The Freedom's Dream soars through a churning sea of clouds, breaking the mists apart in its wake – and that of the jet of air that blasts it along at considerable speed. At last, the ship begins to slow, various crewmembers untangling themselves from rigging and making sure that, no, nobody fell overboard. "Gesundheit," says one of the Eeee sailors to a sniffling white bat seated on the rear deck.

Wynona says, "I think … I think I'll take a break now." She flops over, collapsing on the deck.

Zoltan slowly rises out from belowdecks. Having two kittens who are unused to airship travel can be an uncomfortable thing to deal with on a bouncy ship.

Clouds pile high all around the ship, seeming like mountainous structures at a fair distance, but turning into wisps as the ship approaches and passes by or over or through. The sky is still light, though dusk is approaching. At this level, only a few streaks in the highest parts of the atmosphere offer anything to obstruct a few of the sky and the Procession.

The black Vartan walks out in the middle of the deck and stretches his wings out. Part of him wants to just leap off and fly up after the procession… it's so beautiful. Instead he just breathes in as much of the pure evening air as he can. "Ahhhhhh… "

A few breaks in the clouds reveal that the ship is no longer over ocean, but is over land now – very jagged, mountainous land.

A few smooth colored stones roll out onto the deck, and then a spotted feline with wings runs out after them on hoofed feet, her wings fluttering softly behind them. She bends over to pick them up and put them back into a pouch at her side.

Taliamelle looks up and around her, a few wisps of her short unruly layered brown hair flying off in the breeze.

A few bats and Vartans take off from the ship – ostensibly the patrol wing, but a few more than are necessary … probably including some quite happy to get away from the ship now that it has settled down from Wynona's little … incidents.

A weary-looking cheetah with frazzled-looking hair, a few healing scars on her face and a leather head-band comes up from belowdecks, slowly walking toward Zoltan. "They're asleep now," she signs, "For a little while. I don't think they're up to flying. I'm not sure I am, either." She looks faintly sick after this last little jog across the sky.

Zoltan sits down on the railing. Vartans have little to fear from falling from ships after all. He waves to the kitten, a smile creasing across his beak.

Taliamelle straightens the worn boy's clothing she wears, and walks around the deck, pausing to look curiously at each fur she meets, hoping to find someone to play games with her now that it seems safe to.

Jezebel looks toward the kitten, then back to Zoltan, signing, "Such a curious child. If not for the wings … and the hooves … she could be mistaken for a Savanite. I am not sure how I would react to her if I did not already know her origins."

"It be over soon." Zoltan signs. "Maybe I get kittens some sweets when we get to Rephidim to make up for it."

Jezebel winces. "Not too soon. I do not want them sick all over again."

The Vartan peers at Taliamelle. "I think she pretty. But I biased… kind of like spots now" He winks.

Taliamelle approaches Zoltan and Jezebel now, having noticed the wave while ago. She stops, twists a piece of the longer hair running down her back, and hesitates.

Jezebel smiles, shaking her head, looking away. She squints a bit, then signs, "Do you notice? Her spots are shaped strangely. They look like the rune for 'heart'."

A Vartan's eyes are naturally keen, and Zoltan is no exception. He peers at the strange markings, then smiles and waves to the kitten just in case his staring makes her nervous. "We're watching the land below. You can join us if you'd like." he squawks to Taliamelle in Vartan.

Jezebel smiles to the winged kit as well, waving faintly, then looking back over the railing. She blinks, then signs, "I think I saw a flash over there. Surely not a storm?"

Taliamelle walks over closely, smiling a bit now. She looks over the rail for a moment, back at Zoltan and Jezebel, then back at the land belows.

As the sky darkens more, flickering lights can be seen through breaks in the clouds, indicating settlements in the valleys and amongst the foothills. Beyond, however, there can indeed be seen a few lights moving about in the sky, and occasional flashes … but nothing to indicate lightning.

A horn blares, and a bat cries out, "Battle stations!"

Taliamelle hesitates again, then looks up and asks. "Wan' play a game?" she asks, her Vartan sounding a bit funny without a beak to speak it.

Zoltan blinks and peers down below as well. "What lands are we over now?" He squawks, hoping that either one of the shiphands can hear him, or Jezebel has learned enough of Vartan to be able to answer.

Taliamelle stops. "Was wrong?" Her eyes get big.

The airship sailors break into furious motion, and weapons are brought out. As the ship continues, a few more flashes can be seen ahead and to one side. In the deepening twilight, silhouettes can be seen of airships and of large, winged forms, the latter swooping and diving and climbing about. Occasionally, bits of light dart from one airship to the other – flaming arrows and other projectiles.

"Might want to get below where it safe." Zoltan signs to Jezebel. Then he squawks to the kitten, "Not sure… better go with you parents are keep safe until we do."

Jezebel's instincts take over, and she reflexively drops to her knees, putting her arms around the winged kitten as if to shield her, even though that would surely do nothing against the (presently distant) battle. She looks up to Zoltan and nods.

Taliamelle's eyes are starting to fill. "I not have paren's"

Jezebel frowns at Taliamelle's answer, then looks back to Zoltan, freeing a hand to sign, "For fliers, it is probably safer abovedecks."

Jezebel has to pause a moment to remind herself that this IS, after all, a flier – and not a Savanite or a jaguar kit. Taliamelle's ability to speak helps drive this point home, if the wings don't suffice.

Zoltan's ears droop. "Best find cover then. Would you feel better if I stayed with you?"

Taliamelle looks back and forth a bit frantically.

Jezebel signs, "I can't leave Enos and Pouncer alone. I will go belowdecks. If the Vartan kitten comes with me, I will look after her as well, but … " She looks worriedly out at the battle. Though the airship is slowly changing course, it is still subject to the whims of the winds, and is still drifting toward the general direction of the scene.

Taliamelle hesitates again, then suddenly clings to Zoltan. "You stay"

"I have two packages on top of bookshelf. Bring them to me… might need them." Zoltan signs to Jezebel.

Jezebel nods, and sprints off to the steps leading belowdecks, her spotted tail quickly disappearing behind her.

One of the distant airships explodes in a burst of bright flame, sending streams of smoke skyward as it slowly begins to drop … and gaining downward speed as it does so. A moment later, a loud rumble can be heard, like thunder after the flash.

He gives Taliamelle a reassuring pat on the head. "It might get bumpy, but I'll keep you safe." Zoltan begins to look across the deck for a good spot to keep under cover.

There are various such spots. Shokar was a cautious captain, and wasn't one for leaving the deck devoid of shelter from hails of arrows. Decorative flourishes and supports double as places to hide behind, brace a crossbow against, or spring against invaders from.

Taliamelle winces at the explosion, and clings to Zoltan tighter as she hears his words.

Some of the airships change direction, and a couple of smaller skiffs burst into flames. Other airships can now be seen at different altitudes and velocities, apparently having nothing at all to do with this particular battle. It's considerable traffic for not being over any visible major port. Contrary to some notions, mountains don't serve very well for major airship ports.

Zoltan picks up the cub in his arms and ducks under some of the supports. Thank Dagh Shokar understood the notion of making room for wingspace. He keeps his eyes on the opening of the deck, waiting for Jezebel.

Taliamelle has resorted to sucking her thumb now. She clutches her sidepouch tightly, and the shiny stones it contains, as if some comfort to her as well.

Zoltan looks out at the battle, trying to find the source of all the aggression.

Several warriors launch off from the ship, flying alongside, ready to form waves to drive off any attackers if any of the ships should decide to approach.

The clouds break again, and another large silhouette can be seen against the red backdrop of the sky as it is lit up by the setting sun. It's a very large sky island, dominated by a mountain in its center, and "stalactites" hanging from the bottom, with a number of lights visible from a city below … and a mirrored one suspended from its underbelly. Rephidim.

One of the sailors cries out, "Oh my!" With less clouds to obscure the view, more flames can be seen erupting from ships. Not all the targets could be military.

Taliamelle finally starts taking out some of the stones and running them through her fingers, as if they make her feel safer.

Boghaz calls out, "Drop the ship! Lose altitude! This is NOT a good time for an Eeee-crewed vessel to come into port!"

Zoltan pats the cub's hand gently with the hopes of comforting her. His ears perk at the Captain's words. "Maybe Eeee can hide below deck and Vartan crew take over?" he squawks in Rephidim standard.

Rather than dropping, the ship actually starts to rise, as it hits the edge of one of the phenomena that accompany sky islands – and especially this one. The air around Rephidim is of a pressure more akin to that on the surface. Boghaz halts at Zoltan's suggestion, picking it up even with all the noise. Bat ears are good for something, after all. "Brilliant idea!" He calls to the Eeee, "All hands, back on the deck! We have a change of plans!"

( Brilliant if it doesn't cause us to burst into flames… ) The black Vartan thinks to himself.

Taliamelle starts arranging the stones in her hands into piles. "Play a game?" she asks hopefully to Zoltan, noting the changes in his face.

"I might have to leave to defend the ship." Zoltan says softly to the cub. "But I'll stay here as long as I can. Nothing will happen to you, I promise." He pulls a polished piece of obsidian from his tail and hands it to Taliamelle.

Boghaz assembles his crew and gives out orders. Several of the airmen don't look too keen on the notion of hiding away and letting less experienced half-Vartans guide the ship into port, but by compromise a few of the more necessary ones remain at their stations, ready to hide if the need arises.

Taliamelle smiles, and is entranced by the shiny thing so that she forgets the game.

As the bats go belowdecks, the Paradysians take their places, some a bit nervous at being thrust from airship apprentices to full-fledged air-sailors. The craft drifts on toward Rephidim, despite the ongoing fracas.

Zoltan looks back to the portal leading below. He shakes his head. Jezebel probably had to tend to the cubs. she shouldn't leave them alone. He has his sling at least. Better to stick with what he knows how to fight with anyway.

The approach is painfully slow to Rephidim, the sails furled. Going fast at a time like this might draw undue attention to the craft … as a possible threat. Even so, some of the ships don't seem to be singling out "threats".

A flight of bat warriors soars by, circling the ship, then quickly heading on.

Zoltan shrinks down at the sight of the warriors, He follows them with his eyes.

Another wave joins the first, perhaps eight bats in all. They circle around … and are coming back toward the ship.

One of the half-Vartans hisses, "It would seem they've judged us not to pose a threat!" His leonine eyes flash angrily.

Taliamelle points up after the bats. "Scary?" she asks.

The incoming bats let out frightful shrieks, then spread out. A few lights flare, pinpoints of light shooting toward the airship's envelope.

Zoltan nods. "There's a war going on right now." He looks out to the crew.

Several Vartans roar or let out cries like birds of prey as they leave their posts, taking weapons to the air to counter the attacking bats.

Taliamelle puts the finger back to her mouth, and continues to watch the bats. "I know. Bu' I not know who friendly… "

The Vartan's eyes widen. "Protect the envelope! One spark and we die!" He ruffles Taliamelle head with his bean and steps out, readying his sling.

A couple of Vartans give their all, using their own bodies to intercept the flaming darts, letting out shrieks as they flutter downward. A few, however, get through.

The darts imbed in the netting around the envelope and stay there. A few tongues of flame trace small parts of the netting … but soon sputter and die out harmlessly.

Taliamelle re-adjusts her position a bit, and sits up to look out over the support after Zoltan.

Zoltan loads his sling and begins winging rocks at the bats from his spot on the deck. He hurls the stones with all his might as he watches his brothers sacrifice.

The attacking bats cry out in alarm as their fiery darts have a much less-than-dramatic effect on the airship's envelope. Another has plenty reason to cry out as he's knocked by a sling-shot bullet. Another is hit so hard that he hasn't even time to make a noise, his form plummeting downward. The ranks of the attacking bats, expecting easy prey, break even more as Boghaz changes his mind and sends the rest of his crew out to drive off the raiders.

The black Vartan looks up at the envelope, he flutters up to the rigging and tries to pluck out the darts, just in case one of them decides to go active again.

The darts come free from the netting. There's no sign of any punctures in the envelope, amazingly enough.

Zoltan drops them overboard, he whispers some quick prayers of thanks to the procession for saving the ship.

The remainder of the bats are driven away or knocked from the air. A few of the Vartans dive downward after the two who took the darts earlier. Whether it's for a desperate attempt at medical attention or just a decent burial, they aren't about to let their comrades disappear below.

A couple of skiffs that had been approaching change course shortly after a couple of the fleeing bats reach them. Perhaps they have just gotten word that this "merchant vessel" is putting up more fight than anticipated.

The Vartan looks down after the diving Vartans. ( I hope they're alright. I'll pay for the healing myself if need be. ) He goes back to Taliamelle. "Everything is alright now I think. Just some hot headed bats."

Boghaz calls his bats back. The ship is drawing closer to Rephidim now. As it passes underneath the sky island, headed to the docks, the glittering lights of Underside can be seen, occasionally broken by the shadows of fliers passing in front of them. Faraon's Dome glows emerald green on one of the largest of the "stalactites".

Taliamelle is busy with her stones again. She has placed them into four piles on the deck, and is picking up a few and putting them into other piles as if she understands the purpose of doing so.

Taliamelle smiles up at Zoltan when she sees him. "Very good thing, yes?"

Zoltan points to the dome. "Shiny!"

Taliamelle "s eyes go wide!

The battle becomes more distant. None of the raiders seems brave enough to draw so close to Rephidim, and a number of them seem to be withdrawing, as the merchant ships caught by surprise upon entering or leaving port have slowly been drawing back in and the Temple Fleet has been answering the challenge in greater force.

The Vartan points to his chest. "I'm Zoltanos Cambio… but you can call me Zoltan. What's your name?"

Taliamelle points to her chest, looking a bit proud. "Taliamelle Paradys"

Zoltan grins. "Beautiful name. What do you plan to do once we reach Rephidim, Taliamelle?"

Taliamelle looks a bit stunned by that question. Her young mind had obviously not thought that far ahead. "I guess I not kno'… "

The ship continues on its course. If the half-Vartan sailors are not as experienced as the Eeee, that lack does not show up right now. The ship continues to rise as it comes out from under the island, toward the docks. As it rises past the extended frames of the ports, some of them fly out with securing lines, and the craft is drawn in. Proper procedures are not quite followed by the book, meaning that an angry portmaster will have a word with whomever claims to be the captain, but for now there are plenty of other distractions.

The Vartan looks out at the docks. "I was going to visit my master in Rephidim. He's a very good man. Perhaps he could help you?" he ponders for a moment and then adds. "He sells shinies."

Taliamelle smiles, and bounces slightly on her knees, trying to contain her energy. "Oh, I li'e very much, yes"

Once the ship is secured, some of the crew start hastily unloading some of the booty to be sold in port. Jezebel comes abovedecks, accompanied by another cheetah – Twilight-Wing – and two jaguar kits – Enos and Pouncer.

Zoltan helps Taliamelle up out of their hiding place on the deck. "We'll be going with some friends of mine. They don't speak Vartan very well, but I can translate for you." He waves to the two cheetahs and the two cubs. "We gots another member of our party. Jezebel, want to meet my master, Nicodemus?"

Taliamelle Starts gathering up her stones, and then considers. She reaches into her pouch and pulls out the shiny Zoltan gave her earlier, holding it up to him. "Yours?" she asks.

Off deck, more evidence can be seen of why the port security hasn't been very tight so far. There are several fires, and water wagons rush about, while Guards and civilians alike fight to contain the spread, so far winning the battle for the time being, though much damage has been done already.

Jezebel nods, and signs back, "I would appreciate that, Zoltan." She looks around, then adds, "Frankly, anywhere safe would be nice." She clutches the frightened jaguar kits closer to her skirts.

"Yours. It's a gift." the Vartan says, smiling warmly. He signs to his 'family', "We best prepare. I go get my packs below… too many to try and carry on wing so we walk instead. I think I know path that not give much notice to us."

Zoltan points out his new friend to the cubs. "Taliamelle." he says in Vartan and handsign.

Taliamelle cradles the piece in her hand ad hold it to her face, rocking a bit.

Pouncer squawks, "Taliamelle!" Enos takes more trouble, it coming out more like "Tellyellyellyelly!" He smiles brightly with great enthusiasm nonetheless, forgetting the trouble around him for the time being.

Taliamelle giggles, and, putting the shiny away, runs over to the two cubs.

Taliamelle stops and turns back a moment. "Thank you much," she says to Zoltan.

Pouncer points at herself, squawking, "Pouncer Cambios!" Pointing at the younger male cub, she adds, "Enos Cambios," even while the cub interrupts her by squawking his own name. "Enos!Enos!Enos!"

Taliamelle pats the cubs on the head, not quite sure what else to do, then looks them over, smiling.

Taliamelle says, "You pla' games?"

Zoltan blushes. The cubs are using his own last name. He vanishes below deck before he melts into a puddle, and appears a few minutes later with a heavy pack resting on his shoulders and two smaller ones in each arm.

Pouncer and Enos shout in unison, "YEAH!!!"

Taliamelle offers a paw to hold to each of them. "Good thing, yes!"

As the two cubs take Taliamelle's offered paws and tag along, Jezebel hangs back to aid Zoltan with the remaining luggage. Together, with Twilight-Wing accompanying, they head off together to the Docks and to Rephidim City beyond. Paradys, for the time being, is truly behind them, but there is no telling what adventures now await them ahead.