Fallenreaper

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"I pray to Dami I'm doing the right thing."

The Rise and Fall of the White Beast

Roslyn could see the jaws of death approaching her before... Suddenly she appeared on the deck of a ship. Her elbow itched as she fell onto her knees. There was a roar of cheers then a rush of feet, men scrambling to join the fight.

"Well, never thought I see an angel drop into our midst. Especially in such a pretty pose." Roslyn looked up with a frown. An average looking Enthish man with messy brown hair and grey eyes offered her a hand. "Need help? Name's Diggory, what's yours?" Roslyn gritted her teeth then then took the offer. "Roslyn. Where's the harpoons? By now, Taleja's message had reached their ship.

"Being loaded. I suggest we see how the beastie likes being on a leash with a bigger ship." The man chuckled. Roslyn had been about to say something when she realized what he meant. "That's... Not a bad idea actually."

She grinned then used kinetic to boom her voice to the Heraldik för Fiskar and others nearby. "Hey, I have an idea! We'll tether the Heraldik to the beast's carapace. If we target that area, maybe we can weaken it enough for you to pull off a piece. It will expose the flesh underneath."

Once she heard agreement to it, the men swayed their ballistas about. One at the monster and the other at the Heraldik. Once she spotted a sizeable crack in the beast's body, Roslyn screamed. "Fire!" Her kinetic magic poured into the harpoons to guide them to their targets.

When the ship moved, Roslyn's balance failed. Her feet skidded across the water soaked deck and she plowed right into Diggory. The Enthish man grunted as he stopped them both from going overboard. Others weren't so lucky. Roslyn spotted the cap of a flush faced captain before he fell into the water, screaming his lungs out. She rushed to help, but Diggory stopped her. "You should heal that."

"I'll be-, " Roslyn hissed in pain trying to pull her arm from his gasp, "fine. "

That wasn't true. Diggory sighed deciding he needed to do some drastic measures. His free hand suddenly grasped the splinter's end. "Sorry, luv but some times you need to know when to pull it out!"

Without warning, he ripped out the debris. Roslyn's eyes widened in shock. Blood leaked freely from her side as instinct overwhelmed her selflessness, her hand reached to clutch her side. She counted the seconds then inhaled, focusing on healing herself.

As Roslyn finished stitching her skin together, she seemed all right for now. The men had started to file into order as the first mate barked orders. The girl's eyes turned to the towering waves of water and ice barreling at them. Her breath stuck in her throat before she spotted the a possible path through the waves. "Wait, I think I see a path through the waves." She start to point, but the first mate shook his head.

"No," His voice growled as he turned his head to face her, "Ya done enuff. Now make yorself useful or keep outta of the way, girl!"

Roslyn's teeth gritted tightly. She reached for the wheel only to be shoved back. "By the Hells, stubborn wretch aren't cha?"

"Yeah, I am." Pouring chemical magic into her veins, she increase her strength. She managed to rip the wheel to the side, redirecting their course to the path she spotted earlier. She prayed this wouldn't end up killing them.

The two struggled. Roslyn's hard twist of the wheel caused the ship to veer toward the ice, sending the captain down on one knee. Quickly she stepped closer to the helm and squinted ahead. Ahead the sounds of ice rumbled and cracked apart. The path she spotted earlier came into view immediately. With a exhale of relief, Roslyn smiled. It was short lived when she felt herself jerked from the wheel. Diggory and an almost identical man gripped her tightly as she yelled. "Let go, please! There's a path there, I swear it!"

The sensation of metal pressed into the small of her back. Diggory's lightheartedly chuckled. "I love it when they get feisty. However, you need to settle down. Strong as you are, I doubt you can handle a shot from ol' reliable at point blank range."

Gradually, the captain rose to his feet and towered over her. Roslyn gritted her teeth and glared back at him. His mouth opened...

CRAAACK! Everyone's eyes turned to spot the earlier path abruptly blocked by ice. Silence fell on the crew.

"Bwhahaa..." Diggory laughed, the rest rumbling afterwards with a few mocking comments. Roslyn's arms were released and Diggory holstered the pistol. "Seems she saved us from being crushed. So now what?" (edited)

She took a deep breath. Her eyes flickered to the unconscious Thresher as the ships closed in on it, most of them ready to kill it. For a moment, questions poured into her mind. She wanted to do the right thing, but what was that? Did it matter? Was this going to end up like Vossoriya again? Where they going to leave the place worse than when they arrived? Could they fix it if they did?

"IThe two struggled. Roslyn's hard twist of the wheel caused the ship to veer toward the ice, sending the captain down on one knee. Quickly she stepped closer to the helm and squinted ahead. Ahead the sounds of ice rumbled and cracked apart. The path she spotted earlier came into view immediately. With a exhale of relief, Roslyn smiled. It was short lived when she felt herself jerked from the wheel. Diggory and an almost identical man gripped her tightly as she yelled. "Let go, please! There's a path there, I swear it!"

The sensation of metal pressed into the small of her back. Diggory's lightheartedly chuckled. "I love it when they get feisty. However, you need to settle down. Strong as you are, I doubt you can handle a shot from ol' reliable at point blank range."

Gradually, the captain rose to his feet and towered over her. Roslyn gritted her teeth and glared back at him. His mouth opened...

CRAAACK! Everyone's eyes turned to spot the earlier path abruptly blocked by ice. Silence fell on the crew.

"Bwhahaa..." Diggory laughed, the rest rumbling afterwards with a few mocking comments. Roslyn's arms were released and Diggory holstered the pistol. "Seems she saved us from being crushed. So now what?"

She took a deep breath. Her eyes flickered to the unconscious Thresher as the ships closed in on it, most of them ready to kill it. For a moment, questions poured into her mind. She wanted to do the right thing, but what was that? Did it matter? Was this going to end up like Vossoriya again? Where they going to leave the place worse than when they arrived? Could they fix it if they did?

"I pray to Dami I'm doing the right thing. " Roslyn mumbled to herself as she gripped the helm. "I need to get a bit closer to the Thresher. I'm going to try and make it sleep drunk."

"Why would you do that?"

"Cause I'm not most powerful when it comes to magic. I know my limits so I aim to improvise. If I keep it asleep, it can't attack or move," Roslyn replied with surprising determination.

"And I thought I was crazy. Well, I'm loading the cannons for when this backfires on you." He turned away with orders to the crew. Roslyn sighed, then she continued to guide the Salty Swallow through the ice and waves. She closed her eyes and drew on what she could. When she got to the right position, she cast a spell she never thought she would use again. "Drunken hells."

Please... don't let this end in another disaster, she silently pleaded. " Roslyn mumbled to herself as she gripped the helm. "I need to get a bit closer to the Thresher. I'm going to try and make it sleep drunk."

"Why would you do that?"

"Cause I'm not most powerful when it comes to magic. I know my limits so I aim to improvise. If I keep it asleep, it can't attack or move," Roslyn replied with surprising determination.

"And I thought I was crazy. Well, I'm loading the cannons for when this backfires on you." He turned away with orders to the crew. Roslyn sighed, then she continued to guide the Salty Swallow through the ice and waves. She closed her eyes and drew on what she could. When she got to the right position, she cast a spell she never thought she would use again. "Drunken hells."

Please... don't let this end in another disaster, she silently pleaded.

When the massive arcane attacks connected with the beast, light filled the area. It burned Roslyn's eyes causing her to turn away. Sound became swallowed by the rippling boom that rocked the surrounding ships. Her hands seized the railing as she fought to stay on her feet. Gradually the ringing in the girl's ears began to die down and the shouts of sailors return. Her sight turned to the beast and its condition.

It was dead...

The Hourglass Order

Mahal Agha & Ren Baykara

---

---

Cast Away

Location: Upon the Altin Ogul

---

---

Mahal tensed when she was set to the side and sat down. The throbbing in her shoulder radiated in waves before growing numb. She turned her head to examine it. A purple ring formed about the joint. The young girl tried to flex her fingers, finding the movement delayed. She gave a frustrated snort at the injury.

A pair of footsteps approached her, drawing Mahal's eyes up. Before her stood a Virangish officer, no more than ten years her senior, with braided yellow hair. Her right eye had a patch on it alongside some burn scars. "Give me your arm."

Mahal stretched it out toward the binder. The woman took her time examining it then drew in energy from the ocean's kinetic power. Mahal felt her tendon start to tighten and reweave back to its original state. However, compared to Lunara's or other students, the process was rather slow. Her foot tapped impatiently on the deck while she waited.

Ren Baykara stood atop the deck and smiled at their progress. Volley after volley of cannon fire had come and been directed at mages on either side of the boat, and he'd played an ample part in that. He thought since the pink one had left that he'd be engaging in this battle alone, and that was more than fine for him, but two aces that he never saw came into play.

The first had been the locals. He'd never anticipated them to sally forth, and whether that was the work of the girl that had rallied the threshers, a desperate gambit for mercy or the work of the various students, it was a play that he hadn't seen coming. They'd handily occupied a good portion of the pirate forces, and it had saved him great effort by occupying the captain.

The other was this girl who'd come on the mission alongside him. Another student that was not cowardly had made her show in the battle and managed to single handedly sink an entire ship. It was a remarkable feat, and one that he definitely took notice of. After all, his attention was only half on the battle given victory was proving to be closer and closer at hand for Virang. He walked across the deck of the ship toward her, occasionally glancing down at her and the binder as he spoke in passing to her, occasionally directing his attention back to the battle at hand with massive magical draws and kinetic expenditure that was almost second nature to the man.

"I'd recognize that accent anywhere. You're from the colonies, aren't you?" he smirked, gaze pointedly on the enemy ship. After another volley and colossal expenditure of magic, he opened his mouth once more. "It's nice to hear. You've made your mark on the battlefield, I've just one question..." there was a pointed pause as his smile dropped into a cold look of contemplation, once again directed at the pirate ship. "Where are the others, and what are they doing?

Mahal's anxiety rose when she heard Ren Baykara's voice address her. Her jawline tensed against the fear tingling across her skin. Her mind cried for calm, but her heart rattled in her chest. She hated being trapped in place. At the mention of her origins, she nodded hoping he wouldn't question her more. The hope became shattered when he asked about the others.

There was a long pause before she found her voice. "If I had to guess, either protecting the ones that had to stay at camp or taking out other pirates."

She waited for his reaction. It was mostly the truth, but not the whole truth and she prayed he didn't examine it too deeply.

Ren grabbed his chin in contemplation of her words, only pausing on them for a brief moment before his focus was needed on the battle. It was normal for people to be nervous, or afraid in his presence, such was the life of a paradigm, but there was something unnatural to this that didn't quite add up. The battle was far away from the wreck and the natives had gotten involved on their own. He didn't feel particularly special magical signatures from that side of the battle, save for the captain who'd gotten directly involved in that matter.

A thought filled his mind: What exactly were they protecting people from? - but it didn't linger in the moment. If he wanted more direct answers, he'd find them himself, right after he'd dealt with the rabble that they'd left him to clean up. Only this girl and Raffaella had done anything of note to assist, and he'd make note of that. The rest of them would have to reward his generosity, because their mark could not be felt anywhere. After another brief bout of concentration, his eyes flickered towards her though his head remained facing the enemy ship.

"I've not seen the sign of another here aside from you and the pink one." there was a contemplation, before he turned toward her, standing maybe two steps from her and the binder that was still at work on her arm. "Why is it that you're trying so hard, and they're cowering away 'protecting' the others." His gaze was cold and calculating, evaluating every possibility, but the half-truth Mahal gave seemed to distract him from the potential reality.

Mahal became quiet again, weighing her words. Ren's presence suffocated her as he loomed closer, like a thresher stalking prey. Her eyes were mindful of his location at all times. Waiting for something bad to happen, but only more questions rose. Why did the group decide it was wise to let her go alone? Did they want her to die instead? She inhaled and pushed the painful possibilities away. She leaned on the cold, hard truth of her life: No one cared enough to save her.

The girl leaned on the numbness reality gave her. A defensive behavior that helped her survive through the hard and bitter times. When Lunara, Salim, or even her mother couldn't protect her.

"I wanted to prove I wasn't a coward. I felt... guilty for running away from the fight earlier. Not all of us made it to shore immediately." The lie felt heavy on her tongue while she still avoided eye contact. "Besides, what good is the weak getting in the way of the strong? Wouldn't any mistake allow the pirates to get through?"

Diyablos, sensing her fear and concern, began to crawl his way into her lap. Six of his eight tentacles curled underneath him while the other two began to play with her free hand to distract her.

Ren clicked his tongue, audible even through the volleys of cannons and crashing ocean waves. His eyes looked at her and then at the cephalopod, and there was a hint of disgust in his expression. The weak gathered in packs, much like animals and for all her accomplishments, her reliance on another was a disappointment. As was her labeling the students as weak. A willingness to accept the status quo and simply allow others to guide their lives, was in his mind, pathetic.

"I'm here. No 'mistake' would have mattered, and you seemed to have dealt with an entire ship single-hande-" his words were interrupted by an incoming cannonball , one that came dangerously close to all four of them, that he deflected and plunged into the water. The earlier assaults hadn't allowed him to redirect it, but the more he'd been able to adjust, and the more the enemy had tired, the easier this had become. Still, it reminded him that he couldn't afford to become too lost in this conversation. "How do you feel about this? Shouldn't they be punished for leaving us Virangish to face such a threat alone?" a malicious grin took hold, as he turned his attention back to the battle.

Mahal let herself be distracted. The mention of weakness was supposed to explain their absence because she knew nothing better to say. This part wasn't covered in the plan that she could recall. Impulsively, her fingers tightened about Diyablos' tentacle for comfort. A flicker of anger brushed her fear when she spotted the disgust in his eyes. She swallowed it down as she let her indifferent mask fall into place. Upon hearing the whistling of a cannonball coming in, her head snapped upright. She pulled her pet behind her and went to deflect it. Ren reacted first. He batted it away like nothing causing her to lower back into her seat.

"I still got hurt." She commented over the unfinished mention of her strength. A subtle self loathing lingered in the tone. The words sounded like her father's and repeated enough that she believed it. "It shouldn't have happened."

Mahal took another breath. She caught the unsettling grin upon what could've been a handsome face, but she didn't react. "Truthfully? I'm not sure. What I thought never mattered before." She felt the healer pull her arm back. By now, she had run out of patience and jerked it away. Mahal rose back onto her feet and ignored any unhealed damage. "We need to focus on the fight first than the rest can be figured out afterwards."

There was no sympathy in his tone as he began to speak, simply a cold matter-of-factness to his words. "If you don't put worms in line, then you'll be left crawling around in the mud like the rest of them. You should know this, since you're from the colonies." he shook his head with a light chuckle. This girl wasn't the others. The pink one knew her role, and she'd swum away to avoid the danger, perhaps to rally the others or save her own skin. Either way, he respected her contribution. This one however, had come late but done much more. He wondered - perhaps - if there had been animosity that'd caused her to act, or whether she was simply crazy. His eyes met hers, searching for any sort of clue or indication, but all he saw was the blank, detached stare that he'd instilled in many. Was she...? Surely not. He looked back at the Blue Adam and continued speaking.

"You're a daughter of our illustrious nation. Act like it, as you have now, and make your voice matter, or sit in the sand like the rest of them." he spat out with a degree of disappointment as he continued his onslaught onto the enemy ship. The average person repulsed him, but the confusion of himself towards this girl who didn't even know what she was, or what she wanted made his skin crawl. It made him angry, even if he wouldn't admit it or show it. He wanted to see who was hiding behind that facade.

Mahal stood her ground when they made eye contact. It was hard not to react and only the numbness she built up around her kept her temper cool. She recalled Lunara hated when she distanced herself. Her eyes reflected something like a cold, dead thing staring back. His chuckle mocked her causing her fingers to curl into fists. Life sparked in the indifferent expression when her lips pressed together.

"I'm not a coward. I'm not going to sit on the sand and be... useless." She growled, forgetting who she was talking to.

For a moment after her words, there was silence aside from the battlefield. It hung over them for what felt like forever, even if it was only a minute in practice before his eyes shot her way again. Ren's expression was cold and his words offered no indication toward his feelings on her outburst. Inside however, was a simple feeling of excitement. He felt as if he was holding a blank canvas of anguish, and a paintbrush to craft a fine piece of work.

"Prove it to them, then."

Mahal ground her teeth when another deafening boom echoed across the skies. Her eyes lifted and spotted the incoming volley of shots from the Blue Adam. Their brief pause had been noticed as the pirates took advantage of it. Without a word, Ren turned away and drew. Mahal rushed to the far edge of the deck when the man deflected the iron balls whistling toward them. Her eyes narrowed on the two farthest out. Using her magnetic, she gasped two of them. She whipped her arm backwards causing them to reverse back along the path they came from. One clipped the deck before sailing into the water. Another had others rush to stop it before it smashed into the mast. Mahal cursed in her native tongue. This was pointless and if this kept up, she wouldn't last long even with her temper.

It was then her eyes noticed something sticking out of the pack mounted on Ren's slave. A long bow. Mahal quickly removed it alongside a few arrows. She prayed to her ancestors that neither the slave or Ren would notice its absence.

Meanwhile, the men on the ship prepared a return wave of their own. She took a moment to glance at the bow she had 'burrowed'. The pale white limbs with simple engravings looked more decorative than functional. The origins were Nikanese making it different from the short range tribal bows she usually wielded. Mahal made a few tense pulls to analyze the strength needed quickly. Just before the men lit the fuses, she notched an arrow and waited to pull. Her mind ticked down the moments as she worked in sync with their movements. By the time they lit the fuses, she had pulled it back and whispered a spell. The tip caught fire seconds before she released it. Aiding it with her kinetic, she guided it to its target.

A single fire couldn't be seen among the darkened shapes of the retaliation sailing through the night.

When it sank into the deck, the flames erupted along the drier parts of the wood quickly. Mahal’s eyes flicked with excitement at the sight of her magic enhancing the flames. The smoke sent the pirates scrambling to put the flames out before it consumed the ship. She aimed at the opposite side when the next volley of cannons came. The iron in the canons drew her aim easily as another fire arrow thumped into the hull, flames licking up the side.

The first thing he noticed was the ship catching on fire, and he turned to see the cause of it. The second thing he saw was his bow in her hands. She’d taken something that was his, and normally, he’d deal with that instantly and severely. But there was merit to it - it had caused an advantage in the battle and he couldn’t help feeling ambivalence toward seizing the initiative. Instead of commenting on it, he chose instead to direct his frustration toward the Blue Adam. She would return it, after all.

The Hourglass Order

Mahal Agha

"Now, we have a ship to catch."

---

---

Cast Away

---

---

Drop Off

✧

When Raffaella indicated to stop, Mahal ceased her paddling and the boat became still in the water. The Palaparese girl glanced over her shoulder toward the battle. The ships seemed to be preparing for another round. Ignoring the conflict, she took a deep breath and looked back at Raffaella. The pink haired girl almost finished stepping off when Mahal spoke.

"Raffaella," She struggled with the words as they became thick in her mouth, "... don't cause trouble. I'll come back and get you when I'm done."

Not waiting to hear any response, Mahal increased her adrenaline. Her muscles snapped the paddles into motion and rowed toward one of the smaller pirate ships. One on the outer skirts of the conflict. She disappeared into the distance soon after.

Rough Seas

✧✧

Mahal's eyes constantly scanned the night for signs of trouble. Suddenly bubbles appeared ahead near her left. She veered the boat away when a small torpedo thresher surfaced. Its carapace glistening against the moonlight until it sank back down.

Mahal adjusted her small boat back on its original course. Gradually, her destination came into view. Nothing stood out-

Near her right, something rose from the water. Mahal jerked the dinghy to the opposite direction. Another thresher brushed its carapace against the side. The sudden sway knocked her from her seat. She slammed hard into the bench's edge and snapped her hands to silence her cry. Lungs flared with pain, her mind counting the moments.

One... the boat slowed its jousting.

Two... the rumbling sound faded.

Three... everything was quiet.

She inhaled and forced herself upright. Something wet and thin brushed her ankle causing her to pulled back. Mahal then spotted Diyablos slowly crawling out from underneath the bench. She picked him up and with a gentle reassuring tone, she soothed him. "You're fine. Now, we have a ship to catch."

Improvising an Entrance

✧✧✧

The smaller pirate ship loomed above her. Above her a man shouted orders while feet scrambled to obey. Portholes flipped open and cannons rolled out, repairs and preparations underway. The sails flapped in the breeze while ropes strained to hold them in place. Taking care to avoid attention, Mahal came to rest at the port quarter. She kicked off her shoes then began to cast skyward up.

She hovered close to the aft's edge and peeked over it. Most of the activity was either below deck or toward the bow. She took a calming breath only to feel Diyablos' tentacles tighten. Mahal dipped her fingers between his grip and her throat, loosening him. "Diyablos... calm down."

The octopus obeyed. She used that moment to lower down to a quiet porthole. She pulled out her dagger and slipped her arm through the gap between the frame and the cannon head. Focusing her kinetic energy into her strike, she severed the thick rope. She holstered her weapon then pushed the cannon back with her legs. Now free of blockage, she slipped inside.

Her bare feet made no sound when she landed. Rotating her head, she realized most of the pirates were too busy to notice her. Mahal kept low and crept along the far wall until she found the first powder kegs. Keeling down, she made a hole and inserted a fuse. She started on the next one when movement caught her eye.

Silencing the Alarm

✧✧✧✧

Her head snapped up to see an elderly pirate rush at her, a saber in hand. Mahal touched the cannon behind her. Shifting to magnetic, she focused on magnetizing it. The pirate's weapon ripped from his hand and fastened to the iron casting. His eyes widened at the sudden disarm. Mahal rushed at him and shot a punched at his throat. Any shouts to his allies died on his lips, the force sending him a step back. Using the momentum, she twisted on her leg into a round house kick to the head. He crumbled instantly.

She stood over him and observed for signs of consciousness. He didn't move- likely out cold from her ruthless attack. The thought to toss him overboard crossed her mind, but she dismissed it. There was not enough time to waste on it.

Here Comes Trouble

✧✧✧✧✧

Finished with the last of the barrels, Mahal heard rattling. It took her a moment to realize she was alone. She turned to the saber affixed to the cannon. It rattled again, more violently before flying toward the stairs where a hand caught it. The tall, light skinned figure emerged from the stairs from just outside the torchlight's reach. A stubble beard framed his chin and long dirty blonde hair pulled back loosely against his neck. He glared at her before a cold chill swept over Mahal as the gunpowder barrels fuses were snuffed out. Diyablos recoiled farther back onto her shoulder.

Mahal rose upright and drew her daggers. She squared off as the air buzzed with magnetism. The girl's foot touched a nearby cannonball before kicking it at the man. He deflected it with a flick of the saber's tip, and immediately the iron ball reversed course. Mahal sidestepped right. The ball plowed past and into the cannon behind her.

Temperatures dropped around the pirate and her as he cast a spell. Sharp icicles of ice formed and erupted from the ground and hull. Mahal buffed herself with kinetic energy then weaved past them toward him. Among the chaos, Diyablos snagged a small tentacle full of powder and spilled a keg. He flung it at the pirate's direction. The man recoiled with a snarl, his arm tried to rub his eyes clear. Taking advantage of the distraction, Mahal slipped under the brandishing saber and scored on his arm. The coat ripped from sharpness and skin bled underneath.

Her chemical magic seeped into the cut. Instantly, his face twisted into agony before purging himself of it. "You little bitch. I'll enjoy beating the fire out of ya."

"We'll see about that," Mahal spat back.

Diyablos tugged at her hair and she glanced over her shoulder. A cannonball twitched then shot for her exposed back. While trying to stop it with magic, Mahal twisted to the side. The ball clipped her shoulder before she cleared it. She bit back a scream and clenched her shoulder. A numbness spread across her limp arm. Seeing her weakness, the pirate smirked. He stepped closer while readying to cut her down. Diyablos dropped down to her side then slapped up another fist full of powder. He whipped it up into the air in front of her. Drawing from the torches, she pointed her dagger forward. The tip glowed white. A streak of fire erupted in front of her. It spread across the powder and burst into a wall of flames.

The pirate hollered. His sonic magic sent a blast of air back, stunning her and doused the fire. Suddenly, her attacker was right in front of her. Mahal flinched when his free hand wrapped around her throat. An ice-cold chill started to tingle from the contact. "Is that all you got? I've seen geist kittens with more bite than you."

Once again, Diyablos rushed forward. With all his might, he lashed his tentacles at the man's face. Meanwhile, Mahal strengthened her skin against the cold and hastened her reflexes. Her feet belted the man in the stomach making him drop her. Instinctively she stabbed her dagger into his face. She poured the spell gaze of confusion into it. With a scream of pain and fury, he fell to his knees clasping his nose. Binding and chemical magic focused on clearing his head, followed by a spell to heal his wounds. Mahal backed up to a freed cannon. Pouring her magnetic energy into the iron, she sent it flying backwards like a metal ball from a pistol.

The last thing the pirate saw was the cannon crashing into his face.

With the fight done, Mahal leaned against the hull. Her adrenaline began to fade causing her to lower to the floor. She stared at the bloody pulp of corpse in front of her. As the beating of her heart began to lessen, the familiar numbness settled into her core.

Then her shoulder flared with pain. Mahal glanced at it and noticed the dislocation. Cursing her weakness, she braced herself to set it. Her arm cautiously reached for the back of her neck then shifted to the opposite shoulder. A fleshy pop echoed in her ears followed by her whimper slipping past her lips. Her whole body instinctively tightened then she forced it to relax. Mahal brushed the cold sweat from her brow with the back of her hand then she stood up. It still didn't feel right, but she had no binding to properly fix it.

Explosive Exit and Unexpected Rescue

✧✧✧✧✧✧

After lining the barrels up, Mahal stepped closer to her exit. She doubled checked Diyablos was secure on her chest and one dagger in her sash. Her ribs expand with a deep, cleansing breath. She extended her other blade toward the line up of fuses. The torches flicked at her massive draw of energy. One by one, they all began to dim than finally died. Her dagger began to glow again into a bright white color. The eerie light contrasted with the shadows on her grim expression.

She uttered a word. Fire streaked across the fuse tops then burned down the fragile material. Mahal twisted about then scrambled out the porthole. She leapt from the side as it exploded behind her. Wood splinters rushed past her falling form as her knees buckled upon her landing. She fell to all fours in the boat while she shielded Diyablos with her body. Ashes floated down around her with flame crackling in the background. It didn't take before the the threshers began to stir again. Their forms investigated against the dinghy. Rubbing against it and tossing her side to side. Only a matter of time until they capsized the small vessel.

Suddenly a rope slapped into the waves beside the boat. Fueled by the desperation to survive, she reached for it and gripped it tightly. Balik, the second mate of the Altin Oğul, and other sailors pulled her up. Once Mahal was safe, the woman gave her a pat on the back in appreciation. For only a moment, it seemed that the small group of sailors had forgotten the battle and gave a cheer. They had received a massive boon in the fight thanks to her efforts.

"You did well girl!" Balik praised before looking at the her shoulder. "But it seems victory came at a price. I will call up a binder from below deck."

"It's nothing," Mahal tried to shrug, then hissed in pain. Her protest fell on deaf ears and she was ushered off to the side while the binder was fetched. Past the sailors heading back to their duties, she glimpsed Ren Baykara. She shook her head at the odds. After all her effort to avoid him, she ended up on the same ship. Maybe she should've took her chances with the threshers.

---

Footnotes: Mahal drops off Raffie --> narrowly avoids colliding with a Torpedo Thresher or two--> Sneaks onto Pirate ship--> Silences an alerted non- mage pirate--> Fights a mage pirate--> Then explodes powder kegs and is picked up by Virangish crew of the Altin Oğul

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

""Don't judge a book by its cover."

Shifting Dealings

Roslyn wandered down the the paths winding the marketplace. She paused occasionally at a stall, admiring the trinkets and then moved on. Not much caught her interest as she kept on her bag at all times. It helped discourage any bold thief. Drawn in by the activity and a familiar face or two, she approached Fanaka's stall. Her attention lingered on the swimmer's box longer than the rest before she inquired about the sauces first.

"How much for a jar?" If her experience with Yuri had taught her anything, merchants tended to be more generous and willing to bargain after a purchase.

Fanaka was busy as ever and although the festival tugged on his very being, their was money to be made. And so at the arrival of a new coin purse, he smiled warmly to Roslyn.

"Welcome welcome," he greeted, slipping a jar from behind into his hand. "3 Magus, but I ensure you that this is quite the product," He cracked it open for Roslyn to try. A sweet fruity smell took to the air.

Roslyn took a small taste when a dab was placed on her finger. The favor popped across her tongue causing her eyes to widen and her lips to curl into a smile. It had a tangy fruit flavor with a pleasant texture.

"Oh, that is lovely." She debated for a moment then added, I'll take one." She turned to her bag and dug up three Magus from the amount she had left. Placing them in his hand, "One more thing. I'm also curious about the mystery boxes, can I get a price on them as well? "

Fanaka procured a fresh jar for her after the magus entered his hand, "The jar, if unopened, will last many months even in hotter environments. That is the real value in it." He wanted to return to Ayla but it seemed the brown haired woman with too much money was also interested in the containers. He looked at her up and down, Low Merchant or backwater nobility, one and the same really, Now whether to make the same offer or raise it? "6 magus for good customer," he raised it.

Roslyn spotted that familiar sense of judgement. A simple look that weighed her worth from her appearance and made her heart sink. She didn't wear the finest clothing or expensive trinkets that screamed wealth. Nor was her name well known beyond her little town. All these factors oozed power and gained favor where none would normally would be.

She reflected on the shift in price in her head. Not good enough, it seems. It would be foolish to take one after he raised it right in front of her. If she was hurt by it, she didn't show it. Roslyn kept her smile on and politely declined the "generous" price. "Ah, thank you for satisfying my curiosity. I think the jar will be enough for me."

She took her leave.

Chickens Gone Wild

Roslyn sat on the bench with the other contestants, her right leg subtly bouncing in place. Her hand held onto the vuvuzela she purchased from Vuvu while she went over how to play it properly. She tried to push back the rising performance jitters, but it was no use. Her eyes drifted over to the far end of the arena. Within the cages chickens of several colors, ranging from blue to reds, clucked in unison. Small heads bobbed while beady black eyes glanced about. There was a particularly nasty looking blue hen with speckles like a starry night. As if sensing her gaze, said hen's attention snapped to her.

The girl averted her eyes. She muttered underneath her breath, "That "chicken" seems more like a demon."

Someone tapped on her shoulder causing Roslyn to look up. It was a young woman who gestured her toward the fenced off area, indicating it was her turn. Giving her a nod, she inhaled a deep breath and pulled up onto her feet. She stepped out into the roar of the crowd. Meanwhile, the handler reached into one of the cages. In his arms was a pretty grey-blue hen. It looked passive until he set it down. As the grogginess faded, the avian strutted toward Roslyn. Every few steps, it paused and pecked at the ground. Not an air of concern about the girl's presence.

You're a proud lil' thing, aren't you? Roslyn rolled her eyes at the animal's cockiness. She tucked in her lower lip and raised her mouth to the vuvuzela's end. Her cheeks puffed before she blew into it. Air vibrated down the length before a low, hollowed sound erupted out.

Suddenly, the chicken stopped. Its head turned and stared at her. Not letting those beady black eyes frighten her, Roslyn stepped forward. She blew again. The hen flinched then started to casually dart away. she prayed it would keep doing that as she began to herd it toward the net. In her eagerness, her mouth didn't seal properly against the mouth piece. What came next was more of a rumble than a bellow. Abruptly, the chicken stopped in its tracks. Its reddish head turned toward her with a dead eye stare.

No... turn back around. She mentally screamed at the avian, but it continued to bob its little head. Slowly the bird began to rush toward her. Having seen the damage the spurs had done on other contestants, she tensed and stepped back. That was a mistake. Catching the display of fear, the hen's pace picked up. Its feathers bristled and wings raised up as it chased after her.

Oh no, the Gods have mercy on me. Why a chicken of all things?!?! Roslyn twisted to the right. She heard the fluttering of feathers as the demonic poultry landed just behind her. A part of her hoped she wasn't disqualified if the thing manage to scratch her.

The majority of the crowd broke out in laughter, with a few disappointed boos. One nearest the fences uttered encouraging shouts to face the "beast". Roslyn wasn't sure if they were mocking her or trying to help. Regardless, she couldn't let a chicken chase her the whole time. She dug in her heels and flipped to face the menacing poultry. Inhaling deep, she blew the horn again. The hen's neck feathers bristled as it charged at her.

With wide eyes, Roslyn jumped up letting the feather fiend dart underneath her. That didn't work like it was suppose to! An idea sprung to her head, her lips curled into a smirk. Maybe it was better to taunt the thing into the net than lure it. She knew it was worth a try.

When the blue hen circled about to find her, Roslyn moved quickly. She positioned herself in front of the net. With a deeper breath than before, she blew out another bellow. Cluck-cluck-cluck! The fiendish bird's head jerked in her direction and then bolted. For being a small thing, it easily cut down the distance between them. Roslyn felt her breath start to wane when the hen bounced off the ground and pounced at her. She stopped and dropped flat onto the dirt. The chicken sailed over her before landing into the net. Its wings became tangled as it hung there, trying to beat itself free. Relieved that her plan worked, Roslyn spotted a man offer her a hand up. Taking it, she pulled herself upright and brushed off her skirt. "Never thought a chicken could terrorize me until now."

The man chuckled before smacking her gently on the back. "That's what all the first timers say. Now, follow me." He walked her over to the handler, now holding a pacified bird in his arms. “Now, pardon or keep her?”

It was Roslyn’s turn to giggle. "Pardon her, she earned it. If all your chickens are like that, we should toss them at the thresher. I’m sure it would be swimming back to sea in no time. "

The man answered with a smirk and a shake of his head.

Little Stroll Along the Docks

---

Roslyn exhaled and then exited into the port. Her boots followed the dock's length until the festivity faded into the background. She considered ideas to provide provisions, but her head came up empty on a plan. The dread of facing the beast tomorrow didn't help. Lost in her thoughts, she had wandered towards the pirate ship.

She caught sight of an elderly woman being questioned by some Zengali men. Her head moved to notice the line of crates that weren't there before. Her eyes scrunched with confusion. Cautiously, Roslyn kept her unhurried pace while she tired to eavesdrop.

Lazily walking behind some crates, making no more noise than the waters, Roslyn ended up within earshot of their conversation.

"-'m just not sure if we can deliver these to you," said the smaller of the 2 men.

"But the merchant told me that he would have them delivered..." The old woman held onto her cane for support, obviously worried about her things being taken.

The larger man had a face of confliction, unable to side with his working mate or the elderly woman. Though it was somewhat difficult to make out the full scene with only the light of the moons.

Roslyn had delayed intruding on the conversation long enough. She sucked in a shallow breath and stirred her into action. Her form casually stepped out into view, continuing toward them down the dock's length. It wouldn't take long to notice her since she didn't hid the sound of her steps. She didn't know what she was going to do, but lurking like some timid mouse didn't help her.

The group had still been discussing whether they should relinquish the crates when the 2 men locked up when they heard Roslyn's footsteps. They turned around quickly to confront her, "Who are you? What are you doing here?" The big man shouted at her. The smaller one tried to keep an eye on Roslyn and the old lady.

Approaching them seemed less stupid in her head until this moment. It dawned on her how it must look, but it was too late now. Roslyn slowed her pace then came to a stop. Keeping her hands at her side, she spoke. "Sorry, I was just walking the docks to clear my head from the festivities. This place is a little different at night. I didn't mean to interrupt anything. "

It wasn't a total lie.

The large man more or less nods at her, turning back to the elderly woman. The smaller man turned back as well but he kept an eye on the suspicious new visitor. The old woman looked over to Roslyn, seemingly looking for help.

For a moment, she feared the worst. Thankful that didn't come to past as she then spotted the old lady's look. It tugged at the girl's heart. Roslyn hated her empathy some times as she then added. "I know it's none of my business, but is there anything I can do to possibly help?"

They had been talking when Roslyn joined the conversation. Small Man turned to her again, somewhat irritated at her. "Are you the wharfmaster?" he sarcastically asked her.

The Small Man gave her the 'what the fuck' look he could muster to her, "Go away woman." He waved her off like she a pest.

The old woman though, "I purchased these supplies and I wrote down the wrong dock," she tightened her cowl. "I'm terribly sorry, I really meant to put 2 not 7," she looked up to the taller man who seemed to be pretty uncomfortable with the whole situation.

At the man's reactions and harsh words, Roslyn inwardly flinched. That's when she caught the old woman's mention of supplies. Supplies, like provisions? If I can just... she stopped. Her heart dropped in her stomach like a stone in water, rapidly sinking to her toes. Do I really want to do this? Steal from an old lady for some pirates?

She sighed then pulled back from the conversation with the woman and smaller man. She refused to leave completely though as she spoke to the taller man. "Seems like a simple mistake, especially if she has proof about the supplies. So... why haven't they been moved?"

The Smaller man was growing more irritated with her continued existence. He readied another verbal lashing, poising himself to physically escort her off the pier. But the taller man turned to her, "The crates were scheduled to be delivered here. Anything that is suppose to be delivered here must be reported to the guards." He scratched his head looking back at the old woman.

"And that is what we should be doing, we could be at the festival instead we are working overtime for a blind woman," the Small man let out a disgruntled comment.

When the smaller man moved, Roslyn tensed and braced to dig her heels in. Her eyes hardened with a stubbornness before the taller man answered her. She quickly realized the reason he looked so uncomfortable. She reached up her fingers to pinch her nose for a moment. Her eyes looked once more at the blind woman. I can't do this. Not to a blind woman.

"Looks like there's only two options: continue to deal with the old woman or I can stay and try to get this resolved for her. I have a grandfather about her age, and I rather not see something happen to her."

The larger man laughed, "You carrying these crates? I mean no offense but your arms are even thinner than his," he slugged his friend's arm and small man shrugged it off like it didn't hurt. But the chemicals in his body told the truth, it hurt a lot.

Roslyn pressed her lips tightly as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't judge a book by its cover. Just watch."

Her eyes turned and walked to the crates as she drew in energy. Mumbling a spell beneath her breath, she reached out and 'hoisted' a crate with her arms. It twitched at first then began to raise with her motion. After holding it for several moments, she set it back down. She wanted for his reaction with a small smirk.

Small man gulped realizing that he had been yelling at a women that could break him in 2. The Larger man gulped realizing that as well. He might get beaten up by proxy. "Well you can certainly lift them," the large man spoke. He turned to the old lady, "Do you think you can trust this young woman to move them to the dock for you?"

The old woman, nearly blind, could still see the gift being used in front of her. A grandma smile spread across her face, "Oh I believe so, she seems quite wonderful and honest." She smiled so wholesomely at Roslyn, the young lass who put her neck out for an old folk like her.

The small man, once large in voice, was now small in his attitude, ready to get of this cursed pier before the mage or pirates come.

For a moment, Roslyn's pride swelled in her chest. The expression on their face was priceless as their attitudes shifted quickly. Her grin widened at how easy it was. However, the emotional high died when the woman praised her.

She bit her lower lip and then brushed it off. "I wouldn't say wonderful..." Or honest right now. Before the men walked away, she added one last thing. "That settles it. Oh, and you," she eyed the smaller man, "try to be more respectful. Now, go away man."

The small man didn't say anything, he just kept walking. There was too much at sake if the bitch decided to just snap his neck. But he had other ways to get back, he thought to himself.

Once the 2 men were well out of earshot, "Thank you again for the help," the elderly woman thanked her. "Those 2 were being real pains for me," she rubbed her neck and audible crack broke over the waves. "Let's get a move on," she nodded over to a peculiar ship that Roslyn was on earlier. The Grandma smile only grew wider.

"It was nothing," Roslyn responded. Her eyes scanned for any incoming trouble as she drew in kinetic energy from the water's movements. A part of her hoped it wouldn't come back and bite her in the ass later. Before she lifted up the crates, she caught the old woman's gesture toward the pirate ship. Roslyn blinked before it suddenly clicked. "I need to take my own advice it seems. I'm guessing you didn't exactly make a mistake, did you?"

The old woman gave a soft laugh, "Of course I made a mistake, this is dock 2 right?" Her smile stayed plastered on her face.

Roslyn arched her right brow and stared for a moment. "Right, forgot how the moons can make things look different." Not wanting to waste more time and get caught, she pointed her arm toward the crates. Her fingers clawed causing telekinetic magic to wrap about each one. They lifted one by one into the air as she walked them toward the ship.

"Right, the moons," she guided her up the gangplank under the the shadows of the main mast. The crates are placed but they made no noise. A candle on a small tray lit by itself in the woman's hands, she started to head to one of the doors to the interior of the ship. She looked back at Roslyn, the shadows flickering off her face, Eyes blackened in shadows but her smile was something wicked. "Care for some tea? We have honey~" The door started to creak open behind her.

Roslyn's eyes narrowed upon hearing the woman agree. An ice cold chill raced down her spine as she followed across the gang plank and onto the deck. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest with each step, feeling the discomfort growing. After releasing the crates from her magic, her attention locked onto the old woman. The young girl swallowed a small lump in her throat.

"It seems a bit late for tea, don't you think? And we?" Roslyn's curiosity warred with her fear, the later gaining strength.

She turned and walked through the entryway, the candle light going out as she crossed the threshold. Her figure was lost in the shadows but the creaking sound of stairs echoed through.

Roslyn frowned and stood there for a few moments. This was a bad idea and she knew it... but her curiosity ate up any more resistance. She muttered a curse beneath her breath then stepped in after the woman. She hoped her allies might actually notice her absence if she didn't return.

Each step creaked and soon the steps of the old woman disappeared. One step, 2 steps, 3 and countless more it felt. Soon she tripped on the floor. She went a little further and then a dozen of lantern lit up, blinding her for a second. The old women with the cowel was gone and in her place was a confident old women sitting on a chair with a table across from her. Tea was being poured and she looked up to ask, "One spoon or 2," she turned to some poor looking honey.

When light chased away the darkness, Roslyn's hand shielded her eyes. Her vision blurred then went back to normal. A burning sensation settled in her lungs before she realized she had held her breath the whole way down. She forced herself to relax as she inhaled. So many questions rushed into her mind that the young girl didn't know where to start.

"Just one please and thank you. Um, what did you say your name was again?"

The tea was served quickly but with an unusual amount of grace for a pirate. Their was no smile on her face, or any real expression at all. Just an old woman going through a basic task she has no doubt done 100's of time before. She took a sip of her tea, savoring it even though it was poor quality.

"Let's cut to the chase then. What's your name girl?" her voice was deeper and had a light gravel sound to it compared to the soft and frail voice she used with the men.

Roslyn, now seated, looked at her tea before giving it a sip. She managed not to make a face when the watery favor and strong aftertaste touched her tongue. Her head tilted up at the woman's question. She supposed it was fair that she gave her own too before expecting one. "Roslyn."

"You were on the ship earlier," she glanced at the girl's black eye, "got beaten up and still came back." She let out a small chuckle at the comedy that was this girl. But her face grew serious with Roslyn, "Very stupid to do so, what do you think happens to small women that wander near pirate ships?" the old women threatened Roslyn."But still," she paused, "You came back and helped me out, so I'll hear you out. What is it you want from me, Nanna Karmena, quartermaster of this ship."

At the woman's tone, Roslyn felt the familiar impulse to freeze creep in. She swallowed the lump in her throat and focused on the spark of anger in her chest. A part of her could guess the answer to the woman's question. The same thing that happened to any mouse that squeaked at a cat. So why was she doing this? It took her a moment to reflect on the answer. To ensure her loved ones survived the coming war.

The light of the lanterns flickered. Roslyn took a deep breath and stomped down her emotions. She felt ready to crack, but she couldn't right now. It was time for honesty and she hoped for the best. She set the teacup aside, "Due to my possession of a certain ship, someone from the central alliance thought I could earn your trust and sway you over to their side."

Roslyn paused, expecting to hear more laughter. It wouldn't surprise her since one act of kindness didn't guarantee trust.

A fawn.

That is what Karmena saw in Roslyn. Clumsy and curious of the world but ever so anxious and scared. The scene of a person like this sitting across from someone like her was just funny, not even worth the consideration.

But then the little fawn said the truth, "So your the one that ended up with the Nuvole Rosse." Her eyes went back to her tea, as she took a sip while thinking about what Roslyn.

Nanna Karmena smiled once again, "Quite the task they set for a girl like yourself," the smile grew. "Wandering into a famous pirate ship asking for trust just because you own a famous ship," she shook her head and clicked her tongue twice at the fawn.

"You're honest and young. Really perfect for the role they gave you," a small laugh followed and then she finished her tea.

"I could do it, get the men here to join hands with the Revidians. It wouldn't even cost me," she set the cup down, "But what would it cost you? You have the ship, wouldn't you rather ask me for some work." she raised an eyebrow with her. "Are you a girl sent out to do others bidding or a woman that takes what is in front of her?" Nanna Karmena has made her offer to Roslyn.

Roslyn found the woman's words not to be nearly as bad as she expected. Her head tilted upward and considered the offer. Back home, her father and grandfather had a simple life in mind for her. Marry, have children, and run the brewery until the end. She realized she never envisioned more or considered other options.

A few moments passed before the girl finally answered. "I gain more from your offer than swaying you to the central alliance." Once those words escaped her lips, she knew she had made her choice. She hoped it was the right one and the pirate didn't expect her to kill anyone.

Karmena appreciated the concise response, a pleasant smile came to her face, "Good, hate those pasta munchers." She stood up rather slowly and put up the teacups and honey, it was very business like. "Alright then, you have a deal, let's talk about what you can do at your level."

Nanna Karmena guided Roslyn further into the ship where they the discussed the details of the work she will be handed.

The Hourglass Order

Mahal Agha

"No...Why would you ask that?"

---

---

In the Company of Warriors
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: After Dusk
Location: Pelolia Village island, Moatu Suva}

---

---

Wandering over to Prince Tamatoa's group, Mahal thought about their little encounter earlier. While chasing the girl, she didn't see them until a sonic blast was cast. She was too slow and it nicked her. Mahal didn't think when she whipped a fireball back at the source. No one was there, but more warriors appeared. They quickly outnumbered her. With daggers still drawn, she boosted herself with the Gift and bolted off. Despite her best efforts to lose them, they forced her back to the shore. Things settled down after that.

Her eyes darted down to the wound on her leg. Despite its freshness, it looked older. She was thankful for her mana type now. Her eyes lifted up when the men's voices grew louder. Drawing to the edge of the group, she folded up her legs and sat down to listen.

As Mahal sat at Tamatoa's fire, some of the others caused a bit of commotion giving the Palapar girl the distinct impression she had broken some unknown courtesy or tradition. However, the prince is quick to settle them, they had not been the ones with him by the shore and didn't know the context. He stood, walked over to her, and sat beside her.

"An apology is mine to make," he spoke semi-formally but it wasn't difficult to find guilt in his eyes. "Had I known you to be a countrywoman, I would have never attacked. But tonight isn't one that rewards hesitation, not when my little sister was on the line." As if to mark his point the sounds of cannon fire followed not too soon after. The sounds of people who presented a very real danger.

Mahal's temper flared when the men became agitated. Her form tensed and her jaw clenched, venomous words formed on the tip of her tongue. Before she spoke, the prince acted and calmed them. Her eyes watched him until he settled down beside her. She relaxed upon hearing her native tongue being uttered. While she was decent at Avincian, she still struggled with it.

She clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Tch. Why apology for your actions? For all you knew, I was a threat and protecting family is not wrong." Her leg stretched out, letting the fire illuminate the wound. "I was weak and slow so I deserved the wound. It is already healing, see?"

"I don't apologise for my choices, only their outcomes" Tamatoa corrected her. "It is the duty of a warrior to fight for what is worth protecting. But it is also their obligation to correct harm caused where it wasn't intended." He spoke those words not as a man who understood them to be his own, but a boy reciting them and still trying to understand their full meaning. "My binding is... in development. But I should be able to help that, if you'll allow me to correct the mistake." He pointed to the leg wound.

Reaching into her hip pouch, she retrieved something pinkish white and covered in red. A raw chicken bone dusted with spices. "I am more concerned about your behavior toward the Eeaiko of my group. She has done nothing wrong, yet you act as if she has insulted you or done worse. Why? "

He frowned when she brought up the Eeaiko. "You would hold some odd looks in higher regard than your own health? Don't be foolish."

This felt awkward and wrong in a way she couldn't explain. Mahal expected this type of reaction from Lunara or even Salim. Not a stranger and especially not someone stronger. She popped the bone into her mouth, letting her teeth crunch it into smaller chunks. It gave her moment to calm her frustration. Once she swallowed, she spoke again.

"I think the same of you. I have had endured far worse than this and I heal quicker than most. " Her eyes shifted, recalling her tattoo hiding the facts she spoke of. Sonic blast was far better to heal from than thunderbolt at least. "However, since you insist I won't stop you. "

She shifted her leg closer to him while changing the topic. "The wreck seems to have collected a lot of unwanted attention. Enough to push the school into sending us."

"Thank you." Tamatoa place his hands on her leg and began healing. Perhaps in other cultures, this would have earned jokes or the odd laugh from the other warriors. That a such a simple and unnecessary act of kindness was performed by their leader. This was not the case.

He gave a stern look of worry to Mahal as she ate the bone, completely pausing his healing efforts. But he laughed it off once it sunk in that the girl fully intended to do that and it was beneficial. The Prince had never seen the Glutton mana type before.

"You're right about the wreck. First the pirates come, then the Virangish no far behind." Mahal might have picked up a further dip in the Princes mood, as if he held the Virangish in lower standing than the pirates. "And we are left to sit here, doing nothing while their stray cannon shots destroy our home."

Mahal didn't react to the Prince's look, though it made her self aware. She had struggled with her monstrous appetite since her Gift manifested. Over the years, she found ways to deal with it that included meat and insect rich meals to season bones. Her eyes glanced over her leg, checking it more out of habit than distrust. Not bad, she thought.

She gritted her teeth at the mention of the Virangish ships. They had no reason to be here, but they used their connections with Palapar to farther their own politics and power.

"Well if one comes this way, it will be sent right back where it came from." Mahal's tone sounded confident in this. Her eyes glanced back to the Prince. "Has any of your tribe been hurt or clashed with the Virangish on the island? I assume someone had to been curious about the wreckage."

Tamatoa chuckled a little and waved off her question. "No, no, the Virangish prefer to hide behind their treaties. That way they can keep believing they are in the right. They wouldn't fight us for no reason."

"What they have hurt is our pride." The Prince's face was stern and his voice picked up. Mahal no longer got the impression that his words were solely directed at her, but all those at the fire. The other young warriors made their agreements known. "We have had no problems fighting pirates off in the past. But it is only now that there is something valuable on our shores that the Virangish show up and insist on providing their protection. This battle could have been over. But now we sit on the shore doing nothing. Nothing! While they pillage our shores under that protectorate facade. All allowed for by the treaty the mainland signed." The Prince fought back the urge to spit.

Just then a warrior girl around Mahal's age came running from the shoreline with a hurry. "Prince Tamatoa! There are others coming to shore. They look to be Virangish."

In reply, the Prince rose with his spear. "Then we go out to meet them." He looked back to Mahal and appeared as though he was going to ask her to join. But then he stopped himself and thought something over.

"Mahal, you stay here." Then he left with the others before he could give a reason why.

Mahal had been asked to remain at the fire. But was she really going to?

The answer that was simple: No... Why would you ask that? Mahal tensed at the Prince's request. She had already pulled up onto her feet when the others started to rush into the thick of the jungle. He thought she was weak. The belief sliced through her like obsidian through flesh, her pride bleeding a bit. Instead of listening, she drew in energy and silenced her footsteps. She rushed toward the shore after them.

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"I might be able to fix that."

---

---

Desperate Distractions

Roslyn cursed herself.

She cursed her helplessness, her inexperience, and most of all her stupidity. Her brown eyes watched as Penny hopped off with the drunkard. The pair disappeared down the nearest stairs before being swallowed up by shadows. A gentle squeeze on her hip jerked Roslyn's attention back to her predicament. She realized quickly, it wasn't Penny that needed saving. It was her. Slowly, he began to pull her to the opposite way. His hands kept her ahead of him and sent her down the stairs first.

Great job, Roslyn. Now what? Her heart dropped in her stomach while she tried to slow. His body closed in on her and forced her along, her boots stepping off the final step. He had one thing on his mind and she wasn't about to give it to him.

"So, what's your name? " She glanced about the interior. Failing to find an escape route, a nagging feeling started to grow in her chest.

"Gomes."

Roslyn fought to keep her smile in place. She twisted away whenever he invaded her personal boundaries. If only she brought her gun and some powder. The girl blinked. She realized there was barely any powder kegs near cannons. By now, Gomes' had noticed her lacking interest. "Something wrong?"

Roslyn tried to keep things light. "I saw you drinking earlier, any chance I could get a sip?"

He inhaled sharply and she could still smell the booze on his breath. While his arms didn't budge from around her, they did loosen their grip. Roslyn relaxed at the change. "Tastes like pisswater, not sure you'll like it." His lip curled upon the memory of it.

"I might be able to fix that."

The man's eyebrow raised. "How?"

"I know a thing or two about beers. It won't be hard to make it taste better." Roslyn held her breath, pleading this worked. Several moments ticked by before his curiosity overwhelmed the lust in his eye, "Fine. This way." With those words, they disappeared deeper into the ship.

Fight and Rumors

Roslyn sat on one of empty barrels, watching the dark haired man gradually work a board loose. Sliding it aside, he reached down and retrieved a small green bottle. He handed it off to her when they heard a creak. Her eyes snapped to the entrance to spot an Enthish man standing there. Tall, thin with wave brown hair, his grey eyes shot venom toward Gomes.

"Ya filthy Torragonese rat! Put that back!" He spat and stepped forward.

The mask man snorted. "I didn't see your name on it, Jeb."

Words turned into a fight when the Enthish seized the man's shirt. Roslyn muffled a yell with her hand. Immediately, Gomes adjusted his mask then shoved Jeb away. While the men continued to argue, she slowly slid toward the exit. Suddenly, something slammed into the side of her face. Her knees buckled before her head crashed into the edge of another barrel. It felt like it split open on impact. The pulsing pain made bursts of stars in her vision as her left hand pressed against her eye. She was lucky she wasn't knocked out. Slowly, Roslyn pushed herself back onto her feet. In the background, the two men continued to fight and bicker.

Sacrificing a bit of her adrenaline, she muttered a spell at the bottle. It twitched then shot at the two men. It bounced off Jeb's head before it flipped into her free hand. The pair stopped fighting, their eyes turned on her.

"Now that I got your attention, sit down." Roslyn growled.

Much to her surprise, it worked. The two men settled down as she checked to see if someone heard them. No one seemed to noticed... yet. Pulling herself back to the pirates, she sat on a barrel once more. Next she rid the alcohol of its impurities before splitting it between them. The whole time, she fought past the pain of her bruised eye. She decided to bind it later.

Everything went smoothly after the first drink. With lifted moods, the men's lips loosened. They complained about the meager, pitiful rations. Low gunpowder, weapons, and more. Bitterly they recalled the horrors they faced and the beast's description, most of it matching the other accounts she knew. Feeling like she got all she could, she prepared to seek out the Captain when she caught Jeb staring intently at her.

"If you look too hard, your eyes might pop out." Roslyn said with a hint of annoyance.

Jeb smirked. "Sorry, you reminded me of something. You're Hendlish, aren't you? I recognize the accent."

"Yes, what of it?" She leaned her arms into the barrel and used it to keep her balance.

"I am just wonderin' sumethin'."

"What is that?"

"Why are you here? Pretty as you are, you're not dressed like most of the prostitutes I've seen."

Roslyn choose her words carefully. "A group and I were sent to help kill the White Thresher. Your ship was one of the more recent ones to survive. I didn't know if it was luck or if you managed to do something the other ships didn't." She paused for breath before adding, "The damage is also something I've seen before. Same type of thresher, I think."

Jeb's head tilted as he leaned in closer. "Okay, one more thing. There was rumors about a ship called the Fantasma Rosso, or Red Ghost. I recall mention that a little, brown haired Hendlish girl had gotten her hands on it. Is that you?"

Roslyn's pause lasted longer than necessary. "Yes, it is."

"You're a little short to run a ship like that, aren't you?" Gomes pipped up causing Jeb to laugh and nearly choke on the last of his drink.

Roslyn rolled her eyes and ignored the comment. "I was hoping to find the Captain and..."

Jeb leaned back and scoffed. "And what? Offer to smuggle something? Unless you can provide food, powder, or killing that thing, your offer does no good here. We might not survive the next day with that hells beast still around."

She flinched at his tone causing Jeb to sigh, his eyes turned to the side. Even Gomes became quiet and adjusted his mask again. A dark sense of defeat bled from the men before her. Jeb was the first to break out of it. He straightened himself up before casting her an apologetic look. "Sorry, lil' tense, you know? Livin' this way isn't easy."

"I suppose. I'm not going to help with the gunpowder or any weapons, but I'll see what I can do." Hopefully the thresher too, she added silently. "I need to get going."

Jeb nodded, but he didn't comment farther. A part of Roslyn pitied the pirates as she realized they were going into a fight with little to no hope of surviving. The amount of gunpowder and supplies proved that. She wasn't sure they deserved this, despite their life choices. Some like Jeb had accepted the grim reality. Others, tried to pretend it didn't exist and enjoy their remaining time. She walked out back the way she came while she heard Jeb turn his attention back to Gomes.

"Mate, next time I'll find a Virangish pepper n' shove it so far up yer ass, you'll be shittin' fire for months..."

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"Truth be told, I don't like it."

---

---

Putting One's Cards on the Table

_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: Some time before the mission debrief
Location: ???}
Roslyn had tried not to eavesdropped, but her efforts failed. When she spotted Leon beckoning her over, she gave up being discreet and moved closer.

"Is there anything strange on your letter too, Roslyn?"

She ignored his subtle glances at Ciro and Trypano as she nodded. She considered how much to reveal as she spoke. "A bit. First it arrived with my family's shipment rather than courier. It mentioned my ship and then some privateers being... obligated to work with the Marquis."

As she offered her letter for Leon to look at, her eyes darted briefly toward Ciro. A part of her wondered if he actually knew more than what he told her when he sold her the Nuvole Rosse. She dismissed the thought almost immediately realizing how silly it sounded. He wouldn't do that... right?

Her attention returned to Leon, his eyes fixated on her letter. His expressions gave her some reassurance that her discomfort wasn't overblown.

"It seems our mutual friend is quite the plotter as well..." He whispered back, his attention once more drifted toward Ciro and Trypano before turning back."Thank you Roslyn."

"Truth be told, I don't like it." Roslyn replied in the same quiet tone, her hand taking the letter back. She slipped it into her skirt pocket.

It seemed Leon's constant glances had finally gotten Ciro's attention. The dark haired man turned about and joined them. His words said with a smile, but the undertone held annoyance at the lacking politeness. Roslyn shifted to the side to make room for him. Of course after Ciro offered his own letter up, he hinted at reading Leon's too. Ayla also nudged Leon showing her own curiosity. This caused Leon to swiftly apologize then stated they all should share their letters.

Roslyn shook her head, amused by having to take her letter back out and offered it up for the others. "Here's mine for whoever wants to read it since we're sharing."

She had nothing to hide. At least, not in regards to this.

---

---

Off To The Ports
_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: daytime
Location: Morrento in Zengali, Mezegol}

After introductions finished, Roslyn weighed the information. She seemed distracted when the sounds of someone talking pulled her from her thoughts. With a deep inhale, she addressed any of her group that remained.

"I'm not very elegant with words. It is better I head out to the docks rather than deal with the Marquis. I want some idea of what to expect before we rush into battling this Thresher..." She secured her invitation and rest of her things before adding, hoping it wouldn't be snitched later. "I'm guessing we're all meeting up at the festive later? Do we meet back here or somewhere else?"

Leon's voice came from behind her as he chimed in. "I, for one, intend to enjoy the festival to the fullest." He flashed a smile. "We fight tomorrow, so why not enjoy today. But you can find me if you need me, I don't exactly blend into a crowd." He departed with those words as he moved once more toward the encampment.

"Yeah, I'm the opposite. I blend way too well into the crowds." Roslyn countered with a small chuckle. She some times envied those that didn't simply disappear, but knew her 'talent' had its own perks.

Upon hearing that Ciro was heading toward the port proper, she chimed in. "I guess we'll be accompanying each other for a bit then. "

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
Putting All The Cards On The Table Roslyn joins in with the others over sharing their letters.
Off to the Ports Once they get a debriefing at the Baker's Dozen, the group divide and pick their own places of interest. Roslyn, alongside Ciro, heads down to the port to see what information she can find out about the attacks.
Items of note on her person: Smoking Bandit (per-loaded with Rosy Wick- x2 charges), Four-Dimensional Compass of the Seafaring Tribe, Bottle of Whine, Band of the Beggar King, Tusk Bandages x2, Snowpepper sniffing power x2, Skinglue x2
Tags: Leon @Jumbus, Alya @Ti, Trypano @A Lowly Wretch, Ciro @Force and Fury}

The Hourglass Order

Mahal Agha

"Move, now!"

Mahal's patience began to wane as she popped something white into her mouth. The hot, spicy seasoning hit her taste first. Gently her tongue rolled it about, weighing the texture and noting the size. She was confident it was a pork knuckle with some cartilage still attached. Drawing in the slightest hint of mana from the sunlight, she strengthened her teeth and cracked it. She had just swallowed it down when Raffie's voice caught her attention.

She lowered her gaze to size up the petite, pink girl, "I'm surprised you're here too."

Any additional conversation was cut short when students were instructed to jump into the lake.

---

---

Straight From The Stone And Into The Fire.
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: Dusk
Location: Moatu Suva, Kiluaho}

Mahal bobbed in the waves as her arms held tightly onto a nearby crate. Her eyes did a quick scan around her, seeking out any shapes of her fellow students close by. Identification was near impossible due to the dying light. Suddenly a loud sound of whistling came from behind her. She turned to spot a towering ship. Several dark rounded shapes sailed from its board side and flew across the fading twilight sky.

"Move, now!" Mahal shouted then pulled her body higher onto the crate. Driven by instinct and fear, she drew in mana then kicked her legs. Her eyes fixed on the nearest land mass.

Past the choppy waves, Mahal spotted one of the students splitting off from the rest. The small green one. He swam for the Blue Adam while the others scrambled for safety. She wasn't sure if she should be impressed by his bravery or take a lesson from his foolishness. They would find out later when or if he returned.

Something with bright red hair shot past her and narrowly missed her. Mahal jerked back to see a helegan toss himself through the water like a skipping stone toward shore. Every few meters, he tilted up then dove beneath the surface. Finally, he landed face first into the shoreline where the wheelchair bound girl and the Eeaiko already were.

Feeling the edges of the shoreline press against her toes, Mahal dug in and pushed the crate onto the sand. She caught the small shapes of both Raffie and Baykara on the Virangish flagship. Maybe they will get them to stop firing while the others made it to shore. Securing her crate with the others, her eyes counted the remaining students. Her teeth gritted as her count was off by two repeatedly.

"We're missing two, where's Tku and Fiske?" Mahal asked, her eyes fixed on the water and ready to dive back in.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
Mahal races to the shore with the remain students, save Ren, Raffie, and Zast. Doing a brief head count, she notices two are missing: Tku and Fiske.
Items of note on her person: Diyablos, x2 Virangish black steel dagger
Purchases this Cycle None
Tags: Maura @Ti, Fiske @jasbraq, Tku @dragonpiece, Marz @Th3King0fChaos, Raffie @Emeth, Kaureerah @Force and Fury, Zast@Jumbus, and Ren @Suicharte}

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"I'm going to need a beer after this."

---

---

One's Own Worst Enemy

_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: Spare Period
Location: Mage Hunters' practice range, Ersand'Enise}

Roslyn inhaled. She drew in the heat from the sunlight resting on her dress, chilling the air around her. Her hazel eyes eyed the hovering disc in front of her. It was practically asking to blown out of the air as it stood no more than three meters from her. Lifting up her arm, she aimed her pistol at it. Her hesitation kicked in then when she recalled her group's Tan-Zeno's disapproving words.

"You've been apart of the Mage Hunters' society for about three weeks. You know how to clean, maintain, and use a gun. Yet, you struggle to hit a still target hovering only three meters in front of you? That is unacceptable, Miss Wicke."

Despite her best efforts, Roslyn felt a heat of shame wash over her cheeks. The crack of the weapon echoed in her ears when she pulled the trigger. The bullet dropped and blew past the target. She cursed in Hendlish then made a quick circle motion with her finger. The round, metal ball whipped around as it nicked the disc causing it to wobble. Still it kept going. Roslyn's eyes widened and she jumped back. Clods of dirt scattered as he bullet planting into the ground where she stood earlier.

She let out a breath of relief at it narrowly missing her foot. With a slightly tremor in her hand, she set down her pistol and pinched between her eyes. Roslyn knew she had already wasted too much of her spare hour on this, but her perfectionist nature kept gnawing at her. Like a rat with a piece of twine, it wore at her insecurities and drove her to continue to practice. The newly formed callouses on her fingers looked ready to pop at this rate.

"You're getting better, Roslyn." She caught Morritz Stiglitz's praise after he approached her. He turned small clay disc in his hands, thoroughly examining it. "See, right here. You managed to nick it this time."

He tilted the right side to reveal a small chunk chipped away at the edge. Roslyn bit her lip, sparing it the smallest glance. She could do better...

Roslyn became quiet. She averted her eyes and reached to reload the pistol. Morritz sized her up before he spoke again. "I see you took Tan-Zeno Mendenhoffer's criticisms to heart."

Roslyn's grip tightened on the gun before pausing to look at him. "Is it that obvious?"

"I am afraid so." He continued with a quick follow up, setting down the disc. "Being Mendenhoffer's teaching assistant, even I find his words harsher than necessary. But I assure you, he has the best intentions. Especially with the war brewing on the horizon."

Sizing her up, he then added. "I suggest taking on a task that does some good. It might make you feel better."

Morritz gave her a smile and walked away, leaving Roslyn to her thoughts.

Preparations

_{Date: 18th of Velles, Lepedes
Time: After Class
Location: The Groove, Ersand'Enise}

As Roslyn walked during her shopping, she continued to read the small parchment in her hand. It was a call to arms request for a monster hunt of a violent white thresher and cargo retrieval of the Sant'Agata della Compagnia Rossa. She recalled seeing it a few times and passing it over. It felt too far out of her capabilities, especially for the reward it asked. Stuck at the bounty board, she continued to struggle to find something. Ciro seemed to materialize out of nowhere and inquired about her presence.

She bit her lip. Truthfully, she had hoped to find a job posting to solve her tuition issues. Ashamed to admit it, she mentioned wanting to do something positive. Ciro gave her a long look before he pointed out this bounty. Roslyn didn't know if he saw through her small lie or not, but gratefully took the suggestion. It felt rude not to despite her feelings.

"Uh, Miss? Are you listening? "

Roslyn's head jerked up to see an older woman staring suspiciously at her. She slipped the parchment into her satchel and inhaled sharply, facing the shop keeper with a smile. "Uh, yeah. Sorry. I'm looking for skinglue, snowpepper sniffing power, and binding bandages."

"Wait there. " With heavy steps, the woman slipped behind the counter. She pushed through a small door and into the backroom. Her gruff voice continued to speak through the small gap made by a stone keeping the door open. "Currently, we are out of binding bandages. We've been out of stock since the Trials and shipments have been delayed. However, you are in luck. We got two skinglues and a snowpepper power left."

"Better than I expected. How much? " Roslyn pulled out her small coin bag, ready to count them out.

"Twenty for both skinglue and ten for the sniffing powder." She aired casually.

The girl's eyes widened in shock and barely stopped her jaw from dropping. That was nearly double the amount that she recalled from Vossoriya more than a month ago. "That's more than I remember it being... "

"Blame the rising tensions. Medical supplies are hard to keep on hand since the Trials. At this rate, you'll be lucky if we even got normal bandages to sell."

Roslyn nodded and thanked the woman. She paid, taking her goods and then departed the shop. Her next stop was Fat Yuri's shop. She purchased one dozen pufferchicken eggs before she got caught up in conversation. It reminded her of the damage they had done before departing though she couldn't change that now. Roslyn bid him good bye and popped home to drop off her goods at home. Her final stop was the Grand Library to borrow some research materials. She needed more information over Threshers before tomorrow.

The Hunt
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: Daytime
Location: Departure Point, Ersand'Enise}

Roslyn finished packing her things as she recounted the list in her head. Even though she knew she had prepared the best she could be, she still bit her lip. What if it wasn't enough? Her fingers pinched down on her nose as she took a deep breath and pushed out the negativity. No point in delaying anymore. She hoisted the satchel onto her shoulder, slipping on her ring and grabbed her hand cannon on her way out. Last thing she grabbed were the boiled dozen of puffchicken eggs for a quick meal on the run.

Feeling a bit lost, she worried she had misread the directions. Her braid swayed behind her as she turned in place, her eyes scanning her surroundings. She spotted Ciro's dark, curly head near a collection of students. Her boots hastened across the flagstones as her eyes caught a familiar, pale Revidian. Trypano. Roslyn cursed underneath her breath while her pace slowed and she fell in next to Ciro.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
One's Own Worst Enemy- After receiving criticism from her Zeno, Roslyn attempts to improve her aim at the Mage Hunters society range during her spare period. A small conversation occurs with Morritz Stiglitz, the society's head and Mendenhoffer's teaching assistant. He encourages her to seek out a task that does some good to improve her mood before leaving her to her thoughts.
Preparations- After stalling at The Groove's bounty boards, she is approached by Ciro who suggested to take on the White Thresher mission. Roslyn accepted and spent a bit of time purchasing supplies and preparing for the trip the next day.
Then the Hunt- Roslyn meets up with the others for the hunt only to discover that Trypano is among them.
Items of note on her person: Smoking Bandit (per-loaded with Rosy Wick- x2 charges), Four-Dimensional Compass of the Seafaring Tribe, Bottle of Whine, Band of the Beggar King, Tusk Bandages x2, Snowpepper sniffing power x2, Skinglue x2
Purchases this Cycle
Groove/Yuri Receipt- x2 Skinglue (20), x1 Snowpepper sniffing powder (10), and x1 dozen pufferchicken eggs (10) Total: 40 (budget was 50 left from last auction)
Tags: Leon @Jumbus, Alya @Ti, Trypano @A Lowly Wretch, Ciro @Force and Fury}

---

Mahal Agha

"Something about this doesn't feel right..."

---

---

When Reality and Skepticism Collide
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: 2nd hour of Shune.
Location: gazebo on Hedda’s Island, Ersand'Enise}

Mahal's mind kept returning to the meeting yesterday. She lingered on the High Zeno's words in her head as she tried to make sense of it all. Her foot dangled over the edge of her bed as she rocked herself. Unable to deal with the hounding suspicion, she gave up fighting and brushed Puno off her. The updog cocked her head then obeyed. Ignoring her companion's disgruntled looks, Mahal moved with purpose.

She retrieved her small bag and began filling it up with essentials. Finding the daggers, she wrapped them in cloth and placed them in. She grabbed her waterskin and filled it with the pitcher of fresh water left on her side table.

Pushing her room door open, Mahal hollered in Palparese down the stairs. Behind her, Lunara briefly stirred before flipping over and returning to sleep. A spark of guilt crossed her expression before she caught the sounds of a pair of feet rushing up the stairs. As Mahal got dress, two servants entered. Pua and Kalani, the two indentured servants her father sent. She gave them quick instructions over how to tend to the animals during her absence.

They were too small to accompany her and this made them liabilities. Risking their lives was rather pointless at this stage. Hopefully by the time of the next mission, they would be ready.

During the conversation, she caught the sound of water being sprayed. Mahal had no doubt Diyablos had heard his name and came to investigate, but she had wasted enough time. Finishing up, Mahal straightened out her clothes then collected her bag. While the servants kept the hounds from following her outside, she rushed for Hedda's Island.

~***~

It didn't take long to spot the crowd as Mahal spotted the gazebo's roof ahead. Already a few students had arrived and waited for the portal to be summoned. Her eyes flicked through the crowd, some faces she knew and other were new. The most familiar were Fiske and Ren from her apprentice group. Her teeth gritted at the image of the later as she moved to avoid him.

She would not let him poke her temper today. Her form stood beside the Eeaiko as she prayed for the delay to be brief. Unknown to her, a small, reddish tentacle stretched out from underneath the cover.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
When Reality and Skepticism Collide -Mahal instructs to servants to care for her pets as she prepares for the mission. While she waits for the portal to activate, she didn't spot Diyablos managed to hide away in her bag.
Items of note on her person: Diyablos, x2 Virangish black steel dagger
Purchases this Cycle None
Tags: Maura @Ti, Fiske @jasbraq, Tku @dragonpiece, Marz @Th3King0fChaos, Raffie @Emeth, Kaureerah @Force and Fury, Zast@Jumbus, and Ren @Suicharte}

The Hourglass Order

Chilling with the Pets

Mahal

Time: Third Hour of Oraff to Eshiran. Some time after the Revolution aftermath.

---

Mahal took a deep breath. She lowered her arms and braced herself against the sand, stretching her right leg out behind her. When the mental countdown ended, she took off running. Instinctively, she drew in the mana around her. Upon reaching the edge, she slowed for a slip second. Her feet kicked up and released the kinetic energy. It sent her flying as her limbs curled in, sending her cannon balling into the water.

SPLASH!

It surrounded her suddenly. The subtle pop of shifting pressure settled in her head. Mahal drifted there. Her legs and arms began to loosen until they floated beside her. She blinked. Water blurred her vision while she observed her surroundings. Nothing at first. Suddenly, a low swish darted past. Her arms jerked to the side, swinging her about. She caught the fleeting glimpse of something dark disappear deeper.

Mahal smiled. She pushed her legs over her head and dove after it. Like a dream, the dark shape continued to stay just ahead of her. When she thought she could reach it, Mahal reached out to touch it. A sharp pain echoed in her chest. She stopped and clenched her chest. A few bubbles escaped her lips and floated upward. She cursed then shot up toward the surface.

Air rushed into Mahal's lung when she reached it, the sting across her chest fading. She continued to drift in place. Before she began her swim to shore, something brushed her feet. Mahal squeaked as she slipped off. Bobbing back up, she witnessed a dark carapace surface.

Apoy gave a low rumble that vibrated in the water. His hard shell lingered close allowing her arms to rest on him. She gently traced a jagged, yellow orange line down his craggy carapace side. It mimicked lava almost perfectly before it would fade into an ashy grey as he got older.

"Since you're eager to help. Apoy, shore." She commanded. The volcanic thresher just floated there.

"Apoy, shore!" Mahal repeated louder and gave his back a sharp tap. He still didn't go. She didn't understand. A moment passed before she realized the issue. With a soft sigh, she reached into her water tight pouch and pulled out a small fish.

"Apoy, shore." This time Mahal pushed off his form and lead him toward the beach. The volcanic thresher rumbled again and his legs began to move. She stepped up on shore before tossing him the fish. Apoy's large claw snapped up and seized it, retreating back into the habitat's depths.

"We'll work on that.." She had forgotten how food motivated he was until now. Speaking of treat addicts, her eyes shifted toward two forms bounding up to her.

Puno promptly lowered to her belly. She let out a strong, attention seeking woof. Sand stuck to her rich grey and black pelt as she wagged her rounded tail eagerly. Mahal reached to pet her only to have her dart away and repeat it. Mahal shook her head, "Puno, I'm too tired to chase you."

Mahal lowered herself into a cross legged position while she reached into her bag. She pulled out a few seasoned wood chips and a jerky treat. Catching the sight of food, Puno went for it.

"No!" Mahal raised her arm to block the greedy pup. Puno whined in protest trying to climb up her. Before she could reach it , Supok trotted up. The runty firehound leaned in for a sloppy kiss and pushed the updog off. Puno growled a warning. She lowered her form and followed up with glottal barks from her throat. Supok jerked and twisted about.

Mahal considered getting involved, but she stopped herself. They needed to resolve this before it became an issue. She watched the exchange until finally Supok rolled onto her side and went submissive. The brindle hound side eyed Mahal for help.

"Don't look at me like that. You shoved her first." Mahal then held out the jerky, telling them to sit and stay. Making them remain in place for a few seconds, she then let them have their treats. Supok and Puno settled in beside her while chewing them.

Casually, she laid back into the sand of Apoy's enclosure. Her eyes shifted to the skies and watched the clouds drift by while she reflected on the past events. It was difficult to know how she should feel about it. What was a small spark of protest spiraled into a fire of destruction and hope for permanent change. A part of her doubted it was that easy.

She found herself a part of the student body that dealt with the fall out from the conflict. Acid rain, fire, and more rain down on the city. Shortly after the chaos started to fade, she went looking for Lunara and they stumbled upon the staff. A large fight seemed to have broken out as they healed who they could and shortly was sucked into a strange place. Mahal's knuckled tightened, recalling the lack of senses and direction in that place. A small tremble broke across her flesh. She was weak in that moment. Frozen in place by panic, her lung struggling to contain air and her heart trying to break her ribs. If it wasn't for Diyablos and Puno, she might've been stuck there forever.

Mahal closed her eyes against the thought as she took a deep, cleansing breath. Something thin and rubbery touched her hand. She opened her eyes and spotted Diyablo sitting there. Giving him a gentle smile, she pulled him onto her belly. It seemed he had been playing in the ruins of a small barrel. It was one of her failed toy attempts for Apoy.

"It is too bad that Ciro only sells to reputable buyers now. Ironwood would've been a better choice." Mahal said to her small octopus, referring to the rumors of students destroying the shop.

Puno whined causing her to sigh and ruffle the dog's ears. It reminded her that she still had crates she needed to open. A part of her worried over the Rettandic ones.

Again, Diyablo tugged at her attention. She glanced down at him. "I saw you liked the barrel. I wonder why?"

Diyablos just blinked and seemed to smile with his odd eyes. It felt like he prefer to keep his secrets then reveal them, making the girl chuckle. She let him idly play with her hands and fingers.

Recently things, to some degree, started to become normal again. Sadly the scars of the conflict lingered underneath. Either the staff didn't do a good job or they wanted reminders of what happened here. It didn't matter in the end because Mahal had chosen to keep those memories. She thought about her tattoos. Not all scars were best forgotten.

For now, she would enjoy the peace while it lasted.