A Quest for Humanity

[Jetamio]

She raised an eyebrow in surprise. She knew how much he hated, and the tribe fear, the Sanguine.

"Take her with us?"

[Stormfollower]

" Something has happened to her, she draws breath and drinks water. We will need you to determine the cause of this transformation and ascertain weather it may be duplicated in other cases of sanguinism. See if it is real life that courses through her veins or some adaptation designed to fool us into sympathy. We must not let this opportunity to study a semi co-operative and living specimen pass us by."

[Jetamio]

She thought for a moment then nodded.

"Then lets bring her to the ship now. You can carry her if needed? I will go back to camp and find something for her, if she is living then she has had no sustenance for a week. I will find some medicines too, I don't want to use magic if you want to study her. Shall I meet you at the ship?"

[Stormfollower]

"Aye, I will swim out quickly and prepare the ship for boarding then I will return to get her.

Stormfollower swam out towards his ship as Jetamio went off in search of the natural medicines that grew in abundance all around them. He reached the anchor chain off the bow of the ship and swung himself on board. On his way to the cabin he scuffed a sodden boot across some ill aimed guano on the deck. "Jonathan!" he murmured under his breath.

Quickly he had things squared away and ready to sail and a clear path from companionway to the main berth. He nodded with final approval and dove back into the ocean and swam to the beach. He headed straight to the stone shelter that Tajer lay resting inside and opened the door. He opened it more slowly this time.

He stepped into the dark room from out of the bright moonlight and paused there for a minute waiting for his eyes to adjust.

[Jetamio]

Jetamio slipped quietly into the sleeping camp and helped herself to some of the soup in the communual pot. She was careful to take mostly liquid for she was not sure if Tajer would be able to handle solid food, but at least in liquid she could administer any medicines. In a separate bowl she prepared a tonic from various plants and herbs. She wasn't really sure what to treat Tajer with or how she'd respond to any treatment, so she prepared a tonic that encouraged overall good health. While she waited for the herbs to steep, she spied a small patch of foxgloves nearby and on impulse picked some to add to the tea. While too much was fatal, a small amount helped the heart to beat strong.

Once done, she checked upon her tiny daughter sleeping next to Quiet Snow and smiled. Then she headed to the ship to wait for her husband.

[Xar'Zith]

The quiet creak of the door opening sounded like a scream to her, but she had also heard the Shaman coming. All her senses seemed magnified, and every sound was torture. Even her clothing, scant as it was, was annoying her but she was too cold to strip off.

Her eyes were still coated in white, but she closed her eyes against the moonlight now streaming in with a grimace of pain. She was lucid enough to murmur a greeting to him though she kept her eyes closed against the light. She could still hear his movements and smell his scent.

"Is it time?" she asked in a barely audible voice.

[Stormfollower]

"Aye the time has come. I will carry you to the beach and row you out in a canoe. Do you thing you can stand briefly while we get you on board?"

[Xar'Zith]

"I will try..."

She sits up and pulls the bear fur closer around her but keeps her eyes closed against the moonlight. She felt a little silly at having to be carried, but thankfully no-one she knew would see it.

[Stormfollower]

He bundles her up in extra furs and carries her light frame to the beach from there they take a canoe out into the bay and board the Goblin Queen. He takes her into the cabin and up into the bow birth. He lays her down in the large bed.

"Get some rest..you will feel us leaving soon. The day should be fairly calm and easy but who knows what the next days will bring."

He closes the door to her birth and heads back to the main part of the cabin to rest.

[Jetamio]

By the time she came on board, Tajer was already there. The Dark Elf was already asleep again, exhausted from what little exertion she had done, and Jetamio decided to let her sleep for now. She found Stormfollower, put the broth and tea on the table and sat down next to him, then let out a quiet sigh of relief.

[Stormfollower]

"You should try to get some sleep. The sun will be rising soon and I can get us underway alone easily enough. Our friends should all be aboard by then and we can work out sleeping arrangements at the rendezvous point later. I am sure some of the other ships wont mind having some new heroes to meet, especially ones as illustrious as our friends!"

The ships set out as the first full rays of the sun stabbed out across the mountains to the east and illuminated thier little bay. All told there were more than 50 ships, Mostly fishing skiffs, but a few faster sailing vessels like Stormfollowers and Jetamios Sleek vessel. none were as pretty though or stood out as examples of fine craftsmanship. It was hard to believe goblins had fashioned this boat all those years ago...a legacy to the shipwright who instructed them. But even so the immaculate details still showed an artistry and aesthetic somehow beyond belief coming from such normally vile creatures. Stormfollower loved this ship and it showed in the care her took of her...All her wood shone, brightly stained and her painted surfaces were as vibrant as new. He led the armada of nomads out to sea and on to the Island of the Dead.

[Jetamio]

Jetamio heeded his advice but checked on Tajer first. She was too tired to make much of an examination but she seemed to be sleeping so she let her be. As the tribe slowly started boarding the ships, Jetamio asked a young elf by the name of Aidan to stay with Tajer and to fetch her if something happened. She let him know exactly who and what Tajer was, but she also knew him to be a level headed young man and knew he wouldn't freak out if Tajer did something unexpected.

Finally she went to her own bed and fell asleep to the motion of the fine ship.

[Gilliadson]

Gilliadson and company rode above the surface of the water compliments of the flight rings that Sineliniel had summoned. Once aboard, the Paladins' mounts were dismissed. P`Nala sat in the cabin with Tajer and the young Elf, curiously watching the Teir`Dal. Gilliadson and Myrikel assisted with the preparations for departure.

[Mujbura]

She sat silently by the boats edge, she had given her friend and his family plenty of space, but yet never leaving his indirect presence. She didn't prefer ships, nor water, and thought how precarious a position she is in. She could swim fluidly through water, but just didn't prefer it. Ships just meant alot more water around her and the possibility to be doused. She did however, love the rain. While none was falling that day she closed her eyes pretending it were as the mist from the water breaks moistened her face. "Let the others have their beds." she thought, "Nothing is more wonderful than nature." She raises her eyes in gratitude for her Goddess' blessings.

[Gilliadson]

Sineliniel approached Stormfollower...

"Is there enough room for us all on this vessel? If not, I have a small one that was gifted to me that Gill and I can follow in. I can summon it to us if need be."