Falling, falling, falling… The mouse remembers a well of stars, with a giant eye-glyph at the very end of it like a winking nova, and a feeling of having been dispersed to the four corners of the universe and then reassembled. Then blackness.

Then a pounding headache.

Ben_Mouse moans, keeping his eyes closed. He moves his fingers, and then toes… on up. The mouse is happy to find that everything is still attached, and still works.

Ben_Mouse takes a breath, and opens his eyes.

It seems that the pounding is due in part to a drop of water falling ceaselessly off a large rasp-edged leaf immediately above Ben. He lies atop a stalk of some other plant. Overhead is more greenery, tinted with yellow. Everywhere is the sound of rain forest. Hostile. Full of hungry creatures and insects and snakes…

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Oh. Great. }

Far away, a cry like breaking glass rings as a long, lithe predator pounces… Something dies with a tiny 'squeak!'

Ben_Mouse sits up and draws his sword. "T… Tarin?"

Ben_Mouse mutters. "Damn. This isn't Genesis. No rainforests. not like this."

There're no signs of Tarin around. Not even a scrap of red or white fur.

More water goes *plop!* on Ben's hat, causing it to droop. Good thing this stuff is waterproof…

Ben_Mouse sighs and starts climbing up, trying to see if he can get a better view of just where 'here' might be…

Ben_Mouse ties off the pack he's lugging, leaving it in a semi-visible place, so he'll remember.

Ben_Mouse pants, the thick air clearing his headache a little. o O { … and no link to the coves. Well, mouse, this is as bad as you've ever been. }

Ben_Mouse's ears swing this way and that, alert for Tarin. And predators.

The tree Ben stands on is nearly choked off by creepers, so that the small branches creak like dead wood when he climbs atop them. Swaying from the highest twig, he looks out across the rain forest to see… More of the same. It's a bowl-shaped valley, or perhaps shaped more like the inside of a leaf, with the ends rising up to what could be passes out. Hundreds of miles at a guess – thousands and thousands of miles for a mouse. Still, there's hope:

Not far away there's a clearing, and it looks like large people of some kind are gathering in it, wearing clothes and carrying items that might be tools of some kind.

Ben_Mouse, remembering the incident with Kujaku's ornithopter, keeps an eye out for raptors. he halfgrins at the campers below, and climbs down, regaining his pack. The mouse than begins the long climb to the bottom, watching for snakes.

They don't look like tribal hunter-gatherers… From this range, Ben can just tell that they've got spots and fur patterns of some kind.

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Perhaps Tarin is there. }

Something drops and swings toward Ben's head!

Ben_Mouse spins to one side, his grip slipping on the tree. He lets his pack fall; he can recover that! With his free hand, he draws his blade!

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Ok… what are we? }

*slash!* The dead creeper splits into two parts cleanly.

Ben_Mouse eeeeks!

A good first encounter. Enemy met and dispatched, even if it wasn't quite as dangerous as first suspected.

Unfortunately, the pack is now tumbling toward the bottom of the tree, raising a small cloud of dust.

Ben_Mouse erghs… and heads down, keeping an eye on about where the pack came to rest. The mouse is careful to test the creepers before putting his full weight on each.

The pack skids to rest… Near a large insect with eight legs and a grasshopper's build that's carrying a leaf. It pauses and twizzles its antennae at the pack. Tasty?

Ben_Mouse blinks… as names and places start to fade from his memory. he clings to names through the throbbing headache, wondering if this is some magical effect. The mouse takes pains to avoid any lifeforms…

The leafhopper discards its leaf for the moment and scuttles toward the pack.

Ben_Mouse blinks and halfgrins. He tries to shoo the 'hopper by throwing pebbles at it. "C'mon… that's mine!"

The leafhopper nibbles on the pack – eep! As rocks bounce off of its exoskeleton, it turns and starts to run, with the strap of the pack caught on a left hind foot.

The leafhopper bounces off with Ben's pack!

Ben_Mouse picks up a twig; a handy quarterstaff for him. He rushes off after the 'hopper and his pack!

Ben_Mouse thinks, and takes a slightly curved route, trying to work around in front of the 'hopper.

*boing!* *boing!* The leafhopper stops and looks around, as it rests on a particularly large fungoid growth. The pack clings haphazardly to its leg.

The leafhopper vibrates its foot, trying to shake off the obstruction.

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Don't want to hurt you. That's it. Maybe you can get it off yourself? }

Ben_Mouse pauses and watches, taking a moment to examine the surroundings.

The pack thumps to a lower shelf of the multi-tiered mushroom.

The leafhopper *sproings!* off again.

Ben_Mouse hmphs. now he climbs mushrooms. The mouse uses his blade to carve hand and footholds into the flesh of the mushroom.

The mushroom feels resilient. Sort of like some kind of packing material.

Ben_Mouse mutters "Good thing I did all that farming. It's kept me in shape. Erf.

At last Ben stands on the lower shelf, the pack within easy reach. Not bad for a few minutes work. Now which way was that clearing?…

Ben_Mouse sits, and closes his eyes to listen. Those folks were pretty large, and they had a lot of tools and things with them…

Ben_Mouse swings his ears about, orienting, or trying to.

The rain forest's din drowns out any sounds of tools… it might be just wishful thinking that suggests some talking to that direction – they might be the random sounds of creatures.

Ben_Mouse also remembers that he tried to climb down the side of the tree that the clearing was on. Pack on his back finally, he returns to the tree, and then starts off in what he thinks id the proper direction for the clearing.

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { I hope these people are friendly. }

Ben_Mouse decides that he will observe for a bit, before striding into the clearing.

Ben_Mouse keeps looking about the forest as he walks along.

Time passes. There are a few close calls with more of the rain forest creatures – and vegetation! (Ben vividly remembers the sucking feeling of that patch he thought was just a pool of collected dew in a leaf… Fortunately cutting himself free was no difficulty) But ultimately Ben makes his way to a large clearing's side where the trees are smaller and live. From the shadow of an overhanging fern…

Ben_Mouse frowns, thinking of Wyn, and Tarin. He hopes they are ok. The mouse pauses to take in the scene.

It's a trading party! There are ferret-like creatures of tawny coloration, their thin fur patterned with jaguar and leopard spots and mottlings, their limbs attenuated and tails whip-like; they are dressed in clothes that look thin but heavy in order to endure the rain forest better, shades of dark green and yellow, like camoflauge. They have brought barrels and barrels that slosh mysteriously, and bushels of some flowery vegetation, the stalks cut off. They seem to be waiting for something, their eyes watching the skies.

With a start, the mouse notices more eyes watching from the far side of the clearing as well.

Ben_Mouse thinks the creatures attractive, never having seen them before. The mouse blinks at the observers at the far side of the clearing, and wonders if he has been seen!

They look like more of the ferret traders… And they're armed, judging from the glint of bone heads to their spears and knives. An ambush of some kind? Not for the first group of ferrets, if that's so. But there are about eight traders visible here, and Ben's trained eyes pick out twenty of the warriors hiding.

A faint whooshing of winds calls Ben's attention to the sky. There's something coming in. Slow. Not a plane.

Ben_Mouse frowns. If he didn't know better, he would think that there was about to be a robbery. He looks up, remembering the airships that visited Genesis upon occasion.

Ben_Mouse blinks. Those -were- airships that visited Genesis, weren't they? He has trouble remembering what they looked like.

Ben_Mouse edges around the clearing, getting closer to the warriors to see what they might be up to. The mouse remins hidden under the undergrowth.

Ben_Mouse keeps one hand on the hilt of his sword.

A dirigible… The larger bag, mostly oval, holds a number of gas bags within it, each held in a wicker framework that Ben can see because the bottom side is open. Beneath it is a large galleon-like ship with sails spread to the side and beneath it, open and watching the wind. The sails are painted red, with white fang patterns.

The sailors look like cats of some kind, judging from the heads that occasionally look over the side. They come closer, the sails on the side rotating to cause the wind to drive the ship toward the ground.

The airship, for that's surely what it must be, hovers over the clearing. Its sailors toss down lines which the traders catch and begin lashing to stumps.

Ben_Mouse frowns. This looks like some sort of established trading system. o O { This can't be right… }

Ben_Mouse decides to warn the cats. He heads for where the ship is tied off, hoping to go up the rope.

Following the establishment of the lines that keep the airship so low that its low-hanging sail grazes the top of the trees, several rope ladders are thrown out the side. They uncoil and snap loose and then hang toward the ground, swinging to and fro.

Ben_Mouse eeeks to himself. Things have to happen quickly.

Fortunately for the mouse, the traders' attention are on the airship as the sailors' leader or envoy is clambeirng down the ladder to greet them, along with a few sailors carrying weapons strapped to their backs. The leader, a he – no, a she, Ben decides – is a lithe and strikingly muzzle-marked golden cat with black gloves and tailtip, dressed in a loose silk blouse and black pants, carrying a cutlass on her belt, and several throwing knives on a bandoleer.

The mouse's at one of the ropes anchoring the airship now.

Ben_Mouse thinks! He has to draw attention to the waiting ambushers somehow!

The envoy drops to the ground, flanked by her escort. She exchanges opening greetings with the traders, who are affable and gracious. They gesture to the waiting commodities: the barrels and bushels, which Ben can tell are quite aromatic, like incense.

Ben_Mouse is between the airship crew and the ambushers… the mouse decides to climb the rope to about eye-level for the cats, and then… well… draw attention to himself.

The rope is thick and not at all technological: it's going to give Ben ropeburn if he climbs much of it! Fortunately for him, at the lowest part it's at a low enough slope he can climb it more like a mountainside.

The envoy gestures peremptorily to the barrels, wanting to inspect them. An obliging trader removes the plug and dips a thin tool of some kind in, to pull it out filled with some dark viscous liquid. Sap?

Halfway there… Nearly to eye-level. Now what would get their attention?

Ben_Mouse puffs, reaching the appropriate level, and shouts "Watch out! Hey! You are about to be robbed!"

The envoy sniffs at the sap. Her eyes widen. She says something apparently complimentary, for the traders relax noticably.

The envoy and her watchful escort don't seem to have noticed the tiny voice… They're almost across the clearing from Ben right now. They move over to the bushels, which are closer, as a trader thriftily pours the sap back into the barrel and re-seals it.

Ben_Mouse readies his crossbow, and aims for one of the ferret-things…

Readied and aimed.

Ben_Mouse fires!

The envoy, who might be the captain, is picking up one of the petals now. She chews on it thoughtfully.

*Zing!* A tiny quarrel buzzes like a mosquito… And thumps into one of the warriors' neck.

He doesn't move. Good training. At least until he thumps over, causing his head to be slightly visible. This draws one of the envoys' attention.

The envoy spits the petal out, looking displeased. She is about to have harsh words with the traders over its quality, when the escort yells something that could only be, even in a different language, "Ambushers!"

At this, the traders draw their weapons even as the envoy and her escorts turn to run to the ladders, and the warriors begin to move to attack. It looks like the kitty-litter is going to hit the rotary air propeller soon.

Ben_Mouse decides to climb higher along the rope. Perhaps in the airship is the place to be.

As Ben climbs the rope, he feels a rhythmic thump moving through it.

Ben_Mouse pauses to reload his crossbow…

The envoy bares her cutlass, chopping at the traders as she makes her way up the rope ladder, trying to keep them from following her. The escorts have taken the other rope ladders.

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Gads. Finding replacement quarrels might not be easy… }

Looking up, Ben sees a crewman is cutting through the anchoring rope. Whoops.

Ben_Mouse acks and hurries up the rope! "Wait! Hey!"

Ben_Mouse looks as he climbs. How far is it to the ladder? "i might have to leap… "

Too late… About twenty feet down, the rope finally parts and begins to twist and fall. It's about a foot away from the ladder now, just above where the envoy's fighting for her life.

Ben_Mouse does the only thing he can do; Leap for the ladder!

The rope twists away as Ben leaps, falling toward the ground full of screaming ferretoids. Thin air whirls past, and a sickening 'What if I miss'…

Ben_Mouse stretches, reaching…

Thump! Ben catches one of the ferretoids' outstretched spears.

This is not exactly a very safe position, as said spear is being used to stab up at the puma-marked woman, who is striking back with her cutlass.

Ben_Mouse blinks at the captain for a moment. Does she see him? Then the mouse turns and shoots the spear-wielding ferret with the crossbow.

The saber hisses through the air, inches from Ben! From this angle, he must look like some kind of fetish, perhaps a feathery decoration for the spear.

Ben_Mouse eeeks!

The crossbow goes *poing!* The ferret yelps, clawing at the bolt, then begins to fall off the rope ladder as his limbs go stiff. The spear begins to fall…

Ben_Mouse bites his lip, and makes another leap, for the captain…

Ben_Mouse says, "Help!"

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Can't stay with the ferrets! Must leave with the airship! }

Again a familiar feel of rushing air – made it! The mouse is now clinging to the captain's left foot, behind her heavy boot. She is making good use of the time that the falling ferret gave her to climb up the ladder, almost within reach of the crewmen. They have crossbows of their own, which they are using to pick off the climbing ferrets.

Ben_Mouse fights motion-sickness on top of this transference-headache…

The captain-envoy climbs nimbly onto the deck, then looks down puzzled at the back of her boot. Some kind of furry clinging thing with a cloth covering? She tries to brush it off.

Meanwhile, the other crewmembers have made it back aboard, and the airship crew are casting loose, the ropes and rope ladders cut off and released over the side.

Ben_Mouse falls off onto the deck! "Wait! Please!"

The captain appears surprised and says something in a rumbling language.

She reaches down and offers a hand to the mouse, to see what the now apparently miniaturized sapient does.

Ben_Mouse thinks, not knowing any sign-language. Stepping into the offered paw, he shows her the crossbow, and indicates the ferrets below by pointing in their direction. "I'm on your side!"

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { Ooo. If any of those ferrets saw me, they are -not- going to like me. }

Ben_Mouse then bows deeply to the captain-envoy of the airship. "language is going to be a problem, I think."

The puma-marked captain raises her eyebrow. Something caused that warrior to fall – something felled that ferret. She rumbles something, a long and solemn declaration with a touch of humor to her eye, and looks pleased. Up close, Ben can see that her at-first black-seeming hair is really a dark shade of auburn, lighter near her tawny fur. She has a scar under one eye that gives her the faint appearance of that eye-sigil Ben remembers… Perhaps just a coincidence.

The captain snaps orders to the rest of the crew. The sails fill with wind as the trading ship moves upward.

Ben_Mouse relaxes a little, and takes a moment to look through his belongings. Yes, they are all here…

Ben_Mouse looks back up to the feline. Placing a hand on his chest, he says 'Benjamin'. Tilting his head, he points to her?

Ben_Mouse thinks . o O { These folks seem more civilized than the ferrets. Perhaps this is the ruling civilization of this world? }

"Shadra vo Zhano," the captain replies with a faint smile. then turns to her crew, making another declaration of some kind. They look up at her with respect, then amazement at the tiny mouse that she is holding up.

Ben_Mouse grins. "Shadra." He then turns and bows to the crew.

In the declaration, Ben catches his name – "Ben-zhamin" – and Shadra's. As she finishes, she reaches down with her other hand for a belt knife, drawing it and bringing it up.

It's… Not steel, or any kind of metal, Ben notices, as she brings the white glistening surface up. Ceramic, or high-grade plastic. Sharp stuff too, and well polished.

Ben_Mouse bites his lip and grins at his 'friend.' She might notice the slight glint of fear in his eye. He points to the knife?

She smiles at Ben with a 'Don't worry' tilt to the corner of her eyes. Then…

Ben_Mouse takes a breath…

… Shadra cuts her index finger on which Ben rests, leaving a narrow cut bleeding. Exceedingly sharp, that ceramic. She gestures with the tip of her blade for Ben to offer an arm up.

Ben_Mouse understands, or thinks he does. Keeping his eyes on Shadra's, he raises his arm.

It is red blood.

The cougar-like captain lowers her blade, for Ben to cut his arm on.

Ben_Mouse mutters "I have to trust someone… " The mouse cuts his palm on the sharp ceramic point, and then kneels to press his hand on Shadra's wound.

The crew watches their captain, Shadra vo Zhano, and this newest little pet. At the moment that the wounds touch, they raise a cry, and Shadra pronounces, "Ben-zhamin, vo Zhano!"

Ben_Mouse blinks. o O { Wait. Did i just get married? }

Much giddy celebration ensues as the crewmen roll out the barrels of thin mead, and Shadra leans forward to give Ben a mischevious lick, then laps her cut clean of blood. She raises him to his shoulder and calls for chefs to bring out food. The good stuff, of course.

Ben_Mouse files that thought away, and stands. He grins happily and says Ben-zhamin, vo Zhano!"

The little voice catches the attention of some of the crew, who return the salutation with their names – they are also of vo Zhano, it appears. A clan name?

Even if Ben can't speak the language yet, it's a good party. Mead, grains, a little meat, served on plain ceramic plates of some kind, and Shadra offers Ben small bits of all the dishes, served to him on what might have been a cap from some bottle, but makes a feast-platter for a mouse.

Ben_zhamin makes it a point to refer to objects by pointing, trying to learn their names, and the names of the rest of his clan…

And a good start to a new world. For such this is, and eventually Ben is able to learn that the name of this world is Sinai, and they are going to a place called Rephidim. Shadra's eyes glint a little. She's not looking forward to it for some reason – perhaps she doesn't like going back empty-handed. But still, there it is, there things must be done.

All the while, Ben_zhamin thinks about Tarin, who was supposed to have made the trip with him. o O { He's bigger tan I am, and woods-wise. He'll be ok… ? }

…

Rephidim approaches – it is a sky island! As Ben-zhamin vo Zhano watches from the bow of the ship, he sees a lush forest-covered island on which a city of some kind sprawls out over the surface. The bottom is some kind of granite-like rock that stretches out in long stalactites.

Ben_zhamin gasps softly. He's never seen the like. He sits quietly, mostly staying out of the way. He wonders if his friend Shadra will be in trouble for coming back without a cargo.

The Zhano-Paradhel approaches with slow grace, stopping over a wide field covered with more airships, some thirty-times the length of the merchanter and obviously warships. Each is moored into place, though some have been docked in shipyard-like apparati where the sails are dismantled and tucked out of the way so that their ships can be worked on.

Ben_zhamin wonders absently if 'Paradhel' is their word for airship. o O { I wonder what lifting-gas they use. }

Ben_zhamin shudders at a thought.

The city sprawls beyond sight, slowly growing in height toward some giant half-rock-covered edifice of gray. There are even a few of what might be office buildings or skyscrapers of some kind. Outside the walls however, things look more familiar, tents and booths and small shops of an old-fashioned construction. There's almost no metal visible, as Ben's observed before on the airship.

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { That's why I've not seen any metal on board to speak of! Sparks! }

Shadra offers a hand to Ben, saying something kindly. Business. Customs. Forms. But first, some things that must be done, perhaps.

Ben_zhamin grins and steps into Shadra's hand, briefly nuzzling her fingers.

Shadra looks amused.

Ben_zhamin looks about at the floating city in quiet awe, wondering what he needs to do to pass the port. Ah well… Shadra will know.

She lifts the mouse to her shoulder and heads down the ladder, nimble as anyone Ben can remember. Once there, she sets her course for the city gates and begins walking swiftly down toward the far end… She's making her way to that large building that Ben remembers, in the richest part of town.

Ben_zhamin halfgrins and holds onto the fur of Shadra's neck. "Quick, aren't you! Slow down or you'll get a ticket." The mouse chuckles.

More ferrets! But these are a different kind of people, the mouse thinks, than those he saw in the forest. They somehow seem to cringe inside and scurry from the captain's notice as if they might be cuffed for impertinence. The ferretoids are engaged in cleaning activities, though many operate small shops or call customers to grace their streetfront operations with their business.

Ben_zhamin grins to himself and keeps an eye out for people in the crowd. In other places, he has seen people he has known this way.

Occasionally an insectoid passes, reminding Ben of a race that he has seen VERY rarely. These are fierce-looking insects with six legs and what looks like nasty claws on their arms. They stand guard at checkpoints, where Shadra presents her form and mutters something in a different-sounding language.

Ben_zhamin halfgrins. So he was perhaps correct in thinking the ferrets as a differnt class or caste.

The Zelaks clack their mandibles, then stand aside to permit passage.

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { Giant bugs. Perhaps there are giant mice as well… } The mouse grins, and then as an aside to his ride, mimics the clackclack sound.

The kind of people that Ben sees changes as Shadra passes through successively richer quarters. She remonstrates Ben lightly, but laughs softly. Apparently it's unwise to draw the attention of the Zelaks. At last they stand before the Temple gates…

Ben_zhamin halfgrins and scoots a little tighter against Shadra's neck.

Shadra announces herself to the Zelak guards there as well, then gestures up to Ben. Shortly, a robe-clad poodle-like creature emerges – some kind of canine with fur very expensively pomaded and made up, of a peppered gray in appearance. He gestures for the two to follow him.

Ben_zhamin keeps a straight face. He wonders if he should tell Shadra his word for the poodle is 'fifi?' He thinks better of it, and quietly watches.

The priest leads them into what Ben realizes is a virtual warren of corridors and passages – and the construction changes too, as if it had been built up over the year. Shadra looks disquieted, as if she would be lost without a guide in here.

Ben_zhamin patpats Shadra's neck and grins. "You aren't alone, friend."

Ben_zhamin really starts to wonder what is about to happen.

Shadra purrs a little and mutters something back. "Nas ve demurran, Ben-zhamin vo Zhano."

The poodle leads the two into… Metallic corridors! It feels like the inside of some technological warren to Ben somehow. But there's nothing anywhere else that suggests any kind of machinery works well.

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { We must be deep enough in where sparks no longer matter. }

The poodle-priest speaks to some tall gray wolf guards standing beside a hatchway. One pulls back a hatch – it used to be an intercom, but now it's just a thin panel over a screen, which must go to the other side – and rumbles some kind of introduction. A snarly voice comes back.

Ben_zhamin looks to Shadra, gaging her reactions.

The poodle almost seems to go 'eep', if Ben were to go by appearances, but Shadra doesn't seem to have noticed. She's too busy going 'eep' herself.

Ben_zhamin frowns and raises a brow. "I wish I knew what was going on, Shadra. But you wouldn't have brought me here if we were to face combat. it must be alright."

The door slides open, drawn back by some guards on the inside, and the priest escorts Shadra and Ben inside. Within is a small office that reminds Ben suspiciously of a dentist's office… Except that over the head of the seat is suspended a large metal globe with many projections and wires leading up to a heavily-reinforced support.

Ben_zhamin eyes widen. Technology!

There is a tall robed poodle, entirely white of fur – one might be tempted to say bone-white. He carries an elaborately carved staff and wears gobs of jewels about his hands.

Ben_zhamin rests a hand on the hilt of his blade. He whispers "Shadra… " while pulling softly on her fur…

He turns to scrutinize the newcomers with a bored look, then gestures to Shadra and the chair. The priest-poodle who first guided them in stutters as he corrects his master, and the richly dressed poodle frowns and then leans forward to stare at the correct target…

Ben.

Shadra pets Ben gently and whispers a reassurance.

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { A mental probe! Eeeep! }

Shadra reaches up with a hand for Ben.

Ben_zhamin looks serious. He gets Shandra's attention, and shows dher the scar on his palm. "I trust you."

The poodle master rumbles some command. He begins to look impatient as he stretches out his hand.

Ben_zhamin steps into Shadra's hand.

Shadra nods to Ben. "Vo te materas, Ben-zhamin vo Zhano." She holds up Ben for the poodle priest, who eyes his newfound captive with some displeasure. He growls a command to his servant, who scurries off with "yipyip!" noises.

Ben_zhamin bites his lip and tries to be as still as he can, not offering any resistance.

In a minute, many large pillows have been brought back, sufficient to prop Ben up in range of the globe once it is lowered. The poodle master drops Ben there, then fixes him with a 'Stay there if you know what is good for you' look.

Ben_zhamin stays put, halfsmiling, eyes still on Shadra.

Shadra's amber eyes fix on Ben. She's worried too.

The globe starts to crank lower.

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { I hope these people know how to operate this thing. }

Power builds up, a hum that Ben can feel even through the pillows propping him up.

The poodle master begins a long invocation of some kind of power. Perhaps it is an admonition to the great powers that serve this machine, perhaps it is a plea to whatever gods exist to grant some boon. Maybe it's a dire threat to Ben pledging to wipe out his house and family if he doesn't do just as he is told.

*ZZZT*! And Ben is abruptly… Not there anymore.

It's as if the mouse were floating in a giant matrix of some kind, and information was just floating by like giant birds.

No, wait – it's coming for him!

Ben_zhamin quickly looks to see what came with him…

With a not-quite thump, a large falcon bumps into Ben. It's made of… words. Words that Ben can understand now. Paradhel means a small and fast flyer, a bird that catches fish from just beneath the surface of the sea and brings them to its nest to feed its children…

More word-birds dive toward Ben, but many of them are missing and fluttering around as if disoriented. Some aren't even trying.

Ben_zhamin blinks and grins, comprehending! A learning machine! The mouse 'sits' quietly and interacts with the machine, wanting to learn!

After what seems like just a few minutes, the space Ben is in begins to fade away. There's so much more to be learned here, he's sure, if only he had more time… But instead with a thump, he finds himself back on the pillows, in fact, tumbling down them as the globe is being lifted away.

Shadra cries out, "Ben-zhamin! Careful!" as she reaches down to catch the mouse.

Ben_zhamin flops on the seat proper, blinking. "S… Shadra? Can you understand… me?"

Ben_zhamin grins!

"Yes – yes, I can," Shadra says with pleasure. "I knew that Exiles were supposed to be brought here, but I never knew why."

Ben_zhamin climbs into the friendly palm. "I… oh… it's wonderful! What an invention!"

The poodle master drawls, "If you do not mind, Trader-Captain Shadra, we have certain questions for your young friend." He has a distinctly supercilious voice and tone, but he doesn't look like someone who's inclined to be disobeyed.

Ben_zhamin blinks and sits quietly. "May she stay? I'll certainly answer what I can."

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { Easy, Ben. You aren't king here. }

"She may return for you," the poodle master says dismissively. "There will be the matter of an Exile processing fee, of course. One gold."

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { Thank goodness I'm not king… ! }

Shadra blanches. "Of course. Vo Zhano stands by its people. I will be back."

Shadra gives Ben a promising look. "By sundown. I will be back."

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { I must repay her… }

Ben_zhamin grins and waves. "Be well, Shadra. I'll be here… "

She gives Ben a lick on his cheek, and then reluctantly leaves him in the care of… one that Ben is suddenly sure is a High Inquisitor of some kind.

Ben_zhamin halfgrins, watching his only friend on this planet go.

Ben_zhamin gathers himself and sits up, looking at his questioner without fear, and with some curiosity.

"So then, let us adjourn to my… facilities. You may call me Hospitality Officer Maleficos Dunbarre," the poodle master says almost affably as he picks up Ben. "I am a high-ranking priest of Rephidim Temple. You must have many questions for us. As we have for you… "

"I don't suppose you play miniature golf? Ah, I suppose it would be difficult for one of your small size to play. Very well, then. Let us begin with a simple question. … "

Ben_zhamin nods. "Yes, sir. My main thoughts are for one that I was travelling with. A tall, red-furred fellow with a long tail tipped in white… er, yes?"

Ben_zhamin blinkblinks. They have miniature golf?

Maleficos Dunbarre waves his hand dismissively. "No new Exile has been brought in for years. You are the first in a long time, and undoubtedly my facilities will require some cleaning. So then. Your name?"

Ben_zhamin says, "Benjamin Mouse. Although here I am apparently to be known as Ben_zhamin vo Zhano."

The 'facilities' in question, Ben sees, strongly resemble a medieval dungeon filled with torture equipment. Thanksfully for the mouse, practically everything is built for normal-sized patrons. Which is to say, far too large to confine one small mouse.

Ben_zhamin blinks. "These are insturments of torture. Um… needed in your line of work?"

"Vo Zhano. An interesting circumstance, that," Maleficos says. "It signifies a membership in a family tighter than blood – for one cannot choose one's blood relatives." He smiles tightly. "Occasionally an Exile is… Less than forthcoming with answers."

"Ah, but they will hardly be needed with you, will they?" the poodle master says with a thin smile. "Where did you come from. Why did you leave it? what do you remember of when you came here?"

Ben_zhamin nods. "I have no reason not to tell you anything. I came from a land called Genesis, another world, actually. I came with the other I mentioned, seeking a vanished friend of ours. A female wolf called Wyn."

Two of the Zelak guards stand at attention just outside the doors. The poodle assistant wags his tail looking anxious to serve any order that might be necessary.

"Genesis. I see," Maleficos says. He writes this down on a bloodstained notebook. "What is it like, this world you came from?"

"Were there any gods there? Any of the people called, perhaps, Sifra or Runelya? Or mysterious ruins, artifacts, things beyond explanation?"

Ben_zhamin says, "I appeared here alone. With a horrible headache. I stumbled upon a group of ferrets apparently making ready to ambush Shadra and her airship. Genesis? very magical place. I… am a ruler, there."

Ben_zhamin says, "No… no people called that. I don;t remember offhand what gods were worshiped… "

"A ruler!" Maleficos raises his eyebrows. "Many Exiles have made such claims. Tish tosh about unappreciated government, illicit rebels, requests for aid to win back their lands. We have no interest in these foreign affairs, even if there were a way to return you to them." He sniffs disdainfully.

Maleficos writes some more.

Ben_zhamin grins. "I make no claims to rulership here. Just between you and I, I would rather be a farmer than king… "

Ben_zhamin says, "Er… is this the -only- place 'exiles' are processed?"

"Commendable humility. The farmer serves the Priesthood far better than the king, for he knows his place and his function, whereas the king? Bah." Maleficos looks displeased but not at Ben. "Yes. Of course. It is a long-standing agreement of Rephidim with the many nations."

Ben_zhamin grins and nods. "If my 'family' is station at this place, I may meet my friend here."

Ben_zhamin thinks. o O { And then we can see about finding a way back to Genesis. }

"Perhaps," Maleficos says airily, waving a hand. "Now, more questions." He continues down a list of questions, drawing out from Ben details about Genesis and his home, whether there were any kind of beliefs there, or powerful figures, and about how he made the transition. The interview concludes at last, and Maleficos pours a fine sand over the page to let the ink dry. "See our Exile to the door where his… friend will be by with his Exile processing fee, Leaflet. Give him the usual lecture."

Maleficos says with a thin smile, "I have an appointment for… A game."

Leaflet, the poodle assistant, bows low to the Hospitality Officer. "Of course, sir. Immediately, sir."

Ben_zhamin grins. "Be well, Maleficos."

A grunt is the only reply, as the robed poodle master sweeps out the room. Leaflet picks up Ben and begins walking to the entrance of the Temple, where he explains, "You're an Exile, so you wouldn't know some of these things, but… " He explains a little about Sinai, and the many lands, and then continues, "A lot of Exiles try to find ways back home, and many even try going into the Forbidden Zones, whre they came through. No one's ever succeeded that I've heard written about. But if you do, you'll let us know, right?"

Leaflet seems far more amiable and willing to help now that he's out of sight of his imposing boss.

Ben_zhamin nods. "Well, we've been in difficult places before. Of course maybe the ones that disappeared got back? But I have to find my friends, first."

"Of course, of course," Leaflet says. "Isn't it always that way?" He babbles on a little more, nothing of importance.

It's nearly sundown outside the Temple, and the rays slant through the open windows as Ben sits in a bowl with some stale bits of what might be cheese from someone's lunch. It is with welcome relief that Ben sees a familiar leggy cougar figure stepping through the door.

Ben_zhamin, for the first time, has a tickling of a doubt about getting back to Genesis. Another part of his mind wonders if he really -wants- to…

Ben_zhamin grins! "Shadra!"

Shadra heads straight for Ben as she notices the voice. "Ben-zhamin!" She has a newly acquired cut on an arm, but it's scabbed already and near-invisible under the fur. She hands over the fee to the guard, who nods and hands her a sheaf of papers to go with Ben.

"Did they give you much trouble? I've heard some Exiles… Never come back from the Temple. They just vanish forever," Shadra says.

With uplifted spirit, Shadra gives Ben a lift to her shoulder and starts to head back to her airship.

Ben_zhamin notices the wound, but decides to ask her about it once they are out of the building. "I'm fine. I cooperated. No reason not to."

Ben_zhamin, once on Shadra's shoulder, whispers "That cut on your arm… ?"

"Good. I didn't need more – well, it's all right now." She smiles tightly, showing a bit of fangs. "We're going to be lifting right away, so we've got to get back shipboard now."

"It's nothing. A thief tried cutting me, I cut him first," Shadra says.

Ben_zhamin rummages in his pack for a bit, and then asks "Shadra, I want you to have something. Reach back to me, would you?"

"Not now," Shadra says distractedly. "Wait 'til we're on board."

Ben_zhamin nods "Certainly" and halfsmiles, suspecting that something is 'up.' Something besides airships.

The cougaress strides quickly through the quarters of the city, and makes for the Zhano-Paradhel. Once aboard, the crew begins to cut loose with the quick efficiency of long-time traders…

Shadra says to her crew, "Okay, we've got a 'hot' run, so we've got to get it there before it cools off. No slacking! Navigator, find me those wind charts and get me a run to Hiark!"

Ben_zhamin watches the sky-island drop away, halfsmiling. Yes, there is something comforting about this place, these people…

Later in Shadra's cabin, where the cougar is treating Ben to his first dinner where he can have conversation to go with the wine, Shadra leans forward and smiles at the little mouse. "Hope you bring us luck, little one. We could use it, this run. Treacherous currents. but no more treacherous than that last run."

Ben_zhamin nods. "I hope so too, Shadra. I am very lucky for having run into you, certainly."

Shadra grins. "So we're your luck, is that it?"

Ben_zhamin thinks. "Now. There is something I want give to you. Money here… is it hard to come by? I say you wince at the cost of my 'processing.'

Ben_zhamin says, "From what I was told, you have adopted me into your family; a bond stronger than blood. i need to bring what I can into the family."

"It's… nothing. Gold is thinner than a bond of blood," Shadra says.

Ben_zhamin offers Shadra a ruby, one of three gems he brough from Genesis. He cups it in both hands and offers it to her. "Here. This is for you. For Vo Zhano."

Ben_zhamin thinks . o O { I hope they are of value here. }

The cougar seems uncomfortable at first about talking about gold in what must be a matter of honor, then turns with surprise. "It's a ruby! And cut already."

Ben_zhamin nods, softly. "Please. I am in your debt, clan-sister."

Ben_zhamin grins.

She opens a drawer and extracts a jeweller's glass and a pair of tweezers, which she uses to inspect the gem. "Hmmm… Indeed. A handsome gift, Ben-zhamin." She smiles wryly. "Very well, for Vo Zhano. I will have it sold and place it into our accounts. Perhaps it will bring in a gold or two. I know a few jewellers."

"Thank you," Shadra says sincerely. "You didn't need to do this."

Ben_zhamin gasps inspite himself. Gold is dear than he thought! The mouse rethinks the scarcity of metal that he's seen. "Now now. I have the feeling that you'll be pulling me out of a scrape or two. I want to do my part when I can!"

Ben_zhamin grins. "Now… I need to make a cabin for myself on this airship!"

"Indeed? Well, you be our Luck then ad we'll bring you some." Shadra grins impishly, and then says "I've already seen to it. You'll be sleeping… Here."

The cougar lifts Ben up to the side of her bed, where she displays for him a chest where doll's furniture has been installed, making it a fairly comfortable cabin.

"I couldn't afford the house, but the pillows should be soft enough, don't you think?" Shadra says with a grin.

Ben_zhamin blinks and grins, ears blushing. "Well, then, I am honored. This marvelous!" The mouse blinks… suddenly quite tired. He's not had much rest since his arrival, and the lack of the Coves feels… odd."

The cougaress lowers her hand to let the mouse explore his new apartment.

Ben_zhamin nods. "I think it's perfect, heart. Um… do you mind if I knap? I am suddenly quite tired… "

Ben_zhamin grins. "I've not slept much since my arrival."

It seems that there's a hole cut so even when the chest lid is closed, Ben will be able to open a hatch and scramble out, by the rough wood if not the thin cord ladder.

"Of course," Shadra says. She licks Ben's cheek again, in a raspy affectionate way and grins. "Not bad tasting, at that."

Ben_zhamin grins and pushes against the pink nose with both hands. "Nut."

Ben_zhamin says, "See you soon, Captain! And… thank you for everything."

Shadra turns off the light before lowering her hand to let Ben scamper down onto the pillows, then curls up on her own bed. "I'm not a nut… Spice, maybe." She grins, letting stray light glint off a carnasserial fang. "Good night, Ben-zhamin."

Ben_zhamin curls up on the bed, his last waking thoughts about Wyn, and tarin… and a friend named Shadra.