From the Journal of Captain Jonesy Darver, 14 Landing, 6106 RTR
The Lady Matilda has completed her repairs in Northern Shore, and taken on new supplies as well as new crew to replace those lost in the harsh crossing from Avarin Island. I expect to reach the far border of Tursdi by 12 Landing, at which point we will be in uncivilized areas until we reach the Golden Peninsula. The patrons are excited, and hope to discover new tribes or ancient ruins.
My only hope is that there are no harsh tides of hidden reefs.
The sky is clear and bright, it's blue a welcome change from the darker green of he ocean. To the east, the coast of Ai is visible, barely a mile off. Forests crowd the shoreline, with hills rising in the distance. There hasn't been any sign of sapient activity since leaving Tursdi: no buildings, docks or smoke. But since it's a nice day, some of the passengers are on deck to take advantage.
A surprisingly pleasant melody arises from the mandolin played by Rince Saalamandrin, a young gray Naga wearing the tabard of the Temple Inquisition. Since his stated purpose for being on the Matilda expedition is to oversee any finds relating to the First Ones, he has had little to occupy himself with, beyond his musical hobby. A lynx Khatta sits on the railing, wearing a colorful bikini made of artfully arranged and pinned zolk sashes; Peli Kartoum, zoologist for the Emir. Aside from some odd animals on Avarin, she likewise has not had much to study.
Lying on the deck itself is Umeko Tsuguri, basking in the sun and the warmth of the lacquered wood. The Kiriga's face shines golden, while a trunks-clad Xander Lightfoot works on polishing the scales of her shoulders and back, which are still a dull ocher color.
"For a spartan and primitive vessel, this one has not been so bad," Umeko murmurs as she lazes on her stomach, clad in nothing more than a towel to 'preserve' her modesty, such as it is (and such as there isn't much to see). "Everything is so peaceful and quiet. I almost miss the raging storms and the marauding hordes."
"Alas, you have missed the exciting portion of our journey, Lady of Jadai," Peli says, in that languid Abu Dhabian manner. "Forgive me for not relating it in greater detail, as I am still in mourning for those brave souls we lost." The lynxess doesn't look like she's in mourning, however.
"There were sea monsters," Rince explains. "Tentacled monstrosities that plucked crewmen from the deck."
Umeko can feel Xander's fingers slip a bit at the mention of sea monsters, but the buck recovers quickly.
"Were they stout warriors? From what lands did they hail?" Umeko inquires as one of her eyes opens fully with interest, albeit lazy interest given the warmth of the sun and the intense desire to lay there in its embrace.
"I'm afraid the stout warriors were all a bit seasick at the time, along with the rest of us," Rince notes, pausing in his playing. "Those on deck were mostly Kavi, along with the captain. It was the ones in the rigging that were taken."
Peli gives a bit of a shudder. "Poor… what was his name?" the Lynx asks Rince. "The one with the white forelock?"
"Ubiquitous Jones?" Rince asks back with a hiss of confusion. "He's still alive. He served us breakfast… "
"Oh… well, I'm glad he survived then," Peli says.
"Mm," Umeko remarks as she pushes herself up enough to rest her elbows on the deck and her chin in her palms. "And why were you traveling in monster infested waters?"
"Well, it's in our charter," Peli explains, warming up to the subject. "This expedition is underwritten by the Emir – may his golden fur stay fluffy – to look for interesting animals. And there's some map making and other business too."
"Alas, the interesting animals are often the most dangerous. From the cursed of the Midnight Murder, to the mutants of the Beast Lands, all 'interesting', all very deadly. And in truth, most are gone now," Umeko says as she rolls her left hand lightly; reminiscent of a noblewoman accenting her dismissal of the beasts that they recently faced. "I have never met the Emir personally. Is he a gracious and approachable man?"
"Well… I've never met him, but I did get to be in his presence once," Peli says, looking out over the ocean. "He reminded me of my favorite uncle, who would tell me stories of far off lands. That is the aura of the Emir – wise and beneficent. Of course, the Grand Vizier balances it out by being utterly without charm."
"Ah, reality follows tales, then. The great leader and the evil vizier," Umeko notes with mild amusement. "The Emperor Potentate of Nagai does not carry so welcoming an aura. His is one of competence and supreme authority."
"I found the Vizier refreshingly straightforward," Rince comments. "A man who knows how to keep things running. You have met the Emperor Potentate, Lady Tsuguri?"
"And terror," Xander adds. "Spleen-curdling terror, when he looks at you… Ahem. Well, maybe that's just me… "
"Met, served, and rewarded," Umeko notes, "Have any of you heard of the events of Viper's Hold?" Umeko's tail then lightly swats Xander's thigh as she says, "Oh, he was not planning to eat you Xander. He rewarded you too."
"I will… remember it always," Xander notes, looking a bit haunted.
"I heard a bit," Peli notes. "Old Imperial territory in the Savan? The government went corrupt – sold out to a warlord, wasn't it? And the Emperor's legion… straightened things out."
"More or less accurate," Umeko agrees and bobs her head. "I led the legion that sorted it out after a fashion. Former Governess-Militant of Viper's Hold, at your service. I am actually returning to the territory now to establish the home I was granted there." Her tail suddenly snakes around Xander's waist and she introduces him as, "This is Xander, one of my advisers and a trusted friend. He follows me into any danger willingly."
"And I polish her scales when not burning things," Xander notes, trying to sound humble.
"Ah, quite an honor to meet you, Lady Governessss," Rince says, and actually bows. "What brought you to Northern Shore, ssso far from your lands, if I may ask?"
"And do you have any of those giant desert lizards?" Peli asks. "If I could get one of those for the Emir's gardens… "
"Pursuing those who were aiding the warlord that was laid low in Viper's Hold," Umeko answers simply. "Their forces have been further routed and it has now afforded me a chance to relax. "As for the giant lizard, not to my knowledge. The last I saw of those … well was when I triggered a stampede in the Warlord's camp. I would not complain too much if I never saw them again."
"So they do exist," Peli says, looking thoughtful. "They must lay eggs. Eggs are easy to transport… "
"It took a long time to cart away the dead one we left at Viper's Hold," Xander notes.
"The eggs are likely the size of boulders," Umeko points out as she draws her towel up to cover herself a bit better now.
"Sylvania hardly seems the sort of place to harbor such malcontents," Rince comments. "I take it they were not Imperial subjects then?"
With the towel shifted, Xander starts to work on Umeko's tail, since it's handily wrapped around him.
"They were from all walks of life and countries, including Chronotopia," Umeko explains. "They were seeking ancient artifacts in Sylvania. Such artifacts have since been destroyed."
"Dessstroyed?!" Rince says, looking shocked. "If ancient artifacts were involved, you should have called upon the Temple to aid in their protection. It isss our duty, after all."
"They were too dangerous to leave in existence," Umeko says as she folds her arms together. "The power to destroy a city, and perhaps the world, should belong to no one."
"But it is all of no matter now, it was resolved," Umeko says and shrugs. "I take it your journeys have not been as fruitful?"
Rince hisses to himself for a bit.
"No fancy artifacts for poor Rince to protect," Peli notes. "And all I found were some funny aquatic bird creatures. The sea monsters were impressive, but most of the discoveries have been of value to the archaeologists and ethnographers."
"Mm," Umeko says and bobs her head. "If it serves of any interest to you, the Beast Lands do contain the remains of our ancestors," she notes to Rince. "We were once great gilded serpents with frills and delicate appendages."
"Ah, the idea that we are children of the Old Gods," Rince says, bobbing his head. "My teacher had a shrine to Sutaranakh in his study."
"It is not an idea, it is the truth. I briefly saw a living one of our kind from that time," Umeko remarks. "Great and terrifying, it was."
"How is that possible?" Rince asks. Peli takes a renewed interest as well. "Is there a living population in the Beast Lands?" the lynx asks. "Zaddock would be interested in studying them I imagine, if they have the true ancient Nagai culture… "
"It died in the battle there, I am afraid. Its time was long gone and could not survive in the new world. It only existed for the brief time that it did by the aid of magic," Umeko says. "I am sorry that you will not have the chance to meet it."
"But, if you desire to see the ruins some day, I imagine I could arrange it for you," Umeko offers.
"Perhapsss that is for the best," Rince comments. "Such things could cause much distress and chaos among the Imperial subjects."
Xander squeezes Umeko's tail at the offer to visit the ruins.
"There is that too. Some Naga do not like to hear that the Kiriga and Naga both share a common ancestor," Umeko says. The squeeze of her tail earns Xander a quizzical look.
"Sorry!" Xander says, smiling to Umeko.
"Are there many old ruins and such out in the Savan desert?" Peli asks.
"I know of the one, but I imagine there are others," Umeko says. "The circumstances of my last time there did not lend itself to much sight seeing. I can always check with my contacts in the Savan for more information."
"I would ask that you please consider the Temple if you explore further," Rince says. "We have much expertise and significant resources to offer."
"Forgive me for asking, but have any of you heard news of Jadai? It feels as if I have been gone forever. While I would not trade my experiences for anything, I find myself missing my home," Umeko admits.
"Little news ever comes out of Jadai to the Emirate," Peli admits. "It seems a mysterious, almost mythical place. The island of dragons. Gateway to the mysteries of Lamu."
"Am I the first from the island you have met, then?" Umeko asks as her head tilts slightly to the side.
"There are many of Jadaiian ancestry to be found in Abu Dhabi," Peli notes. Rince also bobs his head, and claims there are Kiriga within the Temple and the Colleges on Rephidim.
"Ancestry maybe, but what of our culture? Does it fade for them once the shores have gone from beneath their feet?" Umeko asks. "And I suppose then that you would have no interest in examining a Jadaian weapon forged by a master smith?" she asks, the question directed to Rince this time.
"I find weapons quite fascinating," Rince notes. "Especially those of the noble classes. So little is known of the Jadaiian fighting styles on Rephidim. Do you have knightly orders?"
"Xander, will you fetch Sunlight-Through-Storm for me? And oh, my kimono too, please," Umeko asks the Lapi and unfurls her tail from his waist. "As for orders such as a knight … not in the quite the same sense if I understand the meaning. True, we will often serve a lord, but many are lords themselves. The fighting arts are old, perhaps as old as our kind. They come from the very land, the aspects of nature and what secrets it will teach us. The flow of the wind; a leaf ducking and gliding as things try to strike it down. The crash of a wave; smooth, powerful, and unyielding. Listen to the world around you and it will reveal its secrets in time," the Kiriga answers in her usual cryptic way.
As Xander heads below decks, Pili asks, "Leaves?"
"Have you ever tried to grab a leaf from the air as it falls to the ground?" Umeko asks Peli.
"I… " the lynx starts to say, and then pauses. "Well, the leaves in Abu Dhabi are quite large palm fronds. I try to avoid them… "
The Lapi buck returns quickly, carrying Umeko's ornate wooden scabbards and her folded kimono. "Here you are, Umeko," he says, holding them out.
"A feather, then. It will dance away from your hand as the wind you generate will affect it. A warrior must be like that, supple and moving. Flow around an attack instead of simply trying to absorb it. There is little value is trying to hold back an opponent through force alone as someone will always be stronger than you are," Umeko explains. The Kiriga then accepts the scabbards from Xander along with her robe and dips her head. "Thank you, Xander," she tells him and smiles. She then walks over to Rince and holds out the longer of the two swords for him to examine as she explains, "This is Sunlight-Through-Storm. It was forged by one of my ancestors and was welded by my father, Lord Tsuguri in the past when my house's holdings were secured. It is very sharp, so be careful."
Rince hisses in appreciation as he carefully examines the blade. "Steel?" he asks, "And curved… with only one side sharp? To… provide strength?"
"It's so shiny," Peli notes, her eyes glittering. "It's too pretty to be used to kill people, isn't it?"
"So is Umeko, but she's actually very good at it," Xander notes to the lynx.
"Composite steel. The edge is made from steel that is hard and will hold an edge well. But such steel is also brittle and breaks easily. The core and spine is of softer steel and can flex without breaking. So the best of both are possible, an edge that is razor sharp, yet a blade that is strong and flexible. You can see the difference in the metals in the line along the edge, the harmon. The temper line, I believe it translates to," Umeko explains. "The handle itself is scale-covered, then wrapped in strong-zolk cording. It can also be dismantled so that every part can be individually cleaned."
"A Knight Templar would appreciate such a weapon," Rince notes, running a finger along the temper line. "The weapons of nobles that I have seen are much cruder, while having more ornate hilts. I take it Jadaiian warriors care for their weapons personally then, rather than having swordsmiths tend to them?"
"The weapon is the extension of self. It should be cared for by its wielder," Umeko agrees and head bobs. "A smith is only necessary should a repair be required to the blade. Cleaning and sharpening are skills the wielder should know and perform themselves." The Kiriga pauses and then adds, "They are also wielded differently than many swords I have seen in the world. These are draw-cut blades. Contact and slide to injure. Most other swords tend to be treated more like an axe, something to just chop through an obstacle."
"I've seem slender scimitars," Peli offers. "Airship crew out of Abu Dhabi often have them. I do not know if it is simply because they are lighter or less expensive though."
"So when you attack, you must always be in motion?" Rince asks Umeko.
"That is a simplified way of putting it," Umeko agrees.
"But… you can reverse your grip, yesss?" Rince asks, indicating a blade-along-the-arm style of grip. "Like the Korv wing-blades?"
"Of course. The blade can be wielded in straight or reverse grip. The shorter of the daisho is better suited for that, however," Umeko explains.
"Why are the two blades of differing lengths?" the Naga asks next.
"Two reasons. To be wielded at the same time, having one shorter makes it easier. Secondly, when visiting the house of another noble, you always leave your longer blade at the gatehouse in deference. You carry the shorter, though, as protection while inside," Umeko explains. "The shorter in that case indicates you are armed, but that you do not intend harm as all you carry is a short blade."
"But a short blade is still dangerous, isn't it?" Peli asks.
"Of course. But you must get that much closer to use it and put yourself at greater risk in the process," Umeko points out.
"I didn't know it was so dangerous to visit a noble's house in Jadai," Xander mutters. "I suppose having a spell prepared would be poor manners then."
"You would be in far more danger at my home than at another noble's there," Umeko notes to Xander.
"Ummm… " the buck begins to say, then thinks better of it for the time being.
"Why would your advisor be in danger at all?" Peli asks, smiling at the nervous Lapi.
"Particularly if you flirted with my mother," Umeko adds and even briefly smiles. "Oh, he flirts with all women is all," she explains to Peli. "Including me."
"I feel left out now," the lynx pouts. Xander just looks apologetic.
"I am sure your mate would not approve of such attentions," Rince notes. "Is he also a warrior?"
"I am not mated," Umeko answers. She looks confused for a moment and asks, "Do I give off the presence of being so?"
"I made an assumption, forgive me," Rince says. "I had the notion that marriages were arranged in Jadai, and that unmarried females were not allowed to leave."
"We aren't," Umeko notes and holds her head up proudly. "I defied tradition. I was to marry the artist named Hakuu. I disagreed with the match and left."
"Ah, was it a very difficult decision?" Rince asks. "You seem to have done well for it."
Xander hmmms, and asks, "Umeko… does this mean your dad may try to fix you up again when you visit home?"
"It was difficult, but the idea of life as his prize was even less appealing," Umeko notes, "Now my only concern is others that may seek me as a prize given my accomplishments and recognition by the Empire. For a moment, I thought perhaps you were inquiring for such a reason," she says to Rince. "As for my father, no, I do not believe he would, Xander. He has accepted who I am, though it is difficult for him to express it easily. I do not think they will try to force a wedding again."
"I am only a Junior Inquisitor," Rince says. "I would not dream of approaching one of your status, Lady Tsuguri. I also do not know if Naga and Kiriga are even compatible."
"Nobility is born of action and heart, more than birth. At least when it comes to my feelings of trust in others," Umeko says, "A decidedly un-Kiriga-like opinion, yes, but travel has taught me that. For example, I consider Xander my equal. I trust him with my life."
"I'm not good with a sword though," Xander admits. "I… blow stuff up. Mostly… "
Rince still bobs his head to the Lapi. "It is still quite an honor to be granted such equality and trust," the Naga says.
"You listen. You are also not afraid to challenge me if you believe me to be in error," Umeko points out. "Both are valuable."
The Aquilan lookout in the Korv's Nest cries out, "Tribal marker!" Soon after, the Matilda can be felt changing course to move closer to the shoreline.
"Tribal marker?" Umeko inquires and looks confused. "What is that?"
The others move to the shoreward rail and try to see what the sharp-eyed lookout spotted. It takes a few minutes before it comes into view: sprouting from a cluster of boulders is a tall, carved pillar. It's still a few minutes more before the features of grotesque totems can be discerned. "Downright demonic looking, aren't they?" Peli observes.
Umeko moves towards the railing, finally slipping on her kimono as she goes. Her towel falls out of the bottom once she reaches the railing. "I find them more curious than scary," Umeko admits, "What is their purpose? A ward against evil? A warning to stay away?"
There is a rush of steps as a short, pudgy Gallah joins them on deck. He's got a spyglass, which he brings to bear. "Warding stones! No doubt to deter sea raiders, or perhaps to mark a holy location," suggests Professor Zaddock. "We should investigate! Perhaps there are aboriginal tribesfolk still in the area."
"I agree," Umeko declares, probably to Xander's dismay. "I am curious as to what they signify and what may be there. It could prove to be quite interesting. Perhaps even exciting."
"I wonder if any of those totems depict a living animal," Peli ponders.
It doesn't take long before the Matilda drops anchor and the longboat is prepared. "I don't have time to prepare a powerful spell," Xander warns Umeko. "If we're going over, I'll have to come up with something in the boat. Can you make sure I don't accidentally fall overboard?"
Umeko retrieves her swords and finishes cinching up her obi. "Of course, Xander. I will hold you within my tail for the trip," she promises. Her voice then drops to barely a whisper, though she knows Xander can hear it, "And I will reward you in the evening."
The Lapi's ears perk up, and says, "Yes! Let's go… explore the source of the ugly pillar!" He then dashes off to get his own robes on, since swim trunks probably aren't the best choice for this sort of thing. Peli also realizes she is under-dressed, and goes to rectify the situation.
Umeko actually watches Xander disappear below deck. "I wonder if I should tell him I find his rump attractive?" the Kiriga actually ponders for a moment. Her shoulders roll in a shrug and she checks that her weapons are secured well as the others prepare for exploration. "I also wonder what mother will say when she learns that he is my consort," she thinks, "Her reaction may be far scarier than anything on the isle ahead… "
