The first minutes of the first day of RTR 6107, the 8th Year of the Reign of Archelaus the First, witness a small bunkroom aboard the Spring's Bounty in the company of a Sylvanian Sphynx, a Jupani mercenary and a talking map. "Who here is the mapbearer?" requests the map.

Fur bristling, the black and white Sylvanian Sphynx backs up, bumping her wings lightly in the wall, before narrowing her eyes and sputtering, "What the? Who are you?

Arkold blinks dazedly as he sits up from the floor. "Huh? Wha? Oh, heh, New Year's. That explains it." His eyes focus on the apparently talking map and with a muttered curse he promptly scrambles away from it until he hits the bunk. "Uh, 'ey there Tulani? Did I jus' have one too many or is the map strikin' up a conversation?"

Tulani simply growls at the map in response to Arkold's query.

"I am Fyodr Dunklestein, Chief Warder and Keeper of the Relics for Czar Justinian the Sixth of Sylvania," the map intones. "Now which of you is the mapbearer? I don't have all day you know."

"What, gonna get up an' walk away? Some pressin' map business?" quips Arkold as he slowly gets back to his feet.

The map pointedly ignores Arkold, inasmuch as a piece of leather can be said to ignore anything.

Calming down slightly, Tulani peers suspiciously at the map and whispers, "I found this map several days ago on an empty sky island." Her feathers ruffle slightly against the back wall.

"And what is your name, child of Sylvania?" the map asks. "It has been many years since I've heard a voice from my homeland."

The wolf eyes the map suspiciously as he circles around the table to Tulani's side. "How poor a country is Sylvani'," he whispers as he draws near, "if their Chief Warder is a scrap 'o parchment?"

Peering suspiciously at the map as though it might leap up and strike her, the black Sylvanian Sphynx takes a step closer to it and says, "I am Tulani Herfrell."

"Well met, Tulani Herfrell of Sylvania," the map says, politely. "What would you ask of me?"

"Money," whispers Arkold to Tulani without hesitation, "an' treasure."

Relaxing visibly at the map's apparently non-threatening nature – and showing no response to Arkold's suggestion – Tulani leans down to pick up the map and says, "Well, for one thing, what were you doing in that cave?"

The wolf clucks his tongue in obvious disapproval, then grins. "I guess that's good 'nough for starters," he comments.

"The accursed follower of Amena fled to a hidden temple there, only to become stranded when the righteous children of Nala destroyed his ship," the map relates.

"So I guess 'e's the one who pinched ya, eh Dunky? Jus' a bit far from home ain'cha?" inquires the lupine. He leans forward to peer at the enchanted object.

"I have passed through many hands, cur," it says to Arkold. "The Priestesses of Nala protected me for many years once they found me."

Tulani growls under her breath at the thought of Amena. "What did the followers of Amena," she practically spits out the name of the dark goddess, "want with this map?"

"I mark the location of the Tomb of the Necromancer King, along with the relics once wielded by the Carrion Queen herself," the map replies. "And also the resting place of their downfall, the Sacred Light of Nala."

Arkold runs his hand through his mangy blonde hair. "Cur, huh." He shakes his head and gives Tulani a "Can you believe that?" glance. His ears then perk up at the mention of tombs and relics. "Think 'e's tellin' the truth, eh, Tulani? Can' be too sure of a map tha' goes aroun' callin' yah 'cur' and thankin' Dagh."

The Sphynx shifts her wing, the feathers ruffling slightly as she listens to Arkold, "Fyodr, what is the metal piece for, and why was there a symbol of Necropolis inside the scrollcase with you?" she asks suspiciously.

"An' this, uh, 'Nala' … you mean Inala? Priestess of Inala?" He muzzle splits in to a smile. "'Cause I'm all for Inala."

"Do not speak the name of the Carrion Queen in my presence!" the map demands. "There are three parts to the Key which reveals the location of the Tomb. One was held by Justinian the Sixth, another by Duke Phelix of Blackshire, and the third by Count Tempest. You possess one of those parts, and yea, Inala is the Angel of Life known in Sylvania. The talisman you speak of belonged to the accursed one who bore me last. As my spirit is bound to this map made from my own skin, so is his spirit bound to that evil talisman."

"Well see, tol' you I could help. Jus' look. We know who's got 'em all," says the wolf as he nudges Tulani.

Tulani narrows her eyes further at the map's outburst and the mention of Inala, and she recoils violently, almost dropping the map at the mention of what it's made of.

"Whoa, 'ey," says the wolf as he reaches to steady the Sphynx beside him. "Don' be droppin' Dunky. Who knows what it might do."

The black Sphynx recovers quickly, moving back to lean against the wall before saying, "Sorry about that, I guess it's time to try and visit home again."

"Yeah, off to Sylvani," agrees the wolf after he lets the Sphynx go. "But, 'ey," he peers at the map as if ascertaining its ability to eavesdrop before leaning in to whisper, "thinkin' about how to get there? I'm tellin' yah yer gonna be wantin' some muscle if y'are thinkin' about goin' after these keys."

Tulani gives Arkold a smirking smile before saying, "And I'm sure you want to come with me, right?"

"The one who bore me last recovered the first key, and believed he knew the location of the second," the map claims. "Both had been lost in raids on the homeland, as was I."

"S'for yer own good," replies the wolf defensively. "The way I be seein' it, I'm the one who went an' told you to make yer fortune an' I'd be poor of me to jus' let you go off alone. Cross me 'eart." He pats his chest. "'Sides, Raneah likes seein' new places."

Still smirking at Arkold, Tulani says, "Are you sure you don't just want to go looking for treasure?"

The wolf offers a hurt expression that's not terribly convincing. "Well, uh, jus' think of it as a bonus?"

Laughing lightly, the Sylvanian Sphynx says, "Of course! Of course! Just a bonus," then, more seriously, "I think it would be a good idea if you came along too. Besides, I'd like to see Raneah again."

"The Priestesses of the Gigi would handsomely reward any who returned the Holy Blade to them," the map notes. "As would the Czar for the return of the keys and map."

The wolf gives a melodramatic sigh. "Yeah, everyone likes Raneah." Then he grins. "Bu' if I'm comin' an' you can't pay my fee – and lookin' at'cha I ain't seein' no noble – we're gonna need to get us a ship if yer thinkin' your cap'n ain't keen on bein' our carriage."

Tulani sighs, her brow furrowing before saying, "Yes, our next stop was scheduled to be in Abu Dhabi, so finding another ship is a definite yes. I'll have to give my captain note of my leave, but I'm always trying to find time to visit home, so I don't think he'll mind." Then, she smacks her forehead, lamenting, "But I don't get paid until we reach Abu Dhabi and unload the cargo!

"The thief made mention of Abu Dhabi," adds the map, which has apparently been listening along. "I was not privy to his goals, as he was not the sort I wished to cooperate with, however. You would need to consult him yourself on what he knew of the keys."

The wolf sneers at the mention of Abu Dhabi. "Ain't keen onAbu Dhabi myself," he confides. "Tha's a real stickler of a problem, too, heh." He glances at the map again. "What do ya mean, 'Consult 'im yourself'? That there pendant ain't goin' to start talkin'?"

"It may be used to summon his shade, if he was competent in his necromancy," the map claims. "Blood is the key in such dark enchantments."

Tulani looks distinctly nervous at the idea of an artifact of Amenlichtli speaking.

Arkold follows Tulani's gaze to the amulet in question giving it much the same sort of nervous review. "So, uh," he begins hesitantly, "blood, eh?"

"Blood," the map confirms. "Being of a purer magic, I need only the surge of mystic energy that occurs on holy days. Although a bit of wine spilled on me now and then won't go unappreciated, if it's the good stuff."

The Sylvanian Sphynx looks at the map. "Would it be safe to summon the shade? And how would we do it?" she asks nervously.

The wolf gives the map an approving nod. "Now yer talkin' my language. I could go for a bit of Fauxpas Millennium stuff. Haven't had any since the turn o' the century," says the wolf merrily. Then, much more grimly, he asks, "But, 'ey, Dunky how much blood we talkin' 'ere? If you're thinkin' virgin sacrifices, I hate tell yah but all we got are sailors."

"Of safety, I cannot say, for I no longer have the powers of a Mage of Spirit to protect you," the map warns. "As to the process itself, one must merely feed the talisman until it is full, so that even the dimmest of acolytes to the Carrion Queen could manage."

Tulani taps one claw nervously against the talisman trying to decide how and if they should proceed. She looks to Arkold questioningly for advice on this decision.

"So, uh, if I were to offer to … uh, y'know, … can I trus' yah to bring Raneah an' I along? And some of that there, heh, uh, bonus?" offers the wolf. "An' I'm thinkin' s'much as you're listenin' to this map you're not much on feedin' dead necromancers. 'Sides my blood'll prolly give 'im a 'eadache."

Tulani reaches out a hand to Arkold and says, "You have my word, but I'm not sure how we'll take Raneah. Doesn't she have to stay in the water?" In a grimmer tone she adds, "And we'll both offer. I won't leave that all to you and we don't know how much we need anyway."

The wolf looks a bit surprised by the gesture but he soon recovers and gives a solemn nod. "Yeah, Raneah likes to keep to the water but she can breathe jus' fine without it. If I could get space for 'er she'd be fine for a trip. Took 'er to Caroban once 'course." He then nods again. "S'for the blood, sure, kid. We'll do it together."

The little stone talisman doesn't look like it could hold much blood, however it might do that. There is no obvious hole to pour it into, and the only bit that isn't stone is the glass bead set in the loop at the top.

Tulani watches the talisman for a while before turning to Arkold, "No one should be coming back for a while. What do ya say we get it over with now?" she says

He gives shrug. "May's well," he agrees. The Jupani draws another dagger and keeps this one in hand. "The dagger's not too sharp, mind you, but s'clean enough. Ready when you are, kid."

The black Sphynx holds her hand out to the wolf and gives a single nod to go ahead.

"Sorry 'bout this, kid," apologizes the wolf as he reaches for Tulani's hand and holds her thumb in place. He levelsthe point against her thumb and presses in to it until blood begins to bead on the knife tip. Then he offers her the handle. "Go on an' and feed it, eh? I'll cut myself. Wouldn' be the first time, heh." And he picks up the dagger on the table to do just that.

Tulani makes no move but her cheek twitches slightly at the blood, she then touches the tip of her knife with a drop of blood to the glass bead on the talisman to watch its reaction first.

The blood is quickly absorbed by the bead, which takes on a slightly redder tint as a result.

Waiting only a moment for the blood to be absorbed, the Sphynx then grits her teeth and presses her thumb against the bead.

Arkold follows suit when his own blood is pooled on the end of the dagger he's holding. The dark Jupani blood gathers on the end of the blade and drips on to the amulet.

There is a tingling sensation in Tulani's thumb, as blood is slowly drawn from the tiny cut. Arkold's blood is likewise absorbed when it touches the amulet, feeding the darkening bead. It doesn't take long before the tingling fades though, as the small bead becomes saturated and begins to pulse with red light.

"This priest 'ad better not call me 'cur,'" Arkold grumbles.

Tulani quickly sets the pendant on the floor after it has absorbed the blood and steps back, watching it carefully.

The wolf moves to stand just in front of Tulani. He grabs a rag from one of his belt pouches and wraps it around his hand before drawing his scimitar. The man glances at the blade and then the pendant, uncertain.

A glowing red mist rises up from the bead, and takes on the shape of a feline head. There are patches of golden fur, but for the most part translucent muscle and bone are all that is visible, with an disturbingly uncorpselike vigor to them. The thing speaks with a surprisingly deep voice, "Yo, fella kneelers for the Omniluscious Babe What Mocks Death! Rufo here, yakking ya that I stuzzed the next Key to some gnarly sand-cat monikered Punja, offen wavy Abu Dhabi, like. Digs him out, ya, and mind-note to rez ol' Rufo when yas got da stash!"

A phantom hand, mostly skeletal, appears in place of the head and makes some sort of gesture involving wiggling fingers, then fades out with a final, "Scrag Death!"

The Sphynx's jaw drops open at the outrageous speech coming from the shade in front of her. She can only shake her headand stare, thinking, What in Dagh's drawers?

The wolf's mouth hangs open, his sword loose and forgotten in his hand. "Huh," he finally says.

The bead clears, and the talisman looks just as it did before. "Colorful folk, those Gigis," comments Fyodr the map.

"Y'can say that again," agrees the lupine. He blinks a few times at the amulet and then shakes his head vigorously as if trying to snap himself out of the memory. "So, uh," he glances back to Tulani, "I guess we should try an' translate, ya? I mean, yeah?"

Turning to the wolf, Tulani finally says, "So it's not just me and that was totally impossible to understand … uhh … yeah, translate."

"I think I got it. Speak a few languages m'self, y'see. An', uh, between you an' me I've been told I'm a bit 'ard to understan' myself." He grins, then he clears his throat and looks around. "Got some paper 'andy? Better, uh, scratch-note this before I forget it in the mornin'."

"Don't write on me," the map says. "It itches."

"Really?" the wolf walks over to the map and chuckles. "I'm no' quite sure I 'eard yah. We curs don' 'ear so well, ya?"

"Don't you, what with all the echoing that must go on in your skull?" the map retorts.

"I'm feelin' the urge to write a novel," counters the wolf. "An' I'm a slow writer."

"I'm impressed," the map responds. "I'd no idea you could write. You aren't Gallisian, are you?"

Rolling her eyes at Arkold's display, Tulani walks over to herown bunk and pulls some paper from a small trunk underneath, along with a writing tool.

"I'll 'ave you know I got my education from the finest tutors in Rephidim, you cheap excuse for boot leather," growls the wolf. "An' I'm 'ardly Gallisian. Ain't no wonder Sylvani went to the dogs with sight like yers."

"What is your name then, wolf?" the map asks.

Quickly stepping between the wolf and map, the Sylvanian Sphynx glares balefully at Arkold for his last comment and pushes the paper into his hands.

"Arkold, Dunky, an' don't you forget it," answers the man. The wolf blinks as he takes the paper. "'Ey Tulani. I was jus' about to give Dunky what for, but yer in the way," he tells her earnestly. Then he stops trying to look around her and seems to notice the expression on her face. He holds up his hands defensively. "'Ey, uh, right. Translation. Um, yeah. Of Sylvani- Sylvanian plannin'. Um." He then sidesteps her and hunches over to begin jotting down his notes.

Tulani watches the Jupani for a moment before gathering up "Dunky" and the pendant and placing them on her bunk, then turning to see what Arkold has translated so far.

In handwriting far more clear and cultured than his speech, Arkold transcribes the specter's message, with the exception of a few words that are noted or circled. Hail fellow worshippers of the dark death goddess! Rufo speaking. Telling you that I gave (stashed?) the next Key to some (here he scratches out a few words some terrible great Emirate Khattan named (?) Punja in (?) Abu Dhabi.

Still frowning, the black Sphynx reads Arkold's notes so far, her eyes suddenly widening in amazement at the translation, "Wow! I can't believe you actually understood that much of it!"

"You get used to translatin' people's gibberish," responds the wolf as he continues to write. "'Specially when you go world-hoppin'." His next bit of text reads as: Dig him up? Find him? (he may be buried somewhere) and remember to (rez?) Rufo when you have some (cash?) have the items. (Savanite sign might be used here, followed by a socially irredeemable curse word) Death!

Once he finishes, the wolf straightens and hands the parchment to Tulani. "'Ere."

A loud thump comes from the bunkroom door, followed by some muttering in Khattan. After some rattling of the door handle, the slurred voice of Sofie comes through. "'Lani? I can't open the door. You in there?"

Tulani yeeps and quickly hides the translation in her shirtand moves toward the door saying, "Just a sec, Sofie!"

The wolf takes a moment to look around the room. As he doesn't seem to find the idea of hiding worth the effort he just thrusts his hands in his coat and puts on a large smile.

The black Sphynx opens the door for the Khatta cook and stands off to the side, giving her room to enter.

"Ooo, what a party," Sofie moans as she staggers in and sits down on Tulani's bunk – right atop the map! "You shoulda been there, 'Lani, it was amazin. Hey, who's yer friend?" she asks, noticing Arkold finally.

"'Ey," offers the wolf by way of greeting. His smile only grows when he sees the woman on the map. "Great party, yeah."

Urking at the trapped map, Tulani says, "This is my friendArkold," and in an effort to move the Khatta, "Uhh… Why don't you let me help you to your bunk, Sofie?"

"Whatcha two doing in here?" Sofie manages to ask, then blinks and staggers over to her own bunk with Tulani's help. "Heh, having your own private celebration?"

The insides of the Sphynx's ears blush bright red at the lastcomment, "Er … Uhh … We were just leaving, Sofie!" Tulani says, quickly gathering up the map and talisman, and motioning Arkold out the door.

Arkold follows Tulani to the door with a barely concealed grin. "Yeah, nice meetin' you Soph," he calls back.

With a large yawn, Sofie waves to the pair and says, "Well, don't do anything I wouldn't want to hear all the details about in the morning, hon."

"Heh," barks the wolf as he steps out the door. "Night, Soph."

The corridor itself is empty and quiet, save for the snores coming from the other bunkroom, where Iggy is sleeping things off.

"Sleep well, Sofie!" the black and white Sphynx calls back over her shoulder, stepping quickly into the hall and shutting the door behind her.

The wolf chuckles for a moment before thumbing up to the deck. "How long you gonna be in port? I'm thinkin' of bookin' my stay on this ship while your cap'n is feelin' happy," he says.

Leaning against the door frame, Tulani pauses to think for a moment. "Probably a few more days. Repairs may take a little while," she says to Arkold.

"Right. Huh. Well seein' as how I jus' remembered there'ssomethin' in Abu Dhabi I be wantin', I'm thinkin' of joinin' you. I know my way around a ship, an' these airships ain't so different. Can do the work. Speak Khattan too, an' Chronotopian. An' I can shoot a ballista. I'm hopin' that'll be enough for me and Raneah," he explains."Thinkin' of, uh, 'stuzzing' the map or you wanna come and recommend ol Arkold to your cap?"

"I could really use a bit of wine now," the map says. "Unless there is anything else you want to ask me before sunrise?"

Tulani looks at the map, "Oh all right," the Sphynx says, "Hang on! Are there any pieces of the puzzle left in Sylvania, do you know?" she suddenly asks.

"I cannot be certain," the map explains. "At least two of the key pieces and myself were taken in Gallisian raids. The third piece may still be in Sylvania if either Tempest or Blackshire Counties escaped the attention of the Chevaliers."

The wolf rubs his chin for a moment before fielding his own question. "These places you're talkin' about. These tombs. Any traps to them, eh? Anything we should be warned of?" He raises a brow and then adds, "Oh, an' red or white?"

"Red, of course," the map answers. "As for traps… that will be revealed only when the key is complete."

"Red. Got it." The Jupani nods. "Oh, uh, wha's this blade you were goin' on about? Wha's holy to some kitties is cursed to the rest of us, eh?"

"The Holy Blade is the Light of Nala," the map explains, "the weapon wielded by Phelix Kurai which slew the Necromancer King."

"Ohhhh, righ'. That blade," says the wolf as if the holy blade were but common knowledge he just happened to forget.

Sighing tiredly and handing the map to Arkold, the black Sphynx smirks slightly and says, "Now you two play nice." Walking down the hall, Tulani adds, "I've had all I can handle for today. I'm going to check the galley for leftovers and hit the sack. Anything else we need to discuss?"

The wolf places the map in a pocket within his coat. "No' me. Dunno about Dunky 'ere. Me, I'm gonna go get Dunky 'is wine and then talk to the cap'n. Or, uh, better reverse the order 'o that. Don' want Dunky singing Sylvani songs or somethin'. Gotta tell Raneah what the plan is too," replies the wolf. He lifts his hand and gives a wave. "Be seein' you around, kid." And then he's off towards the stairs.

---

The captain's quarters aboard the Spring's Bounty are not especially small – that is just an illusion brought about by the size of the captain himself. Aldus Herschel tends to fill up whatever space he's occupying, thanks to a bit of Sylvanian draft-Rhian blood in the Palomino's recent ancestry. His desk is covered with paperwork, along with a large bottle of mead. The equine's presence is one of sobriety, though, as he looks to the Jupani and asks, "Yes? Are you here to bid on cargo, or on repairs?"

The wolf bobs his head to the captain as he enters. "Uh, repairs captain. As in I'm lookin' for work and I'd like to sign on at least as far as Abu Dhabi," answers the wolf as he strains to avoid shortening his words. "I've got other skills too, yeah?"

"I ain't hiring crew," the Rhian states. "As is I'm having to sell a third of my cargo here to cover repair costs, unless you work for nothing, eh?"

"Uhh," replies the Jupani somewhat lamely as he considers how to respond to this revelation. "I might," he finally admits, "but I'll be needin' space for two an' rations for the same. I'm handy with a blade and a knot, got ship board experience and can shoot a ballista. Can talk Khattan an', Bosch, an' even Karnor if you can believe it."

Herschel thumps his heavy fingers on the desktop, and looks over Arkold once more. "Any warrants on you? Ain't running from anyone, are ya?"

The wolf cocks his head to the side and grins. "Not a one," he answers. "Took care of that a long time ago, eh?" He quickly adds, "Tulani'll vouch for me."

"You don't seem the sort she'd know," the captain says, giving the wolf a sharper glance. "And who's this second person you talk about?"

"Oh, we get along great," explains the wolf in an effort to ease the captain's uncertainty. "She's a doll." He smiles briefly but waxes edgy when he moves on to explain about Raneah. "Well uh," he gestures vaguely as he fumbles for the words, "she's an' odd duck. No proper legs y'see. I've been takin' care of her. Name's Raneah."

"And you can do the work of two men to cover her passage as well?" Herschel asks. "You look a bit old for that sort of effort, frankly. Be easier to just buy passage, eh, especially if you've got to take time to take care of someone?"

"Look, I can do the work where Raneah's concerned, all right?" replies the wolf defensively. He eyes the captain for a moment before he seems to force himself to simmer down. He breathes a sigh and nods. "I can pay Raneah, yeah. An' I'm not over the hill yet."

"Well, in that case come back after suppertime tonight," the Rhian says. "I should have an idea of what the ship's finances will be and what positions I might need filled by then."

The wolf smiles at that. "Great." He steps towards the Rhian's desk and extends his hand in gratitude. "Jus' one more thing, eh? Raneah's a bit shy. It's her, uh, problem and all. So it'd be best if she weren't bothered much."

The captain gives Arkold's hand a quick shake, and nods. "We'll see about a private room then, when you come back."

Arkold returns the shake and steps back. "Yeah. Thanks again. Well," he glances back to the door, "be seein' you." And with that he heads on out to tell Raneah the news.