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 Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:10 pm
The man's words made some sense, though the idea still seemed absurd to Cenek. [[I shall take your word for it, sir. If the young miss seems to trust you, then I shall, as well.]] He tried to smile, but it was obvious he still had his doubts about the cobblestone man. [[If you'll excuse me, I have work to attend to.]] With a slight bow, he left his cabin and returned above, allowing for Ylli to return to his watchpost.
********
With little much else to do, Khaldun spent most of his days asleep or in thought. He stretched out against the far wall, his hands behind his head, where it rested on his jacket and scarf. The heat was abominable, and so he had long ago cast them aside and rolled up his sleeves, regardless of how rude it might be in the company of a lady. The old Khaldun would have found a way of occupying himself, but he no longer had any desire for such frivolous liasons.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:38 pm
The Berlio sailed on through the dark, the only noise coming from those on the ship. Eventually even the dead found silence, aimlessly drifting past the boat with no more than a glance. After what seemed like only a few hours had passed a speck of light appeared on the horizon.
Zachary had made himself content below deck, trying to keep out of the eye of the superstitious crew. Victoria seemed to enjoy this as she was able to introduce Morrie to her friend as well. The girl was overjoyed that finally someone from her two sets of friends had met. Perhaps later all of them could meet as well.
As the Berlio approached the light, Zachary made his way towards Cenek. [[We should be on the look out for a small dingy. Your happy helper will be there.]]
***
Angie stood, wiping what grime she could from her face and arms. She had long stopped wearing her corset and petticoats. All of her hats and extra clothing had been burned to ash in the fire. At this particular moment, all she had left was the clothes on her back and her journal, which had been abandoned a few days ago. The idea of prophecy was sickening to her stomach.
"I'll be going now, if you see anyone please wait for me." She was too hot to argue. Angie left the temple into the sand.
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Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 3:43 pm
As the light became clearly visible, the spirits of the men lifted. Perhaps they were not doomed, after all. If they actually made it back to land, there were more than a few that swore never to sail again. The dead had melded into a pool of sorts that allowed for better sailing, but the men were still eager to be free of their grasp.
*******
Grabbing his coat and scarf (as though he'd ever need them here!), Khaldun followed the stubborn girl. If she was allowed to be free of this place, he would be, too!
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:17 pm
A dinghy sat in the still water, the occupant missing his staff (if only for the reason as he had nothing to fidget with.) He was a friendly looking man, rather laid back and complacent about most things and for good reason; he had not sacrificed immortality for nothing, after all. He had known this day would come, the day that he would have to once more set foot into the realm of man and set those of a specific destiny on their correct path. His was the hand that outstretched to the poor.
He had never taken a name until recently, at least not in his memory. Baruti was a fitting description, he supposed. It had been some time since he had been forced to take a physical form of a timely fashion.
His round black eyes were like two pieces of obsidian set into his head. His hair was wavy, a black that did not seem to have much of a sheen even in the piercing light of the gateway beyond him. He appeared little more than a youth, a reasonable age to be traveling with Master Khaldun and his crew. His skin was deeply tanned to give an illusion of time in the sun. He seemed very much as a boy from the islands to the south, and his wardrobe of a simple vest and pants would seem impractical and strange to most. He found his favorite aspect of his new form was his lack of shoes. He did love to wiggle his toes.
He saw the Berilo approaching from far in the distance and momentarily wondered if they would drop anchor for him. He knew these mortals had odd ideas of the Paths and perhaps some would fear being trapped here. However, as she closed in, Baruti was able to board with little trouble. Perhaps they were simply eager to be on their way.
Zachary had been waiting on deck and nodded to Baruti as he came aboard. A smile never touching his lips and yet it seemed as though they were on friendly terms. With a flourish, he produced an unsealed letter, handing it to Cenek. [[For Dorian de Rochet. Please do not forget.]] His business finished, Zachary lowered himself down to the ocean of the dead and began his long walk home.
With a stiff bow to Cenek, Baruti addressed the captain as an elder. [[Sir, I thank you for allowing me on board. Might I suggest we be on our way?]]
***
"You know you don't have to come along, Khaldun. One person melting in the sun is enough, I think." And we certainly don't have water for two at this rate!
Angie waited patiently for the man to catch up, as even now she did not want to be rude. She swore she could smell rain in the air, but she simply ignored it as it could only be her mind playing tricks. After all, there was not a cloud in the sky.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:33 pm
Cenek did as the cobblestone man bid, hating to trust the lives of his crew to one he knew so little about. If it was only for a moment to allow the guide to board, he supposed nothing detrimental could happen...or so he hoped.
Watching as the tanned youth strode aboard, Cenek called for the anchor to be pulled the second his feet touched the planks of the ship. It was the safest way to ensure they wouldn't be trapped in this abyss, or so he imagined.
Cenek nodded his agreement with the suggestion to be on their way, more than happy to leave this desolated place. [[My name is Cenek, sir. Might I ask yours?]] As he spoke, he motioned for the coxswain to steer the ship forward.
********
Hating to leave a girl who had nothing in her head save fairy stories (and not even the good ones!) to fend for herself, Khaldun followed wordlessly. If there was one thing he had learned in the past few days, it was that the girl liked the sound of her own voice, especially when she was talking about herself.
He trudged along in the sand, his jacket draped over a shoulder and his pathetic cloak (more a bedsheet) covering his horns. He knew it was unlikely they would see anyone in the desert, but he did it all the same. On the air, he smelled the rain and could only hope that it would bring about a change in temperature.
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:41 pm
[[Baruti, or so your Master Khaldun called me, Ser.]] He could already tell that this one was all business. [[You'll want to continue on straight ahead, Ser. Right into the light. Although you should prepare your crew as it will not be the sea we'll be sailing on the other side.]]
***
"I cannot believe we haven't seen anyone. Those we recruited said they ventured into the desert often." It seemed even the sun could not stop her tongue from wagging. She looked around for some sign of life using her hand to shield her eyes. "I suppose they could have been lying, but what a silly thing to lie over."
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 6:47 pm
Calling for the men's attention, Cenek explained what little he knew of the situation to them. [[I know this journey has been a strange one, men, and I want to thank you all for dealing with it as you have. But before our journey is through, there will be more strangeness. When we sail through the portal ahead, we will no longer be sailing on the sea, but the sky. Sail the girl as you've been. We should be reaching the captain shortly.]]
There were shouts of protest and those of amazement at the captain's words. Had he gone mad? Was this just a dream caused by dehydration? This couldn't all be real...
As the prow of the ship reached into the light, she began to glide over the clouds. Several men took steps backward from the rails, startled by the sheer drop before them. But it was a beautiful sight, her sails unfurling against the sky.
*******
It did not seem strange to Khaldun to be alone in the desert. There was no reason a sane person would venture out there. He only hoped that they would reach a small village along the way.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:52 pm
Victoria pushed through those on the deck to lean over the edge. Finally she was equal with the birds! They couldn't look down on anyone anymore. She hoped one would fly close enough so she could tell them so.
Morrie was quickly by her side, although she was not so brave as to look over. Taking her by the arm, Morrie at least convinced the little pink haired girl to head back away from the railing.
Baruti took a deep breath, a smile on his face. Now this was traveling! Looking to Cenek, he motioned to the anchor. [[You may wish to settle down, Ser. A familiar friend is relatively close by.]]
The air swirled on the desert floor below, blowing Angie's skirts against her legs. She looked up, not entirely sure what she would find. Surely a storm could not have formed so quickly? But instead of clouds she found herself staring at the hull of a ship. "Oh... my." In her shock, she had nothing else to say. Her knees had gone weak and she suddenly found herself sitting in the sand.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:09 pm
Below the ship's hull was, indeed, a sea, though it was a vast, sandy expanse with no gilled inhabitants. Stretching a spyglass open, Cenek put it to his eye, verifying Baruti's words. There in the sand were two specks, one of whom he could only assume was Khaldun, as he was taller and darker than the other. He collapsed the glass and pocketed it, pondering how one went about docking a flying ship.
In the cabin below, Ylli sat on a stool next the bed upon which Tomas rested. His breathing appeared to be steady, and though Ylli wanted a better view of their environs, through the great window in the cabin, he could see the sky.
The sound of the sails on the wind caught Khaldun's attention at about the same time that Angela voiced her surprise. Casting his eyes upward, he came face to face with the faun, as he pranced through the clouds above. His heart catching for a moment, he began chasing after the ship, waving his arms, crying, [[Ahoy! Berilo!]]
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:14 pm
Angie watched Khaldun run off with a dumb look on her face. Where is he going?
Baruti sought to give the crew advice on how to lower the ship to a safe distance as Victoria danced around on deck. The girl heard of the plans to land and grew excited. Mister Meanie should be here! Perhaps for the first time, she went willingly below deck and bade Ylli to carry the poor boy up.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:27 pm
Clambering atop a dune, Khaldun waved his coat in the air as a signal flag, hoping desperately that they wouldn't simply sail past without noticing him. The prophecies they had managed to decipher had been correct, and perhaps with the others more could be discerned.
Ylli did as the girl asked without question. She usually had better sense than anyone else aboard, so he saw nothing wrong with bringing Tomas to the deck. He carried the boy still draped in blankets, hoping he would be well soon, for there was little he could do.
Overseeing the crew's first attempt at lowering the ship, Cenek was too busy to notice Ylli and the girl. The ship anchored and at the lowest height they seemed to be able to reach, he cast a line over the side and called out to the captain.
Hearing his name, Khaldun turned his head toward the sound, promptly noticing the line. He scrambled up it, almost giddily, eager to hear of his crew's exploits and to be on his way.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:31 pm
Angie watched Khaldun climb up the rope, suddenly quite afraid that the man planned on leaving her in the desert to fend for herself. Scrambling to her feet, she ran towards the ship.
Victoria bounced over to Khaldun, a grin stretching from ear to ear. She hugged the man with all her tiny might. "Welcome back!" With a sudden curious look, she reached for the cloak over his head.
Baruti was content enough to hang back and survey the scene. He was unsure that Khaldun would recognize him, as his form was very different now. He would allow for their reunion to be as long as it could be helped. No sense in rushing things along if those involved did not know what they were fighting for.
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:40 pm
Returning the small girl's hug, Khaldun released her and went back to the railing when he did not see the one who had been accompanying him. Sighing at her apparent incompetence, he descended once more and helped her aboard, carrying her on his back if necessary. He wasn't about to have his moment ruined by the girl's piteous calls for help.
The two both aboard, he strode toward Cenek when his eye caught a glance of the still bedraggled Daemon, whom Ylli had gently placed near the mizzen. The blond sat next to him, ready to provide any aid. Kneeling at his side, Khaldun took the boy's head onto his lap, concern in his eyes as he whispered, "Kefele..." Turning to Ylli, he bid the man explain what had happened, and Ylli quickly obliged.
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:03 pm
Baruti watched Khaldun, an unfamiliar feeling of sadness twinging in his heart. He stepped forward, placing his hand on Khaldun's shoulder. [[He will be fine. You have my word, Master Khaldun.]]
Angie watched the young man cradle the other's head and her eyes widened. Clearing her throat, she averted her eyes to the inappropriate gesture. No decency at all.
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:15 pm
The voice was familiar somehow, but Khaldun could not place it. It seemed like something he had heard long ago, perhaps in a dream. Nodding his understanding to the unknown youth, he quietly chanted a rejuvenating spell. He then waited a moment to see if it had any effect.
Knowing Khaldun would not want to proceed until all parties were well-rested and informed of the situation, Cenek continued to act as captain for the time being.
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