Tenth Month of 1,266
- Two days passed while we made sure I was fully recovered from my injuries. There was always someone from the wing with me, and K’brin happened to be in the room when we heard loud noises coming from the street outside. There were drums and many raised voices. Looking out, I witnessed dozens of townspeople, all conspicuously wearing something red. Many were shouting “Victory!”
- In Satacam, red means greed or anger.
- We learned there had been a falling star and went to a bonfire that had been constructed.
- We came across Jianya, accepting Temple donations in a bowl, gold coins stamped with a leaf symbol.
- She explained that Shia was one of the 10 daughters of the great Emperor Chijun. Stars are dragonfire, visible signs of the fight of Shia and her chosen dragonriders against demons. Once a demon is defeated, it plummets to the earth below. This happens once or twice a year and is cause for celebration.
- K’brin wondered if anybody had ever gone to find one of the fallen stars, and made plans to locate and investigate it.
- While talking with Jianya, K’brin asked her about other Crossings. Did she know if there had been any from lands beyond Sakaria, or even from other worlds? She didn’t know the answer and seemed a bit surprised by the question, but said she would try to get some answers. She was curious herself.
- After a while of people-watching with L’nos, he, V’dos, and ‘Mala went off to check on the dragons.
- I stayed up late, enjoying being outside and observing the goings on, eventually falling asleep late that night. I was awakened the next morning by a dragon screaming in primal rage and quickly became aware that Selenath was rising to mate! A panic I hadn’t felt in Turns came over me. I had completely forgotten that it was her time of the Turn. We had been so busy since arriving in Thusdo that it completely slipped my mind.
- Two foreign browns pursued her, which didn’t thrill me, and as a blue, Senranth wasn’t confident about going up against them. I did all I could to ensure he was the victor, which he was after a short chase. One brown in particular didn’t take the loss well I’m told (I was otherwise occupied), and tried to break up our dragons in the act. Valenth and Borheth had to scare him off.
- Before it was time to head back to Thusdo, I got a gift for Lord Busaba, to thank him for what he did to get the Elixir of Shia. Nothing elaborate, given the situation, but a nice bottle of alcohol and one of the wood-carved dragons I had made back home. I also planned to go to a Temple to thank Shia, which apparently would involve me pledging to make a sacrifice of some sort. I resolved to find someone to help every day for a sevenday.
- Back at Thusdo, K’brin and I received an invitation to dine with Warlord Kriang, where he presented us with a fancy box with mother of pearl inlay. Within was a sight that almost took my breath away – 24” long saiyena feathers, the last item we needed to make the Elixir of Two Moons. They had been obtained in the Xalvet Forest outside the city of Bakran in Terenmor.
- We had everything. There was an odd mix of feelings swirling within me – relief, hope, disbelief, and even sadness. In the course of chasing this goal, Faranth’s Wing had set off a new rebellion, made an alliance with the Chingfa, learned dragon combat, and experienced so many things that would forever set us apart from our fellow Pernese. Our mission may have been to get the ingredients for the Elixir of Two Moons when we started, but I didn’t think it would ever be truly over.
- Almost in a daze, we said our thanks and met up with the rest of the Wing in the common room to celebrate. The mood was upbeat and everyone’s relief was palpable, though I could tell K’brin was somewhat “harpering” it. He had a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders and I didn’t doubt he was already thinking several steps ahead. I let myself get swept away by the giddy mood. We had worked hard for this.
- The next morning, our Kirengari uniforms were delivered with a special patch on the left arm symbolizing our alliance. We were given the rank of Diplomats of Chingfa.
- Before we departed Sakaria, we wanted to visit Ruxon to either find Findmar or at least leave him a message letting him know what the Kirengari were willing to do for those involved in the rebellion. Our window to return home was growing dangerously short, so we had to move quickly. We left very early in the morning to best avoid detection. Two Kirengari came with us, Shing and Dusadi, who had been part of the group learning to go between. They would be able to help smooth out any issues that we might encounter on the way.
- Landing in Ruxon, we were met by a fairly timid and cautious headman who introduced himself as Constable Wicklamar, or “Wick”. K’brin introduced himself as Commander Keb, which I thought was a clever adaptation of his own name so as to not invite questions.
- K’brin said we were looking for someone to question about an aspect of history, and also to buy some Ruxon Spar. I could see why the Spar was something they could support themselves with. It changes color in the sunlight and fluoresces a bit. I bought a few small things to give out as gifts back home, since it wasn’t anything that would scream “this is from another world”.
- Wick directed us to the home of an educated man in Shanty Town, whom he mentioned was doing the best he could but had a lot of troubles. The man who answered the door was wearing armor that had obvious wear on it, as well as odd marks. He was Guladir, and by his looks, he was clearly Mayor Izhora’s son. His brother, Krazmir, ran Shanty Town.
- After K’brin introduced himself and said he was looking to leave a message for Findmar, Krazmir yelled at K’brin that he had “brought the Wrath of Mirstone” upon them. He was clearly very angry over the events that ended with him and his brother fleeing Woodgate. I could understand that.
- He did share that Findmar was travelling to Capella under the assumed name of Loranus with a woman, Shindra the Galatian Lorekeeper, who was going by the name Avalona. They were posing as historians from Camben College. With that, Krazmir all but shoved us out the door.
- Guladir ran to speak with us after we left and asked for a favor. He handed K’brin a ring and triquetra broach and asked that if we went back through Woodgate, we would bury his mother’s wedding ring and the broach that Thydee had given him. K’brin agreed.
- Our next stop was the Lindley Observatory, situated on Malven Peak. K’brin had some questions about the Three Sisters. The Observatory was a small, single story brick building with a six-story tower. We were met by a man who introduced himself as Director Tormoros. He was in his late 50’s or 60’s with bushy eyebrows, calloused hands, and a coat with fur around the neck. He smelled of tobacco smoke.
- I went off to speak with the farmer stationed there about herbalism and other related topics after befriending a canine named Dash that lived at the Observatory.
- K’brin and ‘Zana peppered the locals with queries about the Three Sisters. Beyond being stationary “satellites” and having lots of mythology surrounding them, not much was actually known. Dragons and firelizards can see them from anywhere because of a strange light they give off, which humans can’t see.
- Tormoros mentioned the phenomenon known as “the spectres” that could be seen at the Observatory. They appear at true dawn in thick fog. I had been intrigued by the spectres since Findmar mentioned them when we first came to Woodgate, though they were supposed to be a bad omen. We’d seen so many unusual things with no logical explanation since coming here, I could lose myself in trying to figure them all out.
- Incredibly early the next morning, we did indeed see them. Emerging out of a fog, we saw the spectre of a man with a dragon behind him. I got nothing from them when I used my Talent, not that I had really expected to.
- Our dragons began to play with the other spectre dragons, which numbered the same as our dragons, a fact I felt was not a coincidence. When I asked Selenath what she felt, she said “they don’t talk to us” and seemed confused about what happened after the sun came up and the spectres disappeared.
- It was quite the sight, and I was glad I got the chance to see them before we left for home.