sure Aaron could simply seduce her if he tried," Aisha notes, and pats Aaron on the knee. "He tries to be too charming though, instead of taking charge."

"I broke her ribs once," Aaron notes to Aisha. The golden doe just shrugs at that, saying, "That is not the same thing."

"Your mother once suggested we ought an' find a man as a pair, tha' tha' would get you a better option," Tasha tells Calli, then rubs her head up a bit, laughing. "Wha' a idea tha' was. Me, I think I'm done wit' treatin' men like ports."

"Are you going to survive?" Layth asks Aaron.

Aaron looks at Layth, and sits up straight. "I'll be fine. Maybe I've just been a bit… slow… for lack of competition," he says.

"You understand that we are teasing you, yes?" Layth clarifies.

"Ports?" Calli asks in confusion. But then a call comes the lookout, and the doe's attention is turned back towards the horizon. A distant speck of light keeps flashing in sequence – The Calligenia using its signal-mirror.

"Aisha said it: you're Anisa's type," Aaron says. "So we're rivals, even if you don't try."

"I would only try to convince her you were the better choice," Layth notes. "You are my friend, after all."

"Usin' men, jus' to use them, Calli. Layth taught me there could be more – an' Gabriel showed me it was true," Tasha tells Calli. Looking up, Tasha points at the distant light, even though the doe can easily see it. "Looks like your namesake 'as arrived." Tasha takes one last brush to Calli's ears, then steps back to let the doe stand.

"I was hoping that she would decide that for herself," Aaron notes, just as the paddle-wheels start up and the ship begins to change course.

"How do you know she hasn't?" Layth asks. "If she is anything like you at all, she is just as unwilling to say anything."

"She would have told one of her friends," Aaron notes, and stands up. "I think we're going to rendezvous with our ride to Parthos now," he comments.

Layth stands as well. He pats Aaron on the back, adding, "And you also realize it is unlikely she will ever meet me." With that, the buck goes to help the crew secure the ships together in preparation for cargo transfer.

Tasha helps Calli up, then waves her forward. "Time to do your thing, Calli. Jus' remember wha' I said an' try to ease, would you?" She smiles at the doe, then turns to Gabriel. "I hope you're enjoying your trip, so far. There's still quite a bi' left to see."