The Skysail Treasure Co.

OOC: It's raining...I'm bored...and it's only 2 pm est...

Every treasure hunter needs a squishy rogue to trip those pesky traps right? Look no further than the queen of rogues! >_> Hope you don't mind my weird race but I can't help it. I'll try to give Jade someone to do her doctoring on.

All the italicized stuff is for Geco's consideration.

Name: Kitsunae (Kitsu)
Gender: Female
Age: 23 and a half years ...so she thinks...
Race: Half Yokai (meaning: half ninetailed fox demon thing)
Profession:
Off ship - Rogue aka Thief aka Trap fodder aka Sickbay regular
On ship - Deck swabber/Dishwasher/Maid/Sanitation Engineer

Description: Silver hair to mid back with two braids on each side that meet at the back of her head and tied with a slim black ribbon. Wild green eyes with golden flecks rimmed with black (not eyeliner mind). Pale skinned like moonlight on water. Black bodice with short overcoat, breeches, and knee high boots with silver buckles on the outer edges. A black leather belt with a simple silver buckle holds several small pouches holding various trinkets for trap finding and tripping, lock picks, and sheaths for two long knives. (Long knife hilts are white ivory-like with silver pommel and an emerald set just below each blade.)

Two black fox-like ears protrude from her head just above the braids and have a tendancy to twitch at varying sounds. Three black fox tails with white tips extend from just above her leather breeches.

Personality: A bit obsessive when it comes to getting to a piece of treasure she becomes easily distracted by shiney things. She can be a bit loony especially at times of a full moon as the shine of one has the possibility of entrancing her for long periods of time. She isn't very graceful and has a small fear of drowning, going splat after a fall, and won't eat anything that jiggles or wiggles.

Special Abilities:* If only she can turn into a three tailed fox during eclipses of the moon and/or sun >_> Good sense of smell and above average hearing (for a human).

History:* She doesn't know how she came to be, just that she is, and she makes the best of it. She's been on her own for so long she doesn't remember much before she was about 6 years of age. What she does remember is being integrated into a rogue guild and taught the fine art of picking locks and pockets and begging for money, food, and anything else she could get her little grubby hands on. Eventually she learned a little reading but doesn't do much of that. Her only concern is getting to the shinies.

Race/Tribe:* Yokai is a demon beast, in Kitsu's case, a ninetailed fox demon (prolly her dad with a human mom). Some fox demon traits exist like intense hearing and smell while more human features are dominant.

You have obtained the Geco:

Stamp of Approval

No need to thank me, just post ^_^

CHARACTER SHEET
Name: Amateira Tsumè
Gender: female
Age: 25
Race: Human
Profession: Hunter and Tracker, does whatever she is needed for on deck.
Description: Amateira is a priestess of Tau'weke, she wears little to nothing among her own people she wears a leather necklace with an amulet of Fire stone on it, as do all devoted servants of Tau'weke (they would never give it up). Though none have received a Stone recently as Pu'kai is hoarding them. When among the foreigners she wears a loose, light blue blouse, made of a silk-like substance that is a strong as denim. Her bottom half is covered by a short, cream coloured linen skirt, which would be entirely in decent for a crew full of men such as the Requiem.
Personality: Amateira being such a devoted priestess of Tau'weke is strongly religous and reluctant to leave Tau'weke's protection. She can be quite ignorant and distant at times, mostly because of her difficulty with the language. Until recently she only new the Tounge of Fire. Despite being a priestess she is curious of the outside world.
Special Abilities:* She is an excellent archer though she rarely uses a bow at all. Her goal is to learn of the world and spread Tau'weke to new places, and possibly find the Exiles, so you could call preaching an ability. She is also a fairly good woodswoman, though far from the best of her people.
History:* Amateira is first and foremost a servant of Tau'weke, she has lately been distanced from him and so seeks to restore the balance. Her past if fairly atypical of all of Tau'weke's people, one of religon, fear and cynicalism. She strongly dislikes the illegal traders on Tau'weke's island and cannot do anything alone. Or go against Pu'kai's word, so she attempts to keep Tau'weke balanced as much as possible.

Amateira's whole adult life has been secretly devoted to this purpose, and so she knows little else. Sometimes she wishes she had taken the path of a hunter or even a mother, but she remains on her path knowing it is Tau'weke's will. She is fighting a losing battle and need someone to turn the tides and ultimately save Tau'weke's existance.

Unfortunately for her and the crew, she was on the vulcano collecting Fire stones for Pu'kai when the foreigners arrived. Now she is returning as fleetly as she can still unaware of the happenings.
Race/Tribe:* Tau'weke. (I don't think I should explain this since Tau'weke is pre-existing)

((I might wait for acceptance, Geco come back))

OOC: Continue discussion in RPers Msg Board if you have rebuttle.

Fire stone necklace - That's fine, but only priests and preistesses and Pu'aki. Pu'aki would have an Elder's Stone sort of thing, much bigger and heavily designed.

Dress - I would say that she would wear whatever any other native would wear, plus some sort of thing to set her apart. Obviously, she will need to be clothed 'properly' later, and instructed as to why before they land at the next port.

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The rest - I will PM you a couple of details, but it's good. :) I can't wait.

From the moment he had read the note he had considered whether or not he really had it in him. He had killed before, killed many since he had passed his initiation. Yet this one gave him pause. Over and over again Berak had said he was different. That he was the true shadow of death and yet...yet he had come to the conclusion that he was not a true Maktah. His loyalty was nothing to Gavin or the clan. To hell with them both he didn't really care what happened to them. Yet he did care about Cailey.

That was the problem. Maktah were not supposed to have any attachments Berak had hinted that his father had been like him. That he too must have made attachments otherwise he himself would never have been born. But then again Berak had hinted that it was the attachments that had killed his father. The distractions. He could understand that.

Standing over the two sleeping forms beneath him a bead of sweat trickled beneath the raised Kamir hiding his face. It had been relatively simple to sneak into the embassy unseen, harder though to stop himself from killing nosy guards that had gotten in his way. But then those were his orders. His fingers rested uncomfortably upon the hilt of the twin blades, his breath slow and calm even calmer then the sleeping souls beneath him. They were weren't soldiers they weren't anything...yet...

The child stirred against her mothers side pressing closer for warmth. He let out a breath, the girl was no older then Cailey. Yet they could and would do the same to her. Something snapped at the thought the internal battle concluding. To hell with himself, if a demon was needed to protect Cailey then he would cross the line in the darkness and taint his soul with blood.

With a sneer he unsheathed the blades and struck....
_______

....the water splashed to no avail. He hissed a curse to Nepheli. No matter how hard he scrubbed the blood refused to come off. It was as if the dead refused to let go. Damn it....his thoughts returned to the blood filled room and his actions. He cough and lunged for a bush.

Nothing came as he dry heaved. He had already spilled his stomachs contents throughout the forest. He tried to meditate to find balance and yet every time he closed his eyes he saw that dead girls horror struck face as she had awakened before the blade had cracked open her skull.

"I had a feeling I would find you here." Berak whispered from nearby. Drice whipped his mouth with his bare arm his steined shirt and cloak he had left somewhere. "You are so much like him. I had a feeling but now I truly understand."

"I am weak." Drice whispered.

Berak shook his head and reached into his pocket producing a small flask which he held out to him. "Drink it will help you will find."

Drice wavered and took the flask. Unscrewing the top he held it to his lips and took a gulp feeling the cool liquid burning his throat. Yet he felt his nerves calming as he drank more. "Life is not fair, it is not good or evil. It is simply what you make of it boy. Sometimes you have to choose the best of two wrongs or sometimes worse. You could have let those two live. That was a choice. But they would have died eventually. Your failure would have killed you. And by your death who would protect your sister."

Drice cringed at that thought. "The moment we are born we begin to die. Remember that boy because that is our true power. The reality of death, to understand it and to face it not to run. Your father had an attachment to your mother. In so doing he made enemies powerful enemies. Those enemies sent him to his death. Your father was sent on a suicide mission that he accepted gracefully to protect you both. Did you know that your blades were the first to ever touch the emperor?"

Drice froze. That was how his father had died. He had been sent to assisinate the emperor? They had touched him which meant that his father had nearly succeeded....he licked his lips realizing what Berak had not said. Understanding all to well and now everything made sense. Gavin had been that enemy, Gavin had killed his father. Now he was being angled into an impossible position because of Cailey.

"You are not weak boy, if anything you are powerful. Despite your feelings despite it all you over came them and carried out your duty. You are truly Deishein, I feel sorry for any who truly threaten you or those you care about but you must be careful. We are going to war boy, and anything can happen now."
_____

"I said we are here." Cailey repeated snapping Drice out of his thoughts. She looked warrily upon him but he dismissed it with a wave of his hands.

"Are you sure?" he whispered wondering why the past had suddenly come to him. Then again he had been running from it for so long sometimes you just had to face it. Cailey grinned and rolled her eyes as if suggesting that she was wrong was one of the dumbest things he had ever said. She was right though he was distracted if she could sense people nearby then were here.

"I think its time for one of my surprises." she countered. He wanted to ask her what she was talking about but stopped. Her eyes glazed over as she worked her spell. A soft trickle of green light rose from the ground beneath her feet swirling around her body as it rose. The light flashed around her and then split off. Drice was the first to receive Nepheli's blessing. The green light struck him and the hair upon his neck rose as a cold shivered through his spine, replaced by a sudden summer warmth. He felt the fatigue leave his body, leaving him feeling rejuvinated. He waited to see the reaction as the spell struck the others.

ooc: The spell is like a six pack of red bull you will feel wide awake and full of energy for a little whilie :-)

ic: Upon completing the spell he watched his sister carefully. She wavered slightly the recoil effect of the energy it had cost her but she smiled. "Chenkari." she chanted. The orbs of light burst from her fingertips focusing to the size of fireflys and swirled around her.

"I think we are ready." Drice announced raising the Kamir. Peace or no he had a feeling he was going to be earning his spot amongst the crew today. "Lead the way and everyone keep your guard up." he said to the local as he pushed through the foliage to look upon the village.

"Remember what I said Cailey."

"This might be fun." she said behind a mischevious smile.

Amateira picked up the final Fire stone, there were nearly a dozen in her bag made of grasses weaved by her own hand. She glanced around at the mountain top and down into the crusted over crater that was the actual volcano. There would be a dozen more stones in the next few months if Tau'weke blessed them. Amateira examined the glossy stones in her bag, these too would go to Pukai as with all the other stone collected recently.

If she didn't return soon Pukai would send hunters after her, she wouldn't be treated too well either. Did the people not notice the changes? It seemed so sadly, but there was little a single priestess could do. Even her connection with Tau'weke was weakened. One hand went to the Fire stone hanging from a leather cord around her neck just to feel that her god was still there. A surge of energy went through her re-vitalising her tired limbs.

Return... the words seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Amateira looked up at the tropical blue sky for a few seconds raising her hand against the bright morning sun. She noticed a ship crashed on the southern beach. What is going on? she thought as she began her slow decent down the steep mountain back to the village. Surefootedly she recklessly ran down the hill as something urged her legs onward.

Nearly to the bottom she stumbled and rolled the rest of the way down the hill, her body obtaining a few new bruises on the way down. She managed to hold on to the Fire stones though, and quickly stood brushing herself off. She resumed her walk to the village this time at a safer pace. It was a short walk from the base of the mountain to the village. on the way she encountered a village woman who looked a little edgy, a bag similar to Amateira's own was on her shoulder as she gathered herbs. "What is wrong Rendi?" Amateira asked the older woman in their native tounge.

"Strangers on the island, looking for help to leave again," Rendi spoke as if fearing for her life. Something seemed to be effecting all the villagers, making them paranoid.
"I shall find out for myself, Tau'weke's blessing be upon you faithful one," she said responding with the usual blessing that had always been second nature.

Continuing her journey with a little anger in her heart. Why hadn't Pukai sent for her? Or anyone else for that matter? She would have words with Pukai, for as a priestess she was entitled to speak before him, unlike most others men and women alike. Finally she reached the outskirts of the village, all felt uneasy and tense. Hurriedly she headed to the temple where the rotund Pukai would be sitting on his throne as usual.

Fire in her soul and anger in her mind she strode into the temple leaving the guards no time to announce her as was proticol. "Pukai, I call myself before you by right of Tau'weke and the heat of his fires I wish to speak with you," she announced from the entrance of the temple. Pukai looked up from whatever he had been doing. "Ah, I see you have Collected the Stones," he said ignoring her last comment. "I and Tau'weke thank you."
Amateira noticed he said I before Tau'weke as if he were more powerful.
"Why did you not summon me and the other priests and priestesses?" she asked him barely veiling her anger.

"Why should I? I am the Leader after all," he retaliated.
"Because you are not our god, Tau'weke is. He selected all of the Council to help you," she answered anger coming unveiled well and truly.
"Well Priestess of Tau'weke, they come now, with blades drawn and unholy intent," Pukai told her. "Will you defend me?"
"For Tau'weke, I will defend you. Not for you," Amateira responded still angry. She walked to a wall where a line of bows and bristling quivers sat in a rack.
"Priestess, the Stones?" said the powerful man. Amateira touched the bag protectively then tossed it to Pukai who stood and disappeared behind a doorway veiled by braided hair. Amateira continued string the bow and nocked an arrow. Pukai hadn't said how far away the enemy was. Why didn't he prepare the villagers for a fight?

The walk passed mostly in silence for Arlen, only breaking it to answer a direct question, or ask something errantly of Weka'u. No, for the most part his mind had reflected on the possibility that his memories would forever be stuck in his head, even if the knowledge had passed to weka'u somehow. Why can't I see anything important about their religion? he continued to ask himself. It was such an important piece to have missing from his puzzle. For these missing pieces Arlen found that Weka'u was a wealth of insight. Perhaps T'a'u'weke meant for him to work with Weka'u - that only with cooperation could they gain power over Pu'aki. Certainly, T'a'u'weke knew that Arlen had no wish of ruling any people. Even one with such lovely young women so scantily clad as these. With their honey-colored skin, Arlen had already started to crave the fruit their youth. With such a brief glimpse as he had had when they were first in the village.

His lewd thoughts were interrupted by Weka'u stopping. He pointed to the temple, as a view of it could barely be seen before entering town. A green light passed through the group, including Arlen. Fascinating and wonderful it was, when it sailed through his body. Something he had never had the pleasure of before. Better than any opium or canab. Better than any snuff or beetlenut. As the warming sensation replaced the shocking cold, his weariness seemed to be replaced with it as well. How sublimely charming...! His mouth opened ever so slightly in sweet release of his agonizing tiredness.

His eyes went to the young Drice and his sister. She looked slightly fazed, the source of the refreshment. Drice seemed used to such a thing, and wore the slightest smirk of amusement at the surprised looks amongst them all just as he raised his face mask. "Everyone keep your guard up," the young warrior said.

"I think you, my hashasim, will go to the temple," Arlen said, pointing to the way. "Your sister should come with us, I beleive. I doubt you'll want her to be in the danger you are likely to face up there... but that is up to her. We should split now, while we have the chance. Either way, Gabriel, Weka'u, myself, Kaltor, and Cyradis will go to Pu'aki. Sephara'na and Archamae, having the most tact in stealth among the remaining should move to the temple. I trust we should have the upper hand if Weka'u has the trust of the guard or not."

Arlen looked to Gabriel with a nod, "Captain, that is my advice, but the choice is yours, sir. Command as you wish." Something in Arlen had changed since his encounter. His life was not so happy anymore. He had seen much in the way of death from the eyes of the dying. As if he needed such reminders of undue carnage. How sadistic T'a'u'weke was in showing him such unnecessary things as that. Arlen supposed he knew the value of life previously. Now he had started to doubt such value, the way he saw men used as pawns by self-imposed gods, it seemed that it mattered not any longer. You were a pawn no matter what you did or didn't do who your served or didn't serve.

Arlen assumed this shift in Arlen's eyes would be seen by Gabriel. A man of his insights likely knew the knowledge that could be gained of a person through a glimmer in their eyes. A doorway to the soul.

Jade was sitting on the grass outside her home watching him working below in the paddock. It felt strange calling it her home. More correctly their home, she smiled at the thought of it. It had been many years since she could call a place home. After their parents had passed, far too early, Jasper and she had been moving around finding work where they could. It was here, in the inland city of Vishay, that she had found home in the shape of a man, Edric Worthingstone. When she first had met Edric she had never thought a man of his status would show her any notice. Lord Daron Worthingstone was his father and as the first son he was one day to inherit his father's estate, but meanwhile he had built himself a name as a well reputated horse breeder. At the moment he was working with a black foal, a gift to the new Lady Worthingstone. She was beautiful, but it would take weeks until he would let Jade ride her. Jade sighed.

"Stop sulking, sis," Jasper said as he had managed to walk up from behind without her noticing. She tilted her head upwards and gave him a warm smile. He had decided to stick around after the wedding. His given reason was to keep her safe, but she knew the real reason. He longed for a home, somewhere to belong, just as much as her. Here at the Worthingstone Manor they had that.

"Can you pinch my arm?" she asked him. "It feels like it is all a dream. A wonderful dream!"

Jasper looked away and mumbled:

"Sometimes you wake up."

"Well this is a dream I never want to wake up from!" Jade lifted her hand up in the air and waved it at Edric ignoring the warning tone in Jasper's voice. Her husband threw her a kiss in return.

----------------
<Wake up!> Jasper told her and Jade almost jumped. <No time for daydreaming now.>

Jade left her memories and returned to the present just in time to see the young girl working up some sort of spell. She could almost feel the air around her move and a chill ran down her spine just as the green light hit her. Warmth began to spread through her body as the full reaction to the spell hit her. She suddenly felt more awake and alert than she had ever felt before. Amazed she looked at Jasper, who didn't seem to have responded at all to the spell. He was occupied with watching the other with an intense look on his face.

"I'll be coming with you," Jasper said to Arlen. "And Jade with me." He shimmered slightly behind Jade, placing a protective hand on her shoulder as he faded out into nothing.

...

When one considers a place of study and knowledge, one does not picture the interior of the Kellei University. On the outside, the white marble finish and intricate, detailed carvings belied the almost gloomy, sparsely lit hallways. Most new students entered the University feeling more like prisoners than respected Kellan magi. To the world outside, the University was Kell's greatest accomplishment, and the traditional Rite of Attunement was something to be celebrated. Most senior students and graduates knew better.

Cyradis stood in the center of a circular room with a curious, sapphire blue backlight to almost every stone. A mystical sort of mist flowed directionless across the room; propelled by some unfelt wind. The young mage stood with her eyes closed and her fingers held together tip-to-tip just in front of her bosom. Around the room, hooded and cloaked Arch Mages began a chant that slowly rose into a crescendo. As they chanted louder, the mist thickened and the stones grew brighter. Louder still, Cyradis' fingertips began to turn white with the pressure she was forcing between them. The glow began to coalesce into the center of the room, gradually crawling up Cyradis' feet and legs until her whole body was glowing a prime blue. The chanters abruptly halted thier chorus and Cyradis' body was wrenched as every muscle tensed; causing her to lift into the air and throw her arms back while her back arched. To her, the painful lock felt to have lasted hours as the Attunement energy melded with her body.

After some time, she drifted gently to the groud and collapsed onto her hands and knees. When she looked up, she saw the proud face of the Kellei Magister, the head of the University and arguably the most powerful man in the world. It was said he could snap his fingers and change the color of the sky or erase a mountain. Cyradis hoped that was an exaggeration, but his confident smile swelled her pride slightly as she stood to face him and the now unhooded memebers of the ritual as thier equal.
___________________________________________________________________________

It was an odd feeling Cyradis had pushing through the jungle in her old battle gear. She thought it would feel... different; like revisiting her past. But instead, she only felt more at home. More like she should be wearing them and no longer have to worry about hiding who she was. Being an Arch Mage was something of which she was very proud, unlike most of her peers who viewed the University as nothing more than a military training camp. She had her reasons for leaving, and if Gabe saw that as some sign of her lack of duty, then he could remain all the more ignorant of her motivations for being here.

Her eyes strayed to the confidently marching captain of the Requiem Dawn. She saw a side of him no other crewmembers had seen before, except mabey Sephara. A side that, perhaps, made her view him much more differently than them. All thier past exploits seemed shone upon by a much different light knowing even the happy-go-lucky Gabriel Solomon had some demons of his own.

The group ground to a halt, presumably a safe distance from the native's village to prepare. Cyradis felt and odd pull of energy behind her and saw the all too young Cailey weaving a brand of magic completely foreign to Cyradis or the University. Cyradis was instantly awed and intrigued by the girl's talents. She found it fascinating that magic could not only be present at that scale in a girl her age, but also so differently woven and applied. The source of the magic - latent ley energy - was the same, but the method was altogether new.

"Remarkable..." the Kellan mage commented, giving Cailey an intrested gaze and warm smile, "You and I should talk some time. I think we could learn alot from each other." She said to Caily, curiously following the small balls of energy casually swirling about her. Cyradis winked at the girl as she turned away. A fallen branch caught her eye and she plucked it from the undergrowth. She felt somewhat naked without a staff to carry into battle, and while this was devoid of any magical focus, and nothing compared to the one she left behind, its mere presence should help her to combat any magic they may be faced with. She planted the butt of her newly comissioned battle staff into the ground and awaited the Captain's plan.

He breathed slightly, the feint aroma of roses twisting through his senses. He licked his lips unable to keep from glancing periodicaly at the young woman crouched beside him. Arieko was a stunning mix of graceful beauty wrapped in a deadly package. Long flowing auburn hair streamed down her shoulders. She was only slightly older then himself, however she showed that girls matured much faster. He flushed at the thought and tried to think of something else.

He caught the brief snicker and flushed worse realizing that she had noticed his attention...Two weeks into the war sitting on the front lines he didn't have time for this he had to focus. He was glad for the fog but was sure that it did not hide his awkwardness. For was un natural in the this time of year and rightfully so this was no natural fog. This had been called forth by the mages to cover their attack. Gavin had been smart and kept the fog going for several days to alay suspision.

In two weeks the Maktah had been busy. Although there were less then a hundred within the clan they had already removed every Emperial citizen from the Jelom territory. According to Berak the other clans had followed their lead although not nearly as ruthlessly. Gavin had wanted to anger the empire Drice was sure that they had done so. If the present of hundreds of ears and tongues of family members hadn't been enough, the staking of the 'others' upon the boundry must have sufficed.

Which led him to this position. Just beyond the tree line, less then a hundred yards stood the latest Emperial incursion within their lands. Once it had been deep rooted forest now it was a stripped field turning into an airstrip for their assault fleet. Well they would have to find another one after today. There were only a few vessels grounded at the moment it seemed to be primarily made up of the engineers and a large garrison to protect them as they prepared for the arrival fleet. Well this staging fleet was about to disapear.

"Wont be long." Arieko whispered, her breath warm upon the back of his ear. He felt his heart skip unsure of what to say. He nodded and thought he heard a snicker. He felt his face flush further. He focused on the airships and wondered if Cailey was with the Mage contingent that had accompanied him on this attack. She was powerful although young there was a good chance she was there. There weren't many Juvarian Mages and few that could be considered powerful.

His fingers touched the hilt of the twin blades. "May Nepheli guide my hand this night, may she allow me to appease her anger with Domion blood."

"Amen." Arieko finished. He had realized she had nocked her arrow until she released. He didn't how she could see in this mess but he heard a wet thunk as it made contact. "He's down. Let's move."

He paused as a fire fly gently swept passed and landed upon his shoulder. He frowned realizing it wasn't alive just a small speck of light. He nodded in understanding. Cailey was here. It was time to move. He stalked forward his heart barely skipping as the first airship exploded outwardly sending splinters of wood raining upon the garrison. Another breath and the second exploded in the same ferosity.

He hadnt realized that he was running his right hand up the twin blades flashing in the fog carving the unprepared soldier before he could scream. He raised the Kamir. "Kill em all." he hissed at Arieko. By the terrified screams that echoed through the field he wasn't the only one thinking those orders.
______

Cailey beamed proudly her face flushed. Drice rolled his eyes. "...Of...course." she stammered to the mage. He was sure that his sister had been waiting for an excuse to talk to her. He understood though. He couldn't help her with magic. It was like a bird talking to a cat about flying just wasn't going to really understand. He moved foward and stopped as Cailey squeezed his hand.

"I don't trust him." she whipsered eyes on Arlen's back. "He acts like we are pieces to his game and I do not think he would hesitate to throw us away when it suits him." Drice nodded his own assesment of the man were earily similar. "I will stay with the others but I can sense a large mass of power in that temple."

He nodded. There was nothing left to say to that. He had crossed his blades with magic before and it had not ended well. "I will be careful."

"And I will be there with you." she winked and moved away though she kept a few feet distance from Arlem.

He knew Cyradis was powerful or at least Cailey was sure of it. He knew nothing of the other except she carried herself with a lethal grace that demanded respect. Gazing down at the temple he noticed the lack of guards placed outside. That didn't bother him the locals seemed rather skilled at concealment. He was sure that they were down there, as long as he fought with that perspective he wouldn't be surprised. "I will go first and get their attention. While I distract them you two make your move. Cailey said there are magic users. I will leave them to you but if you notice something call out the target and I will act accordinly."

It didn't occur to him until after he spoke and began to walk away that he had just dictated orders to crew that obviously out ranked him. Well he was Maktah and unless he missed a beat that didn't have this sort of experiience.

OOC: To clarify, the village is a standard islander type village. Huts everywhere and one big hut belonging to Pu'aki. The temple is actually on the side of the volcano and has access to the underground tunnels the magma flows through. So, no temple in the village. Most of the priests or shamans stay in huts near the temple on a terraced ledge.

IC: The walk from their stranded ship through the jungle to the tribal village gave Gabe plenty of time to play out every possible scenario of the coming confrontation that he could conjure. Everyone seemed to be in a ponderous mood, and any conversation was kept short and quiet, as if by their words alone they would somehow compromise their plans.

They stopped just on the outskirt of the village and huddled together. Most of the crew looked to him to divulge the plan at that point, but he had a smaller goal to accomplish first. Even as shifted from him to each other in slight concern, he stayed quiet. Over the pas several days they had taken on a bunch of new faces, and their ways were as much a mystery to him as the location of Shandalaar. One thing he'd learned early on as a First Mate was that sometimes you learned more about people when you stayed quiet and watched.

It was obvious that some of the newer hands were perhaps a little too eager to jump into action. Those who had served with him for some time were the ones who remained quiet, waiting to here his decision. Even Cyradis, who was must have been harboring some resentment after his outburst, still remained loyal and willing to follow his lead.

It wasn't surprising when Arlen and Drice stepped to the forefront to provide guidance. Arlen at least had the decency to ask for his approval afterwards, whereas Drice seemed ready to take charge of the situation and had already barked out his tactical orders. Between the two he'd take Arlen to keep around. Drice seemed like a loose cannon and possibly even a self-centered man, although it was hard to be sure of that last one. Gabe cast a glance in Cailey's direction. He surmised that the warrior's selfishness had been born out of good intentions, but it's hard to be a team player when you are only concerned about two people on the team.

"I will go first and get their attention. While I distract them you two make your move. Cailey said there are magic users. I will leave them to you but if you notice something call out the target and I will act accordinly." He started to walk away, but only got a few steps.

"No," the command was stern. "Thank you for your suggestion Drice, but I have no intentions of fighting the entire village." Weka'u nodded in agreement, reaffirming he would not support any attacks on his tribe.

"Listen closely people. No one harms the villagers. We're here to confront Pu'aki, draw his corruption into the open, and remove him as chief if he does not voluntarily step down," He looked at Weka'u again for resasurance, who nodded in agreement.

"We go into the village behind Arlen and Weka'u - no weapons or hostilities of any kind," he snapped a look at Drice to make sure he understood. "The goal is to bring the truth to light in front of the village. Weka'u will be a strong voice, but many still may not believe our accusations. We must draw Pu'aki into attacking us first. Everything relies on that."

"And what if you can't provoke him Gabe?" Kaltor challenged him, "What then? Weka'u here gets exiled or worse and we probably end up as sacrifices to T'a'u whatever and get thrown into that volcano," he pointed over his back with his thumb.

Gabe stared back with eyes of ice, "We attack his ego. Men like Pu'aki can't help but demonstrate their power."

"I don't know, I mean, I think Drice might have the right of it," the pirate continued, "They have sticks and stones. Their priests can probably be checked by the mages here. Why not just go in and take what we need. Less risk to us," he crossed his arms as he stood up straight.

Gabe quickly pulled his pistol from his side and leveled it at Kaltor, "If that's how you really feel I can repay that debt I owe you now," he cocked his eyebrow suggestively.

Greycloak just rolled his eyes, "You always were a touchy one," he raised his hands in surrender, "Fine, no hurting the village folk."

He lowered his weapon, "We aren't a bunch of murderers and thieves. Anyone who crosses me on this had better be comfortable here, cause you aren't coming with us," this time it was Sephara who crossed her arms behind Gabe. They all knew that going against him meant going against her as well.

He holstered his pistol and continued, "Cyradis, Cailey, I don't know what kind of firepower this guy might have, but we'll need you to be ready to block anything he throws our way. Can you access your power without drawing attention or looking suspicious?"

The two mages nodded at each other, "Can do."

"I'd venture if their God is a Volcano spirit, he'll be using some kind of fire magic. Once he attacks us, Weka'u, you declare that it is a sign from T'a'u'weke that he stopped us from being harmed because we speak the truth. The goal is to create confusion. The villages won't know what to think, and we capitalize on that. Once Weka'u declares Pu'aki unfit to be Chief and tells us to move, then we move, and not before. Try not to kill any of Pu'aki's followers. They probably don't have a clue as to what he's doing. After we've secured the village my hunch is he'll flee to the temple where Weka'u says he has the support of the priests. Ideally, I'd like to isolate Pu'aki before he can get there, but with the village right against the base and the side of the volcano wide open there's no place to set an ambush. So we chase him down. If he gets to the temple, target him as best you can. A man with that much to lose will fight to the bitter end, but once he's gone, any of his follower will be more inclined to see the light."

Gabe took a deep breathe and let the air fill his chest. "Very well. Let's get this over with and get the hell out of this place. Arlen, Weka'u... you lead the way."

Arlen's eyebrow raised at the comment about murderers and thieves. In actuality, from the looks of it, that is exactly what many of them indeed were. Despite that, Gabriel himself is not in either profession - presently. He'd get to the heart of it someday, but not today. Gabriel gave his plan away and Arlen felt satisfied with it all. All except one bit he would keep to himself for now. Let him run to his associates the priests, he won't make it far.

Arlen nodded and waved the Captain be beside Weka'u and slightly ahead of himself. He nodded to Weka'u and the trio stepped forward. Arlen and Gabe both unfastened their weapons and the later handed them to Sephara. A passing branch caught Arlen's eye as acceptable as they passed and hung his weapons - quiver, machete, and bow - on it. Weka'u, obviously, kept his own in his hands. He had nothing to fear.

"Don't forget to hand Captain Gabriel something to fight with, Weka'u," Arlen grinned, the other accepting the comment with a smirk. He would at that. As they led ahead of the group and broke the jungle, two guards of the village stood, and saw that it was Weka'u and their previous visitor Arlen, who is accepted among them as part of the tribe for now. Arlen would use that to his advantage.

Something else caught his mind and attention as they walked ahead, many more stares today in doubt and fear than ever previously on this crew. They were at a tipping point on this knife edge. The role of ambassador is a precarious one. For who is his master? His selfish nature? Perhaps the multi-planar being possessing his mind? Or is it the mortal Captain who holds the measure to allow or bar his departure from this accursed place? I must affix my place in the Captain's heart now yet again. I have no aspiration to rule his ragged crew or patched vessel. I wish only my life to continue unabated...

"All except one thing my Capitahn," he said, the last word accented with a strange tongue. "With how miss Cyradis... With how The Great Archmage of Kell: Cyradis, rather, has some unique geomancy on her side, perhaps she could embellish a bit, being near the volcano as we are, to strengthen our points. Unfortunately, she seems out of earshot. Hopefully you have some... secret communication methods with Sephara or our Archmage?"

Arlen held his finger up as well, "I still suggest that Drice's better qualities rely on stealth and he would be masked quite thoroughly up to the treeline and beyond to the temple."

His suggestions were far past their point of usefulness, being separated as they were from the rest of them. Yes, they could turn and signal or speak, but that would be foolhardy. What if someone happened to know a bit of common like Weka'u?

"Know that I would never contradict you, my dear Captain. I might be bold because my life is mine to keep or lose at the moment, but the responsibility of leadership is yours. No, thank you but no thanks... I am a thinker, not a leader. Just ask my people, if even one remains until now." Something caught his eye as he made his place in his crew clear to Gabriel, a woman with a bow. There wasn't much interesting about her except for the look on her face and the stone around her neck. "I am right. A young priestess at Pu'aki's threshold."

"Amateira, what are you doing?" Weka'u called out from afar. The woman was beneath him and would listen, if she knew what was good for her. There was no reason for her as a priestess to even hold the bow, but he knew she learned the arts of the hunt from childhood. Fascinated as she was with the physical and spiritual. "Put down that toy! You plan to supplant me? We have guests! One of which is now, as you should know, part of this tribe! Picked by T'a'u'weke himself!"

Her grip relaxed while the concern in her eye remained. The trio walked through the village and eyes stayed fixed upon them. Gabriel was a newcomer to them. Much was unspoken after their previous visit, or rather, unexplained.

"Where is Grandfather Pu'aki?" Weka'u asked. "These men wish to ask him a question. Is he at the temple?"

"No," the command was stern. "Thank you for your suggestion Drice, but I have no intentions of fighting the entire village."

Drice froze and turned slowly to face the captain. So now he finally chose to speak? Anger burned beneath his eyes. He had only taken charge because to this point leadership seemed to have disolved. No one had wanted to take the mantle, and regardless of what the captain said Drice had no qualms about killing when it was needed. They weren't murderers and thieves? He wanted to laugh, in a way that was all he was now.

He glanced to the right and caught Cailey's eyes and gulped. No he wasn't that. He was...he didnt know what he was anymore and that was the problem. Cailey looked knowingly at him as if she saw through him and into his thoughts. "Its okay." she mouth silently.

He unhooked the Kamir letting the veil hang loosely around his neck in a solemn gesture. He didn't like the plan, disagreed with it completely but he would do what he was told. But there would be a talk later. One that he wasn't looking forward too.

As the crew moved to follow the Captain's orders Cailey slipped beside him while they walked. "It's not your fault." she whispered. "Its not your fault I got hurt, in a way its not these villagers fault either."

He cringed realizing the truth of the what she was saying. He had allowed his anger to cloud his judgement anger at letting her getting harmed, anger at these people for showing how weak he was that he could not defend his sister from everything. He swallowed and let it go trying to find the peace in the void of his emotions. "I'm sorry."

Cailey snickered. "I know you far better then they do brother. I know that you were just trying to look out for everyone. You and the captain are alot of like when you think about it. You were putting all the risk on yourself and limiting to the others."

"His plan puts us all at risk. He puts you at risk."

Cailey nodded. "Life is risk, you taught me that."

Cyradis was happy to be moving. The group was largely silent during the walk through the jungle, and it was refreshing to hear someone give some suggestions. Cyradis found it somewhat odd that Arlen would suggest a tactic involving violence. She always thought he was more of a relaxed fellow. Then again, she thought that of Gabe as well. She was compelled to wonder how many others were as mysterious as these two.

She looked first at Drice. Everything about him seemed like a clever disguise. As if he were trained to always be not what he seemed. Hashasim was the word Arlen used. She had heard it before, but like most who know the word, they know even less about the people it describes. Cailey - certainly his sister or other close relative - was still very interesting to Cyradis. Despite all she must have gone through, she still maintained a certain innocense while seeming to be completely unafraid even knowing they were walking into a situation that could very well be deadly if handled wrong.

Next, her eyes found Jade. She'd been on the crew for a little less than two weeks and had already experienced their worst run of luck to date. Cyradis knew very little of her, but her connection to the spiritual world seemed strong indeed. It's not your average shaman who can not only summon, but maintain the spirit of her brother in the mortal world for such a long time. Perhaps she was unaware of her connection, and merely thought it some other supernatural work at play. In any case, it was her physical and life force that kept her brother anchored.

Finally her eyes found Archamae. Diliberately last, perhaps, but Cyradis wasn't certain she was quite ready to face her. Logic told her Archamae was not her enemy. the pilot knew she was a Kellan long before Cyradis knew of her Dominion ties. If she were a zealot, Cyradis would have been killed in her sleep or poisoned or some other indirect method of death months ago. No, instead, Archamae choose to get to know Cyradis, recently anyway. She asked about Kell and about Cyradis' childhood; not question likely asked by one's enemy. Despite at all that, though, there was still a part of Cyradis that blamed all Dominions for thier nation's unprovoked attack. Guilty by association, as it were. And that part of Cyradis' psyche was very difficult to ignore. Eventually she'd have to talk to Archamae again, but for now, for the sake of her own sanity, they would remain silent.

"All except one thing my Capitahn. With how miss Cyradis... With how The Great Archmage of Kell: Cyradis, rather, has some unique geomancy on her side, perhaps she could embellish a bit, being near the volcano as we are, to strengthen our points. Unfortunately, she seems out of earshot. Hopefully you have some... secret communication methods with Sephara or our Archmage?"

The mention of her name pulled her attention to the trio leading them the last few hundred feet to the village center. Cyradis gave an annoyed look to Arlen's back, "Barring the mystical and difficult task of simply saying 'Now,' my scruffy friend, I would not suggest meddling with such a powerful natural force, especially if the source of the island's power if from within the volcano." She spoke jsut above a whisper to not attract too much attention to her words from the locals. "That is, unless you prefer your undergarments in the burning and melting style." Cyradis rolled her eyes at the undoubtedly amused grin Arlen now wore, "And if you insist on attaching titles to my name," she added, "then the only applicable one is my rank: Vehir."

Cyradis cleared her mind and took a deep breath as Weka'u stopped before a large, importaint-looking hut; likely the island's center of government. Gripping her makeshift staff, Cyradis concentrated on the island's magical presence. She could sense the presence of the rocks Weka'u spoke of, but the strength of thier power was still hard to tell. She would likely only know once the stones were used against her.

OOC: Vehir would be something equivilent to a Captain in today's ground military.