The continued flight of the Collie is a sober one. The captain counts four dead and six wounded, but damage to the ship is minimal, and the flight isn't slowed. There's murmured speculation among the passengers, and the crew is grim. The few raiders that were captured alive are sullenly quiet, shut away in the Collie's brig. Dawn creeps over the horizon to light clear skies.

After the battle, Kin offered to assist the captain in any way she could for the remainder of the voyage. In general, though, she has been checking in on Lilac (whom she cleaned up and tucked into bed after she passed out), and making sure Xander is also recovering from the events. Now as dawn creeps over the horizon, the Kiriga can be found on the prow of the ship, leaning against the rail and watching the sunrise. "I wonder who their leader is?" she muses. "And if they are playing a part in the history that is unfolding."

With her strength spent, Lilac has been sleeping where Kin placed her. As before, her transformation has taken its toll, leaving her in deep slumber. Hours pass. With the breaking daylight, the human finally begins to stir. "Rrrgh," she moans, rolling over and curling in to a ball. An eye blinks open, and she peers at the window port blearily. "Where am I?"

Outside the port, Lilac can see the sun beginning to reveal dry scrub land and long, rolling plains. In the distance, there's a blemish on the horizon, the unevenness of buildings clustered around low hills that the ship begins to turn toward.

"And soon we will also see the Beast Lands," Kin murmurs as she glances towards the buildings in the distance. Lazily, she pushes off the rail and heads back towards her quarters. "Time to get ready to disembark."

The human woman groans again, pulling the sheets over her head. She lays like that for a few minutes, until she decides she'd better figure out where she is now. The covers get pushed off, and she looks around for her clothes. "Kinny?" she calls out tentatively. She's releaved to see the airship looks familiar, at least.

Sure enough, the Melan Collie is drifting closer to the ground, the rare puffs of cloud becoming rarer as it comes down toward brown and uninviting-looking hills. Closer to the town, one can make out more details… baked earth domes dot the landscape, smoke curling from stout chimneys. The only breaks of color are cloth tents, shades, or lean-tos, and a few ragged flags.

As Kin passes by Lilac's cabin, she knocks on it. "Time to waken, we are near our destination," she says. She moves on and does the same thing for Xander and Master Longtooth's rooms. She then slips into her room to gather her belongings and be ready to leave the ship.

The human's ears perk at Kin's voice. "I guess I … " Lilac peers around the room, which she now recognizes as her room, and smiles a little, " … I'm still here." She lets out a breath, the tenseness in her shoulders releasing. With that worry out of the way, she locates her clothing and begins to get dressed.

The Melan Collie casts its shadow across the mud-colored hovels. The ship passes over some discoloration outside some palisade walls… littered weapons and bodies. There doesn't seem to be a 'real' airfield… rather, just an open area that the Collie hovers low over, crewmen throwing anchors over the side, and the envelope venting.

Kin has packed away her finer robe and is once again wearing a simple cloth kimono of black and purple. Her swords adorn one side and her fan the other. Slung over her shoulder is her travel pack, containing her other clothes and a variety of other items. She exits her room and waits quietly in the hall for the others.

Once dressed, and after having noted the distinct lack of the outfit she was wearing yesterday, Lilac gathers her things and steps in to the hallway. "Wow, I'm tired," breathes as she exits. Spotting Kin, the woman walks over to her friend and gives her a sheepish smile. "I guess we made it?"

"We did. The pirates discovered that this ship was not as soft as they thought it to be," Kin says with a short nod. Without looking at her, she adds, "And even as a monster, you recognize your friends and your enemies. Your curse does not seem to be such a bad one."

"Oh." An uncomfortable silence follows as Lilac tries to think of what to say. Her ears flatten, she looks around, and then she … walks over and gives Kin a hug, before leaning against her.

"And without it, the ship may have fallen last night," Kin says after the human hugs her. "They did not have many capable fighters on board."

"I guess I'm always happy to help," Lilac says quietly. She tilts, leaning her head around to try and look in Kin's eyes. "It doesn't bother you, Kinny?"

Kin tilts her head down to look at the human. "Should it?" she asks.

"Anchor's dug in, Cap'n," says the boatswain, and the taller gallee nods, waving some deckhands to the starboard side. Sturdy men begin lowering a gangplank, and the few remaining passengers look anxious to get down it, murmuring to each other impatiently. "I hope everything's alright here," says one to another. "My cousin sent word back that the attacks have come closer to Viper's Hold." "I heard there were skirmishes right outside the palisade." "No!" "I hope my mother is alright."

Lilac looks in the other woman's eyes for a moment, then shakes her head. "No. Well, maybe. I don't know … But I'm happy if for you, it's "no,"" she answers. "I guess we should be leaving."

"You are not a monster, even when you change. You are only lost. The true monsters are those like Hakuu and Vandringar, who look and act like those of noble hearts, but beneath the skin are nothing but flowing streams of hate and selfishness. So, no, it does not bother me," Kin notes as she steps away from Lilac. She goes and knocks on both Xander and Master Longtooth's rooms. "Sensei Longtooth, Lilac and I will be disembarking. Collect Xander when you two finally awake and meet us below," she calls out.

The door cracks open, an orange snout protruding. "We dere? Oh." The humped muzzle yawns, and the old master's gravelly voice goes on to add, "Jes. I will go findah him."

Lilac stands where she is a moment, watching Kin, before suddenly saying, "Awwww." Her tail wags, and she smiles widely. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, in a way. I guess if it doesn't worry you, it doesn't worry me. Well, not much. Not … really." She grins, then gives Master Tooth a wave.

"We will see you in a while, then. If you do not find us near the makeshift dock, then please check the nearby hotels. I may try to locate us a place to stay in town," Kin tells the hand-bag-like Kiriga. She turns and heads back towards Lilac, telling her, "Let us go. They will find us when they are able."

"Yes ma'am." Lilac falls in with Kin, walking at her side.

"That makes me feel old," Kin deadpans.

"Then stand beside the Master, and feel young again," quips Lilac cheerily.

"Good point," Kin concedes.

The sight down the gangplank is more grim than it was from the air. There are no streets to speak of, just rutted dirt roads. Rather than a market, carts are spread out with cloth shades to keep the sun off, most hawking small animals, though a few full of vegetables (maybe to feed the animals) can be seen. The buildings here are low domes, seeming made of cracked and hardened mud with logs jutting from them for support. A haze seems to be perpetually swirling through, dust devils dancing and sweeping along and quickly leaving powdery residue over everything, including the travelers. A wooden palisade dominates the center of the village here, its gates currently open and admitting reptilian men carrying stretchers. Weapons and bodies are littered outside, and the newcomers are greeted with pensive looks.

Kin looks around with an impassive expression at the grim surroundings. "I think I will go offer to help those with the stretchers. We may learn information from then as to who has been attacking, from where, and possibly why," she tells Lilac as the Kiriga then tries to make her way towards the gates.

"Well, this is cheery," Lilac says as she looks around. "I think I have dust in my tail already." She follows after Kin, ears perked as she continues to give her surroundings a look-over. "Do you think they'll want some music? I think they'll want some music; this place is bleak."

"The ones in the recovery tents may. That is a good idea, Lilac," Kin notes to the human.

"That's where I'll go, then," Lilac agrees. "And, thanks!"

The men carrying stretchers don't even look up as the two approach, but a pair of shiga in leather armor lower take the spears they were resting on their shoulders and put the butts on the ground. One of them, a brown reptile with warty skin, holds up a hand. "Hold it. State your name and business."

"I am Kin Ryuu, my companion is Lilac the bard. I saw your men carrying those who have fallen upon the field of battle. I wished to offer assistance with aiding the wounded or guarding those who are aiding them," Kin states simply and slips her hands into the sleeves of her kimono.

"Yes, I am Lilac – Lilac, Flower of Sylvania, a wandering bard. My friend and I are looking for work," the human tells the guard. "I can play many local tunes of styles ranging from Imperial to Jingan, as well a foreign styles."

The shigai exchange glances, looking momentarily puzzled, and in particular they regard Lilac as if she's lost her mind. The green ones speaks up gruffly. "I don't know who you people are, but you should just stay out of the way." The brown one rests his spear on his shoulder again, and hisses, "Wait, maybe they can use some more hands. We still haven't seen the envoy from Nagai."

"Who has been attacking these gates?" Kin inquires calmly, showing no outward signs of being insulted by the green one's dismissal. To the brown one, she then adds, "And I would be honored to assist locating the Envoy, should you permit it."

"You weren't looking for a Imperial ship, were you? To arrive today, maybe?" Lilac glances at Kin; a knowing look.

"Big, with cannons? A bit like … " The human woman goes on to describe the Imperial ship she saw last night.

The green one makes a disgusted look, and spits into the dust. "Bandits, brigands, rebels… who hasn't been attacking the gate?" The darker reptile grimaces, and adds, "It's been getting uglier by the day. Governor Des promised a solution soon. I got nowhere to go, so I guess we'll see." The green one looks like he's going to add another piece of his mind, but both stop when Lilac speaks. They exchange glances again. "You saw an Imperial frigate brought down?"

"Yes. Our ship encountered its battle with two pirate ships. Some of the pirates attacked our ship, but they discovered we are not soft and were slain. The frigate was taken down under the onslaught of the pirate vessels, but not without taking the pirates down as well," Kin explains to the two and glances to Lilac.

The two lizards stand rather more alertly now, giving each other nervous looks. "This is bad," says the brown one. "Really bad," says the green one. The first throws a glance over his shoulder, then hisses, "I don't think the airship that came into port means to stay long. Maybe you better go talk to the Governor."

The green lizard hisses, "Are you crazy? He'll blow his top at us."

"We could do it," the human offers. "I mean, we're not working for him, right? And, we saw it."

"I agree with Lilac. I only ask that you allow us time to collect our other two companions, a fire mage and my mentor, Master Longtooth," Kin says.

The brown shiga nods. "They got a mage, even. Old Vexing is going to want to hear about this." The other sighs, and lays a hand on the bridge of his nose. "Alright, alright. But I wasn't on duty if he asks."

Lilac smiles. "That's the spirit. Now, where do we find the Governor?" Her tail wags a little.

The darker guard points up through the gate. "Into the palisade, the central building. Guard at the door will see that you get an audience."

Kin bows to the two guards. "May your life be with honor," she tells them. To Lilac, she says, "Let us locate our companions and then enter the palisade."

Lilac returns Kin's suggestion with a nod. "Let'sgo. I want to get out of this wind – I have sand in my ears."

"There are worse things you could have in your ears," Kin tells Lilac as she heads back towards the gangplank to look for the others.

"It is not mocking you," Xander tells the old orangey Kiriga as they come down the gangplank. Alongside the Lapi trots a child-sized Kiriga-looking creature made of flame, with dark pits where its 'eyes' would normally be. "It's only a familiar."

"I had mites in my ears, once. Ugh, I hate mites. I was scratching like a … um … Well, never mind." The human woman follows along side Kin, he nose twitching as she catches wind of the familiar. "I smell Hotfoot, the Master, and … fire? Oh, look," she points ahead, "there they are."

"Why did you make it look like one of us?" Kin asks Xander as she approaches and sees the odd construction. "Do you see us as silly? Or is this some comment on my kiss during the battle last night? I was not aware a kiss of a Lapi would result in children."

The quasi-reptile shakes his shaggy mane of white hair, tattered earfins laying back. He crosses his arms, not saying anything, but seeming quite set in his convictions. "I lookah bettah den dat."

The mage tugs at his ears. "Look… it's a fire elemental, right? They tend to look like dragons or serpents or… never mind. I just wanted one with hands okay? It is not a comment on your appearances!"

The little fire creature blows Kin a kiss, which actually puffs out as a heart-shaped ring of smoke.

Kin watches the ring of smoke, then looks to Xander. "Why did it do that?" she asks.

Lilac suddenly snorts, covering her mouth and turning away as she giggles.

"It didn't… I mean, rrrr," the Lapi grumbles, then reaches into a pouch at his belt and pulls out a wooden shekel, which he tosses to the creature. The fire-Kiriga snicks it out of the air with a long tongue and seems to chew on it. "Magic is just… like that. I mean, it responds to my thoughts… uh… but that's not why… err. Anyway, just try to ignore it, please?" he pleads.

Kin reaches out and taps Xander's cheek lightly. "I am flattered that you find me attractive, then. You could just tell me, I do not bite," she tells the mage. "Now, then we are to go see the Governor. The guards here stated he will want to know about the downed frigate."

The Lapi's ears burn as brightly as his familiar's do for a moment.

"You're actually … ?" Lilac looks at Kin with surprise, ears perked. "I mean you like … ? We need to talk later, Kinny. We really need to." She reaches over and tugs the sleeve of Kin's robe, tail wagging. "Really, but later."

"I am what?" Kin asks Lilac as she glances down to the human, looking puzzled. "If you wish to talk later, that is fine."

Lilac nods to Kin, then turns to shake a finger at Hotfoot. "Tsk!"

The little familiar blows a kiss at Lilac as well, while Xander isn't looking.

It's a short jaunt back to the palisade, and the two guards, despite misgivings, waving the group through. Inside, the fortress isn't much better than it is outside. Additional fortifications are scattered about, half finished as the men tend to whatever is a greater concern at the time. At the top of a small hill, a guard greets them with the same disinterest the first two did, until he hears they're to be granted audience. "Uh… well, alright, if they said so. How should I announce you?"

"Kin Ryuu, the Venerable Master Longtooth, Lilac of Sylvania, and Mage Xander Lightfoot of the Sphere of Fire seek an audience to convey news of troubles in the sky," Kin instructs the guard patiently.

"The Flower of Sylvania," Lilac corrects.

"That may imply you are either edible, or smell funny," Kin tells Lilac.

"And you realize that flowers are just the exposed sex organs of plants, right?" Xander whispers to the human.

The guard gives them all quizzical looks, then heads inside. He can be heard to say, "A woman, an old guy, a flower, and a mage to see you, Governor."

Lilac lays her ears back, reaching up to rub her forehead. "It's called showmanship," she sighs.

"These guards lack proper respect," Kin comments to the others. "In Jadai, they would be punished for acting such."

"Creen of Sylvania, or Songbird of Sylvania would be better," Xander mutters under his breath. "Siren of Sylvania? Hmm… "

One of the familiar's hands turns into a long flaming whip, and it looks from the guard to Kin, questioningly.

"No," Kin tells the familiar.

"Lilac? Flower? Purple eyes? Oh, never mind … " Lilac starts inside, with or without the others. "Hopeless!"

The whip vanishes back into the elemental's body.

Curious, Kin actually asks the familiar, "Do you have a mind of your own or do you merely reflect your Mage's thoughts?"

"There must be some sort of purple thing that sings though," Xander suggests quietly, following along. The familiar floats up into the air and follows the mage like a banner or a kite, swaying in the nonexistent wind.

The familiar just shrugs to Kin as it passes by.

Kin follows Lilac inside as well. "Mammals are all insane," she comments to Master Longtooth.

"I like my name," Lilac insists as she walks along. "You can't just change your bard name, then you'd lose all the fame associated with it." The bardess lowers her head, then shake-shake-shakes it to clear the sand from her ears.

"You have fame?" Kin asks Lilac and tilts her head.

Lilac swallows, then frowns. "Of course I do," she insists. "Stop teasing me!"

"I still think Siren is a better fit," Xander mutters. "What with luring men in with nakedness and then… biting them or whatever." He's still not sure how Lilac ended up naked and bloody the night before…

It isn't a long walk inside. While the place looks distinctly better than the hovels outside, it doesn't look exactly affluent in here. Still, there seem to be as many creature comforts around as the Governor can manage to accumulate, and the Naga, a black racer that looks like his racing days are behind him due to his girth, looks distinctly displeased to see visitors among them. "What? Who let these people in here? No audiences today! Too busy! Out with you! Guard, whatever your name is, you're fired!"

The elemental is half-way to the guard at the mention of 'fired!' before Xander manages to yank it back.

"I believe you will wish to hear what we have to say," Kin says as she steps forward and bows low. "Honored Governor, I bring you ill tidings. An Imperial Frigate was felled last night by pirates. We were led to understand you were expecting an Imperial Envoy. It may have been his ship."

Lilac stands beside Kin nodding, until she mentions the ship was shot down. "Wow, it was really shot down?" she inquires in a whisper, leaning up to Kin's ear.

The guard looks startled, and makes sure he has a healthy distance from Xander once the elemental is under control. The Governor is halfway across the room toward his desk again when he freezes… and he whirls around in place, his dusty robes of office swirling after him. "It… you… what did you say?"

Xander leans over to feed another wooden disk to his 'pet' to keep it under control.

"The frigate went down in a battle. The ship we traveled on passed near the fight. Some of the pirates attempted to board us as well but were routed. The frigate fought and fell with nobility. The pirates went down with it," Kin explains, nodding as if to also try and answer Lilac's question.

"The frigate went down, Governor," the human explains. "It was in battle with pirates and it, well," she glances at Kin for confirmation, "was shot down. I saw the battle, myself. Well, part of it. I was occupied, a little?"

"We also have some of the pirates captive, should you wish to interview them," Kin adds.

"We do?" Lilac blinks, glancing at Kin. "Oh, I mean, we do!"

"Did you get hit on the head during the battle?" Xander whispers to Lilac. "I think one of the pirates tried to have his way with you right in the middle of the battle."

Nagai faces aren't much for expression, but the governor's gaping is pretty hard to mistake. He clutches his head. "Oh Great Serpent, no. An imperial warship destroyed in my domain… it must've been the envoy they sent to advise. Serpent, I'm doomed." He begins slithering in tight circles, wringing his hands, when suddenly his head snaps up to look at the assembled visitors as if seeing them for the first time. "My friends! You said… you said you saw this happen! Do you recall where it might have been?"

"The location should be known to the captain of the ship we came on; it is likely their navigator recorded where we were attacked. All I could say with any certainty is direction from here, but not distance," Kin explains with another low bow. "Forgive me."

"What?!" Lilac barks, staring at Xander with wide-eyes. "That's … " She starts of loud, but realizing where she is with a quick look around, quickly lowers her voice, "that's impossible unless he was really perver- … " She shuts her mouth, glares at the Lapi, then whispers, "You are too dirty-minded!"

Xander winces at Lilac's outburst, then whispers to her, "You had a bloodied mouth and hands, and were naked. What else could I think?"

"It's because … " The human woman pokes Xander in the nose, "We'll talk about this later!"

The governor doesn't seem to notice the argument going on, reaching out to Kin. "No no, perfectly alright my dear! Who did you say you were again?"

Kin brings herself back upright. "Kin Ryuu," she tells the governor. "My friends and I came to this region due to rumors of its discord. We were hoping to assist in bringing some calm as well as learn of some of the legends surrounding the Beast Lands; as my companion, Lilac, wishes to use them for composing ballads."

"Yep," Lilac agrees, sounding distracted as she eyes Hotfoot.

Kin extends her hand towards the Naga in response to his gesture, palm down and fingers limp.

The governor quickly takes the hand up, dipping his head to flick his forced tongue at Kin's knuckles. "Ah, so good of you to come! Yes, yes, we can use you and your friends, no doubt! The warship must have been carrying Nagai's emissary, maybe he yet lives." He sits upright in his chubby coils again, touching his fingertips together nervously. "We've been under constant attack lately by rebels, and Nagai has been getting… ah… antsy about all this. Really, we've got everything under control, it'll just a while longer. If we can recover the frigate, I hope we can reassure the Emperor we've got things well in hand." He doesn't sound too sure of that.

"And you would perhaps like us to journey to where the ship fell and look for survivors?" Kin prompts and tilts her head as she lowers her hand. "Forgive me, but given the state of your gate, I do not think you can spare soldiers to go."

"Wasn't that far away, Kinny? I don't know anything about traveling these lands," the human woman says.

"We would have to ask the captain of the Mellon Collie about the distance," Kin notes to Lilac. "I imagine it depends on the movement of the winds, among other things."

"It probably fell in the Beast Lands," Xander laments, with his fire familiar curled up at his feet for now.

"Which was one of our destinations, Xander," Kin reminds the mage.

Kin then peers to the curled up Kiriga-shaped familiar at the Lapi's feet. Her brow arches questioningly to the mage.

Lilac's ears perk. "The Beast Lands? Well, I guess that works out." The bardess shrugs a little. "I guess we'd better get going, then?" Head tilting, Lilac adds, "After we eat, of course! I'm starving, and I have this funny taste in my mouth."

"It is conserving its energy," Xander explains to Kin.

"Good. I was starting to wonder what thought of yours it might have been emulating," Kin deadpans.

Governor Des nods his head enthusiastically, flicking his tongue. "Then you'll do it? Wonderful! Ah, you're hungry? Please, stay at the best inn, have all the bills sent to my estate. Let me know if there's anything we can do to make you more comfortable. Ah, you'll set out soon, won't you? I'm worried the rebels may find the wrecks first."

"We can head out tonight, maybe? I think using the night might help us sneak up on them," Lilac suggests, looking between the others for their reaction.

"As soon as we eat and gather supplies we will leave," Kin says, "I agree with your concerns, honored Governor." To Lilac, she nods, "I would prefer traveling at night; we will be harder to track." To Xander, she asks, "Can your familiar scout ahead for us and warn us of things that may be lurking as we travel?"

Lilac's ears flick, "Wouldn't a flaming … " she gestures at the familiar, " … thing, stand out, Kinny? I mean, it's on fire."

"Then something attacking it will also alert us, will it not?" Kin points out.

"I can't 'see' what it does, but it could scout ahead and report back if it finds anything," Xander says, rubbing his chin and looking at the fire creature. "However… uh, it won't be able to sneak exactly. I might be able to get it to take on a smoke form that won't give off so much light though."

Kin's attention shifts back to the Governor. "Honored Des, we will need something from you; a token that demonstrates we are agents acting upon your behalf. Otherwise, how will the frigate crew accept us as allies and not more rebels?" she says.

"I could do it," Lilac offers, tugging Kin's sleeve. "Why don't you let me look ahead? I'm used to hiding around cities, how hard can it be in the wild? I mean, I lived in Sylvania. We have angry trees."

"If you wish," Kin tells Lilac and nods, "I simply did not want to put you in danger when we could send something that is not alive." "I will concern myself with protecting Mage Xander, then, and learning more from the Venerable Longtooth."

"Be sure to protect yourself from Mage Xander," Lilac murmurs to Kin.

The governor claps his hands. "Excellent, I am heartened to see that such capable people have come to the aid of Viper's Hold! Guard, you're rehired. Please show our guests to the Whirling Wind."

Long Tooth seems to hear his name, and he snorts awake, blinking a few times.

"Why would I need to protect myself from Mage Xander?" Kin asks Lilac, looking confused. "He does not seek to harm me."

"The Whirling Wind?" Xander asks, finding the name a bit ominous.

"No, not harm Lilac,' clarifies. "We'll talk later, Kinny. Someone should have given you this talk a long time ago."

"Forgive me for asking, but will there be any compensation for the trip in addition to the food and lodgings? I only ask because airship travel is expensive and we must earn enough to allow us to continue to travel," Kin says with another bow to the Governor. "Plus, I must consider that Mage Xander has guild requirements that must be met for him to be involved. Xander?"

"Standard Journeyman Combat wages, of course," the Lapi says, then bows to the Governor.

"Money?" Lilac's ears perk up hopefully. "Oh, pay would be great! I could use some new clothes, and a new flute, OH, and new boots. Maybe two instruments!"

The governor, midway through slithering back to his desk, turns and touches his fingertips together again. "Ah, yes… of course," he says, flicking his tongue a few more times. "We wouldn't want to neglect that, nor would I wish to deny Caroban its due. I will gladly pay the standard for the mage's services, and match the same for you, Miss Reiko." He gives Lilac and Long Tooth a dubious glance. "Are your friends, ah… equally qualified?"

"Master Longtooth is peerless in the arts of hand-to-hand Combat. He fought off three pirates by himself during our voyage," Kin says with a wave of her hand to the elder Kiriga. "Lilac is skilled in the arts of stealth, tracking, and spying. It was her keen senses which alerted out ship to the airship battle we almost flew straight into the middle of."

"Hey, I'll have you know I've played all across the world, and … and I've fought pirates! And hoodlums! Right Kinny?" She nods to Kin's assessment. "And, I do all that. I have many skills."

"Manners," Kin whispers to Lilac.

"Yes, I'm sorry," Lilac whispers back to Kin, tucking her tail. She also curtsies to the Governor. "I'm sorry, Lord Governor. I, um, am feeling a bit out of sorts, from the battle."

The governor gives Long Tooth a skeptical look, but folds his hands in his robe and grimaces at Lilac, possibly an approximation of a mammalian smile. "Ah, well… of course. I'll add a stipend to your pay for you to distribute as you see fit, would that work? With a day's up front, for expenses."

"Many skills you say?" Xander whispers to Lilac, and gives her a wink as well.

"That is most acceptable, Honored Governor," Kin says with a small smile.

Lilac rolls her eyes, shaking her head. "You are such a pain, Xander! I thought mages were supposed to be professional and mysterious," she says.

"Did I miss something?" Kin asks Lilac and Xander.

Des tosses his hands up in a slightly less exuberant "Wonderful!" than before, returns to his desk again to get to a lockbox under it. He comes up with a fistful of coins that he counts out with a fingertip. "Ah, are you sure you don't wish a soldier or two to go with? I'm sure I can spare a pair of these useless lummoxes."

"I do not think it is necessary, but if my companions wish for us to take a pair, I will defer to their wishes," Kin tells the Governor. She then looks between her 'skilled' party.

"It would be better to not be seen as being obviously associated with the Governor," Xander suggests. "If we have soldiers with us, any rebels that spot us will attack first and ask questions later, if at all."

"And, um, we have certain abilities that work better alone," adds Lilac.

"That is a fair point. If it is indeed in the Beast Lands, we could outfit ourselves as if to appear as just another big game hunting party," Kin says with a nod to Xander. "Thank you, Mage Xander."

"You're welcome!" Xander says, then whispers to Tooth, "Besides, it's a pain having to carry the bodies back… "

---

The Whirling Wind turns out to be a pleasant surprise, a lot less run down than most of Viper's Hold would seem to indicate. It's a large earthen dome like most of the other buildings around, but with some open air windows that let the breeze through without the dust and grit. The currents turn fans and flutter tapestries, and it looks like this place acts as a watering hole for most of the travelers and townsfolk alike. Despite the relatively good condition the place is in, the reptiles are mostly quiet, and there's murmuring about what's going on with the conflicts.

"So, what did you want to tell me, Lilac?" Xander says, as he sits on the floor and starts to draw a magic circle with some chalk.

Kin slips her hands into her sleeves and looks around the establishment. Her webbed ears flick a bit as she looks over the other reptiles, trying to place their origins and if any could possibly be from her homeland.

The folk here look fairly dusty and weather worn. There actually is a Kiriga or two, but they don't have a Jadaian look to them, dressed like the locals and speaking the mainland dialect.

Lilac, who has taken a seat at one of the unoccupied tables near Xander, waves the man off. "I'll tell you tonight, when we're out and about," she answers. Then, she reaches in to her flute case and removes her instrument, checking it for sand infiltration.

Kin nods, feeling generally safe that none would recognize her, at least. "Would you like to order some food and drink, Sensei?" she asks the decrepit, orange, Kiriga at her side. "It appears Lilac has already found a table."

Beckoning his familiar to his side, Xander begins to pull various small pouches from within his robes, and then feeds another wooden disk to the fire creature. "I should warn you all that while I'll have an easier time casting spells in the Beast Lands, I'll have a harder time controlling them. Which is why I'm going to get this one set up here first."

Lilac glances over from her inspection, looking down at the Lapi. "So, you know about the Beast Lands, Mage Xander? Would you tell us more about them?" She returns her gaze to her flute, using a foot to push out a chair for Kin and the old master.

The old master is quite alert now, nodding his head and grunting. "Mm. Jes. Much food. Much drink. I heah de nights get cold."

"Umm, don't really know much at all about them," Xander admits, as he pours a little pile of red powder at one point in his circle. "It's a Forbidden Zone, and magic is a bit wild there. I've never actually been in one before, either. So, if you should hear me say 'Oops' while casting a spell, it would be best if you ran as far away from me as fast you could."

Tooth settles onto his chair with a creak, his chin barely hovering over the surface of the table.

Kin settles down into her chair and folds her hands into her lap. To Xander, she says, "I will not abandon you, even if you make a mistake. We are a team; we stand as one."

"Err, if I make a mistake it means I'm about to explode," Xander notes. "I do recall that there are degenerate… people… sort of… that live in those lands. Feral versions of Khattas and so forth. Cannibals. We should avoid clusters of thistlebark trees if we see any, I've heard they like to lair in those."

The old man nods his approval at Kin. "Good girl."

"Then I will dispatch you so that you do not explode and suffer," Kin says to Xander. "My blades are sharp and on my honor, you will feel no pain."

The old man nods again.

"It sounds a lot like Sylvania, actually." A pause, and Lilac frowns. "My homeland is a dangerous place, we should be very careful." Reaching up and scratching at her ear, she adds, "I hope you don't sword me when I get out of control!"

"I would only end the suffering of a friend, Lilac. If you are not suffering, I do not see why I would silence your life," Kin tells the human. "It is the way of my people; you do not permit those you cherish to suffer in pain. Even those who must gut themselves to restore the honor of their families are not allowed to suffer. A trusted friend always stands at the ready to sever their necks and ease their passing."

"Err, thank you, Kin," Xander says, giving a sidelong glance at the Kiriga. He finishes spreading out his various powders and bits of charcoal, then says, "I'm going to be busy for awhile." He hands the pouch of wooden shekels to Lilac, and says, "Please keep the familiar fed. Otherwise it might try to eat something it shouldn't and burn the place down."

Switching to Imperial, Kin tells Master Longtooth, "I think I scare them. I try to reassure them … but with the way they look at me, it is if I am somehow wrong."

Lilac accepts the coin purse dubiously. "I don't know about this, but all right." She peeks in the pouch, smiles, then tales a few coins out. For Lilac's part, she doesn't seem unsettled by Kin's comment – although she does tend to avoid looking at the Kiriga. "Bartender? I'd like to order," she calls out.

While the Lapi goes into his trance and chants, the little familiar perches at Lilac's feet and looks up at her expectantly. It even wags its tail.

The old man frowns. Somehow, a mug has already appeared next to him, and is already half empty. "Ah, my student. Warriors do not fear death. They simply do not understand how we face it."

The human woman looks down at the familiar, giving it a suspicious look. Of course, the look is entirely ruined when she wags her tail back. Glancing back, she stops it with her hand. "Why can't I even not do that," she asks no one in particular. "Bartender?"

A boxy looking turtle stumps over, his shell sand-polished. "What can I getcha, outlanders?"

Kin sets the advance of money down on the table near Lilac. "Order whatever you and the others wish," she tells the human, then stands. "I am going to take a walk; I wish to see more of the town and listen. Much may be learned from rumors on the wind, after all. I will return in a few hours."

"Be careful, Lilac warns Kin. She pushes Kin's money next to Xander's, peeking inside. Her ears shoot up.

Kin bows her head. Then with a graceful slink of her tail, the Kiriga disappears outside; back into the sand-worn and weary town.