A Quest for Humanity

[Stormfollower]

Stormfollower smiled up at Sinliniel. "Aye there be room enough for us all though it will be cosey. I figure the main berth should be left for Tajer to sleep in Jetamio and I can share one of the births in the main cabin while you and Gill could have the other, Mujbura seems content on the deck and there's still a half berth beside the stove if anyone else wants aboard. There are also allot of ships around us who can take on an extra passenger or two should the need arise. But make yourselves comfortable in whatever way suits you. Its four days out to the island from here."

He turned his attention back to on one of the small ships behind him. It was a dark vessel and seemed more ceremonial than the others. It was aboard this vessel the remains of Remis was wrapped and resting.

[Jetamio]

The young man eyed P'Nala uncertainly. He hadn't exactly been told not to let anyone in, but he'd had the feeling that the Sanguine was meant to be left alone. Frowning he stayed silent for now and stood his guard.

[Gilliadson]

P`Nala made no move to disturb Tajer but sat quietly. It was the only quiet place on the vessel at the moment where she could reflect inward upon the recent memories to see what possible danger existed for the group. She felt that Tajer was somehow tied into all of this as well whether for good or evil, she was not sure.

[Jetamio]

It was on the second night at sea that Tajer's fever finally broke. Jetamio spent most of the night at her side, sponging off the Dark Elf's drenched body. Finally Tajer fell into a deep but peaceful sleep, no longer thrashing around and crying out.

Aidhan held her in his arms while Jetamio changed her bedding, and left the room only long enough for Jetamio to dress her in clean clothes. He was intrigued by the strange woman who was apparently Jetamio's granddaughter, though how that relation came about he didn't know. When Jetamio left to join the others, he continued his vigil.

[Xar'Zith]

She did not open her eyes right away when she awoke. She was aware of motion, the gentle barely noticable rocking of a vessel on calm seas, and vaguely recalled being carried onto a ship. She could even smell the salty air, mingled with the scent of fresh linen and the scent of the nearby man. The sound of his heart reached her ears, it's strong regular beat mocking her own erratic pulse which in turn seemed at odds with her senses. She found she could phase it out as she used to, letting it become background noise. A necessary ability when one had heightened senses, for otherwise the brain would be in constant sensory overload.

She finally opened her eyes to daylight streaming in the small window, bathing her in its warm glow. The man was watching her, unable to hide his curiousity. He was surprised to see her eyes were dark, for he had only seen her gripped in fever. He had been sure she must be blind but she evidently saw him now judging by her frank return stare. She too was surprised to see him, but not because she hadn't known he was there. He was Fier'Dal, with long straight black hair and hazel eyes, and while she knew she had never set eyes on this man before, he looked strangely familiar.

He finally managed to look away, and Tajer swore he blushed under his tanned skin. He took a wooden bowl from the table and brought it to her, encouraging her to drink. She took a couple of sips, though swallowing was difficult for her, but he seemed satisfied. Then he flashed her a smile and left the berth.

[Stormfollower]

Stormfollower looked out over the moonlit sea. The breeze still blew them closer to the island and he reflected on the coming task. To bury ones son was just wrong and he dreaded the journey.

A flash of lightning shot across a distant horizon where a storm brewed and drifted away from them out to sea. He remembered how the lightning always brought Remis down. Again it flashed and for a moment Stormfollower saw a rainbow in the dark. He smiled as he thought how much like his son it was. Now it seamed his world had come undone.

He shook his head. What would he have said to him if he had the chance?

He remembered a night, a fire, a song and a brave bard, The Man on the Silver Mountain.

"Oh they say that its over, that it just had to be...Oh they say that its over, we`re lost children of the sea."

"We made the mountains shake with laughter as we played."

He whispered such memorable and deep lines to himself through the night and into the misty morning.

"We`ve lost the rising sun, the final sign. As the misty morning rolls away to die reaching for the stars we blind the sky,"

[Gilliadson]

The couple stood at the bow of the Goblin Queen looking out across the moonlit sea. Off in the distance, somewhere beyond the horizon lay their destination. The cool salty breeze blew back her robes and his cloak a little as the vessel continued upon it's steadfast course. Gilliadson put his arm around his wife's waist and drew her closer to him. Sineliniel laid her head upon his shoulder and continued gazing across the sea.

"It is so peaceful out here, Leofa." The Arch-Mage's voice barely above a whisper.

"Indeed, Beloved." Replied the Knight. "I am glad we we have these times to cherish. Makes one feel that the world is still worth fighting for."

[Jetamio]

((Where the hell did my previous post go?? I swear I posted after Storm Maybe I'm losing my mind.... Might also be this computer, I'm in Penticton at the moment at a friends for the weekend.))

Jetamio had gone to Tajer at Aidhans request. While trying to get some nourishment in her, Jetamio had examined her. Her fever was gone, and she seemed alert but she was still pale and Jetamio was concerned about how weak she was. A creature which had only a week ago been a being of strength and grace could now barely sit up herself. She knew what the problem was, but she was also sure that whatever transformation had taken place was by now complete. She decided to give it one more day, and until then was making Tajer take medicines that encouraged blood flow and hoped for the best. She was pretty sure Stormfollower would not like the alternative.

After leaving Aidhan with Tajer, she went back up onto the deck. She saw Gilliadson and Sineliniel but they seemed to be having a moment together. She found Stormfollower and came up beside him, touching his arm to let him know she was there. With Tajer mostly out of the woods now, she had time to grieve herself, and laid her head on Stormfollower as she too looked out to sea.

[Stormfollower]

"How is she?" He put one arm around her and hugged her close to his hip.

[Gilliadson]

[Jetamio]

"She is alright...I think. She seems to be caught in a state between mortal and Sanguine... her body is alive but is weak, her heart beats but she lacks the bloodflow to give her strength. Her body cannot make enough of its own blood to sustain her for long. I'm giving her another day but I think she still may need to drink blood, not for the lifeforce but simply to replace what her body uses. If her condition doesn't improve by the morning, then I think she'll probably have to have a small cup or two per week. It would have to be Dark Elven blood though, or possibly elven or her living part will reject it."

She frowns and snuggles closer to him. "Young Aidhan seems quite taken with her though. They might even become friends if she survives..."

[Gilliadson]

P`Nala's sharp ears caught the conversation above. The Enchantress emerged from the cabin and approached Stormfollower and Jetamio.

"Pardon me, friends but, I could not help but overhear." P`Nala spoke softly. "I will give of my own blood if it is needed for her survival. Perhaps the infusion of new blood will help her begin to create her own."

[Stormfollower]

((Nice ship Gill. the scale is perfect! ))

"She will drink no blood aboard this vessel, nor on the Island of the dead unfortunately." His tone was firm yet at the same time apologetic. "

[Gilliadson]

P`Nala looked squarely into Stormfollower's eyes.

"We have ensured her survival to this point. If her condition does not change by morning, she will probably not make it to the Isle of the dead. We could have just let my sister slit her throat and be done with her but we did not. If you have an alternate idea for preserving Tajer's existence, then by all means please do share it with us."

[Mujbura]

Mujbura rises before the morning sun placing her items back into her packs and watches as the dark sky begins to brighten. She looks at the minimal crew who steered the boat during the night shift, peeking up shy smiles to each. She looks at the fine craftsmanship of the vessel, although she was quite confused what everything was and just had to touch everything she came across. The crew watched her carefully ensuring she was not going to untie the wrong knot or push the wrong thing. She followed a beam across what seemed the length of the ship her eyes raising to the top in astonishment at how high it was.

At that moment a wave struck the vessel tossing it only enough to knock her from her already unsure feet. She landed on her bum with a solid thump and looked up with a pouting scowl as the crew chuckled softly at her. Getting to her feet she slapped her hands on her legs as if she were dusting herself off then stood at the edge of the boat. Leaning against the railing she faces into the wind closing her eyes and smiling as mist brushes across her face with The Mothers morning kiss.

As the others wake and begin moving around she chooses to keep her distance and allow them to accept his sons ascension without her interference. She was sure Stormfollower knew she was there for him whenever he needed her, forever the blood of the North ran through them both.