The remainder of Vision of Battle's journey to Caroban proves arduous and time-consuming, taking over twice the time anticipated to complete. The birds that would normally allow the airship to summon help were killed in the attack, leaving the ship to flounder forward without outside aid. For the relatively healthy survivors, there's little sleep to be had, with or without magically-influenced dreams. Even the poodle diplomat, a yappy, prissy noble with hands as soft as a newborn's, provides some assistance to the crew. More importantly, he waives his usual prerogatives and places his personal guards and attendants at the new captain's disposal.

Had the territory below been inhabited by people friendly to Rephidim, they might have landed for repairs, but as it is, they stumble forward, until, on 4 Fox, the ship at last limps into sight of Caroban. The lookout's cry of "Island ho!" is greeted by a ragged cheer from all on board the ship.

"Finally, we have arrived. Praise be to the First Ones," says Elise to no one in particular. She turns from where she had been overseeing and assisting in rigging operations, and walks toward the bow of the ship. At this angle the wind across the deck causes the noblewoman's hair to be blown backwards, and she lifts a hand to push stray curls away so that she might get a clearer view of the approaching sky island.

The favorable wind, brushing her curls forward, strengthens and steadies as she approaches the bow, filling the airship's sails and pushing the ship evenly towards the island. Another sailor, working on the ropes of the rigging, heaves a sigh. "Finally, a piece of luck."

Elise turns and casts the sailor a faint smile. "You have done well despite the obstacles on this journey. I wish to commend your effort," she tells him. Raising her voice and turning to the crew that works and watches behind her she gestures to them all and nods. "The same to all of you. Though the journey was a harsh one, you have all come through. I would commend your efforts."

Smiles and a low murmur from the crew seem to indicate their appreciation for the praise, though most continue at their work without pause. Lieutenant Jaskar offers a nod to her, and approaches, sniffing at the air. "Well said," he says in a low voice, though his voice seems troubled despite the words.

Elise tilts her head slightly at his expression, then returns the nod and lets her smile fade. "Something worries you, does it not?" she asks him quietly. After a pause, she glances off toward the island and then nods further toward the bow. "Would you accompany me? There are matters I would speak of."

He nods, and together they move to the otherwise unoccupied bow, well forward of the nearest potential watcher, the helmsman. In a voice low enough to avoid being overheard, Lieutenant Jaskar confides, "Captain Granistar is dead."

"I … had figured it was so," responds Elise, her voice – though sad – lacking in surprise. She makes the sign of the Star and Anchor across her breastplate and frowns, though she is careful to remain facing away from the deck so that she might not be seen by one of the crewmen. "I believe we may have enemies on Caroban, sir. I have come to understand that an element of those that control the dreams of myself and others may very well be present there."

"Come to understand?" His voice sounds suspicious.

Elise nods her head again. "I am an active part of the dreams. I am … outside their normal ability to manipulate those within. Therefore I am able to act and determine within my dreams. There is one so manipulated that has assisted me. You can owe my presence awake to him," she explains. She considers for a moment and then continues. "I also learned that Captain Granistar had perished; the winds of the dead had … ," she reviews the other office to see if he is now looking at her quite oddly, "… whispered his voice. I know it must be difficult to believe, but I do believe that there is truth within these dreams."

"It is also in these dreams that I learned that the Royal Mages of Babel likely play a part in this scheme – as well may be those of the College, though how deep the alliance is, I do not know," she adds.

Lieutenant Jaskar frowns as she speaks, the expression only deepening as the other poodle continues. At last, he shakes his head. "Whatever you're dealing with is wholly beyond my ken," he admits. "I hope the College has a better idea of how to deal with it than we do. I think they know we're coming now," he adds, as the wind rushes them, swiftly and steadily, to the Caroban port.

The female officer turns to more fully face the approaching island, nodding to what her superior says. She does not mirror his frown, however, instead opting for a reserved expression that betrays a hint of concern. "It worries me that I knew our Captain would perish. It hints at spies, or at the very least, reflection of my own memory within the dreams. I would advise care, sir, if either is the case. If they are aware I am here, I believe they will attempt to stop me. I would also advise that the prisoner be left on board the ship and be placed under constant guard."

"The Korv, you mean? The one who related the tale of the mages killing his family?" Jaskar stares off into the distance. "I intend to do that. However… "

Elise's ears perk a little and she turns toward her superior. "However … ?" she inquires.

"We're on a diplomatic mission, Lieutenant. The High Diplomat Dunbarre has not yet decided how to broach the matter of our prisoners with our soon-to-be-hosts." Her fellow officer wrinkles his nose.

Hearing this, the snow-white female poodle frowns. "Oh my. That Korv has at least relayed the appearance of the three mages who murdered his family to us. I would greatly prefer nothing be done to him until this situation is resolved. However, what I prefer matters little to our orders," says Elise. She lifts a hand and brushes her hair back out of her face. "I would like permission to investigate this matter when we arrive, sir," she requests. Her eyes shift and she looks directly at her superior.

"That you will need to take up with the Ambassador, Lieutenant," Jaskar replies. "This is his mission, and any contact we have beyond the superficial with Caroban will need his approval. Investigating a crime in a foreign nation … I don't have the authority to approve that. I don't even know if the Ambassador does."

"Yes sir." The lower ranking officer returns her gaze to the approaching sky island of Caroban and folds her hands behind her back carefully. "With your permission, I wouldspeak with the Ambassador."

"Granted." He follows her gaze. "If I were you, I'd try to do it now. Once we arrive, it will be harder to get his time."

Elise turns and salutes her superior. "Yes sir, I will address him now," says the poodle woman. She then turns and walks off, scanning the deck for any signs of the High Ambassador.

As usual, the diplomat is not to be seen on the deck. The poodle has made no secret of his dislike for air travel, and has spent most of the journey sequestered in his quarters with the curtains drawn.

Quickening her pace, the officer Elise departs the deck and makes her way down below. Though she has not actually entered the diplomat's quarters before, she is well aware of their location, for security purposes. Wasting no time, she hurries toward the door and, after pausing to be certain her hair has not been blown into a horrid mess, knocks upon the door. "High Ambassador, it is Lieutenant Elise de Bellefeuille. I would speak with you; I am afraid it is rather important."

"Yes, yes," the ambassador's high-pitched, almost alto voice replies, sounding tetchy. "Do come in, Lieutenant."

Elise opens the door and steps in, closing it carefully behind her. She folds her hands together and rests them on the hilt of her sword. "I have matters to speak of that I do not believe you will be familiar with. They are in regards to the world-wide affliction of Dream Mages, a scheme that appears centered in Babel, and Caroban. If you would listen, I will explain what I know in short detail, and what I intend to do about them," she explains, eyes forward.

The ambassador's quarters are the most lavish of all those aboard the ship, with a four poster canopied bed dominating one wall, and enough space for a full-size desk, a card table, and a pair of comfortable chairs, as well. The ambassador is currently hidden behind the curtains on the bed, while a nervous-looking spaniel attendant sits in one of the chairs. The poodle's voice drifts to her through the veil of cloth. "Oh? Do tell."

The poodle woman turns and regards the spaniel for a moment. "Yes, sir. It began five years ago, shortly before I would graduate from the Academy … " She goes on to explain, in brief detail, what has occurred between now and then. Of course, she leaves out any parts that would display the Mystic in a romantic light, instead only naming him as a vague figure assisting her within the dreams. Also explained is the matter of the prisoner, the relation to Caroban this scheme seems to carry, and her wish to investigate the matter upon arrival, hinting at her previous profession as an Investigator.

As her tale continues, the diplomat shifts in the bed, eventually reaching one lace-shrouded hand over to brush back the curtains and peer out at her, black eyes studying her from a face framed by a riot of white curls. "Most curious," he comments as she finishes the story. He lets the bed curtains fall shut again, lying back. "So … you believe that Babelite mages, in defiance of the College's stated neutrality, are crafting a spell to enhance Ashdod's power? And, further, certain mages of the College are assisting them? But not this … what did you call him … Mystic?"

"The man known to me as 'the Mystic' does not appear to have been directly involved, as far as I am aware. He may well be a mage caught under the spell, and given the devastation wrought upon the mages of Babel, he may well be one of the few non-participating Eeee mages initially affected and still alive. However, I would not discount the idea he may well be involved," explains Elise. She shifts her weight to one leg and her eyes to watching the veil that hides the High Ambassador.

"Regarding the plan of the Babelite mages, yes, I believe that is their plan. If I were to speculate … I would suggest that this is a form of mass-brainwashing. Babel has always been a chaotic country. In this manner perhaps they wish to unify it. Or perhaps controlling the goddesses of an entire nation is power enough," she suggests.

The snow-white blue-eyed poodle nods a little. "And, this power seems able to affect those anywhere on the planet with a link to it. If this power became greater … it may affect even those without such a link," she adds.

"Yes, yes, one can speculate on any number of reasons." Shecan see one limp wrist waving in dismissal through the curtains. "This is a … formidable accusation you make. The College does not like to admit that powerful mages exist outside its influence, much less ones that would defy its neutrality so … blatantly. And to say that College mages would help them… A formidable accusation," he repeats.

"I would like permission to investigate this matter quietly," requests the Guard officer.

Ambassador Dunbarre gives a yippy bark of laughter. "How do you intend to accuse them quietly of violating their treaties, or being unable to control their citizens, Lieutenant?"

Elise frowns deeply, unaccustomed to being laughed at. "I intend to investigate the grounds for the presence of these rogue mages. I imagine that they already know that I will be here looking in to this. What they do not know, I believe, is how I intend to go about it. If this could be mentioned to the heads of the College quietly, in a manner intending to assist rather than accuse, I believe that perhaps their support can be found. And then this matter can be dealt with – and how it is presented to those who did not know of it handled later when all is seen to," she replies.

"Don't tell me how to do my job, Lieutenant," the Ambassador yaps, though his tone is more mild than irate. "For now, you are to tell no one else what you have told me. You may look for these … persons that the Korv described, but you are not to tell anyone the true reason you seek them. I will broach the matter with the College when I see fit."

"Sir, Lieutenant Jaskar is aware of this problem as well. He is my superior officer and I was obligated to inform him, given the circumstances of my coma," she admits. She removes her hands from her sword and folds them carefully behind her back, her frown easing some, though not vanishing completely.

"Yes, yes," the poodle says, irritably. "Just be discreet from here on. I'll speak with Lieutenant Jaskar about it. In fact, send him down now, if he's not busy."

Elise snaps a salute. "Yes sir, immediately." Without wasting any time, and not needing but a small incentive to depart from the High Ambassador's presence, the female officer turns and departs from the room to fetch Lieutenant Jaskar.