It has taken several days for the Spring's Bounty to be patched up to flight-worthy status, and even then the crew must work overtime to keep the crippled airship airborne. After the frantic activity surrounding the launch, however, things began to settle back into a routine – if an especially busy one. Still, there is a little time available for the captain to meet with Tulani, at the scout's request.

The black Sphynx turns to sit in the offered chair, and says, "While I was scouting that island we landed on a few days back, I came across some ruins and a peculiar map of my homeland… " She hands the captain a battered bone scrollcase and continues grimly, "… along with a pendant portraying the symbol of necromancy."

Captain Herschel's brow lifts in interest, and he opens the scrollcase to dump the contents out on the table. "It's not unusual to find old watchtowers or outposts on these little islands," he grunts, and unrolls the map. "Odd material. But it is certainly a map of Sylvania, if an unlabeled one." He glances at the pendant, but doesn't touch it. Instead, he turns to his map cabinet and extracts an up-to-date map of Sylvania, which he spreads out next to the found one. "These marks don't match up with many towns, but the map itself doesn't seem too old. Was this all that you found?" he asks.

"There was also a small piece of metal, triangular in shape, that looked like a piece of some sort of puzzle," Tulani says, pulling the strange object from a pocket and handing it to the captain as well.

"Ah, of course," the Rhian says, once he has the bit of metal. He places it on the map, and moves it around until the holes in it line up with some of the markings on the map. "It's a keyhole map. Once all of the pieces of the key are assembled, it will line up with the map in only one way to indicate the location of something. I haven't seen one in years though," he explains.

Tulani hmms quietly and says, "I wonder where the rest of the pieces are?"The black Sphynx looks down unhappily at the map, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the seemingly randomly placed black dots.

"I imagine the person who was carrying this had an idea," Herschel says, before shrugging his broad shoulders. "It's not much good without them, assuming it isn't a fake in the first place. I can imagine maps like this being sold to Gallisian Chevaliers looking for treasure in Sylvania. Star knows what's really buried out there. A curio dealer might buy it from you," he suggests. "Plenty of those in Abu Dhabi, if the Bounty survives the trip."

"I might be inclined to believe the idea that this is a fake map, if it weren't for that," the Sphynx replies pointing vehemently at the pendant lying next to the map.

The Captain picks up the offending object by its chitin chain, and lets it dangle in the lamplight. "Awfully fancy for an icon. Might have belonged to a priest of some dark cult. You'd be surprised how many there are in Southern Ur."

Tulani watches the pendant swing in the lamplight and says, "Yes, there are many of them in Sylvania too," her eyes narrow, "and you'd be surprised how much trouble they cause."

Lowering the pendant back to the table and dropping the chain, Herschel suggests, "Well, it may have value to an occultist or mage, or have something to do with the map. You might be able to find out more at the paquebot, as I'm certainly no expert on such things."

The Sylvanian Sphynx gathers up the objects on the table, pausing only briefly to look at the map and replaces them in the scroll case. "One more thing, Captain: what is the current status of the ship? When do you think we'll be arriving?"

"We'll survive," Herschel says reassuringly. "We're at half sail, and with one working engine it shouldn't take us more than ten days at worst to reach Little Rephidim West. Then we can have the major repairs done."

Tulani nods as she stands to leave. "Thank you for your time, Captain."

The trip from the barren sky-island to the paquebot has taken a grueling eight days for the wounded airship Spring's Bounty. Captain Herschel has given most of the exhausted crew extended leave while he arranges to sell some of the cargo to pay for sorely needed repairs, and those with money in pocket have set out to find more comfortable quarters or recreation on the floating city. Since it's New Year's Eve, many of the docked airships and port taverns are already hosting boisterous celebrations.

The women's bunkroom is all but deserted now, as Sofie the cook finishes dressing. "Going to the port, Tulani?" the calico Khatta asks the Sphynx.

The black Sphynx turns and replies with a smile, "Yes I think I will. I need break as much as the next person, and it'll give me the chance to get in some good flying time hopefully."

"Flying!" Sofie laughs. "And miss all the parties? It's New Year's Eve, after all," she chides, then notes, "Although flying would be handy if they're going to have fireworks. You'd always have a good view then! I was going to head to this nearby tavern some of the crew told me about. They've got nice beds you can rent by the hour even."

Tulani stands, stretching and says, "Really? Maybe I'llstop by. What's it called?"

"The Blowhole," Sofie says as she finishes lacing her boots. "Down this arm near the Core, they said."

Tulani smirks a little at the name, "Well, I'll be sure to drop by that place then, after I look around a bit. Couldyou help me with these ties?" she asks, pulling on a loose shirt.

"Sure hon," Sofie offers, and helps Tulani lace up her shirt. "You winged types have the most complicated clothing, I certainly don't envy you that!" she giggles.

The air is much more pleasant than at the chilling higher altitudes Tulani usually has to fly at, while the paquebot spreads out like a flower beneath her. On the far side, dwarfing even the largest of the moored airships, is a multi-masted clipper ship lit up by dozens of colored lamps. Even more lights illuminate the tops of the station's wide wooden arms, as makeshift marketplaces sprawl across the roofs of warehouses. A group of Korvs fly in a complex dance, trailing colored streamers in some kind of performance, and pairs of armed Vartans patrol around the docked vessels on police duty.

Tulani smiles as she takes in the sights of the paquebot, and heads for the roof/market, hoping to find an interesting souvenir.

The market is crowded with travelers and hawkers alike (and probably several pickpockets as well). Hawkers cry from booths and tents, offering exotic foods and holidaynoisemakers along with the usual souvenirs and Naga oil. "Duty-free Bromthen Ivory here!" "Herbs from the Savan, guaranteed to let you start the New Year with a bang!" "Good luck charms here! Ward off sea-monsters!"

A little uncomfortable of the crowds, the black and white Sphynx looks around for a open spot and lands lightly, immediately heading for a nearby stand selling lucky charms and odds n' ends.

Up ahead Tulani can see the charm seller engaged in some sort of business transaction with a exotically dressed lupine. "Five shekels for this? Yer outta yer Dagh taken mind," yells the Jupani man at the curio seller across from him. "Look'ee 'ere you sea-leech, these shells are almost as common as greedy merchants – two shekels."

"Good eve, m'lady!" pipes the eager Aquilan merchant."Genuine Gigi luck-tikis here! Nothing better for scaring off bad spirits," he claims, gesturing with his wing to a collection of incredibly ugly little statues with grimacing faces.

The bird quickly turns back to his lupine customer, and counters, "Ah, but these shells are hand polished by sultry golden-furred beach girls, good sir!"

The wolf shakes his head. "There ain't nothin' trustworthy about sultry golden-furred beach girls. Especially if they're vixens," is his retort. "Three shekels."

Tulani looks down to examine the Gigi charms, thinking, My, aren't they ugly? She leans forward to examine the shells in question, while idly asking, "How much for the statues?"

"Very well, sir, three shekels then, although it breaks my heart to part with such rare and beautiful shells at cost," the bird bemoans to the Jupani, then switches moods instantly to cheerfully tell Tulani, "Seven shekels apiece, miss! A bargain for icons personally blessed by a priestess of Nala and made from sacred driftwood by skilled craftsmen."

The merchant's assistant, an eaglet, quickly wraps up the palm-sized abalone shell for the wolf.

The Sphynx hmms, and holds the price in the back of her head while examining the other items on display.

"Gehnoh," says the satisfied sounding Jupani. He brushes his long coat back and reaches past several daggers to a pouch from which he removes a few coins. He presses them into the assistant's hand after taking the shell.

Aside from the hideous tikis, there are more artistically carved bits of polished wood – one in the form of a streamlined shelwhal, another of some bulbous, tentacled creature attacking a boat – and a truly impressive collection of polished shells shining in mother-of-pearl, and jewelry made from colored bits of coral.

The little eagle clacks its beak to the Jupani, and makes the shekels vanish after tasting them for authenticity. "Come again, sir!" it squawks.

Tulani watches the Jupani for a moment before picking up a coral bracelet and turning the beads in her hand.

"Yeah," barks the wolf absently. With his purchase in hand he turns around and takes a few steps towards the ocean before hollering, "Hey, Raneah! New Year's present! Catch!" and chucking the shell into the water.

Blinking confusedly, the Sphynx watches the Jupani's strange action.

"Oh, but that would look just lovely against your dark fur," the merchant claims, smiling as widely as possible with a beak. A strange bark comes up from the water, followed by a larger splash after the shell hits. The little eagle just stares open-beaked at the wolf.

Turning to stare at the water for a moment, Tulani pauses toask the wolf, "Why did you do that?"

Dressed like a whirlwind tour of Ai, the wolf wears a coat that has a Chronotopian cut, while his pants and shirt look distinctly Khattan. He watches the water with a contented expression, then snaps away to grin at Tulani. "Oh she'll catch it. Always does," he explains. "Not sure what she'll think about the hearing the ocean part, though."

Still looking a little puzzled, the Sphynx runs a hand through her head-fur and asks, "'She?'"

The merchant's smile seems more forced now, as he gives nervous glances between the Sphynx and the outrageous Jupani.

"I'm thinkin' she's a she," corrects the wolf. "Hard to tell sometimes with the foreign types. S'got all the she-bits in the upper deck if yer catching my wind, heh." He waggles his brow, then clears his throat. "Really. She ought to have somethin' if she can' be up and dancin'."

The coral bracelet sits in Tulani's hand, temporarily forgotten as she looks out at the water and asks, "She's only half there?"

"I've got a lovely matching necklace for that bracelet," the merchant says, trying to keep Tulani's interest, while the little eagle blurts out, "It's a mermaid he's talking about! A mermaid!"

The wolf cocks his head to the side. "Now don' be thinkin' Raneah's 'half-there.' I mean she does follow me aroun' sure, and she's a bit quiet but-" he blinks, "-oh! Ha. I got yah. Naw she's just a better swimmer than she be a walker. Doesn' take much to the land. And, oh, I'm Arkold if ye been wonderin'." He extends his hand to the Sphinx.

Tulani sets the coral bracelet down on the counter, graspsArkold's hand and says, "I'm Tulani Herfrell, nice to meet you. Your friend's a mermaid then, is she?" She shifts her wings, settling the feathers slightly.

"Right. Nice to meet yah," replies the wolf after a firm handshake. "As for me friend 'ere, well, there's moremysteries than fish in the sea, eh?" He grins again, an expression that somehow makes him look more dishonest than friendly.

Watching the Jupani carefully the Sphynx asks, "Did you just come in to port?"

The wolf gives a nod and drops his hand to rest on the pommel of his scimitar. "You got it. Stuck 'ere 'til I find another ship to sail on." His free hand thumbs back towards the revelry behind him. "An' until the partyin' is over, 'course. Dagh's left horn! I haven' had a drink in a holiday."

Tulani says, "I'm currently in port on shore leave." She looks out at the ocean and says, "How did you meet your friend, 'Raneah?'"

Gesturing expansively to the ocean the wolf explains in grand fashion, "It was on one of me many adventures, on a world far, far away. She was given to me by the king 'o the sea for me loyalty an' 'ard work. Was a right fearsome reaver 'o the sea then." He gives another one of those not-entirely-convincing grins. "Course, I'm reformed now. Mercenary work an' all that."

As the sun dips closer to the horizon, the crowd begins to thin out noticeably as more and more people leave for holiday celebrations. Some of the merchants are already beginning to pack up their wares.

The black Sphynx arches an eyebrow at the mention ofmercenary work by the Jupani, and cocks an ear towards the ocean, saying simply, "I'm a scout." Remembering the trinkets, she spins back to the owner of the souvenir stall, and asks, "How much is the bracelet?"

"Oh, ten shekels miss," the bird says, sounding chipper.

"Yeah, I could see that. Wings an' all." The wolf taps a finger on the pommel of his scimitar consideringly as the Sphynx inquires about the bracelet, interjecting with, "S'right dull work. Don' be thinkin' bein' a mercenary is excitin'. Guard this, watch that. Bah. Was thinkin' Raneah would like to see the Gigi Coast an' all but I'd kill fer somethin' interesting."

Narrowing her eyes and looking over the bracelet the Sphynx counters with, "I'll give you seven," while cocking an ear towards Arkold. "Oh, is it?" she says absently to the Jupani.

"Indubitably," the Jupani confirms. "An' lookit that. They're already closin' up around 'ere. I don' know about you, Scout, but I'm gunna be headin' for that," he points off at a distant building, "that there Blow Hole bar before I miss all the freebies."

Not quite ready to call it quits, even though his assistant is already packing away the rest of the display, the merchant counters, "Eight then, as you're not likely to be finding such fine goods again soon, eh?"

"Eight it is then," the Sphynx agrees before turning to the Jupani. "I'll be heading down there as well myself."

"S'good. Maybe you'll buy an' old sailor a round eh?" The wolf waggles his brows again. "Tell you some stories maybe. Been a lot of places. Raneah'll be along too what with that exemplary hole in the floor they be havin'."

"Gehnoh," the merchant says, and happily takes Tulani's money. "And a Happy New Year to you both, young couple," he adds with a wink.

Tulani rolls her eyes at the merchant's last comment and says, "I'd like that. I need a drink myself, and new stories are always good to hear."

"Treffen Sie mich am Wasserbohrung Alehaus!" the Jupani yells off at the water,and then off he goes with the black Sphynx to the Blowhole Tavern.

The menu chalked onto a hanging bit of slate lists the various dishes and their prices – kept low by using only locally produced food. Some of the items, like "Chum Chowder," "Tooterfish," "Stygian Salad" and "Octoburger" sound somewhat ominous, and what the "Buffalo Wings" are made from is anyone's guess.

A black Sphynx enters the tavern, blinking to adjust to the dim light, and takes up the first open table she sees.

The Jupani pushes his blonde hair over his shoulder before pointing towards a table by the "blow hole" the tavern is named after. "She'll be expectin' us that-a-way, friend. Better sit by the hole or she'll be gettin' worried," he suggests to the Sphynx beside him.

Tulani nods to the Jupani and shifts over a table, closer to the "blow-hole."

Several of the Bounty crew can be spotted around the tavern, including Sofie. The cook is apparently yelling encouragement as another of the crew challenges a sailor to an arm-wrestling competition. There are several empty tables next to the blow-hole, as the sea scent can be somewhat ripe at times.

The Jupani leads the way over to the table he pointed out and there he pulls a chair for Tulani and himself. "'Ave a seat, miss," he offers.

After a few spy-hopping splashes to locate Arkold, Raneah hauls herself out of the water to shoulder height, so that she can rest her arms on the wooden floor. Seaweed-like hair frames her streamlined feline face, which has a slightly blue cast to it in this light. Her wide eyes shine as she greets Arkold.

Tulani eyes widen at the sight of the mercat and her mouth makes a soundless "O" of awe as she stares at Raneah.

The wolf smiles down at his aquatic friend. "'Ey Raneah. This 'ere's Tulani the Scout."

"Beer!" says the Siren, having lost some of her old shyness over the past year. "Hi, Too-lah-NEE!"

The lupine shoots Tulani a grin. "I knew I should never 'ave given 'er a sip back on Caroban."

Quickly recovering from her astonishment, the black Sphynx manages a timid, "Hello Raneah," and then she orders two beers and an ale. "I'm paying, but you owe me some stories!" she says with a smile to Arkold.

The serving Kavi rushes back to the bar with the order. A large water-clock has been set up atop it, counting down to midnight.

"Righty-o then," says the wolf as he flops down in to his chair. "Let me see. Raneah isn't the only odd duck I ever met. Met a dragon once."

Tulani leans back in her chair and says "Really? What was this dragon like?"

"Ducks is tasty," Raneah offers, not wanting to be left out of the conversation.

"Shiny-ish. Mean. Cleaver. Tried to get all the crooks in Rephidim to follow 'is scheme. Never panned out though. Don' know what happened to him. Remy was 'is name," elaborates the wolf. He settles back and reaches a hand to pat Raneah's head. "She likes ducks. Guess when you've eatin' fish all yer life a bit of land-walker is a feast. Can' blame 'er though. Now I like fish."

The harried server rushes over and lays out three mugs on the table. "Three shekels," the Kavi states, too distracted to even notice the mercat poking up out of the water.

The Sylvanian Sphynx hands the Kavi the shekels and passes out the mugs to Arkold and Raneah, pausing to sip her ale.

The Kavi dashes off to the next table, and Raneah takes a hefty swig of beer.

The wolf nods after he downs a bit of ale as if the drink helped him collect his thoughts. "Then there was this time we – and I meaning Raneah, this crazy Exile, and this even crazier gold vixen – found a map to buried – "

"Beh!" Raneah complains, interrupting Arkold. "It's watered down!"

The wolf bursts out laughing.

Placing her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand, Tulani smiles at Raneah's comment and cocks an ear further towards the Jupani.

Once he manages to stop his guffawing the wolf picks up where he left off. " … buried treasure of a pirate prince. An' I don' mean milksop kitty-princes like they 'ave in the Emirate. I'm talkin' rob-you-and-yer-Urganblind as … uh … one of them glowy-fish way under the ocean. Raneah knows about them." He nods to Raneah. "Bu' anyway don' have that money anymore. Spent it all on a good cause iffin' you can believe it."

The three main traditions of New Year's are the paying and forgiving of debts, and chasing off evil spirits by making lots of noise. The third one is by far the most popular, as an impromptu orchestra of sailors banging on pots, glasses,furniture and sometimes each other forms to accompany several old salts belting out sea shanties.

Tulani arches an eyebrow and smirks. "Really? And here I thought you were just some grizzled old mercenary, looking to take advantage of beautiful young women like me?"

"He does that too, don't fret," Raneah claims, then laughs in a near barking way.

The Sphynx joins the mercat's laugh, adding her own light tones to the noise around them.

The wolf holds up a hand defensively. "Hey now, tha's not exactly fair," he counters woundedly. "I'm a perfect gentleman. Uh. Usually." He coughs. "Well, uh, okay. I ain't any kind of Temple Saint."

Tulani pats the Jupani on the shoulder shaking her head and saying, "Very few are," while still grinning, widely.

"Whoooo YEAH!" yells Sofie from the corner of the room, where the ship's honor has no doubt been upheld in the arm-wrestling contest.

Looking back at the cheering calico, Tulani takes another sip of her ale.

"Ain't that the truth," agrees the wolf. He smirks. "Knew a few like these sorts-" he waves his free hand to the room and takes another drink, "Scrimshaw. That, uh, ratty kid. The other ratty kid. No' one of them was a Saint. The ratty kid liked Mariners though, so, he wasn' too bad.E'd have liked Raneah, I'm sure."

Tulani nods to the Jupani before saying, with a smile, "I think jut about anyone would like Raneah."

"Hey Tulani!" calls a Kavi voice. "Lookit, Tulani!" It's Iggy, doing a handstand on the guardrail around the hole.

The wolf smiles at that. "Yeah," he agrees pleasantly. "Yeah, I think so. S'been hard findin' a place for her though. She's glad to follow me aroun' an' all, but I'd like to see her happier."

"Gimme more beer then," Raneah suggests.

The Sylvanian Sphynx looks startled at the Kavi for a moment before chuckling and saying, "Hello, Iggy! You besure to be careful doing that!"

As Tulani's shipmate's cry seems to sink in, the wolf's expression goes from laid back and content to suddenly startled and alert. He sits up and turns to watch the man do a handstand on the rail. Absently he passes Raneah his beer. "Yer friend ain't gunna do anythin' foolish, eh? I mean, he ain't goin' to lose it if he falls in an' see Raneah?" he asks Tulani.

"Kavis are flexible. It's unlikely he'll fall, and if he does, we can just quickly fish him out," Tulani says, smiling, "but he probably should get down." Louder, she calls out, "Come over here, Iggy, and have an ale!" She waves down a waitress to replenish the ale supply.

"Ehhh," mutters the lupine as he considers the man balanced on the bar. "Iffin' you tink it'll be fine, I'll take yer word. I jus' wouldn', y'know, want to cause Raneah any problems you understand." His hand reflexively grasps at a beer he had forgotten he handed to Raneah and barks a laugh. "She'll be makin' a sober man of me yet."

"Sure!" Iggy chirps, and drops to all fours to scamper along the railing to the table without noticing the Siren. "This place sure is jumpin', eh Tulani? Smells better than that cave you found the treasure map in too!"

The wolf's ears perk up a bit. "Yeah. Better than that there treasure map cave. What with it bein' all full of, eh, I forget … ?" He looks to the Kavi for help.

Tulani frowns at Iggy while sipping her new ale, "It sure does smell better, but I still don't think it's a treasure map."

"Fish droppings!" Iggy answers, whiskers twitching. "Flying fish droppings at that! And it has to be a treasure map! What else could it be? Oh, and who is this guy?" the Kavi asks, finally taking a good look at Arkold.

Tulani says, "Iggy, Arkold. Arkold, Iggy."

Arkold nods his head by way of greeting. "Nice balancing act," he offers.

"Thanks," Iggy says, puffing out his thin chest. "I don't get to show off much in the galley, 'cuz Sofie doesn't let me near the knives."

"Ain't that the way with women?" Arkold offers cheerily. "Always tellin' yah what you can' do. So, uh, Tulani and me were jus' sharin' treasure map stories. Why don'cha pull up a seat an' tell us about yours."

The serving Kavi zooms past again with four fresh mugs, grabs up the empties and the shekels and dashes off again without a word.

Iggy grabs a mug and plops down into a chair, which means he's mostly hidden by the table now. After taking a swig that leaves a foam moustache on his muzzle, he says, "Tulani found it. It leads to some ancient treasure or magical whatsit or something, I'm sure. Why else make the map unreadable, eh?"

Tulani scratches her head in thought before saying, "It's a map of Sylvania covered in little black dots," then turning to Iggy, "and it's notunreadable. The captain says it's a … ahh … 'puzzle map,' I think he called it. Whatever it leads to, I don't think it can be good. With the map, I found a symbol of necromancy and the undead. Not good!"

"Oh yeah, there was that puzzle piece that came with it," Iggy says, nodding vigorously enough to shake the foam off his muzzle. "And it's cursed too, I bet. That's why there were all those piles of corpses and pyramids of skulls and whatnot!" he adds, embellishing on things slightly.

Tulani actually starts laughing at Iggy, and she tries to get out between fits of laughter, "Don't… exaggerate… so much… Iggy!"

Nodding, the wolf reaches into his coat and fumbles for a moment before yanking out what looks like some sort of complicated firearm. Like the product of an inspired Technopriest, it is a work of scientific art. How it works, however, isn't readily apparent. He places this on the table and points to the design on the side. "See this 'ere's the map I followed to get me treasure – which I don' have anymore – so I'm sayin' maybe if you show me I'm thinkin' I could help ye," explains the wolf. He glances between Tulani and her Kavi shipmate and grins. "An' don' be sayin' it's cursed. Ain't it all cursed? Guarded? Warded or what-not? Fortune favors the bold, eh?"

"Misfortune too," Raneah says from floor-level, but Iggy doesn't hear her.

"Well, there was that one skull," Iggy admits. "But there were other mounds that could have hidden oodles of bones!" He then leans forward to stare at the firearm. "Ooo, shiny!"

Taking a few deep breaths to stop laughing, Tulani examines the map Arkold gestured too.

"Wow, what sort of treasure was it, Mister Arkold?" Iggy asks. "Was it guarded by monsters and traps?"

The wolf leans a bit so he can pat Raneah's arm comfortingly where Iggy can't see it. "Misfortune favors the bold too, eh, like a friend once told me. But! No one jus' leaves treasure 'n artifacts layin' around in the Happy Cave 'O Joy and Beer. Ever hear of an' adventure tha' didn't have danger? Ain't there." He taps his gun with a finger. "Uh, actually wasn't really guarded at all. Well a trap an' such. It was this 'ere gun-map that was the 'ard part what with wrestling it away from the pirate prince and his misunderstandin' pirate king father."

Passing the last of her ale down to Raneah, Tulani tells Arkold, "I'm not sure if you could see anything in my map. I think I need to find some pieces that fit on top of it first."

"Pirates," Iggy whispers in awe. "Did you have to seduce the pirate king's comely daughter in order to escape? I've seen book covers like that."

"Eh, really? Well let's see it, huh?" urges the Jupani. "This 'ere map was written in some crazy pirate language though, so you might 'ave somethin' there." He then turns to grin at Iggy and gives him a nudge of the elbow. "No' exactly son, but there was this pirate vixen lass an' she was treasure if ye get me drift."

The Sphynx just rolls her eyes at the Jupani's last comment.

Iggy makes a low whistling sound and winks back to Arkold.

The wolf winks back. When he catches Tulani's expression he clears his throat and tries to force the grin off his face. "Right then. So what you be havin' 'ere is a treasure map of Sylvani. I'm tellin' you kids you ought to follow it. Now I ain't the most respectable of sorts," he gives the two airshipmen a nod as if his lack of respectability were hard to believe, "but I'm tellin' ye chances like this don' come on ye often. You let Lady Luck go an' she'll fall in to the arms of another. An' you'll curse the day ye did when yer old."

After taking another deep gulp, the now tipsy Iggy nods sloppily and says, "Yesh, notalotta time for opera-tuning-tees like dis."

Shifting a bit in her seat, Tulani says, "I would really like to know where this map leads, if only to know if it's a threat to Sylvania. I'm just not sure where to start." Setting her chin in her hand the Sylvanian Sphynx turns to Iggy and asks, "Do you have a room? Maybe it's about time for you to go to sleep?"

"Rrrroom?" Iggy slurs. "Nahh, 'm stayin on the ship."

The wolf gives the Kavi a light punch in the arm. "There's the spirit kid." He waves down the waitress and orders himself two more beers and then glances at Tulani. "Yer lucky y'know? I'd kill for a treasure hunt. An' I'm meanin' that figuratively, so don' be thinkin' I'm out to keel haul you an yer friend 'ere. Find the rest of those clues an' you may stand to make a name fer yerself. An' like you say maybe it's a threat. If it's a hero's life or jus' the gold you ought to pursue it. An' maybe you'll walk out smellin' like a rose."

Looking intently at the Kavi, the black and white Sphynx says, "Maybe it's time you headed back to the ship, Iggy? I'll come with you. Speaking of the ship… ," she turns to Arkold, "do ya want to come look at my map. Maybe you can give me some advice?"

"Sure," agrees the wolf. "I'll tell Raneah where we're goin' so she don' worry. She's prolly abou' ready for a nap 'erself. She had most of my beer."

Iggy blows a bubble out of his nose, and starts snoring while sitting up.

The wolf raises a brow at the sleeping Kavi. "Wan' me to carry 'im?" he asks.

Tulani replies, "If you don't mind?" She turns to Raneah, "It was nice meeting you, Raneah."

"Happy New Year," Raneah wishes, after finishing off the last of the ale. Then with a wink, she warns Tulani, "Watch out for his hands, too." With a splash, the mermaid is gone.

The wolf stands and moves around the table to pick the Kavi up and sling him over his shoulder. Then he grabs his gun and stuffs it away somewhere under his coat. "She means I've got a quick draw, heh," he offers by way of explanation. "An' I'm good with knots. You ready?"

Tulani turns to grin at Arkold, "Yep, let's go."

"After you, miss." And the wolf falls in to follow the Sphynx.

Iggy is not the first crewman to be carried back to the ship over someone's shoulder, it turns out, so Arkold doesn't meet much resistance boarding the Bounty – or with dropping off the Kavi in a bunkroom. Most of the crew is still dockside, and the bunkroom Tulani shares with the other females remains empty.

Tulani grabs the scrollcase from under her pillow and dumps the contents into her lap, passing the map to Arkold.

Arkold straightens out the map. "Yeah, definitely a map," he says, stating the obvious. "I see the dots 'ere and 'ere like you were sayin'."

Passing the Jupani the triangular piece of metal, Tulani tells him, "This is the 'puzzle-piece' I found in the cave." She demonstrates, by trying to fit it on the map.

Outside, the thrum of hundreds of voices beginning the count-down until midnight presses against the hull of the ship.

The wolf traces his finger along various paths away from the triangle. "Huh," he remarks. "Yeah. Looks like if you 'ad a few more 'o these you might 'ave a location. Don' know much about Sylvania, though. Savanites 'an ghosts s'what I 'ear. Um, think this 'ere triangle is unique? Don' fit anywhere else does it?"

Tulani says, "I couldn't find anywhere else where it fits."

"FIVE!" comes the cumulative shout from outside, and the odd leather of the map seems to be growing warmer under Arkold's touch.

"Hum, well, so much for makin' woodcut copies an' trying to, pardon the word, 'triangulate' 'em." He reaches his other hand to pat his head as if checking his temperature. "Heh,"he quips, "I must be gettin' 'warm.'"

The countdown continues, and when "TWO!" is called, fine pink and blue traceries begin to glow beneath the surface of the map.

Tulani narrows her eyes at the map, her body tensing. "Arkold, maybe you should put the map down?", she asks, in a deadly calm voice.

"Uh," offers the wolf by way of distinctly nervous-sounding agreement. He tries to lift his finger off the map and step away.

Whatever warmth there was in the room seems to be blown away by a chill breeze, as the crowds shout out, "ONE!" The map pulses with light as it's left alone.

Tulani hisses violently, watching the light play off the walls of the bunkroom.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the crowds roar, and the map suddenly stops glowing and pulsing.

The black Sphynx calms down just enough to peer at the now still map.

Arkold rubs the finger that touched the map with his other hand. "Well, ain't that something," he says numbly. "Sure glad it didn't burn me finger off. Wouldn't 'ave been much of a New Year … er." He peers at the map as well, though in a guarded manner as if it might leap up and tackle him.

"Thank Dagh!" the map says in a thin, hollow voice. "I thought I'd be stuck in that cave forever." The piece of leather has a definite Sylvanian accent.

"Holy Saints in tu-!" cries the wolf as he jerks away from the map and trips over the chair behind him with a clatter.

Tulani simply turns to Arkold, wide-eyed, and quietly says, "Happy New Year, Happy New Year… "