It's a cloudy day, but breaks in those below show land, not sea, passing far below. Crew-members exchange excited plans about what they'll be doing soon – this journey is almost over.

The sun is high in the sky – mid-afternoon. Already preparations are being made for coming to "shore" soon. A poodle in temple garb walks about the deck. Although his face is stern and serious, perhaps even HE is anxious to be on firmer ground once more.

Chiaroscuro gazes out from the deck into the clouds, looking for 'Rephidim'. Whatever it looks like. All he knows is 'A city in the air'…

A couple of fox cubs are the only children on board. They've been invariably quiet. Right now, they just walk about on the deck, holding hands, never seen one without the other. They watch as well.

The clouds pile up ahead, as if signalling a storm, but yet the ship heads right for them. It reaches the edge, and passes through … and once past this wispy, dusty barrier, a wide expanse can be seen again. A mountain ahead! Except, looking down … this mountain does not touch the ground below.

Chiaroscuro smiles at the cubs. He is glad Krugar insisted upon returning for them… he would have hated to leave them on the island. .oO( Rik's will moves through many, in many ways. )

"Rephidim HO!" squawks the Vartan in the crow's nest. There are several shouts and cheers from the deck.

Chiaroscuro gazes out at the strange mountain… this is Rephidim? He peers closer, squinting his eyes…

The air mage cuts off his incantations, visibly relieved, and lets the crew do what they do best, maneuvering this craft upon natural winds rather than the magical gusts he has provided to speed the way.

Rephidim looks like a mountain that has been ripped from the earth and suspended in the air. Long stone stalactites dangle from underneath. While the underside and the jagged edges are mostly barren and dead, the upper portion is soon covered in lush vegetation, surrounding a mountain which rises upward, a magnificent mountain even if it were so "mundane" as to have been rooted on the earth instead.

Flashes of color catch the mongoose's eyes. There are other airships to be seen as well, flying their own sails and standards. Some are heading away … and some are heading toward a complex of stone and wood where several airships are already tethered and docked – and this ship is headed that way as well.

Chiaroscuro watches in astonishment. "Wonder after wonder… "

As the ship continues to draw closer, through the trees can be seen a city at the base of the mountain, surrounded by wilderness. Tall spires glisten in the sunlight that peeks over the wall of clouds.

A lupine in the white and red garb of the Templars walks up to Chiaroscuro. "Get your things," he gruffs. "You go THERE." He points toward the spires that comprise the Temple, but the best that can be told is that he's pointing to the city.

Chiaroscuro nods to the guard, but waits for a moment before leaving, asking the guard "When I go there, what then? What I do?"

The guard starts to talk at length, but then stops, remembering to put things in a simpler "Me Mongoose" level of vocabulary. "You go to Temple. Inquisitor put shiny helmet on head. You speak good then. No choppy-choppy 'Me do this, me do that'."

The wolf sounds as if he's trying to do a bad imitation of the "forest savage who speaks halting Rephidim Standard", complete with lowering his voice an octave.

Chiaroscuro tilts his head. "{Shiny helmet, qouted verbatim without real understanding}, teach me talk? Good." He smiles. "Then what?"

"You answer questions. Tell truth. If you lie, Inquisitor know, and put you in stocks," the wolf warns. "Very bad."

Chiaroscuro hmmmms, and nods. "I tell truth. Then what?"

The wolf hmms. This isn't evidently his line of expertise, but he probably IS a bit better educated on it than the average man on the street. "Inquisitor decide what to do with you. There is Processing Fee. One gold coin. If you do not have coin, he must find way to pay for it."

Chiaroscuro frowns a bit. "Gold coin… how many shek-ell *holds up a one- shekel coin from his pouch* is?"

The airship slows over the dock. Mooring lines are cast and fastened by the crew below.

The wolf hmms, not sure how much Chiaroscuro has had to deal with numbers. "Ten thousand," he says, and tries to see if that registers.

Chiaroscuro looks confused… "Ten what? I not know thou-sand."

Chiaroscuro says, "I only learn to Ten."

The wolf ponders, looking frustrated. It isn't part of his job to have to THINK. He looks to the island, and points. "Look. Rephidim is above ground, yes?" Then, he points to his foot. "See? Length of foot." He points back out to the island. "How many feet from ground to Rephidim? That is ten thousand. About."

"Many shekels," the wolf rolls his eyes.

Chiaroscuro gasps. "That many shek-ells." He starts to frown deeply. .o(How in Rik,'s name will I pay for that?"

The wolf shrugs. "What can you do? Inquisitor find job for you to pay off gold coin."

Chiaroscuro thinks for a while. "I do some things, but I not know jobs here." He ponders a moment. "What if I not go under ? Not owe money, and learn to speak other way?"

The wolf ponders, and shrugs. "Tradition. It is always done this way. All exiles," he points to Chiaroscuro, "must go to Temple. It is the way for longer than anyone remembers."

The wolf says, "Almost there. Get your things."

Chiaroscuro nods, and walks off to retrieve his possesions, pondering. .o( At least this infernal skullbuzz is softer here. But it seems my options are going to be limited… working for the Temple to raise more money than I've had in my life, or avoid 'tradition', namely, the law of this land. )

The ship moves up to a large framework and docks at port, tethered in place, the airbag still billowing out above, but the sails collapsed and rolled in. Cargo begins to move out of the hold. The foxtaur explorer and her party are soon off to the city, and the cubs are led off with someone who looks like a priest.

Chiaroscuro touches his Rikkorel between the ears, and mutters, "Rik'Tik'Tav, give your servant wisdom as to his path. In a land where I cannot do magic, and know little else, I must decide between being indebted to another, or running away."

A few ship hands head up to the deck, duffels packed. "So long, Waashu-man!" one calls out, waving. "Take care, Fire-Breather!" another one grins and salutes.

Chiaroscuro smiles, waving to the crew as they depart. "Good-bye. Rik' watch you all."

The raccoon cook finds Chiaroscuro. "Oho! Going to leave without saying fare well?" He hands a small packet to Chiaroscuro. "Here! A collection of some of my finest spices! Guaranteed to set any tongue aflame! Use sparingly!"

Chiaroscuro girds himself carefully, taking inventory, muttering in Kitellian. "A ball of silk. My katara… useless now, and few of value. 17 shek-ells. And a weathervane."

The big raccoon slaps Chiaroscuro on the back. "Enjoy!" With that, he heads off.

Chiaroscuro smiles at the cook. "Thank you, Cook. I use."

Chiaroscuro packs the last items. "Robes from Boghaz's father. Waashu spice." He smirks a bit. "Maybe I can win more bets with this." His gears safely stowed, he pauses for prayer. "And you, Lord Rik'. You are the one I carry with me most important, the one without whom I could not survive. Guide my path."

Another wolf pokes his head in the door. He's an old, crusty one, with gray fur turning to white, and with a perpetual squint to his eyes. Gramps, he's called, imaginatively enough, when nobody is looking. But, even so, his arms are still quite strong, and it's hard to tell his true age. "Ho there, laddy! Yer performance with that waashu deserves a medal, I sez to meself. So, since ye dinna get one, I scraped up one meself." He dangles a scrimshaw pendant from a cord. "Here ye go!"

Chiaroscuro takes the pendant gently, looking at it carefully. He smiles at Gramps. "Thank you. You good one, wish I could give back something. Rik' bless."

The wolf grins, showing a few missing teeth and a few that probably won't be there for much longer. "Eh, take care. And don't take no wooden shekels!" With that, he waves and tromps off.

The pendant is a simple piece of ivory or bone with some runes scraped on it beneath a realistic picture of a waashu drifting through the clouds … and … a not-quite-as-realistic mongoose taking a chomp out of it!

Chiaroscuro adds the pendant to his supplies, smiling a bit. All his gear safely on him, he makes rounds belowdecks, saying goodbye to all the crew, before coming out topside.

Topside, the poodle and two lupine Templars are waiting. There are some more outside the ship, at the dock.

Chiaroscuro walks over to the poodle, and bows slightly. "I ready go now."

The poodle grumbles, "It's about time." He snaps his fingers, and motions the wolves to start moving, leading the mongoose off the ship, and into – Rephidim.

The group waiting land-side includes some more wolves, plus some large, strange beings that are bug-like in appearance, encased in chitinous shells.

Among them, the poodle walks proudly, nose slightly upturned. By the expressions others give as they go by, he must be of some fairly high standing … and no one seems too eager to cross him … and he knows it.

Chiaroscuro walks along, gazing at the sights around him… .o( Bugs? More strangeness… )

Away from the docks, the group makes its way into the busy streets of the city – passing through the crowds like the prow of a ship cutting through the waves. Chiaroscuro gets several odd looks, but it's impossible to discern just why.

Chiaroscuro taps his Rikkorrel gently again, on the head between the ears, as he walks along. His eyes serach out means of possible escape… weighing breaking 'tradition' with indentured labor. The buzzing in his skull, though soft, is still there… making it hard to think a long time…

There are so many different races to be seen here, that it's hard to take note of them all. If he were to make a break for it, it would perhaps not be all that hard to hide in such a crowd. But there ARE a number of guards around, and he hasn't really had instance to test their abilities to see just what threat they might pose.

Chiaroscuro keeps walking… and makes his decision. Tentatively, and still considering the other possibility… but this seems like the best choice. He still has a while before reaching the Temple… (he hopes.)

Some spires rising above the other buildings MIGHT represent the Temple. If not, then the Temple must be even more impressive … and further away. Regardless, it looks like there's a bit of a walk yet, past plenty of alleys, though they aren't necessarily as dark as would be liked. (This does not look like all that bad of a part of town.)

Chiaroscuro walks along, still waiting. He tries to look at the people of this city without attracting attention. It'd be hard to hide if he were the only mongoose…

Chiaroscuro sees no other mongooses. Wait – No, there's possibly one, but he just slipped by, and he looks a bit out of place, somehow.

Chiaroscuro turns his head… but doesn't quite catch a view of… what could be another of his species, or could not.

Nope. Whomever it was is long gone. And, really, it seems like this was someone who didn't WANT to attract much attention.

The group continues walking along, past some more buildings. The Temple grounds can be seen more clearly now. All around it can be seen more robed persons, with a high incidence of poodles, wolves and – whatever those bug-things are.

The Inquisitor with the group smiles when he sees the Temple, and his nose inches up just a little more as the group approaches the front steps.

Chiaroscuro readies… this is the last possible moment to change his mind.

Some guards part way to let the procession by. Yes, this is certainly the last possible moment. And the best one was probably a few blocks back.

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. On the run was really never a choice. Best to face the cobra running towards it, not away. He follows the poodle into the Temple.

Inside, the poodle leads the mongoose to an area tended by a wolf, with several lockers visible in the background. The poodle says, "You are to check in all belongings here, including all valuables and weapons."

The old brown wolf looks to the poodle. "Eh? You've got one that already knows the language?"

The wolf scrutinizes the mongoose a bit more. "Or are you bringing in a kavi as a joke?"

Chiaroscuro tilts his head at the poodle. "Say small words?"

The poodle ignores Chiaroscuro momentarily. "Notice his hands. He's no kavi." Then he turns to the mongoose. "Hand sack to wolf."

Chiaroscuro says, "I get back?"

The wolf smiles. "Don't worry. You'll get it back. I'll keep it safe here while you talk to Mister Friendly Inquisitor." He patpats one of the lockers.

Chiaroscuro nods to the wolf, and hands him the pack. "Okay."

The wolf looks over the mongoose to see if he has any other pouches. "Is that all?"

The poodle says, "Let's not dally." He gets a receipt from the wolf, and ushers the mongoose along, rather than suffering any more delays. "Now, I'll be handing you over. While I'm in Rephidim, it's a grand opportunity to take care of some business. Thank you VERY much for landing in Ashdod. I haven't had an excuse to come back to Rephidim for such a long time… "

Chiaroscuro grins at the poodle. "Next time, I make sure land Ashdod again."

With that – no more poodle. The mongoose is left alone with the wolves and the bug-things, going down the cold, smooth ceramic and plastic corridors.

Ahead are a couple of guards at a door. The group approaches, some words are exchanged rapidly between the wolves, heads nod, and the door begins cycling open, slowly, haltingly. Behind can be seen a dimly-lit chamber, mostly lit by candles, though some recessed panels occasionally offer an unreliable flicker.

Chiaroscuro walks along, unnerved slightly by the bugs. He walks in through the door, slowly…

Across the room is a large wooden desk, nicked and scraped and weathered, looking as if it has been through a few battles. Seated at it is someone in a cowled, red and black robe. A couple of hooves on the floor hint that the wearer may be of an equine nature. Also, there's a dark blue – almost black – horn that can be seen poking out of the top of the cowl, just visible over the tip of the hood.

Chiaroscuro walks to the desk, looking around the room slowly, before returning his gaze to the seated figure.

A quill pen flicks and darts across a form on the desk, occasionally dancing over to an inkwell, before returning to the form again. The hand makes quick progress down the page, and soon the form is set aside for the ink to dry. The chair turns around. A black muzzle peeks out of the hood, and a couple of dark brown eyes regard the mongoose. "So. You really DO look much like a kavi. Please. Be seated." He gestures toward a chair to one side of the desk, badly in need of some reupholstering.

Chiaroscuro sits down in the chair, and nods.

The unicorn looks over the mongoose for a bit, then motions for the door to be closed. That leaves just the mongoose, the unicorn, and two wolf guards in the room … in addition to a very quiet, green-eyed cheetah that the mongoose did not notice before. She stands in the corner, adorned in white, holding a tablet, taking notes.

Chiaroscuro remains silent for now, looking at the horse-with-a-horn, waiting.

The unicorn says, "Do you already understand Rephidim Standard?" He pauses a moment, then adds, "That is, the language I am speaking."

Chiaroscuro nods. "I learn, on sky-ship. Know little words, but try hard."

The unicorn nods. "It is good you were brought here as soon as possible. I have heard of some who already knew the language having some difficulties when that information overlapped the … " He pauses, watching the lack of understanding in Chiaroscuro's eyes at many of the words.

The unicorn starts again. "I am going to put this helmet on you, so you will know the language better. Since you can understand me somewhat, hopefully that will help – " He frowns, pausing again, realizing he's going too fast, and not the sort to want to 'step down' to accomodate.

"You will see pictures in the helmet. Do not be frightened. You will learn things," the unicorn says in what is probably meant to be an assuring voice, but he looks hardly compassionate.

Chiaroscuro says, "Helmet, Ju-pa-nee tell me Helmet, yes. I put on, I learn speak good, yes?"

The unicorn nods. "Exactly. Yes." With that, he turns toward the cheetah, and makes some rapid hand gestures toward her.

The cheetah moves toward a golden helmet perched on the desk, from which several cables run toward the wall and ceiling. The wolves move to put some restraints on the mongoose, but the unicorn shakes his head.

Chiaroscuro looks up at the helmet, a bit nervously. "Helmet not hurt?", he asks the horned horse for reassurance.

The unicorn says, "Not usually," as the helmet lowers over the mongoose's head, obscuring his vision.

Chiaroscuro frowns a bit, but stays still, as the helmet fits onto his head.

The unicorn moves to the wall, snapping a knife switch into position. The fluourescent lights – not contributing much anyway – flicker and dim and go out entirely for a moment, as sparks play around the connection. The world goes dark.

The buzzing grows quiet.

Chiaroscuro's ears perk a bit… and hear nothing. The buzzing… stopped. At last. At long last…

In the disorientation that follows, the mongoose at last finds himself on a wide expanse. A dark expanse, except for a gridwork of lines that glow faintly, but cast no light on anything around them. Dots of light flit this way and that. Some get close enough to notice. They look like little … mice?

*FLASH* The scene changes. *FLASH* Then back.

One of the mice is moving on a course directly for the mongoose. Little glowing whiskers flick and wiggle.

Chiaroscuro's eyes flick to look at the mice… very strange, indeed.

The mouse gets closer. It's a FAST little thing! In fact – It just ran into the mongoose, and seems to have dissolved right into him!

Chiaroscuro blinks.

*FLASH* A dark chamber with three tubes running from floor to ceiling, lit from inside. Something is within the tubes. *FLASH* The vision is gone.

Back to the grid. More mice dart about. Here comes another!

The mouse impacts the mongoose. *FLASH* There are beings within the tubes. They are humanoid, small, with strange features. They are completely furless, like newborns, though their eyes do not show dark through their eyelids. All three of them look exactly alike. *FLASH*

Back on the grid, more of the glowing mice dart about. One narrowly misses the mongoose and passes on, zipping away.

Chiaroscuro reaches out with his tail to swat at a mouse, experimentally.

The mouse impacts the tail. *FLASH* There are the three tubes again. Fluids drain out of them, disappearing somewhere below. The doors open. The eyes open. The three identical beings step out, in perfect unison, though on somewhat wobbly legs. *FLASH* The vision is gone. And there is only a brief vision of the grid again … before all goes dark and the buzzing returns.

The helmet is lifted off the mongoose's head. He is back in the office, lying on the chair. The cheetah is standing over him, setting the helmet aside, then scrutinizing him with those deep green eyes again.

Chiaroscuro's eyes blink a few times, re-adjusting to his surroundings.

"What is your name?" the unicorn asks, just out of the mongoose's field of vision, but easily located with just a slight turn of the head.

Chiaroscuro speaks in Rephidim Standard… words coming quick and fluid to his tongue. "My name is Chiaroscuro Themyst, m'lord."

The unicorn nods. "Your acquisition of the language during your apparently short stay here is commendable. How long have you been on this world?"

"If it will help," the unicorn adds, "You are on the world of Sinai, in the city of Rephidim, in the Temple. You were found in the Ashdod Territories, near the city of Babel."

Chiaroscuro says, "I have been here… nineteen days." *nods* "Others have told me that, but I had not understood fully.""

"From what world have you come, and by what means, to the best of your knowledge?" the unicorn asks.

Chiaroscuro says, "I come from the land of Kitellia, on a world we knew only as 'Earth'. Tarrah is how it is said."

Chiaroscuro marvels to himself at how well the machine has worked. He understands and speaks this language fluently.

The unicorn nods. "That explains the confusion. It seems that some in Babel believed the Sabaoth was entertaining a guest known as 'Kitellia'."

"But what of the manner by which you came here?" the unicorn prompts.

Chiaroscuro says, "I was trying to find the way to my homeland. I had thought this the land of Cambria, before it was made known to me it was a different world. As for how I came here, I am not wholly sure."

Chiaroscuro says, "A spell was cast to help defend my homeland from invaders, but its side effect started to tear the {untranslatable} apart. I lost consciousness, and woke up here."

The unicorn nods. "What was your occupation before your inadvertent arrival here, then? And what skills do you have that you may be able to employ here to make a living for yourself?"

"I had been trained in the church," Chiaroscuro replies, "but had left it for a life of study, supported monetarily by my father." .o( Study of Retcotheric magic, but you did not ask that. ) "As for skills, I am not sure which of them will come into use in this place. I can read and write, and learn quickly. I can create costumes for plays. I apparently am more… agile than most here, though among my people, I am not above the normal."

The unicorn hmms at this, and looks over to the cheetah, who nods back, and is hurriedly taking notes. He turns back toward the mongoose. "Do you have any inherent magical powers or abilities, or any magical artifacts in your possession?"

Chiaroscuro coughs a bit… .o( may as well speak the truth, it can do no harm. ) "I have been trained in a specialized magic, yes, but cannot use it here. This world's {longsoundingtechnicalword in Kitellian} is too great, and I cannot focus… and it buzzes in my head like a hundred bees."

Chiaroscuro says, "As for artifacts, no. I have my katara, but they are simply a focus for my magic, not magic in themselves."

The unicorn nods. "Similar phenomena have been reported… " He paces across the floor. "You should have been given a medical examination before being subjected to Processing, but some persons seem impervious to the demands of protocol. You will also be scrutinized for any demonstrated magical aptitude. The College Esoterica occasionally takes interest in those from other worlds displaying magical powers, however stunted by arrival here."

Chiaroscuro says, "I see, m'lord."

"But, idle speculation aside, there is the matter of the Processing fee. That would be one gold shekel – worth ten thousand of those ceramic coins you have. If you have means to pay the debt, you will be free to go. Otherwise, it is my duty to determine how it shall be assessed," the unicorn adds, still pacing.

Chiaroscuro sighs. "I am afraid I have naught to pay with. Not unless pebbles, a ball of silk, or a iron weathervane would be worth much." He frowns with doubt.

The unicorn raises an eyebrow. "Iron, you say?" He snaps a finger at a wolf. "Check with Storage on this."

Chiaroscuro says, "Iron, sir. At least it seemed to be, I am no alchemist to know. Perhaps steel."

The wolf bows his head, and waits for the door to cycle open, before disappearing into the corridor. As the door closes again, the unicorn explains, "While such metals are apparently quite common on the worlds that many Exiles hail from, they are in short supply here. Am I to take it, though, that you did not bring this weathervane with you from your world?"

Chiaroscuro says, "No, I did not. In Ashdod, I sought refuge at what I thought was an abandoned cabin, abandoned for years, and broke off the weathervane for use as a protective weapon. I was told later it was a tomb, not a cabin. I have kept the weathervane with me since… Lord Sabaoth must neither have known nor cared if it was mine."

The unicorn mulls over this. "I suppose that I shall learn more of this when I read Inquisitor Jacobus' report. This 'cabin' may deserve further investigation."

Chiaroscuro says, "May I ask you a few questions, m'lord?"

It is not very long before the door cycles open again. The wolf steps in. "They already discovered that it was metal, sir. It may be an Expedition-era artifact. Its value for the metal alone… " He pauses and hands the Inquisitor a report, which the unicorn looks over.

The unicorn sits down. "Yes, you may. I leave it at my discretion, however, whether or not I answer them."

Chiaroscuro says, "What are 'Kavi'? I have heard the word used to refer to me, and it is in my mind from the machine, but not its meaning."

The unicorn says, "The 'Kavi' are a race of beings that look much in appearance like yourself, except that their hands have two thumbs and three fingers. They are a very short-lived race, very rushed in their lives, and, unfortunately, rarely aspire to any greatness."

"I am afraid that you shall likely find comparison to them to be common – and to be a disadvantage," the unicorn notes.

Chiaroscuro nods. "I see."

The unicorn looks up from the report. "Are you greatly attached to this weathervane? I believe that its value may go a long way toward covering your Processing fee."

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "It was just convenient. If it'll help, I can sell it, or trust you to sell it."

"Another question… is there any way to return me to my world? Through magic, or return to a 'Forbidden Zone', or… " Chiaroscuro's voice wavers a bit with emotion. "Any way?"

"So far as we know … none whatsoever." The unicorn looks down to his notes and nods. "Very well, then. The rest of your possessions will be catalogued and appraised, in the case that there may be any other options to consider. In the meantime, I am done with my questioning, and will send you on for your medical evaluation. They will want to check you for any foodstuffs that may be considered especially poisonous to you, allergies, and the like. After all, some aliens react violently just to the AIR here, or so I've been told… "

Chiaroscuro sighs at the news of no return, touching his Rikkorel's left arm. But as the unicorn continues, his ears perk and he smiles a bit. "Poison I do not worry about much. One more question before the examination, if I may?"

The door cycles open again, letting in a couple of wolves. "One more question," the unicorn nods.

Chiaroscuro says, "Your name, m'lord?"

"I am Inquisitor Raphael Melchizedek," the unicorn answers. He gestures to the wolves. "They will lead you to the examination. If all goes well, you will be given some sustenance and arrangements will be made for the night."

Chiaroscuro nods, and bows to the Inquisitor. "Thank you, m'lord Melchizedek." He turns and heads off with the wolves.

The door cycles shut again, leaving Inquisitor Melchizedek alone at his desk – save for the ever-silent Azhtar who polishes up her notes across the room. The unicorn looks over the report again.

He raises an eyebrow.

"I think," the unicorn muses out loud, "that the Exile's contribution may have been more generous than I first realized."