I woke up with bright sunshine in my eyes. Some one had shaken me. I could feel their hand on my shoulder. My eyes cleared and I could see it was Dremnin. He had a mug of fresh water and a roll. My head was pounding from the party the night before. I was still in the court yard of the temple. I had fallen asleep next to the fire I had been dancing around.

Dremin sat next to me. He seemed happy and sad at the same time. He explained to me that Veranda was gone, but that she had not been Veranda she had been a passion. She was Astendar the passion of love. She had also given him a gift, a song in his head that would lead us to Stilicho. There was no way to tell if we would find him dead or alive. After all he had told me I slapped him on the shoulder and said, “You dog! You have been bedding a passion this whole time! I bow to your greatness.”

After we stopped laughing, I told him about my night and dancing with Flourannus. I had also been chosen. I had been made a quester of the god of partying and victory.

Dremnin helped me to my feet and we started the long walk to the Stag. We stopped by Dagmar’s forge to tell him what had happened and that we need to get going to try and save our captian. He told me that the Ballistas were not quite ready but he could finish them on the boat.

When we stopped at the Sky Port I found Korak standing the post. He had told me that several of the unchained were staying at an in close by and were ready to go. I told him that we would meet all of them at Dagmar’s forge, we had an Idea where Stilicho was and we were heading out today. Korak headed out to wake the unchained and get them moving.

When we got back to the boat every one kept coming to me to make decisions. Without really wanting it, it seemed that I was promoted to captain in Stilicho’s absents. The anchor was lifted and we flew back in to town and parked the ship over the forge. I could see Vridich, Urgral, Suulin, and Korak waiting for us. Vridich and Suulin seemed happy but I could see the sour look on Urgral’s face from the ship.

We rigged a crane from the mast and lowered Stolod down first he was in a rush to go and collect supplies. I told him that we wanted supplies for 3 weeks, not knowing how long we would be out. We brought The Unchained member on board. I greeted each of them and then told them what had happened and why we were in a rush. Suulin presented me with a gift after I was done. She had bought a book on dragons from the Great Library. I told her that I wish I had time to sit down and start reading it but there was much work to do. I gave the boot to Mika and told her to take it to my quarters.

Lifting the ballista and supplies on to the boat was hard work on such a hot day. I stripped down to just my pant to help the crew with the pulling on the lifting rope. I forget my scars are even there most of the time. I could hear the whispers of the crew as they got a look. Being reminded of them I could feel the sweat roll down the whip scars on my back. While pulling my arm would rub over the large scar on my right side from the stab I received fighting to save The Reach. I realized that every scare on my body is a symbol of a victory, that all of the enemies that we have faced have yet to best us. I relaxed about them and wore them with pride.

We loaded the last of the ballista, forge supplies, and the food stocks. The last of the crew to come on was the big troll Dagmar. I shook his hand when he boarded and thanked him for all the work he had gotten done. I also explained to him that I had no idea what we were about to get in to and that I would feel better if we could get the balistas working. He told me he would get right on it.

I turned to Dremin who was already at the wheel. “Alright Dremnin,” I shouted “We are all on board. Let’s go find the Captain.” Dremnin turned the ship and the sails were set. The Stag pulled away from the city.

Ardoe Zomay Skram
5th Circle Taildancer
Quester of Flourannus